Dermoscopy of Inflammatory Dermatoses (Inflammoscopy) in Skin of Color - A Systematic Review by the International Dermoscopy Society "Imaging in Skin of Color" Task Force

Dermoscopic patterns of inflammatory dermatoses (inflammoscopy) have been extensively studied in the recent years, though data on patients with darker phototypes (IV-VI) are sparse. The aims of this systematic review were to summarize the current state of knowledge on inflammoscopy applied to skin of color and provide a standardized nomenclature of reported findings. Besides dermoscopic features, type of setting and magnification, number of cases, and histopathological correlation were analyzed. Eighty-five papers addressing 78 different dermatoses (25 papulosquamous dermatoses, 19 hyperpigmented dermatoses, eight hypopigmented dermatoses, four granulomatous dermatoses, two sclerotic dermatoses, five facial inflammatory dermatoses, and 15 miscellaneous conditions) for a total of 2073 instances were retrieved. Only one study showed a level of evidence of III (cross-sectional study), whereas 10 and 74 displayed a level of evidence of IV (case-control studies) and V (case-series and case-reports), respectively. Moreover, our analysis also highlighted that most of papers focalized on a limited number of dermatoses, with several conditions having only single dermoscopic descriptions. Additionally, few studies compared findings among phototypes belonging to the "skin of color" spectrum. Further studies designed according to a systematic approach and considering the above-mentioned issues are therefore needed.

Mastocytosis and Skin Cancer: The Current State of Knowledge

Mastocytosis is a heterogeneous group of diseases associated with excessive proliferation and accumulation of mast cells in different organs. Recent studies have demonstrated that patients suffering from mastocytosis face an increased risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The cause of this has not yet been clearly identified. In the literature, the potential influence of several factors has been suggested, including genetic background, the role of cytokines produced by mast cells, iatrogenic and hormonal factors. The article summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of skin neoplasia in mastocytosis patients.

Serum concentration of angiopoietin-like protein 4 in patients with systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by endothelial cell damage, perivascular inflammation and tissue hypoxia. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) has been demonstrated to affect vascular permeability, inflammation and oxidative stress, thus may contribute to SSc pathogenesis.

AIM

The aim of the study was to evaluate serum ANGPTL4 in systemic sclerosis and correlate it with disease subtype (localized and diffuse, lcSSc and dcSSc respectively), disease duration, skin fibrosis and internal organ involvement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-two patients with systemic sclerosis (15 lcSSc, 7 dcSSc) and thirteen healthy controls were analyzed. Clinical and laboratory data were collected including modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS), Raynaud's phenomenon, disease duration, digital pitting scars, oesophageal involvement and interstitial lung disease. ANGPTL4 sera concentrations were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

Patients with systemic sclerosis had lower ANGPTL4 serum levers in comparison to healthy controls, however without statistical significance (160.15 ± 117.53 vs. 127.15 ± 83.58 ng/ml; p=0.64). No association between ANGPTL4 levels and disease subtype, disease duration, severity of skin involvement (mRSS) and Raynaud's phenomenon onset was found.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study evaluating the serum concentration of ANGPTL4 in patients with systemic sclerosis. This study contributes to still undetermined role of ANGPTL4 in the development or progression of systemic sclerosis. Therefore the role of ANGPTL4 in hypoxia-related diseases such as systemic sclerosis needs further research.

Bacterial lysate therapy for the prevention of wheezing episodes and asthma exacerbations: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Wheezing and asthma are a growing cause of morbidity in children and adults. Treatment is aimed at prevention of disease exacerbations and preservation of lung function. Respiratory viruses are involved in ∼40-60% of exacerbations. Bacterial lysates prevent recurrent respiratory tract infections and might reduce exacerbations. Moreover, immunomodulatory effects have been observed in human and animal studies. Here we aimed to assess the effects of bacterial lysate therapy on preschool wheezing episodes and asthma exacerbation frequency. We performed a systematic literature review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement and a meta-analysis using Cochrane Review Manager. Out of 2016 retrieved articles, 22 studies were included, of which five provided sufficient data for a meta-analysis.The use of bacterial lysates showed a decrease of both wheezing episodes (mean difference -2.35 (-3.03- -1.67), p<0.001) and asthma exacerbations in children (mean difference -0.90 (-1.23- -0.57), p<0.001). Additionally, antibiotic use was reduced, and the duration of wheezing episodes was also decreased. No data for adults with asthma are currently available. The immunomodulatory effect seems to be dependent on increased T-helper (Th)1-cell activation and Th2-cell suppression.These favourable effects of bacterial lysates indicate that they show promise as add-on therapy in preschool wheezing and childhood asthma.

