HLA-C*06:02 Does Not Predispose to Clinical Response Following Long-Term Adalimumab Treatment in Psoriatic Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: The genetic basis of predisposition to psoriasis is recognised; however, the response to psoriasis treatment in patients with different genetic predisposition is poorly understood.

Objective: To analyse the presence of the HLA-C*06:02 polymorphism in psoriatic patients treated with adalimumab.

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood of 122 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with adalimumab for 3 years.

The effects of P. gingivalis and E. coli LPS on the expression of proinflammatory mediators in human mast cells and their relevance to periodontal disease.

Mast cells (MCs) are tissue-resident immune cells that participate in a variety of allergic and inflammatory conditions, including periodontal disease, through the release of cytokines, chemokines and proteolytic enzymes. Porhyromonas gingivalis (P. g) is widely recognized as a major pathogen in the development and progression of periodontitis.

Keystone Perforator Island Flap as an Alternative Reconstructive Option for Partial Thickness Alar Defects Up to 1.5 Centimeters.

Introduction: The ala is a unique landmark of the nose disposing aesthetic and functional properties. The head and neck area is the main site of appearance of nonmelanoma skin cancer. One third of them are located in the nose with an alar preponderance compared with other nasal subunits.

A consensus-based practical and daily guide for the treatment of acne patients.

Background: Many current guidelines provide detailed evidence-based recommendations for acne treatment.

Objective: To create consensus-based, simple, easy-to-use algorithms for clinical acne treatment in daily office-based practice and to provide checklists to assist in determining why a patient may not have responded to treatment and what action to take.

Methods: Existing treatment guidelines and consensus papers were reviewed.

Topical treatment of basal cell carcinoma with the immune response modifier imiquimod.

Imiquimod, a TLR7 agonist, is a novel immune response modifier currently widely used in the treatment of actinic keratoses (in situ squamous cell carcinoma). Imiquimod has revolutionized the treatment of field cancerization and has been approved for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma with the recommendation of a 6-week treatment strategy, offering an alternative to surgery or other destructive treatment strategies.

The Keystone Perforator Island Flap in Nasal Reconstruction: An Alternative Reconstructive Option for Soft Tissue Defects up to 2 cm.

The aim of this study was to present our experience with the use of the Keystone Perforator Island Flap (KPIF) in a case series of patients with small size (diameter ≤ 2 cm) nasal defects which will be useful prospectively to assist plastic surgeons in planning a reconstructive strategy that will work. The KPIF was utilized in 30 patients with nasal defects post tumor extirpation. More than one type of KPIF (type I or type III) was used following the nasal subunit principle or a modified version of it.

Genetic epidemiology of malignant melanoma susceptibility.

Germline mutations were the first to be associated with familial melanoma. polymorphisms are associated, in conformity with epidemiological observations, with fair skin phenotype and a moderately increased risk for melanoma. The wider implementation of genome-wide association studies along with improved whole exome sequencing techniques made possible the identification of novel high-penetrant mutations (, , , ) beyond the established pathways of pigmentation and nevus count suggesting an additional role for pathways involved in cell cycle control and DNA repair.

Prevalence and titre of antibodies against Hepatitis A virus in HIV-infected men having sex with men in Greece.

Hepatitis A remains a serious vaccine-preventable disease for HIV patients. We tested 897 HIV-infected men having sex with men (MSM) for antibodies against hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) and measured the geometric mean antibody titres (GMTs) in a group of patients who received a hepatitis A vaccine and in patients with immunity to HAV due to infection in childhood. In all, 320 patients (35%) had positive anti-HAV antibodies.

An atypical case of pityriasis rosea gigantea after influenza vaccination.

Pityriasis rosea is a common erythematosquamous eruption, typically presenting along the cleavage lines of the skin. A wide spectrum of atypical manifestations may challenge even the most experienced physician. Here we report a rare case of a suberythrodermic pityriasis rosea with gigantic plaques after an influenza vaccination, and we discuss the possible triggers of atypical manifestations of such a common dermatological disease in the setting of an altered immunity.

