Comparisons of in vivo and in vitro photosensitivities and DNA repair in fibroblast and keratinocyte cells

Summary Minimal erythema dose of ultraviolet light correlated significantly with the UV-sensitivity of fibroblast cells from 5 patients with xeroderma pigmentosum, 13 patients with keratinocytic neoplasms of the skin, and 21 control subjects, but not with that of cells from 6 patients with photosensitive dermatitis. In unscheduled DNA synthesis after UV irradiation, the number of grains per nucleus was much less in keratinocytes than in fibroblasts, but the relative doseresponse relationship was similar. This indicates that keratinocytes can also be used in vitro UV-sensitivity studies.Supported in part by a Grant for Cancer Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan     

Antimicrobial effects of phototherapy and photochemotherapy in vivo and in vitro

Summary We investigated the antimicrobial effects of phototherapy and photochemotherapy in vivo and in vitro. First, Staphylococcus aureus samples were obtained using stamp agar medium from inflammatory lesions of 29 adult patients with atopic dermatitis before and after a single photochemotherapy. Therapy was oral PUVA (30 mg 8-methoxypsoralen, 8MOP plus 5 J/cm²UVA), topical PUVA (0·3% 8MOP plus 200mJ/cm²UVA) or UVB (80mJ/cm²) irradiation. The number of S. aureus on the lesions was significantly reduced, even after a single treatment with all therapies. Reductions (mean± SD) were 69·3 ± 26.9%, 76·3 ± 31·3% and 83·8 ± 18·5%. respectively. Secondly, we investigated the effect of PUVA (0·001% 8MOP plus 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 mJ/cm²UVA) and UVB (10, 30, 50, or 100 mJ/cm²) irradiation on the proliferation of S. aureus in vitro. PUVA and UVB treatment markedly inhibited the proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. These results seem to indicate the possibility that the antimicrobial effect of UV radiation contributes to successful photochemotherapy in patients with atopic dermatitis.     

Desmoplakin I and II in acantholytic dermatoses: preservation in pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus erythematosus and dissolution in Hailey-Hailey's disease and Darier's disease

Desmoplakin I and II are important components of the attachment plaque of the desmosome which mediates cell to cell adhesion, in epithelial cells. In this study we used well-characterized antibody against desmoplakin I and II immunohistochemically and immunoelectron microscopically on two cases of pemphigus vulgaris and one case of pemphigus erythematosus and two cases each of Hailey-Hailey's disease and Darier's disease. In the normal human epidermis the desmosomes were demonstrated in a dotted pattern along cell periphery. In pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus erythematosus acantholytic cells and the perilesional cells exhibited normal dotted pattern along the cell periphery. In Hailey-Hailey's disease and Darier's disease, the dotted pattern is lost in acantholysed and perilesional areas and anti-desmoplakin I + II positive proteins were observed diffusely in the cytoplasm. Immunoelectron microscopical findings correspond to these light microscopical observations. It is concluded that in autoimmune acantholytic disease such as pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus erythematosus, desmoplakins are intact even in acantholytic cells, whereas in genodermatoses such as vulgaris and pemphigus erythematosus, desmoplakins are intact even in acantholytic cells, whereas in genodermatoses such as Hailey-Hailey's disease and Darier's disease primary or secondary abnormalities abnormalities of desmosomes may be involved in their pathogenesis.     

Iron in finger-nails and in the liver

The mean iron content of finger-nails of 113 apparently normal subjects was found to be 67.6 μg/g dry nail (±43.7). There was no age or sex variation. No relationship was found between the concentration of iron in finger-nails and that stored in the liver.     

