Round Patches Research Articles

Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser versus Cryotherapy in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Pilot Comparative Study

Abstract Alopecia areata, one or more round bald patches appear suddenly, most often on the scalp. It can affect males and females at any age. The exact mechanism is not yet understood and there is not yet any reliable cure for alopecia areata. Several topical treatments used for alopecia areata are reported to result in temporary improvement in some people. Superficial cryotheray is introduced as a possible treatment for Alopecia Areata with minimal side effects and being less painful. In addition, fractional CO2 laser is introduced as a effective option in AA treatment. Aim of the Study the current study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of FCO2 laser in comparison to cryotherapy in the treatment of AA. Patients and Methods this study included 22 patients (with patchy AA (at least three patches) of both sexes. Patients were subjected to full history taking, complete general and dermatological examination then digital photography and dermoscopic examination were performed. The three patches in each patient were divided according to therapy used; one patch was treated with Fractional CO2 laser, second one was treated with superficial cryotherapy and the third was left without treatment as control. Results Regarding FCO2 laser treated patches, trichoscopic assessment revealed that BDs, YDs and EMHs count showed significant decrease after treatment compared to before treatment. In addition, SVHs count showed significant increase after treatment compared to before treatment. Concerning cryotherapy treated patches, trichoscopic assessment revealed that BDs, YDs and EMHs count showed significant decrease after treatment compared to before treatment. Also, there was as increase in the TH and SVHs count after treatment in comparison to before treatment, but the results were statistically insignificant. Conclusion Both cryotherapy and fractional CO2 laser therapy are safe and effective modalities in the treatment of AA with superiority for FCO2 laser.

Amikacin induced Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap: a rare case report

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are the most severe adverse drug reactions. They are characterized by necrosis and epidermal release in vesicobulosa skin, mucous orifice, and eyes, with more severe general symptoms. SJS/TEN-overlap syndrome is the term used to characterize situations where 10–30% of the body skin area is detached. TEN or SJS is one of the deadliest dermatological catastrophes. Despite being a rare condition, it frequently has a high death rate. Different types of purpuric macules or rounded patches with mucosal lesions are characteristic features of these type 3 hypersensitivity reactions. We are presenting a case of 50-year-old female patient brought to hospital on account of multiple black to red coloured raised lesions over body in the last 8 days. Patient was asymptomatic in the last 8 days after that patient noted red coloured lesions first over face followed by lower back, upper limb, lower limb followed by itching and Jiburning sensation all over the body. The patient had symptoms such as redness of eyes in the last 3-4 days, burning sensation and ulcers in mouth in the last 3-4 days. These symptoms developed day after she received amikacin. She was diagnosed with SJS-TEN overlap. This case highlights the precipitant of antibiotics for SJS. She was recovered completely after stopping the causative drug and treatment with Immunoglobulin with other symptomatic measures. The causative drug was found to be Amikacin and medicine taken for comorbid conditions like epilepsy, hypothyroidism and hypertension. Rarely, amikacin has been linked to a range of drug hypersensitivity reactions, including toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and overlap between the two conditions.

Alopecia areata: review of epidemiology, pathophysiology, current treatments and nanoparticulate delivery system.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a kind of alopecia that affects hair folliclesand nails. It typically comes with round patches and is a type of nonscarring hair loss. Various therapies are accessible for the management and treatment of AA, including topical, systemic and injectable modalities. It is a very complex type of autoimmune disease and is identified as round patches of hair loss and may occur at any age. This review paper highlights the epidemiology, clinical features, pathogenesis and new treatment options for AA, with a specific emphasis on nanoparticulate drug-delivery systems. By exploring these innovative treatment approaches, researchers aim to enhance the effectiveness and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, ultimately improving outcomes for individuals living with AA.

Comparative Study of Trichoscopic Features of Alopecia Areata between Adults and Children and between Different Body Parts (Scalp, Beard, Eyebrow, and Moustache).

