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BMC Neurology Apr 2024Non-motor symptoms in myasthenia gravis (MG) are rarely confirmed. Although there are some small cohort studies, a large-systemic survey has not yet been performed.
BACKGROUND
Non-motor symptoms in myasthenia gravis (MG) are rarely confirmed. Although there are some small cohort studies, a large-systemic survey has not yet been performed.
METHODS
We investigated the incidence and clinical characteristics of patients with MG who had taste disorders and alopecia using data of 1710 patients with MG enrolled in the Japan MG Registry 2021.
RESULTS
Among them, 104 (6.1%) out of 1692 patients and 138 (8.2%) out of 1688 patients had histories of taste disorders and alopecia, respectively. Among the patients with MG, taste disorders were significantly more common in women, those with severe symptoms, refractory MG, or thymoma-associated MG, and were less common in those with ocular MG. The taste disorders often occurred after the onset of MG and often responded to MG treatments. Alopecia was more common in MG patients with a history of bulbar palsy and thymoma, and it often occurred before the onset of MG and sometimes responded to MG treatments. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed taste disturbance was associated with worst quantitative MG score and thymoma-associated MG; and alopecia was associated with thymoma-associated MG.
CONCLUSION
Clinicians should be aware of the non-motor symptoms in MG, especially in patients with severe myasthenic symptoms and thymoma-associated MG.
Topics: Humans; Myasthenia Gravis; Alopecia; Female; Male; Taste Disorders; Middle Aged; Adult; Aged; Japan; Registries; Thymoma; Incidence
PubMed: 38664714
DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03644-w -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024ANTXR1 is one of two cell surface receptors mediating the uptake of the anthrax toxin into cells. Despite substantial research on its role in anthrax poisoning and a...
ANTXR1 is one of two cell surface receptors mediating the uptake of the anthrax toxin into cells. Despite substantial research on its role in anthrax poisoning and a proposed function as a collagen receptor, ANTXR1's physiological functions remain largely undefined. Pathogenic variants in ANTXR1 lead to the rare GAPO syndrome, named for its four primary features: Growth retardation, Alopecia, Pseudoanodontia, and Optic atrophy. The disease is also associated with a complex range of other phenotypes impacting the cardiovascular, skeletal, pulmonary and nervous systems. Aberrant accumulation of extracellular matrix components and fibrosis are considered to be crucial components in the pathogenesis of GAPO syndrome, contributing to the shortened life expectancy of affected individuals. Nonetheless, the specific mechanisms connecting ANTXR1 deficiency to the clinical manifestations of GAPO syndrome are largely unexplored. In this study, we present evidence that ANTXR1 deficiency initiates a senescent phenotype in human fibroblasts, correlating with defects in nuclear architecture and actin dynamics. We provide novel insights into ANTXR1's physiological functions and propose GAPO syndrome to be reconsidered as a progeroid disorder highlighting an unexpected role for an integrin-like extracellular matrix receptor in human aging.
Topics: Humans; Fibroblasts; Cellular Senescence; Alopecia; Receptors, Cell Surface; Optic Atrophies, Hereditary; Actins; Progeria; Anodontia; Growth Disorders; Microfilament Proteins
PubMed: 38653789
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59901-y -
Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia 2024
Topics: Humans; Female; Minoxidil; Alopecia; Treatment Outcome; Child; Radiotherapy; Administration, Oral
PubMed: 38653611
DOI: 10.1016/j.abd.2023.07.010 -
Italian Journal of Dermatology and... Apr 2024This real-world analysis aimed at characterizing patients hospitalized for alopecia areata (AA) in Italy, focusing on comorbidities, treatment patterns and the economic...
BACKGROUND
This real-world analysis aimed at characterizing patients hospitalized for alopecia areata (AA) in Italy, focusing on comorbidities, treatment patterns and the economic burden for disease management.
METHODS
Administrative databases of healthcare entities covering 8.9 million residents were retrospectively browsed to include patients of all ages with hospitalization discharge diagnosis for AA from 2010 to 2020. The population was characterized during the year before the first AA-related hospitalization (index-date) and followed-up for all the available successive period. AA drug prescriptions and treatment discontinuation were analyzed during follow-up. Healthcare costs were also examined.
RESULTS
Among 252 patients with AA (mean age 32.1 years, 40.9% males), the most common comorbidities were thyroid disease (22.2%) and hypertension (21.8%), consistent with literature; only 44.4% (112/252) received therapy for AA, more frequently with prednisone, triamcinolone and clobetasol. Treatment discontinuation (no prescriptions during the last trimester) was observed in 86% and 88% of patients, respectively at 12 and 24-month after therapy initiation. Overall healthcare costs were 1715€ per patient (rising to 2143€ in the presence of comorbidities), mostly driven by hospitalization and drugs expenses.
CONCLUSIONS
This first real-world description of hospitalized AA patients in Italy confirmed the youth and female predominance of this population, in line with international data. The large use of corticosteroids over other systemic therapies followed the Italian guidelines, but the high discontinuation rates suggest an unmet need for further treatment options. Lastly, the analysis of healthcare expenses indicated that hospitalizations and drugs were the most impactive cost items.
Topics: Humans; Italy; Alopecia Areata; Male; Female; Adult; Retrospective Studies; Hospitalization; Adolescent; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Child; Health Care Costs; Comorbidity; Child, Preschool; Thyroid Diseases; Hypertension; Aged
PubMed: 38650498
DOI: 10.23736/S2784-8671.24.07785-5 -
Skin Research and Technology : Official... Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Alopecia; Biomarkers; Male; Lipoproteins, VLDL; Adult; Female; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38650360
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13712 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Tinea Capitis; Male; Alopecia; Child; Antifungal Agents
PubMed: 38649169
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.231613 -
Histochemistry and Cell Biology Jun 2024Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) represents one of the most severe side effects of chemotherapy, which forces some patients to reject cancer treatment. The exact...
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) represents one of the most severe side effects of chemotherapy, which forces some patients to reject cancer treatment. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms of CIA are not clearly understood, which makes it difficult to discover efficient preventive or therapeutic procedures for this adverse effect. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has a strong antioxidant activity as it stimulates glutathione synthesis and acts as an oxygen radical scavenger. The current study tried to investigate the efficacy of NAC in preserving biochemical parameters and hair follicle structure against cyclophosphamide (CYP) administration. In total, 40 adult female C57BL/6 mice were induced to enter anagen by depilation (day 0) and divided into four groups: group I (control), group II (CYP) received a single dose of CYP [150 mg/kg body weight (B.W.)/intraperitoneal injection (IP)] at day 9, group III (CYP & NAC) received a single dose of CYP at day 9 as well as NAC (500 mg/kg B.W./day/IP) from day 6-16, and group IV (NAC) received NAC from day 6-16. CYP administration in group II induced an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD), histological hair follicle dystrophy, disruption of follicular melanogenesis, overexpression of p53, and loss of ki67 immunoreactivity. NAC coadministration in group III reversed CYP-induced alterations in the biochemical parameters and preserved hair follicle structure, typical follicular melanin distribution as well as normal pattern of p53 and ki67 expression. These findings indicated that NAC could be used as an efficient and safe therapeutic option for hair loss induced by chemotherapy.
Topics: Animals; Cyclophosphamide; Alopecia; Mice; Hair Follicle; Female; Acetylcysteine; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Disease Models, Animal; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
PubMed: 38641701
DOI: 10.1007/s00418-024-02282-0 -
Skin Research and Technology : Official... Apr 2024Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells derived from adipose tissue and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are among novel treatments for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). We aimed to... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Evaluation of the effects of adding an adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction to platelet-rich plasma injection in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: A randomized clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells derived from adipose tissue and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are among novel treatments for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). We aimed to investigate the effect of adding SVF to PRP and compare it to administering PRP injection alone.
METHODS
Eighteen patients were randomly divided into two groups of nine. The PRP group was treated with PRP at all three visits at 1-month intervals, while the SVF-PRP group received an SVF injection on the first visit and a PRP injection on the second and third visits. Each group was evaluated at baseline and 20 weeks after the therapy's initiation.
