The resveratrol analogue, 3,4,5,4'‑trans-tetramethoxystilbene, inhibits the growth of A375 melanoma cells through multiple anticancer modes of action.

Resveratrol is a natural dietary product that has demonstrated multifaceted anticancer activity. Several analogues of resveratrol have been synthesized in an effort to enhance the pharmacological potency and improve the pharmacokinetic properties of the compound. 3,4,5,4'‑trans‑tetramethoxystilbene (3,4,5,4'‑TMS) is a methoxylated analogue of resveratrol that has demonstrated anti-proliferative activity in vitro (in cancer cell lines) and in vivo (in xenograft models).

Transporter associated with antigen processing deficiency syndrome: case report of an adolescent with chronic perforated granulomatous skin lesions due to TAP2 mutation.

A previously unreported case of transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) deficiency syndrome (with no parental consanguinity) due to a homozygous TAP2 mutation is presented. Characteristic nonhealing, chronic, ulcerative granulomatous leg lesions combined with recurrent otitis media and sinopulmonary infections led to this boy being diagnosed at 15 years old. The role of the dermatologist was crucial in making the correct diagnosis and thereby positively influencing the quality of life and life expectancy of this boy.

Development of a three-dimensional surface imaging system for melanocytic skin lesion evaluation.

Even though surface morphology is always taken into account when assessing clinically pigmented skin lesions, it is not captured by most modern imaging systems using digital imaging. Our aim is to develop a novel three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique to record detailed information of the surface anatomy of melanocytic lesions that will enable improved classification through digital imaging. The apparatus consists of three high-resolution cameras, a light source, and accompanying software.

Prehistological evaluation of benign and malignant pigmented skin lesions with optical computed tomography.

Discrimination of benign and malignant melanocytic lesions is a major issue in clinical dermatology. Assessment of the thickness of melanoma is critical for prognosis and treatment selection. We aimed to evaluate a novel optical computed tomography (optical-CT) system as a tool for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging of melanocytic lesions and its ability to discriminate benign from malignant melanocytic lesions while simultaneously determining the thickness of invasive melanoma.

Topical photodynamic therapy significantly reduces epidermal Langerhans cells during clinical treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

Background: Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a widely applied treatment for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). PDT-induced immunosuppression leading to reduced antitumour immune responses may be a factor in treatment failure.

Objectives: To examine the impact of topical PDT on leucocyte trafficking following clinical treatment of BCC.

Pharmacogenetic analysis of TNF, TNFRSF1A, and TNFRSF1B gene polymorphisms and prediction of response to anti-TNF therapy in psoriasis patients in the Greek population.

Background: Although biologic therapies have revolutionized the treatment of psoriasis, patients exhibit a substantial heterogeneous response that could be due to complex genetic heterogeneity.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF), TNF receptor I (TNFRSF1A), and TNF receptor II (TNFRSF1B) gene polymorphisms on anti-TNF treatment responsiveness in psoriasis patients.

Methods: A Greek multicenter collaboration was established to recruit a cohort of patients (n = 80) with psoriasis treated with anti-TNF drugs.

Infliximab restores the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins in regressing psoriatic lesions.

Background: Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are treated very efficaciously with infliximab, a chimaeric human-murine antitumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α antibody. As we reported earlier, infliximab, besides its anti-inflammatory properties, induces a caspase-independent programmed cell death of psoriatic keratinocytes.

Objectives: To elucidate this finding further, we investigated the epidermal expression of proteins involved in the mitochondria-dependent (intrinsic) pathway of cell death.

Successful treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with intralesional aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy.

Leishmaniasis is a protozoan infectious disease that often affects the skin and may acquire a chronic and difficult to treat course. Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a novel treatment which involves the selective uptake of a photosensitizing agent. Exposure to an appropriate light source in the presence of oxygen leads to formation of reactive oxygen species and destruction of the target cells.

Factors associated with the prevalence of atypical nevus in a Mediterranean pigmented skin lesion clinic.

Atypical melanocytic nevi constitute central risk factor and are precursor lesions for cutaneous melanoma. Data regarding factors associated with their prevalence are mainly derived from fair-skinned populations, whereas little is known regarding their epidemiological associations in darker-skinned, chronically sun-exposed populations. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for the occurrence of at least one atypical nevus on Crete, the southernmost island of Greece.

Tailor-made three-dimensional hybrid scaffolds for cell cultures.

The construction of the ideal three-dimensional scaffold for cell culture is one of the most intriguing topics in tissue engineering. It has been shown that cells can be cultured on most organic biomimetic materials, which now are losing popularity in favour of novel, hybrid systems. In this study, a series of photosensitive sol-gel hybrid materials, based on silicon-zirconium and silicon-titanium oxides, have been investigated for their suitability in three-dimensional scaffold fabrication.