Round patches of baldness on the scalp or entire body are typically caused by the common, non-scarring hair loss condition known as alopecia areata (AA). Follicular units with two to four terminal hairs and one or two vellus hairs can be seen on a healthy, typical scalp trichoscopy. To compare trichoscopic features between adults and children and between different body parts. A cross-sectional observational study was performed on 90 patients; AA of the scalp and other body parts attended the dermatology out-patient clinic. A Gen Dermlite D100 Dermoscope was used to examine AA lesions and compare their features according to age and different body parts. Scalp was the most common area among all patients, 65.6% (among adults, it was 50%, and among children, it was 85%), with a significant difference, P = 0.001. The most common trichoscopic feature among all patients was empty follicular opening in 74 (82.2%) lesions; among children, it was honeycomb pigment in 35 (87.5%) lesions, while among adults, it was empty follicular opening in 40 (80%) lesions. Tulip hair was significantly higher among adults, P = 0.036. At the same time, honeycomb pigment patterns and pohlpinkus constriction were significantly higher among children, P = 0.044 and P < 0.001, respectively. The most common trichoscopic feature of adult lesions was empty follicular opening, while honeycomb pigment was dominant among children. Tulip hair was higher among adults, while honeycomb pigment patterns and pohlpinkus constriction were higher among children.

Ayurveda intervention in Riehl’s melanosis- A case report

Abstract Riehl’s melanosis (RM) is frequently identified as a kind of facial melanosis known as pigmented contact dermatitis (PCD). It results from cosmetic fragrances and their other products. The pigmentation on the forehead, temporal, and zygomatic areas of the face ranges from dark brown to grayish-brown. Satisfactory treatments are presently lacking leading to the psychological suffering of the patient. This study aims to find a promising solution for the RM WSR Dushi Visha. In the present case study, a 45-year-old female patient suffered from RM with blackish discoloration over the periorbital region, cheeks, and in the middle of the eyebrows with severe itching and dryness for the past 22 days. The patient was managed effectively with classical Ayurveda medications. In Ayurveda, this condition can be correlated with the symptoms of Mukhalepajanya Dushi Visha (artificial poison in the form of facial cosmetics), characterized by Mukhashyavata (blackish discoloration of the face), Kotha (round patches and rashes on the skin), intense Rukshata (dryness), and Kandu (itching sensation) followed by Daha (burning sensation). The principle of treatment is Raktamokshana (bloodletting) and drugs having Kushthaghna (antidermatosis), Kandughna (antipruritic), Raktashodhaka (blood purifier), Twak Prasadana (skin quality enhancer), and Varnyakara (promotes complexion) properties. The outcome of the assessment was based on the changes in the symptoms after 15 days of treatment. Recurrence of itching and burning was not observed during the follow-up period. The case sheds on the excellent management of RM by Ayurveda modalities.

First report of powdery mildew on Vigna unguiculata caused by Podosphaera xanthii in China.

