Comparison between examination with naked eye, curretage and dermoscopy in determining tumor extension before Mohs micrographic surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a technique for the treatment of cutaneous malignancies. Subtle determination of tumor margin would end to fewer stages of surgery. Our aim was to compare these three ways for determining tumor extension before initiation of MMS, examination with the naked eye, dermoscopy and curettage. Sixty patients who had basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in head and neck area were randomized in three groups (curettage, dermoscopy and examination with the naked eye). Each group encompassed twenty patients. The total number of resection stages in MMS was recorded for each patient. Demographic data of the patients and the total number of resection stages in MMS were statistically analyzed. Based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) test results, there was no significant difference for total number of stages in statistical point of view between three groups (P value = 0.1). In this research, the Pearson correlation coefficient showed that there is a direct relation between the age and resection stages (r = 0.19, P value = 0.04). The Chi-square test showed no differences between three groups in age, residence and radiotherapy history

Basal cell carcinoma superimposed on a cutaneous leishmaniasis lesion in an immunocompromised patient

Leishmaniasis is a protozoan infection due to organisms of the genus Leishmania. The differential diagnosis of cutane-ous leishmaniasis includes arthropod bites, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and other malignancies. BCC is the most com-mon form of skin cancer. We present a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis resistant to standard intralesional glucantime injection in an immunocompromised patient, which was proved to be BCC after surgical excision

Correction to: Utilization of Waste Glass Micro-particles in Producing Self-Consolidating Concrete Mixtures

Following publication of the original article (Sharifi et al. 2016), the author reported his name has erroneously spelled as Amin Momeni. The full name is Mohammadamin Momeni

Investigating the Role of Audit Time Pressure on Dividend Quality in Companies Listed in Stock Exchange of Tehran

The present study investigated the role of audit time pressure on dividend quality in listed companies in Stock Exchange of Tehran. Auditors are often pressured to set time budgets. Due to the increasing importance of audit firms for achieving time budgets as a measure of effectiveness, their difficulties in measuring audit effectiveness, the potential conflict between doing the right things and control costs for high quality audits have intensified. In order to study the aforementioned subject, the statistical population of the audit firms of the member of the Society of Certified Public Accountants within the city of Tehran was determined and the required data were collected from these institutes by random sampling. Durbin–Watson statistic method and correlation with Eviews software were also used to test the research hypotheses. The results indicated that audit time pressure has a significant effect on dividend quality

Efficacy of adding topical simvastatin to topical calcipotriol on improvement of cutaneous plaque psoriasis

Background: Psoriasis is a common dermatologic disorder, with fluctuating response to treatment. Considering the proven immunomodulatory effects of oral simvastatin in psoriasis, this trial study was enrolled to determine whether the topical form has also antipsoriatic effects. Vitamin D analogs known to be effective and are considered the first line of therapy in mild to moderate cases. In this study, the efficacy of topical calcipotriol 0.005% ointment (as a standard method of treatment for psoriasis) versus combination of calcipotriol plus topical simvastatin is compared in the treatment of psoriasis. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 subjects with symmetric psoriasis who had body surface involvement up to 20% were divided randomly into 2 groups. Group A were treated with calcipotriol 0.005% ointment twice daily and Group B with calcipotriol 0.005% ointment twice daily and simvastatin 3% ointment twice daily for 12 weeks. The results were evaluated by a Blind Dermatologist using psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score at baseline, 4 th , 8 th and 12 th week of treatment. In a similar way, a subjective assessment performed by patients based on photo-evaluation at the end of the study. Results: Despite a continuous reduction in PASI score in both groups, according to both physician (P = 0.603) and patient (P = 0.243) assessment topical simvastatin was not statistically more effective than conventional treatment of psoriasis at the end of the study. Conclusion: This study indicates that topical simvastatin is not associated with significant impacts in the treatment of psoriasis as compared to oral form. This study indicates that psoriasis is a systemic disorder with variable skin manifestations

Studying the effects of plasma produced species on the optical characteristics and bonding structure of diamond-like carbon films deposited by direct current unbalanced magnetron sputtering

In the present study, the influence of target power and plasma produced species on optical, structural and morphological properties of diamond-like carbon thin films deposited by direct current unbalanced magnetron sputtering is investigated. Raman spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry are used to study the structural properties and optical characteristics, respectively. Additionally, optical spectroscopy is used to measure the optical band gap of the films and investigate the produced active species in the plasma. Optical emission spectroscopy of the plasma shows that increasing the target power from 60 W to 120 W, increases the hydrogen containing species in the plasma which was due to the water vapor remained in the vacuum chamber. Surface topography of the films illustrates that the surface roughness of the films decreases slightly which leads to the smoother surfaces. Raman spectroscopy shows that I D /I G ratio decreases and the G peak position shifts toward lower wavenumber. Indirect optical band gap also increases from 1.77 eV to 2.18 eV. Results of spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements illustrate that the refractive index decreases from 2.01 to 1.67 at 550 nm and the spectrum of the extinction coefficient decreases as well. These results indicate that increasing the sputtering power, increases the sp 3 C–]H bonding more than C–]C bonding in the matrix of the film

Do serum prolactin levels correlate with antibodies against desmoglein in pemphigus vulgaris?

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of skin, the etiology of which is not completely known. Despite the latter, anti-desmoglein antibodies play a proven role in the pathogenesis. Recent studies showed an etiologic effect for prolactin in the pemphigus vulgaris. This study aimed to quantify the correlation between serum prolactin levels and anti-desmoglein antibodies in patients with pemphigus vulgaris. Materials and Methods: Prolactin and antibodies against desmoglein 1 and 3 measured with ELISA in 14 new subjects of pemphigus vulgaris. Results: There was no statistically significant relation between both serum prolactin and anti-desmoglein1 levels (r = 0.02, P = 0.47) and serum prolactin and anti-desmoglein 3 levels (r= -0.09, P = 0.38). Conclusion: This study indicates that no correlation was found between serum prolactin levels and anti-desmoglein 1 levels and serum prolactin and anti-desmoglein 3 levels. However, other studies should be initiated regarding exact molecular and cellular effects of prolactin in the pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris