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Background: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a pediatric viral infection that is fairly contagious. Although various treatment methods are available, the presence of facial lesions limits options of therapy. Aim: We aimed to test an alternative treatment consisting of application of two different concentrations of potassium hydroxide (of KOH 5% solution and of KOH 2.5% solution) aqueous solution. Methods: In this study we evaluated the effectiveness and side-effects of daily applications of potassium hydroxide (KOH) aqueous solution at 2.5% and 5% concentrations, twice daily in 29 children with MC. Out of a total of 29 patients with molluscum contagiosum included in the study, 13 patients in the 2.5% KOH group and 12 patients in the KOH 5% group completed the study. Families were instructed to apply potassium hydroxide twice a day. The assessment of response and side-effects were performed on days 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 (visits were numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively) and one month after. Results: We had a total of 11 (44%) patients who completely recovered after the fifth visit. While eight (66.7%) of these 11 patients were in the 5% treatment group, three (23.1%) patients were in the 2.5% treatment group, and there was a statistically meaningful difference ( p < 0.047). Patients with fewer lesions remitted better ( p < 0.05). When number of lesions were taken into consideration, difference between the two treatment groups appeared after the fourth visit ( p < 0.001). There were no statistical differences between the two groups with respect to side-effects ( p = 0.682). Conclusions: Potassium hydroxide solution at a concentration of 5% was more effective than 2.5% in our patients. The treatment was well-tolerated on the face with the advantage of administration of lower concentrations. This study suggests potassium hydroxide may be a more preferable mode of treatment for molluscum contagiosum lesions on the face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the immunohistochemical and histopathological changes in facial skin after exposure to maneb (manganese ethylene bisdithiocarbamate), a fungicidal dithiocarbamate pesticide., Study Design: In the experimental group maneb was administered by inhalation to 10 male Wistar albino rats for 5 days each week for 3 weeks. As a biological control, the control group (n = 10) received distilled water by spray for the same time period. The experiment was terminated after 3 weeks. Sections of rat facial skin were examined histopathologically., Results: In the experimental group, microscopic examination of facial skin revealed degeneration of the epidermis, detection of mild inflammatory reaction, and vascular dilation in the connective tissue. Hair follicles and degenerative changes were observed in the deeper parts. In the experimental group, dilation of the blood vessels in the dermis and hemorrhage were supported by an increase in CD34 expression. In addition, a reduction in the number of melanocytes (hypopigmentation) was observed in the hair follicles and epidermis, along with a decrease in the expression of CD117., Conclusion: Epidermal degeneration, intradermal cell infiltration, vascular changes, and reduction in the number of melanocytes in the follicle and content of cytokeratin in both the epidermis and hair follicle keratinocytes were detected after maneb application. These findings may have important implications in the association with main signaling pathways, including keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Disruption of these pathways may cause some dermatoses.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and neopterin and oxidative stress status in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) as well as their potential role in the pathophysiology., Material and Methods: Thirty patients with ICP (Group 1) and 30 healthy pregnant women (Group 2) were included in this prospective case-control study. Levels of IL-6, TNF-α and neopterin were determined in both of the groups. Total anti-oxidant status (TAS) and total oxidative stress (TOS) levels were determined by means of a fully automated Erel method. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated as the ratio of TOS to TAS., Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in IL-6 and TNF-α levels (p = 0.105 and p = 0.722, respectively). The mean neopterin level was significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (2.34 ±0.77 and 1.57 ±0.38, respectively, p = 0.001). In addition, TAS, TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher in Group 1 (p = 0.004, p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) compared to Group 2., Discussion: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is an inflammatory disorder in which maternal immune reaction may play a role. Interleukin 6 and TNF-α, which are some of the markers of humoral reaction, act as an indicator of abnormal reaction rather than acute-phase reaction in ICP. Further clinical trials and supportive placental findings are needed on the role of cytokines in cellular and humoral immune reactions during the symptomatic period and delivery to better understand the role of immune mechanisms in the aetiology of ICP.