Modifying the Resistant Starch Content and the Retrogradation Characteristics of Potato Starch Through High-Dose Gamma Irradiation.

Potato starch is widely utilized in the food industry. Gamma irradiation is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for starch modification. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of comprehensive and consistent knowledge regarding the physicochemical characteristics of high-dose gamma-irradiated potato starch, retrogradation properties in particular.

Correlation of single-nucleotide polymorphism at interferon-gamma R1 (at Position - 56) in positive purified protein derivative health workers with COVID-19 infection.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the susceptibility of purified protein derivative (PPD) plus health-care workers to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). For this reason, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) gene at position +2109 and IFN-γ receptor 1 (R1) at position -56 was assessed in PPD plus group before and after COVID-19 infection (2017-2018; 2020-2021).

Methods: The selected study cases (n = 100) that were working in tuberculosis (TB) unite (5-10 years) with PPD positivity >15 mm (16-20 mm) were included in this investigation.

A phase 2a randomized vehicle-controlled multi-center study of the safety and efficacy of delgocitinib in subjects with moderate-to-severe alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata/AA is an autoimmune cause of nonscarring hair loss. The pathogenesis of AA involves many immune axes, including Th1/Th2 pathways. Delgocitinib is a pan-Janus kinase/JAK inhibitor that broadly blocks pro-inflammatory cytokines and has been effective in other inflammatory skin conditions.

Dermatologist Use of Intralesional Triamcinolone in the Treatment of Acne.

Despite common administration of intralesional triamcinolone to acne lesions, there is little published data or consensus on best practices. This study aimed to evaluate specific characteristics of intralesional triamcinolone for acne among various dermatology healthcare professionals. One hundred participants (82 attending physicians, 9 physician assistants, 8 other healthcare professionals, and 1 unidentified) from private practices and academic centers completed a 10-question survey to assess specific characteristics of intralesional triamcinolone injections, including frequency, indication, depth of injection, concentration, volume, as development of adverse events.

Objective Evaluation of Skin Sensitivity Across Fitzpatrick Skin Types.

Context: Skin sensitivity may be best defined as self-reported intolerance to application of skincare products. It is commonly believed that individuals with darker skin are generally less sensitive, while those lighter skin are more sensitive. However, there is little objective data correlating sensitivity with skin type or with objective measures of sensitivity.

Secukinumab maintains superiority over ustekinumab in clearing skin and improving quality of life in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: 52-week results from a double-blind phase 3b trial (CLARITY).

Background: Secukinumab demonstrated superior efficacy over ustekinumab in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis over 16 weeks in the CLARITY study and over 52 weeks in the CLEAR study.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of secukinumab vs. ustekinumab over 52 weeks in CLARITY.

The role of vitamins and supplements on skin appearance.

Skin appearance is affected by intrinsic factors (eg, aging) and extrinsic factors (eg, UV light). A myriad of treatments has been created to combat the phenotypic effects of these forces, including vitamins and supplements. This article reviews these therapies with a focus on carotenoids; vitamins C, E, and D; as well as collagen, ceramides, and mixed supplements.

Crisaborole 2% ointment for the treatment of intertriginous, anogenital, and facial psoriasis: A double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled trial.

Background: Psoriasis of the intertriginous, anogenital, and facial regions remains a therapeutic challenge, with current algorithms lacking a topical agent that exhibits both high efficacy and minimal side effects.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of crisaborole 2% ointment-a nonsteroidal phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor-in the treatment of intertriginous, anogenital, and facial psoriasis.

Methods: A double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled trial was conducted in 21 participants.

Nanoparticles in dermatologic surgery.

Nanotechnology is an emerging branch of science that involves the engineering of functional systems on the nanoscale (1-100 nm). Nanotechnology has been used in biomedical and therapeutic agents with the aim of providing novel treatment solutions where small molecule size may be beneficial for modulation of biologic function. Recent investigation in nanomedicine has become increasingly important to cutaneous pathophysiology, such as functional designs directed towards skin cancers and wound healing.

Noninvasive vaginal rejuvenation.

Vaginal rejuvenation procedures are designed to improve the aesthetic appearance and/or function of the female genitalia. The popularity of these techniques continues to increase as more patients seek to reverse the effects of aging, childbearing, and/or hormonal changes. Newer strategies focus on laser and radiofrequency (RF) devices, which have provided noninvasive options for treatment.

