Dermatology Research and Practice最新文献

In this study, we investigated the effect of biphasic microcurrent electrical stimulation (b-MES) on the epidermal healing process using a rat model of skin abrasion. We analyzed the expression levels of growth factors [fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and epidermal growth factor (EGF)] and keratin subtypes (K10) in both the b-MES and control groups at different time points after wounding. The b-MES group showed a significantly accelerated healing process of the epithelial tissue, resulting in more consistent healing as compared to the control group. A molecular biological analysis showed that the FGF2 mRNA expression level on Day 2 after wounding was significantly higher in the b-MES group, whereas the EGF mRNA expression level on Days 1, 2, and 4 after wounding was significantly lower in the b-MES group. Additionally, the K10 mRNA expression level on Days 1 and 2 after wounding was significantly higher in the b-MES group. Our study findings suggest that b-MES facilitates wound healing by regulating the growth factors. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be fully elucidated. Further research is needed to fully understand the therapeutic potential of b-MES and its applications in clinical setting. Clinically, m-MES requires shunting due to residual electrical charge at the application site. However, b-MES alternates polarity, leaving no charge at the site of application. Therefore, b-MES also has the advantage of being safer and allowing treatment for longer periods of time.

Background: Limited knowledge exists about genital psoriasis in Thai individuals.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the clinical features of genital psoriasis and its effects on quality of life and sexual health in Thai patients.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered question-based study was conducted at Siriraj Hospital. Participants were psoriasis patients older than 18 years of age with past or current genital involvement. The study assessed quality of life and sexual health.

Results: Among the 50 patients, 33 (66%) were female. The mean (standard deviation) age was 45.4 (±13.4) years. Genital psoriasis was active in 34% of the participants. The mons pubis (48.5%) and labia majora (18.2%) were the most frequently affected sites in females, while in males, the penile shaft (52.9%) and glans (47.1%) were the most common sites. Itch-related symptoms predominated, affecting 82% of patients. The median dermatology life quality index score was 6.5 for females and 10 for males. A sexual health survey revealed that 54% of participants had low self-esteem. This issue was more pronounced in males, with 76.5% reporting lower self-esteem compared to 42.4% of females (P=0.022). Males were also more inclined to postpone or avoid marriage (47.1% vs. 15.6%, P=0.038) and more embarrassed about sexual activities (63.6% vs. 14.3%, P=0.017). In addition, males were more inclined to avoid sexual encounters due to their genital condition. Notably, 42.9% of all patients had never disclosed to a doctor that they had genital psoriasis.

Conclusions: Genital psoriasis impacts quality of life and sexual function, with male patients being particularly impacted. Improved awareness of these issues among health professionals might increase patient satisfaction.

The increasing worldwide market for natural-ingredient-based cosmetic toiletries is fuelled by the awareness of the dangers of synthetic cosmetics and benefits of natural-based cosmetics on the skincare and management of skin disorders. Besides naturally formulated cosmetics being biodegradable, they also contain ingredients which are chemically beneficial to human skin. Milk-based cosmetics are very promising since milk is rich in essential components such as lactoferrins, vitamins, and lactic acids, which have shown therapeutic properties against disorders such as skin cancer, acne scars, and dandruff. One of the milk that is very promising in the cosmetics industry is the camel milk. Currently, there is limited information in literature regarding the use of camel milk in cosmetics and their benefits. Camel milk stands out from bovine milk following its unique therapeutic properties and chemical composition, making it a potential ingredient for skincare and haircare products such as bath soaps and shampoos. The aim of this paper is to review the available literature on camel milk composition and evaluate the contribution of camel milk constituents to cosmetics.

Currently, retinoids are known for their abundant benefits to skin health, ranging from reducing signs of aging and decreasing hyperpigmentation to treating acne. However, it cannot be denied that there are various side effects associated with the use of retinoids on the skin, one of which is irritation. Several approaches can be employed to minimize the irritation caused by retinoids. This review article discusses topical retinoid formulation technology strategies to reduce skin irritation effects. The methodology used in this study is a literature review of 21 reference journals. The sources used in compiling this review are from PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and MEDLINE. The findings obtained indicate that the following methods can be used to lessen retinoid-induced irritation in topical formulations: developing drug delivery systems in the formulation, such as encapsulating retinoids, transforming retinoids into nanoparticles, forming complexes (e.g., with cyclodextrin), and binding retinoids with carriers (e.g., polymers, NLC, SLN), adding ingredients with anti-irritation activity, skin barrier improvement, and increased skin hydration to retinoid formulations (e.g., combinations of glucosamine, trehalose, ectoine, sucralfate, omega-9, and 4-t-butylcyclohexanol, addition of ethanolic bark extract of Alstonia scholaris R. Br).

