Non-antibiotic Treatment Modalities for Bacterial Vaginosis.

Caused by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiome, bacterial vaginosis (BV) is among the most commonly occurring vaginal infections in women of childbearing age. If untreated, BV may have a detrimental impact on the obstetric and gynecological health of an individual. To date, treatment for BV includes a regimen of antibiotics and avoidance of relevant risk factors. Since recurrence and reinfection are frequently observed in patients, pharmaceutical treatment for BV remains ineffective nevertheless. Repeated exposure to antibiotics could precipitate drug-resistant strains. The severity of this problem leads to the emergence of non-antimicrobial therapies. This article aims to provide a review on the types and efficacy of various alternative, non-antimicrobial therapeutic regimens.

Combination of adipose-derived stem cell conditioned media and minoxidil for hair regrowth in male androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Treatments for AGA have yet to produce satisfactory outcomes and may cause intolerable side effects. Recent studies have reported that adipose tissue-derived stem cell conditioned media (ADSC-CM) could induce hair growth and regeneration. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of ADSC-CM combined with minoxidil for hair regeneration therapy in male AGA. METHODS: This study lasted for 6 weeks. Subjects were divided into two groups: concentrated and non-concentrated ADSC-CM. Scalp was divided vertically in half before intradermal injection was administered from the frontal region of the scalp toward the vertex with a 30G needle, spaced about 1 cm apart. Treatment side received 2 ml of ADSC-CM; the other side was given 2 ml of NaCl 0.9% as placebo. Patients applied 5% minoxidil twice daily post-injection. Improvements were assessed using photographs and trichoscan every 2 weeks. RESULTS: Hair count, hair density, and mean thickness increased significantly on both sides after 6 weeks, while vellus rate decreased proportionally with the increase of terminal rate. No statistically significant differences between treatment groups were found. Minimum side effects were reported, and subjects were satisfied with the results. CONCLUSION: Combination of ADSC-CM and minoxidil could be a potential agent for hair regrowth. Follow-up research with extensive populations, longer duration, and different study design may be required to confirm the exact mechanisms of ADSC-CM on hair growth. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05296863. Registered 25 March 2022-Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05296863 .

Stem Cells as a Therapeutic Choice in Dermatological Disorders.

Stem cells are known for their extraordinary properties, mainly their potency, self-renewal, and clonality. In recent years, we have witnessed notable advancements in the field of cell therapy. Due to its remarkable properties and versatility, this cutting-edge therapy has now become a potentially promising cure for many diseases. Stem cell-based therapies have been utilized to treat various dermatological conditions, for instance, autoimmune skin disorders, atopic dermatitis, skin aging, wound healing, scar treatment, and many others. This article aims to serve as an overview of cell-based therapy's current application in dermatology field.

Trichoscopy Features of Indonesian Males with Androgenetic Alopecia in Association with Disease Severity.

Introduction: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a progressive loss of terminal hairs in a specific pattern distribution related to androgen. The dermoscopy of hair and scalp, known as trichoscopy, is a noninvasive method for diagnosing alopecia and other hair and scalp disorders. Objective: This study aims to report the correlation between the severity of males with AGA based on Hamilton-Norwood's scale with the clinical characteristics found in trichoscopy. Materials and Methods: This study included 40 patients aged 25-58 years who visited the dermatology outpatient clinic in a tertiary health facility in Indonesia. Clinical diagnosis was determined through history taking, physical examination, and trichoscopy. Based on Hamilton-Norwood's criteria, patients were divided into two groups: early and late stage. Parameters examined in trichoscopy include yellow dots, white dots, peripilar sign, vellus hair, hair diameter diversity, single-hair follicles, and empty follicles. The Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the statistical significance between the groups. Results: All participants presented with hair diameter diversity, vellus hair, and empty follicles (100%). None of the study participants had yellow dots. White dots and single-hair follicles were seen in 32 (80%) and 30 cases (75%), respectively. In the late-stage group, these features were more prevalent. Peripilar sign was found in 25 participants (62.50%), and it was more common in the early-stage group. No significant association was found between disease severity and trichoscopy features. Conclusion: The most common trichoscopy findings in particular order were hair diameter diversity, vellus hair, and empty follicles, followed by white dots, single-hair follicles, and peripilar signs. No significant association between alopecia severity and trichoscopy parameters was observed. Studies with a larger number of participants, including a control group, should be conducted to yield more significant results.