A bioactive complex to protect proteins from UV-induced oxidation in human epidermis.

UV light induces multiple damages including protein oxidation on skin. Oxidized proteins if not degraded by the proteasome would eventually accumulate causing metabolic damage, elastosis and pigment formation such as lipofuscin. During ageing, the activity of the proteasome decreases dramatically together with enzymes that protect from oxidation and as a result oxidized proteins accumulate. We have investigated a combination of Panthenyl triacetate and Ethyl linoleate (bioactive complex) to fight against protein oxidation. This complex when tested at 3% on human skin biopsies showed statistically significant protection from UV (UVA + UVB)-induced protein oxidation both in a 24-h pre-treatment before UV irradiation (72% protection, P < 0.05) and immediately after irradiation (78% protection, P < 0.05). UV light also induced a significant decrease of mRNA for protein repairing enzymes, such as Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase (MSR). The complex, given both pre- and post-irradiation, stimulated the repairing enzyme expression. We can suggest utilization of this new complex to prevent accumulation of oxidized protein as a result of skin photo-ageing and to prevent stratum corneum dehydration, skin elastosis and pigmentation formation (age spots).

Contact allergens of an urban shrub Wigandia caracasana.

The principal dermatitic constituents of W. caracasana were isolated from the glandular hairs and identified as unusual prenylated quinones and prenylated phenols. Potentials to elicit irritant and allergic contact dermatitis reactions were evaluated with guinea pigs.

["Infectious necrotizing hepatitis" of rabbits--the first cases in Switzerland]. / Die "infektiöse nekrotisierende Hepatitis" des Kaninchens--erste Fälle in der Schweiz.

Based on clinical, macroscopic and light microscopical examinations we describe for the first time in Switzerland the "infectious necrotizing hepatitis" of rabbits (Marcato et al., 1988).

Human maximization test of falcarinol, the principal contact allergen of English ivy and Algerian ivy (Hedera helix, H. canariensis).

In a human maximization test of 5% falcarinol isolated from Hedera helix, 10 of 20 subjects were sensitized. No subjects gave irritant reactions to 5%, 10 became sensitive to 1%, and 7 to 0.05%, with 3 of these giving 3+ to 4+ bullous reactions.

[Leiomyoma of the ciliary body - misdiagnosis leading to an unconventional but successful surgical approach]. / Leiomyom des Ziliarkörpers - Durch Fehldiagnose auf ungewöhnliche Weise erfolgreich operiert.

Report on a leiomyoma of the ciliary body in a 12-year-old girl. The clinical findings were misinterpreted as a traumatic ciliary body cyst because of the associated iridodialysis, the fact that the tumor could be transilluminated, because it appeared cystic on ultrasonography, and because there was a history of severe cranial trauma. In the course of an attempt to puncture the presumed cyst a cherry-sized ciliary body tumor was revealed. It proved possible to shell this out without performing an iridocyclectomy. An elective enucleation would have been performed had the true diagnosis been known preoperatively. Due to the misdiagnosis and the resulting unconventional approach the eye was preserved with some residual functions. the histological picture was that of a leiomyoma, a tumor rarely found in the ciliary body. The histological and electronmicroscopic appearance are described and compared with the few cases previously reported.

[Experiences with drug therapy in association with ischaemic vascular disease of the fundus oculi (author's transl)]. / Erfahrungen mit medikamentöser Therapie bei Durchblutungsstörungen des Augenhintergrundes.

The action of Thilocombin was tested on various eye conditions classified in groups. Common to all six groups was the presence of ischaemic vascular disease with reduciton of central visual acuity. The results of long term treatment with Thilocombin were significant: in almost 60% of cases a lasting improvement of function could be achieved. In the remainder of cases worsening of the loss of vision could usually be arrested.