RESULTS
Changes in mean hair diameter and hair count compared to baseline were significant in both groups. The PRP group experienced a greater increase in mean hair count than the SVF-PRP group, and the SVF-PRP group had a marginally greater increase in hair diameter than the PRP group. These differences were not statistically significant compared to each other. The patient and physician assessment scores exceeded the mean (on a scale from 0: poor to 3: excellent) in both groups.
CONCLUSION
Adding one SVF injection to two PRP treatment sessions versus three PRP injections alone had no significant difference in evaluated variables. If additional research demonstrates the same results, we suggest that multiple SVF injection sessions may be required to produce a statistically significant difference compared to PRP injection alone. Moreover, considering lower cost and greater accessibility of PRP, it can be used before SVF in the treatment of AGA.
Topics: Humans; Stromal Vascular Fraction; Alopecia; Hair; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Adipose Tissue; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38634195
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13700 -
Skin Research and Technology : Official... Apr 2024Alopecia areata (AA) is often characterized by sudden onset of patchy hair loss. Topical corticosteroid injection is the most common treatment. This study...
OBJECTIVE
Alopecia areata (AA) is often characterized by sudden onset of patchy hair loss. Topical corticosteroid injection is the most common treatment. This study retrospectively observed the clinical efficacy of microneedle minoxidil combined with triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of AA.
METHODS
A total of 230 patients with AA were selected. The experimental group (n = 120) received physician training and home microneedle treatment with minoxidil combined with triamcinolone acetonide once a week. Topical minoxidil and triamcinolone acetonide were used twice daily at other times. The control group (n = 110) was treated with minoxidil combined with triamcinolone acetonide, twice a day. Cure rate, response rate, SALT, dermatological Quality of Life Index (DLQI), visual analogue (VAS), and cost were assessed at weeks 4 and 12.
RESULTS
Treated group SALT score(Severity of Alopecia Tool) remarkable lower than control group after treated 4 and 12 weeks. After 12 weeks treatment, DLQI score of the treated group (1.8 ± 1.67) were significantly lower than those of the control group (2.45 ± 1.88) (p < 0.05). VAS score and adverse reaction between two group showed no significant different (p = 0.823, p = 0.484 respectively). The total cost was 53.93 ± 15.85 in the treatment group and 53.26 ± 11.51 in the control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.72). In the treated group, the complete response rate (CR: 78.33%) and total effective rate (CR+PR: 95%) were significantly higher than those in the control group (CR: 40.91% and CR+PR: 51.82%), with statistically significant differences (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Microneedle introduction of minoxidil and triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of AA is a safe, effective, economical, and convenient method, with few adverse reactions, and has a good application prospect.
Topics: Humans; Alopecia Areata; Triamcinolone Acetonide; Minoxidil; Retrospective Studies; Quality of Life; Alopecia; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38634160
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13713 -
Lasers in Medical Science Apr 2024Alopecia, also known as hair loss, is a highly prevalent condition affecting millions of men and women in the United States and worldwide, making it one of the most... (Review)
Review
Alopecia, also known as hair loss, is a highly prevalent condition affecting millions of men and women in the United States and worldwide, making it one of the most common complaints by patients presenting to a dermatologist. The symptomology on the presentation of alopecia can be highly variable, ranging from diffuse thinning of hair, discrete and localized patches completely absent of hair, or noticing significant shedding when brushing and showering. Although alopecia does not have a direct negative health impact on patients, it is nonetheless a debilitating disease as it can profoundly impact an individual's self-image and psychosocial well-being. There are multiple treatment options available to patients with alopecia, and they are typically tailored to the patient's needs and preferences. The most common of these is the Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs for alopecia, minoxidil, and finasteride. However, both of these are known to be partially efficacious for all patients, so clinicians often use different modalities in conjunction with them, in particular laser-based therapies. This review article will provide a comprehensive assessment of lasers and other light therapies that may be used to manage the two most common types of alopecia: androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Alopecia Areata; Hair; Lasers; Minoxidil
PubMed: 38630348
DOI: 10.1007/s10103-024-04054-7