Efficacy of 810 nm diode laser in hair reduction in Indian subpopulation using a novel Gabor filter-based detection software and hair algorithm.

Background: Diode laser (810 nm) is frequently employed for hair reduction. There are few studies determining the efficacy in Indian population.

Objectives: Assessment of efficacy and safety of 810 nm diode laser in facial/axillary hair reduction and objective assessment of the improvement with dermoscopy, photographs, and novel Gabor filter-based hair detection algorithm.

A comparative study of Michel's medium versus honey as a transport medium for skin specimens prior to direct immunofluorescence microscopy and antigen mapping.

Background: Michel's medium (MM) is currently the recommended transport medium for skin biopsy specimens prior to direct immunofluorescence (DIF) microscopy.

Objective: To compare the utility of honey with that of MM as a transport medium for skin biopsy specimens used for DIF and antigen mapping.

Methods: Group I consisted of 45 freshly-taken skin specimens earmarked for DIF testing.

Detection of Anti-basement Membrane Zone Antibodies in the Blister Fluid in Subepidermal Autoimmune Bullous Diseases.

Background: Subepidermal autoimmune bullous diseases (sAIBD) are diverse of conditions with clinicopathological overlap. Circulating autoantibodies in the serum can be demonstrated using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) microscopy. Artificially split normal human skin is considered as an optimum substrate for the demonstration of anti-basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies using IIF in sAIBD; it not only helps to detect the presence of circulating antibodies in the serum but also helps to subclassify these conditions into "roof" and "floor" binding disorders.

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and anti-p200 pemphigoid as major subepidermal autoimmune bullous diseases diagnosed by floor binding on indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using human salt-split skin.

Background: Subepidermal autoimmune bullous diseases are a diverse group of diseases with overlapping clinical and immunopathological features. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy on artificially split skin helps to classify these conditions into those with staining on the epidermal side of the split ("roof-binding") and those with staining on the dermal side ("floor-binding"). Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is the prototype of "floor-binding" subepidermal autoimmune bullous diseases.

Painful erythematous, infiltrated papulonodules in a middle aged man.

Cutaneous leiomyomas (CL) often present as painful tumors in the skin. Herein we report an adult man who presented with multiple, erythematous papulonodules in both segmental and non-segmental distribution.

Granular IgM Deposition at Basement Membrane Zone in an Infant with Diffuse Cutaneous Mastocytosis.

Diffuse Cutaneous mastocytosis (DCM) occurs due to abnormal accumulation of mast cells in the skin. We report an 8-month-old infant presented papulovesicular lesions, predominantly on the trunk. Skin biopsy revealed subepidermal bulla, interspersed with mast cells, eosinophils and neutrophils.

Childhood Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita: Confirmation of Diagnosis by Skin Deficient in Type VII Collagen, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, and Immunoblotting.

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is an acquired subepidermal bullous disorder characterized by autoantibodies against Type VII collagen. It usually affects adults; childhood EBA is rare. We describe a 10-year-old girl presenting with recurrent tense blisters predominantly on legs, dorsa of hands and feet accompanied by oral erosions since the age of 5 years.

Guidelines for bath PUVA, bathing suit PUVA and soak PUVA.

Background: The aim of these guidelines is to encourage dermatologists to use bath psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA), bathing suit PUVA and soak PUVA in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris and other conditions.

Methods: Evidence was collected using searches of the PubMed, MEDLINE and COCHRANE databases using the keywords "bath PUVA," "soak PUVA," "bathing suit PUVA" and "turban PUVA." Only publications in English were reviewed.