Cutaneous Resonance Running Time Research Articles

Efficacy and safety of non-thermal nitrogen plasma versus long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser for hand rejuvenation.

This randomized controlled study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of multiple treatment sessions of pulsed non-thermal atmosphericpressure nitrogen plasma compared with long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser for hand rejuvenation. To optimize the nitrogen plasma mode for rejuvenation, the relative intensity of reactive species and skin temperature was compared at different input powers and time periods. Twenty-five patients with mild-moderate photodamaged skin were recruited; one hand was randomly selected for eightweekly treatment sessions with plasma (two passes), while the other was subjected to threemonthly treatments with laser (until erythema became obvious). A blinded dermatologist scored the mean wrinkle and dyschromia improvement at 1 and 2months after the first treatment and 1 and 3months after the last treatment. The patients' satisfaction and the biomechanical characteristics of the skin including cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT), melanin, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and hydration were evaluated. Clinically, both methods gave rise to a similar, significant improvement in wrinkles (49.09 ± 19.18% and 39.32 ± 18.21% after plasma and laser, respectively) and dyschromia (45.00 ± 26.32% and 30.62% ± 24.99% after plasma and laser, respectively) (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in CRRT and melanin was seen following treatment with either method (P < 0.05). Notably, plasma therapy led to a significant decrease in TEWL and boosted skin hydration. This is while laser therapy augmented the TEWL and reduced skin hydration. Our findings corroborate that cold plasma is as effective and safe as long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser, with less discomfort and dryness during treatment. The protocol was approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials. IRCT20160320027109N4. Registered 9 April 2019 (This manuscript is only a part of this registered project.).

Autologous Fat Grafting in the Treatment of Facial Scleroderma.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare systemic autoimmune disease, characterized by progressive cutaneous and internal organ fibrosis. Orofacial manifestations of systemic sclerosis are extremely disabling and treatment options are limited. In this study, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of autologous fat grafting in the face of patients with systemic sclerosis. We enrolled 16 SSc patients suffering from facial sclerosis and limited mouth opening capacity. Autologous fat injection ranging from 15 to 40 ml was administered per patient, based on their face morphology. The patients were evaluated at baseline and 3 months after fat injection. Evaluations included mouth opening capacity, mouth handicap in systemic sclerosis (MHISS), Rodnan skin sclerosis score, skin biophysical properties using a sensitive biometrologic device with the assessment of cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT), volumizing and aesthetic effects based on pre- and posttreatment photographs, possible side effects, and global patient satisfaction. Clinical assessment showed autologous fat transfer significantly improved mouth opening capacity and the MHISS and Rodnan score of patients with facial scleroderma (p value <.001). The aesthetic and/or functional results of fat injection were satisfying to about 80% of the patients. The changes in CRRT values were not significant. Our findings support the possible therapeutic role of autologous fat grafting in improving facial scleroderma both in aesthetic and in functional aspects. This trial is registered with IRCT20180209038677N1.

Fractionated CO2 Laser in the Treatment of Striae Alba in Darker Skinned Patients - A Prospective Study.

Introduction: In recent years, the positive effect of fractional CO2 laser on increasing collagen fibers, and consequently its effect on treating striae has been suggested. The present study aims to assess the effectiveness of CO2 fractional laser 10600-nm in the treatment of striae alba. Methods: In this prospective clinical trial, 2 treatment sessions of fractional CO2 laser with 4-week interval was given to 30 patients with striae alba. Cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT) was measured at baseline and at week 4 and 3 months after the last session of laser therapy. The level of improvement was assessed by 2 independent dermatologists and patients after 3 months of follow up. Results: 16.7% of patients had moderate improvement, 63.3% had minimal improvement, and 20% had no improvement. A statistical significant difference was found in median CRRT during the study (P < 0.0001). The median CRRT levels were significantly higher in week 4 and 3 months after the last treatment compared to the baseline (both P < 0.001). Likewise, a significant increase was observed in median CRRT level from week 4 till the end of study (P < 0.001). Evaluation of participant satisfaction revealed that 10% were very satisfied, 10% satisfied, 3.3% slightly satisfied, and 76.7% unsatisfied. Conclusion: Striae alba remain a challenging condition to treat. The treatment of striae alba with CO2 fractional laser results in minimal improvement with mild side effects.

Efficacy of long pulse Nd:YAG laser versus fractional Er:YAG laser in the treatment of hand wrinkles.

