A rare new presentation of pemphigus vulgaris.

We report a new presentation for pemphigus vulgaris in a 51-year-old female patient that was complaining only from non-healing foot ulcer, but unfortunately pemphigus was not confirmed and the patient lost multiple nails. This new variation is reported to increase health workers' awareness especially in races pemphigus seems to be common.

Different distribution patterns of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in discoid lupus erythematosus and lichen planopilaris demonstrated by CD123 immunostaining.

Background: Clinical and histological features may overlap between lichen planopilaris-associated and discoid lupus erythematosus-associated scarring alopecia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the cutaneous infiltration of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and to compare their distribution pattern in discoid lupus erythematosus and lichen planopilaris.

Methods: Twenty-four cases of discoid lupus erythematosus and 30 cases of lichen planopilaris were examined for immunostaining of the CD123 marker.

The effect of nitrogen plasma on the skin and hair follicles: a possible promising future for the treatment of alopecia.

Nowadays, there is a great attention to the plasma applications in medicine. Not only does cold atmospheric pressure plasma provide a therapeutic opportunity to control redox-based processes, it is also an innovative method in rejuvenation. Given the current interest in new methods of rejuvenation, we aimed to introduce a novel pulsed nitrogen plasma torch with potential use in rejuvenation.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation in Patients with Linear Morphea Treated with Methotrexate and High-Dose Corticosteroid.

Background: Morphea is an inflammatory disease of the connective tissue that may lead to thickening and hardening of the skin due to fibrosis. The aim of this study was to document magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in patients with linear morphea who were treated with methotrexate (MTX) and high-dose corticosteroid.

Methods: This study was conducted on 33 patients from the outpatient's dermatology clinic of our institute, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in patients with acne vulgaris and its association with disease severity.

Background: Since vitamin D is a recent known immunoregulatory factor in some diseases which are addressed in immune system disorders such as SLE, [psoriasis] and others.

Objective: To determine the serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 [25(OH)D] in patients with acne vulgaris and its association with clinical features.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over months.

Serum osteopontin level and common carotid artery intima-media wall thickness in psoriasis.

Background: The association between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease is well documented, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The relationship between osteopontin and psoriasis has been studied. High serum levels of osteopontin are reported in psoriasis, with increased cardiovascular risk factors in these patients.

Using immunofluorescence (antigen) mapping in the diagnosis and classification of epidermolysis bullosa: a first report from Iran.

Background: Immunofluorescence antigen mapping (IFM), is a newly introduced technique for diagnosis and classification of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) disease. The precise level of skin cleavage can be determined using monoclonal antibodies to EB-specific basement membrane zone protein.

Objective: To apply IFM technique in diagnosis and classification of EB and to identify utility and limitation of this method in our clinical setting.

Serum Angiotensin converting enzyme in pemphigus vulgaris.

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune blistering skin disease with unknown etiology. Drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may contribute in the pathogenesis of pemphigus.

Objective: We plan this essay to evaluate the serum ACE level in pemphigus vulgaris patients in comparison with healthy controls to recognize its possible role in disease pathogenesis or activity.

Screening for skin cancer: a pilot study in tehran, iran.

Background: Early detection of skin cancers by screening could be very beneficial to decrease their morbidity or mortality. There is limited study about skin cancer screening in Iran.

Aim: This essay was planned as a pilot skin cancer screening campaign in Tehran, Iran to evaluate its profit and failure and further design large-scale screening program more definitely.

Association of psoriasis severity with serum prolactin, thyroid hormones, and cortisol before and after treatment.

Background: Prolactin (PRL) level is proposed to be associated with the severity of psoriasis although the previous studies reported different results.

Objective: To find the association between PRL levels and severity of psoriasis before and after treatment. In addition, we aimed to find a difference in prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), and cortisol levels between patients with psoriasis and normal controls.

Focal high-concentration trichloroacetic acid peeling for treatment of atrophic facial chickenpox scar: an open-label study.

Background: Despite their prevalence, there is a paucity of information in the medical literature on the treatment of atrophic chickenpox scars.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of using the chemical reconstruction of skin scar technique for the treatment of atrophic facial chickenpox scars.

