MicroRNA-183-5p regulates MITF expression in vitiligo skin depigmentation.

Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a master regulatory factor for melanocytes. MITF regulates multiple pigmentary genes for maintaining cellular homeostasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in numerous biological processes however their molecular/cellular mechanisms to regulate pigmentation have not been fully explored.

Missense, silent, non-sense and frame-shift mutations in exon 3 of the filaggrin gene in patients with bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and mixed atopy.

This study investigated the atopic march on the basis of genetics. This research detected 227 variants in the filaggrin gene (FLG gene). Missense, silent, non-sense, frame-shift and non-coding mutations were detected in exon 3 of the FLG gene in patients with bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and mixed atopy.

Autoimmune response against tyrosinase induces depigmentation in C57BL/6 black mice.

Regulation of melanogenesis by tyrosinase has now become an attractive approach for treatment of vitiligo but still the role of tyrosinase in the induction of depigmentation remains largely unexplored. This study was explored the role of tyrosinase in the induction of autoimmune depigmentation in C57BL/6 mice. Depigmentation was induced in C57BL/6 mice by tyrosinase immunization.

TNF-α - 308 G/A and IFN-γ + 874 A/T gene polymorphisms in Saudi patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is well linked with immunogenetic factors. This study was undertaken to test the association of TNF-α - 308 and IFN-γ + 874 gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility of Leishmania (L) species among CL patients in central region of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This is a case-control study involved 169 Saudi subjects with different L.

Prevalence of Leishmania species among patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Qassim province of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection endemic in more than ninety countries of the world. The cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a most common form of leishmaniasis and it remains to be a major public health issue in Saudi Arabia. This study was undertaken to investigate the Leishmania species responsible for CL infection in different provinces of Qassim, Saudi Arabia.

Filaggrin, major basic protein and leukotriene B4: Biomarkers for adult patients of bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis.

Bronchial asthma (BA), atopic dermatitis (AD), and allergic rhinitis (AR) are well known atopic disorders with complex etiologies. This study was undertaken to investigate the role of filaggrin, eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in patients with BA, AD, and AR. Sera from 1,246 patients with different atopic disorders and 410 normal healthy controls were collected and were evaluated for filaggrin, MBP and LTB4 by specific sandwich ELISAs, whereas immunoglobulin E (IgE) was used as a positive control for atopic patients.

Markers of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma in pediatric patients: correlation with filaggrin, eosinophil major basic protein and immunoglobulin E.

Background: Allergic reactions have been implicated as contributions in a number of atopic disorders, including atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR) and bronchial asthma (BA). However, the potential for filaggrin protein, eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) to elicit allergic response or to contribute to atopic disorders remains largely unexplored in pediatric patients. This study was undertaken to investigate the status and contribution of filaggrin protein, eosinophil MBP and total IgE in pediatric patients with AD, AR and BA.

Association of psychological stress with skin symptoms among medical students.

To evaluate the association between psychological stress and skin symptoms among medical students.  Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between January and June 2015. Electronic survey consists of Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and Self-Reported Skin Complaints Questionnaire were distributed to all 1435 undergraduate students at College of Medicine, King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Interleukin-4 and interferon-γ are possible allergic markers in pediatric patients with β-lactam hypersensitivity.

Background: β-lactam agents are known to elicit T-cell-mediated immune responses that play a central role in the onset of allergic reactions, but the involvement of specific type of cytokines in drug allergy remains largely unexplored in humans.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to investigate the role of cytokines involvement in pediatric patients with β-lactam hypersensitivity and to determine whether involvement of cytokines in drug-mediated reactions are important for the perspective of allergic patient's management.

Methods: β-lactam-induced hypersensitivity reactions in eighty pediatric patients were determined by clinical manifestations and skin prick or intradermal testing.

Altered expression of intracellular Toll-like receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with alopecia areata.

Background: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern-recognition-receptors that sense a variety of pathogens and initiation of innate and adaptive immune responses. This study was undertaken to investigate the expression of TLRs in peripheral blood-mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of AA patients and to determine whether TLR-mediated inflammatory signals are important for the perspective of AA management.

Methods: Gene expression of TLRs and T-helper (Th) type-1, Th-2, Th-17 and regulatory T-cell cytokines in PBMCs was quantified by TaqMan Assays.

Immunoglobulin e, interleukin-18 and interleukin-12 in patients with atopic dermatitis: correlation with disease activity.

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Immunological/inflammatory reactions are reported to play a role in AD but their role in disease activity has not been fully investigated. This study was done to investigate the role of immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-12 in AD patients with different disease severities.

Genetic polymorphisms of NFκB1 -94 del/ins ATTG, NFκB1A 2758 A>G and SUMO rs237025 G>A in psoriasis.

Background: Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO4) are key transcription factors involved in the regulation of immune responses and apoptosis. The aim of this study is to test for the association of NF-κB and SUMO gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility and severity of psoriasis among Saudi cases.

Subjects And Methods: This is a case controlled study including 85 Saudi psoriasis patients in addition to 92 matched healthy unrelated controls from the same locality.

