RETRACTED: 5G Technology and induction of coronavirus in skin cells.

This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor. After a thorough investigation the Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article as it showed evidence of substantial manipulation of the peer review.

RETRACTED: 5G Technology and induction of coronavirus in skin cells.

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher.

Unexpected parasitosis.

Neotrombicula autumnalis is an arthropod living in the soil and parasitizes animals only in its larval stage. Depending on climatic conditions, one to five life cycles can take place in a single year. Human infestation is probably underestimated and can be easily missed due to non-pathognomonic cutaneous manifestations in absence of systemic signs. We describe a case of human trombiculiasis and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic management of this 'synanthropic' dermatosis.

Duncan's dermatosis: from the "terra firma-forme" to a possible syndromic condition. The story of a dirty disease.

Since its first description by Duncan, Tschen and Knox in 1987 in the former Archives of Dermatology (1), "Terra firma-forme dermatosis" has been variously described in medical literature, representing a strange, probably underestimated, cutaneous disease. During the last 40 years, the condition has been recorded as an undesirable as well as unexplained event, occurring mainly in childhood, characterized by a brownish-black appearance of the whole skin, resembling dirt. Recently, authors described several cases of atypical patterns of the disease, sometimes with impressing topographic clinical pictures, evocative for syndromic phenotypes. Thanks to more careful examination of the tegument, often with the aid of non-invasive diagnostic tools, attention to this disease is growing. This brief review summarizes the state of the art on the topic, through an historical overview of what is known of this 'dirty' dermatosis.

Possible role of Helicobacter pylori in diseases of dermatological interest.

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, flagellate, microaerophilic bacterium identified for the first time about 30 years ago, as a pathogenic factor of gastritis and peptic ulcer. Soon after, it was linked to several gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal diseases (hematological, cardiovascular, neurological, pulmonary and ocular diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus, growth retardation and extragastric MALT lymphoma). Association and possible cause-effect correlation with H. pylori infection were suggested in diseases of dermatological interest such as chronic urticaria, rosacea, Henoch-Schoenleins purpura, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, cutaneous and oral lichen planus, atopic dermatitis, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, systemic sclerosis, psoriasis, Sjögrens syndrome, Behçet's disease, pruritus, alopecia areata, primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphomas, vitiligo, chronic prurigo, multiformis, prurigo nodularis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, prurigo pigmentosa, eczema nummulare, primary cutaneous MALT-type lymphoma, sublamina densa-type linear IgA bullous dermatosis, Sweet's syndrome, cutaneous T-cell pseudolymphoma and pemphigus vulgaris. A critical review of the literature up to May 2017 shows clear evidence of H. pylori involvement only for some of the above purported associations, while in the majority of cases data appear contrasting and/or obtained on a not adequately large study population. Further clinical and laboratory research, with more adequate methodological and statistical basis, is required to assess the actual existence and relevance of many purported associations, as well as the possible role of H. pylori and the underlying pathogenic mechanisms.

Cutaneous manifestations in Steinert's disease. Apropos of four clinical cases.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (MD1) (OMIM 160900, Steinert disease) is the most common muscular disease, with an estimated worldwide prevalence ranging from 0.5 to 18/10,000 (1). MD1 is an autosomal dominant multisystem disorder that affects skeletal and smooth muscles as well as eyes, heart, endocrine system, and central nervous system. Available data on skin and adnexal involvement that has been demonstrated as a hallmark of the neurological disease are still poor. The aim of this case report-based, mini review on MD1 and skin is to highlight the importance of such superficial signs to be easily detected in the physical examination, and to evaluate the occurrence of these cutaneous manifestations in presence of various degrees of the disease and gene mutations.

Stigmata in the history: between faith, mysticism and science.

Stigmata are one of the most ancient and fascinating mysteries of the Christian religion. The word "stigmata" derives by the Greek "stigma", that means sign, mark. Classically, stigmata are the sores inflicted on Jesus Christ during his passion and crucifixion. Today, the term stigmatized has been extended to designate several cases of individuals, who show skin sores similar to those of Christ. The Authors report a brief history of stigmata, trying to give an explanation to such a fascinating phenomenon.

