Serum Visfatin, Adiponectin, and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) Levels in Patients with Psoriasis and their Correlation with Disease Severity

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune, and inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, characterized by T lymphocyte mediated keratinocyte proliferation. In recent years the relationship between psoriasis and adipose tissue cytokines has been reported. Psoriasis as a triggering factor for the immune and metabolic disorders can be associated with diabetes mellitus, abnormal lipid metabolism, and metabolic syndrome. In this study we assessed the adipose tissue cytokines visfatin, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in psoriasis patients and evaluated the relationship between disease severity and cytokines. The study included 42 patients with psoriasis and 42 healthy individuals. Visfatin, adiponectin, and TNF-α levels were measured in both the psoriasis and the control group. The disease severity index was assessed in psoriatic patients by means of PASI. The relationship between visfatin, adiponectin, TNF-α, PASI score, and obesity was evaluated. When serum TNF-α, adiponectin, and visfatin levels of the patient group were compared with those of the control group, the TNF-α levels were statistically higher (p = 0.00) and the adiponectin levels were statistically lower (p = 0.024). The visfatin levels were higher in the psoriatic patients compared to the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.73). The relationship between PASI-TNF-α and between PASI-adiponectin was statistically significant (p = 0.009 and p = 0.004). A positive correlation was observed between body mass index (BMI) and visfatin (p = 0.031). These results indicate that TNF-α and adiponectin play a part in psoriasis etiopathogenesis and can be used as parameters to evaluate the severity of the disease. However, the role of visfatin in psoriasis pathogenesis is unclear. Further clinical studies are needed to clarify the effect of visfatin in psoriatic patients. </p

Subepidermal calcified nodule

Alper, Murat/0000-0001-7069-0623WOS: 000186476800019PubMed: 14649113Subepidermal calcified nodules are rarely seen and are classified under, idiopathic subepidermal calcifications. They commonly affect children. It is most frequently encountered in the face, and it is less common in the extremities. Here, we-present a case where the lesion was, localized on the knees of a 23-year-old female patient

Behçet hastali?ina eşlik eden sweet sendromu olgusu mu?

Oral aphthae, genital ulceration, uveitis, positive pathergy test and cutaneous vasculitis are diagnostic criteria of Behçet's disease. Similar symptoms may also appear in Sweet's syndrome. We report here a case of Sweet's syndrome associated with oral aphthae, erythema nodosum, episcleritis and positive pathergy test, with a history of upper respiratory tract infection and drug administration. She did not have any symptoms of Behçet's disease except for recurrent oral aphthae and arthralgia previously. Whether she has Sweet's sydrome in Behçet's disease or an isolated entity has been also discussed

Subungual osteochondroma - A diagnostic dilemma

kavak, ayse/0000-0002-4679-1181WOS: 000236603300011PubMed: 16546954Osteochondroma is the most common skeletal neoplasm of all benign bone tumors. However, it rarely occurs subungually. In this location, the lesion may penetrate the skin, causing nail deformity, and can easily be misdiagnosed. We report two cases of subungual osteochondroma of the distal phalanges of the first toes with cutaneous penetration and discuss the clinical, histologic, and radiographic features and the treatment options

Dermatophytoses in forestry workers and farmers

WOS: 000230042300007PubMed: 15982208To assess the frequency of superficial mycoses in forestry workers and farmers in the rural region of Duzce, a total of 467 residents of the rural region were examined for dermatomycosis infection. Of these, 349 were forestry workers and 118 farmers. All specimens collected were analysed by direct microscopy and culture. Tinea pedis et manus was found in 23 (19.4%), and onycomycosis in 21 (17.7%) farmers. Tinea pedis et manus was found in 50 (14.3%), and onycomycosis in 28 (8%) forestry workers. One tinea corporis, two tinea inguinalis and two erosio interdigitalis cases were determined in the farmer group but no cases of tinea corporis, tinea inguinalis, or erosio interdigitalis were found in the forestry group. In total, five tinea versicolor cases were found in the two groups on clinical examination but no agent positivity was yielded in mycological cultures. The most frequently isolated agent in the two groups was Trichophyton rubrum. The frequencies of superficial mycosis and onychomycosis were found to be higher in the farmer group than in the forestry group, although similar aetiological agents were isolated in both groups. The farmers had greater rates of contact with pathogenic fungi present in soil as well as from infected farm animals than the foresters; furthermore, animal husbandry, and the wearing of rubber shoes and nylon socks were more frequent in the farmer group. These results suggest that habits such as the wearing of rubber shoes and nylon socks, and the practice of animal husbandry may be the most important factors in determining the frequency of superficial mycoses and aetiological agents in forestry workers and farmers. To our knowledge, there is no previous report about dermatophytoses in forestry workers

Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi infection among forestry workers and farmers in Duzce, north-western Turkey

WOS: 000256866500007PubMed: 18623985Borrelia burgdorferi infection is the most frequent tick-transmitted disease worldwide. Our aim was to assess the seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi infection among forestry workers and farmers in Duzce, in the north-west region of Turkey Blood samples from 349 forestry workers and farmers and 193 healthy blood donors were obtained to determine the presence of antibodies to B. burgdorferi. A two-step testing strategy was used; the sera were initially tested by ELISA and then by Western blot (WB) IgG. Demographic data regarding residence, age, gender, profession, tick bite history, contact with animals, and symptoms involving the skin, nervous system, and osteoarticular system were collected by questionnaire. All results were evaluated statistically using the chi(2) test. The seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi was 10.9% (n=38) in forestry workers and farmers and 2.6% (n=5) in blood donors by ELISA, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Seropositivity rates were related to age, gender, and common risk factors for the disease. IgG seropositivity was confirmed in four (1.1%) sera by WB. In this first seroepiderniological report from the northwest region of Turkey, tick bite exposure was found to be high, whereas B. burgdorferi infection was not common. Preventive measures against tick exposure and further studies to determine the distribution of Lyme disease in Turkey are proposed

Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi infection among forestry workers and farmers in Duzce, north-western Turkey

WOS: 000256866500007PubMed: 18623985Borrelia burgdorferi infection is the most frequent tick-transmitted disease worldwide. Our aim was to assess the seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi infection among forestry workers and farmers in Duzce, in the north-west region of Turkey Blood samples from 349 forestry workers and farmers and 193 healthy blood donors were obtained to determine the presence of antibodies to B. burgdorferi. A two-step testing strategy was used; the sera were initially tested by ELISA and then by Western blot (WB) IgG. Demographic data regarding residence, age, gender, profession, tick bite history, contact with animals, and symptoms involving the skin, nervous system, and osteoarticular system were collected by questionnaire. All results were evaluated statistically using the chi(2) test. The seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi was 10.9% (n=38) in forestry workers and farmers and 2.6% (n=5) in blood donors by ELISA, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Seropositivity rates were related to age, gender, and common risk factors for the disease. IgG seropositivity was confirmed in four (1.1%) sera by WB. In this first seroepiderniological report from the northwest region of Turkey, tick bite exposure was found to be high, whereas B. burgdorferi infection was not common. Preventive measures against tick exposure and further studies to determine the distribution of Lyme disease in Turkey are proposed