The effects of UVB irradiance on vitiligo phototherapy and UVB-induced photocarcinogenesis.

Phototherapy is the most commonly used modality for repigmenting vitiligo. Currently, UVB emitting devices, including narrow-band UVB (NBUVB) and excimer laser/light, are considered as the treatment of choice. While emitting wavelengths at close proximity, excimer lights emit higher irradiance (HI; W/m2 ) compared to NBUVB. Clinical reports have shown that excimer light is more efficacious in treating vitiligo compared to NBUVB, and we demonstrated that irradiance plays a critical role in promoting melanoblasts differentiation. UVB radiation from the sun is closely associated with photocarcinogenesis of the skin. Sunscreens were used to protect the skin by reducing UVB irradiance (low irradiance (LI) UVB). Sunscreen use was associated with skin cancer reduction in clinical trials. Paradoxically, sunscreen use was associated with increased sunburn episodes in the real-world settings. It was shown that UVB-induced sunburn depends on fluence (J/m2 ) but not irradiance of UVB radiation. We investigated the significance of irradiance in the context of UVB-induced carcinogenesis of the skin. For mice receiving equivalent fluence of UVB exposure, the LIUVB-treated mice showed earlier tumor development, larger tumor burden, and more epidermal keratinocytes harboring mutant p53 as compared to their HIUVB-treated counterparts. These results suggested that at equivalent fluence, LIUVB radiation has more photocarcinogenic potential on the skin compared to its HI counterpart. Since development of sunburn with or without sunscreen use indicates that certain threshold of UVB fluence has been received by the skin at LI and HI, respectively, sunburn episodes with sunscreen use (LIUVB) are more damaging to the skin compared to that without sunscreen (HIUVB) application. In summary, since irradiance plays an important role determining the biological effects of UVB radiation on the skin, future related studies should take this critical parameter into consideration.

Comparison Between Steroid and 2 Different Sites of Botulinum Toxin Injection in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylalgia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active Drug-Controlled Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of 2 different injection sites of low doses of botulinum toxin type A with steroid in treating lateral epicondylalgia. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, active drug-controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with lateral epicondylalgia for >6 months were recruited from a hospital-based outpatient population (N=26). A total of 66 patients were approached, and 40 were excluded. No participant withdrew because of adverse effects. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned into 3 groups: (1) botulinum toxin epic group (n=8), who received 20U of botulinum toxin injection into the lateral epicondyle; (2) botulinum toxin tend group (n=7), who received 20U of botulinum toxin injected into tender points of muscles; and (3) steroid group (n=11), who received 40mg of triamcinolone acetonide injected into the lateral epicondyle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A visual analog scale, a dynamometer, and the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation were used to evaluate the perception of pain, maximal grip strength, and functional status, respectively. Outcome measures were assessed before intervention and at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after treatment. The primary outcome measure was a visual analog scale. RESULTS: At 4 weeks after injection, the steroid group was superior to the botulinum toxin tend group in improvement on the visual analog scale (P=.006), grip strength (P=.03), and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (P=.02). However, these differences were not observed at the 8-, 12-, and 16-week follow-up assessments. There was no significant difference between the steroid and botulinum toxin epic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Injections with botulinum toxin and steroid effectively reduced pain and improved upper limb function in patients with lateral epicondylalgia for at least 16 weeks. The onset of effect was earlier in the steroid and botulinum toxin epic groups than in the botulinum toxin tend group.

Female Pattern Hair Loss: An Overview with Focus on the Genetics.

Pattern hair loss can occur in both men and women, and the underlying molecular mechanisms have been continuously studied in recent years. Male androgenetic alopecia (M-AGA), also termed male pattern hair loss, is the most common type of hair loss in men. M-AGA is considered an androgen-dependent trait with a background of genetic predisposition. The interplay between genetic and non-genetic factors leads to the phenotype of follicular miniaturization. Although this similar pattern of phenotypic miniaturization can also be found in female pattern hair loss (FPHL), the corresponding genetic factors in M-AGA do not account for the phenotype in FPHL, indicating that there are different genes contributing to FPHL. Therefore, the role of genetic factors in FPHL is still uncertain. Understanding the genetic mechanism that causes FPHL is crucial for the future development of personalized treatment strategies. This review aims to highlight the differences in the ethnic prevalence and genetic background of FPHL, as well as the current genetic research progress in nutrition, Wnt signaling, and sex hormones related to FPHL.

Coxsackievirus A6-Induced Atypical Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease.

This case report describes nonblanching, confluent, purpuric macules and patches on the palmoplantar and dorsal finger surfaces and red to grayish papulovesicles on the dorsal hands and feet, limbs, trunk, and face.