No abstract available.
Acetylcysteine* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Healthy Volunteers* ; Humans ; Skin* ; Water Loss, Insensible

BACKGROUND: For patients with full thickness skin defects, autologous Split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) are generally regarded as the mainstay of treatment. However, skin grafts have some limitations, including undesirable outcomes resulting from scars, poor elasticity, and limitations in joint movement due to contractures. In this study, we present outcomes of Matriderm grafts used for various skin tissue defects whether it improves on these drawbacks. METHODS: From January 2010 to March 2012, a retrospective review of patients who had undergone autologous STSG with Matriderm was performed. We assessed graft survival to evaluate the effectiveness of Matriderm. We also evaluated skin quality using a Cutometer, Corneometer, Tewameter, or Mexameter, approximately 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients underwent STSG with Matriderm during the study period. The success rate of skin grafting was 96.7%. The elasticity value of the portion on which Matriderm was applied was 0.765 (range, 0.635-0.800), the value of the trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) was 10.0 (range, 8.15-11.00) g/hr/m2, and the humidification value was 24.0 (range, 15.5-30.0). The levels of erythema and melanin were 352.0 arbitrary unit (AU) (range, 299.25-402.75 AU) and 211.0 AU (range, 158.25-297.00 AU), respectively. When comparing the values of elasticity and TEWL of the skin treated with Matriderm to the values of the surrounding skin, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that a dermal substitute (Matriderm) with STSG was adopted stably and with minimal complications. Furthermore, comparing Matriderm grafted skin to normal skin using Cutometer, Matriderm proved valuable in restoring skin elasticity and the skin barrier.
Cicatrix ; Contracture ; Elasticity ; Erythema ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Joints ; Melanins ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Tests ; Skin Transplantation ; Skin* ; Skin, Artificial ; Transplants* ; Water Loss, Insensible

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) patients suffer from xerosis. Proper skin care, including the use of emollients, may help improve xerosis and minimize disease exacerbation. Lactobacillus sakei probio 65, isolated from the Korean vegetable-based product kimchi, can decrease interleukin 4 and immunoglobulin E levels and inhibit Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, it has reportedly shown positive dermatological effects in both animal and clinical studies. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of an emollient that contains Lactobacillus (treated) with a normal emollient (control) on AD. METHODS: This double-blind, randomized, split-body clinical trial involved 28 patients with AD. The patients applied the Lactobacillus-containing emollient on one side of their body and the control emollient on the other side twice daily for 4 weeks. Trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin capacitance were evaluated and investigator global assessment and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were administered on weeks 0, 1, 2, and 4. RESULTS: The treated sides had significantly lower TEWL and VAS values and significantly higher skin capacitance values over time than the control sides. CONCLUSION: Topical application of Lactobacillus-containing emollients may improve the skin permeability of patients with AD.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Disease Progression ; Emollients* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Interleukin-4 ; Lactobacillus* ; Permeability ; Research Personnel ; Skin ; Skin Care ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Water Loss, Insensible

BACKGROUND: The most common adverse effects of oral isotretinoin are cheilitis, skin dryness, dry eyes, and conjunctivitis, whereas evening primrose oil (EPO) is known to improve skin moisture and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in healthy adults and atopic patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of EPO in preventing xerotic cheilitis in acne patients being treated with oral isotretinoin. METHODS: Forty Korean volunteers of Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV, having moderate acne, were enrolled and randomized to receive either isotretinoin with or without EPO for 8 weeks. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated on the basis of global acne grading system scores, number of inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions, TEWL, corneometry, physician's global assessment, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The results after 8 weeks of treatment showed that the TEWL of the lip increased significantly during isotretinoin treatment, whereas the TEWL of the hand dorsum showed no significant change. The increase of the TEWL of the lip was more definite in the control group than in the experimental group. The number of acne lesions decreased significantly in both groups, and there were no differences between them. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the addition of EPO improved xerotic cheilitis in acne patients being treated with oral isotretinoin. However, besides TEWL and corneometry assessments, additional studies are required for a complete understanding of the role of EPO in xerotic cheilitis in acne patients being treated with oral isotretinoin.
Acne Vulgaris* ; Adult ; Cheilitis* ; Conjunctivitis ; Hand ; Humans ; Isotretinoin* ; Lip ; Oenothera biennis* ; Patient Satisfaction ; Pilot Projects* ; Skin ; Volunteers ; Water Loss, Insensible