Vigna unguiculata belongs to the Legume family, and is an annual twining, herbaceous vine plant, which is native to Africa. V. unguiculata is the most economically beneficial type of off-season vegetables in Hainan, China because of its rich in nutrients such as protein, minerals, dietary fiber, and vitamins (Jayathilake et al. 2018). In April 2022, typical powdery mildew infection was observed on V. unguiculata leaves in Haikou, Hainan Province, China (20°3'40.428"N, 110°19'45.217"E). More than 70% leaves of 13 V. unguiculata plants displayed severe powdery mildew disease. The diseased leaves at first exhibited white rounded irregular patches, which gradually enlarged, fused and covered all the leaf as well as stems. Edges of the infected leaves crinkled upwards, and the leaves often fell off the plants at the late infection stage. On the infected leaves, many conidiophores and dense mycelium were observed by microscopic analysis. Hyphae were septate, branched, epigenous, and flexuous to straight. Hyphal appressoria were indistinct or slightly nipple-shaped, and the haustoria developed were in the shape of oval-sphere and 9 to 11μm long. Foot cells of conidiophores were straight, cylindrical, and measured 43 to 70 × 10 to 12 μm. The conidiophores arising straightly from a hyphal cell, were measured 168 to 252 (mean = 204) μm in length and produced 6 to 9 immature conidia in each chain. Conidia were ovate, pyriform or barrel-shaped, with fibrosin bodies, and measured 26 to 32 (mean = 29.4) × 16 to 20 (mean = 18.6) μm. The chasmothecia was not found in all samples. These morphological characteristics were typical of the conidial stage of the powdery mildew Podosphaera xanthii of genus Podosphaera (Braun and Cook 2012). To further confirm the identity of this causal fungus, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and the partial sequence of large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (28S rRNA), were amplified with primer pairs ITS1/ ITS4 (White et al. 1990) and NL1/NLP2 (Mori et al. 2000) from extracted genomic DNA. The obtained 563-bp ITS region and 715-bp 28S rRNA gene sequences were deposited in GenBank (ITS, OQ415534; 28S rRNA, OQ415545.1), and were compared with BLAST analysis in the GenBank nr database. The results revealed that the ITS region sequence was 99.82% identity with P. xanthii isolate HUVU-08 (MH143485.1), and the 28S rRNA gene partial sequence was 100% identity with P. xanthii isolate XHL1 (MK357442.1). On the basis of the morphological characteristics and sequence analysis, this fungus was identified as P. xanthii. Pathogenicity tests were performed by gently brushing conidia onto the leaves of six healthy potted V. unguiculata plants. Six non-inoculated plants were used as control. All plants were maintained in a greenhouse at 26 ± 2°C. After 2 weeks inoculation, similar symptoms were observed in the inoculated plants, whereas no symptoms occurred on the control plants. By microscopic observation, the fungus present on the inoculated plants was morphologically identical to those on originally diseased plants. Furthermore, ITS and 28S rRNA sequences of the re-isolated fungus individually displayed 100% identity with OQ415534 and OQ415545.1. So far, although powdery mildew disease caused by P. xanthii on different plants including Sigesbeckia orientalis (Mukhtar et al. 2022), Vigna radiata (Sheu et al. 2021), Cosmos bipinnatus (Kong et al. 2023), Verbena brasiliensis (Luecke et al. 2020), Cucurbita ficifolia (Choi et al. 2022), Glandularia tenera (Pei et al. 2023) and Verbena bonariensis (Choi et al. 2023) have been reported, to our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by P. xanthii on V. unguiculata in Hainan, China, which seriously threatens the utilization of V. unguiculata on off-season vegetables industry.

First report of anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum karstii on Dalbergia odorifera in China.

Dalbergia odorifera (Family: Fabaceae) is a national second-grade protected tree in China with high medicinal and economic value (Zhao et al., 2020). In July, 2022, a leaves spot disease on D. odorifera with typical anthracnose symptoms was observed in plantations in Haikou (110.319153°E, 19.072900°N), Dongfang (108.630297°E, 19.103838°N) and Qiongzhong (109.704460°E, 19.088440°N), Hainan Province, China. Disease incidence was 7.5% (n = 50 plants). Early symptoms of infected leaves were small and round dark brown spots, which developed into larger irregular necrotic lesions and leaves withered. Leaf tissues (5×5 mm) at the disease-health junction of spots from 19 leaves were sterilized with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, and rinsed with sterile distilled water three times. These sterilized tissues were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 28 ℃ for 5 d. 7 strains of fungi with similar morphology were isolated, and 3 single-hyphal isolates (HHL01, HHL02 and HHL03) from each location were selected for further study. Colonies on PDA were fluffy orange-yellow mycelium. Conidia were aseptate, cylindrical, smooth-walled, straight, hyaline with both ends bluntly rounded, 11.82 to 15.77 × 3.87 to 6.71 μm (n = 100; average = 13.75 × 5.52 μm). Appressoria formed on slides, measured 5.54 to 10.64 × 4.19 to 7.41 μm (n = 30; average = 8.06 × 5.97 μm) were brown to black, elliptical to irregular. For molecular biological identification, the genomic DNA of three isolates was extracted by fungal genomic DNA extraction kit (Tiangen Biotech (Beijing) Co., Ltd.). The partial sequences of internal transcribed spacer region (ITS; ITS1/ITS4), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH; GDF1/GDR1), actin (ACT; ACT512F/ACT783R), β-tubulin (TUB2; TI/Bt2b) and calmodulin (CAL; CL1C/CL2C) were amplified and sequenced by Sangon Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd (Carbone and Kohn, 1999; Weir et al., 2012). The sequences were deposited as GenBank Accession Nos. OR018110-OR018112 (ITS); OR050529-OR050537 (GAPDH, ACT and CAL) and OR192168-OR192170 (TUB). BLASTn results showed these sequences were more than 99% identity with the strain of C. karstii CORCK1 (GenBank Accession Nos. HM585406, HM585387, HM581991, HM585424 and HM582010, respectively). Multi-locus phylogenetic tree of Colletotrichum spp. showed that those three isolates were sister to C. karstii based on the maximum likelihood and bayesian inference methods. To verify pathogenicity, 2 mL spore suspension (1 × 106conidia/ml) of the isolates was sprayed on each leaves of 1-year-old D. odorifera plants, and sterile distilled water was similarly sprayed on other leaves as a negative control. The plants were incubated in a greenhouse under 90% ± 5% RH at 28 °C. Light brown small round necrotic patches developed 3 days after inoculation, while the control was asymptomatic. Photographs were taken on the fifth day after inoculation. The fungi were re-isolated from the diseased leaves and identified by morphological characterization and molecular identification, fulfilling Koch's postulates. C. karstii has been reported causing leaf rot of Carissa grandiflora in Spain (Garcia-Lopez et al., 2021), and anthracnose caused by C.tropicale was reported on D. odorifera (Yi et al., 2023). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Dalbergia odorifera leaf spot disease caused by Colletotrichum karstii. This finding provides an important basis for further research on the control of the disease.

