A cross-sectional analysis of the effects of various centrifugation speeds and inclusion of the buffy coat in platelet-rich plasma preparation.

INTRODUCTION: Platelet-rich plasma is an autologous blood preparation which is used in various medical specialties because of its regenerative properties. There is a wide variation in platelet-rich plasma preparation protocols and attaining the ideal platelet yield (>1 million platelets/µL) in a clinic setting can be challenging. We aimed at analyzing the centrifuge spin rates at which to attain an ideal platelet-rich plasma yield and also to study the effect of inclusion of the buffy coat after the first spin on the final platelet concentration in platelet-rich plasma. METHODS: Seventy-five whole blood samples were obtained and divided into two groups - (1) leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma group and (2) leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma group. Samples in both groups were centrifuged using the dual spin method, at one of three centrifugation speed combinations (initial "soft" spin and second "hard" spin speeds, respectively): (1) 100 g/400 g, (2) 350 g/1350 g and (3) 900 g/1800 g. Platelet, red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts in both groups were compared. RESULTS: The 100 g/400 g spin gave a high platelet yield (increase of 395.4 ± 111.1%) in the leukocyte-poor-platelet-rich plasma group, while in the leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma group both 100 g/400 g and 350 g/1350 g spins resulted in significantly higher yields with an increase of 691.5 ± 316.3% and 738.6 ± 193.3%, respectively. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by a smaller sample size in the pure platelet-rich plasma (leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma) group. CONCLUSION: Ideal platelet yields can be achieved with both the 100 g/400 g as well as the 350 g/1350 g spins using the buffy coat inclusion method while the 100 g/400 g spin for "pure" platelet-rich plasma accomplishes a near-ideal platelet count with significantly reduced contamination with other cells.

Artificial intelligence in dermatology and healthcare: An overview.

Many aspects of our life are affected by technology. One of the most discussed advancements of modern technologies is artificial intelligence. It involves computational methods which in some way mimic the human thought process. Just like other branches, the medical field also has come under the ambit of artificial intelligence. Almost every field in medicine has been touched by its effect in one way or the other. Prominent among them are medical diagnosis, medical statistics, robotics, and human biology. Medical imaging is one of the foremost specialties with artificial intelligence applications, wherein deep learning methods like artificial neural networks are commonly used. artificial intelligence application in dermatology was initially restricted to the analysis of melanoma and pigmentary skin lesions, has now expanded and covers many dermatoses. Though the applications of artificial intelligence are ever increasing, large data requirements, interpretation of data and ethical concerns are some of its limitations in the present day.

Topical peptides as cosmeceuticals.

Peptides are known to have diverse biological roles, most prominently as signaling/regulatory molecules in a broad variety of physiological processes including defense, immunity, stress, growth, homeostasis and reproduction. These aspects have been used in the field of dermatology and cosmetology to produce short, stable and synthetic peptides for extracellular matrix synthesis, pigmentation, innate immunity and inflammation. The evolution of peptides over the century, which started with the discovery of penicillin, has now extended to their usage as cosmeceuticals in recent years. Cosmeceutical peptides may act as signal modulators of the extracellular matrix component, as structural peptides, carrier peptides and neurotransmitter function modulators. Transdermal delivery of peptides can be made more effective by penetration enhancers, chemical modification or encapsulation of peptides. The advantages of using peptides as cosmeceuticals include their involvement in many physiological functions of the skin, their selectivity, their lack of immunogenicity and absence of premarket regulatory requirements for their use. However, there are disadvantages: clinical evidence for efficacy is often weak, absorption may be poor due to low lipophilicity, high molecular weight and binding to other ingredients, and prices can be quite high.

A clinico-histopathological study of lupus vulgaris: A 3 year experience at a tertiary care centre.

BACKGROUND: Lupus vulgaris is the most common form of cutaneous tuberculosis in adults. Lupus vulgaris is caused by hematogenous, lymphatic, or contiguous spread from elsewhere in the body. histologically it is charecterised by typical tubercles with or without caseation, surrounded by epitheloid histiocytes and multinucleate giant cells in the superficial epidermis with prominent peripheral lymphocytes. MATERIALS AND METHOD: All cases of clinically and histopathologicaly diagnosed lupus vulgaris over the previous five years were included in the study. RESULTS: Fourteen cases of lupus vulgaris cases reported during the study period with eaqual incidence among males and females. DISCUSSION: Plaque type of lupus vulgaris was the most common type. Histopathologically tubercular granulomas were seen in all cases as compared to other studies. CONCLUSION: Different patterns of lupus vulgaris are reported.

Epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa: A report of two cases.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) pruriginosa is a very rare pattern of dystrophic EB caused by type VII collagen gene mutation, with distinctive clinico-pathological features. It is characterized by nodular prurigo-like lichenified lesions, nail dystrophy, and variable presence of albopapuloid lesions. We report two such cases.

Subcutaneous pheohyphomycosis presenting as a innocuous pustule.

Pheohyphomycosis is a rare heterogeneous group of mycotic infections caused by dematiaceous (phaeoid) fungi affecting the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and central nervous system. Herein, we report a case of 29-year-old man with innocuous pustule over the right index finger. Examination revealed a subcutaneous swelling with pustules over the surface. Biopsy revealed phaeoid fungi, and diagnosis of subcutaneous pheohyphomycosis was made.

Transfusion induced Graft versus host disease - Case report in a 2 year child.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a rare, almost always fatal complication of a blood transfusion. It occurs much more commonly after bone marrow transplantation, a setting in which it is less severe-mortality rate of 20-25% following transplantation versus 80-90% when associated with a transfusion. Transfusion associated GVHD occurs in two settings: when the recipient is immunodeficient; and when there is a specific type of partial HLA matching between the donor and recipient. Here we present a case of transfusion associated GVHD which developed when a 2 year old immunocompetent girl was given whole blood which was taken by his father. Inspite of very intense therapy with parental steroids and oral cyclosporine the child succumbed to death.