Identification of the M541L sequence variation of the transmembrane KIT domain in Merkel cell carcinoma.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive KIT-positive cutaneous tumor. KIT mutations are considered to play a key role in the pathogenesis of various neoplasms, but have not been found so far in MCC. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the presence of KIT mutations in MCC.

Local complications of erysipelas: a study of associated risk factors.

Background: Local complications of erysipelas include haemorrhagic, bullous, abscessing and necrotic lesions. The risk factors predisposing patients to local complications are not fully known.

Aim: To examine local complications of erysipelas and to identify possible risk factors predisposing to their appearance.

Significant differences in skin irritation by common suture materials assessed by a comparative computerized objective method.

Background: Erythema can be described only through subjective evaluation, except when it is quantified by digital image analysis software. Using such software, the authors performed comparisons of the erythema produced after skin closure of clean surgical wounds. Five suture materials were compared with respect to the local skin irritation that was caused.

Analysis of epidemiology, clinical features and management of erysipelas.

Background: Erysipelas is a superficial form of cellulitis affecting the upper dermis and superficial lymphatics. The widespread use of antibiotics may affect clinical findings and response to therapy of infectious disorders. The purpose of the study was to investigate the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features of erysipelas and to compare the results of treatment with penicillin vs.

KIT receptor activation by autocrine and paracrine stem cell factor stimulates growth of merkel cell carcinoma in vitro.

The co-expression of KIT receptor and its ligand stem cell factor (SCF) has been reported in biopsy specimens of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). However, the functional role of SCF/KIT in the pathogenesis of this aggressive tumor has not been elucidated. The present study reports expression and effects of SCF and KIT in the Merkel cell carcinoma cell line MCC-1 in vitro.

The role of endothelial cell apoptosis in the effect of etanercept in psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with abnormal vascular expansion in the papillary dermis. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a proinflammatory cytokine that can induce antiapoptotic proteins and endothelial cell activation factors in psoriasis.

Objectives: The present study investigated the effect of the anti-TNF-α agent etanercept on the expression of endothelial nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial cell marker CD31, antiangiogenic factor thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), and antiapoptotic factors Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL in psoriasis.

The protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 22 R620W polymorphism does not confer susceptibility to psoriasis in the genetic homogeneous population of Crete.

Recent whole-genome and candidate-gene association studies in patients with psoriasis (PS) have identified a number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that predispose to disease with moderate risk. Predisposition to PS is known to be affected by genetic variation in human leukocyte antigen-C as well as other non-human leukocyte antigen genes. We recently reported for the first time as a PS-associated SNP the signal transducer and activator of transcription-4 (STAT4) rs7574865 polymorphism, which is also associated with several autoimmune diseases.

STAT4 gene polymorphism is associated with psoriasis in the genetically homogeneous population of Crete, Greece.

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of many complex diseases have successfully identified novel susceptibility loci, with many of them being associated with more than one condition. Taking into consideration that different autoimmune diseases may share some common pathogenetic pathways, we hypothesized that STAT4, a susceptibility gene found to be associated with increased risk for systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, Sjögren's syndrome, Wegener's granulomatosis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis may also have a role in psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune, chronic inflammatory skin disease.

Co-expression of KIT receptor and its ligand stem cell factor in Merkel cell carcinoma.

Background/aims: KIT receptor has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, either by mutation or autocrine activation. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare KIT-positive cutaneous tumor. We investigated the co-expression of KIT and its ligand stem cell factor (SCF) in MCC.

Botulinum toxin type A--treatment of a patient with multiple cutaneous piloleiomyomas.

Background: Treatment of multiple cutaneous piloleiomyomas which are rare, frequently painful, benign tumors originating from the arrector pilorum muscle of hair follicles is difficult.

Objective: To determine the efficiency of botulinum toxin type A (BT-A) treatment for pain relief of cutaneous piloleiomyomas.

Methods: A patient with multiple painful piloleiomyomas was treated with local injections of 200 units of BT-A.

Interferon-alpha inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of merkel cell carcinoma in vitro.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a tumor with aggressive biological behavior and limited response to chemotherapy. The present study investigated the effect of interferon (IFN)-alpha on growth and apoptosis of Merkel carcinoma cells in vitro. Proliferation of MCC-1 cell line was reduced dose-dependently by IFN-alpha and diminished when higher IFN-alpha concentrations were used.

A rare case of leishmaniasis recidiva cutis evolving for 31 years caused by Leishmania tropica.

A 64-year-old woman presented with erythematous, infiltrative plaques with a central atrophic area on both zygomatic regions. Several yellow-reddish papules were seen at the periphery of the plaques and showed an "apple-jelly" color on diascopy (Fig. 1).