The Efficacy and Adverse Effects of Corticosteroid Pulse Therapy in Alopecia Areata: A Review Article.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, non-scarring, autoimmune hair loss disorder, varying in severity from small round hairless patches to the total loss of scalp or body hair. As steroid pulse therapy outcomes for AA vary, this study aimed to review the related literature regarding the efficacy, relapse rates, side effects, and prognostic factors associated with the response to different pulse corticosteroid treatments. We performed a literature search on August 29, 2022, to provide an overview of the efficacy of pulse steroid therapy in patients with AA. The terms "pulse steroid therapy AND alopecia areata" and "pulse corticosteroid therapy AND alopecia areata" were searched on PubMed and Google Scholar. A total of 24 articles were assessed. There was no difference in outcomes and side effects between intravenous and oral pulse corticosteroid therapy. The relapse rate and efficacy depended on the time of AA onset, age, and AA type: improved outcomes and decreased relapse were linked with recent onset (<6 months), a younger age (<10 years), and the multifocal type of AA. Patients with a past medical history of atopy, nail pitting, or thyroid disease and those with severe forms of AA like alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis had the least improvement. All kinds of mentioned systemic pulse corticosteroids effectively induce hair regrowth in AA. Betamethasone pulse seems to be the most effective agent (followed by intramuscular triamcinolone), especially in severe cases, but more side effects may accompany it. Combining this agent with other medications can reduce the dosage and side effects. Pulses of prednisolone and methylprednisolone are less effective but safer, as they have low relapse rates and adverse effects. A combination of them with other drugs can increase their efficacy.

Tinea capitis: A preliminary study in diabetic and non-diabetic patients attending the dermatology clinic in a tertiary care hospital, Sri Lanka

Tinea capitis is a superficial fungal infection of the scalp caused by Trichophyton and Microsporum species. It presents as one or more rounded scaly patches of the scalp which expand, forming typical lesions with brittle or fragile hair. The study was conducted to detect the proportion of patients with tinea capitis, compare tinea capitis in diabetic and non-diabetic patients and identify any associated factors.A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out enrolling diabetic and non-diabetic patients who attended the dermatology clinic in Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka from January to June 2021. Skin samples from infected sites were processed for direct microscopy and culture, followed by examination of a tease mount and slide culture to identify the microorganisms. Of the 112 (56 diabetic and 56 non-diabetic) patients attending the clinic, fungal growth was observed in 9 (8.0%), of which 5 (55.6%) were dermatophytes with 3 of the 5 identifying as Trichophyton sp and Trichophyton verrucosum. Diabetic patients were more prone to infection when compared with non-diabetic patients (P=0.022). Sharing combs, association with overcrowded places and less frequency of bathing were risk factors for tinea capitis.

