Adherence to hepatitis A virus vaccination in HIV-infected men who have sex with men.

Although vaccination against hepatitis A virus (HAV) is essential for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, the uptake of HAV vaccine is reported to be very low. From 2007 to 2012, 912 HIV-infected men in Athens, Greece were screened for exposure to HAV. Two doses of an HAV vaccine were recommended to 569 eligible patients.

Primary syphilis in HIV-negative patients is on the rise in Greece: epidemiological data for the period 2005-2012 from a tertiary referral centre in Athens, Greece.

Background: Epidemiological data on primary syphilis in Greece are limited.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the trends of the disease in Greece during the last few years and whether they are in accordance with the trends in other European countries and the United States of America.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis based on records of patients who visited the Sexually Transmitted Infections Unit of 'A.

Redefining Vascular Anatomy of Posterior Tibial Artery Perforators: A Cadaveric Study and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Perforator flaps whether in a free or pedicled form are essential in leg reconstruction, requiring meticulous dissection based on a detailed understanding of vascular topographic anatomy. Numerous investigators have addressed this issue. However, the directionality of their fascial exit has not been greatly discussed in the literature.

Quality of Life in Patients with Focal Hyperhidrosis before and after Treatment with Botulinum Toxin A.

The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of treatment with BTX-A in quality of life of patients suffering from primary focal hyperhidrosis. Materials and Methods. A total of 119 patients (62 females and 57 males) between 18 and 65 years suffering from moderate to severe focal hyperhidrosis were treated with BTX-A.

Luteolin inhibits human keratinocyte activation and decreases NF-κB induction that is increased in psoriatic skin.

Psoriasis (Ps) is an autoimmune disease characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation and chronic inflammation, with increased expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Anti-TNF biologic agents are effective in treating Ps, but are associated with increased risk of infections and blood malignancies. Moreover, keratinocyte hyperproliferation and activation have yet to be addressed.

Successful treatment of localized pemphigus foliaceus with topical pimecrolimus.

We report the case of successful treatment of a 79-year-old male patient with recurrent pemphigus foliaceus with pimecrolimus cream 1% once daily for 40 days. The patient initially presented with localized lesions on the scalp and nose area and was treated with systemic corticosteroids. At his fourth relapse within a period of 16 months, he refused any systemic treatment.

Hepatitis A vaccination and immunological parameters in HIV-infected patients.

Vaccination against hepatitis A is an important intervention to prevent disease in HIV-patients. There are insufficient data on the association of the response to hepatitis A vaccine with immunological parameters, including subpopulations of T-cells. We studied HIV-infected adults with CD4 T-cells>200 cells/mm(3) who received two doses of hepatitis A vaccine (Havrix or Vaqta).

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected prisoners.

Adherence, the act of following a course of medication in exactly the manner prescribed, is critical for the success of therapy. Adherence is influenced by many behavioural and social factors and incarceration might be one such factor. This study determined the level of adherence and reasons for non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy among 93 HIV-infected prisoners.

Stimulated human melanocytes express and release interleukin-8, which is inhibited by luteolin: relevance to early vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a disorder of depigmentation, for which the pathogenesis is as yet unclear. Interleukin (IL)-8 (CXCL8) is a key inflammatory chemokine. We investigated the regulation of IL-8 production in human melanocytes, and the IL-8 serum levels and skin gene expression in patients with vitiligo and in controls.

Biologic agents and oral diseases -- an update on clinical applications.

Biologic agents are targeted immune modulating agents that have been widely used in the treatment of inflammatory and neoplastic conditions with favorable results. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the biologic agents that have been used in the treatment of diseases that affect the oral mucosa. Identification of relevant data, case reports and case series was performed using the PubMed-MEDLINE database and electronic databases of accredited organizations such as the European Medical Agency, US Food and Drug Administration, and clinicaltrials.

Antiangiogenic and antiapoptotic treatment in advanced melanoma.

Melanoma is οne of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer. Currently available treatments have little overall impact on survival rates of patients with advanced melanoma. Advances in the understanding of the molecular pathways related to tumor growth and metastatic spread have resulted in the development of targeted therapies designed to act on specific genes or molecules of these pathways.

Methods for the evaluation of the protective efficacy of sunscreen products.

The objective of the present investigation was to examine the utilization of optical and spectroscopic methods for the noninvasive characterization of Anthelios XL Fluide Extreme (SPF 50+), an exemplary sunscreen, concerning its homogeneity of distribution on the skin, its spectroscopic properties and its overall protective efficacy. The homogeneity of the distribution of the sunscreen on the skin was investigated with a multiphoton tomography microscope. Additionally, the sum transmission spectrum was determined using tape stripping and spectroscopic measurements.

