Hair follicle damage, a hallmark of the autoimmune disease alopecia areata, can sometimes include involvement of follicular melanocytes in the autoimmune cascade. In a way reminiscent of vitiligo, a possible link could exist between sensorineural hearing loss and alopecia areata. The present study aimed to assess potential hearing problems that may coincide with diagnoses of alopecia areata. Forty-two subjects with alopecia areata and 42 healthy subjects were selected for inclusion in the cross-sectional study. Patients and control subjects underwent hearing evaluations utilizing vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, otoacoustic emissions, and pure-tone audiometry. Results showed normal otoacoustic emissions in 59.5% of the subjects with alopecia areata and all (100%) of the control group (P = 0.002). Subjects diagnosed with alopecia areata exhibited elevated speech recognition thresholds (P = 0.002) and speech discrimination scores in comparison to control participants (P = 0.005). In the alopecia areata group, the vestibular evoked myogenic potential response was absent in 6 patients (143% of unilateral cases) and 2 patients (48% of bilateral cases). There was no statistically significant difference in vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) amplitude measurements between the patient and control groups (P = 0.097). The investigation was constrained by a limited sample size and qualitative otoacoustic emission measurements. The findings suggest a correlation between alopecia areata and a greater likelihood of experiencing hearing loss, compared to the healthy population. In the inflammatory cascade of alopecia areata, follicular melanocytes may be implicated, and their destruction could have consequences for inner ear hearing function. Furthermore, the duration and severity of alopecia areata were not found to significantly influence auditory function.
In the treatment of vitiligo, the technique of melanocyte transplant through ultrathin skin grafting (UTSG) quickly establishes a regulated pigmentation pattern. Accelerating the regimentation process is the combination of psoralen and ultraviolet A radiation, obtained from either sunlight or narrowband ultraviolet light B, or an excimer laser/lamp (308 nm). In patients with stable vitiligo, we assessed the effectiveness of carbon dioxide laser ablation followed by melanocyte transfer/transplantation through ultrathin skin graft sheets/sheets and further treatment with excimer lamp therapy. Following carbon dioxide laser ablation, one hundred ninety-two stable vitiligo patients underwent UTSG treatment, subsequently transitioning to excimer lamp therapy. By the end of the first year, the fundamental efficacy was assessed according to the degree of regimentation and the accuracy of color matching. A cohort of 192 stable vitiligo patients, possessing a mean age of 32 years and 71 days, participated in the study. Out of a total of 410 lesions, 394 demonstrated excellent regimentation, achieving a remarkable 961% success rate within one year. However, 16 lesions (accounting for 39% of this group), found specifically on the fingertips and toe tips, showed poor or no regimentation at both the 3-month and 1-year follow-up intervals. Regarding the uniformity of color, 394 lesions (a striking 961%) demonstrated a perfect color match at one-year follow-up, however, 16 lesions (39%) showed a poor or non-existent color match. A noteworthy limitation of this study is its single-center design and small sample size. Excimer lamp therapy, when used alongside carbon dioxide laser ablation and melanocyte transfer/transplantation through ultra-thin skin graft sheets, demonstrates beneficial cosmetic effects and swift regimentation in stable vitiligo.
Bibliometric data, derived from document analysis and citation patterns, offers insights into a journal's performance, encompassing key indicators like impact, output, and prestige, with their background considerations. By collecting bibliometric data from diverse Indian dermatology journals and other Indian discipline-based journals, this study aimed to contrast their relative performances. history of forensic medicine Information on journal metrics was sought for Indian journals, including those in dermatology (IJDVL, IJD, Indian Dermatology Online Journal, Indian Journal of Pediatric Dermatology, International Journal of Trichology) and other medical disciplines (IJMR, IJP, Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, and Indian Journal of Pharmacology). The year 2021 involved the collection of data for eight metrics: Journal Impact factor, SCImago Journal Rank, h5-index, Eigenfactor score and normalized Eigenfactor Score, Journal Citation Indicator, Scimago Journal and Country Rank H-index, CiteScore and Source Normalized Impact per Paper. 2021's Indian dermatology journals saw IJDVL stand out with the highest impact factor (2.217) and an elevated h-index of 48. The prestige of IJD was significantly higher, as measured by metrics such as SCImago Journal Rank (0403), Eigenfactor score (000231) and Source Normalized Impact per Paper (1132). Concerning all three prestige metrics, IJDVL's performance was below par when compared to the average dermatology journal. Two journals (IJMR and IJP) selected from other fields, achieved impact factors exceeding five, marking an improvement compared to their performance two years ago when they were outpaced by IJDVL. Many entries' normalized scores exceeded 1, suggesting a performance above the average journal within their field of specialization. Omitting altmetrics information, the conclusion is that IJDVL emerges as a leading Indian dermatology journal, closely matching IJD in prominence. A notable upsurge in IJDVL's impact is detectable over the last ten years, as verified by a multitude of quantitative indicators. The journal's progress, however, remains behind the average of global dermatology journals, as seen through the field-adjusted metrics, which suggests the possibility of a future increase in the journal's influence.
