Clinical practice trends in cryosurgery: a retrospective study of cutaneous lesions

Toxicological assessment of photoactivated tetra-cationic porphyrin molecules under white light exposure in a Caenorhabditis elegans model

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes the potential of photosensitizing substances to absorb light energy and produce reactive oxygen species. Tetra-cationic porphyrins, which have organic or coordination compounds attached to their periphery, are heterocyclic derivatives with well-described antimicrobial and antitumoral properties. This is due to their ability to produce reactive oxygen species and their photobiological properties in solution. Consequently, these molecules are promising candidates as new and more effective photosensitizers with biomedical, environmental, and other biomedical applications. Prior to human exposure, it is essential to establish the toxicological profile of these molecules using in vivo models. In this study, we used Caenorhabditis elegans, a small free-living nematode, as a model for assessing toxic effects and predicting toxicity in preclinical research. We evaluated the toxic effects of porphyrins (neutral and tetra-cationic) on nematodes under dark/light conditions. Our findings demonstrate that tetra-methylated porphyrins (3TMeP and 4TMeP) at a concentration of 3.3 µg/mL (1.36 and 0.93 µM) exhibit high toxicity (as evidenced by reduced survival, development, and locomotion) under dark conditions. Moreover, photoactivated tetra-methylated porphyrins induce higher ROS levels compared to neutral (3TPyP and 4TPyP), tetra-palladated (3PdTPyP and 4PdTPyP), and tetra-platinated (3PtTPyP and 4PtTPyP) porphyrins, which may be responsible for the observed toxic effects.

Biomolecular Pathways of Cryoinjuries in Low-Temperature Storage for Mammalian Specimens

Low-temperature preservation could effectively extend in vitro storage of biological materials due to delayed or suspended cellular metabolism and decaying as illustrated by the Arrhenius model. It is widely used as an enabling technology for a variety of biomedical applications such as cell therapeutics, assisted reproductive technologies, organ transplantation, and mRNA medicine. Although the technology to minimize cryoinjuries of mammalian specimens during preservation has been advanced substantially over past decades, mammalian specimens still suffer cryoinjuries under low-temperature conditions. Particularly, the molecular mechanisms underlying cryoinjuries are still evasive, hindering further improvement and development of preservation technologies. In this paper, we systematically recapitulate the molecular cascades of cellular injuries induced by cryopreservation, including apoptosis, necroptosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Therefore, this study not only summarizes the impact of low-temperature preservations on preserved cells and organs on the molecular level, but also provides a molecular basis to reduce cryoinjuries for future exploration of biopreservation methods, materials, and devices.

Efficacy Evaluation of the Pixie® Skin Tag Cryogenic Device on Skin Tags in a Prospective, Single-Blinded, Randomized, Comparative Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION

Cryotherapy is an efficient method to treat various cutaneous lesions. In the current clinical evaluation, the efficacy of the Pixie^® Skin Tag cryogenic pen as a home treatment for benign skin tags was evaluated against a marketed comparator device. In addition, the safety, tolerability, and expected visual effects of the treatment were assessed.

METHODS

Fifty-six healthy volunteers presenting with skin tags were included and randomized in a prospective, single-blinded, parallel, single-center, comparative trial and subjected to treatment with either Pixie^® Skin Tag or a comparator device, Wortie^® skin tag remover. Selected skin tags located on the neck, breast, and under the armpits were topically treated according to device prescriptions for maximally three times with a 15-day interval between treatments.

RESULTS

Of the skin tags treated with Pixie^® Skin Tag, 64.3% completely disappeared during the study, of which half of the skin tags were cleared after one treatment, compared with 7.1% of the study population treated with Wortie^® skin tag remover (p < 0.001). Both medical devices were safe to use, painless, and very well tolerated by 64.3% in the Pixie^® Skin Tag and 96.4% in the Wortie^® skin tag remover group. In addition, 72% of the subjects using Pixie^® Skin Tag were satisfied with the results, and two-thirds of this study group would buy and use the device for the treatment of other skin tags. For the comparator device, only 11.0% were satisfied and 7.0% would buy the device.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of skin tags with Pixie^® Skin Tag showed superior clinical performance when compared to Wortie^® skin tag remover. Both treatments were safe and well tolerated, with the majority of skin response serving as a predictor for clinical performance in the Pixie^® Skin Tag treated group.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ANSL Registration: 2018-A01804-51.

Treatment of haemangiomas using propranolol in paediatric patients: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction

Haemangioma, one of the most common benign neoplasms of early childhood, is a significant clinical problem due to cosmetic reasons but also because of possible health complications.

Aim

Presentation of the method and results of treatment of infantile haemangiomas (IHs) using propranolol in a maximum dose of 3 mg/kg/day.

Material and methods

In 2013 to 2018 there were 108 patients with IHs multidisciplinary diagnosed and treated. 77 of them were girls and 31 were boys; all were between the ages of 2 and 21 months (mean: 6.87 months). Lesions were most often located in the head region (n = 73). The main imaging study assessing the arteriovenous flow was USG, which was used to assess the size of haemangioma and its regression or progression. Also, coagulation parameters were analysed using laboratory tests.

Results

Reduction of lesions occurred in 103 of 108 patients, which results in a percentage score above 95. In 19 patients, after completion of treatment, there were abnormalities of coagulation in laboratory tests whereas before the treatment, these abnormalities occurred in 82 patients. The average duration of treatment was longer than 12 months and the maximum dose of propranolol of 3 mg/kg/day was achieved after 3 to 5 months of treatment. Side effects occurred totally in 19 patients, with night anxiety and nightmares being the most common.

Conclusions

After achieving the maximum dose of the drug later than recommended in the Recommendation of the Polish Haemangioma and Vascular Malformations Group criteria, there was no need for longer therapy, while the effectiveness of the treatment remained unchanged. Side effects that occurred were not life-threatening or detrimental to the health of patients.