Localized scleroderma: actual insights and new biomarkers.

Localized scleroderma (LS, morphea, limited scleroderma, focal scleroderma) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by a progressive damage to the connective tissue with a predominance of fibrosclerotic disorders in the skin and the subcutaneous tissue. In addition surrounding structures may be affected: fascia, muscle, and bone tissues. This review reflects the current understanding about limited scleroderma, its pathogenesis, diagnosis, new biomarkers, and information about the possibilities of its transition to systemic scleroderma. The following new biomarkers have been identified: galactosylated IgG (Ig-Gal), progranulin (PGRN), chemokine CCXL 18, various types of microRNA (miRNA-let-7a, miRNA-7, miRNA-196a, miRNA-155, miRNA-483-5p), periostin, and myelin basic protein (MBP). Knowledge about new biomarkers of LS will help us to explore the patients' predisposition to the development of systemic scleroderma. In addition, by acting on these biomarkers, it is possible to prevent the progression of LS in the early stages and its transition to systemic scleroderma. The review also presents the current understanding of autoantibodies in LS and their correlation with clinical signs of the disease.

Molecular detection and genotyping of ß-human papillomavirus and it's association with epithelial skin neoplasms.

Epidemiological and molecular biological data suggest that ß-human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause epithelial skin tumors, but the relationship remains unclear. A new approach to the diagnosis of HPV is based on the measurement of viral consistence. We examined 52 immune-compromised and immune-competent patients in order to identify the association of epithelial neoplasms with ß-HPV. Determination of HPV was performed by polymerase chain reaction with hybridization-fluorescence detection in real-time. Amplification and detection were carried out with "Rotor-Gene" 3000 ("Corbett Research," Australia). To quantify the beta HPV genus, we used recombinant plasmid positive controls as well as control plasmid of ß-globin fragments taken from human genes (Central Scientific Institute of Epidemiology Rospotrebnadzor). We have found that ß-HPV DNA predominated in fibroepithelial polyps (64%) and in the apparently healthy skin (54%) of immune-compromised patients versus 47% in the skin of healthy donors. Mixed infection was detected in fibroepithelial polyps of 57% in the immune-compromised patients. Viral consistence in the fibroepithelial polyps was higher than in the apparently normal donors' skin. The high detection of HPV DNA was found in fibroepithelial polyps and in the apparently healthy skin of immune-compromised patients whereas a high level of HPV DNA was only found in fibroepithelial polyps.

Russian traditional medicine in dermatology.

The use of herbal remedies for various medical issues is becoming increasingly commonplace in all fields of medicine, and dermatology is no exception. This review focuses on traditional dermatologic herbal remedies, commonly used in Russia, as the rich array of 11 different plant zones has resulted in a great variety of medicinal plants. Herbal remedies warrant deeper investigation and research, especially due to their active substance content, which may interfere with or reinforce the effect of modern medications, something that medical professionals should be aware of when prescribing treatments. Although there are a great number of traditional herbal treatments in Russia, only the most commonly used and known treatments and applications will be described as an introduction to the field, which has had many books of varying quality written about it. The preparation and application of treatments for vitiligo, pyodermas, parasitic and infectious skin diseases, acne, dermatitides, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, rhytides, psoriasis, and hyperhidrosis are discussed.