The pigmentary response to photochemotherapy.

Previous studies on skin topically photosensitized with trimethylpsoralen and subsequently irradiated with long-wave UV light have demonstrated an increase in melanosome size and changes in the distribution patterns of melanosomes, suggesting the possibility of gene derepression or the induction of a somatic mutation of melanocytes. The present investigation was performed to determine whether identical changes are induced by systemic photochemotherapy using 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA (PUVA) under therapeutic conditions. Our results show that PUVA stimulates melanogenesis but does not induce significant changes in the average size of melanosomes nor in their distribution patterns within keratinocytes.

Experimental induction of hepatocellular hyalin (Mallory bodies) in mice by griseofulvin treatment. 1. Light microscopic observation.

Griseofulvin (GF) feeding of mice resulted in protoporphyria, liver cell damage, bile duct alterations, and finally hepatoma formation. In addition, hepatocellular hyalin developed, resembling in its morphology classic Mallory bodies (MB) as seen in alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver disorders in man. Liver cells containing MB often displayed features of severe cell damage and MB were finally released into the sinusoids and degraded by macrophages.

[Recurrence of gonorrhea caused by gonorrheal paraurethritis].

The case of a patient with a recurrence of gonorrhoea due to a concomitant gonorrhoic infection of a paraurethral duct, which was not healed by the initial routine penicillin treatment, is reported.

Mouse model for protoporphyria. III. Experimental production of chronic erythropoietic protoporphyria-like skin lesions.

Albino mice were made protoporphyric with griseofulvin according to an established procedure. Photosensitivity flares were elicited once a week throughout a 10-month period, using black light as a source for 410 nm radiation and the flares were monitored by the intravenous injection of vascular tracers and by light and electron microscopy. Each irradiation led to a selective destruction of the endothelial cells of superficial capillaries which was followed by massive vascular leakage.

[Photochemotherapy of psoriasis: clinical experiences with 152 patients (author's transl)].

Photochemotherapy, a recently developed method of treatment, is based on the effect of light on a systemically administered photo-active substance. 152 patients with severe generalized psoriasis were exposed, after oral administration of 8-methoxy-psoralen, to a high-intensity UVA light source radiating at a continuous spectrum between 320 and 390 nm (maximum at 365 nm). Radiation doses ranged from 1.

[Local therapy of extensive severe burns: an illustrative review (author's transl)].

Apart from improvements in general management, the implementation of modern local therapy of burns, including topical chemotherapy and early surgical coverage of the burned surface, has significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality of severely burned patients. Furthermore, the average time of hospitalization has decreased (for example: 3rd degree burn, 60% of body surface involved, hospitalization in 1953: 11 months; in 1974: 5 1/2 months) and the rehabilitation period has also been shortened. This paper deals with current management at this department in respect to the local treatment of extensive 3rd degree burns.

Mouse model for protoporphyria. II. Cellular and subcellular events in the photosensitivity flare of the skin.

Acute phototoxic reactions were induced by long-wave ultraviolet light (UV-A) in mice with griseofulvin-induced protoporphyria. The clinical response was characterized by erythema, pronounced edema, and purpura. Tracer experiments and electron microscopy revealed pronounced vascular damage and leakage of vascular contents, whereas the epidermis and all other dermal components were intact.

Mouse model for protoporphyria. I. The liver and hepatic protoporphyrin crystals.

Outbred albino mice were rendered protoporphyric by a diet containing 2.5% (weight) of griseofulvin. There was a 5-fold increase in liver weight, hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, cholestasis, ductular proliferation and cirrhosis.

Erythropoietic protoprophyria--submicroscopic events during the acute photosensitivity flare.

The immediate response of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) skin to long-wave ultraviolet radiation (UVR) was studied with the electron microscope. The main finding was severe vascular injury. This was confined to the superficial vessels of the dermis and consisted of endothelial cell degeneration and a pronounced leakage of vascular contents.

[Giant melanosomes in moles and in normal human epidermis (author's transl)].

This is the first report on the occurrence of giant melanosomes in normal human epidermis and in moles. Due to their characteristic ultrastructural features these large pigment organelles are of special interest for the research in melanin pigmentation. The diferentiation of giant malanosomes from other types of large melanin granules is discussed.