Atopic dermatitis is a common, recurrent pruritic dermatosis with a complex pathogenesis. It has been associated with disordered patterns of immunological response and impaired epithelial barrier integrity. These features predispose the patients to robust colonization of skin lesions by Staphylococcus aureus. Virulence factors of S. aureus (e.g. superantigens, α- and δ-toxin, protein A) have been shown to exacerbate and perpetuate the course of atopic dermatitis. Novel therapeutic options with potential for restoring natural microbiome composition are being elaborated and may enter clinical practice in the future.

Alopecia areata is a type of non-scarring hair loss. The dysregulation of numerous systemic Th1 (IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF, IL-12, and IL-18), Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17E, IL-31 and IL-33) and Th17 (IL-17, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23 and TGF-β) cytokines was observed in patients with alopecia areata. Positive correlations between the severity of alopecia areata and an increased serum level of various cytokines including IL-2, TNF, IL-12, IL-17, and IL-17E were reported in the literature. An increased serum level of numerous cytokines, such as IL-2, IL-6, TNF, IL-12, IL-17E, and IL-22, was described as positively correlated with the duration of the disease. Moreover, it was shown that increased pre-treatment serum level of IL-12 was a positive, while increased serum levels of IL-4 and IL-13 were negative prognostic markers for the efficacy of diphenylcyclopropenone. In conclusion, alopecia areata is associated with the dysregulation of systemic Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokines with their role in the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and prognosis of the disease. Available data indicate the most significant role of serum IL-2, TNF, IL-12, IL-17, and IL-17E as markers of disease activity. The serum levels IL-4, IL-12 and IL-13 may be useful as potential predictors of diphenylcyclopropenone efficacy.

Background: Mobile devices are gaining a rising number of users in all countries around the globe. Novel solutions to diagnose patients with out-of-hospital onset of arrhythmic symptoms can be easily used to record such events, but the effectiveness of these devices remain unknown. Methods: In a group of 100 consecutive patients of an academic cardiology care center (mean age 68 ± 14.2 years, males: 66%) a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and a Kardia Mobile (KM) record were registered. Both versions were assessed by three independant groups of physicians. Results: The analysis of comparisons for standard ECG and KM records showed that the latter is of lower quality (p < 0.001). It was non-inferior for detection of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, showed weaker rhythm detection in pacemaker stimulation (p = 0.008), and was superior in sinus rhythm detection (p = 0.02), though. The sensitivity of KM to detect pathological Q-wave was low compared to specificity (20.6% vs. 93.7%, respectively, p < 0.001). Basic intervals measured by the KM device, namely PQ, RR, and QT were significantly different (shorter) than those observed in the standard ECG method (160 ms vs. 180 ms [p < 0.001], 853 ms vs. 880 ms [p = 0.03] and 393 ms vs. 400 ms [p < 0.001], respectively). Conclusions: Initial and indicative value of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter detection in KM is comparable to results achieved in standard ECG. KM was superior in detection of sinus rhythm than eyeball evaluation of 12-lead ECG. Though, the PQ and QT intervals were shorter in KM as compared to 12-lead ECG. Clinical value needs to be verified in large studies, though.

This review updates current knowledge regarding the risk of viral infections, including COVID-19, in patients treated with cyclosporine. We also shortly refer to bacterial infections and parasitic infestations in patients treated with cyclosporin. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug, which is widely used in medicine, including in the treatment of autoimmune skin diseases in dermatology, rheumatology, ophthalmology and nephrology, and in organ transplantation. A usual concern associated with immunosuppressive treatment is the potential risk of infections. Interestingly, several data indicate a relatively low risk of infections, especially viral infections, in patients receiving cyclosporine. It was shown that cyclosporine exerts an inhibitory effect on the replication of some viruses, or may have a potentially beneficial effect on the disease course in infections. These include hepatitis C, influenza virus, rotavirus, human immunodeficiency virus and coronavirus infections. Available data indicate that cyclosporine may have a beneficial effect on COVID-19, which is caused by the coronavirus SARS-COV2.