IRCT2016032020468N4.

Skin Biophysical Characteristics in Patients with Keratoconus: A Controlled Study

Background. Keratoconus is a relatively common corneal disease causing significant visual disability. Individuals with connective tissue disorders that affect the skin such as Marfan's syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or patients with atopic dermatitis show an increased prevalence of keratoconus. It seems that there are some concurrent alterations of skin and cornea in patients with keratoconus. Objective. We plan to compare skin biophysical characteristics in patients with keratoconus and healthy controls. Methods. Forty patients with keratoconus (18 females and 22 males) with mean (SD) age of 33.32 (9.55) years (range 19–56) and 40 healthy controls were recruited to this study. Skin biophysical characteristics including cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT), stratum corneum hydration, and melanin values were measured in patients and controls. Results. The median CRRT, stratum corneum hydration, and melanin measurements were significantly lower in patients with keratoconus in comparison with healthy controls. Conclusion. There are some alterations of skin biophysical properties in patients with keratoconus. Therefore, the assessment of these skin parameters could provide us some clues to the possible common biophysical variations of cornea and skin tissue in diseases such as keratoconus.

Evaluation of Subcision for the Correction of the Prominent Nasolabial Folds.

Background. A prominent nasolabial fold (NLF) is a cosmetic problem. Currently, numerous therapeutic modalities are available for pronounced NLFs with variable efficacy. Objective. To determine the efficacy and safety of subcision using a hypodermic needle for the correction of the prominent NLFs and its effect on skin elasticity. Methods. Sixteen patients with prominent NLFs underwent subcision. The investigators' assessment of improvement and the patients' satisfaction were both recorded 1 and 6 months after the procedure. Also, we evaluate the skin elasticity of NLFs before and after the treatment using a sensitive biometrologic device with the measurement of cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT). Results. Thirteen (81.25%) patients showed a moderate improvement at 1st month and 13 (81.25%) patients had at least a mild improvement at 6th month. There was no persistent side effect lasting more than a few days. Mean CRRT at 1 and 6 months after the treatment was significantly higher compared to the baseline. Conclusion. Subcision may be considered effective for the correction of pronounced NLFs. However, further controlled studies with larger sample size are necessary to assess the efficacy of this technique in particular with use of more objective assessment of skin biometric characteristics. This trial is registered with IRCT201108097270N1 (registered on January 27, 2012).

Cutaneous resonance running time is decreased in psoriatic lesions

Psoriasis is characterized by lower stratum corneum (SC) hydration and dermal inflammation. Both SC hydration and cutaneous inflammation influence cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT). However, the characteristics of CRRT in psoriatic lesions are largely unknown. In the present study, we assessed whether changes in CRRT occur in psoriatic lesions in Chinese. A Reviscometer RVM600 and Corneometer CM 825 were used to measure CRRTs and SC hydration, respectively, in psoriatic lesions (psoriasis vulgaris) on the extensor of forearm in 111 subjects (58 men, 53 women), aged 23-80 years (50.42 ± 1.23 years). The contralateral uninvolved sites served as control. In comparison with contralateral uninvolved sites, CRRTs in psoriatic lesions were reduced significantly in all directions. There was neither gender nor age difference in the extent of reduction in CRRTs. However, the reduction of CRRTs varied with measurement directions. Positive correlations of SC hydration with CRRTs were found at some directions in uninvolved and involved sites in young men whereas CRRTs in psoriatic lesions were not correlated with SC hydration in either aged or young women. Moreover, CRRT at 0-6 o'clock direction was positively correlated with SC hydration in involved sites of aged men. Cutaneous resonance running times are decreased in psoriatic lesions. Reduction of CRRTs varies with measurement directions, but not gender or age. Measurement of CRRTs could be another valuable approach to assess the severity of psoriasis and the efficacy of its treatment.

Comparison of cutaneous resonance running time between old and young people in a normal Chinese population.

