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Biomedical subjects

G Plewig

Publications and source records attributed to G Plewig.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

The history of photography in dermatology. Milestones from the roots to the 20th century.

From the Middle Ages to the 20th century, talented artists have created illustrations of signs of human diseases. Since the birth of photography in 1840, artists and physicians have used photographic techniques to illustrate the diseases of the skin; dermatology especially relies on these visual signs. In dermatology today, photography is still very important because of the need for adequate illustrations in medical textbooks and journals. From the early days of daguerreotypes to modern times, medical photography was developed in different stages and many physicians have taken part in the development of photographic techniques and chemistry. This historical survey describes the milestones in the development of medical photographic illustration from its beginning to the 20th century.

Dermatology↗

Photodynamic therapy induces expression of interleukin 6 by activation of AP-1 but not NF-kappa B DNA binding.

Inducibility and regulation of the pleiotropic cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) upon photodynamic therapy (PDT) was studied in the epithelial cell line HeLa. Photofrin-mediated photosensitization resulted in a rapid and dose-dependent induction of IL-6 mRNA production. Maximal levels were reached after 4 h and had decreased to baseline levels after 24 h. This photochemical induction of IL-6 transcription was followed by a strong secretion of IL-6 protein. In comparison to stimulation by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, the kinetics of IL-6 mRNA and protein synthesis after PDT were delayed, although the maximal amounts of secreted IL-6 protein were comparable. As compared to UV irradiation, on the other hand, PDT-induced IL-6 protein levels were 2- to 10-fold higher and were detectable 4 h earlier. Several potentially relevant regulatory DNA elements of the IL-6 promoter were analyzed by gel retardation assays for PDT-induced protein binding. Interestingly, increased AP-1 DNA binding was detected only at the distal AP-1-specific motif and not at the proximal site, differing in 1 bp. Binding of c-Fos-containing AP-1 heterodimers to the specific motif was up-regulated 30 min after PDT, reaching maximal activity at 4 h. This PDT-induced AP-1 activation was independent from protein kinase C activity. Photosensitization did not induce increased binding at the well-characterized NF-kappa B element, nor at the multiple cytokine- and second messenger-responsive element of the IL-6 promoter. By analyzing the molecular mechanisms of IL-6 up-regulation upon PDT, we provide evidence for regulatory differences compared to UV light, ionizing irradiation, or stimulation by phorbol ester. Furthermore, this study suggests that the "proinflammatory" cytokine IL-6 might be involved in the inflammatory reaction and subsequent immunological antitumor responses.

Base Sequence↗

Extracorporeal photopheresis for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma--the Düsseldorf and Munich experience.

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) using UVA irradiation of enriched lymphocytes in the presence of 8-methoxypsoralen as a photoactivatable substrate was originally introduced as a therapeutic regimen for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Whereas ECP has previously been reported to be useful primarily for erythrodermic lymphoma, our purpose was to obtain data on safety and efficacy of ECP in patients suffering from different stages of CTCL. We report on 17 patients, 3 with erythroderma and 14 with plaque or tumor stages. In contrast to other studies our patients were treated predominantly with ECP alone; only a few patients received concomitant therapy. These data have not been published previously, except for preliminary data on four patients. Of the 17 patients, 12 (70%) responded to ECP. In seven patients at least 50% of skin lesions disappeared (defined as partial response) and in five patients at least 25% of skin lesions disappeared (defined as minor response). In two patients the disease remained stable and in three patients the disease progressed under the ECP treatment. No complete remission was observed. Partial responses were achieved not only in patients with early CTCL (stage Ib) but also in those with far progressed tumours (stage IVa). After treatment for 6 months partial responders showed an increase in the number of NK cells in their peripheral blood (P < 0.01). We cannot confirm a relationship between this treatment and CD8 cell counts, as reported by others. Overall, our results indicate that ECP is a safe and effective regimen for the treatment of all stages of CTCL.

Aged↗

[Hamartoma of the sebaceous follicle. An immunohistologic analysis with cytokeratins].

A 62-year-old man presented with a nodule 2 cm in diameter on his left cheek, which he had had since childhood. Histological examination showed a circumscribed dermal nodule composed of sebaceous lobules attached to sebaceous ducts and to an infundibular cyst-like structure connected to the epidermis. The wall was lined with squamous epithelium with a stratum granulosum. This structure was reminiscent of a sebaceous follicle. In addition, a melanocytic naevus of the compound type was found. Immunohistological investigations of the tumour with various cytokeratins revealed a pattern of expression characteristic for the mature sebaceous follicle.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

[Skin ulcers in rheumatoid arthritis].

The appearance of severe ulceration of the skin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is often associated with a tendency to progression of the underlying disease, involvement of internal organs and increased mortality. In the pathogenesis of such ulceration there are multiple causes for their development, persistence and tendency to poor healing. They include localized or generalized immune complex vasculitis, treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and their side effects following the treatment, arterial and venous insufficiency, and mechanical factors. The management of severe ulceration requires stabilization of the underlying autoimmune disease, e.g. with high doses of glucocorticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs or plasmapheresis. Adjuvant treatment of pain with analgesics, improvement of blood perfusion and anti-inflammatory drugs should accompany the topical therapy of ulcers. After suppression of the local inflammatory reaction surgical intervention becomes necessary in most of the patients, and vascularized muscle flaps should be used in preference to meshgrafts or split skin grafts for extensive ulceration in rheumatoid arthritis. A hopeful perspective in the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis might be opened up with immunotherapy using monoclonal antibodies.

