Body Hair Research Articles

The effects of MIND diet on depression, anxiety, quality of life and metabolic and hormonal status in obese or overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomised clinical trial.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age, associated with increased risks of metabolic disorders, depression and reduced quality of life. This study examined the impact of the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet on mental health, PCOS-related quality of life (PCOSQ), anthropometric indices, hirsutism, and metabolic/hormonal parameters in women with PCOS. Total of 52 women with PCOS, aged between 18 and 45 years, were randomly assigned to either the low calorie MIND diet group or the control group. Anthropometric data, depression and anxiety scores, serum levels of gonadotropins (luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]), PCOSQ, and Ferriman-Gallwey score were evaluated before and after the intervention. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at the end of the 8-week follow-up period. After 8 weeks, the MIND diet significantly reduced depression (β -3·03; 95 % CI: [-5·36, -0·70]; P = 0·011) and anxiety (β -3·54; 95 % CI: [-6·60, -0·49]; P = 0·024) scores compared with the control group. The MIND diet group exhibited significant increases in the emotion (β 0·63; 95 % CI: [0·18, 1·08]; P = 0·007) and body hair (β 0·65; 95 % CI: [0·03, 1·28]; P = 0·04) domains of the PCOSQ compared to the control group. The changes in other parameters did not show significant differences between the two groups. Both the MIND diet and control groups showed improvements in weight and BMI, with a slight advantage for the MIND diet group. These findings suggest that the MIND diet may be beneficial for improving mental health and some aspects of PCOSQ in women with PCOS.

Automated cardiac arrest detection using a photoplethysmography wristband: algorithm performance in relation to sex, skin color type and arm hair density

Abstract Background While survival from witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has improved, this is not the case for unwitnessed cardiac arrest as the event goes unnoticed. Automated cardiac arrest detection and alerting through a wristband is considered a promising technique also facilitating early assistance for this large group. In the DETECT-1 study, a photoplethysmography(PPG) algorithm for circulatory arrest detection was developed in patients with induced circulatory arrest. However, patient characteristics, such as skin color and arm hair density, can influence the accuracy of the PPG signal. Thus, we performed further analyses to study the effect of patient characteristics on the algorithm’s performance. Purpose To assess the performance of the developed PPG algorithm for cardiac arrest detection in relation to sex, skin color type and arm hair density. Methods Patients who underwent short-lasting circulatory arrest induction during transcatheter aortic valve implantation, ventricular tachycardia ablation or subcutaneous ICD implantation wore a PPG wristband during the procedure. Continuous ECG and invasive blood pressure recordings served as reference standards. A PPG algorithm for circulatory arrest detection was developed. The algorithm’s performance was assessed in subgroups based on sex, skin color type (according to the Fitzpatrick scale), and arm hair density. The sensitivity for the detection of circulatory arrest and false positive alarms were compared between the different subgroups. Results In total, 151 patients were included in the current analysis. Analyzed data consisted of 159 hours of PPG data including 176 induced circulatory arrest events. The population consisted of 57 (38%) females and 94 (62%) males. The sensitivity for circulatory arrest detection was 100% in the female group vs. 98% in the male group (p=ns); false positive alarms occurred in 4 females and 9 males, resulting in a positive predictive value (PPV) of 94% and 92% (p=ns), respectively. Within the skin color subgroup analysis, 114 (75%) patients had skin color type I or II, and 37 (25%) patients had a skin color type III, IV, V or VI. There were no differences in sensitivity (p=ns) and PPV (p=ns) in the skin color subgroup (table 1). The population consisted of 106 (71%) patients with nil or sparse arm hair density, 43 (29%) patients with moderate or dense arm hair density, and 2 not reported. There were no differences in sensitivity (p=ns) and PPV (p=ns) within the arm hair density subgroup (table 1). Conclusions Automated cardiac arrest detection using a smartwatch is feasible and its accuracy is not affected by sex, skin color type or arm hair density in this study. Further study is needed to assess performance of the algorithm in a larger sample size and a more diverse study population. If proven to be effective, automated cardiac arrest detection has the potential to improve survival from OHCA.Sensitivity/PPV for arrest detection

Patient-Reported Hair Loss and Its Impacts as Measured by the Alopecia Areata Patient Priority Outcomes Instrument in Patients Treated with Ritlecitinib: The ALLEGRO Phase 2b/3 Randomized Clinical Trial.

