A retrospective review of outcomes after hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of calciphylaxis.

Background: Calciphylaxis is a thrombotic vasculopathy characterized by painful necrotic ulcerations. There are no Food and Drug Administration approved therapies despite high mortality.

Objective: To compare mortality and wound healing outcomes in patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in addition to intravenous sodium thiosulfate (IV STS) versus patients who received IV STS only.

Malassezia spp. and Candida spp. from patients with psoriasis exhibit reduced susceptibility to antifungals.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects over 125 million people worldwide. Many studies have shown the importance of the microbiome for psoriasis exacerbation.

Aim: Explore the fungal load and species composition of cultivable yeasts on the skin of psoriatic patients (PP) and healthy volunteers living in a tropical area and evaluate the susceptibility to antifungals.

Post-discharge follow-up attendance after pediatric dermatology consultation in the emergency department: A retrospective analysis.

The emergency department (ED) is a frequent source of care for pediatric patients with dermatologic conditions, possibly owing to limited access to routine and urgent outpatient dermatology appointments. The demographics, clinical characteristics, follow-up scheduling practices, and attendance rates of 50 pediatric and 142 adult patients evaluated by the dermatology consult service in the ED were reviewed. High rates of follow-up attendance were observed in the pediatric and adult populations, with the majority receiving an appointment within 2 weeks.

Evaluation of plasma and urinary levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with infantile hemangioma.

Background: The pathogenesis of infantile hemangioma (IH) is not fully understood. It has been suggested that angiogenic factors increase in the proliferative stage, decreasing subsequently in the regression phase.

Objectives: To evaluate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) levels, according to infantile hemangioma (IH) growth stages and size, and to compare these levels in patients with IH and control subjects.

Monocytes of patients with unstable angina express high levels of chemokine and pattern-recognition receptors.

Background And Aims: Macrophages derived from monocytes play an important role in atherosclerosis progression. Subpopulations of circulating classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes possess distinct functions and phenotypes, and participate in the pathogenesis of disease. The aim of this study was to compare the quantity and phenotypes of circulating monocyte subpopulations in patients with established atherosclerosis and healthy control individuals.

Functional and phenotypic evaluation of eosinophils from patients with the acute form of paracoccidioidomycosis.

Background: Eosinophilia is a typical finding of the acute/juvenile form of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a systemic mycosis endemic in Latin America. This clinical form is characterized by depressed cellular immune response and production of Th2 cytokines. Moreover, it has been shown that the increased number of eosinophils in peripheral blood of patients returns to normal values after antifungal treatment.

Severe Paracoccidioidomycosis in a 14-Year-Old Boy.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most important systemic mycoses in Latin America. We describe a severe case of paracoccidioidomycosis in a 14-year-old boy, with a rapid disease progression. The fungal strain was isolated and inoculated into a T and/or B cell immunocompromised mice, which revealed a highly virulent strain.

Frequency and characteristics of circulating CD4(+) CD28(null) T cells in patients with psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the skin. CD4(+) CD28(null) cells are a subset of T lymphocytes associated with systemic inflammation and increased cardiovascular disease risk, and may be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Objectives: To study the features of circulating CD4(+) CD28(null) cells in patients with psoriasis, adjusted for the influence of known cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Circulating levels of chemokines in psoriasis.

Chemokines may contribute to local and systemic inflammation in patients with psoriasis. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of chemokine ligands and receptors in the recruitment of T cells into psoriatic lesional skin and synovial fluid. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of Th1-related chemokines in psoriasis and to investigate any association with disease severity.

A single-center, randomized double-blind, parallel-group study to examine the safety and efficacy of 3mg drospirenone/0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol compared with placebo in the treatment of moderate truncal acne vulgaris.

Background: Acne is a common disease of the face, chest and back, initially triggered by androgens. 3mg Drospirenone (DRSP)/0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol (EE), an oral contraceptive and antiandrogen, has been effective in treatment studies of facial acne in women, but investigations on its efficacy for truncal acne are limited.

Cumulative life course impairment across cultures and medical systems.

Life course epidemiology is very important in the evaluation of chronic diseases and their long term physical, psychological, cognitive and social consequences. However, chronic dermatologic diseases can have a different impact on quality of life depending on patients' cultures and medical systems. Conversely, cultural, social and economic factors over life may lead to even greater health disparities.

Validation of a screening instrument for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

Objective: To develop and pilot test a screening tool to identify cases of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) among patients exposed to gadolinium-containing contrast agents.

Methods: Sixty English-speaking subjects were enrolled: 10 subjects diagnosed as having NSF, 10 subjects with other fibrosing skin diseases, 20 subjects with nonfibrosing skin diseases, and 20 subjects without a skin disease. Subjects answered a questionnaire with 8 closed-ended (yes/no) questions focusing on cutaneous and musculoskeletal manifestations of NSF.

A double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial to quantitate photoprotective effects of an antioxidant combination product.

Background: Ingestion of multiple antioxidants may result in synergistic increases in skin protection.

Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, controlled study, the authors evaluated the effect of an antioxidant combination product in women with mild-to-moderate photoaging over 20 weeks. Changes on Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity levels and Minimal Erythema Dose were measured throughout the study.

Psoriasis prevalence among the 2009 AAD National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Screening Program participants.

Background: Validated epidemiological estimates of the prevalence of skin diseases remain an unmet challenge. Most patients in many health care systems do not see dermatologists for skin problems. Assessments based on claims data or self-report are likely to contain substantial misclassification.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of clindamycin 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025% combination gel for the treatment of acne rosacea over 12 weeks.

Background: Papulopustular acne rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition which can be difficult to treat. Many patients are unwilling to use systemic medications, and single topical agents alone may not address all the symptoms of rosacea. A combination topical clindamycin phosphate 1.

The impact of psoriasis on pregnancy outcomes.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease that affects women in their reproductive years. Other similar diseases have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We sought to assess whether pregnant women with psoriasis are at higher risk of developing complications, such as preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW).

Skin carotenoid levels in adult patients with psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease that not only affects the skin but can also have systemic implications such as obesity and nutritional deficiencies. Carotenoids are vitamin A provitamins with anti-oxidant properties that are present in human tissues including skin.

Objectives: To determine whether psoriasis is associated with lower levels of skin carotenoid levels.