Journal of

Background and Aim: Marine seaweeds are a valuable source of bioactive ingeredients with the possibility of different effects in cosmeceutical industries such as skin health products. One of the main characteristics of the skin is moisture which plays an important role in maintaining metabolism, enzymatic activity, mechanical properties, appearance and protective barrier. The objective of the present study was to formulate the water extract of brown algae Sargassum tenerrimum with antioxidant and antibacterial properties as a moisturizing cream to evaluate physicochemical stability and microbial growth.
 

Methods: Algae were collected from the Persian Gulf intertidal zone and was washed with seawater, then transferd to Seafood Processing Laboratory in Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources for extraction process, after that formulation of 1% moisturizing cream was made at Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and LeprosyTehran University of Medical Scinces. Statistical analysis of antibacterial properties of water extract was performed by SPSS software version 22 and one way ANONA was used to analyse the data. The comparison between the means were investigated by Duncan’s test used for measuring significant differences at 5 percent level. Finally, the charts were created by using Excel software. The results of the study were reported as mean ± standard deviation.
 

Results: According to the results, the prepared 1% cream was completely stable and homogeneous in room temperature and oven for 6 months and successfully passed microbial tests.
 

Conclusion: In view of the above mentioned, the manufactured cream efficacy was well done and can be introduce as a skin moisturizing agent.

Background and aim: As the use of botulinum toxin to treat glabellar lines increases, particularly in Iran, where foreign products (e.g. Dysport) are relatively expensive, it becomes important to compare the efficacy, side effects, and duration of action of two locally produced botulinum toxin brands, Masport® and Dyston®. This study seeks to assess and compare the treatment results of these two medications.
 

Methods: In this cross-sectional, descriptive, retrospective study, the medical records of 81 patients who visited Razi Dermatology Hospital for the treatment of moderate to severe glabellar lines were reviewed. Data related to patient satisfaction, duration of action, and side effects of Masport® and Dyston® botulinum toxin were collected and analyzed via a questionnaire.
 

Results: The mean satisfaction score was 7 for the Dyston® group and 7.7 for the Masport® group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.142). Additionally, the mean duration of action was 3.5 months for Dyston® and 3.8 months for Masport®, with no significant difference observed. Headache was the most common side effect reported, with no other major adverse events noted. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of side effects between the two groups.
 

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that both Dyston® and Masport® have similar efficacy and safety profiles. The choice between them can be primarily based on cost and patient or physician preference rather than any significant therapeutic differences. Larger studies are recommended to further validate these findings.

Background and Aim: The most prevalent form of leishmaniasis is cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), which manifests as a single ulcerative or nodular lesion that usually heals on its own. The aims of this study were to investigate the histopathologic and clinical features of CL patients.
 

Methods: This cross-sectional study was accomplished on 70 CL patients that referred to Razi dermatology hospital in Iran, over a five-year period from 2016 to 2020. Included patients were those who were diagnosed clinically suspected patients whom their disease was confirmed through histopathology examination.
 

Results: The age of patients ranged from 2 to 76 years with a mean of 42.26 ± 20.86 years. The majority of patients were men (54.3%). The plaque form lesions were the most frequent type (64.3%). Respecting lesion site, face, and upper limbs were more frequent with the abundances of 47.1% and 34.3%, respectively. All of the patients had evidence of cellulitis on ultrasound. The most prevalent change of epidermis was hyperkeratosis (42.8%). Regarding dermal histopathologic changes, infiltration of lymphocytes (61.4%), plasma cells (58.6%), and histiocytes (48.6%), as well as granuloma formation (54.3%) and leishman body presence (54.3%) were the dominant changes. Some patients had atypical forms of CL as six of them had lupoid cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) and five had sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis (SCL).
 

Conclusion: In this study, men and those who were in middle age were more susceptible to be infected, so it suggests considering them particularly in the preventive programs. Moreover, histopathological findings of CL, including LCL and SCL, are presented. These findings may be beneficial for dermatologists and dermatopathologists to differentiate them from other cutaneous diseases.

Background and Aim: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world, as well as skin cancer is the most common cancer among human cancers and causes great costs and economic and social harm to society. The increase in skin cancer in our country and also in Ardabil province led us to study the prevalence and epidemiological trend of 10 years of skin cancer in patients referred to the skin clinic in Ardabil 2011-2021.
 

Methods: In this study, 331 patients had been referred to a dermatology clinic with a diagnosis of skin cancer during 2011 to 2021. The checklists were completed based on the information in their files.
 