PURPOSE: Extremely-low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs), especially those < or =24 gestational weeks (GW), presented extremes in IWL and changes of water balance. The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively investigate fluid and electrolyte balance in infants of < or =24-GW during the first postnatal week under high humidification. METHODS: Medical records of extremely-low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs) who were born and admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Samsung Medical Center during March 2004-September 2010 were reviewed. Fluid intake, urine output, insensible water loss (IWL), and electrolyte balance of 22-GW (n=14), 23-GW (n=40), and 24-GW (n=67) infants nursed in high humidity (95%) were compared with > or =26-GW (n=65) infants nursed in 60% humidity. RESULTS: Survival rate until discharge was 33%, 82%, 75%, and 89.3% in 22-GW, 23-GW, 24-GW, and > or =26-GW infants, respectively. Fluid intake and IWL was higher in 22-GW and 23-WG, but not different in 24-GW, than in > or =26-GW infants. At postnatal days (P) 3-5, the urine output was significantly lower in > or =26-GW infants than in the other age groups. Serum sodium level was significantly higher in 22-, 23-, and 24-GW (P1-2) than in > or =26-GW infants. Hypernatremia (>150 mEq/dl sodium) was more frequent in 22-GW (71%), 23-GW (41%), and 24-GW (21%) than in > or =26-GW infants (14%). CONCLUSION: High-humidity environments significantly decreased fluid intake and improved electrolyte imbalance in 24-GW, but not 22- and 23-GW, infants. Increased IWL in the latter might be related to more immature skin, and implicates the need for additional nurturing conditions.
Apnea ; Electrolytes ; Humans ; Humidity ; Hypernatremia ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures ; Skin ; Sodium ; Survival Rate ; Water Loss, Insensible ; Water-Electrolyte Balance

PURPOSE: Extremely-low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs), especially those < or =24 gestational weeks (GW), presented extremes in IWL and changes of water balance. The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively investigate fluid and electrolyte balance in infants of < or =24-GW during the first postnatal week under high humidification. METHODS: Medical records of extremely-low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs) who were born and admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Samsung Medical Center during March 2004-September 2010 were reviewed. Fluid intake, urine output, insensible water loss (IWL) and electrolyte balance of 22-GW (n=14), 23-GW (n=40) and 24-GW (n=67) infants nursed in high humidity (95%) were compared with > or =26-GW (n=65) infants nursed in 60% humidity. RESULTS: Survival rate until discharge was 33%, 82%, 75% and 89.3% in 22-GW, 23-GW, 24-GW and > or =26-GW infants, respectively. Compared to > or =26-GW infants, fluid intake and IWL was higher in 22-GW and 23-WG, but not as different in 24-GW. At postnatal day (P) 3-5, urine output was significantly lower in > or =26-GW infants than in the other age groups. Serum sodium level was significantly higher in 22-, 23- and 24-GW (P1-2) than in > or =26-GW infants. Hypernatremia (>150 mEq/dl sodium) was more frequent in 22-GW (71%), 23-GW (41%) and 24-GW (21%) than in > or =26-GW infants (14%). CONCLUSION: High-humidity environments significantly decreased fluid intake and improved electrolyte imbalance in 24-GW, but not in 22- and 23-GW infants. Increased IWL in the latter might be related to more immature skin, implicating the need for additional nurturing conditions.
Electrolytes ; Humans ; Humidity ; Hypernatremia ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Sodium ; Survival Rate ; Water Loss, Insensible ; Water-Electrolyte Balance

PURPOSE: High level of indoor air pollutant may cause aggravation of atopic diseases long with various allergic respiratory diseases especially in people who spend mostly of their lives indoors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of air purifier on the reduction of relevant hazards in indoors and the improvement of atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS: A total of 24 families, consisted of 18 AD families and 6 normal control families, were enrolled in this study. We examined air quality and AD severity before the installation of air purifiers and after twenty-four weeeks. The assessment of air quality included fine particles (particulate matter, PM2.5 and PM10), gaseous contaminants (CO, CO2, volatile organic compounds [VOCs], formaldehyde, NO2) and density of offloating microorganisms. Severity of AD was assessed by SCORing atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). RESULTS: At the end of study, particular air pollutants and VOCs of gaseous air pollutants decreased in both groups (P<0.01). In AD group, SCORAD index decreased from 23.45+/-4.34 to 15.42+/-6.53 (-18.5%) and TEWL decreased from 33.78+/-5.16 to 26.89+/-5.66 (-18.7%) (P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively). However, the value of total immunoglobulin E and eosinophil did not show significant changes in both groups compared with baseline. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that air purifier may improve severity of AD by reducing air pollutants like fine particles and VOCs. Our preliminary study could provide a basis for using air purifier to prevent aggravation of AD.
Air Filters ; Air Pollutants ; Air Pollution, Indoor ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Eosinophils ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; Water Loss, Insensible

