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Biomedical subjects

Ozer Arican

Publications and source records attributed to Ozer Arican.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A case of perforating pilomatricoma.

Pilomatricoma is a rare skin neoplasm, most commonly seen in the head and neck region, and occurring in the first two decades of life. It is usually solitary and varies from 0.5 to 2 cm in diameter. Its etiology is unknown. Perforating pilomatricoma is a rare clinical variant that presents as a draining, crusted nodule or ulcer, and is reported to arise faster than the classic pilomatricoma. Herein, we report a case of 35-year-old female, who had a 4-month history of a growing mass on her leg. On physical examination, a 4-cm diameter, asymptomatic, erythematous, ulcerated mass was noted on the left anterio-lateral upper leg. The first histopathological analysis of a punch biopsy from the lesion was reported as basal cell carcinoma. Therefore, the lesion was totally excised. There were shadow cells, squamoid cells, and basaloid aggregations more prominently in the one area in the tumor. In addition, calcification, foreign body giant cells and inflammatory cells were present. Punch or excisional biopsies are preferred as a method of diagnosis for the majority of cutaneous neoplasms. If total excision is not the method of choice, multiple punch biopsies should be made from different areas in large skin tumors for correct diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Topical treatment of molluscum contagiosum with imiquimod 5% cream in Turkish children.

BACKGROUND: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is caused by a poxvirus which produces cutaneous lesions appearing as small, firm, umbilicated papules. Lesions of MC are most commonly seen in young children. Transmission is through viral particles, which remain on surfaces, autoinoculation, or from contact with open lesions. There are many options for treatment of MC and these may be broadly subdivided into destructive, immunological and antiviral therapies. An alternative treatment would be desirable in pediatric patients. Imiquimod (IQ) is a member of immune response modifiers. METHODS: Here, the results of 12 Turkish pediatric patients with MC who used IQ 5% cream (aged between 3-13 years; six boys, six girls) are given. The cream was applied by the mothers in the evening, three times per week every other day up to 16 weeks. RESULTS: One of the patients gave up the treatment because of Influenza-like symptoms, and two of them because of the progress in the lesions continued. In seven of the remaining nine patients, total recovery was achieved. Local side-effects in patients were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: When all the patients affected with MC who exclusively used IQ 5% cream as mentioned in the literature were studied, 35 of 83 patients (42.2%) had complete clearance. These have differences in the form and duration of application. IQ 5% cream can be preferred in the treatment of children with MC because of its applicability at home, easy application and good tolerability. However, different application methods and suitable treatment methods should be determined.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2006

The relationship between serum levels of total IgE, IL-18, IL-12, IFN-gamma and disease severity in children with atopic dermatitis.

Studies about the role of cytokines on the immunopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) are generally based on in vitro observations and this role has not been completely clarified yet. Serum levels of total IgE, IL-18, IL-12, IFN-gamma and the relationship between these parameters and disease severity, determined using the SCORAD index, in a group of atopic patients were investigated in this study. Serum levels of total IgE were measured by the nephelometric method and serum levels of IL-18, IL-12/p40 and IFN-gamma were measured by ELISA method. Serum levels of total IgE and IL-18 were found significantly higher in study group than in controls (P<.001). There was no statistically significant difference between patients and controls in respect of serum levels of IL-12/p40 (P = .227). A statistically significant relationship between SCORAD values and serum levels of total IgE (P < .001), IL-18 (P < .001), and IL-12/p40 (P < .001) was determined. These results show that serum levels of IL-18 can be a sensitive parameter that importantly correlates with clinical severity of AD, can play a role in the immunopathogenesis of AD, and furthermore may be used in the diagnosis and follow-up of the disease in addition to other parameters.

Child↗
PubMed2006

Subungual amelanotic malignant melanoma.

