Elahe Nazari, Kambiz Kamyab Hesari, Sahar Montazeri, Nazanin Mansourzadeh, Vida Feizi, Hossein Mortazavi, Alireza Ghanadan, Nafiseh Esmaeli,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (5-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) is represented as a gold standard method in diagnosis of autoimmune blistering dermatoses. Normal saline, liquid nitrogen and michel’ solution are a widely accepted media for preserving biopsy samples of skin or mucosa before DIF examination. Occasionally clinicians put the biopsy specimen taken for DIF in formalin 10%, occasionally clinicians ordered DIF retrogradely and only a paraffin-embedded biopsy specimen exposed to formalin 10% is available. To determine the diagnostic value of DIF when it was performed on biopsy samples of skin or mucosa exposed to formalin 10% in comparison to the same biopsy samples exposed to normal saline.
Methods: In 74 patients (38 immunobullous and 23 chronic dermatitis), which the latter served as the normal controls, 2 perilesional punch biopsy of skin or mucosa were done, one put in formalin 10% and fixed in paraffin and one put in normal saline, and DIF was done on both samples.
Results: DIF sensitivity and specificity was with IgG 31.5% and 100% in pemphigus and 15.36% and 93.44% in BP, with C3 39.47% and 100% in pemphigus and 7.69% and 91.80% in BP, respectively.
Conclusion: DIF on specimens exposed to formalin 10% in comparison to specimens exposed to normal saline is less sensitive but approximately as specific as it is in the diagnosis of pemphigus and BP patients and especially can be useful in pemphigus patients when only a formalin exposed samples is available.
Hamideh Herizchighadim,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (5-2022)
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic has led to many mortalities since the beginning of 2020. As there was no previous experience, no specific therapy was used, except for gloves, masks, special clothes, and antiseptics. So various pharmacologic and
non-pharmacological treatments were tried. World Health Organization published therapeutic protocols in the first weeks of the pandemic that has been changed over months. As there are constant and variable signs and symptoms in different patients in different countries, therapeutic modalities and drugs are various too. Some of these drugs have been used for viral and nonviral diseases, including Tamiflu (that has been used in the treatment of influenza), Ribavirin (an effective drug in hepatitis C infection), immunoglobulin (that has been used in the treatment of various disorders like Stevens-Johnson syndrome), hydroxychloroquine (for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and other rheumatologic disorders), azithromycin (that is used for upper respiratory tract infections, acne, etc.). On the other hand, consuming spices such as ginger and turmeric, vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin D, and zinc supplements have been suggested. Over months, treatment complications, including side effects of drugs and protective equipment appeared. Complications included a broad spectrum of pruritus and nonspecific rash to Stevens-Johnson syndrome and angioedema. Aggravation and recurrence of dermatitis due to the use of protective equipment and antiseptics have been observed. Increasing knowledge about treatment complications will result in early diagnosis and management and obviously decreasing mortality rates and costs.
This article is a review of common cutaneous side effects of therapeutic modalities and preventive methods in COVID-19.
Pedram Noormohammadpour,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (5-2022)
Abstract
Portwine stains (PWS) lesions are one of the most common childhood vascular malformations that gradually increase in color and thickness without treatment and have profound devastating psychological effects on the child. For this reason, and also because the lesions become resistant to treatment over time, early treatment of these lesions is very important. pulsed dye laser (PDL) is currently the treatment of choice for these lesions. In almost all aspects of the treatment of these lesions with PDL laser, disagreement and sometimes contradictory data are found among various studies. These include the uncertainty of the optimal number of treatment sessions, the appropriate age to start treatment, the optimal parameters to start treatment with and possible methods to increase the effectiveness of PDL, possible treatment side effects and how to deal with them, as well as using different methods to reduce patient discomfort during treatment. The present article collects and reviews existing studies in this field.
