Scientific Program

Day 1 :

Keynote Forum

Lakmali Pathiraja

AAAM Board Certified Consultant Cosmetic Dermatologist, Sri Lanka.

Keynote: The South- Asian Perspectives on Skin Colour and its Influence on Females

Time : 09:10

Biography:

Dr. Lakmali Pathiraja is an eminent consultant dermatologist with special interests in aesthetic medicine,trichology and cosmetic procedures . She holds the unique honor of being the first AAAM (American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine) qualified consultant dermatologist in Sri Lanka. She has obtained her MD from the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and holds the distinction for winning the Award for the Best Performance at the MD.  She has done a vast amount of research and is a popular guest speaker at both local and international conferences, symposia, and been the recipient of numerous international awards that exemplifies her academic stature and clinical finesse in dermatology. Currently, her clinical commitments include managing many patients and providing clinical training to doctors, whilst earnestly pursuing her especial clinical interests, and research for the advancement of dermatology.

Abstract:

“Beauty is proportionate or equivalent to the fairness of the skin” is an ancient adage in South-Asian countries. Light skin is preferred, appreciated, and much sought after, whilst dark skin in females is considered unattractive and negatively discriminated from birth to death. Colour of the skin adversely affects educational performance, social acceptance, career prospects, limits chances of marriage, and negatively impacts many other social and personal relationships in the lives of females. There are a large and considerable number of reported incidents wherein dark complexion has led to being bullied, depression and even lead to committing suicide. In this context, skin whitening products have a long history of use for over centuries in South- Asian countries and have now been even more enhanced with modern technology and made popular through high powered advertising via print, electronic and social media. These products contribute to a large proportion of financial gain to the pharmaceutical industry. However, inadequate knowledge, inferior quality of products and their rampant misuse and inability to deliver the brand promise have led to profound side effects, which are sadly irreversible in most cases.

Keynote Forum

Brandon Lucke-Wold

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida

Keynote: Minimally Invasive Procedures, Perioperative Telemedicine, and Decreased Hospital Stays Following Covid-19 Surgical Restrictions: Spinal Surgery

Time : 09:55

Biography:

Brandon Lucke-Wold was born and raised in Colorado Springs, CO. He graduated magna cum laude with a BS in Neuroscience and distinction in honors from Baylor University. He completed his MD/PhD, Master’s in Clinical and Translational Research, and the Global Health Track at West Virginia University School of Medicine. His research focus was on traumatic brain injury, neurosurgical simulation, and stroke. At West Virginia University, he also served as a health coach for the Diabetes Prevention and Management program in Morgantown and Charleston, WV, which significantly improved health outcomes for participants. In addition to his research and public health projects, he is a co-founder of the biotechnology company Wright-Wold Scientific, the pharmaceutical company CTE cure, and was a science advocate on Capitol Hill through the Washington Fellow’s program.  

Abstract:

The 2019 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic had devastating impacts on healthcare system operations. Disruption of this delicate system led to international healthcare challenges with new policy changes that affected all specialties, including the global spine surgery community. The pandemic disrupted normal spine surgery proceedings, restricting, and postponing elective procedures, which comprise a large proportion of spine surgeries. This disruption may have contributed to significant economic losses for providers and resulted in the prolonged impairment of patients who were forced to postpone their procedures. However, response to the pandemic precipitated new procedural guidelines and practices that prioritize health outcomes and satisfaction. These new changes and innovations are positioned to provide lasting economic and procedural impacts in favor of both providers and patients. Thus, the objective of our review is to explore how spinal surgical practices and post-op recovery changed following COVID-19 and highlight some lasting impacts the pandemic created for future patients.

  • Dermatology and Cosmetology
Location: Bangkok

Chair

Lakmali Pathiraja

Cosmetic Dermatologist , Sri lanka

Session Introduction

Hetav Pandya

Resident, DDV, Wcare Hospital, Pune

Title: Cutaneous Mastocytosis, an unusual presentation: A case study
Speaker
Biography:

Dr. Hetav Pandya is a resident of Dermatology & Venerology, studying from Pune Wagholi. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Sumandeep Vidyapeeth University, Baroda, India; and is currently pursuing a specialization in the field. He has a keen interest in the diagnosis and management of skin diseases and has conducted research in the field of dermatology and other related topics. He is an active member of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologist & Leprosy, IDS and is involved in various state levels & national dermatology conferences.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous Mastocytosis is a rare skin disorder, characterized by an accumulation of mast cells in the skin. It is a complex disorder that can present in a variety of ways and can vary in severity. The exact cause of the disorder is unknown, but it is believed to be an inherited disorder.

