Complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with psoriasis on different treatment regimens.

The aim of this study was to explore habitudes about the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients with psoriasis. We conducted a face-to-face interview with 374 psoriasis patients to collect information about CAM use. All treatments for psoriasis used in the last 12 months, demographic data of patients, Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI), and Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) were recorded.

Red face revisited: Flushing.

The term red face is reserved for lesions located exclusively or very predominantly on the face that result from changes in cutaneous blood flow triggered by multiple different conditions. Facial erythema may not only present clinically as a distinct entity, but can also be a sign of other diseases. Patients with a red face challenge clinicians to consider a broad differential diagnosis.

Environmental risk factors in pediatric psoriasis: a multicenter case-control study.

To analyze the effect of possible risk factors, including breastfeeding, on the development of childhood-onset psoriasis, a multicenter case-control study with prospective collection of data was performed. Using a standard questionnaire, personal and specific variables including family history of psoriasis, maternal and environmental tobacco smoke exposure, body mass index (BMI), exclusive and partial breastfeeding for at least 3 and 12 months, cow's milk intake before 1 year, birth delivery method, and stressful life events were collected during 2009 from 537 patients with psoriasis and 511 controls younger than 18. Overall, patients more frequently reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at home and stressful life events in the year preceding the diagnosis than controls.

CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in patients with toenail onychomycosis.

The essential role played by CD25+CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in the control of immunity against some pathogens such as Helicobacter pylori is now well established. But their role in cutaneous fungal infections is still unknown. Onychomycosis is the chronic fungal infection of the nails, which is very common.

Association between tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene promoter polymorphism at position -308 and acne in Turkish patients.

Acne is a multifactorial, chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous unit in which cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis. Although it is thought to be an inherited disease, there are limited data supporting the relevant genetic elements. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is one of the proinflammatory cytokines involved in the acne pathogenesis.

Cerebriform intradermal nevus.

Cerebriform intradermal nevus is a rare form of cutis verticis gyrata. Clinically it manifests as a scalp deformity resembling the surface of the brain, with cerebriform morphologic characteristics. Degeneration into malignant melanoma has been reported.

Cytochrome P450 polymorphisms in patients with Behcet's disease.

Objectives: Although the etiopathogenesis of Behcet's disease (BD) remains unknown, increased neutrophil functions such as chemotaxis, phagocytosis and excessive production of reactive oxygen species, including superoxide anion, may be responsible for the oxidative tissue damage observed in BD. Cytochrome P-450 are a multigene family of enzymes involved in the detoxification and occasional activation of a wide variety of chemicals. Our aim was to investigate CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 polymorphisms in patients with BD.

Dorfman-Chanarin syndrome: a case with hyperlipidemia.

Dorfman-Chanarin syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital ichthyosis and presence of intracellular lipid droplets in most tissues. Here, we present a patient from Turkey, who is the fourth Turkish case in the literature with this syndrome, and we review the previous reported cases. He was also the second case reported with hyperlipidemia.

GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes as possible heritable factors of rosacea.

Purpose: Rosacea might be related to an increased activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and deficient function of the antioxidant system. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play a primer role in cellular defense against electrophilic chemical species and radical oxygen species. We hypothesized that increased ROS activity or decreased antioxidant potential, possibly induced by GST gene polymorphism, might have a pathogenic role in rosacea.

A high prevalence of parvovirus B19 DNA in patients with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease. Infectious models are considered to be of pathophysiological importance in psoriasis. The immunological profile of stable psoriasis plaques suggests that viral antigens may be important.

[Alopecia areata and alexithymia].

Objective: Whether or not psychological factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA) is a controversial issue. AA has had a tendency to be associated with high avoidance in attachment relationships, high alexithymic characteristics, and poor social support. Some studies have suggested that personality characteristics might modulate individual susceptibility to AA.

Lack of association with TNF-alpha-308 promoter polymorphism in patients with vitiligo.

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentary disorder of the skin, characterized by incomplete penetrance, multiple susceptibility loci and genetic heterogeneity. An immunologic hypothesis is currently advanced as a possible pathogenesis of vitiligo. The cytokines have an important role in pathogenesis of autoimmunity in which tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a paracrine inhibitor of melanocytes, is especially important.

Superficial basal cell carcinoma of the scalp mimicking seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Superficial basal cell carcinomas (BCC) comprise 9% to 11% of BCC, and are commonly found on the trunk or limbs. We report a case of a superficial BCC on the scalp that was misdiagnosed and treated as seborrhoeic dermatitis. Any erythematous plaque-type lesion of long duration must have superficial BCC considered in the differential diagnosis.

Relationship between ABO blood groups and skin cancers.

Studies of associations between various cancers and the ABO blood groups have shown elevated relative risks for some categories of disease. To date, no report has evaluated the relationship between the ABO blood groups and the skin cancers. To investigate this association, we conducted a retrospective study of premalignant and malignant tumors diagnosed in Turkey.

The changes in expression of ICAM-3, Ki-67, PCNA, and CD31 in psoriatic lesions before and after methotrexate treatment.

Although the effectiveness of methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of psoriasis is very well established, the mechanism of action is poorly understood. It was suggested that the therapeutic effect of MTX in psoriasis might be mediated by inhibition of adhesion molecule expression. The aim of our study was to investigate the different effects of MTX treatment on cell proliferation, inflammatory infiltrate, adhesion molecules, and angiogenesis in psoriasis, and to clarify the mechanism by which MTX exerts its therapeutic effects.

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and lipoprotein compositions in patients with Behçet's disease.

Background: Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystemic disease of unknown etiology characterized by chronic relapsing oral-genital ulcers and uveitis. Some abnormalities in lipoprotein metabolism have been described in patients with BD.

Methods: In this study, apolipoprotein E (apo E) polymorphism and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in 30 patients with BD were compared with those of 27 control subjects.

Round excision of small, benign, papular and dome-shaped melanocytic nevi on the face.

Background: Patients frequently request the removal of benign, papular and dome-shaped nevi for cosmetic or functional reasons. Total excision is probably the most widely used method of removal.

Aim: To introduce the round excision technique for the treatment of benign, papular and dome-shaped nevi on the face.

Treatment of lichen planopilaris with mycophenolate mofetil.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive drug that has recently been used to treat autoimmune and inflammatory skin diseases. We report the first case of lichen planopilaris (LPP) successfully treated with MMF. The treatment of our patient demonstrates a novel therapeutic option for patients with LPP; MMF treatment may be preferable to azathioprine treatment because MMF has a safer adverse-effect profile.

Plasma reactive oxygen species activity and antioxidant potential levels in rosacea patients: correlation with seropositivity to Helicobacter pylori.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that there might be an etiologic role for Helicobacter pylori (HP) in rosacea. HP is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa, increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreases plasma antioxidants such as ascorbic acid.

Aim: To investigate plasma ROS activities and antioxidant status, and their relationship with HP infection, in rosacea patients.

Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and serum lipids in patients with superficial fungal disease.

Superficial mycosis, including dermatophytic infections, tinea versicolor, and cutaneous candidiasis is mostly limited to the outer layers of the skin, nails, and mucous membranes. In this study, Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were compared between 42 patients with superficial fungal disease and 27 control subjects. Both the patients and controls were found to be normolipemic.

Celecoxib-induced photoallergic drug eruption.

Photoallergic dermatitis is caused by a photosensitizing substance plus sunlight exposure in a sensitized person. If the photosensitizer is delivered internally, it is called a photoallergic drug reaction. Celecoxib is a new generation non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and sulfonamide derivative.