Methods And Materials: One hundred patients (mean age 23 years; Fitzpatrick skin types II-IV) were treated with focal chemical peeling with 70% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) for a maximum of six sessions.

Mucosal manifestations of pemphigus vulgaris in ear, nose, and throat; before and after treatment.

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a life-threatening autoimmune bullous disease, mediated by autoantibodies directed against antigens on the keratinocyte cell surface of stratified squamous epithelia. The frequency of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) involvement in PV is not clearly identified.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the ENT involvement in new patients with PV examined by ENT endoscopy before and after treatment.

Uric Acid: a new antioxidant in patients with pemphigus vulgaris.

Background: Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation are seen in many dermatologic disorders, for example, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, acne vulgaris, pemphigus vulgaris (PV), lichen planus, and alopecia areata. ROS has an important role in the inflammation process. In PV, increased production of ROS leads to decline of antioxidants in plasma and red blood cells which results in oxidative stress.

Unilateral colloid milium: a rare presentation.

We report a case of a 31-year-old man with asymptomatic papules on one side of his face that had been present for 31 months. On physical examination, he had clusters of 1 to 4 mm skin colored translucent and dome-shaped, papules forming a plaque with a size of 4 x 3 cm on his left mandibular angle. Histopathology revealed atrophy of the epidermis with extensive deposition of pale eosinophilic homogenous deposits containing artifactual fissures that were PAS positive, diastase resistant, and Congo red negative.

Comparison of two surgical methods (Winograd and sleeve method) in the treatment of ingrown toenail.

Background: Ingrowing toenail is one of the most common nail complaints. Although many surgical treatments are described for complicated nails, frequent recurrence of pain and postoperative disability necessitate finding an appropriate treatment.

Methods: In a clinical trial, we compared the Winograd and sleeve (gutter) surgical methods to find a simple, painless, and practical alternative.

The 308-nm excimer laser in the darkening of the white lines of striae alba.

Objective: To evaluate the true efficacy of the 308-nm excimer laser for darkening striae alba using a modified approach.

Methods: Ten subjects were treated using the excimer laser on the white lines of striae, while the normal skin near to and between the lines was covered with zinc oxide cream. Assessment of efficacy was performed by colorimetric scores based on mexameter measurement and also digital photographs showing before-after laser therapy, which were compared by two independent dermatologists.

Extraction of skin lesion texture features based on independent component analysis.

Background/purpose: During the recent years, many diagnostic methods have been proposed aiming at early detection of malignant melanoma. The texture of skin lesions is an important feature to differentiate melanoma from other types of lesions, and different techniques have been designed to quantify this feature. In this paper, we discuss a new approach based on independent component analysis (ICA) for extraction of texture features of skin lesions in clinical images.

Subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline in the treatment of moderate facial acne.

Background: Acne is a common inflammatory skin disorder. Oral antibiotics play a significant clinical role in treating acne.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of doxycycline at antimicrobial and subantimicrobial doses for the treatment of acne.

Proteomic analysis in human fibroblasts by continuous exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields.

Most people are Exposed to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMF). A number of studies have indicated association between exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and a variety of cancers. Recently some therapeutic techniques such as repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) have been used to study localization of brain function, connectively of brain regions and pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders (rTMS utilize low frequency-electromagnetic field).

A comparative study of inhibitory effect of human calprotectin on the growth of human gingival fibroblast and foreskin fibroblast.

In the present study, cytotoxicity effects of calprotectin on Human Gingival Fibroblast (HGF) and Human Foreskin Fibroblast (HFFF) were compared. For these evaluations, both cells were exposed to the different concentrations of calprotectin, for 24, 48 and 72 h. Cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay.

On the mechanism of apoptosis-inducing activity of human calprotectin: zinc sequestration, induction of a signaling pathway, or something else?

Calprotectin, a heterodimer present in neutrophil cytoplasm, has antimicrobial and apoptosis-inducing activities. At the moment, there are two general hypotheses about the mechanism of action of calprotectin: (i) exclusion of extracellular zinc by calprotectin, and consequently induction of apoptosis; (ii) binding of calprotectin to a cell membrane receptor, and consequently, activation of a signaling pathway for apoptosis. Here, we introduce another hypothesis, i.