Left Ventricular Assist Device explantation using a new double patch technique.

There are several surgical approaches for explantation of an LVAD after recovery of cardiac function. Thus, remaining ventricular assist device components may bear significant risks of infection or thrombosis. We hereby report our technique and two-center experience with explantation of LVADs using a new double patch technique. From March 2019-April 2021, 5 patients underwent LVAD explantation after myocardial recovery (HVAD, n = 2; HeartMate 3, n = 3). Mean patient age was 50.3 years (100% male) and mean time on LVAD was 23.1 ± 20.8 months. Primary heart failure aetiology was dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 4) and myocarditis (n = 1).LVAD explantation was performed using a median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass. The LVAD was stopped, and the outflow graft clamped. The outflow graft was ligated and sutured close to the aortic anastomosis. The driveline was clipped and removed. Under induced fibrillation, the attachment of the LVAD was released from the apical cuff and the LVAD was removed. A round pericardial patch was fixed from the inner of the ventricle. This already seals the apex of the heart. An additional Goretex patch is continuously sutured epicardially over the suture ring. The 5 cases showed technically uncomplicated explantation of the LVADs. During the follow-up of mean 16.4 ± 16.9 months, survival of 100% was observed. There were no bleeding complications or thromboembolic events during follow-up. LVAD explantation with the double patch technique is feasible and safe. This technique allows discontinuation of anticoagulation. There was a 30-day survival of 100%. Further studies are needed to provide better evidence for LVAD explantation and long-term follow-up.

Prescription Pattern of Tofacitinib for Alopecia Areata Among the Dermatologists in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Alopecia areata (AA) is a complex autoimmune condition that causes nonscarring hair loss. In Saudi Arabia, AA accounts for 1-2% of new dermatological outpatient visits. It typically presents with sharply demarcated round patches of hair loss and may present at any age. Traditional medical therapies include corticosteroids and immunotherapy. Choosing the ideal treatment depends on multiple factors such as patient age, disease severity, efficacy, side effects, and remission rate. Recent medications that have been used for treating AA are Janus kinase inhibitors. Aim The aim of the study is to assess the awareness and attitude of dermatologists and their use of Tofacitinib in treating AA. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 across 14 major cities in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered online questionnaire was specifically developed and used. Dermatologists from government hospitals and private clinics were included through non-probability convenience sampling. The collected data was entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS program version 24. Results In total, out of 546 Dermatologists across Saudi Arabia who responded to the questionnaire, 127 (23.2%) physicians prescribed Tofacitinib in their practice. Out of those who prescribed the drug for AA cases, 58 dermatologists (45.6%) prescribed Tofacitinibafter the failure of steroid injections. Among the 127 dermatologists who have utilized Tofacitinib in their practice, 92 (72.4%) believe that Tofacitinib is effective in treating AA. Almost 200 (47.7%) Dermatologists who never prescribed Tofacitinib reported that the main reason was due to the unavailability of the drug in the clinic they were practicing. Conclusions To conclude, out of 546 dermatologists working in Saudi Arabia, 127 (23.2%) prescribe Tofacitinib to treat AA. Ninety-two (72.4%) of the participants reported the effectiveness of Tofacitinib. Two hundred (47.7%) dermatologists who never prescribe Tofacitinib reported that the main reason was due to the unavailability. However, this would raise the need for more research regarding JAK inhibitors generally and Tofacitinib specifically, focusing on the effectiveness versus the side effects of Tofacitinib.

Effect of Scarf Repair Geometry on the Impact Performance of Aerospace Composites.

This experimental study investigates the effect of scarf geometry in restoring the impact response of scarf-patched 3 mm thick glass-fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) matrix composite laminates. Traditional circular along with rounded rectangular scarf patch configurations are considered repair patches. Experimental measurements revealed that the temporal variations of force and energy response of the pristine specimen are close to that of circular repaired specimens. The predominant failure modes were witnessed only in the repair patch which includes matrix cracking, fiber fracture, and delamination, and no discontinuity in the adhesive interface was witnessed. When compared with the pristine samples, the top ply damage size of the circular repaired specimens are larger by 9.91%, while that of the rounded rectangular repaired specimens is larger by 434.23%. The results show that circular scarf repair is a more suitable choice of repair approach under the condition of a 37 J low-velocity impact event even though the global force-time response is similar.