OBSERVATION

The patient in this case study was a 7-month-old male infant who presented with a 5-month history of pruritic skin lesions. On physical examination, Erythema with Numerous reddish‐brown monomorphic maculo-papules, plaques and nodules were present. There were vesicles & Bullae also present not following any particular pattern.  Darier’s sign was elicited revealing a strong positive result. Skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cutaneous mastocytosis. The patient was started on medications (Levocetirizine, Montelukast, Ranitidine and a Mild Topical Steroid with Antibiotic), with the symptoms improving after 2 weeks. The patient is still under home care and observations. 

This case study highlights the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of cutaneous mastocytosis in infants. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for reducing the symptoms and improving the patient’s quality of life. Furthermore, the articles also discuss the diagnosis of MIS: ‘Mastocytosis In Skin’; a type of provisional diagnosis, which can be beneficial in treating infants as Bone Marrow examination is usually avoided. Additionally, further research is needed to understand the underlying cause of the disorder and to develop more effective treatments as there is no permanent cure to Mastocytosis.

Hyun Su Lee

Hyun-Su Lee, PhD, Department of Physiology, Daegu Catholic university School of Medicine, Korea

Title: Dimerization of JC-3 effectively enhances anti-atopic effect by downregulation of T cell activation
Speaker
Biography:

Dr Hyunsu Lee received his master and Ph.D. from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in 2016 with thesis titled “Effects and mechanism of natural bioactive small molecules on the treatment of atopic dermatitis under supervision of Dr. Prof. Chang-Duk Jun. He expanded his research on immunology by joining Dr. Charles Egwuagu’s lab as postdoctoral researcher in Lab of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institute of Health in United State. After postdoctoral training, he focused research on the discovery of bioactive small molecules that attenuate atopic dermatitis by modulation of T cell activity and keratinocyte activity. Currently, he joined Department of Physiology, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine as assistant professor from 2022 and run his own lab focusing on discovery of molecular mechanism of bioactive small molecules that suppress atopic dermatitis in vivo. 

Abstract:

JC-3, benzylideneacetophenone derivative ((2E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)phenylpro-2-en-l-one (JC3)) has revealed its anti-atopic effect on trimellitic anhydride (TMA)–induced atopic dermatitis (AD)–like symptoms in mice. Nevertheless its potential to attenuate AD manifestations, whether its dimerization form significantly enhance the anti-atopic effect is still not known. In this study, we investigated the more therapeutic potential of dimerized JC-3 in AD by controlling T-cell activation than JC-3 monomer. JC-3 decreased the expression of IL-2 mRNA in stimulated Jurkat T cells using anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies, PMA/A23187 and superantigen-loaded Raji B cells, however, JC-3 dimerization showed to more powerful effects on T cells. Results from CCK assay and PI staining assay showed that treatment with JC-3 monomer and dimer form have no cytotoxicity in resting and activated condition on Jurkat T cells. As shown in JC-3 monomer study, JC-3 dimerization of JC-3 significantly reduces MAP kinase including ERK, p38 and JNK signaling in activated T cells and its suppressive effects are stronger than JC-3 monomer. Here, we selected animal model to show whether JC-3 dimerization attenuates AD symptoms more than JC-3. To induce AD, two ear lobes of mice were painted with 1% DNCB and 10 mg/ml house dust mite extract every 3-4 days for 4 weeks. JC-3 (5, 10 mg/kg) and dimerized JC-3 (5, 10 mg/kg) were orally treated once daily from day 1 to day 28 before DNCB/mite extract treatment. Oral administration of JC-3 alleviated the symptoms of atopic dermatitis, including ear thickness, scratching number, sizes and weight of draining lymph nodes. Interestingly, oral administration of JC-3 dimerization showed stronger effects than oral administration of JC-3 monomer. Therefore, results of this study provide a molecular basis for developing new therapeutics for the treatment of AD by upgrading structural alterations.