A case of ochronosis successfully treated with the picosecond laser

Summary

Exogenous ochronosis is a cutaneous condition characterized by blue‐black pigmentation resulting as a complication of long‐term application of skin‐lightening creams containing hydroquinone and other substances such as quinine, phenol and mercury derivatives. We report a case of a 55‐year‐old woman who developed exogenous ochronosis as a result of prolonged use of topical hydroquinone for 5 years, characterized by greyish hyperpigmented patches on the nose and cheeks. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. Treatment with picosecond laser resulted in marked clinical improvement together with improvement in overall texture and quality of the skin.

https://ift.tt/2S6Gfqe

Cellular retinol‐binding protein‐1 expression increases with increasing clinical severity of alopecia areata

Summary

Background

Alopecia areata (AA) is multifactorial disease mostly autoimmune affecting anagen hair follicles. Many researchers hypothesize that adequate retinoic acid (RA) levels are important for proper hair follicle behavior. Previous animal studies revealed increase in RA synthesis proteins and decrease in RA degradation proteins in AA patients when compared with controls.

Objective

To evaluate cellular retinol‐binding protein‐1 expression in lesional skin of alopecia areata in comparison with controls, in an attempt to know its role in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata .

Methods

Immunohistochemical expression of cellular retinol‐binding protein‐1 CRBP1 was evaluated in skin biopsies taken from lesions of alopecia areata in 30 patients and 10 normal biopsy specimens taken from skin of healthy controls (HC) who were within the same age and sex.

Results

CRBP1 expression was significantly increased in lesional alopecia areata skin in comparison with normal skin of controls (P < 0.001*). Significant positive correlation was found between expression of CRBP‐1 and percentage of hair loss in the scalp (SALT score; r = 0.840, P = <0.001).

Conclusion

These results may enhance the idea of the possible role of CRBP1 in the pathogenesis of AA, and ensuring the importance of its level in AA treatment.

https://ift.tt/2zZqk63

Relationship between diet, atopy, family history, and premature hair graying

Abstract

Aim

Premature hair graying (PHG) is commonly observed in society, but there are a few studies evaluating risk factors associated with PHG. We aimed to evaluate the socio‐clinical risk factors associated with PHG in this study.

Methods

A total of 1192 volunteers between 18 and 20 years old were included in this cross‐sectional study. Volunteers were asked to fill in a questionnaire on socio‐clinical risk factors associated with PHG such as smoking, alcohol consumption, diet preference, atopy history, and family history of PHG and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).

Results

Three hundred and seventy‐seven (31.6%) of the 1192 volunteers had PHG. Vegetarian diet preference, atopy history, and family history of PHG were significantly higher in subjects with PHG. Mean body mass index (BMI) and PSS scores were higher in subjects with PHG, but was not statistically significant. In the ordinal logistic regression analysis according to severity of PHG, male gender, BMI, alcohol consumption, and history of paternal PHG were significantly higher and onset age of PHG was significantly lower in PHG group.

Conclusion

Our study is the first study reporting a relationship between PHG and diet. It may be possible to prevent PHG or reduce its severity with some lifestyle changes such as diet preference, having normal weight, and decreasing alcohol consumption.

https://ift.tt/2S0PkB3

A case of ochronosis successfully treated with the picosecond laser

Summary

Exogenous ochronosis is a cutaneous condition characterized by blue‐black pigmentation resulting as a complication of long‐term application of skin‐lightening creams containing hydroquinone and other substances such as quinine, phenol and mercury derivatives. We report a case of a 55‐year‐old woman who developed exogenous ochronosis as a result of prolonged use of topical hydroquinone for 5 years, characterized by greyish hyperpigmented patches on the nose and cheeks. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. Treatment with picosecond laser resulted in marked clinical improvement together with improvement in overall texture and quality of the skin.

https://ift.tt/2S6Gfqe

Cellular retinol‐binding protein‐1 expression increases with increasing clinical severity of alopecia areata

Summary

Background

Alopecia areata (AA) is multifactorial disease mostly autoimmune affecting anagen hair follicles. Many researchers hypothesize that adequate retinoic acid (RA) levels are important for proper hair follicle behavior. Previous animal studies revealed increase in RA synthesis proteins and decrease in RA degradation proteins in AA patients when compared with controls.

Objective

To evaluate cellular retinol‐binding protein‐1 expression in lesional skin of alopecia areata in comparison with controls, in an attempt to know its role in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata .

Methods

Immunohistochemical expression of cellular retinol‐binding protein‐1 CRBP1 was evaluated in skin biopsies taken from lesions of alopecia areata in 30 patients and 10 normal biopsy specimens taken from skin of healthy controls (HC) who were within the same age and sex.

Results

CRBP1 expression was significantly increased in lesional alopecia areata skin in comparison with normal skin of controls (P < 0.001*). Significant positive correlation was found between expression of CRBP‐1 and percentage of hair loss in the scalp (SALT score; r = 0.840, P = <0.001).

Conclusion

These results may enhance the idea of the possible role of CRBP1 in the pathogenesis of AA, and ensuring the importance of its level in AA treatment.

https://ift.tt/2zZqk63

Relationship between diet, atopy, family history, and premature hair graying

Abstract

Aim

Premature hair graying (PHG) is commonly observed in society, but there are a few studies evaluating risk factors associated with PHG. We aimed to evaluate the socio‐clinical risk factors associated with PHG in this study.

Methods

A total of 1192 volunteers between 18 and 20 years old were included in this cross‐sectional study. Volunteers were asked to fill in a questionnaire on socio‐clinical risk factors associated with PHG such as smoking, alcohol consumption, diet preference, atopy history, and family history of PHG and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).

Results

Three hundred and seventy‐seven (31.6%) of the 1192 volunteers had PHG. Vegetarian diet preference, atopy history, and family history of PHG were significantly higher in subjects with PHG. Mean body mass index (BMI) and PSS scores were higher in subjects with PHG, but was not statistically significant. In the ordinal logistic regression analysis according to severity of PHG, male gender, BMI, alcohol consumption, and history of paternal PHG were significantly higher and onset age of PHG was significantly lower in PHG group.

Conclusion

Our study is the first study reporting a relationship between PHG and diet. It may be possible to prevent PHG or reduce its severity with some lifestyle changes such as diet preference, having normal weight, and decreasing alcohol consumption.

https://ift.tt/2S0PkB3

Radiation therapy for patients with newly diagnosed metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background

To assess the association between radiation therapy (RT) use and overall survival (OS) for patients with metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).

Methods

We analyzed the National Cancer Database to identify patients with newly diagnosed metastatic HNSCC from 2004 to 2013 who were treated with up‐front chemotherapy. Associations between the use of RT and OS were evaluated.

Results

We identified 3516 patients with metastatic HNSCC who were treated with chemotherapy; 2288 (65%) were also treated with RT. The addition of RT to chemotherapy was associated with prolonged survival (median: 13.6 vs 11.3 months, log‐rank P < .001). After adjusting for other prognostic factors in a multivariable Cox model, propensity score matching and landmark analyses limited to patients who survived at least 3, 6, and 12 months after diagnosis, the use of RT remained associated with prolonged survival.

Conclusion

The addition of RT to chemotherapy in the up‐front management of metastatic HNSCC was associated with prolonged OS in this study.

https://ift.tt/2S5t8px