The Effect of Atopy in the Prevalence of Contact Sensitization: The Experience of a Greek Referral Center.

Contact dermatitis is a well-known skin condition, which is related to stimuli and environmental exposure to chemicals, affecting all ages as well as both genders. In the present work, we attempt to investigate the patterns of contact sensitization, with respect to the personal history of atopy (AT), in Greece in a large number of allergens, using patch testing. The retrospective analysis included clinical routine data of 1978 patients collected from 2014 to 2016 in the Laboratory of Patch Testing, National Referral Centre of Occupational Dermatoses.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in affected skin and increased mitochondrial DNA in serum from patients with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is characterized by keratinocyte proliferation and chronic inflammation, but the pathogenesis is still unclear. Dysregulated mitochondria (mt) could lead to reduced apoptosis and extracellular secretion of mtDNA, acting as "innate pathogen" triggering inflammation. Serum was obtained from healthy volunteers and psoriatic patients.

Interleukin 33 and interleukin 4 regulate interleukin 31 gene expression and secretion from human laboratory of allergic diseases 2 mast cells stimulated by substance P and/or immunoglobulin E.

Background: Cytokine interleukin (IL) 31 has emerged as an important component of allergic and inflammatory diseases associated with pruritus, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and mastocytosis. Mast cells (MC) are stimulated by allergic and nonallergic triggers, and play a critical role in such diseases by secreting histamine and tryptase as well as cytokines and chemokines. IL-33 has been reported to augment MC responses, but its effect on secretion of IL-31 is not known.

Low-Molecular-Weight Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Antioxidants in Nonmelanoma Skin Carcinomas and Adjacent Normal-Looking Skin.

Low-molecular-weight antioxidants are some of the most efficient agents of the skin defense mechanism against environmental factors, such as cosmic rays, smoke, and pollutants. The total skin concentrations of hydrophilic ascorbic and uric acids, as well as lipophilic α-tocopherol, β-carotene, and ubiquinol-10 antioxidants were determined by an HPLC-EC detector from 18 biopsies of human nonmelanoma skin carcinomas and 18 biopsies from skin areas adjacent to carcinomas. No significant differences in the concentrations of lipophilic antioxidants in both carcinomas and normal-looking skin areas adjacent to carcinomas were observed.

Quercetin is more effective than cromolyn in blocking human mast cell cytokine release and inhibits contact dermatitis and photosensitivity in humans.

Mast cells are immune cells critical in the pathogenesis of allergic, but also inflammatory and autoimmune diseases through release of many pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-8 and TNF. Contact dermatitis and photosensitivity are skin conditions that involve non-immune triggers such as substance P (SP), and do not respond to conventional treatment. Inhibition of mast cell cytokine release could be effective therapy for such diseases.

Increased serum CRH levels with decreased skin CRHR-1 gene expression in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

There is increased serum CRH with decreased lesional skin CRHR-1 gene expression in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, suggesting possible involvement in stress-induced worsening of symptoms.

Human mast cell degranulation and preformed TNF secretion require mitochondrial translocation to exocytosis sites: relevance to atopic dermatitis.

Background: Mast cells derive from hematopoietic cell precursors and participate in tissue allergic, immune, and inflammatory processes. They secrete many mediators, including preformed TNF, in response to allergic, neuropeptide, and environmental triggers. However, regulation of mast cell degranulation is not well understood.

Theophylline as 'add-on' therapy to cetirizine in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.

Background: Chronic urticaria is a prevalent condition associated with substantial disability. Its pathogenesis is not clearly understood and is divided into autoimmune and chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). We investigated if the non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline could provide additional benefit to the histamine-1 receptor (H-1R) antagonist cetirizine in CIU.

Penicillin hypersensitivity: value of clinical history and skin testing in daily practice.

Penicillin often is excluded as a treatment option based on patients' self-reported history of an adverse reaction to penicillin. The objective of this prospective study was to determine the likelihood of true penicillin allergy in patients with vague and convincing histories of penicillin allergy and to evaluate the diagnostic value added by appropriate skin testing. Six hundred thirty-eight patients with prior beta-lactam intake had a current indication for penicillin therapy and were referred for testing with the major (benzylpenicilloyl polylysine) and minor (minor determinant mixture) penicillin determinants from the inpatient and outpatient service of Athens University Dermatological hospital from January 2000 to December 2002.