Serum uric acid level in male patients with androgenetic alopecia: A prospective study in China.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the serum level of uric acid (UA) in male patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and to compare the level with that of men without AGA. In addition, the comparison of the serum level of uric acid (UA) before and after treatment with finasteride was performed.

Method: A total of 120 male patients with AGA and 120 males without AGA were enrolled in this prospective study.

Efficacy and Safety of Fractional CO Laser Combined with Halometasone Cream for Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Chronic Hand Eczema: A Prospective, Single-Center, Parallel-Group, Open-Label Randomized Trial.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of fractional CO laser combined with halometasone cream in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic hand eczema (CHE).

Methods: A prospective, single-center, parallel-group, open-label randomized trial including 67 patients with moderate-to-severe CHE was carried out. Patients were randomly assigned to group A (n = 33, fractional CO laser once every 4 weeks 1-2 times and halometasone cream twice daily for 8 weeks) or group B (n = 34, halometasone cream alone twice daily for 8 weeks).

Synergistic effect of microneedle-delivered extracellular matrix compound and radiofrequency on rejuvenation of periorbital wrinkles.

Background: A combination of minimally invasive modalities can induce collagen regeneration more quickly and promote the penetration of topical agents, thus promoting skin rejuvenation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the synergistic efficacy of extracellular matrix compound (ECM-C) microneedle (MN) and radiofrequency (RF) on periorbital wrinkles.

Method: A total of 25 participants with periorbital wrinkles were selected for this study.

Efficacy and Safety of 5% Minoxidil Alone, Minoxidil Plus Oral Spironolactone, and Minoxidil Plus Microneedling on Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Prospective, Single-Center, Parallel-Group, Evaluator Blinded, Randomized Trial.

Background: The efficacy of topical minoxidil (MX) alone on female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is limited. Combination therapy based on topical MX is currently expected to provide better outcomes.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess whether the combined therapies including MX plus oral spironolactone (SPT) and MX plus microneedling (MN) have advantages in efficacy and safety over topical MX alone on mild-to-moderate FPHL with normal hormone levels in the blood and regular menstrual cycle.

Efficacy and Safety of Long-Pulsed 755-nm Alexandrite Laser for Keratosis Pilaris: A Split-Body Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a disfiguring disease and is resistant to treatment. Several treatment methods are available, but the efficacy is limited. This prospective, rater-blinded, split-body comparative study investigated the efficacy and safety of long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser in the treatment of KP.

Efficacy of Microneedling Combined With Local Application of Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Conditioned Media in Skin Brightness and Rejuvenation: A Randomized Controlled Split-Face Study.

Background: Fighting skin aging signs is one of the major challenges of the 21st century, recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and microneedling (MN) have been applied for anti-aging. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of MN and human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells conditioned media (hUC-MSCs-CM) in skin brightness and rejuvenation.

Methods: Thirty volunteers with facial skin aging were recruited for the randomized, controlled split-face study.

Case Report: The First Reported Case of Bullous Lichen Planus-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Overlap Syndrome.

Lichen planus/lupus erythematosus overlap syndrome is rarely seen in the clinic and has the characteristic clinical manifestations, histopathology, and immunopathology of lichen planus (LP) and lupus erythematosus (LE). This is the first reported case of bullous lichen planus (BLP)/systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overlap syndrome with hair loss as the first symptom. A 48-year-old female presented with alopecia for half a year, and skin lesions accompanied by itching on her face, trunk, and limbs for 3 months.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Melasma Treatments: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Melasma is an acquired pigmentation disorder with challenges in treatment because of its refractory nature and high risk of recurrence. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and side effects of 14 common therapies for melasma using a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA). The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched till December 2020 using the melasma area and severity index as a therapeutic index.

Different Numbers of Long-Pulse 1064-nm Nd-YAG Laser Treatments for Onychomycosis: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: To examine the benefits of different numbers of 1064-nm Nd-YAG laser treatments in patients with onychomycosis.

Methods: This was a pilot study of patients with onychomycosis who were divided into three groups: four treatment sessions (group A), eight sessions (group B), and 12 sessions (group C). Only infected nails of degrees II-III (Scoring Clinical Index for Onychomycosis) were included.

Effects of CO2 fractional laser on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice and potential underlying mechanisms.

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Enhancing hair growth in male androgenetic alopecia by a combination of fractional CO laser therapy and hair growth factors.

Laser therapy and growth factors have been used as alternative treatments for male androgenetic alopecia (MAA). The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of hair growth factors alone or combined with ablative carbon dioxide (CO) fractional laser therapy in MAA. Twenty-eight men were enrolled in this randomized half-split study based on a left-head to right-head pattern.

Self-controlled Study of Onychomycosis Treated with Long-pulsed Nd:YAG 1064-nm Laser Combined with Itraconazole.

Background: Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail plate and subungual area. In this study, we examined the efficacy of laser treatment using self-controlled study programs involving a long-pulsed Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser combined with oral medication.

Methods: Self-controlled strategies were followed in this study.

Prognostic value of microRNA-10b overexpression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of nonsmall-cell lung cancer patients.

We examined microRNA (miRNA)-10b expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients for its clinical value. A group of 74 patients confirmed with NSCLC were recruited as case group and 52 healthy volunteers as control group. PBMCs were isolated from all subjects, and miRNA-10b expression level in these cells was measured by reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Clinical isolates of Mycobacterium abscessus in Guangzhou area most possibly from the environmental infection showed variable susceptibility.

Background: Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) can cause a variety of human infections, involving the lung, skin and soft tissues, and is generally believed to be acquired from environmental sources. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular diversity and antibiotic susceptibility of M.

Effects of laser irradiation on Trichophyton rubrum growth and ultrastructure.

Background: Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) is the most common causative agent of dermatophytosis worldwide. In this study, we examined the effect of laser irradiation on the growth and morphology of T.

Long-pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser treatment for onychomycosis.

Background: Recent research shows that lasers can inhibit fungal growth and that Nd:YAG 1064-nm lasers can penetrate as deep as the lower nail plate. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of a long-pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser on 154 nails of 33 patients with clinically and mycologically proven onychomycosis.

Methods: Thirty-three patients with 154 nails affected by onychomycosis were randomly assigned to two groups, with the 154 nails divided into three sub-groups (II degree, III degree, and IV degree) according to the Scoring Clinical Index of Onychomycosis.

Modulation of tropoelastin and fibrillin-1 by infrared radiation in human skin in vivo.

Background: The heat produced by exposure to infrared radiation (IR) has been demonstrated to modulate the expression of tropoelastin and fibrillin-1, the two main components of elastic fibers in human skin in vivo. However, the effect of IR range of radiations on tropoelastin and fibrillin-1 expression has not been thoroughly investigated.

Methods: Eighteen volunteers were enrolled in this study involving three trials.

Diversity of group B streptococcus serotypes causing urinary tract infection in adults.

Serotypes of group B streptococcus (GBS) that cause urinary tract infection (UTI) are poorly characterized. We conducted a prospective study of GBS UTI in adults to define the clinical and microbiological characteristics of these infections, including which serotypes cause disease. Patients who had GBS cultured from urine over a 1-year period were grouped according to symptoms, bacteriuria, and urinalysis.