：Objective To study thecutaneous resonance running time(CRRT)in normal young and old Chinese people.Methods Atotal of 152 young subjects aged 20 - 40 years and 64 old subjects aged 60 - 88 years wereenrolled in this study.A reviscometer RVM600 was used to measure CRRT at variousdirections on the left dorsal hand, forearm, forehead and outer canthus.Results CRRTvaried with body sites and measuring directions.On the forearm, CRRT at all directionsexcept 2 - 8 o'clock were higher in old than in young subjects(0 - 6 o'clock direction, t= 7.46, P ＜ 0.01; 1 - 7 o'clockdirection, t = 3.38, P ＜ 0.01; 3 -9 o'clock direction,t = 3.88, P ＜ 0.05; 4 - 10 o'clockdirection, t = 6.82, P＜ 0.01; 5 - 11 o'clockdirection, t = 7.42, P ＜ 0.01).On the dorsal hand,CRRT at all directions were higher in young than in old subjects (0 - 6 o'clock direction,t = 4.53, P ＜ 0.01; 1 - 7 o'clockdirection, t = 5.71, P ＜ 0.01; 2 - 8 o'clockdirection, t = 2.74, P＜ 0.01; 4 - 10 o'clockdirection, t = 2.67, P＜ 0.01; 5 - 11 o'clockdirection, t = 4.20, P＜0.01).On the forehead, there was no significantdifference in CRRT between young and old subjects.And on the outer canthus, CRRT at 1 - 7and 2 - 8 o'clock directions were higher in young than in old subjects(1 -7 o'clockdirection, t = 3.18, P ＜ 0.01; 2 - 8 o'clockdirection, t = 5.11, P＜ 0.01).There was no statistical difference in CRRT between males andfemales.Conclusion CRRT varies with age, body sites, measuring directions, but not withgender in normal Chinese people. Key words: Cutaneous resonance running time; Age factors; Sex factors

Cutaneous resonance running time varies with age, body site and gender in a normal Chinese population

One phenomenon of skin aging is loss of cutaneous elasticity. Measurement of cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT) is a method to assess skin elasticity. Yet, information regarding the directional changes of CRRT associated with age, body sites and gender is not yet available. In the present study, we assessed whether changes in CRRT vary with age, body sites and gender in a normal Chinese population. A Reviscometer was used to measure CRRTs in various directions on the left dorsal hand, the forehead and the left canthus of 806 normal Chinese volunteers, aged 2.5-94 years. With aging, CRRTs decreased in all directions on the hand, the forehead and the canthus. A more dramatic reduction in CRRTs on the forehead and the canthus was observed in both the 2-8 and the 3-9 o'clock directions. CRRTs in males aged 11-20 years were longer than those in females in some directions on all three body sites. Females aged between 21 years and 40 years showed longer CRRTs than males in some directions of the hand. There were no gender differences in subjects aged 0-10 (except on the canthus) and those over 80 years old. CRRTs vary with age, body sites and gender.

Decreased Cutaneous Resonance Running Time in Cured Leprosy Subjects

Background/Objectives: Leprosy prominently involves both the skin and peripheral neural tissues and some symptoms persist after microbial cure. Because alterations in the dermis also occur in leprosy, we assessed here whether there were changes in cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT), a parameter that is influenced by collagen properties, in cured leprosy subjects. Methods: A reviscometer was used to measure the CRRT at various directions on the dorsal hand and the flexural forearms of 76 cured leprosy subjects aged 50–85 years and 68 age-matched normal subjects. Results: In comparison to normal subjects, CRRTs on the hands and the forearms were significantly reduced in all directions in cured leprosy, except at the 1–7, 2–8 and 3–9 o’clock directions on the forearms. CRRTs were reduced significantly at both the 4–10 and 5–11 o’clock directions on the forearm in lepromatous (73.33 ± 4.19 at 4–10 o’clock and 67.44 ± 2.71 at 5–11 o’clock direction) and borderline lepromatous types (77.58 ± 5.84 at 4–10 o’clock and 79.85 ± 6.81 at 5–11 o’clock direction) as compared with normal (143.10 ± 7.75 at 4–10 o’clock and 125.18 ± 8.14 at 5–11 o’clock direction). On the hand, CRRTs at all directions, except that at 4–10 o’clock direction, were also significantly reduced in lepromatous and borderline lepromatous types in comparison with normal. Significant differences in CRRT at some directions were found among the various subtypes of leprosy. Conclusion: CRRTs were abnormal in the cured leprosy subjects as a whole, but varied with leprosy subtypes, which suggested that the extent of reduction of CRRTs correlates with the severity of immune alteration. These results suggest that CRRT measurements could be a useful approach to quantify the extent of some residual abnormalities in cured leprosy and perhaps could also be used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment.