The British journal of dermatology
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Keloids are recognized as benign tumours characterized by fibroblastic proliferation and accumulation of extracellular matrix, especially collagen deposition. The transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1)/Smad pathway plays an important role in keloid pathogenesis; however the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. ⋯ These results suggested that the ERK, JNK and p38 pathways mediate TGF-beta(1)/Smad signal transduction and might be considered as specific targets of drug therapy for keloids.
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Dermatophytes are the main cause of superficial mycoses in humans and animals. Molecular research has given useful insights into the phylogeny and taxonomy of the dermatophytes to overcome the difficulties with conventional diagnostics. ⋯ Signature polymorphisms were observed to be useful for the differentiation of these strains and epidemiological data showed a host specificity among zoophilic strains of T. interdigitale/Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii compared with A. benhamiae as well as characteristic clinical pictures in humans when caused by zoophilic or anthropophilic strains. The delineation is relevant because it helps in determining the correct treatment and provides clues regarding the source of the infection.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Ustekinumab improves health-related quality of life in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: results from the PHOENIX 1 trial.
Background PHOENIX 1 was a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that demonstrated the long-term efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Objectives To assess the effect of ustekinumab maintenance therapy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in PHOENIX 1 patients. Patients and methods Patients (n = 766) were randomized to receive ustekinumab 45 mg (n = 255) or 90 mg (n = 256) at weeks 0 and 4 and every 12 weeks thereafter, or placebo (n = 255) at weeks 0 and 4 with crossover to ustekinumab at week 12. ⋯ Regression analysis showed that, after adjustment for improvement in PASI or Physician's Global Assessment (PGA), ustekinumab-treated patients demonstrated significant improvements in DLQI. Conclusions Ustekinumab improves HRQoL in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Patient-reported outcomes measured a treatment effect beyond that indicated by clinical measures.