Results: Of all patients, 208 (62.8%) were male, 60.4% from Ardabil, 14.2% were in year 2016 and 46.2% were in the age group of 50-70 years. The mean age of patients was 62.5±14.7 in range 25-96 years. The most common type of skin cancer in the studied samples during ten years was related to BCC with 184 cases (55.6%) and the most studied patients were in grade 3 with 231 patients (69.8%). The most common site of skin cancer with 93 cases (28.1%) was in the nose.
 

Conclusion: Results showed that the trend of skin cancer in the studied samples similar to the provincial statistics did not have a constant decrease or increase trend and had a fluctuating trend. The incidence of this disease in male clients was about twice that of female clients and most cases were in high grades and BCC type.

ackground and Aim: Vitiligo, as one of the most common skin pigment production disorders has significant psycho-social consequences for patients, so it is important to discover the variables affecting mental health in these patients. present study aims to consider mediating role of internalized shame in the relationship between cognitive avoidance and interpersonal difficulties in predicting the quality of life of vitiligo patients.

Methods: The current research was of a descriptive correlation type. The statistical population of the research consisted of all the people referred to Razi Hospital in Tehran who were suffering from vitiligo. 170 people purposefully selected based on the inclusion criteria. In this research, Sexton and Dagas cognitive avoidance, Barkham's interpersonal problems, World Health Organization's quality of life, and Cook's internalized shame questionnaires were used. Data analysis was done by Pearson correlation coefficient test, regression analysis and path analysis using SPSS 26 and PLS software.

Results: The results showed that the internal shame in the relationship between interpersonal problems and quality of life was recognized as a relative mediating variable. The path of cognitive avoidance with quality of life and internal shame as a mediating variable was not significant with a significance level of less than 0.05.

Conclusion: Mental health professionals can play an important role by considering the role of internal shame in helping vitiligo patients to overcome challenges, improve their mental health and well-being.

Background and Aim: Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers. Numerous studies have shown the positive effect of using sunscreen creams in preventing skin cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the inequality in the use of sunscreen cream.
 

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults in Kermanshah city. Data was collected using questionnaire by interview. Concentration index and curve were used to quantify and analyze inequality in sunscreen use. The results of adjusted odds ratio and decomposition analysis for sunscreen use were also estimated.
 

Results: 14.39% used sunscreen. The ratio of use in men was 5.65% and in women was 21.72%. The concentration index for sunscreen use (P<0.001) was 0.344, which indicates the greater concentration of sunscreen use among the rich. The rich groups are 3.72 times more likely to use sunscreen than the poor, and people in the middle class are also 1.48 times more likely to use sunscreen. The highest share of participation in the creation of inequality in sunscreen consumption was achieved by the socio-economic status variable with 61.26%, education level with 13.23% and age with 13.02%.

Conclusion: The focus of health promotion interventions should target groups with low socio-economic status. Men and less educated people should be prioritized in the development and implementation of interventions.

Background and aim: Macular amyloidosis (MA) is a form of primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis (PLCA), characterized by amyloid deposits in the papillary dermis. This study aimed to compare the biophysical properties of MA lesions with those of adjacent uninvolved skin.
 

Methods: We measured several parameters in active MA lesions of 22 patients, including stratum corneum (SC) hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), surface friction, pH, sebum, melanin, erythema, temperature, elasticity parameters (R0, R2, and R5), as well as epidermal and dermal thickness and echo-density using ultrasonography. Measurements from the lesions were compared with those from healthy skin adjacent to the lesions, serving as controls. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired t-test, with P-values less than 0.05 considered significant.
 

Results: Compared to adjacent normal skin, MA lesions demonstrated significantly lower SC hydration and surface friction, while TEWL, pH, erythema index, melanin content, and epidermal thickness were significantly increased. No significant differences were found in sebum levels, temperature, elasticity parameters, or dermal thickness and echo-density.
 

Conclusion: MA lesions exhibit distinct biophysical and ultrasonographic changes consistent with their histopathological features. These characteristic alterations may serve as useful, non-invasive markers for the early diagnosis of cutaneous macular amyloidosis.

Background and aim: Cutaneous melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin cancers with high metastatic potential and considerable mortality. Prognostic factors such as tumor thickness, surgical margin status, and lymph node involvement play a decisive role in prognosis and treatment selection. Reports from Iran also indicate an increasing incidence of this disease, and providing epidemiological and clinical data at the regional level can help guide therapeutic policies.
 

Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, all patients with cutaneous melanoma who underwent surgery at Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz, between 2019 and 2023 were evaluated. Demographic information, lesion site, tumor size and thickness, histopathological type, surgical method, margin status, and the need for reoperation were extracted from medical records and analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical tests.
 