The ALLEGRO phase 2b/3 study investigated the efficacy and safety of ritlecitinib in patients with alopecia areata (AA). To describe the impact of ritlecitinib on patient-reported hair loss using the Alopecia Areata Patient Priority Outcomes (AAPPO) instrument and evaluate the relationship between clinically meaningful hair regrowth and improvements in patient-reported impacts. In ALLEGRO-2b/3, patients aged ≥ 12 years with AA and ≥ 50% scalp hair loss received once-daily ritlecitinib 50 or 30 mg (± 4-week 200-mg daily loading dose), 10 mg, or placebo for 24 weeks andthen continued ritlecitinib or switched from placebo to ritlecitinib 200/50 or 50 mg for 24 weeks. The AAPPO instrument evaluated improvement in hair loss, emotional symptoms (ES), and activity limitations (AL) from weeks 4 to 48 (secondary endpoint). Mean changes in ES and AL domain scores and individual items at weeks 24 and 48 were calculated for Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score ≤ 20 responders and nonresponders (exploratory endpoint). Overall, 718 patients were randomized. At week 24, 5-36% of patients receiving ritlecitinib 10-200/50 mg reported improvement in scalp hair loss versus 9% receiving placebo. The results for eyebrow, eyelash, and body hair loss were similar. Mean change from baseline in ES and AL scores at weeks 24 and 48 was small and similar between groups. Mean change was larger for individual hair loss and ES items at weeks 24 and 48 in SALT score ≤ 20 responders versus nonresponders. The AAPPO instrument demonstrated the beneficial impact of ritlecitinib on patient-reported hair growth, which was consistent with improvements in clinician-reported outcomes. NCT03732807. INFOGRAPHIC.

Alopecia Areata Treatment Patterns and Satisfaction: Results of a Real-World Cross-Sectional Survey in Europe.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that causes scalp, face, and/or body hair loss. Recently, oral treatments with kinases inhibition became the first approved therapies for severe AA. An understanding of the use and effectiveness of traditional therapies in real-world treatment settings is needed to guide integration of novel therapies into the treatment paradigm. This study aimed to describe traditional treatment patterns, dermatologists' reasons for therapy choice, and dermatologists' satisfaction with disease control among patients with AA. Data were drawn from the 2021-2022 Adelphi Real World AA Disease Specific Programme™, a cross-sectional survey of dermatologists and adult patients with AA, conducted in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. For each patient, using data from patient consultation and medical records, dermatologists reported % scalp hair loss (SHL), characteristics of current and prior AA therapies, and satisfaction with disease control. Overall, 239 dermatologists provided data for 1720 patients with AA. Mean (SD) patient age was 35.8 (11.6) years, and 51% were male. Based on dermatologist perception, among patients with ≤ 10% SHL, 74% were experiencing mild AA, while ≥ 95% of patients with ≥ 50% SHL were experiencing severe/very severe AA. In patients with ≥ 50% SHL, the most common therapies received included systemic immunosuppressants (31%), topical corticosteroids (24%), and oral corticosteroids (24%). Among all patients who had switched therapies, 49%, 26%, and 24% switched because of worsening AA, lack of initial efficacy with prior treatment, and loss of response over time, respectively. Among those with SHL ≥ 50%, dermatologists reported satisfaction with current therapy in < 30% of patients. Dermatologists reported low satisfaction with traditional AA therapies used in patients with extensive SHL, with some patients discontinuing treatment because of worsening disease. This suggests more effective treatments are needed for patients with severe AA.

Clinical evaluation of a smart wristband for monitoring oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and respiratory rate.

Recently, photoplethysmography-based vital parameter measurements have increased in popularity. However, clinical evaluation of these measurements is lacking. The objective of this study was to rigorously evaluate the clinical accuracy and reliability of a novel photoplethysmography-based wristband for measuring key vital parameters-oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate (RR), and pulse rate (PR)-during heart catheterisations. Vital parameters obtained during heart catheterisations by means of a photoplethysmography-based wristband (CardioWatch 287-2, Corsano Health) were compared to reference measurements performed by a Nellcor fingerclip (SpO2, PR) as well as a 5-lead ECG (RR) (QMAPP Haemodynamic Monitoring module, Fysicon B.V.) by means of correlation coefficients and root means squared error (RMSE). Effects of skin colour and arm hair density were additionally evaluated. In total, 945 samples from a total of 100 patients were included in the analysis. The correlation coefficients and RSME obtained for the difference between reference and photoplethysmography-based wristband measurements were r = 0.815 and 1.6% for SpO2, r = 0.976 and 0.9 brpm for RR, and r = 0.995 and 1.3bpm for PR. Similar results were obtained across all skin colour and arm hair density subcategories. This study shows that photoplethysmography-based SpO2, RR, and PR measurements can be accurate during heart catheterisations. Future investigations are required to evaluate the wristband's performance under dynamic circumstances as well as over an extended time period. Trial registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05566886.

