Neide Kalil Gaspar

DHEA and frontal fibrosing alopecia: molecular and physiopathological mechanisms

The transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFβ1) promotes fibrosis, differentiating epithelial cells and quiescent fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and increasing expression of extracellular matrix. Recent investigations have shown that PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor*) is a negative regulator of fibrotic events induced by TGFβ1. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an immunomodulatory hormone essential for PPAR functions, and is reduced in some processes characterized by fibrosis. Although scarring alopecia characteristically develops in the female biological period in which occurs decreased production of DHEA, there are no data in the literature relating its reduction to fibrogenic process of this condition. This article aims to review the fibrogenic activity of TGFβ1, its control by PPAR and its relation with DHEA in the frontal fibrosing alopecia.

Síndrome de Sweet associada à policitemia vera

Abstract: Sweet’s syndrome may be associated with hematological malignancies, particularly with acutemyelogenous leukemia, but there are few reports of its association with polycythemiavera. We descri-bethe case of a 65-year-old male patient, diagnosed with polycythemiavera, which developedinto para-neoplastic Sweets syndrome.Keywords: Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; Macrophages; Polycythemia vera;Sweet’s syndrome Recebido em 19.05.2008.Aprovado pelo Conselho Consultivo e aceito para publicacao em 31.07.09. * Trabalho realizado no Servico de Dermatologia da Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF) – Niteroi (RJ), Brasil.Conflito de interesse: Nenhum / Conflict of interest: NoneSuporte financeiro: Nenhum / Financial funding: None 1 Pos-graduanda do Servico de Dermatologia da Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF) – Niteroi (RJ), Brasil. 2 Pos-graduanda do Servico de Dermatologia da Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF) – Niteroi (RJ), Brasil. 3 Professora titular e chefe do Servico de Dermatologia da Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF) – Niteroi (RJ), Brasil.Sweet’s syndrome may be associated with hematological malignancies, particularly with acute myelogenous leukemia, but there are few reports of its association with polycythemiavera. We describethe case of a 65-year-old male patient, diagnosed with polycythemiavera, which developedinto paraneoplastic Sweets syndrome.

Seizures in Chédiak-Higashi syndrome: case report

Chédiak-Higashi syndrome is a rare hematological disease characterized by increased fusion of cytoplasmatic granules. Neurological symptoms occur in approximately half of the patients. We describe the clinical, eletrophysiological, hematological and radiological findings in a girl who had Chédiak-Higashi syndrome and seizures.

Atopic dermatitis: allergic dermatitis or neuroimmune dermatitis?

Advances in knowledge of neurocellulars relations have provided new directions in the understanding and treatment of numerous conditions, including atopic dermatitis. It is known that emotional, physical, chemical or biological stimuli can generate more accentuated responses in atopic patients than in non-atopic individuals; however, the complex network of control covered by these influences, especially by neuropeptides and neurotrophins, and their genetic relations, still keep secrets to be revealed. Itching and airway hyperresponsiveness, the main aspects of atopy, are associated with disruption of the neurosensory network activity. Increased epidermal innervation and production of neurotrophins, neuropeptides, cytokines and proteases, in addition to their relations with the sensory receptors in an epidermis with poor lipid mantle, are the aspects currently covered for understanding atopic dermatitis.