Investigation of possible relationship between atopic dermatitis and salivary biomarkers, stress, and sleep disorders.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, multifactorial inflammatory disease with genetic, environmental, and immunological characteristics. The quality of life and sleep of patients and their families are affected by AD, which triggers stress, described as one of the factors that worsens AD. Salivary biomarkers such as cortisol, alpha-amylase, chromogranin A, and melatonin have been associated with stress and sleep disturbances.

The effect of probiotics on the clinical status of adult patients with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review.

Objectives: To describe, through a literature review, the results and benefits of oral and topical probiotics for adult patients with atopic dermatitis.

Design: A systematic review of articles published over a 13-year period was conducted to answer the following questions: (1) what information is given in the scientific literature concerning the use of probiotics in adult patients with atopic dermatitis? (2) Was there an improvement in the clinical status of the patients? (3) Was there a change in the microbial profile in patients after using such approaches? (4) Among the probiotics used, which was the most used in adult AD patients? (5) What was the average time of these interventions? (6) What were the outcomes?

Results: Seven studies with different sample sizes, ranging from 16 to 109 patients, were included in this review. These studies were all clinical trials (7/7), and probiotics (7/7) was the model of intervention chosen.

Alopecia Areata-Part III: Prognosis and Treatment.

The prognosis of alopecia areata is better in cases with single and small lesions, and the variability of the extension of the disease is one of the criteria for the choice of treatment modality. Several medications have been described in the literature for the treatment of alopecia areata, including corticosteroids, minoxidil, and diphencyprone. The authors review treatments for alopecia areata.

The Challenge of Providing Renal Replacement Therapy in Developing Countries: The Latin American Perspective.

The costs of health care place developing countries under enormous economic pressure. Latin America is a region characterized by wide ethnic and per capita gross domestic product variations among different countries. Chronic kidney failure prevalence and incidence, as well as provision of renal replacement therapy (RRT), have increased in all Latin American countries over the last 20 years.

Alopecia areata--Part II: diagnosis and pathology.

Alopecia areata is characterized by the abrupt appearance of round or oval, non-scarring, flat, single or multiple areas of alopecia, which may coalesce forming large patches of alopecia. The diagnosis is usually clinical but there are important differentials and dermatopathology may help in this definition.