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis: Issues of differential diagnosis and therapy

Hypomelanosis is an idiopathic guttate process with the appearance of small struts of hypopigmented, rounded patches on the skin. Despite the high caution of diseases among the population, this dermatosis, as a rule, remains unrecognized throughout life, and it is also difficult to consider this moment of therapy, remaining a cosmetic defect throughout life. This article provides information on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, manifestations, differential diagnosis and therapy of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis.

Homoeopathy In Management of Alopecia Areata – A Narrative Review

Background: Alopecia areata is a form of alopecia that affects hair follicles. It presents with round patch. Many treatments are available and this review highlights the usage of homoeopathy in treatment of alopecia areata. &#x0D; Objective: The review was done to explore the strengths of homoeopathy in management of alopecia areata through online available evidences. &#x0D; Methods: A search was made for homoeopathic management of Alopecia areata in PubMed, AYUSH Research Portal, Google Scholar, Google search engines was done to collect all relevant articles, reports, web pages published till October 2022. The term included was Alopecia homoeopathic treatment, Alopecia homoeopathy, Alopecia areata homoeopathy. Further literature review was also conducted &amp; repertory was also searched. &#x0D; Result: 16 studies were found and all are case reports except one. &#x0D; Conclusion: At present available evidences for homoeopathic management of alopecia are very weak. Further studies are needed for strong evidences.

Effect of fractional laser alone or in combination on alopecia areata: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Alopecia areata (AA) is characterized by limited non-scarring patchy alopecia, which appears as round or oval patches and is prone to recurrence, causing severe psychological burdens to patients. No specific device has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of baldness, but new treatments are being investigated and treatments such as the excimer laser, He- Ne laser, and excimer lamp have been proposed. A growing number of studies have found that fractional lasers also have great potential in the treatment of AA. A literature search and meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.4 software to investigate the efficacy of fractional laser treatment for AA. Fractional laser combined with minoxidil (RR 1.32, 95% CI 1.17-1.49, p < 0.00001) or cortisol (RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.15-1.67, p=0.00006) was more effective than either drug alone in the treatment of AA. Of course, the fractional laser alone was also effective in the treatment of AA (RR 10.33, 95% CI 2.07-51.36, p=0.004) and more effective than cortisol alone (RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.36-2.52, p < 0.00001), and there was no effect on the occurrence of adverse effects (p=0.49 > 0.05). When compared to other physical treatments of a comparable kind, fractional laser therapy's effectiveness was not significantly different (p=0.15 > 0.05). Our results show that the use of fractional lasers can effectively treat alopecia areata.

Analysis of a low-profile, dual band patch antenna for wireless applications

&lt;abstract&gt; &lt;p&gt;A dual-band google lens logo-based patch antenna with defected ground structure was designed at 5.3 GHz for wireless applications and 7.4 GHz for wi-fi application. The designed antenna consists of a rounded rectangular patch antenna with a partial ground structure fed by a 50 Ω microstrip line. A google lens shaped logo is subtracted from the rounded rectangular patch and some regular polygon shaped slots are subtracted from the ground plane to obtain good dual-band characteristics and better results in terms of gain, VSWR, and return loss. The proposed antenna has a measurement of 20 × 20 × 1.6 mm&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt; and provides wide impedance bandwidths of 0.23 GHz (5.17‒5.40 GHz) and 0.16 GHz (7.33–7.49 GHz) at center frequencies of 5.3 GHz and 7.4 GHz, respectively. The antenna was designed and simulated using an ANSYS Electronics Desktop. Fabrication of the antenna was obtained using chemical etching and the results were measured by using an MS2037C Anritsu combinational analyzer. The return loss characteristics for dual bands are -20.56 dB at 5.3 GHz and -19.17 dB at 7.4 GHz, respectively, with a VSWR &amp;lt; 2 at both the frequencies and a 4 dB gain is obtained.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/abstract&gt;

Single-Use System Integrity IV: A Holistic Approach Based on Compiled Scientific Study Data.