The Androgen Deprivation Therapy Landscape in 2024 – Co-navigating the Available Options with Prostate Cancer Patients

This symposium convened during the 2024 European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Paris, France, focusing on the multifaceted aspects of prostate cancer (PCa) treatment from the patient’s perspective. The session delved into the nuanced needs, expectations, and treatment experiences encountered by individuals diagnosed with this condition. A pivotal aspect of the discussion centred on the imperative of ensuring patient awareness and informed consent, particularly concerning androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), given its array of potential side effects. ADT, a cornerstone in advanced PCa management, encompasses a spectrum of side effects including both physical and psychological dimensions. These include, but are not limited to, body hair loss, weight fluctuations, mood alterations, decreased libido, cognitive impairments, muscle atrophy, and bone density loss. Effective management of these side effects requires comprehensive support to be provided to patients to mitigate complications and optimise quality of life. The options for ADT were discussed, with their comparative strengths and challenges. ADT strategies take effect over different time periods (from 12 hours up to 4 weeks), exert varying effects on testosterone levels, and carry different side effect profiles. Selecting the optimal course of treatment for localised or locally advanced PCa requires consideration of whether the patient is at intermediate-, high-, or very high-risk of biochemical recurrence, and whether the intermediate-risk disease is classified as favourable intermediate-risk (FIR) or unfavourable intermediate-risk (UIR). While continuous ADT is the standard of care, intermittent ADT has been associated with significantly better quality of life scores for hot flushes, desire for sexual activity, and urinary symptoms, with a trend toward improvement in the level of fatigue. Furthermore, the interplay between PCa, ADT, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) was discussed to underscore the imperative for clinicians to assess the cardiovascular risks associated with ADT, particularly in patients with heightened cardiovascular vulnerability. Mitigating the adverse skeletal effects of ADT mandates a multifaceted approach encompassing nutritional supplementation, exercise regimens, and lifestyle modifications including alcohol cessation and smoking cessation. Integrating a prehabilitation checklist into clinical practice emerges as a pragmatic strategy to facilitate informed discussions regarding the potential adverse effects of ADT, enabling proactive support provision to optimise patient outcomes.

A unique approach for investigating skin lesions and their relationship with TCM syndrome differentiation in alopecia areata

Background: Alopecia areata is also known as ‘oil wind’ in Chinese medicine. Alopecia areata is a debilitating autoimmune skindisease characterized by patches of non-scarring hair loss and inflammation that damages the scalp and body hair in a variable,often relapsing or permanent fashion. It is not quite obvious how the various Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes differentiate between the skin lesions under dermatoscopy caused by alopecia areata. Objective: This study aimed to provide a rational basis for TCM syndrome differentiation of alopecia areata and investigate the role of skin lesions in various TCM syndromes of alopecia areata under dermatoscopy. Methods: The dermatologist used a dermatoscope to take four images of the patient's skin lesion area and the skin lesion junction. Two of the images were captured with polarized light, while the other two were taken with non-polarized light. Patients with alopecia areata who had TCM syndrome differentiation were identified and examined using dermatoscopy. The occurrence of the yellow dot, white dot, exclamation mark hair and vascular sign, was determined and then statistically analyzed. Results: The positive rates of vascular signs relate to alopecia areata, exclamation mark hair relates to Qi-blood deficiency and white dot corresponded to liver and kidney deficiency. All the positive rates were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). Compared to vascular sign, white dot sign, and Qi-blood deficiency syndrome groups, the positive rate of yellow dot syndrome was not significant (P&gt;0.05) Conclusion: The findings suggest that particular skin lesions contribute to differentiating different TCM syndromes associated with alopecia areata. Skin lesions examined under dermatoscopy can assist in diagnosing the TCM syndromes associated with alopecia areata. Keywords: Dermatoscopic signs; Alopecia areata; TCM syndromes; Qi and blood deficiency; Liver and kidney deficiency.