Interleukin-4 -590 T>C and interleukin-4 receptor Q551R A>G gene polymorphisms in Saudi cases with alopecia areata.

Objectives: Immunogenetic factors are known to play a role in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA). This study aimed at investigating the association between AA with the polymorphisms of interleukin-4 (IL-4) promoter and receptor (IL-4R) genes.

Patients And Methods: This work is a case-control study that was conducted on 76 AA patients from Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.

Preferential recognition of hydroxyl radical-modified superoxide dismutase by circulating autoantibodies in patients with alopecia areata.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of localized, non-scarring hair loss. The cause of AA is unknown but reports suggest an autoimmune etiology, where oxygen free radicals play an important role.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of a hydroxyl radicals (·OH)-modified antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD), in AA autoimmunity.

Onychomycosis in qassim region of saudi arabia: a clinicoaetiologic correlation.

Background: Onychomycosis is mainly caused by dermatophytes, but yeasts and nondermatophyte molds have also been implicated, giving rise to diverse clinical presentations. The aetiological agents of the disease may show geographic variation.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to isolate the causative pathogens and to correlate the various clinical patterns of onychomycosis with causative pathogens.

Association of CYP2C9 Genetic Variants with Vitiligo.

Background: Vitiligo is a depigmenting skin disorder in which genetic factors play an important role.

Objective: To examine the association of CYP2C9 (*) 1/(*) 2/(*) 3 gene polymorphism with vitiligo.

Methods: In this case controlled study, 95 Saudi patients with vitiligo (50 men and 45 women), with a mean age of 27.

Impact of atopic dermatitis on the quality of life of Saudi children.

Objective: To assess the impact of atopic dermatitis (AD) on the quality of life (QoL) of Saudi infants and children using a validated/culturally adapted Arabic version of the infants` dermatitis quality of life (IDQoL) index, and to investigate the correlation between IDQoL and disease severity.

Methods: This study was performed in the Dermatology Clinics and Hospitals affiliated to Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia between September 2012 and August 2013. The study was designed to investigate the role of IDQoL in AD patients with different severities.

Biochemical and immunological studies on erythrocytes superoxide dismutase modified by nitric oxide in patients with alopecia areata: Implications in alopecia patchy persistent and alopecia universalis.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring hair loss disorder that ranges in severity from patchy loss of scalp hair (AA patchy persistent; AAP) to loss of all scalp and body hair (alopecia universalis; AU). The cause of AA is unknown but most evidences support that AA has an autoimmune etiology, where free radicals play an important role. This study was undertaken to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) modified erythrocytes superoxide dismutase (eSOD) in AA.

Acquired immunogenicity of DNA after modification with malondialdehyde in patients with alopecia areata.

Background: Lipid peroxidative-mediated reactions have been implicated in alopecia areata (AA). However, the potential for lipid peroxidation to elicit an autoimmune response or to contribute in disease pathogenesis remain unexplored. This study was undertaken to investigate the status/contribution of lipid oxidative-by-product malondialdehyde modified DNA (MDA-DNA) in AA.

Patients seen at the Dermatology ambulatory office in a tertiary care center in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.

Background: In Saudi Arabia where there is lack of dermatologists in primary health care centers, patients with simple or minor skin conditions have to attend to hospitals to be treated. We analyzed the data of patients with cutaneous disorders attending the tertiary referral hospital in Qassim region of Saudi Arabia, with the aim to identify the most common conditions that patients complain of, in order to define the areas where the education of General Practitioners in Dermatology must focus.

Methodology: All patients seen at the Dermatology ambulatory office in the Emergency Department of Qassim University affiliated hospital from January 2011 to December 2011 were included in this retrospective analysis.

Pattern of bacterial colonization of atopic dermatitis in saudi children.

Background: Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disorder. Although it is not a life threatening condition, it may become infected with microorganisms, especially in children.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine bacterial colonisation in children with atopic dermatitis.

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal modified histone-H2A: a possible antigenic stimulus for systemic lupus erythematosus autoantibodies.

Protein modifications by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenals (HNE) are involved in various diseases. Histones are DNA protective nucleoprotein, which adopt different structures under oxidative stress. This study was undertaken to test the role of HNE-modified-histone-H2A (HNE-H2A) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Quality of life in family members of vitiligo patients: a questionnaire study in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Many dermatologic disorders are known to adversely affect quality of life (QoL) in close relatives or partners of patients; however, it is unknown whether vitiligo impacts the QoL of family members.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the level and domains in which the QoL of partners/relatives of patients with vitiligo are affected by the disease.

Methods: A total of 141 patients with vitiligo, along with their family members, were recruited to complete validated QoL questionnaires, including the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI).

Cultural adaptation of the Arabic version of the Infants` Dermatitis Quality of Life Index.

Objective: To create and validate an Arabic version of the Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQoL), and to evaluate its reliability and validity in Saudi infants with atopic dermatitis (AD) of various grades of severity.

Methods: This is a study involving a validation of a newly developed Arabic version of the IDQol. The research was conducted at the dermatology clinics and hospitals affiliated to Qassim University, Buraidah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between June 2011 and June 2012.