Background: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma where red rash exists on the skin. Understanding the role of miRNAs and ncRNAs in p53-response has become an open discussion, as they can regulate p53 or its downstream targets, and ncRNAs themselves.

Objectives: To evaluate the serum levels of NEAT-1, miR-34a, and p53 in MF patients and its relation to healthy controls to indicate whether it has a potential role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Subjects and Methods. This prospective case-control study was carried out on 75 subjects subdivided into two groups, 35 MF patients (stages 1 and II) and 40 matched healthy controls. Their clinical investigations and serum biomarkers (NEAT-1, miR-34a, and p53) were measured.

Results: There were significant elevations in the expression levels of both NEAT-1 (5.10 ± 1.16) and p53 (277.28 ± 62.02) in the serum of MF patients in comparison with controls (1.01 ± 0.031) and (194.29 ± 16.039), respectively, while the level of miR-34a tends to decrease in MF patients (0.24 ± 0.15). There are no significant difference between MF stages and the level of miR-34a, while in NEAT-1 and p53, there are significant differences with p value <0.05 between the stages and the biomarkers. There is a positive correlation between the %BSA and miR-34a and a slightly positive correlation between NEAT-1 and P53 with (r = 0.353, p=0.037) and (r = 0112, p=0.05), respectively. There were also negative correlations between disease duration and NEAT-1 with (r = -0.341, p=0.045) and between B2 microglobulin level and p53 (r = -0.373, p=0.027).

Conclusion: The combination of miR-34a, NEAT-1, and p53 may be considered as potential biomarkers that play an active role in the disease process of MF for helping in its early diagnosis and stage identification as well.

Electrical impedance dermography (EID), based on electrical impedance spectroscopy, is a specific technique for the evaluation of skin disorders that relies upon the application and measurement of painless, alternating electrical current. EID assesses pathological changes to the normal composition and architecture of the skin that influence the flow of electrical current, including changes associated with inflammation, keratinocyte and melanocyte carcinogenesis, and scarring. Assessing the electrical properties of the skin across a range of frequencies and in multiple directions of current flow can provide diagnostic information to aid in the identification of pathologic skin conditions. EID holds the promise of serving as a diagnostic biomarker and potential to be used in skin cancer detection and staging. EID may also be useful as a biomarker in monitoring effectiveness of treatment in individual patients and in therapeutic research. This review highlights ongoing efforts to improve mechanistic understanding of skin electrical changes, study of EID in a variety of clinical contexts, and further refine the technology to find greater clinical use in dermatology and dermatologic research.

Background: Trichosporon asahii (T. asahii) is part of the cutaneous fungal microbiota in humans and can cause lethal opportunistic infection. During infection, microorganisms can adapt to their environment by adjusting gene expression and cellular activities.

Objectives: Investigation of the microevolutionary changes in T. asahii during chronic infection.

Methods: Two T. asahii strains were isolated from a chronic trichosporonosis patient between a 15-year interval, and the microevolutionary changes were compared by the immune response of dendritic cell (DC), mice survival model, and transcriptome sequencing analysis.

Results: Compared with the primary T. asahii strain, the microevolved strain induced much lower expression of TNF-α by mice bone marrow-derived DC and had a much superior survival rate, a total of 2212 significantly differentially expressed genes were identified in the microevolved strain, and functional analysis showed significance in the downregulated transcription and metabolic process, especially the valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation pathways, which were associated with pathogenicity and virulence; hence, the results were highly consistent with the decreased immunogenicity and virulence of the microevolved strain.

Conclusions: These results demonstrated that the microevolution during chronic infection could induce changes in immunogenicity, virulence, and transcriptome, which might lead T. asahii to coexist with the host.

