Interleukin-18 serum level before and after intralesional immunotherapy with tuberculin purified protein derivative in patients with cutaneous and genital warts.

Background: Several studies demonstrated the efficacy of intralesional purified protein derivative (PPD) immunotherapy in warts eradication. Nevertheless, the precise induced immune mechanisms are undetermined. Injected PPD is hypothesized to induce a delayed hypersensitivity reaction associated with cytokines release.

PSORS1 Locus Genotyping Profile in Psoriasis: A Pilot Case-Control Study.

(1) Background: The psoriasis susceptibility 1 (PSORS1) locus, located within the major histocompatibility complex, is one of the main genetic determinants for psoriasis, the genotyping profile for three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) comprising the PSORS1 locus: rs1062470 within genes, rs887466 within gene, rs10484554 within gene, were investigated and correlated with psoriasis risk and severity. (2) Methods: This pilot case-controlled study involved 100 psoriatic patients and 100 healthy individuals. We investigated three SNPs and assessed the relative gene expression profile for the gene.

Assessment of changes in color and size of vitiligo lesions during treatment with narrow band ultraviolet B.

Background: Many treatment modalities have been used to stabilize vitiligo and induce repigmentation. Several methods were used to monitor the color changes inside the treated lesions such as spectroscopes and colorimeters that measure the melanin index inside the lesion.

Objective: To study whether the colorimeter and point counting technique can be used as objective methods in monitoring vitiligo lesions during treatment with Nb-UVB.

Split-face comparative study of fractional Er:YAG laser versus microneedling radiofrequency in treatment of atrophic acne scars, using optical coherence tomography for assessment.

Background: Efficacy and safety of ablative fractional laser used for treatment of acne scars have been described in several studies. Recently, microneedling radiofrequency treatment has been showing promising results with low risk of side effects and rapid healing time.

Objective: To study efficacy and safety of ablative fractional Er:YAG laser 2940 nm and microneedling radiofrequency for facial atrophic acne scar.

Elevated serum level of interleukin-15 in vitiligo patients and its correlation with disease severity but not activity.

Background: Vitiligo is a common acquired disorder of depigmentation. Its pathogenesis entails a T helper (Th) 1-cytotoxic T (cT) lymphocytes mediated autoimmune melanocyte destruction. Interleukin (IL)-15 is one of the IL-2 family of cytokines and shares several actions with IL-2.

Interleukin 17 receptor A haplotype analysis in chronic spontaneous urticaria: A preliminary study.

Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a distressing skin disease. Family clustering and heterogeneity in the onset and progression indicate that susceptibility to CSU is a complex trait. In this study, we performed haplotype analysis for one of the key player gene, IL17RA, for CSU to test the association with disease susceptibility and severity.

Combined chemical peels versus trichloroacetic acid (TCA) for treating melasma: a split face study.

Melasma is common skin condition presenting with hyperpigmentation. To evaluate the efficacy, tolerance, and complications of one session of combined chemical peels compared to traditional serial sessions of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peeling in treating melasma. One session of combined chemical peels was carried out at the left side of the face, while six sessions of TCA 15% peel were carried out at the right side of the face every 10 days.

T-helper 17 cytokines (interleukins 17, 21, 22, and 6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) in patients with alopecia areata: association with clinical type and severity.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by T-cell infiltrates and cytokine production. T-helper 17 (Th17) cells are crucially involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

Objectives: Our aim was to assess the association of Th17 with AA.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in patients with psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis and its association with disease activity and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Objective: To assess vitamin D status in psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to study whether it was associated with disease activity, inflammatory markers, and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Riyadh National Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between March and September 2012. It included 43 patients with plaque psoriasis, 55 RA patients and 40 healthy controls matched for age.

Expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase in psoriatic lesional skin.

Background: Little information is known about telomerase expression in the chronic benign hyperproliferative skin disease, psoriasis. Further studies are still required to investigate its usefulness as a biomarker of this skin disorder.

Aim: To investigate the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in psoriatic lesional skin and its relation to disease severity.