KdPT, a tripeptide derivative of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, suppresses IL-1 beta-mediated cytokine expression and signaling in human sebocytes.

Acne is the most common inflammatory skin disease in which IL-1 plays a central role. Although alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone has immunomodulatory effects, its usefulness as an anti-inflammatory agent in acne is hampered owing to its lipid- and pigment-inducing effects via activation of melanocortin receptors (MC-Rs). We used the immortalized human sebocyte line SZ95 as an in vitro model to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of KdPT, a tripeptide derivative of the C-terminal end of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.

Targeting the neurokinin receptor 1 with aprepitant: a novel antipruritic strategy.

Background: Chronic pruritus is a global clinical problem with a high impact on the quality of life and lack of specific therapies. It is an excruciating and frequent symptom of e.g.

[Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. From bench to bedside].

Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is a tridecapeptide that is produced by the skin itself from the precursor proopiomelanocortin. It crucially mediates ultraviolet light-induced tanning after binding to melanocortin-1 receptors (MC-1R) expressed on the surface of epidermal melanocytes. The potent pigment-inducing and also cytoprotective actions of alpha-MSH are the rationale for the performance of first phase II clinical trials with Nle4-D-Phe7-alpha-MSH (NDP-alpha-MSH), a subcutaneously administered synthetic and superpotent alpha-MSH analogue, in patients with photodermatoses such as erythropoietic protoporphyria.

The Toll-like receptor 4 ligands Mrp8 and Mrp14 are crucial in the development of autoreactive CD8+ T cells.

Mechanisms linking innate immunity and autoimmune responses are poorly understood. Myeloid-related protein-8 (Mrp8) and Mrp14 are damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs) highly upregulated in various autoimmune disorders. We show in a mouse autoimmune model that local Mrp8 and Mrp14 production is essential for the induction of autoreactive CD8+ T cells and the development of systemic autoimmunity.

Antipruritic treatment with systemic μ-opioid receptor antagonists: a review.

During the past two decades, systemic μ-opioid receptor antagonists (MORA) have been used in the treatment of various forms of chronic pruritus. In a number of case reports, case series, and controlled trials, treatment with MORA has demonstrated considerable antipruritic effects. In double-blind controlled studies, significant antipruritic relief has been achieved by MORA in cholestatic pruritus, chronic urticaria, and atopic dermatitis.

Low density of sympathetic nerve fibers relative to substance P-positive nerve fibers in lesional skin of chronic pruritus and prurigo nodularis.

Background: In prurigo nodularis (PN), an increase in the density of dermal substance P-positive (SP+) sensory nerve fibers has been demonstrated. In addition, the density of sympathetic nerve fibers is unchanged.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the density and balance of sensory and sympathetic dermal nerves in pruritus on normally appearing skin in comparison to PN.

Revised Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (RCLASI): a modified outcome instrument for cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Background: In 2005, a scoring system (CLASI, Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index) was developed for patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) to assess disease 'activity' and 'damage'. However, the CLASI does not give an accurate assessment of the severity in all disease subtypes.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to analyse critically the included parameters of the CLASI and to revise the activity and damage score taking into account various clinical features of the different subtypes of CLE.

Urinary retention after spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric prilocaine 2% in an ambulatory setting.

Background: Hyperbaric prilocaine 2% is a medium long-acting spinal anaesthetic. There are few data on time to recovery and rate of urinary retention after spinal administration of hyperbaric prilocaine 2%. This prospective study was carried out to evaluate the time to spontaneous micturition, quantify the rate of necessary bladder catheterizations, and identify the risk factors for urinary retention after intrathecal prilocaine administration.

The neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone is critically involved in the development of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in mice and humans.

Background: The neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone is well known as a mediator of skin pigmentation. More recently, it has been shown that alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone also plays pivotal roles in energy homeostasis, sexual function, and inflammation or immunomodulation. Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone exerts its antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory effects by binding to the melanocortin-1 receptor, and since T cells are important effectors during immune responses, we investigated the effects of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone on T cell function.

It's all in how you view it: pessimism, social relations, and life satisfaction in older adults with osteoarthritis.

Objectives: Current treatments for osteoarthritis (OA) continue to leave those burdened by the condition with pain and disability which affects physical and psychological well-being. The present study examines other psychosocial factors, such as dispositional personality and social relationships, in order to investigate their influence on the well-being of 160 older adults with OA (80% women).

Method: Older adults were recruited for self-reported knee or hip OA.

Prednisolone vs. ciclosporin for severe adult eczema. An investigator-initiated double-blind placebo-controlled multicentre trial.

