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Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in Iran and in the world and its prevalence may become equivalent to the prevalence of all other cancers combined in the future. The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has an important role in tumorigenesis of BCC. Mutations in PTCH and Smo molecules of this pathway account for 85% to 95% of sporadic BCCs and also most cases of inherited cases. Currently, several treatment methods exist for this cancer. Mohs surgery and removing the whole tumor with free margins are the most efficient way for metastatic and highly invasive BCCs. According to the latest findings, small inhibitor molecules of the Hh pathway are becoming highlighted in drug production. Vismodegib an inhibitor of Smo, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2012 as a drug for metastatic and highly invasive BCCs. Therefore, strategic targeting of signaling molecules has demonstrated success and holds great potential in medicine.

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Background and Aim: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is the most common bullous autoimmune disease, which can cause mortality and morbidity in the patients who suffer from it. Researches to find reliable noninvasive laboratory tests to diagnose and monitor PV patients are being conducted.The aim of this study is to find the sensitivity of serum and salivary anti-DSG1 and anti-DSG3 antibodies in the diagnosis of PV by ELISA and to compare the results of serum and salivary autoantibodies with each other. Methods: In this case-control study, 40 newly diagnosed patients with PV were recruited. Forty healthy controls were also recruited to this study. The clinical diagnosis of PV was confirmed by histopathology and direct immunofluorescence (DIF). Demographic data, disease severity and phenotypes were recorded on the questionnaires, which were developed for this study. DSG1 and DSG3 ELISA test were performed on serum and salivary samples of patients and controls. Results: The mean±standard deviation age of patients, 43.37±11.94, with a range of 26 to 71 years. The sensitivities of serum anti-DSG3 and anti-DSG1 were 85% (34 cases had positive test results) and 90%, (36 cases had positive test results) respectively. The sensitivities of salivary anti-DSG3 and anti-DSG1 antibodies were accordingly 42.5% (17 cases had positive test results) and 60%, (24 cases had positive test results) respectively. Conclusion: While the sensitivities of serum ELISA in detection of anti-DSG1 and anti-DSG3 were significantly higher than those of salivary ELISA, since the levels of the latter are chnaging in parallel to those of serum ELISA, they might be used to monitor the disease activity.

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Background and Aim: Androgenetic alopecia is a type of androgen and genetic dependent hair loss and although it is more of a beauty issue, but in recent years studies have shown that this type of alopecia is associated with underlying disorders such as coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of androgenetic alopecia in hospitalized patients and its relationship with the history of coronary heart disease and its risk factors.

Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study, 250 patients (125 women and 125 men) admitted to Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in Tehran from October to December 2020 were examined and after examination and data collection, the data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software SPSS Statistics 25 version.

Results: The prevalence of alopecia was generally 46.8% in hospitalized patients, 61.6% in men and 32% in women. The prevalence of coronary heart disease in hospitalized patients was 25.6%, 34.4% in men and 16.8% in women. In patients with alopecia, the frequency of history of coronary heart disease was 39.31%, the history of hypertension was 20.8%, history of hyperlipidemia was 17.2%, history of diabetes was 14.4% and the smoking history was 15.6%. All of these factors were significantly associated with alopecia, except for smoking.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the frequency of androgenetic alopecia in patients admitted to the hospital is common and its prevalence in men is more than twice that of women. History of coronary heart disease and its risk factors in patients with alopecia are high, and have a significant relationship with it. This can be important and help in screening and early diagnosis of coronary heart disease and its subsequent prevention.