Evaluation of elastic fibers pattern with orcein staining in differential diagnosis of Lichen planopilaris and discoid Lupus erythematosus

Differential diagnosis of Lichen planopilaris and discoid lupus erythematosus especially in late stages is a problem for clinicians and pathologists. Our aim was to find discriminator histopathologic findings that help us to achieve definite diagnosis without using immunofluorescence study. The histopathologic findings in 77 cases of lichen planopilaris were compared with those of 26 cases of discoid lupus erythematosus with Hematoxylin and Eosin and especially staining [Alcian blue pH 2.5, Periodic Acid Shiff, Orcein]. Final histopathologic diagnosis was based on histologic findings, clinicopathological correlation, past medical history and immunofluorescence studies if were applied before. Then elastic fibers pattern in dermis and follicular sheath with orcein staining were described without having information about final diagnosis. New and subtle presentations of histologic changes were assessed. We compared all histopathologic finding for each staining method. Some histologic changes such as hypergranulosis, epidermal atrophy, mucin deposition, diffuse scar and some other patterns were not specific for any diagnosis. A setting of histopathologic findings and clinicopathological correlation were needed for accurate diagnosis. We had only one specimen for the vertical section, and we had no horizontal sections. Description of elastic fibers pattern in orcein staining may be helpful in achieving a specific diagnosis, but this is not completely reliable, and we had overlap features. Finally, immunofluorescence study may be recommended for suspicious cases

How to test normality distribution for a variable: a real example and a simulation study

Many commonly used statistical methods require that the population distribution be nearly normal. Unfortunately, in some papers the one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test has been used for testing normality while the assumptions of applying this test are not satisfied. To conduct this test, it is assumed that the population distribution is fully specified. In practical situation where the mean and SD of population distribution is not specified in advance, one can use a modification of the K-S test for checking the normality assumption which is called, Lilliefors test. In this paper, we explain the method of computing this test with some common statistical softwares such as SPSS, S-PLUS, R and StatXact and utilize a dermatology dataset from Skin Research Center of Shohada-e-Tajrish hospital to illustrate how the use of the one-sample K-S [with the mean and SD estimated from the sample] instead of its modification can be misleading in practice. We also use Monte Carlo simulation to compare the approximate power of the one-sample K-S test [with the estimated population mean and SD] with Lilliefors test in some common specified continuous distributions. The result indicates that one should not use the one-sample K-S test for assessing the normality assumption in practical situation

[Long term effects of a continuous and intermittent aerobic exercise on weight changes and body fat percentage in overweight and obese women]

Obesity and sedentary lifestyle are growing problem. The global community's concern is to find the best strategy to obtain a more efficient process of weight reduction, increase physical activity, and minimize weight regain level. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of a short-term intervention on weight changes. The present study is a one-year follow-up study of a 12-week intervention during which the 15 individuals in the intermittent group performed 40 minutes exercise in three bouts per day; however, the 15 participants of the continuous group did the same but 40 minutes continuously. The 15 participants in the control group had no exercise prescription. After one year, weight changes, body fat percentage, and BMI were re-evaluated in the groups. After adjusting the baseline weight, patterns of change in the mean weights from the end of the third month to the twelfth month were different across groups [P=0.02]. After significant weight loss in the intermittent group, the mean weight in this group increased by 2.32 kilograms during the period, although not statistically significant. No increase was observed in the control group's mean weight [P=1.00]. In the continuous group, the mean weight increased statistically [P=0.048, 3.63 kilograms]. It seems that long-term effects of moderate intensity intermittent aerobic exercise in overweight and obese women on weight control are more efficient than those of continuous exercise. However, for a change in lifestyle and prevention of weight regain, longer follow-ups are required

Evaluation of efficacy of intense pulsed light [IPL] system in the treatment of facial acne vulgaris: comparision of different pulse durations; a pilot study

Adequate control of acne is difficult, regardless of the various conventional modalities. Intense Pulsed Light [IPL] system is one of the emerging options that are become increasingly useful. To achieve the best IPL parameters we evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of IPL at 752-nm wavelength, 35 j/cm2 fluence, 55-ms pulse duration in comparison with 572-nm wavelength, 35 j/cm2 fluence, 101-ms pulse duration, in a 5 week, controlled, double-blind, split-face clinical trial. Final assessment was made by comparison of the changes in inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions count and the Acne Global Severity Scale [AGSS] between two groups, based on standardized photography. Fifteen female patients, with mean age of 23.53 +/- 2.47 years [range 20-28] completed the 5-week therapy period. For both therapies, significant reductions [approximately 30%] in the comedone and inflammatory lesions count were observed [p=0.0024]. There was no significant difference in the efficacy of the two treatments in reducing the percentage of comedone and inflammatory lesions count from baseline to 5th week [p=0.76 and p=0.61, respectively]. Based on acne global severity scale [AGSS], no significant difference in the severity of acne lesions of the two treatments was observed at 5th-week visit [p=0.26]. Considering the lack of significant difference between the two treatments and since greater risks are associated with lower pulse duration, the use of longer pulse durations is recommended, especially in darker skin phenotype. Further studies with larger number of patients are required to fully comparison of efficacy of these parameters in IPL systems for acne vulgaris

[Identification of Malassezia species associated with seborrheic dermatitis using PCR-RFLP]

Malassezia is a lipophilic and dimorphic fungus which has different species. Some of them can be found as natural flora on the skin and in some conditions may cause seborrheic dermatitis. The aim of this study was to identify Malassezia species associated with seborrheic dermatitis in Iranian patients, using PCR-RFLP. In this study out of 79 patients with seborrheic dermatitis, isolates of 70 patients were positive for Malassezia species using PCR-RFLP. The Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 [ITS2] region was amplified by PCR employing the ITS3 and ITS4 primers and the restriction endonucleases AluI, BanI and MspAI were selected for producing distinct RFLP patterns. M. globosa [48.6%], M. furfur [40.0%], M. slooffiae [8.6%] and M. sympodialis [2.8%], were the microorganisms responsible for the infection among participants. M. pachydermatis, M. japonica, M. dermatis, M. restricta, M. obtuse, M. nana and M. yamatoensis were not isolated from any samples. Our findings suggest that the most common Malassezia species associated with seborrheic dermatitis was M. globosa, followed by M. furfur

[Identification of Malassezia species associated with pityriasis versicolor using PCR-RFLP]

Malassezia is a lipophilic and dimorphic fungus which has different species. Some of them can be found as natural flora on skin and in some conditions may cause pityriasis versicolor. The aim of this study was to identify Malassezia species associated with pityriasis versicolor in Iranian patients, using PCR-RFLP. In this study out of 65 patients with pityriasis versicolor to have pityriasis versicolor,isolates of 60 patients were positive. Malassezia species. using by PCR-RFLP. The Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 [ITS2] region was amplified by PCR employing the ITS3 and ITS4 primers and the restriction endonucleases AluI, BanI and MspAI were selected for producing distinct RFLP patterns. M. furfur [36.7%], M. globosa [30.0%], M. sympodialis [20.0%], M. slooffiae [8.3%], M. restricta [3.3%] and M. obtusa [1.7%] were the microorganisms responsible for the infection among participants. The M. sympodialis infection was strongly correlated with the female gender [P=0.02]. Our findings suggest that, the most common Malassezia species associated with pityriasis versicolor was M. furfur, followed by M. globosa