皮肤激光与光子:进展与现状

1治疗理论1.1选择性光热作用原理选择性光热作用原理(theory of selective photothermolysis)是1983年Anderson等提出来的,其精     

Lumps and bumps in neonates and infants

There are many developmental abnormalities that may appear in the neonate and in infants when critical steps in embryogenesis fail. These steps are often not fatal but can lead to significant morbidity for those patients affected. A logical approach is needed in addressing both the diagnostic and therapeutic issues that arise when caring for these patients, as various lesions will warrant an observational approach, and others may require imaging studies or definitive surgical intervention. Additionally, there are other "lumps and bumps" that are seen in the neonatal and infantile age groups that include malignancies and cutaneous neoplasms with associated systemic sequelae.     

青少年性和生殖健康教育动态和进展

对青少年开展性和生殖健康教育需要解决两个问题:一是认识问题;二是方法问题.多年来,不少学者和社会工作者通过大量调查研究的资料阐述,青少年在性和生殖健康方面存在着很多问题,有的问题已很严重,必需引起社会关注,与此同时,对如何有效地开展这项工作的理论框架和科学方法进行了大量的研究和实践活动.     

Naevi in schoolchildren in Scotland and Australia

Summary To test the hypothesis that children living in subtropical and tropical environments have more naevi than those of similar ethnicity living in temperate countries, a comparative study of melanocytic naevi in 111 schoolchildren from Brisbane, Australia, and 222 from Glasgow, Scotland, was carried out. All children were aged 13–15 years, of European ancestry, and had spent most of their lives at latitudes of less than 30°S (Australia) or greater than 30°N (Scotland), Using an identical protocol, all naevi of 2 mm or more in diameter occurring on the right arm were counted by either a highly experienced research nurse in Brisbane, or a dermatologist in Glasgow, Hair and eye colour, and facial freckling, were assessed by the examiner, and axillary skin colour of children in both cities was measured using the same reflectance spectrophotometer. Children in Brisbane had significantly more naevi than those in Glasgow (P<0–05), after adjusting for complexion variables. The difference in the geometric mean number of naevi on the arm was much greater among boys (7.7 vs, 4.4, in Brisbane and Glasgow, respectively) than among girls (7.3 vs, 6.7). This has parallels with the sex differences in melanoma at later ages in the two countries. Besides country of residence, freckles and innate skin colour were the most significant predictors of large numbers of naevi, whereas red hair had a significant protective effect. Overall, these data on prevalence of naevi in children from contrasting environments provide some evidence in support of the theory that naevus development is related to the level of sun exposure in childhood and adolescence.     

CXCL10 reduces melanoma proliferation and invasiveness in vitro and in vivo

Background Melanoma is often infiltrated by inflammatory and immune cells that might either maintain chronic inflammation, therefore promoting tumour growth, or mount an antitumour response to control tumour outcome. In this setting, Th1‐oriented lymphocyte infiltration is associated with a better outcome in melanoma. Although the interferon‐induced protein CXCL10 is expressed by Th1 immune cells, its receptor was also shown to be involved in melanoma progression and metastasis. Objectives To investigate the CXCL10‐mediated antitumoral response in vivo, and its clinical relevance. Methods C57BL/6 mice bearing B16F1 melanoma were treated intraperitoneally with an adenovirus vector expressing CXCL10. In addition, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 20 patients, 10 with melanoma in remission and 10 with melanoma in progression, were assessed for their cytokine/chemokine content using a 30‐plex assay, and for their ability to modulate melanoma invasion in vitro in Transwell^® (Sigma‐Aldrich) chambers coated with Matrigel^® (BD Biosciences). Results Treatment with CXCL10 reduced melanoma tumour growth in C57BL/6 mice compared with controls in vivo, and reduced melanoma invasion in vitro. Screening for expression of 30 cytokine/chemokine proteins showed that only CXCL10 was significantly increased in patients in remission compared with patients in progression. PBMC only from patients in remission significantly reduced melanoma cell invasiveness in an ex vivo Transwell^® assay. Accordingly, this inhibitory effect was also observed with PBMC culture media from patients with melanoma in remission. Conclusions The quantitative increase in CXCL10 production, together with its ability to limit melanoma progression, shows the potential benefit of this chemokine to control melanoma progression or metastasis.