Ensieh Lotfali, Adel Shirani, Sina Molavizade, Sa’adat Shojaei,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (5-2022)
Abstract
Onychomycosis is a nail infection caused by dermatophyte and non-dermatophyte molds and yeasts. The nail involvement is a feature of psoriasis, although skin manifestations are the most principal findings in psoriasis. Onychomycosis and psoriasis are both common disorders in communities. It is possible that in some patients these two diseases are present at the same time. A review was performed using the keywords including nail psoriasis, onychomycoses, dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte molds and yeasts in valid medical databases, such as PubMed, Google scholar, Scopus and Science direct. Articles that were most relevant to the purpose of the study were selected and studied. We investigated the incidence and pathogenic function of fungal agents in causing fungal infections in psoriasis nails.
Pegah Abbasi, Maryam Peymani, Dariush Farhud, Hamidreza Mahmoudi, Kamran Ghaedi,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (8-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Considering the high global incidence of skin cancer and the high mortality rate caused by melanoma, it is important to identify the genes involved in this disease and predict effective drugs. Therefore, in this study, we have identified and investigated the expression level of effective and key genes in melanoma metastasis, as well as investigating their diagnostic potential as biological markers and finding effective drugs on the expression of these genes.
Methods: In this study, we have used 46 cancer samples without metastasis and 12 cancer samples with metastasis from the GEO database and from the GSE15605 study with 74 samples including 16 normal samples. Gene expression profile in this study was generated by GPL570 platform containing 54675 probes. The latest GPL570 annotation file has been downloaded and initial processing was done.
Results: The results showed that the expression level of candidate genes in metastasis samples had a significant change compared to normal samples. The results of analysing the data related to candidate genes in this study indicated that the drugs Glucosamine, Ad-E2F-1 plus Doxorubicn, GSI, Torcetrapib, Ribavirin and NSC319726 could be effective on the expression of MYH10, SPRR3 and TOP2A genes, respectively. On the other hand, the results from the drug bank database revealed that various drugs such as Amsacrine, Dexrazoxane, Valrubicin, Teniposide can have an inhibitory role on the TOP2A gene.
Conclusion: GEO database was used to identify key genes in melanoma metastasis and DRUGBANK was used to identify drugs that affect the expression of these genes.
Ensieh Lotfali, Mahsa Fattahi,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (8-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Oral candidiasis is a common opportunistic disease of oral cavity particularly in neonates because of Candida overgrowth. Colonization of infant’s oral mucosa with Candida species is the primary stage for invasive candidiasis. The aim of the present study was to determine the association of risk factors and oral candidiasis.
Methods: specimens were obtained from 70 infants who were suspected of having candidiasis, using the swabs samples were taken from the cheek, mucosa, tongue and palate surfaces. Specimens were assessed by routine mycological and molecular approaches. Results were statistically analyzed using the SPSS v16 software
Results: From 70 infants, 50 species of Candida were isolated. The results showed that the incidence of oral candidiasis in infants was pointedly associated to type of delivery (normal/ cesarean), mode of nourishing (breast milk, milk powder, both of them), use of antibiotic medications, and use of milk flask. There was no significant relationship among pacifier and age.
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that there is a significant relationship between the incidence of oral candidiasis in newborns with type of delivery, breastfeeding, no use of milk jars and antibiotic use. Therefore, the presence of candida in the vagina of the pregnant mothers can cause the baby to develop candidiasis during birth.
Seyedebrahim Eskandari, Ali Khamesipour, Alireza Firooz, Minoo Tasbihi, Akram Miraminmohammadi, Khadijeh Tavakoli, Maryam Ahmadi,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (8-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by sandflies and is one of the endemic diseases of Iran. With the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic worldwide, the virus will interface with endemic infectious diseases in different regions. In this study, coronavirus disease was evaluated in patients with a history of leishmaniasis referred to the Center of Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy.
Methods: A total of 91 patients with a history of leishmaniasis were studied for possible SARS-CoV-2 infection. The number of patients referred to the Center of Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy during the coronavirus epidemic was also compared with the same period before the epidemic
Results: A total of 60% of patients with leishmaniasis
did not report coronavirus disease. Twenty-one percent of cases had a mild corona disease, 13% had a moderate and 3% had severe corona disease. Only a single death was reported in corona patients with a history of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The number of referrals before the beginning of the corona epidemic was twice as high as during the epidemic.
Conclusion: In these participants, mortality and side effects of COVID-19 were significantly less reported. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the immune system and cutaneous leishmaniasis protection against COVID-19. Various factors can be effective in reducing patients during the epidemic, including not going to medical centers, reducing the number of trips, and observance of health issues.