We report a 61-year-old, male patient complaining from prolonged lesion on his great toe that has been previously treated surgically. Histopathological examination of toenail specimen revealed the presence of nests of atypical tumor cells that led to the diagnosis of amelanotic malignant melanoma. Four years ago, he was diagnosed as gout due to extreme erythema and edema in the same toe. He has been taken to surgical treatment and chemotherapy and is still undergoing. As this disease is seen very rarely, it can be misdiagnosed. This situation also has poor prognosis. We presented a case of subungual amelanotic melanoma, as it is rare disease, early and correct diagnosis is very important.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

Myoid differentiation and EMA expression in fibrosarcomatous dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a relatively unusual, locally aggressive cutaneous tumor of intermediate malignancy. Fibrosarcomatous DFSP (FS-DFSP), a rare variant of DFSP, has a higher tendency for recurrence and metastasis. Recently, a small number of cases of another variant of FSDFSB characterized by areas of myoid differentiation have been reported. We present here a 35 yearold female patient with myoid differentiation in FS-DFSP. The tumor on the left scapular region had slowly grown over six years. Examination revealed a domeshaped, firm, nontender, violaceous dermal nodule. Histologically, it was composed of a monotonous spindle cell population arranged predominantly in a storiform pattern and to a lesser extent in a fascicular fibrosarcomatous pattern with a parallel arrangement of the cells. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed diffuse expression for vimentin and CD34. In the center of the tumor areas with frequent mitosis, hypercellular and negative reactive for CD34 were seen. In addition, approximately 10% of the cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen. Myoid differentiation was found around the blood vessels. The myoid areas were positive for smooth muscle actin and negative for desmin. It is possible that the presence of hyperplastic myofibroblasts is a reactive phenomenon to the proliferation of tumor cells. We believe that this finding around blood vessels may be present in DFSP or FS-DFSP. However, when myoid areas, myoid fascicles and myoid nodules are seen in the stroma, it may be a new morphological variant of DFSP and/or FS-DFSP.

Actins↗
PubMed2005

Oxidative stress in patients with acne vulgaris.

Acne vulgaris is one of the common dermatological diseases and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. In this study, we aim to determine the effects of oxidative stress in acne vulgaris. Forty-three consecutive acne patients and 46 controls were enrolled. The parameters of oxidative stress such as catalase (CAT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the venous blood of cases were measured spectrophotometrically. The values compared with control group, the relation between the severity and distribution of acne, and the correlation of each enzyme level were researched. CAT and G6PD levels in patients were found to be statistically decreased, and SOD and MDA levels were found to be statistically increased (P < .001). However, any statistical difference and correlation could not be found between the severity and distribution of lesions and the mean levels of enzymes. In addition, we found that each enzyme is correlated with one another. Our findings show that oxidative stress exists in the acne patients. It will be useful to apply at least one antioxidant featured drug along with the combined acne treatment.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2005

Serum levels of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17, and IL-18 in patients with active psoriasis and correlation with disease severity.

Recent progress in the understanding of psoriasis has shown that the regulation of local and systemic cytokines plays an important role in its pathogenesis. The most often used psoriasis score is the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). A simple laboratory test from a blood sample would be an attractive, patient-independent, and observer-independent marker of disease severity. To this end, we evaluated the association of serum levels of some proinflammatory cytokines in vivo and their correlation with severity of psoriasis. The serum levels of cytokines levels were determined with the use of the ELISA method. All mean values except IL-17 levels of patients were significantly higher than those of controls. There was a significant correlation between serum levels of IFN-gamma, IL-12, IL-17, and IL-18, and severity of the disease. Psoriasis can be described as a T-cell-mediated disease, with a complex role for a variety of cytokines, which has led to the development of new immunomodulatory therapies. In this study, serum TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and IL-18 levels were significantly higher in active psoriatic patients than in controls. Furthermore, high levels of IFN-gamma, IL-12, and IL-18 correlated with the clinical severity and activity of psoriasis, and those measurements of serum levels of these cytokines may be objective parameters for the disease severity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Oxidative stress in patients with nongenital warts.

