Cytotherapy 2017 Aug 14. Epub 2017 Aug 14.

Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Carl von Ossietzky-University, Oldenburg, Germany. Electronic address:

Background: A cochlear implant (CI) is an electronic prosthesis that can partially restore speech perception capabilities. Optimum information transfer from the cochlea to the central auditory system requires a proper functioning auditory nerve (AN) that is electrically stimulated by the device. In deafness, the lack of neurotrophic support, normally provided by the sensory cells of the inner ear, however, leads to gradual degeneration of auditory neurons with undesirable consequences for CI performance. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017 Aug 10. Epub 2017 Aug 10.

Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033;

Organoids made from dissociated progenitor cells undergo tissue-like organization. This in vitro self-organization process is not identical to embryonic organ formation, but it achieves a similar phenotype in vivo. This implies genetic codes do not specify morphology directly; instead, complex tissue architectures may be achieved through several intermediate layers of cross talk between genetic information and biophysical processes. Read More

JAMA Dermatol 2017 Aug;153(8):837

Department of Dermatology, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland.

Stem Cells Cloning 2017 6;10:1-10. Epub 2017 Jul 6.

Kerastem Technologies, San Diego, CA, USA.

Great interest remains in finding new and emerging therapies for the treatment of male and female pattern hair loss. The autologous fat grafting technique is >100 years old, with a recent and dramatic increase in clinical experience over the past 10-15 years. Recently, in 2001, Zuk et al published the presence of adipose-derived stem cells, and abundant research has shown that adipose is a complex, biological active, and important tissue. Read More

Australas J Dermatol 2017 Jul 24. Epub 2017 Jul 24.

Department of Dermatology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

The efficacy of current medical treatments for lichen planopilaris (LPP) and its variant, frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), both lymphocyte-mediated primary cicatricial alopecias, is limited. Hair regrowth from scar tissue is usually not possible. Although hair transplantation restores the hairline and increases hair density in patients with cicatricial alopecia, the timing of the transplantation is crucial. Read More

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2017 Sep-Oct;83(5):618-619

Clinic of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Arch Plast Surg 2017 Jul 15;44(4):332-336. Epub 2017 Jul 15.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea.

Background: Little is known concerning hair diameter variation within the safe donor area for hair transplantation surgery. Thicker or thinner hair may be needed, depending on the recipient area, hairline design, and the purpose of surgery.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients (7 men and 20 women; mean age, 28 years; range, 20-47 years) were included in this study. Read More

Fitoterapia 2017 Jul 16;121:136-140. Epub 2017 Jul 16.

Department of Dermatology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address:

Oleanolic acid (OA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound which can be found in >1600 plants, has been shown to promote hair growth. To study the mechanisms of OA on hair growth, we investigated hair follicle (HF) growth on four different concentration OA using human hair follicle organ culture model. We found that HFs treated with 1 or 10μg/mL OA showed statistically enhanced elongation of the hair shaft and anagen-like stage. Read More

Adv Ther 2017 Jul 17. Epub 2017 Jul 17.

Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic genetic disease with high morbidity and early mortality; it affects nearly 100,000 individuals in the USA. Bone marrow transplantation, the only curative treatment, is available to less than 20% of patients because of a number of access barriers. Gene transfer therapy (GTT) has been shown to be curative in animal models and is approved for use in humans for early-phase studies at a few centers. Read More

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 2017 APR-JUN;31(2 Suppl. 2):169-177

Chair of Dermatology, University of Rome “G. Marconi”, Rome, Italy.

From the beginning, artificial hair implantation has aroused a lot of interest, sometimes controversial, in the field of hair restoration. The artificial fiber must be of high quality and biocompatible. Biofibre® is a very fine fiber having diameter of 80 m. Read More

Orbit 2017 Jul 12:1-12. Epub 2017 Jul 12.

a South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology , University of Adelaide , Adelaide , Australia.

This is a systematic review of eyebrow reconstruction options, using the PubMed database, as well as dermatology and plastic surgery texts. Eyebrow reconstruction options in various clinical scenarios (small, large, medial, lateral, and total defects) are presented. The goals of eyebrow reconstruction are to provide structural, functional, and aesthetic restoration. Read More

Elife 2017 Jul 11;6. Epub 2017 Jul 11.

Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States.