Aged↗

[Draining sinus in acne and rosacea. A clinical, histopathologic and experimental study].

The draining sinus is an unpleasant complication of acne conglobata, acne fulminans, acne inversa, rosacea conglobata and rosacea fulminans (pyoderma faciale). It is most common on the face, especially in the nasolabial folds, and on the neck below the mandibular line. Clinically, it is an elongated (2-5 cm long), elevated, periodically inflamed lesion, which sporadically discharges pus. The lesion persists with no tendency to spontaneous regression. Histopathologically, it consists of elaborate, epithelialized galleries connected to the skin surface at multiple points. It contains corneocytes, hairs, bacteria, serum, inflammatory cells and epitheloid granulomas. A surgical thread placed into the skin provides a model in which the generation of sinus tracts can be studied. Therapy is difficult. Intralesional corticosteroid injection, cryosurgery and isotretinoin are not always very effective. Sometimes complete excision of the lesion is necessary. The draining sinus is a special form of scar analogous to the pilonidal cyst.

Abscess↗

[Morbihan disease--chronic persistent erythema and edema of the face].

Morbihan's disease was first reported as a distinct entity in 1957 by Degos, describing a chronic persistent erythema and oedema of the upper half of the face. Such conditions have been noted in the literature designated as chronic lymphoedema or solid persistent facial oedema in acne or rosacea. The characteristic features are a chronic course, a typical clinical picture, lack of specific laboratory and histological findings and refractoriness to therapeutic measures.

Adipose Tissue↗

A nevoid plaque with histological changes of trichoepithelioma and cylindroma in Brooke-Spiegler syndrome. An immunohistochemical study with cytokeratins.

Brooke-Spiegler syndrome is characterized by the development of multiple trichoepitheliomas and cylindromas. In addition, multiple spiradenomas have been observed in this autosomal-dominant inherited disease. We report a 53-year-old woman with multiple cylindromas on the head and neck and multiple trichoepitheliomas on the face. Additionally, she had had since birth a plaque on the right side of her neck containing two nodules with features of both cylindroma and trichoepithelioma. Immunohistochemical investigations revealed in the basaloid cells of trichoepithelioma an expression of CK 5/6, CK 14, CK 17, CK 19 and vimentin. The cells of the cylindroma lacked vimentin but expressed additionally CK 7, CK 8 and CK 18. The occurrence of cylindroma and trichoepithelioma in a single nevoid plaque from a patient with Brooke-Spiegler syndrome implies an alteration in the stem cells of the folliculosebaceous-apocrine unit and could be characteristic of the disorder.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Provocation of porphyria cutanea tarda by KUVA-therapy of vitiligo.

Therapy with khellin and UVA irradiation (KUVA) is a therapeutic approach to vitiligo. Little is known about the photobiological properties of khellin and its long-term side-effects after prolonged administration. A 47-year-old woman suffering from acral vitiligo since the age of 3 is reported, who developed blisters on hands and fingers during KUVA-therapy. Laboratory findings were consistent with hereditary porphyria cutanea tarda. Electron microscopic examination of a blister revealed clefting below the basement membrane. It is proposed that khellin in some way provoked the porphyria cutanea tarda in this patient.

Basement Membrane↗

T cell clones from psoriasis skin lesions can promote keratinocyte proliferation in vitro via secreted products.

Psoriasis vulgaris has been recognized lately as an immunologically mediated inflammatory skin disease. To analyze the pathogenetic role of T lymphocytes in the generation of psoriatic skin lesions, 105 T cell clones (TCC) and 10 T cell lines (TCL) were differentially isolated from dermis and epidermis of psoriatic skin specimens. Supernatants prepared from these T cells were studied for their effects on keratinocyte proliferation in vitro. Conditioned media from 14 of 77 epidermal TCC, 7 of which were CD8+, and from 8 of 28 dermal TCC, 5 of which were CD8+, reproducibly enhanced keratinocyte proliferation, with more pronounced mitogenic activities found in dermal TCC. Another 9 epidermal and 3 dermal TCC did not affect keratinocyte growth and supernatants from the remaining clones, as well as from the 5 epidermal and 5 dermal TCL, inhibited keratinocyte replication to varying degrees. Both mitogenic and suppressive activities were largely abolished by addition of an antiserum to interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), while addition of epidermal growth factor or irradiated psoriatic TCL had little effect on the activities of the supernatants. These studies reveal that a subpopulation of lesional psoriatic T lymphocytes is capable of enhancing keratinocyte proliferation in vitro via secreted products. Their mitogenic capacity most likely requires IFN-gamma, but the ultimate effect is apparently determined by the presence of additional cytokines. Activation of T cells secreting such combinations of factors in vivo may contribute to the keratinocyte alterations characteristic of psoriatic skin lesions.

Cell Division↗