Myocardial overexpression of ANKRD1 causes sinus venosus defects and progressive diastolic dysfunction.

Aims: Increased Ankyrin Repeat Domain 1 (ANKRD1) levels linked to gain of function mutations have been associated to total anomalous pulmonary venous return and adult cardiomyopathy occurrence in humans. The link between increased ANKRD1 level and cardiac structural and functional disease is not understood. To get insight into this problem, we have generated a gain of function ANKRD1 mouse model by overexpressing ANKRD1 in the myocardium.

Infusions of Large Synthetic HDL Containing Trimeric apoA-I Stabilize Atherosclerotic Plaques in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits.

Background: Among strategies to reduce the remaining risk of cardiovascular disease, interest has focused on using infusions of synthetic high-density lipoprotein (sHDL).

Methods: New Zealand rabbits underwent a perivascular injury at both carotids and were randomly allocated into 2 protocols: (1) a single-dose study, where rabbits were treated with a single infusion of sHDL containing a trimeric form of human apoA-I (TN-sHDL, 200 mg/kg) or with Placebo; (2) a multiple-dose study, where 4 groups of rabbits were treated 5 times with Placebo or TN-sHDL at different doses (8, 40, 100 mg/kg). Plaque changes were analysed in vivo by intravascular ultrasound.

Sex-related differences of clinical features in hidradenitis suppurativa: analysis of an Italian-based cohort.

The clinical characteristics associated with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) severity are poorly understood. In this study, 124 patients with HS from 6 Italian dermatology centres participated in this study. Disease severity was assessed using the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Physician's Global Assessment score (HS-PGA) and Hurley score.

Analysis of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase in oral malignant melanoma and potential prognostic significance.

Oral malignant melanoma (OMM) is an aggressive tumour, and shows deep tissue invasion at initial presentation. The prognosis is worse than that for cutaneous melanoma (CM), and the overall 5-year survival rate is 10-25%. A study of the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of OMM is necessary to identify new prognostic markers.

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase: potential involvement in cutaneous malignant melanoma.

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) is an enzyme that catalyzes the N-methylation of nicotinamide and pyridine compounds, participating in xenobiotic and drug metabolism. Data on literature have evidenced a possible role of NNMT in many solid cancers, but no data are currently available in cutaneous melanoma. Recent important advances have been achieved in the treatment of advanced melanoma with targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Role of mesenchymal stem cells in the pathogenesis of psoriasis: current perspectives.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent nonhematopoietic stromal cells studied for their properties and importance in management of several skin diseases. This review collects and analyzes the emerging published data, which describe the function of MSCs in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

A validation study of the Simple Psoriatic Arthritis Screening (SiPAS) questionnaire to screen psoriasis patients for psoriatic arthritis.

Objectives: To validate in a multicentric cohort of patients a self-administered PsA screening tool, called Simple Psoriatic Arthritis Screening (SiPAS) questionnaire, to screen psoriasis patients for signs and symptoms of PsA.

Methods: The SiPAS questionnaire was validated in a multicentric Italian cohort of psoriasis patients referred to two rheumatological centres.

Results: A total of 202 psoriasis patients were screened with SiPAS in the validation study.

Effect of Dietary Components from Antarctic Krill on Atherosclerosis in apoE-Deficient Mice.

Scope: Antarctic krill is a great source of n-3 fatty acids and high-quality proteins. Aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Antarctic krill components on plasma lipids and atherosclerosis development.

Methods And Results: Sixty apoEKO mice were divided into four groups and fed Western diet (CONTROL) or Western-like diets, differing for protein or fat content.

Liver-specific deletion of the Plpp3 gene alters plasma lipid composition and worsens atherosclerosis in apoE mice.

The PLPP3 gene encodes for a ubiquitous enzyme that dephosphorylates several lipid substrates. Genome-wide association studies identified PLPP3 as a gene that plays a role in coronary artery disease susceptibility. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Plpp3 deletion on atherosclerosis development in mice.

Certolizumab pegol for the treatment of psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic immunomediated and inflammatory disease involving mainly skin and joints, often associated with several metabolic and non-metabolic comorbidities. TNF-alpha inhibitors have shown long-term efficacy and safety/tolerability in psoriasis, and preliminary data support the use of certolizumab pegol (CZP) as well. Areas covered: The authors review the pharmacological properties of CZP, as well as its safety data and efficacy profile.

Switching from a biological therapy to another biologic agent in psoriatic patients: the experience of PsOMarche group.

Background: Switching is a "hot" topic and the main reasons for switching prior biologic agent are for a primary failure, a secondary failure or drug intolerance, patient's dissatisfaction, physician decision. The aim of the study was to assess the optimization of the switching from a biologic agent to another.