Results: A total of 84 patients were included (51.2% male and 48.8% female). The most common histopathological type was malignant melanoma (31%). Lesions were most frequently located on the hands (28.6%) and feet (21.4%). The majority of lesions measured between 2–5 cm (36.9%). Only 2.4% of patients had tumors thinner than 1 mm, while 11.9% had tumors thicker than 5 mm. Excision was the most common surgical method (54.8%). Surgical margins were free of tumor in 53.6% of cases, and 61.9% of patients required reoperation.
 

Conclusion: The findings indicate that cutaneous melanoma in southern Iran predominantly occurs in the extremities, and the high rate of reoperation underscores the need for more precise surgical planning and earlier diagnosis.

Background and aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on Alexithymia and pain coping strategies in women with lupus.
 

Methods: The research method was semi experimental with a pretest–posttest and two–month follow–up design with a control group. The statistical population of this research included all female patients with lupus who had referred to the Lupus Association in 2024 for lupus counseling and treatment. Among the statistical population, 30 qualified volunteers were available entered into the study and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (each group includes 15 people). The cognitive-behavioral therapy was implemented in the experimental group as 8 sessions one a week. Data analysis of the research was conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post-hoc test at a significance level of 0.05, with SPSS software version 27.
 

Results: The results indicated that the effect of time, the effect of group, and the interaction effect of time and group on emotional distress scores and pain coping strategies were significant (p<0.001). In the intervention group, there was a significant difference in Alexithymia scores and pain coping strategies between the pre-test and post-test stages, as well as between the pre-test and follow-up (p<0.001). However, no significant difference observed between the post-test and follow-up for these variables.
 

Conclusion: This research showed that teaching the cognitive-behavioral therapy to women with lupus is suitable for improving alexithymia and pain coping strategies.

Background and aim: Pattern-based approaches for botulinum toxin injection in the glabellar region have been proposed to optimize treatment outcomes according to individual muscular contraction patterns. However, evidence regarding the necessity of modifying injection techniques based on these patterns remains inconsistent. This study compared the efficacy of a standardized 3-point abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®) injection technique among different glabellar contraction patterns in an Iranian population.
 

Methods: A total of 224 Iranian patients with moderate-to-severe glabellar lines were included. Patients were classified into five glabellar contraction patterns: U, V, Omega, Inverted V, and Converging Arrow. All participants received 40–60 IU of Dysport using the same 3-point injection technique. Clinical efficacy was assessed 30 days after treatment using the Glabellar Line Severity Scale (GLSS) based on live investigator assessment, independent evaluator assessment, and patient self-assessment. Treatment response was defined as a≥2-point reduction in glabellar line severity during maximum frown.
 

Results: No significant differences were observed among groups regarding age, sex distribution, or onset of treatment response (P>0.05). Patients with the Inverted V pattern received significantly higher toxin doses than those with U and V patterns (P=0.039 and P=0.031, respectively). Response rates based on live assessment, independent assessment, and patient self-assessment showed no statistically significant differences among contraction patterns (P=0.371, P=0.113, and P=0.360, respectively).
 

Conclusion: Glabellar contraction patterns did not significantly affect short-term clinical response to a standardized 3-point Dysport injection technique, suggesting that complex pattern-based injection modifications may not be necessary for satisfactory early outcomes.

Background and aim: Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) are key regulators of skin homeostasis through extracellular matrix remodeling. Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN) and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) are recognized as skin regenerative agents, but their molecular effects on HDFs are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PDRN and MAP on cellular proliferation and type I collagen gene expression in HDFs.
 

Methods: The HDF cell line was treated with PDRN and MAP, and cell viability was evaluated using the MTT assay at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Based on viability outcomes, optimal concentrations of PDRN (100 ng/ml) and MAP (250 µg/ml) were selected. Seventy-two hours post-treatment, the expression levels of KI-67 and COL1A1 genes were analyzed via qPCR (P<0.05).
 

Results: Cell viability analyses demonstrated significant time- and dose-dependent responses for both PDRN and MAP. At the molecular level, independent treatments with PDRN and MAP upregulated KI-67 gene expression, confirming an enhanced cellular proliferative capacity. Conversely, in a divergent manner, COL1A1 gene expression was downregulated under these exact treatment conditions.
 

Conclusion: PDRN and MAP induce a divergent response in HDFs; while promoting mitogenic activity, they simultaneously suppress fibrogenesis and COL1A1 expression. This cellular reprogramming underscores the therapeutic potential of these compounds in anti-fibrotic strategies and scarless wound healing. However, in vivo studies are required to conclusively validate these findings.