Treatment of recalcitrant vitiligo by autologous non-cultured and trypsinized melanocyte grafting in the west of Iran

Abstract Background Vitiligo is a common disease with a high burden, and its recalcitrant type is unresponsive to current medical treatments. Autologous non-cultured and trypsinized melanocyte grafting, which is a simple and experience-based procedure, has been suggested for the treatment of vitiligo. Objective To assess autologous non-cultured and trypsinised melanocyte grafting in recalcitrant vitiligo. Methods This clinical trial was done on 28 patients (20 females and 8 males). After demarcation and preparation of both donor and recipient sites, both sites were shaved by a curette. The materials harvested from the donor site were trypsinized and centrifuged. The resulting suspension was mixed with hyaluronic acid gel and was spread over the shaved recipient area. Results Twenty-eight patients with a total of 108 lesions and a mean age of 25.93 ± 7.11 years were included in the present study. Generalized vitiligo (57.1%) was the most common clinical type and the face and neck regions (38%) were the most frequent treated sites. Good to excellent repigmentation was seen in the face and neck, trunk, upper extremity, and genitals in 31 (57.4%), 11 (20.4%), 9 (16.7%) and 3 (5.5%) patients, respectively. Face and neck showed significantly better results (p < 0.05). Study limitations Low sample size and single-center study. Conclusion Autologous non-cultured and trypsinized melanocyte grafting is a safe method with satisfactory outcomes in recalcitrant vitiligo. Appropriate training of physicians and proper use of specialists' experiences can be effective in increasing the improvement rate.

Characteristics of telogen effluvium in COVID-19 in western Iran (2020)

Abstract Background: Although COVID-19 pandemic significantly induces mortality, many of the patients who recovered present other medical problems such as alopecias. Telogen effluvium is a common alopecia that is usually related to previous events such as acute febrile diseases, including COVID-19. Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of telogen effluvium in COVID-19. Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 526 patients with documented telogen effluvium that recovered from COVID-19. Demographic data, concurrent alopecia, associated diseases, and COVID-19 severity were recorded. Data were analyzed by appropriate statistical methods. Results: The mean age of the 526 patients (410 females, 116 males) was 30.97±9.592 years, with 7.65 ± 1.739 weeks of mean time of alopecia onset. Vitamin D deficiency (24.3%), androgenetic alopecia (78.2%), and grade III COVID-19 severity were the most common findings. Alopecia onset was significantly earlier in the younger age group, females, in hypothyroidism, and more severe coronavirus infection. Higher grade coronavirus infection was significantly seen in males, higher ages, earlier onset, and androgenic alopecia. Study limitations: Performing a single-center study and considering limited variables. Conclusion: Although Coronavirus 2 infection can be an important factor in telogen effluvium induction, other factors such as associated diseases, drug intake and emotional stress may also be involved. In the cases of early onset of alopecia, concomitant diseases such as hypothyroidism and severe coronavirus infection can occur, thus, the presence of various factors in telogen effluvium induction should be considered.

Serum lipid profile and clinical characteristics of patients with xanthelasma palpebrarum

Abstract: Background: Although many factors are involved in the etiology of xanthelasma palpebrum, lipid disorder is strongly associated with its induction. Xanthelasma palpebrum, the most common type of xanthoma, usually presents in middle-aged females and results in aesthetic problems. Objective: To evaluate thelipid profile and important clinical aspects of xanthelasma palpebrum patients. Methods: In this descriptive study, we enrolled 42xanthelasma palpebrumpatients, and 42 cases of non-inflammatory skin disorders as thecontrol group, matched for age and gender.The clinical characteristics of the patients and fasting serum lipid profile were recorded for both groups. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS-16. Results: Xanthelasma palpebrum was found more commonly in middle-aged females with disease onset of less than 1 year, and without significant familial history of xanthoma. Furthermore,xanthelasma lesionswere most often seen in the upper lid with mild extension and was rarely associated with systemic disease. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding hypertriglyceridemia (p= 0.231) and hypercholesterolemia (p= 0.302). The mean serum levels of cholesterol (221.51±60.4 mg/dl), triglyceride (185.98±71.1 mg/dl) and VLDL (37.7±17.6 mg/dl) were significantly higher and themedian HDL (36.2 (31, 41) mg/dl) level was lower in thepatient group. Conclusion: In our study, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia did not reveal a significant difference between thepatient and control groups; however, mean serum values for cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL and HDL showed a significant difference between the two groups. Therefore, in addition to lipid abnormality, other factors could be involved in the pathogenesis of xanthelasma palpebrum.

comparison of anastrozole and clomiphene citrate for ovulation induction in women with unexplained infertility undergoing intrauterine insemination

In order to overcome the undesirable effects of clomiphene citrate [CC] alternative regimens such as Aromatase inhibitors [AIs] have been recommended. Our objective was to compare the ovarian and endometrial effects of three day Anastrozole and clomiphene citrate in combination with gonadotropin in IUI cycles. This was a prospective descriptive study in 55 infertile patients with unexplained infertility. The patients in Group A [29 patients] received CC and gonadotropin, in contrast to group B [26 patients] who received Anastrozole and gonadotropin. Primary outcome was the size and number of mature follicles together with endometrial thickness. On the day of HCG administration Anastrozole group developed fewer mature follicles [0.54 +/- 0.64 vs. 1.07 +/- 1.06 P=0.032] and fewer total mature follicles [17 vs 31] compared with CC group, however the endometrial stripe thickness were similar in both group [7.73 +/- 2.54 vs. 7.89 +/- 1.93 P=0.800] Three day Anastrozole in addition to gonadotropin in IUI cycles develop fewer mature follicles significantly at the time of HCG- injection than those in C.C group, in unexplained infertility in IUI cycles. This dosage is equivalent to traditional CC dosage in IUI cycles on endometrial development

Cost--effectiveness of pap smear in Kermanshah, Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of pre invasive and invasive cervical lesions and also cost- effectiveness of Pap smears in Kermanshah, Iran (2004-2007). METHODS: A descriptive, cross sectional study was performed between March 2004-March 2007 with all cytological smears analyzed according to the Bethesda II system. Efficacy was estimated as the ratio of HSIL and invasive carcinomas detected to all Pap smears. Data were analyzed with SPSS software and mean+/-SD for cost in each age. RESULTS: 148,472 smears were analyzed of which 99.7 % were negative, only 0.3% having cytological abnormalities. ASCUS, LSIL, HSIL and carcinoma positive rates were 205.4, 73.4, 21.6 and 5.4 per 100,000 Pap smears respectively. The incidence of HSIL and carcinoma in total was 26.9 per 100,000 women. Before age 35 there were no such lesions so that the effectiveness of Pap smear before age 35 was zero. The cost for one smear was 5 Euros and the cost for detection per HSIL or carcinoma was 18,559 Euros. The mean age of women for HSIL was 52.0+/-10.7 and for carcinoma 48.1+/-1.81 years. CONCLUSIONS: Since no HSIL or carcinomas were detected before age 35, and since for changing one LSIL to HSIL or carcinoma should take more than 5 years , the results of this study suggest that Pap smears before 35 years old is not effective and we suggest commencement of Pap smear in Iran from age 30.