Hidradenitis suppurrativa (acne inversa) as a systemic disease.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also known as acne inversa, is a chronic follicular occlusive skin disorder characterized by recurrent abscesses, draining sinuses, and scarring, with a multifactorial pathogenesis. The answer to the question whether HS may be considered a systemic disease relies on the presence of accompanying systemic manifestations, on the proof of association with other diseases or conditions, and on the occurrence of systemic implications. We address these questions based on a systemic review of the existing literature.

Recommendations for pimecrolimus 1% cream in the treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis: from medical needs to a new treatment algorithm.

Pimecrolimus 1% cream is an effective, non-corticosteroid, topical anti-inflammatory treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of this article was to review published clinical data that have examined how pimecrolimus can address the medical needs of AD patients. Clinical studies have demonstrated that early treatment with pimecrolimus decreases the progression to disease flares, rapidly improves pruritus and significantly enhances quality of life.

Infliximab in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin and joints. Although rarely life threatening, psoriasis can significantly impair quality of life (QOL) and cause considerable physical and psychological distress. Between 6 and 42% of patients with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, which is characterized by stiffness, pain, swelling and tenderness of the joints.

Treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Skin and joint manifestations associated with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can significantly impact a patient's quality of life. Successful treatment is imperative in order to improve signs and symptoms of the disease, and to alleviate physical or psychological distress. For patients with mild psoriasis with or without PsA, topical agents and targeted phototherapy are appropriate treatments for psoriasis.

Traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia: a lesion with alarming histopathologic presentation and benign clinical course.

Traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia (TUGSE) is a chronic, benign, self-limiting lesion of the oral mucosa. Clinically, the ulceration is characterized by the presence of indurated elevated borders and may resemble pyogenic granuloma or even squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth. Pathogenesis of the lesion is unclear.

Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with cryosurgery.

Background: The management of cutaneous leishmaniasis with topical methods, if effective, can spare patients from long and costly inpatient treatments.

Methods: Seventeen patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis were treated with cryosurgery using liquid nitrogen as the cryogen. Two cycles of 10-30 s freezing time were used and repeated at 3-week intervals.

Effect of stress and other psychological factors on the pathophysiology and treatment of dermatoses.

Psychological factors precipitate or increase the morbidity of many dermatoses. There is increasing evidence that stress influences disease processes and contributes to the inflammation through vasoactive neuropeptides, lymphokines or other chemical mediators. Experimental results indicate that the endocrine, nervous and immune systems can no longer be considered autonomous, but involve complex bidirectional interactions between them.

Lasers for facial rejuvenation: a review.

Background: Different types of laser are used for resurfacing and collagen remodeling in cutaneous laser surgery.

Methods: A systematic review was performed of the different types of laser currently employed for skin rejuvenation. These systems are either ablative [high-energy pulsed or scanned carbon dioxide (CO2) laser emitting at a wavelength of 10,600 nm, single- or variable-pulse or dual ablative/coagulative mode erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser emitting at a wavelength of 2940 nm, or systems combining both 10,600 nm and 2940 nm wavelengths] or nonablative [Q-switched neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser emitting at a wavelength of 1064 nm, Nd:YAG laser emitting at a wavelength of 1320 nm, or diode laser emitting at a wavelength of 1450 nm].

Alopecia areata and affected skin CRH receptor upregulation induced by acute emotional stress.

Background: Recent evidence indicates that acute stress can precipitate a number of dermatological conditions, including alopecia areata. This effect may be mediated by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) released locally in the skin from dorsal root ganglia or immune cells. CRH typically acts through activation of specific receptors that are either type 1 or types 2 alpha and 2 beta.

Microsporum canis tinea capitis in an 8-month-old infant successfully treated with 2 weekly pulses of oral itraconazole.

We report an 8-month-old girl with tinea capitis caused by Microsporum canis which was successfully treated with two pulses of oral itraconazole 50 mg/day, each of 1 week duration with an interval of 2 weeks. M. canis tinea capitis can be a difficult therapeutic problem in an infant, as the treatment is usually long, lasting up to 4-6 weeks with griseofulvin and 6-12 weeks with terbinafine, and the desire to provide a safe systemic therapy is particularly important.