The Developmental & Molecular Requirements for Ensuring that Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hair Follicle Bulge Stem Cells Have Acquired Competence for Hair Follicle Generation Following Transplantation.

When using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to achieve hair follicle (HF) replacement, we found it best to emulate the earliest fundamental developmental processes of gastrulation, ectodermal lineage commitment, and dermogenesis. Viewing hiPSCs as a model of the epiblast, we exploited insights from mapping the dynamic up- and down-regulation of the developmental molecules that determine HF lineage in order to ascertain the precise differentiation stage and molecular requirements for grafting HF-generating progenitors. To yield an integrin-dependent lineage like the HF in vivo, we show that hiPSC derivatives should co-express, just prior to transplantation, the following combination of markers: integrins α6 and β1 and the glycoprotein CD200 on their surface; and, intracellularly, the epithelial marker keratin 18 and the hair follicle bulge stem cell (HFBSC)-defining molecules transcription factor P63 and the keratins 15 and 19.

Deriving Keratinocyte Progenitor Cells and Keratinocytes from Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Skin or hair loss (alopecia) may occur due to a wide variety of causes ranging from trauma to pathological processes including acquired or congenital causes. It would be ideal to replace them with immunologically compatible cells to avoid potentially exacerbating the condition. Deriving the replacement cells from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) allows for sufficient scale up and using hiPSCs as the choice of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) will ensure immunocompatibility.

Factors affecting the outcome of the suction blisters using two different harvesting techniques in vitiligo patients.

Background: Suction blister grafting (SBG) technique has been used for long to treat various skin conditions. Different suction methods have been used such as syringes, Chinese cups, and suction device. There are some limitations of its use as time consumption, failure of induction or incomplete blister formation and pain.

Effect of Low-Level Environmental Lead Exposure on the Onset of Male Puberty.

The objective of this study was to evaluate male pubertal changes associated with environmental low-level lead (Pb) exposure. The study was conducted on 180 boys aged 15 years divided into 3 equal size groups: group 1 from El-Newayrat village, group 2 from Al-Shorafaa (0.5 and 10 km, respectively, from an industrialized area), and group 3 from Talla (25 km).

Syringes versus Chinese cups in harvesting suction-induced blister graft: a randomized split-body study.

Background: Suction blister grafting (SBG) is a technique where the pigmented epidermis is harvested from the donor site by induction of a blister using different suction methods as syringes, Chinese cups, suction device, etc. However, pain, time consumption, incomplete blister formation, and failure of blister development are the main limitations.

Objective: To compare between cups and syringes of similar diameter in inducing suction blisters.