The control principles behind robust cyclic regeneration of hair follicles (HFs) remain unclear. Using multi-scale modeling we show that coupling inhibitors and activators with physical growth of HFs is sufficient to drive periodicity and excitability of hair regeneration. Model simulations and experimental data reveal that mouse skin behaves as a heterogeneous regenerative field, composed of anatomical domains where HFs have distinct cycling dynamics. Read More

Sci Rep 2017 Jul 5;7(1):4644. Epub 2017 Jul 5.

Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.

The incidence of accidental and intentional acid skin burns is rising. Current treatment strategies are mostly inadequate, leaving victims disfigured and without treatment options. Here, we have shown that transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) accelerates the process of acid burn wound-healing. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2017 Jul 1. Epub 2017 Jul 1.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.

Invasive dermatophyte infection, with extention beyond the dermis, in immunocompetent hosts is exceptionally rare. Dermatophytes are keratinophilic and are usually confined to the stratum corneum, hair and nails. Susceptibility to dermatophyte infections is incompletely understood but inherited mutations in key signaling pathways of the innate immune system have been identified. Read More

Acta Otolaryngol 2017 Jun 23:1-7. Epub 2017 Jun 23.

a Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery , the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University , Nanchang , China.

Conclusion: Mouse-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could differentiate into hair cell-like cells and spiral ganglion-like cells after transplantation into mouse cochleae, but it cannot improve the auditory brain response (ABR) thresholds in short term.

Objective: To evaluate the potential of iPSCs for use as a source of transplants for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

Methods: Establishing SNHL mice model, then injecting the iPSCs or equal volume DMEM basic medium into the cochleae, respectively. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2017 Aug 6;78(2). Epub 2017 Jun 6.

Family Planning Research Institute, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway plays a vital role in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance, promoting the development and function of regulatory T cells, and maintaining the quiescence of autoreactive T cells. Abnormalities in this inhibitory pathway are involved in the pathogenesis of some disorders such as tumours, autoimmune diseases, pregnancy complications, and transplantation rejection. Immune privilege represents a special immunological condition, where foreign antigens can be tolerated and do not elicit an immune response. Read More

Indian Dermatol Online J 2017 May-Jun;8(3):167-175

Cosmazone Hair Restoration Clinics, Mumbai-Gwalior-Delhi, India.

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is becoming an increasingly popular method for hair restoration. As FUE leaves behind no linear scars, it is more suitable to harvest from various body areas including beard, chest, and extremities in hirsute individuals. Body hair characteristics such as thickness, length, and hair cycle may not completely match to that of the scalp hair. Read More

Dermatol Surg 2017 Jun;43(6):848-855

*All authors are affiliated with the Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Nan Fang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

Background: The efficiency of hair follicle (HF) reconstruction is decreased by extensive apoptotic remodeling that occurs soon after grafting.

Objective: To evaluate a basement membrane matrix (matrix) to improve the efficiency of HF reconstruction and serve as a cell delivery vehicle.

Materials And Methods: Newborn mouse skin cells were suspended in a matrix and transplanted in a chamber assay. Read More

Cytotherapy 2017 Aug 19;19(8):909-915. Epub 2017 May 19.

Bioacoustics Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy; Foundation Onlus Staminali e Vita, Padua, Italy. Electronic address:

Hearing loss, or deafness, affects 360 million people worldwide of which about 32 million are children. Deafness is irreversible when it involves sensory hair cell death because the regenerative ability of these cells is lost in mammals after embryo development. The therapeutic strategies for deafness include hearing aids and/or implantable devices. Read More

Acta Otolaryngol 2017 Oct 14;137(10):1017-1023. Epub 2017 May 14.

a Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery , Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University , Wuhan , China.

Objective: This study aimed in fully investigating the toxicities of ouabain to mouse cochlea and the related cellular environment, and providing an optimal animal model system for cell transplantation in the treatment of auditory neuropathy (AN) and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

Methods: Different dosages of ouabain were applied to mouse round window. The auditory brainstem responses and distortion product otoacoustic emissions were used to evaluate the cochlear function. Read More

Cytotechnology 2017 May 11. Epub 2017 May 11.

Division of Physiology and Climatology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, UP, India.

The current study was designed to study the persistence and distribution of caprine bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (cBM-MSCs) when administered intra-dermally in experimentally induced cutaneous wounds in rabbits. MSC's from goat bone marrow were isolated and their differentiation potential towards adipogenic and osteogenic lineages were assayed in vitro. The isolated cells were phenotypically analysed using flow cytometry for the expression of MSC specific matrix receptors (CD73, CD105 and Stro-1) and absence of hematopoietic lineage markers. Read More

Ann Plast Surg 2017 Jun;78(6):770

Front Cell Neurosci 2017 24;11:114. Epub 2017 Apr 24.

