Downregulation of aquaporin 3 in patients with pemphigus vulgaris.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune bullous skin disease. Aquaporin 3 (AQP3) is a glycerol/water channel involved in several physiological functions. Evaluation of the tissue expression and localization of AQP3 in the skin of PV patients.

Automated Microneedling Versus Fractional CO2 Laser in Treatment of Traumatic Scars: A Clinical and Histochemical Study.

Background/objectives: Microneedling has shown satisfactory effects in scar rejuvenation. Comparisons of its results with fractional laser are limited. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of automated microneedling versus fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser in treatment of traumatic scars on clinical and histochemical bases.

Possible Relation between Vitamin D and Interleukin-17 in the Pathogenesis of Lichen Planus.

Background: Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory mucocutaneous disease. Interleukin (IL)-17 is the signature cytokine of T-helper 17 cells, involved in the aetiology of many autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Vitamin D has an immune-regulatory role and suppresses IL-17 production via direct transcriptional inhibition of IL-17 gene expression.

Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser is Effective in Amelioration of Pruritus in Primary Cutaneous Amyloidosis: A Clinical and Biochemical Study.

Background And Objectives: Primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA) is a pruritic disease characterized by amyloid deposition in the skin. Interleukin-31 (IL-31) is a pruritus-mediating cytokine. Fractional carbon dioxide (CO ) laser has shown efficacy in the treatment of PCA regarding the clinical appearance, histological pattern, and pruritus.

Immunohistochemical study of perforin and apoptosis stimulation fragment ligand (FasL)in active vitiligo.

Several studies demonstrated a major pathological role of melanocyte-specific cytotoxic CD8 T cells in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. It has been suggested that apoptosis, rather than necrosis, is the mechanism of melanocyte depletion in vitiligo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression and distribution of perforin and apoptosis stimulation fragment ligand (FasL) in the epidermis and dermis of the perilesional and non-lesional skin of vitiligo patients in comparison to controls, to assess their possible role in mediating apoptosis in vitiligo.

Sequential peeling as a monotherapy for treatment of milder forms of acne vulgaris.

Background: Glycolic acid (GA) and salicylic acid (SA) peels have been used separately for acne treatment, not as a sequential peel.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sequential peeling with 70% GA and 20% SA as a monotherapy and as an adjuvant to systemic doxycycline in treatment of mild to moderate acne and the effect on serum interleukin (IL) 17 and tissue IL-1α.

Patients/methods: Forty-five mild to moderate acne vulgaris patients were randomly assigned into three groups.

Assessment of vitamin D receptors in alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a frequent autoimmune disease, the pathogenesis of which is still unknown. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a noncicatricial type of patterned hair loss. Expression of vitamin D receptors (VDRs) on keratinocytes is essential for maintenance of normal hair cycle, especially anagen initiation.

Assessment of gene expression levels of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) in vitiligo.

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) are regulators of melanogenesis and pigmentation. Our objective was to estimate their levels, searching for a possible role of the melanocortin system in vitiligo. This study included 40 vitiligo patients and 40 controls.

Assessment of tissue levels of dickkopf-1 in androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata.

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the commonest form of hair loss in men. Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease. Studies revealed that Dickkopf 1 (DKK-1), a powerful suppressor of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, induced anagen-to-catagen transition in mice.

Prevalence of photosensitivity in chronic hepatitis C virus patients and its relation to serum and urinary porphyrins.

Background & Aims: HCV is a major cause of chronic liver disease in Egypt. The aim was to study the prevalence of photosensitivity among asymptomatic HCV-infected patients and its possible relation to porphyrins levels and whether it can be considered an alarm for early diagnosis of the disease, which is the most important goal in the management.

Methods: This study included 100 accidentally discovered HCV positive cases and 100 HCV negative healthy controls.