Methods: Five Dermatological Units have participated to PsOMarche working group have studied thirty-eight patients affected moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis at time 0 (patient recruitment at time of switching from biological therapy to another), 8 weeks (T8), 16 weeks (T16).

TNF-α inhibitors reduce the pathological Th -Th /Th imbalance in cutaneous mesenchymal stem cells of psoriasis patients.

Psoriasis is a disease characterized by an imbalance between Th and Th and Th inflammatory axes, in which cutaneous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are early involved, as they show a greater relative expression of several genes encoding for Th and Th cytokines. Therapeutic implications of TNF-α inhibitors on differentiated skin cells have been largely described in psoriasis; however, their effects on MSCs derived from patients with psoriasis have been only partially described. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of TNF-α inhibitors on cytokine milieu expressed by MSCs isolated from the skin of patients with psoriasis.

Salivary interleukin-1β: Oral inflammatory biomarker in patients with psoriasis.

Objective: To evaluate salivary interleukin (IL)-1β levels in patients with psoriasis, before and after treatment with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors.

Methods: In this pilot study, salivary secretions were collected from patients with psoriasis and untreated healthy control subjects at baseline, and from patients after 12 weeks' treatment with TNF-α inhibitors. IL-1β levels were determined in saliva samples via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, undertaken before and after TNF-α inhibitor treatment.

The effect of etanercept on vascular endothelial growth factor production by cutaneous mesenchymal stem cells from patients with psoriasis.

Objective: To evaluate prospectively the effect of etanercept (a tumour necrosis factor [TNF]-α inhibitor) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production by mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from patients with psoriasis.

Methods: MSCs from lesional and perilesional skin were isolated, cultured and characterized. VEGF production was evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks' etanercept treatment.

T helper (Th)1, Th17 and Th2 imbalance in mesenchymal stem cells of adult patients with atopic dermatitis: at the origin of the problem.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and inflammatory disease characterized by a marked imbalance of T helper (Th)2 vs. Th1/Th17 cells in the early phase of AD, whereas a mixed Th1/Th2 pattern of inflammation is usually found at the chronic stage. These features have not been extensively evaluated in undifferentiated skin cells of patients affected by AD.

The effect of low-carbohydrates calorie-restricted diet on visceral adipose tissue and metabolic status in psoriasis patients receiving TNF-alpha inhibitors: results of an open label controlled, prospective, clinical study.

Objective: TNF alpha inhibitors are usually associated with anthropometric changes over the time, however whether and how the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is involved in this phenomenon, still remains unclear. Aim of the study is to evaluate if the increases in trunk fat percentage (TF%) and VAT are directly involved in anthropometric changes occurring during treatment, and whether and how a calorie restricted diet could prevent these changes.

Material And Methods: Twenty patients receiving TNF-alpha inhibitors for psoriasis was evaluated at baseline (T0) and after 24 weeks of therapy (T24), and then compared with 25 patients receiving a combined treatment based on TNF alpha inhibitors and low-carbohydrates calorie-restricted diet.

Efficacy and Safety of Topical Pidobenzone 4% as Adjuvant Treatment for Solar Lentigines: Result of a Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial.

Background/objective: This study aims at the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a combination therapy based on pidobenzone 4% and fractional CO2 laser or cryotherapy in the treatment of solar lentigines and the prevention of eventual posttreatment hyperchromia.

Methods: Efficacy was clinically evaluated by grading the pigmentation level with the Skin Tone Color Scale (STCS), and by grading patients' impression through a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Results: Our study shows that the associated treatment was safe and that it improves the therapeutic results on solar lentigines and prevents postiatrogenic hyperpigmentation compared with physical therapy alone.

Ingenol mebutate in actinic keratosis: a clinical, videodermoscopic and immunohistochemical study.

Background: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a cutaneous intraepithelial neoplasm that typically develops on sun-damaged skin. The incidence of AK is increasing worldwide, and it is accepted as the most frequent pre-malignant lesion in humans.

Objectives: To demonstrate that ingenol mebutate gel is effective in the treatment of actinic keratoses because of its clinical, dermoscopic, capillaroscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical treatment outcomes.

Lifelong widespread warts associated with human papillomavirus type 70/85: a new diagnostic entity?

We present a patient with HPV 70/85-positive widespread cutaneous warts characterized by clinical and histological features atypical for classic generalized verrucosis or epidermodysplasia verruciformis. The cutaneous HPV infection is characterized by verrucous papules or plaques variable in size, number, and distribution depending on the genotype of HPV involved and the immune status of the patient. Human papillomaviruses comprise five genera (alpha, beta, gamma, mu, and nu papillomavirus) with different life-cycle characteristics, epithelial tropisms, and disease associations.