Department of Biology, University of IowaIowa, IA, USA.

All craniate chordates have inner ears with hair cells that receive input from the brain by cholinergic centrifugal fibers, the so-called inner ear efferents (IEEs). Comparative data suggest that IEEs derive from facial branchial motor (FBM) neurons that project to the inner ear instead of facial muscles. Developmental data showed that IEEs develop adjacent to FBMs and segregation from IEEs might depend on few transcription factors uniquely associated with IEEs. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2017 Jul - Aug;108(6):532-537. Epub 2017 May 5.

Clinica Mediteknia de Dermatología y Trasplante Capilar , Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España.

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is a hair transplantation technique that uses small punches (0.8-1 mm in diameter) to extract the follicular units (FUs). Though initially the technique was not widely accepted because of the difficulty of extracting intact follicular units with such small punches, it has since gained in popularity due mainly to rising patient demand, the availability of better instrumentation and greater surgical skill acquired from experience. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2017 Mar 16;5(3):e1261. Epub 2017 Mar 16.

Dana Plastic Surgery Clinic, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Shaving the donor area is one of the major deterrents preventing hair transplant patients from selecting follicular unit extraction (FUE). A minimal shaved donor area is possible in strip surgery, but the strip method is not applicable if the patient wishes to avoid a linear donor scar, wishes to minimize postoperative pain, or has insufficient scalp laxity. In these cases, nonshaven FUE (NS-FUE) is potentially a very good choice. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2017 Mar 16;5(3):e1260. Epub 2017 Mar 16.

Dana Plastic Surgery Clinic, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea.

Background: When performing follicular unit extraction (FUE), various types of minor hair follicle trauma unapparent during follicular unit strip surgery are likely to occur. However, no studies have examined such damage.

Methods: In total, 100 grafts were randomly selected from each of 42 patients who underwent FUE with a 1-mm-diameter sharp punch. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2017 Jul 24;56(7):784-787. Epub 2017 Apr 24.

Innovative Skin and Laser Surgery Center, Bangkok, Thailand.

Background: There is little information about how hair diameter differences within the safe donor area. Thicker or thinner hair may be needed depending on the recipient area, hairline design, and surgical purpose.

Methods: Thirty-eight non-alopecic subjects (19 males and 19 females) were evaluated. Read More

Cell 2017 May 20;169(4):636-650.e14. Epub 2017 Apr 20.

Robin Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Development and Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA. Electronic address:

Tissue stem cells contribute to tissue regeneration and wound repair through cellular programs that can be hijacked by cancer cells. Here, we investigate such a phenomenon in skin, where during homeostasis, stem cells of the epidermis and hair follicle fuel their respective tissues. We find that breakdown of stem cell lineage confinement-granting privileges associated with both fates-is not only hallmark but also functional in cancer development. Read More

Am J Pathol 2017 Jun 20;187(6):1380-1398. Epub 2017 Apr 20.

Regenerative Biology to Reconstructive Therapies (REBIRTH), Laboratory of Regenerative Immune Therapies Applied, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. Electronic address:

Humanized mice engrafted with human hematopoietic stem cells and developing functional human T-cell adaptive responses are in critical demand to test human-specific therapeutics. We previously showed that humanized mice immunized with long-lived induced-dendritic cells loaded with the pp65 viral antigen (iDCpp65) exhibited a faster development and maturation of T cells. Herein, we evaluated these effects in a long-term (36 weeks) nonclinical model using two stem cell donors to assess efficacy and safety. Read More

Exp Dermatol 2017 Apr 19. Epub 2017 Apr 19.

Designed Animal and Transplantation Research Institute, Greenbio Research and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang, Kangwon, Korea.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that results in spot baldness in humans. Adequate animal models for AA are currently lacking. The objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of autoimmune-like alopecia (ALA) in C57BL/6. Read More

Am J Clin Dermatol 2017 Apr 8. Epub 2017 Apr 8.

Department of Dermatology, Rabin Medical Center - Beilinson Hospital, 39 Jabotinski St., Petach Tikva, 4941492, Israel.

Background: Dermatophytes are the most common cause of superficial fungal infections in humans. Deep dermatophytosis, however, is rare, described to date only in isolated case reports, usually in the setting of systemic immunosuppression.

