Psychosocial distress and desire for support among inpatients with skin cancer.

Background: Regular assessment of psychosocial distress is an important component of adequate psycho-oncological and social support in cancer patients. To date, relevant studies on skin cancer patients have primarily included individuals with melanoma.

Objectives: (1) Does the need for psychosocial support vary with the type of skin cancer? (2) Do mentally distressed patients desire support? (3) From the various individuals in the treatment team, whom do patients choose as potential contact person?

Patients Und Methods: Inpatients with skin cancer were asked to self-assess their psychosocial situation using the Hornheide questionnaire.

Redox regulation of peptide receptivity of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules by ERp57 and tapasin.

The function of the oxidoreductase ERp57 in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I peptide-loading complex has remained elusive. Here we show that in the absence of tapasin, the alpha2 disulfide bond in the MHC class I peptide-binding groove was rapidly reduced. Covalent sequestration of ERp57 by tapasin was needed to protect the alpha2 disulfide bond against reduction and thus to maintain the binding groove in a peptide-receptive state.

Selective redox regulation of cytokine receptor signaling by extracellular thioredoxin-1.

The thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) is known to be secreted by leukocytes and to exhibit cytokine-like properties. Extracellular effects of Trx1 require a functional active site, suggesting a redox-based mechanism of action. However, specific cell surface proteins and pathways coupling extracellular Trx1 redox activity to cellular responses have not been identified so far.