Warts are common problems affecting adults and children. Multiple treatment options are available, but no single therapy stands out as uniformly effective. Propolis and Echinacea are relatively safe immunomodulators with antiviral properties. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of Propolis and Echinacea in treating different types of warts. In a single-blind, randomized, 3-months trial, 135 patients with different types of warts received oral Propolis, Echinacea, or placebo. In patients with plane and common warts treated with Propolis, cure was achieved in 75% and 73% of patients, respectively. These results were significantly better than those associated with Echinacea treatment or placebo. We conclude that Propolis is an effective and safe immunomodulating therapy for plane and common warts.

Warts are common problems affecting adults and children. Multiple treatment options are available, but no single therapy stands out as uniformly effective. Propolis and Echinacea are relatively safe immunomodulators with antiviral properties. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of Propolis and Echinacea in treating different types of warts. In a single-blind, randomized, 3-months trial, 135 patients with different types of warts received oral Propolis, Echinacea, or placebo. In patients with plane and common warts treated with Propolis, cure was achieved in 75% and 73% of patients, respectively. These results were significantly better than those associated with Echinacea treatment or placebo. We conclude that Propolis is an effective and safe immunomodulating therapy for plane and common warts.

Background The association of the novel adipokines visfatin and omentin-1 with psoriasis is still obscure. Data concerning other inflammatory diseases suggest a possible role of these adipokines in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. Objectives To investigate serum levels of visfatin and omentin-1 in patients with psoriasis compared with healthy controls, and to consider their relation to disease duration, disease severity and obesity markers. Methods Visfatin and omentin-1 concentrations were measured in 46 patients with plaque-type psoriasis and 42 healthy controls by using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results Patients with psoriasis showed considerably higher serum levels of visfatin than healthy controls with significant positive correlation with disease severity and duration. They also showed lower levels of ominten-1 compared with healthy controls with significant inverse correlation with body mass index and waist circumference. Conclusions Coordinated roles for visfatin and omentin-1 are suggested in the modulation of the inflammatory environment in patients with psoriasis. Given the significant relations of omentin-1 with obesity markers, the health consequences of excessive weight should be better communicated to patients with psoriasis.

Background Although several lasers meet the wavelength criteria for selective follicular destruction, the treatment of darker skin phototypes is particularly challenging because absorption of laser energy by the targeted hairs is compromised by an increased concentration of epidermal melanin. Objectives To compare satisfaction level, safety and effectiveness of a long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) in axillary hair reduction in subjects with dark skin. Methods The study design was a within-patient, right-left, assessor-blinded, comparison of long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser and IPL. Fifty women (skin phototypes IV–VI) volunteered for removal of axillary hair. Five sessions at 4- to 6-week intervals were performed. Hair counts at both sides were compared at baseline and 6 months after the last session. Final overall evaluations were performed by subjects and clinician at the end of the study. Satisfaction was scored for both devices. Results Thirty-nine women completed the study. At 6 months, the decrease in hair counts on the laser side (79Æ4%, P 0Æ001 vs. pretreatment) was significantly (P 0Æ01) greater than that on the IPL side (54Æ4%, P 0Æ01 vs. pretreatment). Only temporary adverse effects were reported at both sides. Higher pain scores and more inflammation were reported with Nd:YAG laser; however, it was preferred by 29 volunteers (74%). Volunteers reported higher satisfaction score with Nd:YAG laser (P 0Æ01). Conclusions Dark skin can be treated by both systems safely and effectively; however, long-pulsed (1064 nm) Nd:YAG laser is more effective as reported by both subjects and clinician.

We aimed to examine the levels of lymphocyte subsets and regulatory T cells in patients with newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and their correlation with the course of ITP. The study included 40 pediatric patients with acute ITP and 30 controls. Lymphocytes and regulatory T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The percentages of CD19(+) and CD8(+) cells were significantly increased while that of CD4(+) cells and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio were significantly decreased. The percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+High) and CD4(+)CD25(+High) forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3(+)) cells and the expression of Foxp3(+) in CD4(+)CD25(+High) cells were significantly decreased in patients. Age, platelet count, and mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with brief duration of thrombocytopenia were significantly decreased than in those with prolonged duration. The percentages of CD8(+), CD4(+)CD25(+High), and CD4(+)CD25(+High) Foxp3(+) were significantly increased in patients with brief duration. Age, platelet count and MPV, and CD8+ cells had prognostic significance. CD4(+)CD25(+High) Foxp(+) T cells may be a helpful prognostic marker in children with acute ITP.