Objective: To present the 15-year experience of a tertiary dermato-mycology clinic with the diagnosis and treatment of deep dermatophytosis. Read More

Sci Rep 2017 04 7;7:46058. Epub 2017 Apr 7.

Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Michigan Medical School, MSRB-3, Rm. 9301 1150 W. Medical Center Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5648, USA.

Hair cells in the mature cochlea cannot spontaneously regenerate. One potential approach for restoring hair cells is stem cell therapy. However, when cells are transplanted into scala media (SM) of the cochlea, they promptly die due to the high potassium concentration. Read More

Dermatol Surg 2017 May;43(5):672-683

*Department of Dermatology, St. Luke's Medical Center, Manila, Philippines; †International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, DHT Clinic, Bangkok, Thailand; ‡American College of Surgeons, Chicago, Illinois, §International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, Geneva, Illinois; ¶Hair Restoration Surgery, DHT Clinic, Bangkok, Thailand.

Background: Hair density, together with hair diameter has a tremendous impact on the cosmetic outcome of hair transplantation surgery.

Objective: This retrospective study aims to assess the average number of follicular unit (FU) grafts in the donor area of Asian men with androgenetic alopecia.

Methods: Seventy patients (ages 24-65 years old) with virgin scalp who had their first hair transplantation were included. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2017 ;1597:135-151

Laboratory for Organ Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, 2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuou-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan.

The salivary gland plays important roles in maintaining the health and homeostasis of the oral cavity by regulating functions, such as chewing, digestion, cleaning, and swallowing. Salivary gland dysfunction causes dry mouth syndrome, which includes many oral problems, such as dental caries, bacterial infection, mastication dysfunction, and swallowing dysfunction. Therefore, salivary gland regeneration is expected, and we attempted to establish a method by manual approaches. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2017 ;1597:117-134

Laboratory for Organ Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, 2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuou-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan.

Hair follicles develop from the ectoderm in embryos and cyclically regenerate using proper spatiotemporal signaling molecules, which are conserved in organogenesis during adulthood. Previously, we demonstrated that bioengineered hair follicle germs could regenerate functional hair follicles via a three-dimensional cell manipulation technique, which we named the "organ germ method ." We could also regulate the type of hair follicle and pigmentation with correct structures by rearranging the source of the cells. Read More

Acta Biomater 2017 May 27;54:333-344. Epub 2017 Mar 27.

Center for Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial to many aspects of vascular morphogenesis and maintenance of vasculature function. Currently the recapitulation of angiogenic ECM microenvironment is still challenging, due mainly to its diverse components and complex organization. Here we investigate the angiogenic potential of human lung fibroblast-derived matrix (hFDM) in creating a three-dimensional (3D) vascular construct. Read More

Nanotoxicology 2017 May 6;11(4):465-474. Epub 2017 Apr 6.

a Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University , Qingdao , Shandong , China.

The ability of metal oxide nanoparticles to penetrate the skin has aroused a great deal of interest during the past decade due to concerns over the safety of topically applied sunscreens that contain physical UV-resistant metal particles, such as nano-Zinc oxide (nZnO). Previous studies demonstrate that metal oxide nanoparticles accumulate in skin furrows and hair follicles following topical application while little is known about the consequence of these nanoparticles on skin homeostasis. The current investigation tested the effects of nZnO (0. Read More

Transpl Infect Dis 2017 Aug 15;19(4). Epub 2017 May 15.

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Trichodysplasia spinulosa (TS) is a rare dermatologic complication associated with the immunosuppressive therapy used in solid organ transplantation. The distinctive clinical manifestation of this condition is spiny follicular papules on the face, ears, extremities, and trunk. Histopathologically, abnormally maturing hair follicles with hyperkeratotic material are noted. Read More

Bone Marrow Transplant 2017 Jul 20;52(7):984-988. Epub 2017 Mar 20.

Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Permanent alopecia after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is distressing and few studies have investigated this late effect. The aim of the study was to assess the percentage of patients with alopecia and investigate risk factors for alopecia. Patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT before age 19 years, from January 1990 to January 2013, who were at least 2 years after transplant and in follow-up in our clinic were included. Read More

J Cosmet Laser Ther 2017 Mar 8:1-4. Epub 2017 Mar 8.

c Dermatology and Andrology Clinic, Government of Health , Assiut , Egypt.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of follicular hair transplantation and mini punch graft in the treatment of stable vitiligo.

