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A wound is described as any laceration in normal anatomic structure and functional integrity of the skin. Chronic wounds don’t progress through the normal wound healing process in 3 months leaving open laceration of different degrees of severity. Diabetic wound healing is an insurmountable process due to the chronic nature of diabetic wounds. For these complications, this has been a challenge in the health care system. By the appearance of regenerative medicine, advisedly stem cell-based therapies and ingredients have been gained the focus of researchers and professionals as well. As there is no definite cure for diabetic wounds and forasmuch as the appearance of regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies there is a big hope to find a definite treatment for diabetic wounds. In this article novel therapies based on stem cells were observed.

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Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic on December 2019, challenges on economic, political, social, hygiene- therapeutic and life style have emerged in many countries. Many researches are investigating on virus characteristics and its behavior and also preventive and therapeutic measures. Despite the virus not being dermatotropic, several skin manifestations have been observed. In this review, overall informations on this viral infection with focus on skin manifestations are presented.

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Background and Aim: The aim of the present study is rapid and precise identification of yeast species isolated from nail of patients with clinical features of onychomycosis using PCR-RFLP technique.

Methods: 50 patients with involvement of 29 fingernails and 21 toenails were enrolled in the study. Different yeast species were identified by conventional mycological. The PCR-RFLP was tested on yeast isolated and the PCR-RFLP products were separated by electrophoresis in 2% agarose gel, with DNA stain.

Results: The main causative agents were yeasts in 12 cases (24%). Candida albicans was the most commonly isolated yeast species followed by Candida parapsilosis (6%), and Candida glabrata (4 %).

Conclusion: PCR-RFLP method using ITS1-ITS4 primers and MspI restriction enzymes is a rapid, accurate and cost-effective method for specific diagnosis of the most prevalent candida spp. Its ability to detect low amounts of fungal DNA in patient samples in 6-8 hours could be useful for clinical laboratories for optimal management of these infections.

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COVID-19 is nowadays a pandemic disease. It affects various aspects of human life including physical and mental health and also socio-economic situations. In this review, we attempt to present a brief selection of abundant published papers about pathogenesis, skin manifestations, treatment challenges in different conditions and prevention.

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Wounds are any type of tissue dehiscence which can occur on skin, mucosae or connective tissue. After the wound has created, inflammatory process, the immune system changes as well as the skin repair cascade will be activated. To provide a product that can direct the above processes in a desirable repair mechanism will be useful. Studies have shown that aloe vera products, with effects such as increased collagen production, antioxidant and water retaining properties, are good options.
Aloe vera grows mainly in arid regions and this fact can be welcomed in many parts of the world. The use of medicinal herbs also reduces the cost for the health systems. Aloe vera is a plant that does not require much cost for plant and harvest. Besides, the compatibility of aloe vera products with a variety of formulations encourages formulators to use it in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
In this review, the use of aloe vera in wound management and some skin diseases will be discussed.

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Editorial Editorial Editorial

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In this issue, the third article about COVID-19 is published. It consists of the most beneficial and new findings after the previous issue. It has been attempted to explain different aspects of SARS-Cov2 infection and its effects on human social and personal aspects .Nowadays manuscripts on present pandemic are showery and ongoing published. Therefore it is not possible to review all of them, however the authors have done all their best to select and present the most important.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using saliva instead of serum (as a simpler method without the need for blood sampling) to determine the level of some cytokines and enzymes. In this study, the levels of cytokines IL10, IFN-Y, TNF-α, TGF-β and the antioxidant enzymes glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase were measured in the saliva and serum of three patients with alopecia totalis by ELISA. Comparison of the levels of these substances in saliva samples at 5 am, saliva at 11 am and serum at 11 am with Friedman test did not show a significant difference. Therefore, saliva samples may be a good alternative to serum in the study of immunological factors.

