Dermatological Research and Reviews

Introduction: Centella asiatica extract is known to promote wound healing. Nowadays nanotechnology, especially nanoparticle is used to increase the bioavailability of active ingredients into the skin, one of which is chitosan nanoparticle. However, the effectiveness of Centella asiatica ethanol extract in chitosan nanoparticle (CAEECN) towards superficial dermal burn healing is not fully understood. Aim: To determine the effectiveness of CAEECN cream compared to Centella asiatica ethanol extract (CAEE) cream, silver sulfadiazine (SSD) cream and control in superficial dermis burn healing in Sprague-Dawley rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups. After anesthetizing, 4 superficial dermis burns were made on the back of each rat and was given 4 treatments (CAEECN, CAEE, SSD, and control) afterward. Each group was sacrificed separately (respectively on day 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st post-burn induction). Several evaluations were macroscopic (wound size), and microscopic parameters (reepithelialization ratio and distance, wound contraction index, wound size, and angiogenesis). Results: There was no significant difference in wound size between treatments on day 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21. But three active agents (CAEECN, CAEE, and SSD) treated group showed early decrease of wound size compare to control group on day-3. Microscopically, there were no significant differences in reepithelialization ratio and distance, wound contraction index, wound size, angiogenesis. Nevertheless, CAEECN treated group showed the smallest wound size on day-3 and highest angiogenesis on day 21. Conclusion: Effectiveness of CAEECN in burn wound healing in rats showed no significant difference compared to CAEE, SSD, and control. But in three active agents (CAEECN, CAEE, and SSD) treated group, showed an early decrease of wound size compared to control group on day-3. Microscopically, CAEECN treated group showed the smallest wound size on day-3 and highest angiogenesis on day 21.

Background: Ultrathick nasal skin and nodulation is one of the most daunting challenges in cosmetic nasal surgery. Rhinoplasty is a common surgical procedure to correct mostly gross abnormal nasal anatomical variation; however, many patients have minor bizarre shape or deformities that could not be well corrected by ordinary surgical procedures. So we should find other techniques to correct these unwanted or undesired nose shape abnormalities. Objective: The purpose of this article is to perform heat dermabrasion to reduce the size of bulky nose and to create new alar groove and to remove nose nodulations, acne or traumatic scarring. Patients and methods: In this study, we collected 40 patients with bulky nose during the period from 2009 through 2019; 21 females and 19 males and their ages ranged from 20-65 years. An Informed consent was taken from each patient before starting the study, after full explanation about the procedure. All patients had bulky nose, some had nodulation of nose and acne or traumatic scarring. Only one patient had history rhinophyma of several years duration. All patients were treated with heat dermabrasion using diathermy needle after local xylocaine anesthesia and patients were received topical antiseptic and oral antibiotics to be seen after 2 weeks. Then topical corticosteroid was used to prevent post-inflammatory pigmentation. Results:A total of 40 patients diagnosed with bulky nose were enrolled in this study; 21 (52.5%) patients were females and 19 (47.5%) were males. Age of patients ranged from 20-65 years with a mean of 42.5 years. The duration of the condition ranged from few months to several years. In all patients with bulky nose were improved and alar groove were created or maximized and gave satisfactory cosmetic results using heat dermabrasion. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation was noticed but overtime was gone. Conclusion: heat dermabrasion using diathermy is new simple innovative…

Background: Trichotillomania (TTM) is a common cause of childhood alopecia. It’s a traumatic alopecia and is defined as the irresistible urge to pull out the hair, accompanied by a sense of relief after the hair has been plucked. The condition maybe episodic and the chronic type is difficult to treat. There seem to be an increase in the prevalence of the condition probably due to the changing life style into a more stressful one. Objective: To do full evaluation of this disease and description of hair loss patterns. Patients and methods: In this descriptive study, we collected patients with trichotillomania who had attended department of dermatology, college of medicine, university of Baghdad, Baghdad teaching hospital during the period from 2011 through 2019 where 114 cases of TTM were seen. The diagnosis was established on clinical basis after exclusion of other dermatological diseases and medical problems.Full history was taken from each patient including demographic data, presence of stressful life event as a triggering factor. Psycholgical assessment was carried out for each patient by experienced dermatologist as psychiatric referral was refused by all patients and their families.Full description of patterns of hair loss was carried out after exclusion of other causes of hair loss especially alopecia areata. Results: A total of 114 patients diagnosed with TTM were enrolled in this study,88 (77.19%) patients were females and 26 (22.8%) males with female to male ratio: 3.38:1 . Age of patients ranged from 6 – 65 years with a median age of 16 years with the commonest age range between 10-19 years in 64(56.14%) patients.While the duration of the condition ranged from 3 months to 4 years. Family history was positive in 6 (5.3%) patients, all of them were first degree relatives. Psychological evaluation showed obsessive compulsive neurosis in all patients and all patients…