BACKGROUND: Microneedles provide a minimally invasive means to transport molecules into the skin. A number of specific strategies have been employed to use microneedles for transdermal delivery. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety of two new digital microneedle devices (Digital Hand(R) and Digital Pro(R); Bomtech Electronics Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea) for the perforation of skin in skin-hairless-1 mice. This device replaces conventional needles and is designed specifically for intradermal delivery. METHODS: We used two newly developed digital microneedle devices to perforate the skin of skin-hairless-1 mice. We conducted a comparative study of the two digital microneedle devices and DTS(R) (Disk type-microneedle Therapy System; DTS lab., Seoul, Korea). To evaluate skin stability, we performed visual and dermatoscopic inspections, measurements of transepidermal water loss, and biopsies. RESULTS: The two novel digital microneedle devices did not induce significant abnormalities of the skin on visual or dermatoscopic inspection, regardless of needle size (0.25~2.0 mm). No significant histopathological changes, such as inflammatory cell infiltration, desquamation of the stratum corneum, or disruption of the basal layer, were observed. The digital microneedle devices and microneedle therapy system produced similar results on measures of skin stability. CONCLUSION: These two novel digital microneedle devices are safe transdermal drug delivery systems.
Animals ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Mesotherapy ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Needles ; Pyridines ; Skin ; Thiazoles ; Water Loss, Insensible

BACKGROUND: Topical application of corticosteroids also has an influence on skin barrier impairment. Physiological lipid mixtures, such as multi-lamellar emulsion (MLE) containing a natural lipid component leads to effective recovery of the barrier function. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to conduct an evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy and skin barrier protection of topical mometasone furoate in MLE. METHODS: A multi-center randomized, double-blind, controlled study was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of mometasone furoate cream in MLE for Korean patients with eczema. The study group included 175 patients with eczema, who applied either mometasone furoate in MLE cream or methylprednisolone aceponate cream for 2 weeks. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using the physician's global assessment of clinical response (PGA), trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pruritus. Patients were evaluated using these indices at days 4, 8, and 15. RESULTS: Comparison of PGA score, TEWL, and VAS score at baseline with those at days 4, 8, and 15 of treatment showed a significant improvement in both groups. Patients who applied mometasone furoate in MLE (74.8%) showed better results (p<0.05) than those who applied methylprednisolone aceponate (47.8%). The TEWL improvement ratio was higher in the mometasone furoate in MLE group than that in the methylprednisolone aceponate group, and VAS improvement was also better in the mometasone furoate in MLE group. CONCLUSION: Mometasone furoate in MLE has a better therapeutic efficacy as well as less skin barrier impairment than methylprednisolone aceponate.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Cross-Over Studies ; Eczema ; Humans ; Methylprednisolone ; Pregnadienediols ; Prostaglandins A ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Treatment Outcome ; Water Loss, Insensible ; Mometasone Furoate

In humans, skin barrier dysfunction is thought to be responsible for enhanced penetration of allergens. Similar to conditions seen in humans, canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is characterized by derangement of corneocytes and disorganization of intercellular lipids in the stratum corenum (SC) with decreased ceramide levels. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a moisturizer containing ceramide on dogs with CAD. Dogs (n = 20, 3~8 years old) with mild to moderate clinical signs were recruited and applied a moisturizer containing ceramide for 4 weeks. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, pruritus index for canine atopic dermatitis (PICAD) scores, and canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI) scores of all dogs were evaluated. Skin samples from five dogs were also examined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using ruthenium tetroxide. TEWL, PICAD, and CADESI values decreased (p < 0.05) and skin hydration increased dramatically over time (p < 0.05). Electron micrographs showed that the skin barrier of all five dogs was partially restored (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these results demonstrated that moisturizer containing ceramide was effective for treating skin barrier dysfunction and CAD symptoms.
Animals ; Ceramides/*therapeutic use ; Cholesterol/*therapeutic use ; Dermatitis, Atopic/complications/drug therapy/physiopathology/*veterinary ; Dog Diseases/*drug therapy/etiology/physiopathology ; Dogs ; Emollients/*therapeutic use ; Epidermis/drug effects/physiopathology/ultrastructure ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/veterinary ; Pruritus/drug therapy/etiology/physiopathology/veterinary ; Republic of Korea ; Ruthenium Compounds/chemistry ; Water Loss, Insensible/drug effects