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Top 7 in dermatology

In light of this month's cover story on a protein that links eczema to allergies, we present the most highly ranked articles in dermatology research, from F1000

Written byJef Akst
| 3 min read
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linkurl:1. Surprising reservoirs for skin disease;http://f1000.com/6066962?key=7fz9gp0pj4wzw7r Mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent of the skin disease Buruli ulcer (BU), can be transmitted via terrestrial mammals, such as possums, challenging the prevailing belief that BU is contracted from aquatic invertebrates and environments.J.A. Fyfe, et al., "A major role for mammals in the ecology of Mycobacterium ulcerans," linkurl:PLoS Negl Trop Dis,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20706592?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 4(8):e791, 2010. Evaluated by Jorge Alave and Carlos Seas, Cayetano Heredia University. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/6066962?key=7fz9gp0pj4wzw7r linkurl:2. New class of helper Ts;http://f1000.com/5763958?key=nkdgbbrmg04sstn
Image: Wikimedia commons, Pedro Simões
Researchers identify a new subset of T helper (Th) 2 cells that produce interleukin (IL)-17. The results underline the plasticity of these Th cells and could hold implications for the treatment of allergic asthma, for which these cells may play a pathogenic role.Y.H. Wang, et al., "A novel subset of CD4(+) T(H)2 memory/effector cells that produce inflammatory IL-17 cytokine and promote the exacerbation of chronic allergic asthma," linkurl:J Exp Med,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20921287?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 207(11):2479-91, 2010. Evaluated by Paola Di Meglio and Frank Nestle, King's College London School of Medicine; Taylor Doherty and Bruce Zuraw, University of California, San Diego. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/5763958?key=nkdgbbrmg04sstn linkurl:3. Physical forces fuel healing;http://f1000.com/5752961?key=fc8k4mx06g5bd23 Integrin alpha11beta1, a receptor on fibroblast cells, is an important factor regulating the differentiation of a characteristic cell type of healing wounds and fibrotic tissue, and is regulated by physical forces in the cell and extracellular matrix.S. Carracedo, et al., "The fibroblast integrin alpha11beta1 is induced in a mechanosensitive manner involving activin A and regulates myofibroblast differentiation," linkurl:J Biol Chem,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20129924?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 285(14):10434-45, 2010. Evaluated by Phyllis Leppert, Duke University. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/5752961?key=fc8k4mx06g5bd23 linkurl:4. How to handle increasing skin infections;http://f1000.com/5763957?key=9tf4xv2jv9yl6kp When it comes to preventing dangerous infections and the recent wave of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, doctors may be doing both too much and not enough. A review of adult patients hospitalized for complicated skin and soft tissue infections in 2007 reveals that doctors frequently take potentially unnecessary measures, such as diagnostic tests, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and prolonged treatment courses, and suggests a need for antimicrobial stewardship programs.T.C. Jenkins, et al., "Skin and soft-tissue infections requiring hospitalization at an academic medical center: opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship," linkurl:Clin Infect Dis,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20839951?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 51(8):895-903, 2010. Evaluated by Ralph Corey, Duke University Medical Center; Larry Bush, JFK Medical Center. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/5763957?key=9tf4xv2jv9yl6kp linkurl:5. Key factor for natural moisturizers;http://f1000.com/6051956?key=wmjzxzftwyl9ph0 Bleomycin hydrolase (BH) is a key enzyme for the production of natural moisturizing factors in the skin that are critical for maintaining epidermal hydration. The results may have important implications for the treatment of various skin diseases.Y. Kamata, et al., "Neutral cysteine protease bleomycin hydrolase is essential for the breakdown of deiminated filaggrin into amino acids," linkurl:J Biol Chem,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/19286660?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 284(19):12829-36, 2009. Evaluated by Jiro Kishimoto, Shiseido Research Center. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/6051956?key=wmjzxzftwyl9ph0 linkurl:6. Fatal disease from transplant;http://f1000.com/5966959?key=9jb919ym6d5xfkr The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the first known transmission of a rare disease caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris, a free-living amoeba found in soil, via organ transplantation. Two kidney transplant recipients contracted the disease, one of whom died, highlighting the importance of awareness of this potentially fatal infection during organ transplantation.CDC, "Balamuthia mandrillaris transmitted through organ transplantation --- Mississippi, 2009," linkurl:MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20847719?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 59:1165-70, 2010. Evaluated by Salim Mohanna and Francisco Bravo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/5966959?key=9jb919ym6d5xfkr linkurl:7. Defining a new clinical condition;http://f1000.com/5967957?key=k34p61wyrq7knnj Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) has been used as a default diagnosis for patients with skin, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory and/or neurologic symptoms that can be associated with the activation of mast cells. Here, the authors attempt to define the syndrome and propose criteria for its diagnosis, presenting a framework for further investigation.C. Akin, et al., "Mast cell activation syndrome: Proposed diagnostic criteria," linkurl:J Allergy Clin Immunol,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/21035176?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 2010. Evaluated by Riccardo Asero, Clinica San Carlo. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/5967957?key=k34p61wyrq7knnj The F1000 Top 7 is a snapshot of the highest ranked articles from a 30-day period on Faculty of 1000 Immunology, as calculated on November 29, 2010. Faculty Members evaluate and rate the most important papers in their field. To see the latest rankings, search the database, and read daily evaluations, visit linkurl:http://f1000.com.;http://f1000.com
**__Related stories:__***linkurl:Top 7 papers in medicine;http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/57810/
[16th November 2010]*linkurl:Top 7 genetics papers;http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/57794/
[2nd November 2010]*linkurl:Top 7 immunology papers;http://www.the-scientist.com/blog/display/57727/
[28th September 2010]
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Meet the Author

  • Jef Akst

    Jef (an unusual nickname for Jennifer) got her master’s degree from Indiana University in April 2009 studying the mating behavior of seahorses. After four years of diving off the Gulf Coast of Tampa and performing behavioral experiments at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, she left research to pursue a career in science writing. As The Scientist's managing editor, Jef edited features and oversaw the production of the TS Digest and quarterly print magazine. In 2022, her feature on uterus transplantation earned first place in the trade category of the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.

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