Introduction: In the epidemiological transition experienced by Brazil, the prevalence of infectious-contagious diseases is still evident. Among them, leprosy is a public health problem whose main etiological agent is Mycobacterium leprae. It is a common pathology in developing countries. Methodology: Descriptive and retrospective study, with data collection from 2006 to 2013, coming from the National System of Information of Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). Results: 93 cases of leprosy were reported in the period covered by the data search. Resulting in an average detection of 1.5 cases / 10,000 inhabitants / year. According to the analysis of the data obtained, there was a predominance of male cases (51.61%), urban residents (60.22%), age range from 30 to 39 years (23.66%), as Dimorfa being the most reported Clinical Form (39.78%). Conclusions / Considerations: It is expected that new strategies and actions will be implemented, or revised, as more specific measures for the prevention and control of leprosy in the municipality of Limoeiro, Pernambuco.

Introduction: The species Conocarpus erectus Linnaeus belonging to the Combretaceae Family, that contains 18 genera, where the genus Combretum is considered to be the largest distributed on the whole African continent, possessing about 370 species that are abundantly used in folk medicine due to its chemical diversity, its low toxicity and low cost. The species of this family are widely used as a therapeutic resource for various types of pains, colds, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, mumps, cancer, hypertension, infections and wound treatment. The wound healing is a process that involves the performance of several cell types, extracellular matrix and chemical mediators, in order to promote tissue reconstitution. Objective: To evaluate reepithelialization and collagen deposition through the histomorphometry of the scar tissue treated with the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of Conocarpus erectus Linnaeus. Methodology: For the general outline of the experiment, male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were randomly divided into four groups: Group I (Negative Control – Lanette Cream); Group II (10% FHFCS – Cream formulation of the hydroalcoholic extract of dry leaves C. erectus); Group III (Cream formulation of the hydroalcoholic extract of fresh leaves of C. erectus) and Group IV (Dexpanthenol – Standard). Each group was subdivided into four subgroups with five animals for euthanasia on the 7th and 21st day. The animals were previously anesthetized with a combination of ketamine and xylazine and were later placed in a ventral decubitus for manual trichotomy and antisepsis with 0.1% iodized alcohol, the area of incidence was marked using a metal punch with a cutting blade (± 10 mm²). Then, the treatments were started and a new layer (± 95 mg) was applied daily. Histological preparations were submitted to Hematoxylin-Eosin technique. The histological images were captured by a digital camera coupled to an optical microscope, obtaining 06 fields per slide with…

Introduction: The wound can be defined as a skin lesion caused by chemical, physical or biological factors leading to cutaneous discontinuity. Based on the healing process, the evolution of the wounds can be mentioned as acute and chronic. Healing is the tissue repair process coordinated by biochemical and histological factors to restore tissue integrity. Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been used as a therapeutic resource, contributing to the treatment and prevention of various diseases. The species Conocarpus erectus Linnaeus, popularly known as “mangue de botão”, is found in the mangrove and stands out for presenting analgesic, anticancer, antimicrobial and hepatoprotective properties. Objective: Evaluate the ability of semi-solid formulations of C. erectus leaves through the histomorphometry of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells in the tissue remodeling process of cutaneous wounds in Wistar rats. Methodology: For the evaluation of the cicatrizant activity were obtained formulations containing 10% of the hydroalcoholic extract of the dry and fresh leaves of C. erectus (FHFCS and FHFCF 10%, respectively), manipulated within the standards and quality control for medicaments in the Laboratory of Pharmacotoxicological Prospecting of Bioactive Products of Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. To evaluate the healing activity, excisional cutaneous wounds were surgically made in the dorsal midline of the cervical region of Wistar rats (n = 5), these were standardized (6 mm²) and performed with animals previously anesthetized, after tricotomy and adequate antisepsis. Then, the wounds were treated with daily topical application (± 95 mg) of the preparations according to the experimental design: Group I (Negative Control – Lanette Cream); Group II (10% FHFCS); Group III (10% FHFCF); Group IV (Dexpanthenol – Positive Control) for 14 days. The histological preparations were submitted to a staining technique by Hematoxylin-Eosin (H.E.) for counting inflammatory cells and fibroblasts. The histological images were captured by digital camera coupled to the…

