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Byline: Mohamed. El-Komy, Vanessa. Hafez, Rania. Hay, Dina. Mehaney, Iman. HafezBackground: Normal immune functioning requires sufficient levels of trace elements including zinc and selenium, while elements such as nickel can [...]

Treating atopic dermatitis (AD) is still a challenge. The staphylococcal skin load is known to aggravate AD. Narrow band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) and glycerol in low concentration (20–40%) are established therapies for AD. NB-UVB has proven antimicrobial actions, while high concentration glycerol (85–100%) showed similar effects in vitro but has not been clinically tested. To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of concentrated glycerol 85% compared to NB-UVB in patients with AD, as assessed by clinical improvement and reduction of staphylococcal colonization of the skin. 30 patients with mild to moderate AD were randomized into either NB-UVB or glycerol 85% group. Patients were treated for one month and followed for an additional month. Swabs were taken from the skin and nose to be cultured on mannitol-salt agar for Staphylococci and quantified to determine Colony Forming Units. Both groups showed statistically insignificant microbial changes and statistically significant clinical improvement after treatment. The results were comparable between both groups. Concentrated glycerol 85% is a cheap effective readily accessible alternative for phototherapy in patients with mild-moderate AD who cannot access the facility. Reduction of staphylococcal skin load seems to be involved, but its role is minimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of pioglitazone on psoriasis vulgaris and its comorbidities. Materials and methods: Forty-eight patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis vulgaris were enrolled in this randomized double blinded placebo-controlled trial. Active treatment included: oral pioglitazone 30 mg daily for 10 weeks. Primary outcome (treatment success) was PASI-75. Secondary outcomes included changes in metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk. Results: Treatment success was achieved in 5/24 (21%) in the pioglitazone group compared to 1/24 (4%) in the placebo group; however, this difference was not significant ( p = 0.081). Compared to placebo, no significant difference existed as regards high-sensitive C reactive protein. Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance were not affected. Conclusions: This short term (10 weeks duration) study revealed no effect of pioglitazone 30 mg daily neither on the clinical response of moderate-to-severe psoriasis nor on metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Cardio-protective role appears to be more related to improvement of psoriasis. Limitation: Short duration of treatment and small number of subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facial freckles are a cosmetic concern to Egyptians, particularly young females. Several therapeutic lines exist with variable response rates and limitations. Fractional carbon dioxide (FCO) laser provides minimal ablation and therefore less down time and less side effects. The efficacy and safety of this laser technology have still not been studied in freckles. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of FCO laser in the treatment of unwanted facial freckles in Egyptians. Twenty patients undergone a single session of FCO laser and then were followed up clinically a month later. Photographs were taken before treatment and at follow-up visit and were assessed by three blinded investigators. Percent of global improvement was measured on a 4-point grading scale. Patient's satisfaction and adverse events were recorded. Two patients (10 %) showed grade 1 improvement, while eight patients (40 %) showed grade 2 improvement. Nine patients (45 %) showed grade 3 improvement, and only one patient (5 %) showed grade 4 improvement. FCO laser resurfacing is effective and safe in treatment of facial freckles in skin phototypes II-IV. It can offer a more practical alternative to topical treatments, and a cheaper alternative to Q-switched lasers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]