This concluding article of the publication series provides an overarching summary of all study results presented in the three previous articles (1-3). Their interdependency in achieving a holistic approach to the integrity assurance of single-use systems (SUSs) employed in (bio)pharmaceutical manufacturing is finally illustrated. Two of those three studies were conducted to understand microbial ingress and liquid leak mechanisms in polymeric film material as determinants of the maximum allowable leakage limit (MALL) for SUSs using artificially created defects. The third study characterized gas flow through these defects-an essential variable for robust validation of physical integrity test methodologies based on gas flow. In all studies, the test samples used were 50 mm round patches of two ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) multilayer films (300 μm and 360 µm thick) and a polyethylene (PE) multilayer film (400 μm thick). More than 1400 test samples with artificially created leaks were used in sizes ranging from 1 μm to 130 μm. The leaks were laser-drilled into the center of each patch. Microbial ingress and liquid leak testing under various process conditions resulted in a MALL of 2 µm for microbial integrity and the prevention of liquid leakages under most severe use-case conditions. The studies also demonstrated a close relationship between the occurrence of liquid leakage and microbial contamination. Different model solutions were used to evaluate the impact of liquid characteristics, mainly surface tension. The data were applied to build mathematical models for predicting the MALL under any intended use-case condition. By characterizing gas flow behavior over a broad pressure range using various defect sizes, it was possible to create formulas for three different flow regimes. These were suitable for calculating leak size in a defective product directly from the corresponding flow rate or vice versa. Finally, compilation of these different aspects enabled the authors to design and validate non-destructive physical integrity test methods having detection limits correlated to the MALL for SUSs.

Management of Dadru Kustha through Virechana Karma Followed by Shamana Chikitsa: A Case Report

Purpose: It is estimated that about 10 to 15% of individuals are contaminated with dermatophytes at some point in their life and thus suffering called Dermatophytosis. In India, 1-12 cases out of every 1000 patients are found to be affected with this type of fungal infection. All the skin diseases in Ayurveda have been classified under the broad heading of ‘Kushtha’ which are further classified into Mahakushta and Kshudrakushta. Acharya Charaka has included Dadru in Kshudrakushtha, whereas Acharya Sushruta and Acharya Vagbhata has explained it under Mahakushta. The main Lakshanas of Dadru include Kandu (Itching), Utsanna (elevated circular lesions), Mandala (Circular Patches), Raaga (Erythema) and Pidakas (Papule). Materials &amp; Method: A 47 yrs. old female patient came with complaints of round and reddish patches over abdominal region, chest, axilla, inguinal region with severe itching for 1 year. She was treated with Virechana Karma; Shodhanartha Snehapana with Goghrita (4 days), Sarvanga Abhyanga &amp; Sarvanga Bashpaswedana (4 days), Virechana with Trivruttavaleha. Shamana Chikitsa with Laghumanjisthadi Kwatha 30 ml BD internally and Dadruvidravana Malhara for external application given for 28 days. Result: After completion of treatment, significant improvement was observed in parameters like Kandu(itching), Utsanna (elevated circular lesions), Mandala (Circular Patches), Raaga (Erythema) and Pidakas (Papule). Conclusion: From this case study, it can be concluded that Ayurvedic treatment is effective in management of chronic cases of Dadru Kustha.

A Fractal Full Round Patch Antenna in THz Frequency Region

A Fractal Full Round Patch Antenna in THz Frequency Region

Alopecia areata: Impressive results using low-level laser therapy

Alopecia areata (AA) is a genetic and autoimmune-mediated disease which specifically targets anagen hair follicles. The disease affects children and adults, men, as well as women, and is characterized by round or oval patches of hair loss. We are presenting here a spectacular case, extremely rare, of AA localized at the level of the scalp, which was successfully treated by Sunetics Laser (Sunetics International, Las Vegas, NV, USA) therapy. Post laser therapy, hair regrowth in the areas that presented hair loss previously, as well as repigmentation, was noted.