Photocatalytic activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticle fosters oxidative stress at nanoparticle interface resulting in antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities.

Inside the biological milieu, nanoparticles with photocatalytic activity have potential to trigger cell death non-specifically due to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon reacting with biological entities. Silver nanoparticle (AgNP) possessing narrow band gap energy can exhibit high light absorption property and significant photocatalytic activity. This study intends to explore the effects of ROS generated due to photocatalytic activity of AgNP on antimicrobial and cytotoxic propensities. To this end, AgNP was synthesized using the principle of green chemistry from the peel extract of Punica granatum L., and was characterized using UV-Vis spectroscope, transmission electron microscope and x-ray diffraction, and so forth. The antimicrobial activity of AgNP against studied bacteria indicated that, ROS generated at AgNP interface develop stress on bacterial membrane leading to bacterial cell death, whereas Alamar Blue dye reduction assay indicated that increased cytotoxic activity with increasing concentrations of AgNP. The γH2AX activity assay revealed that increasing the concentrations of AgNP increased DNA damaging activity. The results altogether demonstrated that both antimicrobial and cytotoxic propensities are triggered primarily due interfacial ROS generation by photocatalytic AgNP, which caused membrane deformation in bacteria and DNA damage in HT1080 cells resulting in cell death.

Haematologic-Related Malignancy-Induced Eosinophilic Dermatoses (He Remained): A Narrative Review.

He remained(Hematologic Related Malignancy- induced Eosinophilic dermatoses) is a new eponym introduced to describe a dermatoses previously described under several terminologies such as eosinophilic dermatoses of haematological malignancy, exaggerated arthropod bite reactions, insect bite-like reactions and T-cell papulosis associated with B-cell malignancies. This chronic relapsing remitting disease has a pleomorphic presentation mimicking a variety of dermatological conditions. The underlying pathophysiology is however poorly understood. It is a paraneoplastic phenomenon hence an underlying haematological malignancy must always be looked for. Response to conventional modalities of treatment such as oral corticosteroids is rapid and satisfactory. Other newer modalities are also in the pipeline. In this manuscript, we present a narrative review of this recently described entity with data identified via a search on 27 September, 2021 in PubMed, EMBASE and MEDLINE using the term 'Eosinophilic dermatoses of haematological malignancy' AND 'Hematologic related malignancy-induced eosinophilic dermatoses'. A total of 67 cases reported in the literature from the year 2012 onward have been included. The literatures pertaining to insect bite-like reactions and exaggerated insect bite hypersensitivity have been excluded in this review.

Treating Vitiligo at the Angle of Lips: A Narrative Review.

Vitiligo is a common autoimmune depigmentary disorder seen among Indian patients. It has a significant impact on the self-esteem of the patient. Specific sites including acral areas, joints, and lips are usually resistant to medical therapy and thus transfer of melanocytes is mandatory for the treatment. Vitiligo at the angle of lips is distinct from the vitiligo on other sites, with respect to response to therapy, lack of hair follicles, and high mobility of the area. Our aim was to review the various therapeutic modalities available for the treatment of vitiligo at this site. In our narrative review, we searched databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and EBSCO with a full strategic search with keywords "Vitiligo," "leucoderma," "mucosal vitiligo," "lips," "labial," "angle of lips," "Minipunch grafting," "Suction Blister epidermal Grafting," "SBEG," "Micropigmentation," "tattooing," and "Excision" from 2005 to 2021. The relevant articles were extracted and included in the review. Various modalities including suction blister grafting, miniature punch grafting, split-thickness grafting, and micropigmentation have been reviewed with their advantages and disadvantages. Various potential modalities of therapy have also been proposed in the review.

Re-pigmentation of Vitiligo Involving Angle of Lip Using Radiofrequency Cautery and Topical 5-Fluorouracil.

Vitiligo involving the angle of lip is a therapeutically challenging site because of the small and delicate area, high mobility, and lack of hair follicles. Dermabrasion combined with topical 5-fluorouracil cream has shown promising results in various studies involving different sites. Here we present a novel technique of using radiofrequency cautery for abrasion of epidermis followed by application of 5-fluorouracil cream. This technique has the advantage of being simple, easy, cost-effective with less downtime. A single session can yield excellent pigmentation in small areas such as the angle of lip.

Reduction of Blister Formation Time in Suction Blister Epidermal Grafting in Vitiligo Patients Using a Household Hair Dryer.

