Hospital transmission of borderline oxacillin-resistant evaluated by whole-genome sequencing.

is a major cause of hospital infections worldwide. Awareness towards methicillin-resistant (MRSA) infections is high but attention towards borderline oxacillin-resistant (BORSA) is limited, possibly due to an underestimated clinical relevance, presumption of low incidence and diagnostic limitations. BORSA surveillance has not been routinely implemented, and thus consensus with regard to a definition and infection control measures is lacking.

Open- and Closed-Label Placebo and Nocebo Suggestions About a Sham Transdermal Patch.

Objective: Placebo effects may occur when it is known that an inert substance is given (i.e., open-label placebo).

Skin disorders indicating peripheral arterial occlusive disease and chronic venous insufficiency in organ transplant recipients.

Background: Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in organ transplant recipients (OTR) can lead to harmful outcomes. We made an inventory of cutaneous manifestations of PAOD and CVI in OTR in relation with diabetes and other potential risk factors.

Methods: A prospective study in a single center was performed.

Placebo and nocebo effects for itch and itch-related immune outcomes: A systematic review of animal and human studies.

Placebo and nocebo effects can influence somatic symptoms such as pain. For itch and other dermatological symptoms these effects have been far less investigated. This review systematically integrates evidence from both animal (mainly rodents) and human trials on placebo and nocebo effects in itch, itch-related symptoms and conditions of the skin and mucous membranes, and related immune outcomes (e.

Skin of atopic dermatitis patients shows disturbed β-glucocerebrosidase and acid sphingomyelinase activity that relates to changes in stratum corneum lipid composition.

Patients with Atopic Dermatitis (AD) suffer from inflamed skin and skin barrier defects. Proper formation of the outermost part of the skin, the stratum corneum (SC), is crucial for the skin barrier function. In this study we analyzed the localization and activity of lipid enzymes β-glucocerebrosidase (GBA) and acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) in the skin of AD patients and controls.

Antipruritic Placebo Effects by Conditioning H1-antihistamine.

Objective: Allergic rhinitis symptoms can be reduced by behaviorally conditioning antihistamine. It is unclear whether these findings extend to histamine-induced itch or work when participants are informed about the conditioning procedure (open-label conditioning). The current study aims to investigate the efficacy of (open-label) antipruritic behavioral conditioning for histamine-induced itch.

Effects of Open- and Closed-Label Nocebo and Placebo Suggestions on Itch and Itch Expectations.

Placebo and nocebo effects have been shown to influence subjective symptoms such as itch. These effects can be induced by influencing outcome expectations through, for example, combining the application of an inert substance (e.g.

Applying a vernix caseosa based formulation accelerates skin barrier repair by modulating lipid biosynthesis.

Restoring the lipid homeostasis of the stratum corneum (SC) is a common strategy to enhance skin barrier function. Here, we used a ceramide containing vernix caseosa (VC)-based formulation and were able to accelerate barrier recovery in healthy volunteers. The recovery was examined over 16 days by monitoring trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) after barrier disruption by tape-stripping.

Placebo Effects of Open-label Verbal Suggestions on Itch.

Placebo effects are positive outcomes that are not due to active treatment components, which may be elicited even when patients are aware of receiving an inert substance (open-label). This proof-of-principle study investigated for the first time whether open-label placebo effects on itch can be induced by verbal suggestions alone. Ninety-two healthy volunteers were randomized to experimental (open-label suggestions) or control (no suggestions) groups.

Emollients and moisturisers for eczema.

Background: Eczema is a chronic skin disease characterised by dry skin, intense itching, inflammatory skin lesions, and a considerable impact on quality of life. Moisturisation is an integral part of treatment, but it is unclear if moisturisers are effective.

Objectives: To assess the effects of moisturisers for eczema.

Explant cultures of atopic dermatitis biopsies maintain their epidermal characteristics in vitro.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disorder characterised by various epidermal alterations. Filaggrin (FLG) mutations are a major predisposing factor for AD and much research has been focused on the FLG protein. Human skin equivalents (HSEs) might be useful tools for increasing our understanding of FLG in AD and to provide a tool for the screening of new therapies aimed at FLG replacement.

The importance of free fatty acid chain length for the skin barrier function in atopic eczema patients.

An important feature of atopic eczema (AE) is a decreased skin barrier function. The stratum corneum (SC) lipids - comprised of ceramides (CERs), free fatty acids (FFAs) and cholesterol - fulfil a predominant role in the skin barrier function. In this clinical study, the carbon chain length distribution of SC lipids (FFAs and CERs) and their importance for the lipid organization and skin barrier function were examined in AE patients and compared with control subjects.

Skin diseases among schoolchildren in Ghana, Gabon, and Rwanda.

Objectives: Skin diseases, especially skin infections, among schoolchildren in Africa can be a major health problem. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalences of skin diseases among children in rural and urban schools in three different African countries and to study the influence of socioeconomic level.

Methods: Cross-sectional, population-based studies were performed in Ghana, Gabon, and Rwanda.

Increase in short-chain ceramides correlates with an altered lipid organization and decreased barrier function in atopic eczema patients.

A hallmark of atopic eczema (AE) is skin barrier dysfunction. Lipids in the stratum corneum (SC), primarily ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol, are crucial for the barrier function, but their role in relation to AE is indistinct. Filaggrin is an epithelial barrier protein with a central role in the pathogenesis of AE.