When the findings obtained in this study were evaluated along with those reported in the literature, it became apparent that follicular plugs, also called "teardrop-like structures", seen on the face and neck may be a dermoscopic feature specific to CL. As hairpin-like vessels seen in an asymmetric radial arrangement were often observed on parts of the body other than the face, further dermoscopic studies comparing the lesions of CL with other ulcerating lesions are necessary.
Behçet's disease involves complex interactions of cells of the immune system, mainly T lymphocytes and neutrophils. Further studies on the cytokine profile in Behçet's disease will aid in elucidation of its pathogenesis.
Potassium hydroxide solution at a concentration of 5% was more effective than 2.5% in our patients. The treatment was well-tolerated on the face with the advantage of administration of lower concentrations. This study suggests potassium hydroxide may be a more preferable mode of treatment for molluscum contagiosum lesions on the face.
Background. Serum ghrelin levels may be related to metabolic and clinical changes in patients with psoriasis. Objective. This study was performed to determine the possible effects of serum ghrelin in patients with psoriasis. Methods. The study population consisted of 25 patients with plaque psoriasis. The patients were questioned with regard to age, gender, age of onset, duration of disease, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). In addition, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, cholesterol levels, insulin, and ghrelin levels were measured. Results. The mean serum ghrelin level was 45.41 ± 22.41 in the psoriasis group and 29.92 ± 14.65 in the healthy control group. Serum ghrelin level was significantly higher in the psoriasis group compared with the controls (P = 0.01). The mean ghrelin level in patients with a lower PASI score was significantly higher than in those with a higher PASI score (P = 0.02). Conclusion. The present study was performed to determine the effects of ghrelin in psoriasis patients. We found a negative correlation between severity of psoriasis and ghrelin level. Larger and especially experimental studies focusing on correlation of immune system-ghrelin levels and severity of psoriasis may be valuable to clarify the etiopathogenesis of the disease.
IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to investigate levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and neopterin and oxidative stress status in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) as well as their potential role in the pathophysiology.Material and methodsThirty patients with ICP (Group 1) and 30 healthy pregnant women (Group 2) were included in this prospective case-control study. Levels of IL-6, TNF-α and neopterin were determined in both of the groups. Total anti-oxidant status (TAS) and total oxidative stress (TOS) levels were determined by means of a fully automated Erel method. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated as the ratio of TOS to TAS.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the groups in IL-6 and TNF-α levels (p = 0.105 and p = 0.722, respectively). The mean neopterin level was significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (2.34 ±0.77 and 1.57 ±0.38, respectively, p = 0.001). In addition, TAS, TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher in Group 1 (p = 0.004, p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) compared to Group 2.DiscussionIntrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is an inflammatory disorder in which maternal immune reaction may play a role. Interleukin 6 and TNF-α, which are some of the markers of humoral reaction, act as an indicator of abnormal reaction rather than acute-phase reaction in ICP. Further clinical trials and supportive placental findings are needed on the role of cytokines in cellular and humoral immune reactions during the symptomatic period and delivery to better understand the role of immune mechanisms in the aetiology of ICP.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.