Postbiotics-A Step Beyond Pre- and Probiotics

As an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota can lead to the development of several diseases (e.g., type 1 diabetes, cancer, among others), the use of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to alter the gut microbiome has attracted recent interest. Postbiotics include any substance released by or produced through the metabolic activity of the microorganism, which exerts a beneficial effect on the host, directly or indirectly. As postbiotics do not contain live microorganisms, the risks associated with their intake are minimized. Here, we provided a critical review of postbiotics described in the literature, including their mechanisms of action, clinical characteristics, and potential therapeutic applications. We detailed the pleiotropic effects of postbiotics, including their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. Although the use of postbiotics is an attractive strategy for altering the microbiome, further study into its efficacy and safety is warranted.

Effectiveness of dimethyl fumarate as first line therapy in MS patients - one center real life observation study

Interferon β, glatiramer acetate and dimethyl fumarate are first line of disease-modifying therapies for patients who have got relapsingremitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Currently, there are no precise guidelines for modifying treatment. This is the individual decision of the attending physician, which should take into account both the clinical course of the disease and the patient's preferences. Therefore, possible findings of this study may potentially improve treatment strategy and could be helpful for the clinicians to select the most appropriate therapy.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare activity of multiple sclerosis one year before and one year after switching treatment from interferon β or glatiramer acetate to dimethyl fumarate. The reasons for treatment modification and impact of these reasons on therapy effectiveness were studied as a secondary outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This observational and retrospective study among patients with RRMS lasted for 2 years and was conducted at one medical center. Participants of the study were aged 19-61 years. All of them had been initially treated with disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) by injection: interferon or glatiramer acetate. After one-year observation patients switched therapy to dimethyl fumarate (DMF) for various reasons.

RESULTS

62 adult patients received interferon beta or glatiramer acetate in the first year. After a year all of them switched from that therapy to dimethyl fumarate. Patients in all treatment groups had similar demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline. The most common reason for change in interferon β group were adverse effects or clinical ineffectiveness. Patients from glatiramer acetate group most often changed their therapy due to new lesions on MRI scans. Presented study shows a statistically significant decrease in radiological relapse when changing treatment from glatiramer acetate to dimethyl fumarate. At the same time, switching from interferon to dimethyl fumarate reduced the number of clinical relapses. There was no statistically significant difference in EDSS scores before and after treatment change in interferons' β and glatiramer acetate's groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study show that patients with progression of the disease should be treated with another medication. Further research is necessary to develop therapeutic position that supports therapeutic decision in an early period of MS. The observation of the presented group of patients will be continued.

The role of adipokines in systemic sclerosis: a missing link?

Systemic sclerosis is a multiorgan autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy and tissue fibrosis of unknown etiology. Recently, adipokines (cell signaling proteins secreted by adipose tissue) have attracted much attention as a cytokine family contributing to the various pathological processes of systemic sclerosis. Adipokines, such as leptin, adiponectin, resistin, adipsin, visfatin or chemerin are a heterogenic group of molecules. Adiponectin exhibits anti-fibrotic features and affects inflammatory reactions. Leptin promotes fibrosis and inflammation. Resistin was linked to vascular involvement in systemic sclerosis. Visfatin was associated with regression of skin lesions in late-stage systemic sclerosis. Chemerin appears as a marker of increased risk of impaired renal function and development of skin sclerosis in the early stage of systemic sclerosis. Vaspin was indicated to have a protective role in digital ulcers development. Novel adipokines-adipsin, apelin, omentin and CTRP-3-are emerging as molecules potentially involved in SSc pathogenesis. Serum adipokine levels may be used as predictive and diagnostic factors in systemic sclerosis. However, further investigations are required to establish firm correlations between distinct adipokines and systemic sclerosis.