Nutrigenomic DNA reprogramming in different chronic diseases and cancer has been assessed through the stimulation of gene expression and mRNA synthesis versus DNA silencing by CpG DNA modification (methylation); histone modification (acetylation, methylation) and expression of small noncoding RNAs, known as microRNAs (miRNAs). With regard to the specific nutrigenomic effects in psoriasis, the influence of specific diets on inflammatory cell signaling transcriptional factors such as nuclear factor (NF)-κB and Wnt signaling pathways, on disease-related specific cytokine expression, pro/antioxidant balance, keratinocyte proliferation/apoptosis and on proliferation/differentiation ratio have been documented; however, the influence of dietary compounds on the balance between ‘good and bad’ miRNA expression has not been considered. This review aims to summarize knowledge about aberrant microRNAs expression in psoriasis and to emphasize the potential impact of some dietary compounds on endogenous miRNA synthesis in experimental conditions in vivo and in vitro. Among the aberrantly expressed miRNAs in psoriasis, one of the most prominently upregulated seems to be miR-21. The beneficial effects of phenolic compounds (curcumin and resveratrol), vitamin D, methyl donors, and omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) are discussed. Highly expressed miR-155 has been downregulated by flavonoids (through a quercetin-rich diet) and by vitamin D. Quercetin has been effective in modulating miR-146a. On the other hand, downregulated miR-125b expression was restored by vitamin D, Coenzyme Q10 and by microelement selenium. In conclusion, the miRNA profile, together with other ‘omics’, may constitute a multifaceted approach to explore the impact of diet on psoriasis prevention and treatment.

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This study examined the hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of anthocyanins from Vaccinim myrtillus (bilberry) fruit extract on the acute liver failure caused by carbon tetrachloride-CCl4 (3 mL/kg, i.p.). The preventive treatment of the bilberry extract (200 mg anthocyanins/kg, orally, 7 days) prior to the exposure to the CCl4 resulted in an evident decrease in markers of liver damage (glutamate dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase), and reduced pro-oxidative (conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxide, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, advanced oxidation protein products, NADPH oxidase, hydrogen peroxide, oxidized glutathione), and pro-inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, nitrite, myeloperoxidase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, CD68, lipocalin-2), and also caused a significant decrease in the dissipation of the liver antioxidative defence capacities (reduced glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, and quinone reductase) in comparison to the results detected in the animals treated with CCl4 exclusively. The administration of the anthocyanins prevented the arginine metabolism’s diversion towards the citrulline, decreased the catabolism of polyamines (the activity of putrescine oxidase and spermine oxidase), and significantly reduced the excessive activation and hyperplasia of the Kupffer cells. There was also an absence of necrosis, in regard to the toxic effect of CCl4 alone. The hepatoprotective mechanisms of bilberry extract are based on the inhibition of pro-oxidative mediators, strong anti-inflammatory properties, inducing of hepatic phase II antioxidant enzymes (glutathione S-transferase, quinone reductase) and reduced glutathione, hypoplasia of Kupffer cells, and a decrease in the catabolism of polyamines.

The aim of this study was to analyze the dermoscopic features in patients with pathohistologically confirmed basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Our retrospective study included 54 patients with 76 BCCs in total, diagnosed in 2016 and 2017. All lesions were classified into four clinical types: nodular, pigmented, superficial and infiltrative. Digital dermoscopic images were evaluated by three observers. We selected five dermoscopic features for analysis, including: the absence of pigment network, the presence of arborizing vessels, blue-gray globules and ovoid nests, leaf-like areas and ulcerations. In the total of 54 patients, there were 22 females and 32 males. At the moment of establishing the diagnosis, the patients’ age was in the range from 31 to 84 years (median age 67 years). The most frequent clinical type was the nodular type with 28 confirmed diagnoses. Nodular BCC was more frequently localized on the head and neck areas compared to the trunk and limbs (p < 0.01). Dermoscopically, the absence of pigmented network was verified in all cases. Arborizing vessels were present in 71 (93.4%) lesions, blue-gray globules and ovoid nests in 33 (42.1%), ulcerations in 44 (57.9%), and leaf-like areas in 5 (6.6%) lesions. Blue-gray globules and ovoid nests were significantly frequent in pigmented BCC in comparison to other clinical types of BCC (p < 0.01). In conclusion, using dermoscopy, it is entirely possible to make a reliable diagnosis of BCC as well as to differentiate it from others skin tumors.

Introduction: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune skin disease that typically presents with severe itching and blistering, with or without eczematous and urticarial lesions. Patients with BP are at an increased risk of comorbid conditions, especially neurologic and psychiatric diseases. Several recent studies have found a link between BP and neurological disorders, especially stroke, dementia, and Parkinson's disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of neurological and psychiatric comorbidities and their treatment in BP patients. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study was conducted based on the analysis of the medical records of 105 patients with confirmed BP. Demographic and clinical data on BP, neurological and psychiatric comorbidities were collected and statistically analyzed for all patients. Results: The median age was 77.8±10.6 years (range, 39-98 years). Among the study group, 71 (67,61%) patients had neurological comorbidity. Comorbidity with the highest frequency was ischemic stroke found in 28 (26,67%) patients, followed by dementia in 27 (25,71%), Alzheimer's in 11 (10,48%) and Parkinson's disease 5 (4,76%) patients. It was noted that there was a statistically significant difference among male and female patients with Alzheimer's disease (p = 0,0046) and psychiatric disorder (p = 0,044). Conclusion: Neurological disorders usually precede the diagnosis of BP, and mortality may be higher in patients with comorbid conditions. Clinicians should be aware of the early signs and symptoms of BP, primarily in patients with primary neurological disorders such as dementia, stroke, or Parkinson's disease.