Methods: Thirty-two patients with stable vitiligo were included in this comparative study. A single patch from each patient was divided into two halves: one half was treated by punch graft, while the other half was treated by follicular hair transplantation followed by excimer light twice weekly, and the outcome was assessed at 0, 1, 3 and 6 months post operatively by photography and quartile scale. Read More

J Cell Mol Med 2017 Aug 28;21(8):1593-1604. Epub 2017 Feb 28.

Research Institute of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medical, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Within the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of five subtypes, VEGF165 secreted by endothelial cells has been identified to be the most active and widely distributed factor that plays a vital role in courses of angiogenesis, vascularization and mesenchymal cell differentiation. Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) can be harvested from the bulge region of the outer root sheath of the hair follicle and are adult stem cells that have multi-directional differentiation potential. Although the research on differentiation of stem cells (such as fat stem cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells) to the endothelial cells has been extensive, but the various mechanisms and functional forms are unclear. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2017 Mar;139(3):573-584

Marbella, Málaga, Spain From the FACIALTEAM Surgical Group, MHC International Hospital.

Background: Reconstruction of the frontonaso-orbital complex is one of the best-described and most commonly used procedures in the field of facial feminization surgery. To a large extent, this complex determines the facial expression and plays a key role in the visual identification of facial gender. After the forehead, the hairline pattern is the second most important feature of gender identification within the upper third of the face. Read More

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) 2017 Jan 30;63(1):6-12. Epub 2017 Jan 30.

Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of advance Science in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Over 278 million of people worldwide suffers from hearing loss, and this disease has significant detrimental effects emotionally and economically on individuals and the society in totality. Treatment using cochlear implant dramatically improve the perception, and production of speech, as well as the patient quality of life, with the different sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Yet, there are some challenges faced by a cochlear implant. Read More

Pflugers Arch 2017 Apr 23;469(3-4):455-463. Epub 2017 Feb 23.

Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520-8059, USA.

The skin and its appendages comprise the largest and fastest growing organ in the body. It performs multiple tasks and maintains homeostatic control, including the regulation of body temperature and protection from desiccation and from pathogen invasion. The skin can perform its functions with the assistance of different immune cell populations. Read More

Immunotherapy 2017 Mar;9(3):281-288

Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Natural killer (NK) cells target the cells losing MHC-I in cancer, a phenotype that is similar to certain cells in immune-privileged sites whose milieus are separated from peripheral blood. NK cells are reported to be quantitatively and qualitatively different in immune-privileged sites from those cytotoxic ones in the blood. We hypothesize that cytotoxic and expanded NK cells induced in cancer patients may be turned into pathogenic factors if they enter immune-privileged microenvironments in susceptible individuals, such as, patients with brain cancer or a blood-brain barrier dysfunction. Read More

Indian J Plast Surg 2016 Sep-Dec;49(3):390-396

Department of Plastic Surgery, Grant Government Medical College and Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is one of the widely practiced minimally invasive follicular harvesting techniques employed during hair transplantation. FUE technique has an advantage of utilising lower occipital area and supra-auricular region as a safe donor area described by Unger, in addition to the standard occipital donor area used in strip method (follicular unit transplant). Despite its potential advantages such as rapid recovery, minimal scarring and reduced post-operative pain; its widespread acceptance is limited due to various factors in variable contribution like steeper learning curve and potentially higher follicular transection rates (FTRs). Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2017 Mar;76(3):564-567

Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Stem Cells Transl Med 2017 Feb 9;6(2):434-443. Epub 2016 Sep 9.

Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Endogenous dermal stem cells (DSCs) reside in the adult hair follicle mesenchyme and can be isolated and grown in vitro as self-renewing colonies called skin-derived precursors (SKPs). Following transplantation into skin, SKPs can generate new dermis and reconstitute the dermal papilla and connective tissue sheath, suggesting they could have important therapeutic value for the treatment of skin disease (alopecia) or injury. Controlled cell culture processes must be developed to efficiently and safely generate sufficient stem cell numbers for clinical use. Read More

Dermatol Surg 2017 Feb;43(2):226-235

Departments of *Dermatology, †Histology, and ‡Clinical Pathology, Kasr El-Ainy Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cario, Egypt.

Background: Melanocyte-keratinocyte suspension (M-K susp) is gaining popularity for vitiligo treatment. Few studies have addressed procedure-related variables.

Objective: To assess the effect of different M-K susp procedure-related variables on the clinical outcome in stable vitiligo. Read More