6450 Leydig Cell Tumor: A Rare Cause of Post-menopausal Hyperandrogenism

Abstract Disclosure: R. Nakdali: None. S. Athimulam: None. Introduction: Ovarian steroid cell tumors are a rare subtype of sex-cord stromal tumors. Leydig cell tumors is a subtype of sex-stromal tumors that is found in &amp;lt; 1% of all ovarian tumors. They are typically benign, unilateral, and secrete androgens which causes virilization. Below we present the case of a postmenopausal woman who presented with signs of virilization and was diagnosed with an ovarian Leydig cell tumor. Case: A 62-year-old postmenopausal woman, with a history of partial hysterectomy with right oophorectomy presented to Endocrinology clinic for evaluation of thyroid nodules. However, clinically she had signs of virilization noted by the provider on examination. She reported progressive androgenic alopecia, cystic acne, oily skin, hoarseness of voice and hirsutism, with increase hair growth over upper lip, chin and jaw line requiring daily shaving. She denied taking any supplements. She reported embarrassment of these physical changes and prior providers had attributed this to aging, therefore not prompting further testing. This caused significant emotional distress to the patient, leading to isolation. Biochemical testing confirmed elevated bioavailable testosterone (193.1 ng/dL) and total testosterone levels (579 ng/dL), with no evidence of hypercortisolemia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a heterogenous soft tissue mass (2.9 x 2.1 x 2.1 cm) in the left ovary. She underwent a left salpingo-oophorectomy and pathology confirmed a well-differentiated 2.4 cm Leydig cell tumor. Post-operatively, she reported improvement in facial and body hirsutism, reduced shaving frequency decrease in androgenic hair loss, with noticeable hair growth in her frontal scalp, and her skin became less oily with reduced acne. Post-operative labs confirmed cure of hyperandrogenism (Bioavailable testosterone &amp;lt; 2.6 ng/dL; Total testosterone: &amp;lt; 10ng/dL; and Free androgen index &amp;lt; 0.5%). She has been referred to genetics for evaluation. Discussion: Post-menopausal hyperandrogenism poses a diagnostic challenge as it can be mistaken for hormonal imbalances seen with aging. Often times, patients do not report symptoms due to embarrassment unless specifically addressed by provider. Initial testing consists of total and free testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels to assess the source of hyperandrogenism. Ruling out hypercortisolemia and assessment for ingestion of testosterone or DHEA supplements is vital. Pelvic ultrasound or cross-sectional imaging (CT or MRI) of abdomen and pelvis can identify structural abnormalities in the ovaries or adrenal glands. Prompt evaluation and management can alleviate significant distress to the patient. Leydig cell tumors represent a rare but important consideration in the differential diagnosis of postmenopausal hyperandrogenism, such as in our patient. Presentation: 6/2/2024

6450 Leydig Cell Tumor: A Rare Cause of Post-menopausal Hyperandrogenism

Abstract Disclosure: R. Nakdali: None. S. Athimulam: None. Introduction: Ovarian steroid cell tumors are a rare subtype of sex-cord stromal tumors. Leydig cell tumors is a subtype of sex-stromal tumors that is found in &amp;lt; 1% of all ovarian tumors. They are typically benign, unilateral, and secrete androgens which causes virilization. Below we present the case of a postmenopausal woman who presented with signs of virilization and was diagnosed with an ovarian Leydig cell tumor. Case: A 62-year-old postmenopausal woman, with a history of partial hysterectomy with right oophorectomy presented to Endocrinology clinic for evaluation of thyroid nodules. However, clinically she had signs of virilization noted by the provider on examination. She reported progressive androgenic alopecia, cystic acne, oily skin, hoarseness of voice and hirsutism, with increase hair growth over upper lip, chin and jaw line requiring daily shaving. She denied taking any supplements. She reported embarrassment of these physical changes and prior providers had attributed this to aging, therefore not prompting further testing. This caused significant emotional distress to the patient, leading to isolation. Biochemical testing confirmed elevated bioavailable testosterone (193.1 ng/dL) and total testosterone levels (579 ng/dL), with no evidence of hypercortisolemia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a heterogenous soft tissue mass (2.9 x 2.1 x 2.1 cm) in the left ovary. She underwent a left salpingo-oophorectomy and pathology confirmed a well-differentiated 2.4 cm Leydig cell tumor. Post-operatively, she reported improvement in facial and body hirsutism, reduced shaving frequency decrease in androgenic hair loss, with noticeable hair growth in her frontal scalp, and her skin became less oily with reduced acne. Post-operative labs confirmed cure of hyperandrogenism (Bioavailable testosterone &amp;lt; 2.6 ng/dL; Total testosterone: &amp;lt; 10ng/dL; and Free androgen index &amp;lt; 0.5%). She has been referred to genetics for evaluation. Discussion: Post-menopausal hyperandrogenism poses a diagnostic challenge as it can be mistaken for hormonal imbalances seen with aging. Often times, patients do not report symptoms due to embarrassment unless specifically addressed by provider. Initial testing consists of total and free testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels to assess the source of hyperandrogenism. Ruling out hypercortisolemia and assessment for ingestion of testosterone or DHEA supplements is vital. Pelvic ultrasound or cross-sectional imaging (CT or MRI) of abdomen and pelvis can identify structural abnormalities in the ovaries or adrenal glands. Prompt evaluation and management can alleviate significant distress to the patient. Leydig cell tumors represent a rare but important consideration in the differential diagnosis of postmenopausal hyperandrogenism, such as in our patient. Presentation: 6/2/2024