BACKGROUND: Suction blister epidermal grafting (SBEG) is a simple and effective way of surgical repigmentation in vitiligo. The major problem faced is the time taken for the formation of blisters. Temperature at the suction site is one of the factors affecting the blister formation time. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To reduce the blister formation time in SBEG by increasing the surface temperature to 44°C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a left-right comparison study. Total seven patients with lip vitiligo involving both the angles of lips were enrolled. Suction syringes were applied on both the thighs of all the patients. On the right thigh, blisters were raised as per the procedure standardised by Gupta et al. On the left thigh, similar procedure was used, but a hair dryer was used additionally to increase the surface temperature of the skin to 44°C. The time taken for the formation of well-formed, dome-shaped, unilocular blister was noted. RESULTS: The mean time taken for the formation of blister on the right thigh was 121.1 ± 6.2 min and on the left thigh was 69.6 ± 5.4 min. All the seven patients were started on PUVASOL after SBEG. There was complete repigmentation of the grafted sites in all the patients after 2 months. CONCLUSION: Hair dryer is easily available, affordable and simple to use and the time saved during the procedure is quite significant.

Nevus Depigmentosus Treated with Suction Blister Grafting: Follow-up After 10 Years.

Nevus depigmentosus is a congenital hypomelanotic condition for which no effective treatments are available. The hypopigmentation is permanent and enlarges in proportion with growth in the person. Here, I report a patient of nevus depigmentosus on whom we performed suction blister grafting and the resultant pigmentation was satisfactory even at a follow-up after 10 years.

Comparative study of oral isotretinoin versus oral isotretinoin + 20% salicylic Acid peel in the treatment of active acne.

BACKGROUND: Acne is a self limiting condition that often results in scarring and disfigurement disproportionate to its clinical severity. Isotretinoin is considered the gold standard in the medical management of severe form of acne vulgaris. Salicyclic acid (SA) peels, a ß- hydroxy acid peel has got sebosuppressive effect and helps in faster resolution of acne with minimal scarring. It also decreases the post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Combining both the modalities is usually not advocated because of expected excessive dryness and irritation. AIMS: To compare the efficacy of oral isotretinoin and oral isotretinoin with 20% SA peels in patients with moderate to severe acne. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 consecutive patients with moderate to severe facial acne attending the skin department were randomized in to 2 groups. 1(st) group received 20mg oral isotretinoin once daily for 16 weeks and 2nd group received 20mg oral isotretinoin once daily along with 20% SA peels every two weeks for 16 weeks. Baseline grading of acne was done with Michelsons Acne severity index (MASI).Right and left sides of the face were scored separately and total score was taken. Severity score was assessed monthly .Clinical photographs were obtained for evaluation every month. Patients were asked to follow up once every 2 weeks or earlier in case of any adverse events. RESULTS: Patients in both the groups revealed a reduction in the number of lesions. The 1(st) group showed a reduction of approximately 73.4% after receiving 20mg oral isotretinoin for 16 weeks. The 2(nd) group showed a reduction of approximately 92.5 % after receiving 20mg oral isotretinoin along with 20% SA peel once every 2 weeks for 16 weeks. CONCLUSION: Both oral isotretinoin and combination of oral isotretinoin with 20% SA peels once every 2 weeks are effective in treating moderate to severe acne but the combination showed significantly better clearance of acne than monotherapy with isotretinoin.

Presence of Mycobacterium leprae in epidermal cells of lepromatous skin and its significance.

A 49-year-old man with lepromatous leprosy treated with dapsone monotherapy for 12 years (1967 to 1979) reported in the hospital in 2003, with relapsed disease. A slit skin smear showed a bacteriological index of 4+. Biopsies from skin lesions before and after anti-leprosy therapy showed features of lepromatous leprosy. Both biopsies showed unusual features of bacillary clumps in epidermal cells demonstrating clearly that dissemination of M. leprae can take place even through unbroken skin. The presence of lepra bacilli in clumps in the epidermis is an indicator that the skin is a potential route of transmission of the disease.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp arising from chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus: report of two Indian patients.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) usually arises in skin damaged by actinic rays. Exposure to chemicals like coal tar, soot, arsenic and a variety of oils and distillation products is also implicated in its pathogenesis. It occasionally occurs in scars following inflammatory or degenerative processes. It is an end stage complication of a wide array of inflammatory skin conditions. SCC complicating chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE) in Indian patients is rarely reported. Here we report two such Indian patients with long standing CCLE in whom the diagnosis of CCLE and SCC was confirmed by histopathology.