[Investigation into allergenic components of cladosporium herbarum by immunoblotting technique]

Numerous studies on Clasporidium herbarum antigens have shown that these antigens play a major role in produceing specific IgE in atopic individuals and exacerbate the patients' clinical conditions like atopic dermatitis. Thus, in this study allergenic components of clasporium herbarum were investigated using immunoblotting technique. Cladosporium herbarum was cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar. The grown mycelia were harvested and ruptured by liquid nitrogen and glass beads. Samples were centrifuged and the supernatant was collected as crude extract. The crude extract was separated through sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE]. The separated proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose filter and then soaked through atopic dermatitis patients' sera. The responsive bands to IgE were revealed by antihuman IgE antibodies conjugated with enzyme in chromogenic substrate. In SDS-PAGE, the crude extract of Cladosporium herbarum showed 16 different protein bands with molecular weight between 15.1 and 110 kDa. The bands with 15.1, 18.4, 25.1, 36.3, 45 and 54 kDa were identified as strong bands. In immunoblotting, the bands with molecular weights of 15.1, 18.4, 42 and 110 kDa showed a strong reaction with IgE sera from patients with atopic dermatitis. The results of this study showed that the strong bands in SDS-PAGE had the highest reaction with anti- Cladosporium herbarum IgE antibody in immunoblotting technique. Thus, we speculate the intensity of bands can affect IgE response. Like other studies we contend that Cladosporium herbarum antigen can initiate allergic reaction in atopic dermatitis patients

[Comparison of therapeutic effects of finasteride jel and tablet in treatment of androgenic alopecia]

Finasteride, a type II- selective 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, that causes decreasing Dihydrotestestrone [DHT] levels, is effective in treatment of male androgenic alopecia. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of local finasteride on androgenic alopecia treatment in comparison with oral finasteride. This study was a double-blind clinical trial including 45 male patients involved with androgenetic alopecia according to history and physical examination and possessing the study criteria selected among patients referred to private clinics and departments of dermatology in Sari city. Patients were divided into two groups: patients in group A [finasteride jel and placebo tablet] and patients in group B [finastride tablet and placebo jel] and the eligible referred patients were gradually and randomly entered the two groups. The treatment period was 6 months. In order to evaluate the drug effects and progressive state of the patients and assessment of drug complications, the patients were followed up by clinical observation and recording of side effects before study and at the end of the first week and then every month after starting the treatment. The variables used to evaluate the therapeutic response were: size of defect, hair count and terminal hair count. The analysis was done using descriptive and Chi [2] statistical methods. Of the 45 patients enrolled, 38 completed the entire study period. The average period since the onder of hair loss was 18.8 +/- 23.10 months. Every month the size of alopecia area, hair count and terminal hair count between the two groups were compared and there were on significant statistical differences. In the third month of treatment an increase in terminal hair count were observed in group A [P=0.001], this phenomenon was observed in second months in group B [P=0.015]. During the therapeutic period, the size of alopecia area did not significantly change in group A, but in group B, the change in size of alopecia area was significant 4 months after the start of treatment [P=0.027]. Increased hair count in two groups were significant in the fourth treatment mouths [P=0.001 in group A and P=0.000 in group B]. In this study, treatment with%1 finasteride jel produced relatively similar moderate therapeutic effects with finasteride tablet [%54.5 against%56] in patients with male alopecia with no significant statistical differences [P=0.643]

[Prevalence of skin disorders in Sari, 2003-2004]