Genetic Polymorphisms of Immunity Regulatory Genes and Alopecia Areata Susceptibility in Jordanian Patients

Background and Objectives: Alopecia areata (AA) is a tissue-specific immune-mediated disorder that affects hair follicles and the nail apparatus. Due to the collapse of hair follicle immune privilege in AA, hair loss ranges in severity from small, localized patches on the scalp to the loss of entire body hair. Although AA is of uncertain etiology, the disease has a common genetic basis with a number of other autoimmune diseases. Materials and Methods: To identify candidate genes that confer susceptibility to AA in the Jordanian population and further understand the disease background, we performed DNA genotyping using case–control samples of 152 patients and 150 healthy subjects. Results: While no significant result was observed in the ten single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), CLEC4D rs4304840 variants showed significant associations with AA development within our cohort (p = 0.02). The strongest associations were for the codominant and recessive forms of rs4304840 (p = 0.023 and p = 0.0061, respectively). Conclusions: These findings suggest that CLEC4D gene variants may contribute to AA pathogenesis among Jordanians. Further advanced genetic analysis and functional investigations are required to elucidate the genetic basis of the disease.

Hair fragility (trichorrhexis nodosa) in alopecic Pomeranian dogs.

While alopecia associated with hair cycle arrest (HCA, Alopecia X) is well-recognised in Pomeranian dogs, the authors are unaware of reports of concurrent hair fragility. Following the observation of frequent hair shaft abnormalities in alopecic Pomeranians, we hypothesised that hair fragility events would be more frequent in dogs with a phenotype of HCA when compared to dogs with normal coats. Eight alopecic Pomeranian dogs or crosses with a phenotype of HCA and 36 unaffected Pomeranians with owner-reported normal hair coats. All affected dogs underwent dermatological examination and clinicopathological evaluations. Hair samples, plucked from affected areas or obtained by brushing from unaffected dogs, were examined microscopically for structural abnormalities. Hair fragility events were characterised as trichorrhexis nodosa (TN) or longitudinal splits and were expressed per 10 mg of hair. A reference interval was calculated from the number of hair fragility events in the samples from unaffected dogs. The upper reference limit (with 90% confidence) from samples of 35 unaffected Pomeranians (one outlier excluded) was 9.75 hair fragility events per 10 mg of hair. The median (range) of fragility events in eight dogs with a phenotype of HCA was 66.0 (30.2-166.7) per 10 mg of hair. Clinicians should routinely perform trichography in Pomeranians with HCA because abundant hair abnormalities, particularly TN, may contribute to poor hair coat quality. Further studies are required to establish the pathophysiology of and treatments for these fragility events and to determine their predictive value for HCA.