Background: A tattoo is a pigment permanently deposited into the skin to create different patterns. The worldwide percentage of tattooed individuals, as well as the level of tattoo regret, complications, and removal, has increased. However, data from Saudi Arabia are lacking.

Objective: To determine the rates of tattoo regret, complications, and removal among tattooed individuals in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A link to the survey was distributed through social media and contained twenty questions about participants' demographics, tattoo practices, regret, removal, and complications. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 181 tattooed individuals participated in the study. Most of them were females (95.6%), and 76.7% had their first tattoo at an age over eighteen years. A total of 47.5% had one tattoo session, and the most common body site was the eyebrows (57.5%). Fifty-eight percent regretted their tattoo, and 42.5% attempted to remove it. Upper extremity tattoos were significantly associated with regret (72.3%) (P=0.004) and removal (56.9%) (P=0.003). Tattoo removal was mostly due to cultural reasons (74%). Local itching (32%), pain (22.7%), and infection (10.5%) were reported and associated with tattoo regret (P < 0.05). Itching was significant in 65.4% of head and neck tattoos and 41.5% of upper extremity tattoos (P < 0.05). Participants were aware that laser is the best method for tattoo removal.

Conclusion: Among tattooed individuals in Saudi Arabia, the rate of tattoo regret and removal is high, and the most reported complication is pruritus.

Background: Hydrolysed collagen supplements are reported to fight the signs of aging and improve skin appearance, but more authoritative clinical evidence is needed to support efficacy.

Aim: This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of a supplement containing hydrolysed collagen and vitamin C (Absolute Collagen, AC) on biophysical parameters and visible signs of aging for skin, scalp, and hair, when taken daily or every 48 hours.

Methods: We measured dermal collagen using confocal microscopy and high-resolution ultrasound. Hydration, elasticity, wrinkles, and clinical trichoscopy were measured in parallel to expert visual grading. Efficacy measures were recorded at baseline, week 6, and week 12.

Results: Following 12 weeks daily use of the AC supplement, using confocal microscopy, we observed a significant 44.6% decrease in fragmentation vs. placebo (p < 0.01). We also measured a change in the ultrasound LEP (low echogenic pixel) ratio comparing upper and lower dermis (-9.24 vs. -7.83, respectively, p=0.05), suggesting collagen improvements occurred more in the upper dermal compartment. After 12 weeks vs. placebo, skin hydration was increased by 13.8% (p < 0.01), R2 elasticity index was increased by 22.7% (p<0.01), and Rz profilometry index was decreased by 19.6% (p < 0.01). Trichoscopy showed an average 11.0% improvement in scalp scaling and a 27.6% increase in the total number of hairs counted vs. placebo (p=n.s.). This was associated with a 31.9% increase in clinical grading score for hair healthy appearance (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: The AC supplement has shown clinical benefits for skin, scalp, and hair, when used either daily or every 48 hours, over a 12-week period.

The most prevalent skin condition is acne vulgaris. Recent clinical practice guidelines recommend oral isotretinoin to treat moderate-to-severe acne. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and risk perception of oral isotretinoin for acne treatment. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in the country of Jordan. The study sample includes people resident in Jordan aged ≥14 years who have been treated with oral isotretinoin for acne. The study involved 373 participants who previously used oral isotretinoin for skin disorders. Most were Jordanian (89.3%), aged 19-25 (37.3%), and from the central region (82.8%). Mostly, they used isotretinoin for severe or mild acne (25.2% and 24.1%, respectively), rosacea (4.1%), or to alleviate acne scars. Surprisingly, 58.1% did not consult their specialist for side effects, and 20% shared their treatment. The average proper use score was 9.98 out of 16. A link was found between higher risk knowledge scores and proper use scores. Side effects such as nausea, irregular heartbeat, and pancreatitis affected some users (11.5%, 10.5%, 7.0%, and 3.2%, respectively). Knowledge about isotretinoin's risks varied, with percentages recognizing teratogenicity (57.7%), liver damage (52.6%), and lipid profile effects (37.2%), while 25% believed that they had no side effects. The study revealed partial adherence to oral isotretinoin guidelines, with gaps in monitoring and consultation. A positive correlation emerged between risk knowledge and proper usage, emphasizing the need for comprehensive education and monitoring strategies in isotretinoin therapy for skin disorders.