Introduction: In cerebral palsy (CP) there are disorders in posture and movement, and there are innumerable interventions, including Restricted Movement Induction Therapy (TRIMm), associated to the “Pirate Group” protocol, which uses play context and Bimanual Training. Objective: To evaluate changes in gross motor function after modified application of Pirate Group Therapy in children with CP. Methodology: Descriptive, exploratory, quantitative, case report. Sociodemographic questionnaire was used, evaluation by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFM); Classification System of Hand Skills; Pediatric Disability Assessment Inventory (PEDI); International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, followed by the initiation of therapy. A total of 14 physiotherapeutic sessions of 60 minutes each were performed. Results and Discussion: In the GMFM, there was an improvement in the Gross Motor Function (82.99 to 86.52); in the field Walking, running and jumping (67 to 69). Already in the PEDI, obtained functional gain in the ten items of the Self-Care Domain. Discussion: Because the patient had unilateral spastic PC (better gross motor function), the results were discrete, corroborating with the literature. Conclusion: Due to the innovative character of the application of effective and playful protocol, it allowed to increase the functional ability of a child with unilateral right spastic CP.

Introduction: Vaccination is an important instrument to spread health care, especially in Brazil, available by the SUS, that offers vaccines recommended by OMS, without any cost, and with strategies that help propagate that prevention, like the Vaccination Calendar, made for the different age groups, including the elderly. Objectives: It is extremely important to evaluate and to unravel all the vaccines recommended and offered by the SUS for elder people, taking a look at its importance and how the doses are administered. Methodology: This research is a transversal, retrospective study, in a bibliographic revision form, about the immunization of the elderly. Articles from 2002, in english, portuguese and spanish, found in Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, Google Scholar were used. They were sectioned in order of relevance and by their abstracts. Results: One of the groups most benefited by this vaccine situation is the elderly, who has been growing in the last few years, all around the world. The immunization of these people with vaccines against diphtheria and tetanus, yellow fever, pneumococci, hepati is B and influenza. Conclusion: Vaccination is extremely important, because it decreases morbidity and mortality that are associated with infectious diseases, leading to a better quality of life.

Introduction: The cases that involve this pathology promote discussions about diagnosis and treatment, generating numerous ways to treat this pathology. Objectives: To describe the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Methodology: The information contained in this article results from the combination of research on patients and treatments involving TMJ ankylosis as well as its applications. Results: It was verified that there is no common therapeutic procedure for all patients, so there are several forms of treatment. Conclusion: It is necessary to have a multi professional team that is directed and committed in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient, as well as a line of research that facilitates the diagnosis.

Introduction: The poor eating habits of large populations associated with a more sedentary lifestyle, are responsible for the increase of diseases linked to diet. Given this scenario, there is a worldwide interest in improving the quality of nutrition and reducing health spending. Objective: To promote an intervention action directed to the reeducation of food related to the consumption of functional foods, based on an intervention carried out at the Colégio Dom Augustinho Ikas in São Lourenço da Mata, Pernambuco. Methodology: The intervention was divided into 6 stages, where the topics on poor diet, healthy eating and functional foods were discussed. A practical gastronomic workshop and the application of questionnaires were carried out to evaluate the nutritional status of the participants, as well as the impact of the intervention. Outcome: Participants in the intervention already consumed some of these functional foods, being very positive from a nutritional point of view, although only 10% knew or had already heard about the subject. It was also possible to verify the gain of new knowledge by those involved. Conclusion: The intervention proved to be a sensitizing tool in relation to the factors related to food choices reconciled with the measure of health promotion and quality of life.