Comparison of oxidative stress status between subjects with or without warts is absent in the literature. In this study, we evaluated 31 consecutive patients with warts (15 female, 16 male) and 36 control cases with no evidence of disease to determine the effects of oxidative stress in patients with warts. The patients were classified according to the wart type, duration, number, and location of lesions. We measured the indicators of oxidative stress such as catalase (CAT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the venous blood by spectrophotometry. There was a statistically significant increase in levels of CAT, G6PD, SOD activities and MDA in the patients with warts compared to the control group (P< .05). However, we could not define a statistically significant correlation between these increased enzyme activities and MDA levels and the type, the duration, the number, and the location of lesions. We determined possible suppression of T cells during oxidative stress that might have a negative effect on the prognosis of the disease. Therefore, we propose an argument for the appropriateness to give priority to immunomodulatory treatment alternatives instead of destructive methods in patients with demonstrated oxidative stress.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Ocular surface disorders and tear function changes in nodulo-cystic acne.

The aim of this study was to investigate the ocular surface disorders and tear function changes in patients with nodulo-cystic acne. Eighty-seven patients with nodulo-cystic acne vulgaris and 50 healthy subjects were included in the study. All subjects underwent full ocular examinations. Subjective ocular complaints were recorded. Corneal staining with fluorescein, tear film break-up time (BUT), and Schirmer test were applied. Abnormal tear film BUT and abnormal Schirmer scores were significantly more common in the acne group than in the control group. The tear film BUT was abnormal in 18 (20.7%) cases in the patient group and in 2 (4%) subjects in the control group (p=0.007). The mean Schirmer score was abnormal in 7 (8%) and decreased in 18 (20.7%) acne patients, and it was decreased in only 3 (6%) control subjects (p=0.005). Corneal punctuate epithelial erosions were detected in 3 (3.4%) acne patients, but not any of the control subjects. However, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p=0.184). Subjective ocular complaints were present in 28 cases (32.2%) in the patient group. Five (10%) subjects in the control group had such complaints (p=0.003). Tear function tests are also significantly altered in patients with nodulo-cystic acne. Our data suggest that severe acne patients should be referred to an ophthalmologist.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2005

Multiple plaques on the back: S-100 negative benign granular cell tumor.

Granular cell tumor is a rarely seen disease characterized by a gradually developing nodular lesion, which is difficult to diagnose. It has been thought to originate from Schwann cells. The tumor usually appears in the 4th-6th decades of life, more frequently in women and blacks, and has a multifocal location in 10-25% of the cases. The malignancy potential is 1-3%, with 70-74% of the cases in women. Ninety-eight percent of the cases are S-100 positive. The present paper describes an 18-year-old female patient with benign granular cell tumor. This rarely seen type of tumor was S-100 negative and has been detected in biopsies taken from multiple asymptomatic plaques and maculopapular lesions. They were 0.5-4 cm in diameter, light brown in color, and with clear contours and had been gradually growing on her back the last nine years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Comparison of azelaic acid and anthralin for the therapy of patchy alopecia areata: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Although topical azelaic acid has been previously used for the treatment of alopecia, no controlled trials of azelaic acid for this condition have been conducted to date. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of azelaic acid treatment in patients with patchy alopecia areata (AA) in comparison with anthralin (dithranol) treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study included 31 subjects with patchy AA who did not receive any treatment for at least 1 month prior to the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics of these subjects were recorded at baseline. Subjects were randomized to apply either 20% azelaic acid (15 subjects) or 0.5% anthralin (16 subjects) for 12 consecutive weeks. In a subsequent 8-week follow-up period no cream was applied. Two independent investigators performed an efficacy evaluation with clinical examination using a terminal hair regrowth score (RGS) with a scale ranging from 0 (inadequate response) to 2 (complete response) at week 20. Partial response was accepted as score 1. RESULTS: Both groups were well matched for the relevant demographic and clinical indicators affecting treatment response at baseline. All subjects completed the trial. At week 20 the RGS was 1.27 +/- 0.9 in the azelaic acid group versus 1.37 +/- 0.8 in the anthralin group (p > 0.05). A complete response was observed in 53.3% of cases in the azelaic acid group (8 of 15) compared with 56.2% (9 of 16) in the anthralin group (p > 0.05). No serious adverse events were observed in either group during the study. CONCLUSION: The present pilot study showed that the use of azelaic acid gave similar results to anthralin with regard to hair regrowth, and that it can be an effective topical therapy for patchy AA. More extensive trials are necessary, however, to reach a definitive conclusion.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2005

A case of bathing trunk nevus studded with neurofibroma-like papules.

