The Efficacy of Stem Cells in Wound Healing: A Systematic Review.

Wound healing is an intricate process involving coordinated interactions among inflammatory cells, skin fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells. Successful tissue repair hinges on controlled inflammation, angiogenesis, and remodeling facilitated by the exchange of cytokines and growth factors. Comorbid conditions can disrupt this process, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing wound healing, utilizing cells from diverse sources such as endothelial progenitor cells, bone marrow, adipose tissue, dermal, and inducible pluripotent stem cells. In this systematic review, we comprehensively investigated stem cell therapies in chronic wounds, summarizing the clinical, translational, and primary literature. A systematic search across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library yielded 22,454 articles, reduced to 44 studies after rigorous screening. Notably, adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) emerged as an optimal choice due to their abundant supply, easy isolation, ex vivo proliferative capacities, and pro-angiogenic factor secretion. AD-MSCs have shown efficacy in various conditions, including peripheral arterial disease, diabetic wounds, hypertensive ulcers, bullous diabeticorum, venous ulcers, and post-Mohs micrographic surgery wounds. Delivery methods varied, encompassing topical application, scaffold incorporation, combination with plasma-rich proteins, and atelocollagen administration. Integration with local wound care practices resulted in reduced pain, shorter healing times, and improved cosmesis. Stem cell transplantation represents a potential therapeutic avenue, as transplanted stem cells not only differentiate into diverse skin cell types but also release essential cytokines and growth factors, fostering increased angiogenesis. This approach holds promise for intractable wounds, particularly chronic lower-leg wounds, and as a post-Mohs micrographic surgery intervention for healing defects through secondary intention. The potential reduction in healthcare costs and enhancement of patient quality of life further underscore the attractiveness of stem cell applications in wound care. This systematic review explores the clinical utilization of stem cells and stem cell products, providing valuable insights into their role as ancillary methods in treating chronic wounds.

Ex vivo confocal microscopy features of common benign lesions that mimic non-melanoma skin cancers: Towards clinical integration.

Ex vivo confocal microscope (EVCM) rapidly images freshly excised tissue at a histopathological resolution. EVCM features of keratinocyte skin cancers are well-established, but those of benign clinical mimickers remain scarce. We describe EVCM features of common benign lesions and compare them with their malignant differentials. EVCM was used to image 14 benign and 3 cancer tissues. We compared EVCM features of benign lesions with corresponding histopathology and with those of keratinocyte cancers. Key features of benign lesions were identified and differentiated from malignant lesions. Elastin and fat appeared prominent in EVCM; while koilocytes and melanin were difficult to identify. Visualization of entire epidermis was challenging due to difficulty of tissue flattening during imaging. Benign lesions can be differentiated from keratinocyte cancers with EVCM. Using EVCM, a rapid, bedside diagnosis and management of skin neoplasms is possible, especially in a remote location without a histopathology lab.

The role of reflectance confocal microscopy in the diagnosis and management of pigmentary disorders: A review.

BACKGROUND: Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has quickly transitioned from a research tool to an adjunct diagnostic bedside tool, providing the opportunity for noninvasive evaluation of skin lesions with histologic resolution. RCM is an optical imaging technique that uses near-infrared excitation wavelengths and safe low-power lasers. En-face images of different skin layers (up to the superficial dermis) are acquired in grayscale based on the reflective indices of tissue components. Melanin has the highest reflective index (contrast) and appears bright on RCM. AIMS: We present a review of the current literature on the use of RCM in the diagnosis and management of pigmentary disorders. METHODS: We reviewed PubMed and Ovid Medline databases from January 2000 to June 2021, using MeSH key terms: "reflectance confocal microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, pigmentary disorders, treatment, melasma, vitiligo, freckles, solar lentigo, lentigo, tattoo, complications, melanoma, skin cancers, pigmented lesions, post inflammatory, melanin, photoaging" to identify studies and review articles discussing the use of RCM in the diagnosis and management of pigmentary disorders. RESULTS: RCM findings of pigmentary disorders were divided into the following categories: (1) disorders of increased pigmentation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, Riehl's melanosis, solar lentigines, ephelides, hori nevus, naevus of Ota, café-au-lait macules, melanocytic nevus, melanoma, nevus spilus, labial mucosal melanosis, and mucosal melanoma), (2) disorders of decreased pigmentation or depigmentation (post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, vitiligo, nevus depigmentosus, halo nevus), and (3) exogenous pigmentation (tattoo, ochronosis). CONCLUSION: RCM has been explored and proven valuable for the evaluation and management of pigmentary disorders including melasma, vitiligo, solar lentigines, tattoo, and tattoo-related complications.