A randomized placebo-controlled single-center pilot study of the safety and efficacy of apremilast in subjects with moderate-to-severe alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease that results in non-scarring hair loss. AA pathogenesis is thought to involve multiple inflammatory cytokines. Apremilast is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor that reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

Secukinumab is Superior to Ustekinumab in Clearing Skin in Patients with Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis (16-Week CLARITY Results).

Introduction: Secukinumab, a fully human anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated superior efficacy to ustekinumab in the phase 3b CLEAR study of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Here, we report 16-week results from CLARITY, a second head-to-head trial comparing secukinumab with ustekinumab.

Methods: In the phase 3b CLARITY study, patients were randomized 1:1 to receive subcutaneous secukinumab 300 mg or ustekinumab per label.

Update on acne scar treatment.

Acne vulgaris and postacne scarring are common in the general population. Even after lesions have resolved, scarring can lead to detrimental psychologic effects and can negatively impact patients' quality of life. Fortunately, there have been several recent advances in therapeutic options to treat acne scarring.

Efficacy and safety of secukinumab treatment in adults with extensive alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of non-scarring hair loss. The pathogenesis of AA is believed to involve multiple inflammatory cytokines, including possibly IL-17A. To assess the efficacy and safety of the IL-17A antagonist secukinumab in AA, we conducted a double-blinded, randomized prospective pilot study in which 11 subjects were treated with either secukinumab (n = 7) or placebo (n = 4) subcutaneously at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and every 4 weeks thereafter until (inclusive of) week 20.

Regenerative medicine in cosmetic dermatology.

Stem cell therapies are at the forefront of regenerative aesthetic medicine. Multipotent stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), progenitor cells that result from the dedifferentiation of specialized adult cells, have demonstrated promise in tissue regeneration for a wide range of dermatologic conditions and aesthetic applications. Herein, we review the potential of stem cells as a new frontier in aesthetic dermatology.

Ideals of facial beauty.

Facial aesthetic procedures are central to cosmetic dermatology. Success depends not only on improving individual structures but also on establishing facial harmony. Several canons of aesthetic dimensions have been described, and these concepts can provide a useful basis for procedural planning.

Alopecia areata is characterized by expansion of circulating Th2/Tc2/Th22, within the skin-homing and systemic T-cell populations.

Background: Characterizing blood profile of alopecia areata (AA) is important not only for treatment advancements, but also for possibly identifying peripheral biomarkers that will eliminate the need for scalp biopsies. We aimed to compare frequencies of skin homing (CLA ) vs systemic (CLA ) "polar" CD4 and CD8 and activated T-cell subsets in AA vs atopic dermatitis (AD) and control blood.

Methods: Flow cytometry was used to measure IFN-γ, IL-13, IL-9, IL-17, and IL-22 cytokines in CD4 and CD8 T cells.

A Comparative Study to Evaluate Epidermal Barrier Integrity of Psoriasis Patients Treated With Calcipotriene/Betamethasone Topical Suspension Versus Betamethasone Dipropionate 0.05% Lotion.

BACKGROUND: Topical corticosteroids are known to impair the epidermal barrier, even after short-term use, whereas topical vitamin D analogues can have a reparative effect. Combination products using corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues have gained popularity in recent years and may provide a means to minimize skin atrophy in patients treated with topical corticosteroids. OBJECTIVE: To compare epidermal barrier function and cutaneous atrophy after 4 weeks of calcipotriene 0.

Local anesthetics in cosmetic dermatology.

Local anesthetics play an important role in cosmetic dermatology. Techniques using topical and regional anesthesia provide numerous pain management options for laser and injection treatments. In this article, we review strategies to maximize patient comfort during cosmetic interventions.

An Investigator-initiated Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Ingenol Mebutate 0.05% Gel When Used After Cryosurgery in the Treatment of Hypertrophic Actinic Keratosis on Dorsal Hands.

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ingenol mebutate 0.05% gel after cryosurgery versus cryosurgery alone for the treatment of hypertrophic and nonhypertrophic actinic keratosis on the dorsal hands.

Design: Investigator-blinded split arm study.

Acquisition and retention of motor sequences: the effects of time of the day and sleep.

Study Objectives: We used a sequence-learning task to assess whether: 1. The time interval between awakening and training equally affects the rate of acquisition of sequence order, a declarative component, and the kinematic optimization process, an implicit component; 2. Sleep enhances the retention of both these aspects of sequence learning.