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International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2023Objective: to systematically review the efficacy of microfocused ultrasound (MFU) for facial skin tightening. Methods: A systematic search was performed (Pubmed, Embase)... (Review)
Review
Objective: to systematically review the efficacy of microfocused ultrasound (MFU) for facial skin tightening. Methods: A systematic search was performed (Pubmed, Embase) to assess the efficacy of single MFU treatments for facial skin tightening. Eligible studies included randomised controlled trials, controlled trials, cohort studies and case series (n ≥ 10). Objective and subjective outcomes were assessed. Results: A total of 693 studies were identified of which 16 studies were eligible. All the studies involved female patients. MFU is capable of tightening the skin, as observed in studies measuring the results of brow lifts (0.47−1.7 mm) and submental lifts (measured as a 26−45 mm2 reduction in the submental area on lateral photographs). Data from the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) were pooled, and the day 90 pooled subjective investigator reported scores (IGAIS) (n = 337) showed that 92% of the patients demonstrated an improvement in skin tightening and/or in wrinkle reduction which continued up to one year. Longer-term follow-up data are not available. The patient-reported pooled scores (SGAIS) (n = 81) showed that the skin improvements were mild and continued to increase from 42% (90 days) to 53% (360 days) post-treatment. The MFU treatment was moderately painful and caused transient erythema with or without oedema. Other adverse effects were rare (2%), including dysesthesia (numbness or hypersensitivity), bruising and stinging, mandibular burns, striations and contact dermatitis. Various device settings, treatment protocols and energies were applied. Excessive skin laxity and a BMI > 30 were posed as relative contraindications for MFU treatment because positive results declined with an increase in laxity and BMI. Conclusions: MFU treatment is effective in tightening female patients’ mildly to moderately lax facial skin. Future studies should focus on objective treatment outcomes, optimising treatment regimens and male patients.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Ultrasonic Therapy; Face; Rhytidoplasty; Ultrasonography; Treatment Outcome; Skin Aging; Pain; Patient Satisfaction; Cosmetic Techniques
PubMed: 36674277
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021522 -
Military Medical Research Aug 2023Skin wounds are characterized by injury to the skin due to trauma, tearing, cuts, or contusions. As such injuries are common to all human groups, they may at times... (Review)
Review
Skin wounds are characterized by injury to the skin due to trauma, tearing, cuts, or contusions. As such injuries are common to all human groups, they may at times represent a serious socioeconomic burden. Currently, increasing numbers of studies have focused on the role of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in skin wound repair. As a cell-free therapy, MSC-derived EVs have shown significant application potential in the field of wound repair as a more stable and safer option than conventional cell therapy. Treatment based on MSC-derived EVs can significantly promote the repair of damaged substructures, including the regeneration of vessels, nerves, and hair follicles. In addition, MSC-derived EVs can inhibit scar formation by affecting angiogenesis-related and antifibrotic pathways in promoting macrophage polarization, wound angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and cell migration, and by inhibiting excessive extracellular matrix production. Additionally, these structures can serve as a scaffold for components used in wound repair, and they can be developed into bioengineered EVs to support trauma repair. Through the formulation of standardized culture, isolation, purification, and drug delivery strategies, exploration of the detailed mechanism of EVs will allow them to be used as clinical treatments for wound repair. In conclusion, MSC-derived EVs-based therapies have important application prospects in wound repair. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of their current status, application potential, and associated drawbacks.
Topics: Humans; Skin; Soft Tissue Injuries; Extracellular Vesicles; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Wound Healing
PubMed: 37587531
DOI: 10.1186/s40779-023-00472-w -
Journal of Investigative Medicine High... 2023Medications are known to affect the thyroid physiology and are a known cause of hypothyroidism. There is an ever-growing list of medications that affect the thyroid by 1...
Medications are known to affect the thyroid physiology and are a known cause of hypothyroidism. There is an ever-growing list of medications that affect the thyroid by 1 or more mechanisms. Mifepristone is presently used for the treatment of mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). Hypothyroidism is not a known side effect of this medication. We present a 71-year-old woman with newly diagnosed impaired fasting glucose, dyslipidemia, and osteopenia presenting with a 3-year history of unintentional 15-pound weight gain (despite exercise and a good diet) and increased anxiety. Her physical examination was pertinent for mild lower extremity edema, easy bruising, and skin thinning. Workup revealed adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent MACS from bilateral micronodular hyperplasia of the adrenals. Since she was not a surgical candidate, medical management with mifepristone was chosen. While on mifepristone, she complained of excessive fatigue, a workup done revealed new-onset hypothyroidism. Given her symptoms and bloodwork, she was started on levothyroxine. After stopping mifepristone, she was biochemically and clinically euthyroid and was eventually off levothyroxine. The mechanism by which mifepristone induces hypothyroidism is unknown. Except for a multicenter case series suggesting that mifepristone increases thyroid hormone requirements in patients with central hypothyroidism, to the best of our knowledge, the literature on euthyroid patients developing hypothyroidism secondary to mifepristone is scarce. In conclusion, while the hypothyroidism seems reversible our case highlights the importance of getting baseline thyroid function tests (TFTs) and repeating them while on the medication. Treatment of hypothyroidism is based on symptoms and bloodwork.
