Combined fractional CO2 laser with topical tioconazole versus Q-switched Nd-YAG laser in the treatment of onychomycosis; a randomized comparative trial.

Treatment of onychomycosis includes topical and systemic agents. However, prolonged use of oral treatment could cause adverse effects and topical antifungal agents have limited penetration. To compare the clinical efficacy and the safety of fractional CO laser combined with topical tioconazole nail solution versus Q-switched 1064 Nd: YAG laser in the treatment of fingernail onychomycosis.

Modeling Evasive Response Bias in Randomized Response: Cheater Detection Versus Self-protective No-Saying.

Randomized response is an interview technique for sensitive questions designed to eliminate evasive response bias. Since this elimination is only partially successful, two models have been proposed for modeling evasive response bias: the cheater detection model for a design with two sub-samples with different randomization probabilities and the self-protective no sayers model for a design with multiple sensitive questions. This paper shows the correspondence between these models, and introduces models for the new, hybrid "ever/last year" design that account for self-protective no saying and cheating.

Pulse azathioprine and low-dose methotrexate vs. standard-dose methotrexate in treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Psoriasis is a common chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease. Despite the availability of several systemic therapeutic agents, treatment of psoriasis remains a challenge because of the associated adverse effects and/or the financial burden of these medications, given the chronicity of the disease.

Objectives: We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of combined pulse azathioprine (AZA) and low-dose methotrexate (MTX) vs.

The analysis of randomized response "ever" and "last year" questions: A non-saturated Multinomial model.

Randomized response (RR) is a well-known interview technique designed to eliminate evasive response bias that arises from asking sensitive questions. The most frequently asked questions in RR are either whether respondents were "ever" carriers of the sensitive characteristic, or whether they were carriers in a recent period, for instance, "last year". The present paper proposes a design in which both questions are asked, and derives a multinomial model for the joint analysis of these two questions.

Refinement of the extended crosswise model with a number sequence randomizer: Evidence from three different studies in the UK.

The Extended Crosswise Model (ECWM) is a randomized response model with neutral response categories, relatively simple instructions, and the availability of a goodness-of-fit test. This paper refines this model with a number sequence randomizer that virtually precludes the possibility to give evasive responses. The motivation for developing this model stems from a strategic priority of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) to monitor the prevalence of doping use by elite athletes.

Trichoscopic Diagnosis of Structural Hair Defects in a Clinical Setting: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study.

Background: Trichoscopy is a simple, noninvasive procedure practiced in the diagnosis of a multitude of scalp and hair disorders. Hair shaft abnormalities usually represent a diagnostic challenge to dermatologists.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the practicality, versatility, and value of using the handheld dermoscope in the assessment of hair shaft abnormalities and the diagnosis of different hair/scalp disorders.

Efficacy and safety of combined fractional ablative CO laser and 5 fluorouracil in the treatment of acral vitiligo: An open, uncontrolled study.

Background: Acral lesions of vitiligo are most likely recalcitrant to the known lines of treatment. Ablative fractional CO has shown efficacy in treatment of vitiligo in combination with other modalities.

Methods: Thirty non-segmental vitiligo patients with acral lesion were included in the study.

Trichoscopic features of hair and scalp in noncomplaining individuals: A descriptive study.

Background: Trichoscopy is a simple noninvasive tool that is used in calculating different hair parameters and the diagnosis of different hair/scalp diseases at variable magnifications.

Objective: The aim of this work is to describe the features and parameters of hair and scalp in a healthy sample of Egyptian population using videodermoscopy. This may help to provide standard range of measurements of normal hair in both males and females.

Clinical and epidemiologic features of psoriasis patients in an Egyptian medical center.

Background: Identification of epidemiologic and phenotypic variations of psoriasis among different ethnic groups can further our understanding of this perplexing disease, aiming at better management of patients worldwide.

Objective: To provide a descriptive analysis of psoriasis patients registered at Kasr Al-Ainy Psoriasis Unit Disease Registry.

Methods: This retrospective single-center registry study included patient records between November 2015 and November 2018 (2534 patients).

Support for increased cardiovascular risk in non-segmental vitiligo among Egyptians: A hospital-based, case-control study.

Background: Data have been accumulating in the past few years that identify vitiligo as a disorder with systemic implications.

Results And Methods: In this hospital-based, cross-sectional, case-control study, 50 patients with non-segmental vitiligo and 50 age- and sex-matched controls underwent analysis of serum lipid profile, oxidative stress biomarkers and carotid duplex. Hydrogen peroxide (H O ) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly higher in patients than controls (p-value < .

Trichoscopy as an evaluation method for alopecia areata treatment: A comparative study.

