Split-face comparison of the efficacy of picosecond 532 nm Nd:YAG laser and Q-switched 755 nm Alexandrite laser for treatment of freckles.

To date, there has been little study of comparison between picosecond 532 nm laser and 755 nm Q-switched Alexandrite lasers in the treatment of freckles. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of picosecond 532 nm laser (PS 532) and 755 nm Q-switched Alexandrite laser (QSAL) for treatment of freckles in a split-face manner. Eighteen patients with freckles were enrolled in the study. The right and left sides of their faces were randomly assigned to either a QSAL-treated group or PS 532-treated group. The degree of pain, satisfaction with the results, and adverse events associated with the laser treatment were evaluated using a questionnaire. All of the patients were followed up at 4 and 12 weeks after one treatment session. Among the 18 patients, PS 532 was found to be associated with less pain (3.56 ± 2.431) than QSAL (3.94 ± 1.893), but the difference was not statistically significant. The curative effect and satisfaction associated with 755 nm Q-switched Alexandrite laser was greater than that of picosecond 532 nm laser (P < .001). Both picosecond 532 nm laser and QSAL are effective in the treatment of freckles, and QSAL has a greater rate of satisfaction and curative effect.

Prevention of ultraviolet radiation­induced immunosuppression by sunscreen in Candida albicans­induced delayed­type hypersensitivity.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced immunosuppression leading to skin cancer has received increased attention in previous years. The present study aimed to investigate the immunoprotection offered by Anthelios sunscreen in a mouse model of Candida albicans­induced delayed­type hypersensitivity. Anthelios sunscreen was applied to the skin on the dorsal skin of BALB/c mice treated with a sub­erythema dose of solar­simulated radiation. Delayed­type hypersensitivity was induced by immunization with Candida albicans. Changes in the skin thickness of the foot pads were measured, and immunosuppression rates were also evaluated. The expression levels of CD207, CD80 and CD86 in the Langerhans cells were semi­quantitatively detected using Western blotting and immunohistochemical assays. The delayed­type hypersensitivity mouse model was successfully established. The minimal erythema doses of UVA and UVB exposure to the mice were 2,000 and 145 mJ/cm2, respectively. The immunosuppression rates in the sunscreen group and non­sunscreen group were 24.39 and 65.85%, respectively (P<0.01). The results of the Western blotting and immunohistochemistry showed that the expression levels of CD207 (P<0.01), CD80 (P<0.05) and CD86 (P<0.01) were higher in the sunscreen group, compared with those in the non­sunscreen group. UV exposure reduced Candida albicans antigen­induced delayed­type hypersensitivity. Anthelios sunscreen was found to protect the skin from immunosuppression through the activation of epidermal Langerhans cells.

Activation of coagulation, anti-coagulation, fibrinolysis and the complement system in patients with urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Recently released studies indicate that activation of blood coagulation may be involved in causing urticaria. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether or not anticoagulation, fibrinolysis and the complement system are also involved in the pathogenesis of urticaria. METHODS: Coagulant factors, anticoagulant factors, fibrinolytic markers and complement components were analysed in patients with acute urticaria (AU) and chronic urticaria (CU). Conclusion: The activation of coagulation, anti-coagulation, fibrinolysis and the complement system may be involved in the pathogenesis of urticaria. It also indicates that coagulation conditions in CU patients can recover after antihistamine treatment, but do not immediately return to normal levels directly after administration. RESULTS: Plasma levels of activated factor VII (FVIIa) were higher in AU patients (P <0.01) but not significantly different in CU patients (P >0.05), while levels of the thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) and prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2) were significantly higher in CU patients (P <0.01). Levels of factor IX (FIX) and tissue factor (TF) were lower in CU patients (P <0.01). Plasma levels of tissue factor pathway inhibitor/activated factor X (TFPI/Xa) were higher in CU patients (P <0.01) but not significantly different in AU patients (P >0.05), whereas levels of thrombomodulin (TM) were lower in CU patients (P <0.01). Plasma levels of D-dimer in AU and CU patients and levels of high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) in CU patients were increased significantly (P <0.01), while levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) were decreased (P <0.01). Plasma concentrations of C5a in CU patients were superior to those in healthy controls (P <0.01). Serum levels of C4 also increased (P <0.01). CONCLUSION: The activation of coagulation, anti-coagulation, fibrinolysis and the complement urticaria. It also indicates that coagulation conditions in CU patients can recover after antihistamine treatment, but do not immediately return to normal levels directly after administration.