Background: Patients with severe eczema frequently receive systemic glucocorticosteroids. The efficacy of prednisolone and other steroids, however, has never been evaluated appropriately. A meta-analysis indicated that ciclosporin is the best evaluated systemic treatment for eczema.

Increased cAMP levels modulate transforming growth factor-beta/Smad-induced expression of extracellular matrix components and other key fibroblast effector functions.

cAMP is a key messenger of many hormones and neuropeptides, some of which modulate the composition of extracellular matrix. Treatment of human dermal fibroblasts with dibutyryl cyclic AMP and forskolin antagonized the inductive effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on the expression of collagen, connective tissue growth factor, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1, and plasminogen activator inhibitor type I, four prototypical TGF-beta-responsive genes. Increased intracellular cAMP prevented TGF-beta-induced Smad-specific gene transactivation, although TGF-beta-mediated Smad phosphorylation and nuclear translocation remained unaffected.

The melanocortin system in articular chondrocytes: melanocortin receptors, pro-opiomelanocortin, precursor proteases, and a regulatory effect of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone on proinflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix components.

Objective: The pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) mediates its effects via melanocortin (MC) receptors. This study was carried out to investigate the expression patterns of the MC system and the effects of alpha-MSH in human articular chondrocytes.

Methods: Articular chondrocytes established from human osteoarthritic joint cartilage were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting for the expression of MC receptors, POMC, and prohormone convertases (PCs).

The role and duties of scientific medical societies: The German Society of Dermatology from the member's perspective.

Background: The German Society of Dermatology is a scientific medical society that represents the interests of German-speaking dermatology. One recommendation of a strategic planning mission was to increase the involvement of society members.

Methods: Based on an empirical approach (questionnaire survey) a systematic member inquiry was performed which focused on the motives for membership, the image of the society,the use of provided services,and expectations and needs.

The option of compassionate use in metastatic melanoma - way out of a therapeutic dilemma?

Metastasized melanoma has an unfavorable prognosis. Therefore there is strong need for new innovative therapies. In cases in which standard therapies have failed and inclusion in clinical studies is not possible due to diverse causes, the option of compassionate use now opens new therapeutic windows.

Unilateral anesthesia does not affect the incidence of urinary retention after low-dose spinal anesthesia for knee surgery.

We evaluated whether unilateral low-dose spinal anesthesia may reduce the likelihood of postoperative urinary retention. Forty patients scheduled for knee arthroscopy randomly received bilateral (n = 20) or unilateral (n = 20) spinal anesthesia with 6-mg hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5%.

Topical calcineurin inhibitors for the treatment of vulvar dermatoses.

Repeated courses of potent topical corticosteroids and maintenance therapy with moderately potent topical corticosteroids are frequently needed to treat various forms of vulvar dermatoses, which are often characterized by an abnormal proliferation or activation of T lymphocytes. Because such therapeutic regimen is associated with an increased risk of potential side effects, particularly skin atrophy, an anti-inflammatory alternative to topical corticosteroids is desirable. The two non-steroid topical calcineurin inhibitors pimecrolimus and tacrolimus are immunomodulators that block the release of inflammatory cytokines from T lymphocytes in the skin while promoting cutaneous innate host defences.

Scalp psoriasis: European consensus on grading and treatment algorithm.

The scalp is a common site of involvement of psoriasis and, for many patients, is a challenging aspect of their disease. This can be attributed not only to the scaling, itching and cosmetic embarrassment that go with scalp psoriasis, but also to the fact that the scalp skin is relatively inaccessible, making topical therapies difficult to apply. The proximity of sensitive facial skin can also limit the use of potentially irritating topical treatments.

Scalp necrosis in giant cell arteritis: case report and review of the relevance of this cutaneous sign of large-vessel vasculitis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis associated with severe complications such as loss of vision and, rarely, scalp necrosis. We present a patient with GCA who had bilateral scalp necrosis and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of only 21 mm after the first hour. Therapy with systemic steroids, which were slowly tapered over 1 year, led to secondary wound healing without recurrence.

A comparison of mycophenolate mofetil with ciclosporine for the treatment of chronic plaque-type psoriasis.

Aims: To compare the efficacy of ciclosporine (CsA) versus mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in psoriasis, a randomized trial was conducted.

Methods: A prospective multicenter randomized open-label clinical trial was performed to compare two parallel groups of patients with chronic plaque psoriasis undergoing different treatments. Therefore, a total of 54 patients with psoriasis were randomly assigned to treatment with either CsA (2.

G-DRG Version 2009: new developments.

The update of the G-DRG system for the year 2009 has been successfully negotiated. Like in the past years, changes are minimal and not dramatic, but they significantly enhance the quality of the DRG system. Once again, the German DRG system demonstrates its versatility and reliability for clinical reimbursement purposes.