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Background Systemic antioxidants, such as oral Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE), have been found to have photoprotective properties. Objective This study was designed to objectively evaluate the molecular and photobiologic effects of oral administration of PLE. Methods 22 subjects with Fitzpatrick skin phototype I–III were enrolled. On day 1, subjects were irradiated with visible light, ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) and ultraviolet B (UVB; using 308-nm excimer laser). Evaluation was done immediately and 24 hours after irradiation. On days 3 and 4, irradiation and evaluation process was repeated after ingestion of PLE. Results Clinical assessments and colorimetry data showed a decrease in UVB -induced changes in 17 out of 22 subjects post-PLE administration; histology findings demonstrated such a decrease in all 22 subjects. Limitations Only 2 doses of PLE were given. Furthermore, subjects with skin phototypes I–III only were studied. Conclusion This is the first demonstration that PLE has objective measurable suppressive effects on UVB-induced erythema within 2 hours of administration. The results suggest that PLE can potentially be utilized as an adjunctive therapy to lessen the negative photobiologic effects of UVB. In addition, this is the first study to demonstrate the potential correlation between non-invasive colorimetry outcomes and UVB induced molecular damage.

Clinical, spectroscopic and histological similarities of acne-induced and TCA-induced PIH at day 28 suggest that TCA-induced PIH can be a reproducible model for the study of acne-induced PIH.

Objective The aim of this Delphi study was to examine consensus on the appropriateness of the medicines reconciliation (MR) indicators. Methods Practising hospital pharmacists in UK hospitals conducting MR in hospital wards were invited to participate in the study. Appropriateness was defined using four criteria: clarity, importance, relevance and usefulness. The modified Delphi technique was selected as a structured method to develop consensus. RAND definition for consensus was used. In the second round, feedback on the first round was provided. The study did not require Research Ethics approval. Key findings Sixty-five hospital pharmacists completed the first round Delphi, and 59 of them completed the second round. Their experience ranged from three to 33 years with an average of 16.6 years. Fifty-five indicators were sent to the panel after the pilot study. Each of the two rounds took approximately 8 weeks to be completed. Forty-one indicators reached consensus to be appropriate. Fourteen indicators did not reach consensus. Conclusions The Delphi technique was very effective for enhancing the panel participation as noticed in their responses both in the first and second rounds. Forty-one indicators achieved consensus as being appropriate to evaluate the MR process. These indicators could be used to assess the process and hence improve the quality of the patient care on hospital admission. The indicators need to be used in practice.

Vitiligo is an acquired skin disorder characterized by the destruction of melanocytes resulting in achromic macules and patches involving the affected skin. Multiple methods of treatments have emerged to manage vitiligo, including medical and surgical techniques. Among the surgical techniques described in the management of vitiligo are minipunch grafting, split-thickness skin grafting, hair follicle transplantation, suction blister grafting, and cultured and non-cultured autologous melanocyte transplantation. However, prior to grafting optimal recipient-site preparation is needed for graft survival and successful repigmentation outcomes. Similarly, post-operative care of the recipient site is vital to yielding a viable graft irrespective of the transplantation technique employed. This article reviews the multiple methods employed to prepare the recipient site in vitiligo surgeries and the post-surgical conditions which optimize graft viability. A pubmed search was conducted utilizing the key words listed below.