Euromelanoma: a dermatology-led European campaign against nonmelanoma skin cancer and cutaneous melanoma. Past, present and future.

Euromelanoma is a dermatologist-led skin cancer prevention programme conducting an annual screening and public education campaign in over 20 European countries. Within its 10-year history, Euromelanoma has screened over 260,000 individuals across Europe, detecting a significant number of cutaneous melanomas and nonmelanoma skin cancers, identifying high-risk individuals for further surveillance and promoting awareness on the suspicious features of melanoma and the hazardous effects of ultraviolet exposure. In this review article, we summarize the history of the Euromelanoma campaign, present its organizational structure and discuss the results of the campaign in individual countries and on a European scale.

Immune response to hepatitis A vaccination in HIV-infected men in Greece.

HIV-infected patients are at increased risk for acquiring hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. We evaluated the seroconversion rate (anti-HAV antibodies ≥ 20 mIU/ml) and the geometric mean antibody titres (GMTs) in a group of 351 HIV infected men, who had received two doses of a hepatitis A vaccine. We analysed blood samples collected at one, six, 12 and 18 months following the administration of the second dose of the vaccine.

Tacrolimus 0.1% vs mometasone furoate topical treatment in allergic contact hand eczema: a prospective randomized clinical study.

Tacrolimus is a macrolide immunosuppressant that has been demonstrated to inhibit T-lymphocyte activation without the side-effects of corticosteroids. The safety profile of tacrolimus makes it a promising therapeutic option for dermatitis. To evaluate and compare the therapeutic ability of tacrolimus 0.

Malignant syphilis as the first manifestation of HIV infection.

Malignant syphilis is a rare and severe variant of secondary syphilis. It is clinically characterized by large papular, nodular and ulcerative lesions affecting the trunk and the extremities and covered with thick crust. We present a case of 52-year-old homosexual male who developed malignant syphilis and this was the first clinical manifestation of HIV infection.

Comparison between TEWL and laser scanning microscopy measurements for the in vivo characterization of the human epidermal barrier.

The analysis of the skin barrier properties is important in various fields of medical treatment and cosmetology. The development and improvement of topically applied substances require an objective analysis of the skin barrier characteristics. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurement is the standard method to characterize epidermal barrier function.

Transfer of ultraviolet photon energy into fluorescent light in the visible path represents a new and efficient protection mechanism of sunscreens.

The development of sunscreens with high sun protection factor (SPF) values but low filter concentrations is the ultimate goal. The purpose of the present study was to investigate why a sunscreen spray and cream with different concentrations of the same UV-filters provided the same SPF. Therefore, the homogeneity of the distribution of both sunscreens was investigated by laser scanning microscopy (LSM) and tape stripping (TS).

Gracilis myocutaneous flap: evaluation of potential risk factors and long-term donor-site morbidity.

This study reviewed our experience with the gracilis myocutaneous (GMC) flap, potential risk factors for flap necrosis, and long-term morbidity at the donor-site. From 1993 to 2002, 29 GMC flaps were harvested from 27 patients (pedicled n = 21 and free n = 8). The overall incidence of flap necrosis was 13.

Cinnamon contact stomatitis.

Background: Cinnamon contact stomatitis (CCS) is a rare reaction to the use of products containing artificial cinnamon flavor ingredients. Such products are gums, toothpastes and mouthwashes.

Main Observations: A 20-year-old female patient presented with white elevated mucosal patches in the right lateral board of her tongue.

Comprehensive mutational analysis of CDKN2A and CDK4 in Greek patients with cutaneous melanoma.

Background: The penetrance of CDKN2A mutations is subject to geographical and latitudinal variation and is presumably dictated by ultraviolet radiation exposure and possibly other co-inherited genetic factors. The frequency of mutations increases with the number of family members affected and the number of primary tumours, and also fluctuates with geography. To date, little is known about the prevalence of CDKN2A mutations in patients with melanoma from Greece.

Association of thyroid autoimmunity with acne in adult women.

Background: During the last decades an increase has been observed regarding acne in adults and especially women.

Objective: To evaluate the association between thyroid disorder and the presence of post-adolescent acne in adult women, comparing with healthy controls.

Methods: 107 adult women with post-adolescent acne and 60 healthy controls were included.

The impact of methodological approaches for presenting long-term clinical data on estimates of efficacy in psoriasis illustrated by three-year treatment data on infliximab.

Background: Psoriasis affects about 2-3% of the Caucasian population. Biologics such as infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab and ustekinumab are efficacious treatments of plaque-type psoriasis. Critical to monitoring drug efficacy and safety is availability of long-term data.