Assessment of the general quality of sunscreen products available in Palestine and method verification of the sun protection factor using Food and Drug Administration guidelines

Summary

Background

Sunlight exposure affects all skin types causing skin tanning, burns or even skin cancer. Sunscreens were invented to prevent these outcomes by scattering or absorbing the UV light.

Aims

This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of Mansur method in SPF measurement and to find out how much reliable the labeled sun protection factor (SPF) value for the products that are imported to Palestine knowing that they are considered as cosmetics and they don't undergo tests by the Ministry Of Health (MOH).

Materials

In this research, sun protection factor (SPF) was determined for 16 commercially available sunscreen products using Mansur equation which was also validated; moreover sunscreen classification, product phase determination and pH measurement were also done.

Results

Sun protection factor values were mostly 50, 43.75% of the analyzed samples were close to the labeled SPF, 31.25% were under the labeled value, and 25% SPF value above the labeled value. All samples exhibited a pH close to skin pH. 62% of them were found to be O/W. Cosmetic companies and importers should focus on pediatric sunscreens, since only 12.5% are pediatric sunscreens.

Conclusions

Ministry Of Health should ask prove about the quality of an SPF value of sunscreens for final registration of these products. More instructions should be available on the label regarding the proper use especially, if they are not water proof.

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Post-transplantation Development of Food Allergies

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The development of food allergies is increasingly being recognized as a post-solid organ transplant complication. In this article, we review the spectrum of post-transplant food allergy development and the proposed mechanisms for de novo food allergies and the clinical significance they pose.

Recent Findings

The development of new food allergies is disproportionately associated with pediatric liver transplants, where it occurs in up to 38% of select populations. The mechanism of food allergy development is not completely understood; however, it is likely promoted by unbalanced immune suppression.

Summary

De novo food allergy development is a common complication of solid organ transplants with the highest risk occurring in pediatric liver transplant recipients. There are likely multiple mechanisms for food allergy development including passive transfer of membrane-bound IgE and lymphocytes from donor to recipient, as well as loss of food tolerance and active development of new food allergies. The optimal management of food allergies following organ transplants has not been well researched but may include changing the immune suppression regimen if the food allergy does not resolve without intervention.

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Chronology of regional lymph node metastases in cutaneous melanoma: a model based on mitotic rate

Abstract

Recently, the MSLT-II¹ and DeCOG² clinical trials have failed to demonstrate a benefit for the lymphadenectomy vs. observation in the setting of a patient with positive sentinel lymph node biopsy. Therefore, it is expected in the short term an increase in the patients with a more conservative management and obviously, more regional recurrences.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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False-Positive Blood Cultures in Acute Leukemia: An Underrecognized Finding

The occurrence of false-positive blood cultures in patients with acute myeloid leukemia has been rarely described in the literature. Awareness of this finding is important to avoid unnecessary delays in initiating appropriate cytoreductive therapy. Here, we present the case of a 70-year-old male with acute leukemia and persistently positive blood cultures despite broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. No source of infection could be found clinically, and no pathogen could be isolated from blood cultures. Inspection of the CO2 plots of the positive blood cultures showed a steady linear increase in CO2 levels, suggesting false-positive detection by the automated microbial detection system. Cytoreductive therapy was then initiated, and several subsequent blood cultures were negative.

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Topical Paromomycin for treating solitary mucosal leishmaniasis

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Clinical features and management of schwannoma affecting the upper and lower lips

Abstract

Head and neck schwannomas comprise 25–40% of all schwannomas, with presentation on the lips as the rarest and most surgically complicated site for perioral tumors. A systematic literature review was conducted to include 21 cases of patients with schwannoma of the upper or lower lips. The majority of patients presented with a single, painless, well-encapsulated nodule on the upper or lower lips. The nodules were consistently slow-growing, with an average 29.3 months from symptom onset to clinical presentation. Most cases were complicated by profound cosmetic disfigurement as well as dysphagia, dysarthria, snoring, and/or sleep apnea. Overall, histological analysis was consistent with classic schwannoma, and all cases were treated via complete surgical excision, and for malignant tumors, additional therapy was utilized. All but four cases achieved full remission by final follow-up. Recurrence rate for benign lip schwannomas was 5.3%, which is remarkably different from the standard recurrence rate of 8–24% for benign peripheral schwannomas. Additionally, the proportion of malignant tumors was greater for lip schwannomas than other schwannomas. Lip schwannomas demonstrate different characteristics than schwannomas from other locations on the body, and these remarkable differences highlight significant implications for clinical practice. Complete excision is the primary mode of treatment with overall excellent postoperative prognosis and rare instances of recurrence. Given the rarity of this tumor, this review of available cases serves to comprehensively describe clinical presentation and surgical treatment approaches to upper and lower lip schwannomas.

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Impact of climate change on dermatological conditions related to flooding: update from the International Society of Dermatology Climate Change Committee

Abstract

Climate change contributes to the increase in severity and frequency of flooding, which is the most frequent and deadly disaster worldwide. Flood-related damage can be very severe and include health effects. Among those health impacts, dermatological diseases are one of the most frequently encountered. Both infectious and noninfectious dermatological conditions are increasing after flooding. We searched PubMed using the search term climate change OR global warming OR rainfall OR flooding OR skin. Articles published in the English-language literature were included. We also searched the International Society of Dermatology website library on climate change for additional articles. There is an increased risk of trauma during the course of a natural disaster. The majority of post-tsunami wound infections were polymicrobial, but gram-negative bacteria were the leading causes. Infectious diseases with dermatological manifestations, such as impetigo, leptospirosis, measles, dengue fever, tinea corporis, malaria, and leishmaniasis, are important causes of morbidity among flood-afflicted individuals. Insect bites and stings, and parasite infestations such as scabies and cutaneous larva migrans are also frequently observed. Inflammatory conditions including irritant contact dermatitis are among the leading dermatological conditions. Dermatological conditions such as alopecia areata, vitiligo, psoriasis, and urticaria can be induced or exacerbated by psychological conditions post disaster. Prevention is essential in the management of skin diseases because of flooding. Avoiding exposure to contaminated environments, wearing protective devices, rapid provision of clean water and sanitation facilities, prompt vector controls, and education about disease risk and prevention are important.

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