Effects of hair removal alexandrite laser on biometric parameters of the skin

The effects of alexandrite laser (AL) on skin parameters such as melanin content, skin layer depth, elasticity, and density have not been investigated through biometric methods. We aim to assess the effect of AL on the skin parameters through biometric devices to determine whether it has positive effects on treated region. In this pretest-posttest study, we recruited patients who attended Laser Clinic of Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, from January through December 2014. Patients had to be free of any dermatologic conditions and lesion at the site of treatment or any contraindication to laser therapy. Baseline measurements were performed and patients received four sessions of AL therapy (spot size, 12 mm; fluence, 12 J/cm²; and pulse width, 5 Hz) with 4-week intervals. Four weeks after the last treatment session, the same parameters were assessed that included skin color, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), dermis and epidermis density and depth (through skin ultrasonography), melanin content, erythema intensity, and skin elasticity. Biometric parameters of 33 patients (27 females [81.8 %]), with mean (SD) age of 35.7 (9.5)?years were evaluated. The mean percent changes of skin parameters were as follows: skin color, 5.88 % through Visioface and by 56.8 % through Colorimeter devices (became lighter); melanin content, ?15.95 %; TEWL, ?2.96 %; elasticity, +14.88 %; dermis depth ?19.01 %; and dermis density, +1580.11 % (P?<?0.001 for changes in each parameter). AL could decrease melanin content of the skin and make the skin thinner while it could increase elasticity and density of epidermis and dermis, which might indicate increased collagen content of skin.     

High‐output chyle leak after breast‐conserving surgery and sentinel lymph node biopsy

Postoperative chyle leak is an exceedingly rare complication following breast and axillary surgery. We present the first described case of chyle leak following breast‐conserving surgery and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Management should begin with appropriated conservative measures aimed at reduction of lymph production and flow. Intervention is warranted when conservative strategies fail and include sclerotherapy, lymphangiography, embolization, and surgery. Breast surgeons should be mindful of this potential complication when operating in the axilla and be familiar with its stepwise management.     

One‐step and sequential SARSCOV‐2 polymerase chain reaction tests would not work every time

IntroductionRT‐PCR is widely used as a diagnostic test for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2. In this study, we aim to describe the clinical utility of serial PCR testing in the final detection of COVID‐19.MethodWe collected multiple nasopharyngeal swab samples from patients who had negative RT‐PCR test on the first day after hospitalization. RT‐PCR tests were performed on the second day for all patients with initial negative result. For the patients with secondary negative results on day 2, tertiary RT‐PCR tests were performed on day 3 after hospitalization.ResultAmong 68 patients with initial negative test results, at the end of follow‐up, the mortality number was 20 (29.4%). About 33.8% of patients had subsequent positive PCR test results for the second time and 17.4% of the patients who performed third PCR test had positive result.ConclusionBased on this study, serial RT‐PCR testing is unlikely to yield additional information.     

Oral collagen supplementation for skin aging: A fad or the future?

In recent years, oral collagen supplements have become a popular and trendy treatment in the world of skin health. It has been widely marketed to consumers for purported benefits in wrinkle reduction, skin‐rejuvenation, skin‐aging reversal, and skin plumping. However, there are currently limited data available in the literature and much regarding its possible effects on the skin has yet to be fully elucidated and understood. Here, we summarize some of the prominent studies in the literature and offer an evaluation of oral collagen supplementation for skin health.     

Comparison of PASL,PCASL, and background‐suppressed 3D PCASL in mild cognitive impairment

We compared three implementations of single‐shot arterial spin labeled (ASL) perfusion magnetic resonance imaging: two‐dimensional (2D) pulsed ASL (PASL), 2D pseudocontinuous ASL (PCASL), and background‐suppressed (BS) 3D PCASL obtained in a cohort of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and elderly controls. Study subjects also underwent ¹⁸F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸F‐FDG PET). While BS 3D PCASL showed the lowest (P < 0.001) gray matter–white matter cerebral blood flow (CBF) contrast ratio, it provided the highest (P < 0.001) temporal signal‐to‐noise ratio. Mean relative CBF estimated using the PCASL methods in posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), precuneus, and hippocampus showed hypoperfusion in the MCI cohort compared to the controls consistent with hypometabolism measured by ¹⁸F‐FDG PET. BS 3D PCASL demonstrated the highest discrimination between controls and patients with effect size comparable to that seen with ¹⁸F‐FDG PET. 2D PASL did not demonstrate group differentiation with relative CBF in any ROI, whereas 2D PCASL demonstrated significant differences only in PCC and hippocampus. Mean global CBF values did not differ across methods and were highly correlated; however, the correlations were significantly higher (P < 0.001) when either the same labeling (PCASL) or the same acquisition strategy (2D) was used as compared to when both the labeling and readout methods differed. In addition, there were differences in regional distribution of CBF between the three modalities, which can be attributed to differences in sequence parameters. These results demonstrate the superiority of ASL with PCASL and BS 3D readout as a biomarker for regional brain function changes in MCI. Hum Brain Mapp 38:5260–5273, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.