Topics: Female; Humans; Aged; Thyroxine; Mifepristone; Hypothyroidism; Thyroid Function Tests
PubMed: 37565673
DOI: 10.1177/23247096231191874 -
Platelets Dec 2023Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is an important regulatory molecule of signal transduction pathways involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as immune... (Review)
Review
Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is an important regulatory molecule of signal transduction pathways involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and the SYK-signaling pathway has emerged as a potential target for the treatment of numerous diseases. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the biological properties of SYK and its involvement in disease pathways, provide an update on SYK inhibitors in the treatment of ITP, and consider other potential applications. Fostamatinib, the only licensed SYK inhibitor to date, produces clinical response in ITP patients, including those who are refractory to other treatments. It appears to reduce the risk of thrombotic events and may therefore be a drug to consider for patients with an increased thrombotic risk. Encouraging results have also been obtained in the treatment of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Several other SYK inhibitors have entered clinical trials for a range of indications, reflecting the ability of these drugs to affect multiple signaling pathways. SYK inhibitors have the potential to target several aspects of COVID-19 pathogenesis including thrombosis, without affecting normal hemostasis, and data from the first study of fostamatinib in COVID-19 are encouraging. It is hoped that ongoing trials in autoimmune indications other than ITP, as well as in hematological malignancies and other disorders, confirm the promise of SYK inhibitors.
Topics: Humans; Aminopyridines; COVID-19; Oxazines; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic; Pyridines; Syk Kinase
PubMed: 36331249
DOI: 10.1080/09537104.2022.2131751 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2019Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a classical rare disease: it is often suspected in patients who do not have the disease; at the same time, it takes a mean of 3 years to... (Review)
Review
Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a classical rare disease: it is often suspected in patients who do not have the disease; at the same time, it takes a mean of 3 years to diagnose CS in affected individuals. The main reason is the extreme rarity (1-3/million/year) in combination with the lack of a single lead symptom. CS has to be suspected when a combination of signs and symptoms is present, which together make up the characteristic phenotype of cortisol excess. Unusual fat distribution affecting the face, neck, and trunk; skin changes including plethora, acne, hirsutism, livid striae, and easy bruising; and signs of protein catabolism such as thinned and vulnerable skin, osteoporotic fractures, and proximal myopathy indicate the need for biochemical screening for CS. In contrast, common symptoms like hypertension, weight gain, or diabetes also occur quite frequently in the general population and do not justify biochemical testing. First-line screening tests include urinary free cortisol excretion, dexamethasone suppression testing, and late-night salivary cortisol measurements. All three tests have overall reasonable sensitivity and specificity, and first-line testing should be selected on the basis of the physiologic conditions of the patient, drug intake, and available laboratory quality control measures. Two normal test results usually exclude the presence of CS. Other tests and laboratory parameters like the high-dose dexamethasone suppression test, plasma ACTH, the CRH test, and the bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling are not part of the initial biochemical screening. As a general rule, biochemical screening should only be performed if the pre-test probability for CS is reasonably high. This article provides an overview about the current standard in the diagnosis of CS starting with clinical scores and screenings, the clinical signs, relevant differential diagnoses, the first-line biochemical screening, and ending with a few exceptional cases.
PubMed: 31787931
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00766 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2021Mast cell disease is an epigenetically and genetically determined disease entity with very diverse clinical manifestations in potentially every system and tissue due to... (Review)
Review
Mast cell disease is an epigenetically and genetically determined disease entity with very diverse clinical manifestations in potentially every system and tissue due to inap pro priate release of variable subsets of mast cell mediators together with accumulation of either morphologically normal or altered mast cells. Easy bruising, excessive bleeding, and aberrancies of erythropoiesis can frequently be observed in patients with mast cell disease. A thorough history, including a family history, will guide the appropriate work-up, and laboratory evaluations may provide clues to diagnosis. In recent years, our understanding of the involvement of coagulation and anticoagulant pathways, the fibrinolytic system, and erythropoiesis in the pathophysiology of mast cell disease has increased considerably. This review summarizes current knowledge of the impact of the disturbed hemostatic and erythropoietic balance in patients with mast cell disease and describes options of treatment.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Blood Coagulation; Erythropoiesis; Fibrinolysis; Fibrinolytic Agents; Hemostasis; Heparin; Humans; Mastocytosis
PubMed: 34445665
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168960