Fatemeh Yazdani Hamid,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (8-2022)
Abstract
Skin cancers are highly prevalent malignancies that affect millions of people worldwide. These include melanomas and nonmelanoma skin cancers. Melanomas are among the most dangerous cancers, while nonmelanoma skin cancers generally exhibit a more benign clinical pattern; however, they may sometimes be aggressive and metastatic.
Melanomas typically appear in body regions exposed to the sun, although they may also appear in areas that do not usually get sun exposure. Thus, their development is multifactorial, comprising endogenous and exogenous risk factors. The management of skin cancer depends on the type; it is usually based on surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. In this respect, oncological treatments have demonstrated some progress in the last years; however, current therapies still present various disadvantages such as little cell specificity, recurrent relapses, high toxicity, and increased costs. Furthermore, the pursuit of novel medications is expensive, and the authorization for their clinical utilization may take 10-15 years. Thus, repositioning of drugs previously approved and utilized for other diseases has emerged as an excellent alternative. In this mini-review, we aimed to provide an updated overview of drugs’ repurposing to treat skin cancer and discuss future perspectives.
Bahareh Nowruzi,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (8-2022)
Abstract
One of the most important functions of the skin is to protect against various stressors. Environmental stimuli such as UV and environmental pollution increase reactive oxygen species and cause wrinkles and skin aging. Skin aging is associated with decreased collagen production and decreased activity of enzymes involved in collagen structure. Moisturizing chemicals increase the skin's ability to retain water, but long-term use can have adverse effects on human skin, such as allergies and even tumorigenic effects. As a result, the use of biological resources, especially photosynthetic organisms such as cyanobacteria, as safe alternatives is increasing. The mechanism by which cyanobacteria respond to ultraviolet radiation is the synthesis of ultraviolet compounds such as mycosporin-like amino acids and scytonemin. In addition, the exopolysaccharides produced by some species that live in extremely dry habitats can be used as moisturizers in cosmetics. In this study, we introduce the potential of cyanobacterial metabolites as alternative sources for sunscreens and moisturizers.
Araz Bazzaz Dilmaghani, Mohammadreza Afsharmoghadam, Farnaz Monajjemzade,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (8-2022)
Abstract
Cosmetics used in the eyes are of special importance due to the sensitivity of this area and the high probability of transmission of different contaminations and its dangers. Thus safety issues should be considered more tightly. Accordingly, this study qualitatively, examines the label claim regarding the contents of several domestic and foreign products available in the Iran`s market. Legal aspects were carried out in accordance with European standards. In this study, 14 samples of eye cosmetic products, including mascara sample, eyeliner sample and pencil sample were examined. After preparing a list of all the components of each sample and presenting them in the tables, each component was evaluate individually according to CosIng site.
Finally the role of components and limitations if any and the range of permissible or unauthorized concentration of each were recorded and discussed. In the studied products, the role of components and their performance in the product were consistent and no prohibited item was identified.
Alireza Firooz, Azin Ayatollahi, Farnaz Valizade, Mansour Nassiri Kashani, Zaghrabeigom Moosavi, Mahsa Fattahi,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (8-2022)
Abstract
Background: Tinea capitis is the term used for scalp infections caused by dermatophyte fungi. Tinea capitis is common in children and is less common in adults.
Case Report: The case was a 9-year-old girl with itchy patches of alopecia on the. The patient had a cat as a pet. On examination, the patch of hair loss was itchy and the hair shaft was broken and scales were mild. In the examination with Wood's lamp and direct microscopic examination, the ectothrix infection was deagnised. According to the dermatologist's opinion, a terbinafine 50 mg was prescribed daily. However, no significant improvement was observed despite 4 weeks of terbinafine. As a result, the dose of terbinafine treatment was changed from 50 mg to 250 mg per day. After 6 weeks of treatment, the clinical manifestations of the patient improved significantly.
Conclusion: After ringworm is confirmed microscopically, choosing the most appropriate antifungal treatment depends on determining the fungal species by culture. Therefore, when choosing empiric antifungal agent therapy, a dose of 250 mg terbinafine may be a good choice for children.