Background: Trichoscopy is a useful tool for diagnosis and follow-up of alopecia areata (AA) patients. Both platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and intralesional corticosteroids (ILCs) are important treatment modalities of patchy AA.

Aim: Trichoscopic diagnosis of AA and monitoring the treatment response to PRP versus ILCs in patchy AA treatment.

JAK1 rs310241 and JAK3 rs3008 Genotypes May Increase Susceptibility to Psoriasis: A Case Control Study.

Background: Janus kinases (JAKs) are a family of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases that are expressed in a variety of tissues. Several JAK-controlled cytokine receptor pathways are incriminated in the initiation and progression of psoriasis. Genetic polymorphisms influencing JAK expression would be anticipated to have a great impact on disease activity.

Q-Switched Nd:YAG (532 nm) Laser Versus Intra-Dermal Tranexamic Acid for Treatment of Facial Ephelides: A Split Face, Randomized, Comparative Trial.

Background And Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of intradermal injection of tranexamic acid (TXA) versus Q switched (QS) KTP (532 nm) in the treatment of facial ephelides.

Study Design/materials And Methods: A randomized comparative split-face study included a total of 30 female patients with bilateral facial ephelides. One cheek was treated by intra-dermal TXA injections and the other was treated by QS-KTP (532 nm).

Dermoscopy as a useful tool for evaluating melasma and assessing the response to 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.

Melasma is a hard-to-manage disorder with considerable relapsing behavior. Dermoscopy emerged to help in comprehensive evaluation of pigmentary disorders and melasma. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential role of dermoscopy in assessing melasma and monitoring the efficacy of 1064-nm low-fluence Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (QS Nd:YAG) laser.

Clinical and Histological Assessment of Combined Fractional CO Laser and Growth Factors Versus Fractional CO Laser Alone in the Treatment of Facial Mature Burn Scars: A Pilot Split-Face Study.

Background And Objectives: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of growth factors combined with fractional carbon dioxide (CO ) laser in comparison with fractional CO alone in a sample of patients with facial mature burn scars.

Study Design/materials And Methods: Fifteen Egyptian patients with bilateral facial burn scars were treated with six sessions of fractional CO laser at 6-week intervals. Following each laser session, a topical growth factors cocktail was applied to one side of the face in a split-face manner.

The efficacy of intradermal injections of botulinum toxin in the management of enlarged facial pores and seborrhea: a split face-controlled study.

Background: Enlarged facial pores are becoming a matter of cosmetic concern. Injections of (botulinum toxin type A) have an increasing popularity among cosmetic procedures.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of intradermal injection of botulinum toxin in treatment of excess sebum secretion and enlarged facial pores.

Cyclooxygenase-2 Gene Polymorphisms -765G>C and -1195A>G and Mycosis Fungoides Risk.

Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible modulator of inflammation that acts through increasing prostaglandin levels and has been described as a major mediator linking inflammation to cancer. Previous studies supported that COX-2-765G>C and -1195A>G polymorphisms were associated with increased risk of several solid tissue cancers as well as some hematological malignancies.

Objective: The aim of the study was to elucidate the association between functional COX-2 genotypes (-765G>C and -1195A>G) polymorphisms and the risk of developing mycosis fungoides (MF).

Estimation of Homocysteine Level and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Gene and Cystathionine B Synthase (CBS) Gene Polymorphisms in Vitiligo Patients.

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired, multifactorial disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. An elevated homocysteine level has been described in vitiligo. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and cystathionine B synthase (CBS) are major determinants of the homocysteine metabolism.

Down-regulation of tissue levels of serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) in psoriasis vulgaris patients: a possible mechanism of narrowband ultraviolet B radiation.

Vaspin is a serine protease inhibitor of the serpin family which has an anti-inflammatory effect. It has an important role in the pathogenesis of some inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis. There are no previous studies comparing the effect of narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) radiation on tissue vaspin levels in psoriasis.

Comparing the Efficacy of Mesotherapy to Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss Using Ultrasound Biomicroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The efficacy of mesotherapy in the treatment of female pattern hair loss (FPHL) has not yet been evaluated. Aim of the study was to compare the initial efficacy and safety of mesotherapy containing nutritional supplements to topical minoxidil 5% solution in FPHL. 30 patients with FPHL were randomly classified into two equal groups: Group A applied minoxidil 5% lotion twice daily; Group B was injected with mesotherapy once weekly.

Is There a Relation between Vitamin D and Interleukin-17 in Vitiligo? A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: High interleukin (IL)-17 contributes to vitiligo pathogenesis. Vitamin D has been assessed in vitiligo, with no reports targeting its relation to IL-17.

Objective: To evaluate a possible regulatory effect of vitamin D on IL-17 and their relation to disease activity in vitiligo.