There is a significant association between bathing trunk nevus and neurofibromatosis. However, not all neurofibroma-like papules detected clinically in cases with bathing trunk nevus may be a neurofibromas and histopathological confirmation is essential for definition of these lesions. We report a 21 year old white male patient with a bathing trunk nevus studded with neurofibroma-like papules of melanocytic nature. Histopathological examination of both papular and flat lesions showed diffuse melanocytes with plentiful eosinophilic cytoplasm and round nuclei in the dermis. Immunohistochemistry showed strong positivity of dermal melanocytes for S-100 protein. The clinical and histopathological findings and positivity of dermal melanocytes for S-100 protein were consistent with bathing trunk melanocytic nevus.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Superoxide dismutase and myeloperoxidase activities in polymorphonuclear leukocytes in acne vulgaris.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: Acne vulgaris frequently occurs in the second decade of life. The pathogenesis of the disease is multifactorial and in the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of reactive oxygen species in the inflammation of acne by determining the activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with acne vulgaris and 24 healthy controls were enrolled. The severity of the acne was categorized from mild (subjects with only comedonic lesions) to severe (subjects with nodulocystic lesions). SOD and MPO activities in PMN were measured spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the activity of MPO between the patients and controls.However, SOD activity in PMN was significantly lower in the patients than in the controls (p<0.001). Nocorrelation was detected between the activities of enzymes and the severity of the disease. CONCLUSION: Propionibacterium acnes may not play a primary role in the pathogenesis of acne as a bacterium. However, the low activity of SOD in PMN may be responsible for the increased levels of superoxide anion radicals in the epidermis. New anti-acne drugs should include substances with lymphocyte stimulating and anti-oxidative properties.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2004

Topical imiquimod 5% cream in external anogenital warts: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

The complete treatment of anogenital warts has not been obtained with any combination of methods; therefore, new methods are still under investigation. In this study the activity and side effects of imiquimod 5% cream were investigated. The study group consisted of 23 male and 11 female volunteers and the control group of 9 male and 2 female volunteers. Patients applied the cream three times a week, every other day in the evenings for a period of 12 weeks. After the treatment, patients were regularly monitored for six months for recurrences. At the end of the study, 23 (69.7%) patients (all of females and 54.5% of males) in the study group displayed a complete clearance, 9 patients displayed 50-90% clearance and 1 patient displayed less than 50% clearance. In the control group, only 1 patient displayed a complete clearance, 1 patient displayed 50-90% clearance, and the other 8 patients showed no alteration in the lesions. These results were statistically significantly different (p<0.01). In 15 patients in the study group, no side effects were reported; the most frequently seen side effects were erythema and erosion. In six patients that were observed for a period of six months, recurrences occurred. Imiquimod 5% cream is a topically applied medicament that should be considered as an effective and reliable medical option in the treatment of anogenital warts.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2004

Unsuccessful treatment of extragenital lichen sclerosus with topical 1% pimecrolimus cream.

Lichen sclerosus most commonly affects the anogenital region. Spreading into the extragenital regions is rare, and its course is most commonly asymptomatic. Women have been reported to be affected 6 to 10 times more often than men. The etiology of lichen sclerosus is still unknown. The disease is characterized by ivory-white atrophic plaques, and no treatment ensuring complete recovery is available. T-cells are also involved in its pathogenesis. Pimecrolimus is a topical inhibitor of T-cells. In the present paper, we present a male patient with lichen sclerosus located only in extragenital regions and report an unsuccessful outcome of treatment with pimecrolimus 1% cream administered topically twice a day for 16 weeks.

Administration, Cutaneous↗