Low incidence of hypercalcemia following combined calcipotriol hydrate/betamethasone dipropionate ointment treatment in Japanese patients with severe psoriasis vulgaris.

Purpose: Topical active vitamin D3 application alone or in combination with topical steroid application is widely used to treat psoriasis. In Japan, combined calcipotriol hydrate/betamethasone dipropionate ointment has been used for patients with psoriasis vulgaris since September 2014. Current evidence regarding the incidence of hypercalcemia due to the use of this combination product, however, is insufficient.

Bath-PUVA therapy improves impaired resting regulatory T cells and increases activated regulatory T cells in psoriasis.

Background: Bath-psoralen plus ultraviolet light A (PUVA) therapy is an effective, safe, and inexpensive treatment for psoriasis. Psoriasis might be due to an unbalanced ratio of Th17 cells and regulatory T cells (Treg). The Treg functional ratio is significantly lower in patients with psoriasis compared with controls and is inversely correlated with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score.

Photo(chemo)therapy reduces circulating Th17 cells and restores circulating regulatory T cells in psoriasis.

Background: Photo(chemo)therapy is widely used to treat psoriasis, the pathogenesis of which might be caused by an imbalance of Th17 cells/regulatory T cells (Treg). In the present study, we evaluated the effects of photo(chemo)therapy on the Th17/Treg balance and Treg function.

Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from psoriasis patients treated with bath-psoralen ultraviolet A (UVA, n = 50) or narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB, n = 18), and age-matched healthy volunteers (n = 20).

Bath-PUVA therapy decreases infiltrating CCR4-expressing tumor cells and regulatory T cells in patients with mycosis Fungoides.

Background: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a malignant lymphoma characterized by expansion of CD4(+) memory T-cell clones. Infiltrating cells express CCR4, which is attracted to CC chemokine ligands 17 and 22 (thymus and activation-regulated chemokine [TARC]/CCL17 and TARC/CCL22). Bath-psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) is effective against MF.

Efficacy of excimer light therapy (308 nm) for palmoplantar pustulosis with the induction of circulating regulatory T cells.

In this open-label study, we investigated the efficacy of excimer light (308 nm) with a filter to cut off wavelengths below 297 nm for the treatment of palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). Twenty patients with PPP were recruited and treated once a week for a total of 30 sessions. Patient response was assessed every 10 sessions based on the Palmoplantar Pustulosis Area and Severity Index (PPPASI) score.

Safety and efficacy of a fixed-dose cyclosporin microemulsion (100 mg) for the treatment of psoriasis.

Cyclosporin is a second-line modality for the treatment of psoriasis. The long-term efficacy of cyclosporin and potential adverse side-effects, however, are a concern to patients. Therefore, a cyclosporin microemulsion (Neoral), which is steadily absorbed at an ultra-low dosage (1-2 mg/kg per day) or low dosage (2-3 mg/kg per day), is currently recommended.

Phototherapy reduces serum resistin levels in psoriasis patients.

This study investigated phototherapy-induced changes in certain adipokine levels in patients with psoriasis. Patients with psoriasis (n=36) were recruited and body mass index (BMI) and disease severity (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) were recorded. Serum resistin and leptin levels before and after bath-psoralen and ultraviolet (UV) A or narrow-band UVB therapy were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Tobacco smoke is related to Th17 generation with clinical implications for psoriasis patients.

Environmental factors contribute to the increased prevalence of autoimmune diseases via T helper type-17 cell (Th17) activation. Tobacco smoking increases the risk of psoriasis, but the mechanisms are not clear. We evaluated the percentage of circulating Th17 among CD3(+) cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from 27 healthy volunteers (2.

Increased peripheral Th17 in patients with pustulosis palmaris et plantaris.

Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP) is a chronic recurrent dermatitis characterized by intraepidermal pustules with erythematous scaling on the palms and soles. PPP shares many characteristics with psoriasis, but has a different genetic background. T helper 17 cells (Th17) have an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Successful pregnancy after artificial insemination in a case of human seminal plasma allergy.

Human seminal plasma allergy in women is uncommon, but causes a variety of serious reactions, including urticaria, dyspnea and vomiting, in those that are affected. Semen barriers, such as condoms, are the most widely advocated method for avoiding these reactions. However, this is not acceptable to couples who wish to have children.