Hard to face: cutaneous malignant melanoma.

An 88-year-old Caucasian man recently sought medical attention due to recrudescence of skin disease in the area of previously excised nodule (in 2002) on the nose dorsum. The original lesion was clinically considered as a pigmented basal cell carcinoma, after which histological examination revealed a superficial spreading melanoma in vertical growth face (Clark level IV; Breslow thickness 2.1 mm) arising from a pre-existing nevus. The adjacent skin also showed significant actinic damage both in the epidermis and in the dermis. A sentinel node was positive (micrometastases of melanoma) and radical lymph node dissection of the neck was performed. Other lymph nodes did not contain metastasis. Computed tomography scans of brain, chest, abdomen and pelvis performed at that time showed no evidence of systemic disease.

History of venous leg ulcers.

To retrieve the history of venous ulcers and of skin lesions in general, we must go back to the appearance of human beings on earth. It is interesting to note that cutaneous injuries evolved parallel to human society. An essential first step in the pathogenesis of ulcers was represented by the transition of the quadruped man to Homo Erectus. This condition was characterized by a greater gravitational pressure on the lower limbs, with consequences on the peripheral venous system. Furthermore, human evolution was characterized by an increased risk of traumatic injuries, secondary to his natural need to create fire and hunt (e.g. stones, iron, fire, animal fighting). Humans then began to fight one another until they came to real wars, with increased frequency of wounds and infectious complications. The situation degraded with the introduction of horse riding, introduced by the Scites, who first tamed animals in the 7th century BC. This condition exhibited iliac veins at compression phenomena, favouring the venous stasis. With time, man continued to evolve until the modern age, which is characterized by increased risk factors for venous wounds such as poor physical activity and dietary errors (1, 2).

The evolution of artificial hair implantation.

From the beginning, artificial hair implantation has aroused a lot of interest, sometimes controversial, in the field of hair restoration. The artificial fiber must be of high quality and biocompatible. Biofibre® is a very fine fiber having diameter of 80 m. The standard length of this fiber is 15 or 30 cm, to satisfy multiple patient requests. They are available in 13 colors and 3 different shapes (straight, wavy and curly). Artificial hair implant is indicated in all (male and female) cases of androgenetic alopecia, especially for those who show dismal response to medical therapies and have poor donor area supply for hair transplantation. It has also shown good results to treat scars. One hundred thirty-three cases of androgenetic alopecia were treated with Biofibre® and followed-up for 3 years. A clinical evaluation was carried out after 1 month, 4 months and every other 4 months after the implant. The fiber loss was no more than 10% per year in 91.4% of the cases, 15% in 7.8% of the cases and 20% in 0.8% of the cases. 96.2% of patients declared themselves to be satisfied with the result of the implant while 3.8% declared to be not satisfied. To conclude, modern artificial hair implantation can be considered a safe and easy mode of hair restoration, for male and female patients, especially in donor depleted cases or when an immediate aesthetic result is required.

Between history and gossip: the state of women relative to syphilis, a traditionally male disease.

Despite the new World Health Organization data remind us how syphilis is a disease which affects both sexes equally, this pathology has always been mainly considered a male disease. While several famous men are known to be affected by syphilis, there are very few women affected by this pathology of which we have historical records. Through the lives of Mary Todd Lincoln, Catherine of Aragon, Karen Blixen and Florence Foster Jenkins, this article would like to grant dignity to all the women who contracted syphilis in the wrong historical era where, for a woman, admitting to contracting it was shameful. Through the important women who lived their lives fighting against this disease and its complications, we would like to pay tribute to all those women who still today, in an era of antibiotics and where syphilis is a treatable pathology, they cannot be cured because they are both geographically and socially disadvantaged.

A short novel about the spread of two important diseases in history: syphilis and SARS.