Neural crest cells are subject to the effects of a GNAQ gene mutation, which is a characteristic of the rare disorder, Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS). A pulsed dye laser (PDL) is a common first-line treatment for SWS, but the subsequent outcomes are significantly worse than in individuals with port-wine stains (PWS). Photodynamic therapy, a promising avenue of treatment, shows significant potential for patients with PWS. Still, the investigation of PWS in the presence of SWS has yielded few studies. Examining the therapeutic and adverse effects of photodynamic therapy in treating PWS, which often accompanies SWS, is the aim of this investigation. Patients with SWS, alongside matched patients presenting with extensive facial PWS, formed the basis of this study. To evaluate patient reactions to treatment, colorimetric and visual assessments were performed. Colorimetric (blanching rate) and visual (color improvement) assessments showed similar treatment effectiveness for the SWS and PWS groups after two PDT treatments. The outcomes revealed comparable results (212% vs. 298%; 339 vs. 365), further substantiated by statistically significant differences (P = 0.018, P = 0.037). VAV1 degrader-3 concentration The efficacy of treatment for SWS depended substantially on patient treatment history (124% and 349% improvement for patients with and without a history respectively; P = 0.002), as well as on the location of the lesion (185% and 368% improvement for central and lateral facial lesions, respectively; P = 0.001). The SWS and PWS cohorts both exhibited minor adverse effects, with no substantial difference in the incidence between the two groups. A critical limitation of the research was the small sample studied and the potential for glaucoma to present itself at a later point in time. Along with this, the young age of some study participants created uncertainty regarding the reliability of the MRI screenings for SWS, specifically regarding the potential for false-negative outcomes. Photodynamic therapy is a therapeutic solution demonstrably safe and effective for PWS cases linked to SWS. Those patients who had not undergone any prior treatment and who presented with lesions affecting the lateral aspects of their faces experienced positive outcomes, demonstrating excellent efficacy.
Pachyonychia congenita often presents with plantar keratoderma, a condition that greatly compromises walking ability and quality of life. Difficulties in evaluating treatment outcomes for painful plantar keratodermas in pachyonychia congenita studies stem from the variability in pain reporting across studies. A wristband tracker will be used to objectively evaluate the associations between plantar pain and activity levels in pachyonychia congenita patients, which is the primary objective of this investigation. Patients with Pachyonychia congenita and corresponding control subjects, using wristband activity trackers and daily digital surveys, recorded daily pain levels (0-10 scale) comprising both the highest and total pain scores for 28 consecutive days during the four seasons. A total of twenty-four individuals, twelve of whom had pachyonychia congenita and twelve of whom served as healthy controls, concluded the study. Compared to healthy controls, patients with Pachyonychia congenita demonstrated a substantial reduction in daily steps, averaging 180,130 fewer steps (95% confidence interval -36,664 to 641) (P = 0.0072). Pain levels were significantly greater among patients, with average daily pain (mean 526, standard deviation 210) and maximum daily pain (mean 692, standard deviation 235) exceeding those of healthy controls (mean 0.11, standard deviation 0.047, and mean 0.30, standard deviation 0.022, respectively) (P < 0.0001 for both). For every one-unit increase in the highest daily pain level, the average daily activity level of pachyonychia congenita reduced by 7154 steps (standard error ± 3890 steps, p = 0.0066). Institutes of Medicine The study's conclusions were subject to constraints owing to its small sample size, thereby affecting the statistical power. Only those pachyonychia congenita patients, 18 years or older, demonstrating mutations in keratin 6a, keratin 16, and keratin 17, were part of the study; this limits the broad applicability of the research outcomes.