Proinflammatory cytokine responses in patients with psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is one of the most common, immune-mediated, chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Proinflammatory cytokines play an important pathogenetic role at a local level.

Objective: To assess whether the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α are released systemically during psoriasis.

Alexithymia, anxiety and depression in patients with psoriasis: a case-control study.

Background: Alexithymia, the difficulty in describing or recognizing emotions, has been associated with various psychosomatic pathologies including psoriasis. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of alexithymia and its association with anxiety and depression in patients with psoriasis compared with healthy participants, while taking into consideration demographic and clinical variables.

Methods: One hundred and eight psoriatic patients and 100 healthy participants from the general population completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

MLST typing of antimicrobial-resistant Propionibacterium acnes isolates from patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris.

Molecular typing data on antimicrobial-resistant Propionibacterium strains are limited in the literature. We examined antimicrobial resistance profiles and the underlying resistance mechanisms in Propionibacterium spp. isolates recovered from patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris in Greece.

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis: an electron microscopy study.

Background: Few published data, concerning the electron microscopy findings of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis have been published so far.

Objectives: To reveal the electron microscopic findings of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis and their aetiopathogenetic associations.

Methods: Punch biopsy specimens from four patients with idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, after being properly processed, were observed under the electron microscope.

Pilot study of 19 patients with severe pemphigus: prophylactic treatment with rituximab does not appear to be beneficial.

Aims: To assess the efficacy and safety of rituximab in refractory pemphigus and the possible benefit of an additional prophylactic infusion at 6 months.

Methods: Seventeen patients with pemphigus vulgaris, 1 with pemphigus foliaceus and 1 with pemphigus vegetans were treated with 4 weekly infusions of rituximab (375 mg/m(2)). Nine patients received an additional prophylactic infusion after 6 months while the rest received no maintenance therapy.

Haplotypes of IL-12Rβ1 impact on the clinical phenotype of hidradenitis suppurativa.

Antigen presentation in chronic skin disorders is mediated through the interleukin (IL)-12/IL-23 pathway and, hence, through the IL-12 receptor. Recent evidence suggesting dysregulated antigen presentation in skin lesions of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) led to investigate the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the gene IL-12RB1 coding for the IL12-Rβ1 receptor subunit. Genomic DNA was isolated from 139 patients and 113 healthy controls; nine SNPs in the transcribed region of IL12RB1 were genotyped.

Lobomycosis: A case from Southeastern Europe and review of the literature.

Background: Lobomycosis, also known as Jorge Lobo's disease, represents a rare chronic subcutaneous mycosis caused by the fungus Lacazia loboi, an organism that is found within lesions but has not been cultured to date. The natural reservoir of L. loboi is unknown but it is believed to be aquatic, or associated with soil and vegetation.

Prevalence of non classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency in Greek women with acne: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and frequency of non classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NC-CAH) due to 21-OHD at the time of clinical presentation and at the peripubertal period in a substantial sample of Greek women with acne and to investigate the correlation of serum T, 17-OHP and DHEA-S with acne appearance at the time of clinical presentation.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-three unselected women with hyperandrogenemic symptoms were examined. After the ACTH stimulation test, 6 (4.

Sleep apnea as a comorbidity in obese psoriasis patients: a cross-sectional study. Do psoriasis characteristics and metabolic parameters play a role?

Background: Psoriasis is associated with a variety of comorbidities such as obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Objective: In a cross-sectional study, we explored whether obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is associated with psoriasis characteristics and metabolic parameters.

Methods: Thirty-five patients with chronic plaque psoriasis underwent a nocturnal polysomnography study and were analysed for Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index to assess OSAHS severity and Framigham score to predict the absolute risk of coronary artery disease at 10 years.

Increased serum CRH levels with decreased skin CRHR-1 gene expression in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

There is increased serum CRH with decreased lesional skin CRHR-1 gene expression in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, suggesting possible involvement in stress-induced worsening of symptoms.

Novel mutations of the HRAS gene and absence of hotspot mutations of the BRAF genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma in a Greek population.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common cancer in the world. The phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) signalling pathway has been reported to play an important role in OSCC. Since we have previously detected absence of hotspot PIK3CA gene mutations in the Greek population, we hypothesized that BRAF or HRAS may be activated as upstream effectors of the pathway.

Serum neurotensin (NT) is increased in psoriasis and NT induces vascular endothelial growth factor release from human mast cells.

Background: Psoriasis involves skin inflammation that often worsens with stress, but the mechanism of this effect remains obscure. We have shown that corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is increased in the serum of patients with psoriasis. A peptide, neurotensin (NT), can trigger skin histamine release and augment the ability of CRH to increase skin vascular permeability.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of toll-like receptor-4 protect against acne conglobata.

Background: Former studies have shown that Propionibacterium acnes may stimulate expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in keratinocytes of patients with acne vulgaris.

Objective: To investigate the impact of single nucleotide polumorphisms (SNPs) of the TLR4 gene in acne vulgaris.

Methods: Genomic DNA was isolated from 191 patients with acne vulgaris and 75 healthy controls.

The role of inflammatory markers in assessing disease severity and response to treatment in patients with psoriasis treated with etanercept.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease. Inflammatory markers are used in clinical practice to detect acute inflammation, and as markers of treatment response. Etanercept blocks tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which plays a central role in the psoriatic inflammation process.

Cutaneous involvement in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin's nodal peripheral T-cell lymphoma characterized by general lymphadenopathy, night sweats, fever, hepatosplenomegaly, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, and cutaneous involvement. We present a rare case of AITL cutaneous involvement mimicking toxic erythema recurring with AITL relapse and suggesting a precursor of disease progression.

Development of two primary malignant melanomas after treatment with adalimumab: a case report and review of the possible link between biological therapy with TNF-alpha antagonists and melanocytic proliferation.

Biologics, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists, have revolutionized treatment of several significant inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, issues concerning long-term safety remain to be clarified. There is growing evidence linking biological treatments with the occurrence of malignancies or reactivation of latent ones, including malignant melanoma.

Administration of inositol to a patient with bipolar disorder and psoriasis: a case report.

Background: This case report documents the effectiveness of inositol treatment on a chronic patient with bipolar disorder I and severe psoriasis. Her lithium treatment was discontinued due to psoriasis exacerbation and inositol was administered. The remarked positive effect of inositol was noted on her stable mood during the last 4 years, the absence of psoriatic lesions, which lead to an improved quality of life of the patient.