Background Genetic polymorphisms of the androgen receptor (AR) gene have been studied in male androgenetic alopecia (AGA); however, little is known about gene polymorphism and female AGA. Aim To evaluate the AR gene as a candidate gene for female AGA.Methods Thirty premenopausal Egyptian female patients with AGA (mean age, 32.3 ± 7 years) and 11 age-and sex-matched controls were included. All subjects underwent laboratory and pelvic ultrasound evaluation to exclude other precipitating cause(s) of hair loss.Scalp biopsy was taken and the AR gene was evaluated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). ResultsAccording to Ludwig's classification, all patients had type II AGA. Statistical analysis showed no statistically significant difference in genotype ( χ 2 = 5.513, P ≥ 0.05) or allele frequency ( χ 2 = 1.312, P ≥ 0.05) between patients and controls. There was also no statistically significant difference between the genotype and allele frequency with disease duration. ConclusionIn contrast with male AGA, no association was found between type II AGA in Egyptian women and the AR gene. Therefore, the genetic study of this gene does not serve as a biomarker for the identification of women with a predisposition to AGA. Study designThis study represents a case-control study. Subjects were selected from those attending the outpatient clinic of

In contrast with male AGA, no association was found between type II AGA in Egyptian women and the AR gene. Therefore, the genetic study of this gene does not serve as a biomarker for the identification of women with a predisposition to AGA.

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown favorable results for immunotherapies in the treatment of warts. However, the exact mechanism of action of injectable antigens is still unclear. It has been proposed that injectable antigens elicit a cell-mediated hypersensitivity reaction leading to T-helper 1 (Th1) activation with cytokine release. Objective To evaluate the levels of Th1 cytokines -interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-g (IFN-g) -in responders and nonresponders to immunotherapy using 'protein purified derivative (PPD) tuberculin' as antigen. Patients and methods Fifty-two patients were recruited into this case-control study. Tuberculin test was performed and only patients with positive test results were included. In the 25 patients who completed the study, PPD tuberculin was injected intralesionally on weeks 0, 3, and 6. Serum IL-12 and IFN-g were measured at weeks 0 and 9 using ELISA and levels were compared with healthy controls. Cytokine levels were compared in responders and nonresponders. ResultsAmong the 25 patients, 14 (56%) were considered responders, whereas 11 (44%) were considered nonresponders. The pretreatment levels of IL-12 and IFN-g were higher in patients than in controls. However, there was no significant difference in their levels after treatment, nor between responders and nonresponders. Conclusion Serum IL-12 and IFN-g levels were higher in patients with multiple warts than in controls and were not increased after PPD tuberculin injection. It is supposed that these cytokines reached their maximum level. Also, IFN-g receptor deficiency may be the cause of treatment resistance with elevated cytokines.

Activation of helper T lymphocytes that were found to be the predominant subsets in LP lesions may be responsible for epidermotropic cellular infiltrates leading to damage and destruction of epidermal cells.

Background: Combined micro-needling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an effective treatment option for atrophic post-acne scars. Lyophilized PRP (L-PRP) is a novel, simpler, standardized preparation of PRP. The combined treatment of post-acne scars with micro-needling and L-PRP hasn't been previously investigated.Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the combined use of micro-needling and L-PRP versus micro-needling only in treating atrophic post-acne scars. Patients and methods: This randomized controlled split-face study included 20 adult patients with post-acne atrophic scars. One side of the face was treated with micro-needling. The other side was treated with micro-needling and L-PRP. The treatment was applied at 2 weeks intervals for 3 sessions. The assessment was done with Antera 3D ® camera analyzer. The mean indentation index of each side of the face was calculated before and two weeks after the last treatment. Results: Our study showed that the mean age of patients was 28.35 ± 4.87 years, 90% were females, and 20% were males. 50% had Fitzpatrick skin type III, while the other half had skin type IV. Both micro-needling monotherapy and combined micro-needling with L-PRP produced significant improvement in the mean indentation index of atrophic postacne scars. However, the mean percentage of improvement was higher in the combined treatment group. Side effects were minimal and transient with both treatment modalities. Conclusion: Combined treatment with micro-needling and L-PRP showed superior results in improving atrophic postacne scars and is regarded as a safe, simple, and cost-effective treatment modality.