Publications by authors named "Michal J Kowalczyk"

Chronic radiotherapy-induced skin injury (cRISI) is an irreversible and progressive condition that can significantly impact a patient's quality of life. Despite the limited literature available on the assessment of the epidermal barrier in cRISI, there is a consensus that appropriate skincare, including the use of emollients, is the primary therapeutic approach for this group of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biophysical properties of the skin during the late period (at least 90 days) following radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer.

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(1) Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism and one of the most frequent organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Its pathogenesis is polygenic and still requires further research. The aim of the study was to assess, for the first time in the Caucasian population, the role of selected gene promoter polymorphisms (rs2071399 G/A, rs2071400C/T, rs2071402 A/G, and rs2071403 A/G) in the development of AIT.

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Introduction: mites are common human ectoparasites found across a broad geographical range. They reside in pilosebaceous units of the skin and feed on sebum, epithelial and glandular cells. is the more common mite, inhabiting the upper end of the pilosebaceous unit while resides deeper in the skin and meibomian glands.

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Introduction: Scabies is a widespread, contagious parasitic disease causing intense itching. Its detection is a significant problem while there are no internationally agreed standards.

Aim: To compare diagnostic methods: microscopy of skin scrapings, dermoscopy, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of skin scrapings and wet skin swabs.

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Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common skin lesion often defined as premalignant with more evidence indicating it as early stage of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The AK may remain stable, transform towards incisive cSCC or in some cases revert spontaneously. Several different underlying conditions can increase risk of cSCC, however, advanced age represents major risk of AK and its progression towards cSCC indicating increased risk during chronological aging.

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Autoimmune blistering dermatoses (ABDs) are characterized by autoantibodies to keratinocyte surface antigens and molecules within the dermal-epidermal junction causing disruption of skin integrity. The affinity of Fc receptors (FcRs) causing an autoimmune response in ABDs may vary based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FcRs determining the course of disease. This study aimed to explore the effects of and SNPs on the autoimmune response in several ABDs.

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Purpose: Vitamin D, besides its role in calcium-phosphorus metabolism, turned out to play a significant immunomodulating function. Until now four single nucleotide polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene (), rs2228570 (I), rs1544410 (I), rs7975232 (I), and rs731236 (I), have been studied in autoimmune thyroid disorders, with conflicting results. Another functional polymorphism of the gene, rs11568820 (Cdx2), has been shown to influence the immune system, although it has not been studied for its association with autoimmune thyroiditis to date.

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: Thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) is an autoimmune disease that typically occurs in the course of Graves' disease. gene has been tested for its association with autoimmune thyroid diseases, with conflicting results. The study aimed to evaluate the association of selected polymorphisms (rs2228570, rs1544410, rs7975232, rs731236, and rs11568820) with susceptibility to TAO.

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Introduction: Morphea is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin. Dendritic cells (DC) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a significant role in development of autoimmune and tolerance mechanisms. The aim of the study was to establish the expression of selected genes of plasmacytoid and myeloid DC, Treg cells, and the microenvironment of cytokines (interleukin-17A (IL-17A), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)) in blood and skin of morphea patients.

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Human cowpox represents a seldom diagnosed zoonosis but this diagnosis should be considered more frequently as the number of cases has increased in recent years. We describe a case of cowpox in an 11-yearold boy following regular direct daily contact with a domestic cat. The 11-year-old patient, an otherwise healthy boy, demonstrated skin ulceration located at his chin, with enlargement of regional lymph nodes and fever reaching 39°C.

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Introduction: Morphea (localized scleroderma) is a relatively rare disease characterized by excessive skin fibrosis. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) are largely distributed within the human genome with hundreds of thousands of elements. The HERV have been widely studied in autoimmune disorders, yet hardly ever assessed in diseases with a good prognosis such as morphea.

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BACKGROUND Morphea, also known as localized scleroderma, is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by skin fibrosis. UVA1 phototherapy is an important asset in the reduction of clinical manifestations in morphea. There are studies claiming that UV light modulates the expression of some human endogenous retroviral sequences.

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Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that predominantly affects the skin of the face and the eyes. Several factors are associated with the onset and persistence of the condition, including an altered immune response in the skin and elevated levels of Demodex mites. Alterations in the immune response include elevated levels of LL-37 in rosacea skin, increased expression of TLR-2 and increased amounts of vitamin D3 in epidermal tissue.

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We report a case of a 34-year-old Polish Caucasian male who was diagnosed with tinea manuum caused by Trichophyton rubrum var. raubitschekii. It would be the first described case of a dermatophytosis caused by this fungus in Poland and one of a few cases in Central Europe described so far.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) leads to generation of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain. Alzheimer's disease model PS/APP mice show a markedly accelerated accumulation of Aβ, which may lead to apoptosis induction e.g.

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Introduction: Morphea (localized scleroderma) is a rare cutaneous disease characterized by skin fibrosis of unknown pathogenesis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a potent profibrotic factor. The role of TGF-β in morphea remains unclear.

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Introduction: Morphea or localized scleroderma is a relatively rare disease whose main symptom is excessive skin fibrosis. Here we focus on the involvement of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in morphea. The HERVs are a vast and intensely growing field in genomics.

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