Unveiling the Strategy Behind Blackfishing: Kim Kardashian's Instagram and the New Beauty Discourse

As a fashion and beauty icon in America, Kim Kardashian is one of the public figures who supports the new beauty discourse. The emerging concept of new beauty in America challenges conventional limits for the delineation of beauty. This idea emphasizes that beauty is not limited by skin color, body shape, age, and hairstyle; instead, it emphasizes the need of embracing of natural body. This study examines how Kim Kardashian's personal Instagram posts from 2014-2023 showcases new notions of beauty via the lens of semiotic theory by Barthes (1964) and the concept of blackfishing. New forms of beauty discourse displayed by Kim Kardashian are accused of being blackfishing by excessively darkened skin, curvy body shapes, full lips, and hair. According to the findings of this study, there is a sense of ambivalence towards black women's bodies. Consequently, white people have internalized certain characteristics of black bodies without appreciating the unique qualities of black women. Kim Kardashian promotes a new beauty discourse that is considered blackfishing through her collaboration with the fashion and beauty industry and building her own cosmetics business. This demonstrates the participation of other influential individuals in the fashion business who endorse Kim's blackfishing appearance so that this appearance continues to appear in public and is normalized.

Twisted and Rolled Body Hair − An Ultrastructural Study by Means of Scanning Electron Microscopy

Twisted and Rolled Body Hair − An Ultrastructural Study by Means of Scanning Electron Microscopy

A Cost-Effective and Easy-to-Fabricate Conductive Velcro Dry Electrode for Durable and High-Performance Biopotential Acquisition.

Compared with the traditional gel electrode, the dry electrode is being taken more seriously in bioelectrical recording because of its easy preparation, long-lasting ability, and reusability. However, the commonly used dry AgCl electrodes and silver cloth electrodes are generally hard to record through hair due to their flat contact surface. Claw electrodes can contact skin through hair on the head and body, but the internal claw structure is relatively hard and causes discomfort after being worn for a few hours. Here, we report a conductive Velcro electrode (CVE) with an elastic hook hair structure, which can collect biopotential through body hair. The elastic hooks greatly reduce discomfort after long-time wearing and can even be worn all day. The CVE electrode is fabricated by one-step immersion in conductive silver paste based on the cost-effective commercial Velcro, forming a uniform and durable conductive coating on a cluster of hook microstructures. The electrode shows excellent properties, including low impedance (15.88 kΩ @ 10 Hz), high signal-to-noise ratio (16.0 dB), strong water resistance, and mechanical resistance. After washing in laundry detergent, the impedance of CVE is still 16% lower than the commercial AgCl electrodes. To verify the mechanical strength and recovery capability, we conducted cyclic compression experiments. The results show that the displacement change of the electrode hook hair after 50 compression cycles was still less than 1%. This electrode provides a universal acquisition scheme, including effective acquisition of different parts of the body with or without hair. Finally, the gesture recognition from electromyography (EMG) by the CVE electrode was applied with accuracy above 90%. The CVE proposed in this study has great potential and promise in various human-machine interface (HMI) applications that employ surface biopotential signals on the body or head with hair.

Advancements in Surgical Approaches for Sacrococcygeal Pilonidal Sinus: A Comprehensive Review.

Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus (SPS) is a condition involving the formation of a cavity in the lower back region. It is more common among young adults and is influenced by factors such as sitting for long periods, body hair, and certain lifestyle habits. Surgical treatment is often necessary for recurring or severe cases, and various surgical techniques available, ranging from traditional surgical methods to newer, less invasive approaches. This comprehensive review examines the progress in surgical techniques for managing SPS, emphasizing the effectiveness, safety, and patient outcomes associated with different methods. It provides an overview of traditional procedures, such as excision with primary closure, and contrasts these with recent innovations like endoscopic and laser-assisted techniques. The review also considers advanced technologies, including the potential of robotic surgery and the use of specialized materials. By assessing clinical outcomes, recurrence rates, complications, and patient satisfaction, this review seeks to identify the most effective surgical strategies for SPS. Additionally, it discusses recent technological advancements and highlights areas needing further research to improve the management and treatment of this condition.