Throughout the centuries, the undefended nature of man has very often manifested in cases of epidemics, which have determined scenarios of suffering and death. Through "historical" observation lens, it is possible to understand the relationship between the spread of viruses, bacteria and parasites responsible for these epidemics and the displacement of ancient or contemporary travellers. We have analysed two infective diseases, syphilis and SARS, and their role in history and in medicine.

A multi-centred open trial of “Dr Michaels®” (also branded as Soratinex®) topical product family in psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring skin disease affecting 2-4% of the population. Genetic predisposition and precipitating factors play a role in its etiology. The disease can occur in any age or gender group. The most frequently affected areas of the body include scalp, extensor surfaces of the extremities, skin folds and nails. While a number of therapies exist for the treatment of psoriasis with a total resolution of the skin, achieving remission in a high percentage of sufferers, a treatment that results in the maintenance of remission and is free of side effects is still a desirable goal. The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) topical product family in psoriasis, in terms of decreasing parakeratosis, inflammation, infiltration and involved area. Seven-hundred-and-twenty-two subjects, mean age 42.3 years (range: 18-68 years) with mild to moderately severe psoriasis, with no other current anti-psoriatic therapy, consisting of 382 males and 340 females, above 18 years of age were included and the observations were subjected to statistical analysis. Triphasic application of Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) products was employed for 8 weeks, using Cleansing Gel, Scalp and Body Ointment and Skin Conditioner. The treatment proved to be ineffective for 22 patients (3.1%) out of 722. 84 patients (11.6%) had moderate improvement with 26-50% of cleared skin lesions; 102 patients (14.1%) had good improvement with 51-75% of cleared skin lesions; 484 patients (67.0%) experienced outstanding improvement with 76-100% of the cleared skin lesions, with 52% of them achieving total resolution. Twelve patients worsened and discontinued treatment; 18 patients discontinued because of non-compliance; 33 patients developed folliculitis as a side effect. Based on the results of this study, the Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) product family can be successfully applied in mild to moderately severe psoriasis when considering the exclusion criteria.

A clinical examination of the efficacy of preparation of Dr Michaels® (also branded as Soratinex®) products in the treatment of psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with negative impacts both physically and psychologically. It is a common disorder affecting 2-3% of the total world population, in some cases causing changes to the nail and joints as well as skin lesions. The cutaneous manifestations of psoriasis can vary in morphology and severity and therapy should be tailored accordingly. The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) product line in the treatment of psoriatic patients with different age and disease severity. A total number of 270 patients with verified psoriasis, aged 9-60 years old participated in the studies, including 128 children: 23 girls and 105 boys, (all of them selected from the Department of Dermato-allergology of the Russian Pediatric Hospital Clinic, Moscow, and of the 4th Department of Dermatology of the 52nd Moscow City Hospital Clinic). The patients were separated into 3 groups according to the severity of the disease (based on the PASI-index). All the patients have been treated with Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) products twice daily, as three different forms were available for application: a cleansing gel, an ointment and a conditioner. The severity of the disease and the efficacy of the treatment have been defined with the evaluation of the PASI index of each patient. The obtained results were recorded in a graphic form showing the changes of the PASI-index on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 counted from the start of the trial. Clinical remission was achieved in 147 patients, a significant improvement in 73, partial improvement in 32, while no effect was seen in 12 patients and deterioration in 6. This open trial demonstrated the clinical efficacy of topical application of Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) preparation. We observed clinical remissions of psoriasis in adults and in children.

Nail psoriasis in an adult successfully treated with a series of herbal skin care products family – a case report.

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory dermatosis that causes significant distress and morbidity. Approximately 50% of patients with cutaneous psoriasis and 90% of patients with psoriatic arthritis demonstrate nail involvement of their psoriasis. Left untreated, nail psoriasis may progress to debilitating nail disease that leads to not only impairment of function but also on quality of life. We report the case of a 50-year-old male patient with recalcitrant nail dystrophies on the fingers since the age of 40, who responded successfully to Dr. Michaels® product family. The patient had a 35-year history of plaque psoriasis localised on the scalp, ears, groin, limbs, and trunk and with psoriatic arthritis. The nail symptoms consisted of onycholysis, onychomycosis, leukonychia, transverse grooves, nail plate crumbling and paronychia of the periungal skin. This case represents the efficacy and safety of the Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex® and Nailinex®) product family with successful resolution of nail dystrophies and surrounding paronychia with no reported adverse events.

Clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of “Dr Michaels®” (also branded as Soratinex®) products in the topical treatment of patients with plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis is generally considered as an autoimmune inflammatory cutaneous-systemic disease, with chronic course and high rate of recurrence, while its high risk of comorbidities affect the patients’ quality of life significantly. Despite the good therapeutic response, most of the available options show tendency for poor tolerance and high rate of occurrence of side effects. Therefore, the interest of patients and doctors to investigate the possibility of treating psoriasis with natural substances is not surprising. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the herbal skin-care product Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) for the management of chronic plaque psoriasis, within a 6 to 8 week treatment course. Thirty patients of both sexes, aged between 24 and 70 years with mild to moderate psoriasis vulgaris were included in this study. The products of Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) were applied in sequence: cleansing gel, ointment after 3-4 minutes and tonic care (for the fire-smeared ointment) 2 times per day for restorative care and cleansing gel for psoriasis within scalp 3 times a week. The study lasted six weeks. The severity and extent of the lesions were evaluated by PASI score (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index). Based on the obtained result, the products of “Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®)” have proved to be effective in the treatment of mild and moderate psoriasis vulgaris. In the study group, no improvement was observed in 10% of patients, a slight improvement in 20%, good in 40% and very good in 16.6% of patients.

Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) product for the topical treatment of psoriasis: a Hungarian/Czech and Slovak study.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory T cell-mediated skin disease, affecting about 2% of Hungarian population. Genetic predisposition as well as environmental triggering factors, and innate immune processes play a role in its etiology. Treatment of psoriasis during the initial stages and first years of disease tend to be conservative and frequently based on topical agents. The aim of this study was to investigate and to describe the efficacy and safety of Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) skin-care products for the topical treatment of stable chronic plaque psoriasis in a Hungarian population. Two-hundred-and-eight-six (120 female/166 male) patients, aged 10-80 years old (mean age 43 years) with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis had participated in the study. The products, including cleansing gel containing a coal tar solution, herbal oils and emulsifiers, were used twice daily and in the same manner for all the skin lesions. The study period was eight weeks. Assessment, using the Psoriasis Activity Severity Index (PASI) scores and photographic analysis, was done 2 weeks before treatment, at time 0, and after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. Patient’s improvement was determined by the percentage reduction of the PASI scores. Side effects and tolerability were also evaluated. After 8 weeks treatment course, 46 patients had a moderate improvement, with the regression of 25-50% of skin lesions; 77 patients showed a good improvement, with the resolution of 51-75% of lesions. Another 115 patients had an outstanding improvement, with the regression of 76-98.9% of lesions. Only 13 patients did not achieve an improvement of psoriasis. Fifteen patients experienced folliculitis, which resolved after cessation of treatment. Seven patients worsened and discontinued treatment. Thirteen patients dropped out because of non-compliance. Our investigation demonstrates that Dr Michaels® (Soratinex®) products, an Australian treatment, can be used successfully in the treatment of stable chronic plaque psoriasis.

Successful treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris with Dr Michaels® (also branded as Zitinex®) topical products family: a clinical trial.