Skin disorders are the most common presenting health problems. According to dermatological researches, only scant studies estimated the prevalence of skin diseases in the general population. This study was performed to assess the prevalence of skin diseases in Sari, Mazandaran, North of Iran. This retrospective study was carried out on all of the patients referred to Boo-Ali Sina hospital in Sari, 2003-2004. All data such as diagnosis of skin problem, age, sex, marital status and job were recorded. Diagnosis were classified according to the international classification of diseases [ICD-10]. Results were analyzed with descriptive statistics using SPSS software. A total of 4460 patients with mean age of 28.01 +/- 16.2 years including 1807 [40.45] men and 2653 [59.7%] women were studied. Most of the patients [33.4%] referred in summer. The most common observed skin disease was appendices disorders [24%] the most common of which acne [55.8%] and androgenic alopecia [30%]. The second common problem was infections [23.3%] and dermatitis [19.8%] was the third. Irritant contact dermatitis [82.7%] was the most common form of dermatitis. We found that prevalence and distribution of skin disorders in the study area are different from those of other parts of Iran. More studies are needed to identify common skin disorders in Iran

[Acral lentiginous melanoma misdiagnosed as chronic ulcer: a case report]

Acral lentiginous melanoma [ALM] is the most common type of cutaneous melanoma which can occur on the palms, soles or beneath the nail plate. Diagnosis of ALM is usually delayed and melanomas can only be diagnosed at advanced clinical stage so the prognosis is often poor. We report a case of Acral lentiginous melanoma which misdiagnosed as chronic ulcer. Chronic lesions even if benign in appearance deserve close observation. Biopsies are required to prevent misdiagnosis, mistreatment and delay in diagnosis

[Prevalence of lipodystrophy associated with human recombinant insulin]

Lipodystrophy is potentially a clinical adverse effect, associated with insulin therapy and is believed that usage of human recombinant insulin's is associated with decreasing prevalence of Lipodystrophy. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of insulin induced Lipodystrophy, among diabetic out-patients referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital, in Sari during 2007. In this cross sectional descriptive study, 220 diabetic patients referred to the Diabetes Center at Imam Khomeini Hospital, in Sari, who under treatment by insulin at least three months prior to referral was evaluated. First, the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded in a questionnaire; then all patients were examined clinically to evaluate lipodystrophy. In all subjects, glycated hemoglobin [HbA1C] was measured to assess the range of blood glucose level control. Recorded data were analyzed by statistical methods, such as descriptive T-test and X[2].Of 220 diabetic patients studied, thirty-five [15.9%] showed clinical evidences of insulin induced Lipodystrophy; 32 out of 35 cases of Lipodystrophic patients [14.5%] had Lipohypertrophy, while 3 cases [1.4%] had Lipoatrophy. The factors included Age, Sex, Education, BMI [Body mass index], type of Diabetes, The duration of insulin consumption and injection site had statistically significant effects on development of insulin induced Lipodystrophy [P<0.05]. The results of this study demonstrated that despite using human recombinant insulin's, the prevalence of insulin induced lipodystrophy, especially Lipohypertrophy, has remained high up to present. Therefore, regular examination of patients for this side effect is necessary, especially in subjects without good control of blood glucose level

[ effects of garlic topical gel [5%] in the treatment of alopecia areata]

Alopecia areata is the rapid onset of total hair loss in a sharply defined round area. No definite cause is known for this disease but stress is an effective factor. Different treatments are available but no cure is yet known. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of garlic gel in treatment of alopecia areata. The method of study is placebo controlled. The study was performed during summer 2004-5. The subjects were recruited from dermatology clinics in the city of Sari, according to inclusion criteria. They were randomly divided into 4 blocks and received gel and placebo. Garlic gel was used twice dayly with topical corticosteroid. The results were compared together after 3 months. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tuky-test using SPSS program. Twenty patients were given the garlic gel and placebo was administered to the other 20 patients. The average age of the patients [55% male] was 24 _ 15. Scalp was the most common affected area in patients [72.5%] and majority of them had one patch [70%]. Positive familial history was noted in 22.5% of the patients and 25% of them had the atopic. Stress was observed in 35% of the patients. There was no difference in decreasing the size of patches in the first two months, between the two groups. However, the increase in the number of hair between the two groups were significant in the third month[P<0.05]. The garlic gel can stimulate hair growth in patients with Alopecia areata. Therefor this effective and low cost treatment is recommended particularly for limited forms of the disease