Impact of Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements on Pubertal Status of 9–13-Year Olds: A Follow-Up Study of the iLiNS-DYAD Ghana Trial

BackgroundEarly and delayed puberty are both associated with adverse health and psychosocial outcomes. ObjectivesWe assessed the impact of provision of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement (SQ-LNS) to mothers during pregnancy and 6 mo postpartum and to their children aged 6–18 mo, on pubertal status. MethodsThis study was a follow-up to a partially double-blind randomized controlled trial. At ≤20 wk, 1320 females were randomly assigned to receive daily: iron and folic acid during pregnancy and placebo 0–6 mo postpartum; or multiple micronutrients during pregnancy and 0–6 mo postpartum; or SQ-LNS during pregnancy and 0–6 mo postpartum and to their children from 6 to 18 mo. We re-enrolled 966 and 919 children at 9–11 y and 11–13 y, respectively. We calculated a total pubertal status score based on the Petersen Pubertal Development Scale (PDS) to assess growth spurt, skin changes, body hair, facial hair, voice break, breast development, and menstruation. Pubertal status was regressed on child’s age to generate age-adjusted PDS z-scores (aPDSZ); we performed interaction and mediation analyses. ResultsMean ± standard deviation aPDSZ did not differ between the SQ-LNS and non-LNS groups at 9–11 y (0.01 ± 0.95 compared with –0.01 ± 0.98; P = 0.958) but was more advanced in the SQ-LNS group at 11–13 y (0.07 ± 1.04 compared with –0.04 ± 0.98; P = 0.049) in the adjusted model. The effect of SQ-LNS varied by sex (P-interaction = 0.003) and household asset index z-score (P-interaction = 0.002): Puberty was more advanced in the SQ-LNS compared with non-LNS group among females (P = 0.007) but not males (P = 0.877), and within lower (P = 0.002) than average (P = 0.436) and higher (P = 0.332) socioeconomic households. ConclusionProvision of SQ-LNS during the first 1000 d of life advanced pubertal status among females. Trial registration numberThis trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00970866 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00970866).

53779 Fixed-Combination Halobetasol Propionate 0.01%/Tazarotene 0.045% and Halobetasol Propionate 0.01% Lotions for Plaque Psoriasis on Lower Extremities With Body Hair

53779 Fixed-Combination Halobetasol Propionate 0.01%/Tazarotene 0.045% and Halobetasol Propionate 0.01% Lotions for Plaque Psoriasis on Lower Extremities With Body Hair

Vorasidenib-Induced Trichomegaly and Hypertrichosis: a New Side Effect in a Patient with Diffuse Astrocytoma.

Vorasidenib, an oral dual inhibitor targeting mutant enzymes isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2, is utilized in the management of diffuse low-grade gliomas. Despite limited documentation of its adverse events, we present the case of a 44-year-old male who exhibited trichomegaly and hypertrichosis of body hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes following one month of vorasidenib treatment. Notably, the patient experienced diffuse hair regrowth on the scalp, including in areas affected by severe androgenetic alopecia. This report holds significance as it highlights a previously unreported side effect, thereby enhancing our understanding of emerging therapies for brain tumors and their associated adverse reactions.

Aesthetic Exploration and Identity Perception of Body Hair

Aesthetic Exploration and Identity Perception of Body Hair

Effects of mind-body interventions on polycystic ovary syndrome: a comprehensive meta-analysis

BackgroundMind-body interventions (MBI) have emerged as a potential therapeutic approach, but their effectiveness in the treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) remains inconclusive. This study systematically evaluates the effectiveness of MBI on quality of life, anthropometry, androgen secretion, glucose, and lipid metabolism in PCOS.MethodsA computer search was conducted across three databases: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to MBI for PCOS from their inception until July 2024. DerSimonian and Laird’s random-effects model and Stata 17.0 software was employed for our meta-analysis.ResultsTwelve RCTs were included. MBI significantly improved PCOSQ subscale scores, including emotional disturbances (MD: 7.75, 95% CI: 6.10 to 9.40), body hair (MD: 2.73, 95% CI: 0.54 to 4.91), menstrual problems (MD: 3.79, 95% CI: 2.89 to 4.69), and weight (MD: 1.48, 95% CI: 0.03 to 2.93). Furthermore, there was a reduction in depression levels (MD: -1.53, 95% CI: -2.93 to -0.13). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of PCOSQ-Emotional disturbances and PCOSQ-Menstrual problems, with a high GRADE level of evidence for these subscales. Secondary outcome measures, including waist-hip ratio, fasting blood glucose, and HOMA-IR exhibited statistically significant differences. Subgroup analysis revealed that obesity could influence treatment outcomes.ConclusionMBI can serve as an alternative therapy, modulating effect on the quality of life and depression in PCOS patients. Future well-designed, high-quality, and large-scale studies should be conducted to thoroughly assess the impact of different Mind-Body Interventions (MBI) on various PCOS phenotypes.Trial registrationPROSPERO (CRD42023472035).