Acne vulgaris is an epidemic inflammatory skin disease of multi-factorial origin, frequently seen in adolescents and often persisting or occurring through to adulthood. Acne vulgaris is a nearly universal skin disease afflicting 79-95% of the adolescent population in westernized societies and is a significant cause of psychological morbidity in affected patients. Despite the various treatment options available for acne, there is still a need for a safe and effective option. The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of Dr Michaels® (Zitinex®) product family in the treatment of papulo-pustular acne. 25 patients (17 female/8 male), aged 15-22, with a mild to moderate papulo-pustular acne, localized on the face and on the trunk, were included in this study. None of the patients had used any other kind of treatment in the 3 months prior to commencing this study. All of the patients were treated with Dr Michaels® (Zitinex®) facial exfoliating cleanser, activator formula, a cream, PSC 200 and PSC 900 oral supplements. Application time of Dr Michaels® (Zitinex®) products was 12 weeks. The treatment was been evaluated clinically at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. All of the patients showed an improvement in all parameters of their acne (comedones, papules, pustules, hyperpigmentation and scars). The acne lesions and erythema had mostly resolved. The hyperpigmentation and pitted scarring had significantly reduced also, with the skin appearing smoother. The treatment was well tolerated and no side effects have been described. Our study demonstrates that the Dr Michaels® (Zitinex®) facial exfoliating cleanser, activator formula, cream and oral supplements PSC 200 and PSC 900 are an effective therapeutic option for the treatment of moderately severe acne vulgaris. Moreover, it highlights the safety profile of the Dr Michaels® (Zitinex®) product family in a case of acne compared to traditional first-line treatments.

Investigation of the efficacy and tolerability of Dr Michaels® (also branded as Eczitinex® and Itchinex Eczitinex®) topical products in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children.

Atopic eczema is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disorder, characterized clinically by intensely pruritic eczematous skin lesions and a defective epidermal barrier. It affects more than 15% of children and up to 10%of adults, which makes the disease a social health problem still without a challenging treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Dr Michaels® (Eczitinex®) topical product family in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children. We studied a group of 30 patients (17 female, 13 male), aged 5 to 13 (mean age: 9), affected by atopic dermatitis since they were newborn. All patients had been unsuccessfully treated with conventional anti-inflammatory therapies and ceased treatment 2 weeks before commencing research. The patients were treated with Dr Michaels® (Eczitinex® and Itchinex®) product family including a moisturising bar, topical ointment and PSC 900 oral herbal formulation. The treatment was evaluated clinically and photographically at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 weeks. Twenty-eight patients showed a significant improvement of cutaneous rashes and pruritus on the first week of treatment, with a complete remission at 10-12 weeks. Only two patients, brother and sister respectively, showed a slow response to treatment and reported an increasing itching. Following 14 weeks of treatment with the Dr Michaels® (Eczitinex® and Itchinex®) product family, patients demonstrated complete resolution of their AD. All patients showed a marked improvement in their condition within 3 days of treatment with most of the lesions and symptoms totally resolved within 10 to 12 weeks of treatment with Dr Michaels® (Eczitinex® and Itchinex®) family of products. This clinical report highlights that the Dr Michaels® (Eczitinex® and Itchinex®) product family is a safe and effective treatment option for AD.

Treatment of ichthyosis lamellaris using a series of herbal skin care products family.

Lamellar ichthyosis (LI) is a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders of keratinization that are inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion, occurring in approximately 1 in 300,000 live births. The treatment of the large, dark, plate-like scales that characterize the classic manifestation of the disease are still a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Dr. Michaels® skin-care products for the management of LI. A multi-centre European prospective study was conducted, including 10 patients (3 female/7 male) with lamellar ichthyosis, aged 38-54 years old (mean age: 46). Each patient had been treated with emollients plus other different systemic therapies, such as corticosteroids, Cyclosporin A or retinoids in the past. All patients were treated with Dr Michaels® product family including both topical and oral herbal supplements. The topical treatments used were the cleansing gel, activator formula and ointment. The oral medications were PSC 200, PSC 400 and PSC 900. Within 3 weeks of initiation of treatment, there were improvements observed on the skin including a reduction in scaling, fissuring, and intensity in erythema and pruritus with thinning of the hyperkeratotic plate. After 12-15 weeks, most of the plates and scales had been removed to reveal a normalised skin colour. Evidence of hair, eyelash and eyebrow growth was observed. There was partial nail resolution with a reduction in subungual hyperkeratosis. No adverse reactions were observed. Our patients showed excellent symptomatic response to treatment within a 14-week period, follow-up by an on-going regular assessment on a quarterly basis. The results show that Dr Michaels® product family is an effective and safe treatment option for LI.