The role of long-wavelength ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) in acral vitiligo.

Introduction: Acral vitiligo is a resistant subtype of vitiligo that does not respond easily to any treatment modality. Ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) (340-400 nm) therapy can penetrate the deep dermis of the skin and is relatively free of adverse effects associated with different phototherapeutic modalities. This study's objective was to evaluate the effect of medium-dose long-wavelength UVA1 (40-70 J) in acral vitiligo treatment and compare it with topical psoralen plus ultraviolet A (topical PUVA).

Rituximab treatment in pemphigus vulgaris: effect on circulating Tregs.

Rituximab (RTX) has been used successfully to treat refractory pemphigus. We aimed to assess the response of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) cases to RTX therapy and its effect on CD4CD25 (T regulatory) cells level. Sixteen PV patients were included in this study, each received one cycle of two RTX infusions (1000 mg on days 1 and 15).

Effect of Procedural-Related Variables on Melanocyte-Keratinocyte Suspension Transplantation in Nonsegmental Stable Vitiligo: A Clinical and Immunocytochemical Study.

Background: Melanocyte-keratinocyte suspension (M-K susp) is gaining popularity for vitiligo treatment. Few studies have addressed procedure-related variables.

Objective: To assess the effect of different M-K susp procedure-related variables on the clinical outcome in stable vitiligo.

Ablative CO2 fractional resurfacing in treatment of thermal burn scars: an open-label controlled clinical and histopathological study.

Introduction: Burn scars can cause permanent disfiguring problems with limited treatments available.

Objectives: To assess and correlate the clinical and histopathological effects of fractional CO2 laser on thermal burns in a controlled study.

Methods: Fifteen patients 11 with hypertrophic and four with keloidal scars received three CO2 fractional laser sessions every 4-6 weeks.

In vivo visualization of hair follicles by ultrasound biomicroscopy in alopecia areata and its correlation with histopathology.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is a non-invasive imaging technique used in examination of several skin diseases but never in imaging hair and scalp diseases. Main objective of this investigation was assessment of the efficacy of UBM for in vivo visualization of hair follicles in cases of alopecia areata (AA) and correlation of findings with histopathological findings. This study included 30 patients with AA.

Efficacy and safety of fractional carbon dioxide laser for treatment of unwanted facial freckles in phototypes II-IV: a pilot study.

Facial freckles are a cosmetic concern to Egyptians, particularly young females. Several therapeutic lines exist with variable response rates and limitations. Fractional carbon dioxide (FCO2) laser provides minimal ablation and therefore less down time and less side effects.

PTPN22 gene polymorphism in Egyptian alopecia areata patients and its impact on response to diphencyprone immunotherapy.

PTPN22 1858C>T gene polymorphism has been associated with several autoimmune disorders including alopecia areata. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of the inherited genetic polymorphism 1858C>T of PTPN22 gene on the predisposition to severe forms of alopecia areata and its effect on the response to DPC treatment. To achieve our aim, PTPN22 1858C>T genotyping was performed by PCR-based restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

A comparative study on efficacy of UVA1 vs. narrow-band UVB phototherapy in the treatment of vitiligo.

Background/purpose: Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) is considered the most effective and safe initial treatment for moderate-to-severe vitiligo but phototoxicity and possible carcinogenicity are the reported side effects. Ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) phototherapy has overlapping biological effects to NB-UVB and is relatively free of side effects associated with other phototherapy regimens.

Methods: Forty patients with vitiligo were included in this prospective, randomized controlled comparative clinical trial.