Melasma (Greek-Melas; Black) is a common acquired skin hyperpigmentation primarily affecting sun-exposed areas of forehead, cheeks, nose, upper lip, and chin, and occasionally the neck and forearms. Its exact prevalence in general population is understudied but accounts for 5-6 million people in US alone, 0.25%-4% of dermatology clinic attendees in Southeast Asia and it is one of the common pigmentary disorders among Indians. 1 Melasma affects all races but individuals of Hispanic, Latin American, Middle Eastern,

Scar formation is a consequence of wound healing that developed from damaged tissue either from physical injury or surgical incision. A hypertrophic scar develops due to an abnormal healing response to trauma. It might lead to serious functional and cosmetic disability. There are numerous methods mentioned in the literature to treat such scars but to date, no single method has been known to cure them. In this review, we focused on differences between various types of nonsurgical management of hypertrophic scar focusing on the indication, mechanism of action, and efficacy of the pulsed dye laser (PDL), fractional carbon dioxide laser (fCO2), Er-YAG laser, and intense pulse light (IPL). The literature research included peer-reviewed articles (clinical trials or scientific reviews) which were identified by searching electronic databases like PubMed till January 2021 and reference lists of respective articles. Only articles published in the English language were included.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease manifesting with progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Its pathogenesis is strictly associated with vascular disfunction and damage. Salusin-α and salusin-β, endogenous peptides regulating secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and vascular smooth muscle proliferation, may potentially play a role in SSc pathogenesis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the concentration of salusins in sera of patients with SSc and healthy controls and to evaluate correlations between the salusins levels and selected clinical parameters within the study group. Materials and methods: 48 patients with SSc (44 women; mean age, 56.4, standard deviation, 11.4) and 25 adult healthy volunteers (25 women; mean age, 55.2, standard deviation, 11.2) were enrolled. All patients with SSc were treated with vasodilators and twenty-seven of them (56%) also received immunosuppressive therapy. Results: Circulating salusin-α was significantly elevated in patients with SSc in comparison to healthy controls (U = 350.5, p = 0.004). Patients with SSc receiving immunosuppression had higher serum salusin-α concentrations compared with those without immunosuppressive therapy (U = 176.0, p = 0.026). No correlation was observed between salusins concentrations and skin or internal organ involvement parameters. Conclusions: Salusin-α, a bioactive peptide mitigating the endothelial disfunction, was elevated in patients with systemic sclerosis receiving vasodilators and immunosuppressants. Increased salusin-α concertation may be associated with the initiation of atheroprotective processes in patients with SSc managed pharmacologically, which requires verification in future studies.

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis with complex pathogenesis. The skin microbiome in atopic dermatitis is dominated by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> which shows the ability to produce biofilm. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of this work was to assess the influence of <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm on the course of atopic dermatitis. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Disease severity was evaluated based on the SCORAD index in 56 adult patients with atopic dermatitis. Microtiter plate assay of the propensity to form biofilm was performed on <i>S. aureus</i> strains isolated from the anterior nares, lesional skin, and nonlesional skin. Microbiological results were correlated to the clinical parameters and total IgE concentration. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Biofilm-producing strains of <i>S. aureus</i> were identified in 76.3% (29/38) and 79.1% (34/43) of samples from the anterior nares and lesional skin, respectively (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05), and in 48.5% (16/33) of samples from nonlesional skin (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.03). Patients colonized by biofilm-producing strains of <i>S. aureus</i> within the anterior nares showed statistically higher mean values of total and objective SCORAD and its components (extent, dryness), and of the largest extent of skin lesions during the flares in the last year when compared to patients colonized by non-biofilm-producing strains. Carriage of biofilm-producing <i>S. aureus</i> on lesional skin was associated with higher mean values of the extent of skin lesions during stable periods of the disease. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The results of this study may suggest a relationship between the production of biofilm by <i>S. aureus</i> strains colonizing the anterior nares and the course of atopic dermatitis. Biofilm seems crucial for dispersal and persistent colonization of large areas of the skin by this pathogen. Destruction of <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm could positively affect the course of atopic dermatitis.