Pathologies related to abnormal deposits in dermatology: a physico-chemical approach

Abstract

Although numerous pathologies are associated with abnormal skin deposits, these remain poorly described, as accurate characterization continues to present a challenge for dermatologists. Their submicrometer size as well as their diverse chemistry require various characterization tools. We aim to exemplify characterization of endogenous and exogenous skin deposits in some selected skin diseases using different physico-chemical techniques. We begin with a presentation of selected diseases associated with skin deposits. We then present those of our results which show their variety of structure, location and chemical composition, obtained with various tools: Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, vibrational spectroscopies, as well as techniques specific to synchrotron radiation. Our results constitute a real opportunity to improve diagnosis, and to understand the pathogenesis of many skin diseases, and opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

Kidney Stone Classification Using Multimodal Multiphoton Microscopy

“…The pTHG angle distribution is radial, consistent with the presence of concentric index-mismatched vertical interfaces . Such a concentric structure is in line with a pathogenesis process of the calcification that has been described in different organs including kidney, skin, or breast and attributes these micrometer spherical entities made of calcium phosphate apatite to the agglomeration of nanospherules. However, these spherical entities may display various kinds of internal structures, namely, homogeneous, concentric, and/or radial ones, as shown by SEM observations. − This diversity underlines the existence of very different pathogenesis growing processes and thus may be related to different diseases.…”

“…Such a concentric structure is in line with a pathogenesis process of the calcification that has been described in different organs including kidney, skin, or breast and attributes these micrometer spherical entities made of calcium phosphate apatite to the agglomeration of nanospherules. However, these spherical entities may display various kinds of internal structures, namely, homogeneous, concentric, and/or radial ones, as shown by SEM observations. − This diversity underlines the existence of very different pathogenesis growing processes and thus may be related to different diseases. Accordingly, precise characterization of these spherical structures may lead to the developments of new diagnostic tools of relevance for asymptomatic patients with urinary tract infection. , pTHG can probe the internal structure of these objects without preparation, potentially offering an opportunity for the development of new medical diagnosis tools.…”

Foreword to microcrystalline pathologies: combining clinical activity and fundamental research at the nanoscale

“…We have already investigated biological samples from different organs and parts of the human body, namely kidney [177][178][179][180][181][182][183], prostate [184,185], breast [13,103], thyroid [104][105][106], cartilage [186][187][188][189][190][191][192][193], bone [194][195][196][197], tooth [198], pancreas [199], skin and hairs [53][54][55]147,165,168,[200][201][202][203] and cardiovascular system [140,204,205]. We have also investigated cells [206], mice [207][208][209][210], and medical devices [211,212], as well as chemical compounds identified in k...…”