Confocal Microscopy for Diagnosis and Management of Cutaneous Malignancies: Clinical Impacts and Innovation.

Cutaneous malignancies are common malignancies worldwide, with rising incidence. Most skin cancers, including melanoma, can be cured if diagnosed correctly at an early stage. Thus, millions of biopsies are performed annually, posing a major economic burden. Non-invasive skin imaging techniques can aid in early diagnosis and save unnecessary benign biopsies. In this review article, we will discuss in vivo and ex vivo confocal microscopy (CM) techniques that are currently being utilized in dermatology clinics for skin cancer diagnosis. We will discuss their current applications and clinical impact. Additionally, we will provide a comprehensive review of the advances in the field of CM, including multi-modal approaches, the integration of fluorescent targeted dyes, and the role of artificial intelligence for improved diagnosis and management.

The effect of COVID-19 on development of hair and nail disorders: a Turkish multicenter, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: A broad spectrum of skin diseases, including hair and nails, can be directly or indirectly triggered by COVID-19. It is aimed to examine the type and frequency of hair and nail disorders after COVID-19 infection. METHODS: This is a multicenter study conducted on consecutive 2171 post-COVID-19 patients. Patients who developed hair and nail disorders and did not develop hair and nail disorders were recruited as subject and control groups. The type and frequency of hair and nail disorders were examined. RESULTS: The rate of the previous admission in hospital due to COVID-19 was statistically significantly more common in patients who developed hair loss after getting infected with COVID-19 (P < 0.001). Telogen effluvium (85%) was the most common hair loss type followed by worsening of androgenetic alopecia (7%) after COVID-19 infection. The mean stress scores during and after getting infected with COVID-19 were 6.88 ± 2.77 and 3.64 ± 3.04, respectively, in the hair loss group and were 5.77 ± 3.18 and 2.81 ± 2.84, respectively, in the control group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). The frequency of recurrent COVID-19 was statistically significantly higher in men with severe androgenetic alopecia (Grades 4-7 HNS) (P = 0.012; Odds ratio: 2.931 [1.222-7.027]). The most common nail disorders were leukonychia, onycholysis, Beau's lines, onychomadesis, and onychoschisis, respectively. The symptoms of COVID-19 were statistically significantly more common in patients having nail disorders after getting infected with COVID-19 when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The development of both nail and hair disorders after COVID-19 seems to be related to a history of severe COVID-19.

Comparison of phenotypic features in patients with single vs multiple primary cutaneous melanomas: a prospective single-center study.

BACKGROUND: There is sparse data regarding total body nevus count (TBNC), nevus count in specific locations, phenotypic factors, anthropometric indices, sunburn, and the relation to multiple primary cutaneous melanomas (MPCM) development. We aim to compare these variables in a cohort of patients diagnosed with single primary melanoma (SPM) and MPCM with histologic diagnoses of melanoma in situ, superficial spreading, and nodular melanoma in our clinic. METHODS: Prospective observational studies for the evaluation of nevus counts in biopsy-proven melanoma patients from 2017 to 2020 at Ankara University were conducted. Age, gender, family history of melanoma, increased sun exposure, nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC), height, sunburn history, TBNC, and nevi count in specific anatomical locations were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total number of 156 patients consisting of 22 MPCM and 134 SPM were included. Mean TBNC for SPM vs MPCM patients were 96.87 (SD ± 124.71) vs 247.00 (SD ± 261.58), respectively (P < 0.0001). TBNC was correlated to the left arm, trunk, lower extremity, and head and neck nevus counts but not with the right arm nevus count. Multiple regression analysis showed that having more than 10 nevi on the head and neck area is associated with MPCM (OR, 3.882 [95% CI, 1.084-13.899]). TBNC and nevus count in specific locations were found to be significantly higher in MPCM. CONCLUSION: The risk of MPCM was associated with having ≥10 nevi on the head and neck.