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The fourth paper of review article series about COVID-19 includes a selection of interesting and useful information about this disease and dermatology. This paper contains materials published in literature in various basic fields such as epidemiology, pathogenesis, as well as clinical topics such as symptoms and treatments. The skin manifestations of COVID-19, the challenges of treating skin diseases and dermatoses caused by the virus have also been reviewed.

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The fifth paper of reviews on COVID-19 addresses COVID-19 vaccines, as vaccination has started in the world and Iran. In this paper, we review different types of available vaccines and also various platforms for production of COVID-19 vaccines as well as the vaccines produced in each platform in the world and Iran. Then the considerations about vaccination in patients with skin diseases, specially those using immunomodulator drugs will be presented. Finally, the cutaneous adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines will be reviewed.

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The sixth article of COVID-19 review series is published while the virus is invading the world. In this issue, lastest findings about skin manifestations of this disease, skin diseases course, also diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 and skin reactions due to vaccines are presented.

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Although skin manifestations of COVID-19 were reported later than major organs affected, but it seems that they have gained relatively defined and definite described patterns. Regardless of strength and quantity of published papers and reports of rare cases, generally reported cutaneous manifestations are similar. However affection of vairous nail lesions have been mentioned recently. Even though no skin finding is recognized as specific, this does not mean not to look for and describe skin and nail changes. Common skin findings could be observed in many cutaneous diseases. In this issue, we decided to review literature about nail apparatus affected by COVID-19.

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Introduction: Dermatophytosis are micro-organisms which can lead to skin diseases. In rare occasions they can have atypical skin manifestations, which could result in delay in diagnosis.  

Case Report: A 20-year-old Iranian boy was referred to our center with a 5-month history of circular, symmetrical, itchy crusted skin lesions on his groin. Direct microscopy, culture test and PCR-sequencing of ITS regions of the rDNA gene were conducted and showed T. indotinea as the causative agent. Based on antifungal susceptibility test oral pulse therapy with itraconazole 100 mg twice daily for 1 week combined with topical clotrimazole cream for 1 month was initiated, which cleared the lesions.

Conclusion: This case report is of significance since T. indotinea produces atypical skin lesions, as well as, multidrug resistance to antifungal agents.

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The COVID-19 pandemic is still present and we are directly or indirectly affected by it. The skin is one of the organs that has some manifestations not only during the course of the disease, but also long after recovery and also after vaccination. Hair is one of the parts that, like the skin, may show disorders during and after recovery of the infection and also after vaccination. In this issue, we aimed to provide an overview of the effects of COVID-19 and vaccination on hair. We also express the instrumental role of hair in the study of other diseases, including psychological problems.

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Background and Aim: Although several commercial moisturizers are available in the market, continued role of pharmaceutical compounding have been still felt in dry skin management. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a two urea- based compounded moisturizers on barrier function, compared to similar commercial product. 15 volunteers (14 females and one male) age 36.15 ±9.55 years old (range 21-56 years old) with non-pathologic dry skin, recruited to the study applied 5% urea containing hydrophilic petrolatum and 10% urea containing hydrophilic petrolatum during two following phases.
Methods: Upper parts of right and left forearms randomly were assigned for twice a day application of commercial or compounded products. Biophysical assessments including trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, friction co efficient, pH and surface lipids, performed before intervention, 1, 4 after single application and at 24 hours and one week twice daily application. 
Results: In both phases, commercial and compounded moisturizers showed appropriate and comparable effect on skin barrier function compared to the baseline. However commercial products, led to better improvement in TEWL, 4 hours after single application in both phases (P=0.04). The rate of increase in skin hydration was also significantly higher for commercial emollient, compared to compounding product (57.48±11.23 vs. 50.59±11.42, P=0.01).
Conclusion: Commercial formulation led to higher acceptability and better improvement on skin barrier function after single application, probably due to influence of excipients. Present study did not find sufficient added value for pharmacy product relative to commercial one and suggest to be replaced in similar condition.