Investigating the Efficacy of Sumac Topical Solution Against Permethrin-resistant Human Head Lice

Background: The present study aimed at determining the efficacy of applying Rhus coriaria (Sumac) solution for the treatment of Permethrin-resistant head louse in patients, who used permethrin for at least 2 consecutive periods, but have not been cured.Methods: This study is a before-after clinical trial performed on 100 patients with pediculosis aged between 2 and 50 years old and both sexes. All patients had used Permethrin at least twice consecutively (with at least 14 days interval) according to correct instructions (on the first and 7th day), but they have not been cured. Each patient received 60ml of Rhus coriaria solution for 3 consecutive days, and the treatment was repeated again for another 3 days; then, the patients were followed-up on the 4th, 10th, and14th days after the treatment.Results: The results showed a significant difference in the severity of head lice infection and itching before the treatment and 14 days after the treatment (P<0.001).Conclusion: Rhus coriaria solution was more effective in eliminating head-louse infestations on 4, 10, and 14 days after the treatment and itching disappeared in most of the patients, while negligible complications were observed

In Vivo Comparative Evaluation of the Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Peel Extract as an Alternative Agent to Nystatin against Oral Candidiasis

Background: The pomegranate peel extract is a rich source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the in vivo antifungal activity of the pomegranate peel extract and to compare it with nystatin against oral candidiasis in Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty-five male Wistar rats, 6 to 8 weeks old and 220 to 250 g in weight, were used for animal studies. The rats were randomly divided into 7 groups. All the rats, except the control group, were immunosuppressed with cyclosporine (40 mg/kg/d) and hydrocortisone acetate (500 µg/kg/d). Then oral candidiasis was induced via the oral administration of a suspension of Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) (2×107 cell/mL) in PBS on the palate and tongue of the animals on days 3 and 5. Treatment was initiated by using 3 different concentrations of the pomegranate peel extract (125, 250, and 500 µg/mL/kg) and nystatin 100000 U/mL/kg by gavage daily. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS, version 22.0. In this study, generalized estimating equations were used for data analysis to determine the effects of the pomegranate peel extract and nystatin on oral candidiasis. Results: Regardless of the concentration of the pomegranate peel extract used for the treatment of oral candidiasis, a significant improvement was seen after 15 days of treatment. All the doses of the pomegranate peel were effective against candidiasis after 15 days; the pomegranate peel extract had no adverse effects following administration in the rats. Conclusion: Our results indicated that the pomegranate peel extract is a promising approach to oral candidiasis treatment, and it may serve as a natural alternative prospect due to its potency against oral candidiasis

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides: clinical and histologic features in five patients

Background: Alopecia can be a manifestation of mycosis fungoides (MF); however, the prevalence is unknown. Aims: We sought to describe the clinicopathologic presentation of alopecia in patients with diagnosis of MF. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with biopsy-proven MF, who were evaluated at our cancer center from 2002 to 2012, was performed to identify patients with alopecia. Results: Five patients with alopecia were identified from reviewing of 157 patients with MF. The male:female ratio was 3:2, and the mean age of patients was 42.8 years. Two of these patients showed patchy hair loss on scalp which was clinically identical to alopecia areata. In remaining three patients, hair loss was seen in areas of MF lesions, and epidermal changes consisted of patch- and plaque-type lesions of MF, tumors, and follicular lesions (follicular MF) were also present. In two of these patients, lymphadenopathy without any visceral involvement was detected. Conclusions: Alopecia was observed in 5 (3.18%) patients with MF, which makes it a rare finding, which included alopecia areata-like patchy loss in 2 and alopecia within MF lesions in 3

Effect of Different Pulse Durations on the Efficacy of Long-Pulsed Alexandrite-Assisted Hair Removal; A Split-Face Comparison Study: Pulse Duration and Hair Removal Efficacy

Introduction: Laser-assisted hair removal is widely used by a large number of patients complaining of unwanted hair. However, little is known about the effect of varying the pulse duration on clinical results and side effects. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of hair removal using an alexandrite laser with different pulse durations.Methods: Fifty female patients with facial hirsutism were subjected to a hair removal procedure with an alexandrite laser, using 3 and 10 milliseconds pulse durations on each side of the face every 5 weeks for three sessions. Photographs were taken and hair counts were checked before the treatment and one month postoperatively.Results: one month after the laser treatment, the clearance rate was 56% with both 3 and 10 milliseconds pulse durations. There was not any significant difference in clinical efficacy or the side effect profile.Conclusion: Using a 755 nm alexandrite laser for hair removal is an effective and safe method for delaying hair regrowth and this delay is not markedly different by increasing the pulse duration from3 to 10 milliseconds. DOI: 10.34172/jlms.2021.2

Daytime changes of skin biophysical characteristics: A study of hydration, transepidermal water loss, ph, sebum, elasticity, erythema, and color index on middle eastern skin

Background: The exposure of skin to ultraviolet radiation and temperature differs significantly during the day. It is reasonable that biophysical parameters of human skin have periodic daily fluctuation. The objective of this study was to study the fluctuations of various biophysical characteristics of Middle Eastern skin in standardized experimental conditions. Materials and Methods: Seven biophysical parameters of skin including stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss, pH, sebum, elasticity, skin color, and erythema index were measured at three time points (8 a.m., 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.) on the forearm of 12 healthy participants (mean age of 28.4 years) without any ongoing skin disease using the CK MPA 580 device in standard temperature and humidity conditions. Results: A significant difference was observed between means of skin color index at 8 a.m. (175.42 ± 13.92) and 4 p.m. (164.44 ± 13.72, P = 0.025), between the pH at 8 a.m. (5.72 ± 0.48) and 4 p.m. (5.33 ± 0.55, P = 0.001) and pH at 12 p.m. (5.60 ± 0.48) and 4 p.m. (5.33 ± 0.55, P = 0.001). Other comparisons between the means of these parameters at different time points resulted in nonsignificant P values. Conclusion: There are daytime changes in skin color index and pH. Skin color index might be higher and cutaneous pH more basic in the early morning compared to later of the day

Demographic and Histopathologic Study of Kaposi's Sarcoma in a Dermatology Clinic in the Years of 2006 to 2011

Kaposi's sarcoma is a low-grade vascular tumor that its prevalence is increasing all around the world due to the increasing prevalence of HIV and organ transplantations. In this study, we assessed risk factors of Kaposi's sarcoma among Iranian patients were referred to Dermatopathology Department of Razi Hospital of Tehran University of Medical Sciences between the years of 2006 to 2011. Also, disease stages have been assessed on pathologic specimens. Thirty four patients diagnosed with Kaposi's sarcoma entered the study. Of the 34 patients, 29% were female, and 71% were male, mean age was 66 years and average disease duration was 6 months. The most common patient's pathologic stages were reported: patch 32%, patch to plaque 24%, plaque 12%. The most prevalent location of involvement was lower extremity (88%), and upper extremity was involved in 24%. At presentation time, the mean number of lesions was 3 to 4. 15% of patients had a history of smoking and 15% had a history of immunosuppressive drugs. HIV infection did not observe in the patients. Based on the present study, Kaposi's sarcoma is a disease of elderly and is higher in older men. The most common site of Kaposi's sarcoma involvement is lower extremity, and the most common pathologic stage was the patch to plaque