DreamPharm Products:
J Invest Dermatol 2002 Dec;119(6):1237-43
Loss of cell adhesion in Dsg3bal-Pas mice with homozygous deletion mutation (2079del14) in the desmoglein 3 gene.
Pemphigus encompasses a group of autoimmune blistering diseases with circulating pathogenic autoantibodies recognizing several proteins, including the desmosomal cadherin, desmoglein 3. Targeted disruption of the Dsg3 gene by homologous recombination (Dsg3tm1stan) in mouse results in fragility of the skin and oral mucous membranes, analogous to the human disease. In addition, the Dsg3tm1stan mice develop phenotypic runting and hair loss, identical to that of the mouse mutant, Dsg3bal-2J. The Dsg3bal-2J mice are homozygous for a 1 bp insertion (2275insT) in the Dsg3 gene resulting in a nonfunctional Dsg3 mRNA. In this study, we characterized an allelic mutation, Dsg3bal-Pas, with clinical features similar to those in Dsg3bal-2J. We have identified a 14 bp deletion in exon 13 of the Dsg3 gene resulting in a frameshift and premature termination codon 7 bp downstream from the site of the deletion and causing a truncation of the desmoglein 3 polypeptide by 199 amino acids, eliminating virtually all of the intracellular domain. We demonstrate that, although a Dsg3 mRNA transcript was detectable in Dsg3bal-Pas skin, the corresponding protein for desmoglein 3 was completely absent in the oral mucosal epithelium of homozygous Dsg3bal-Pas compared with that of +/Dsg3bal-Pas mice. No significant changes in the expression of desmogleins 1 and 2 were detected. To elucidate a potential mechanism causing loss of cell adhesion in the Dsg3bal-Pas mice, we generated a myc-tagged truncated Dsg3bal-Pas desmoglein 3 protein and expressed it in keratinocytes. The myc-tagged truncated Dsg3bal-Pas desmoglein 3 protein was found predominantly in the cytoplasm possibly due to increased proteolytic degradation. Cell surface staining was also detected but was jagged, not linear along the cell-cell border like that observed for the full-length desmoglein 3. The expression of the myc-tagged truncated Dsg3bal-Pas desmoglein 3 protein resulted in a reduction in staining of other desmosomal proteins, including desmoglein 1 and 2, plakophilin 2, and plakoglobin. In addition, the cells expressing myc-tagged truncated Dsg3bal-Pas desmoglein 3 protein underwent dramatic changes in cell morphology and exhibited striking extensive filopodia. Collectively, these data showed that the perturbation of desmoglein 3 found in the Dsg3bal-Pas mice resulted in disadhesion of keratinocytes manifested with blistering phenotype.
Dermatol Surg 2002 Aug;28(8):720-8
Follicular unit extraction: minimally invasive surgery for hair transplantation.
BACKGROUND: Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is performed using large numbers of naturally occuring individual follicular units obtained by single-strip harvesting and stereo-microscopic dissection. Donor wound scarring from strip excision, although an infrequent complication, still concerns enough patients that an alternative solution is warranted. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to introduce Follicular Unit Extraction (The FOX Procedure), in which individual follicular units are removed directly from the donor region through very small punch excisions, and to describe a test (The FOX Test) that determines which patients are candidates for this procedure. This paper explores the nuances, limitations, and practical aspects of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). METHODS: FUE was performed using 1-mm punches to separate follicular units from the surrounding tissue down to the level of the mid dermis. This was followed by extraction of the follicular units with forceps. The FOX test was developed to determine which patients would be good candidates for the procedure. The test was performed on 200 patients. Representative patients who were FOX-positive and FOX-negative were studied histologically. RESULTS: The FOX Test can determine which patients are suitable candidates for FUE. Approximately 25% of the patients biopsied were ideal candidates for FUE and 35% of the patients biopsied were good candidates for extraction. CONCLUSION: FUE is a minimally invasive approach to hair transplantation that obviates the need for a linear donor incision. This technique can serve as an important alternative to traditional hair transplantation in certain patients.
Dermatol Nurs 2001 Aug;13(4):269-72, 277-8
Hair loss: an overview.
Hair loss is a common problem in men and women. Correct diagnosis of hair disorders is complex and requires evaluation of clinical presentation, history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Hair loss may be categorized as hair shaft abnormalities, permanent alopecia, or nonpermanent alopecia. Nonpermanent alopecia, the most common type, includes androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, and traction alopecia. The hallmark of this group is the possibility of complete regrowth with adequate treatment.
J Pract Nurs 2001 Winter;51(4):18-21; quiz 22-3
Can stress make you lose your hair?
Many individuals are frightened by hair loss and are hesitant to speak about it. Many are unaware that stressors can causes hair loss and that hair care practices and habits can aggravate a hair loss situation. Intervention by the nurse in encouraging a person to have an adequate assessment and work-up can facilitate an accurate diagnosis. Supportive and appropriate therapy can then be arranged. The hair tells a story and can be associated with good health.
Made of well known Chinese traditional herbs, Hair Million is a herbal hair restoration formula that addresses hair loss problems.
Since the herbs have been in use for thousands of years, there have been numerous anecdotal cases so far that Hair Million herbs can really improves the age-related hair thinning and hair loss for a significant fraction of people who take it diligently.
It is unknown how Hair Million stops hair loss, and promotes hair growth, despite all the anecdotal observations.
Neither scientific research nor placebo controlled clinical trials has been conducted due to the cost.
Shortage or total lack of scientific/clinical research is not uncommon in herbal/nutritional arena.
It is not reasonable to stop taking daily food and herbal supplements altogether just because of scietific/clinical support: our life must go on while we stive to better understand food and herb.
There are two merits that Hair Million enjoys: Firstly, Hair Million is relatively inexpensive, and secondly, it is made only of edible herbs that are known to be safe when consumed in regular quantities. Propecia is a clinically tested prescription drug for hair loss treatment.
Herbs and Pharmaceuticals Online||
Constipation relief, laxative, colon cleansing ||
Best Realtor in Glendale, California: Residential Home and Commercial Property ||
Related Web pages ||
Herbs and Pharmaceuticals Online ||