Anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects of the modified fatty acid tetradecylthioacetic acid in psoriasis--a pilot study.

Tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA) is a bioactive 3-thia fatty acid, giving hypolipidemic response, inhibiting the proliferation and increasing the differentiation of normal adult epidermal keratinocytes and showing anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease associated with abnormalities in lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant capacity, eicosanoid metabolism and increased frequency of cardiovascular events. On this background we have conducted a pilot study to explore the hypothesis that this modified fatty acid could improve dyslipidemia and reduce inflammation in psoriatic patients.

[Contact allergy in the mouth].

Contact allergy is not frequently seen in the oral mucosa. Oral lichenoid reactions in conjunction with dental restorations, particularly amalgam fillings, are among the most common affections. Subjective symptoms such as burning mouth syndrome, could have an allergic component, but the etiology is unclear and complex.

Gingivo-mucosal and cutaneous reactions to amalgam fillings.

Background: A number of reports exist on the side effects of materials used to restore teeth. Most of the cases involve local allergy reactions, but also skin lesions are described. Few cases are described where both local effects on the mucosa and skin lesions distant to the oral cavity are caused by amalgam.

Photodynamic therapy using topical methyl aminolevulinate vs surgery for nodular basal cell carcinoma: results of a multicenter randomized prospective trial.

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly used as a noninvasive treatment for nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC), without a sound evidence base.

Objective: To compare topical PDT, with the use of the sensitizer methyl aminolevulinate, and standard excision surgery in nodular BCC.

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

[Urticaria and angioedema in children].

Background: Urticaria in children is a common disorder often associated with angioedema.

Methods: An overview on the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, investigation and treatment of urticaria and angioedema in children is presented.

Results And Interpretation: Many factors, immunologic and non-immunologic, cause histamine release from tissue mast cells and thus contribute to urticaria.