A new concept for the treatment of atopic dermatitis: silver-nanolipid complex (sNLC).

In the treatment of mild to medium severe atopic dermatitis a new formulation proved to be highly efficient. The formulation is based on a combination of microsilver and nanolipid carriers (NLC) incorporated into an o/w cream and a lotion. A theory of action was proposed, the formation of silver-NLC complex (sNLC). In this study this theory was proven, and based on this new mechanism two new approaches for dealing with AD are suggested to distinctly improve AD treatment, i.e. increasing efficiency, reducing drug exposure and reducing side effects. The antimicrobial silver ions adsorb onto the surface of the negatively charged NLC (=sNLC complex). The sNLC as nanoparticles are highly adhesive to skin and bacterial surfaces, leading to a locally high concentration of silver ions killing the bacteria, much more effective than silver alone. The NLC restore the distorted skin barrier. Based on this a new two-step approach is suggested: (1) "treatment-supportive consumer care" by restoring the normal skin condition (NLC for barrier restoration plus synergistic antibacterial silver-NLC complex) and (2) "drug-loaded consumer care AD formulations". i.e. incorporating drugs into the NLC of this consumer care formulation. NLC incorporation makes the drugs more effective (penetration enhancement) and simultaneously exploits the skin normalization ability of the skin care sNLC formulation, future drug candidates being prednicarbate and tacrolimus.

Enuresis in hyperthyroidism: a temporary lack of central control mechanism leads to nocturnal enuresis.

UNLABELLED: We report on a 9-year-old boy who suffered from hyperthyroidism and a new appearance of enuresis. Bedwetting ceased and prepulse inhibition (PPI) - measured as a parameter of central control - increased during the course of therapy. CONCLUSION: The increase in PPI is an indication that enuresis in hyperthyroidism could be as a result of a temporary loss of central control on brainstem reflexes. The case conveys new insights into the correlation between thyroid hormones and micturition patterns and the aetiology of enuresis.

A covalently cross-linked gel derived from the epidermis of the pilot whale Globicephala melas.

The rheological properties of the stratum corneum of the pilot whale (Globicephala melas) were investigated with emphasis on their significance to the self-cleaning abilities of the skin surface smoothed by a jelly material enriched with various hydrolytic enzymes. The gel formation of the collected fluid was monitored by applying periodic-harmonic oscillating loads using a stress-controlled rheometer. In the mechanical spectrum of the gel, the plateau region of the storage modulus G' (<1200 Pa) and the loss modulus G" (>120 Pa) were independent of frequency (omega = 43.98 to 0.13 rad x s(-1), tau = 15 Pa, T = 20 degrees C), indicating high elastic performance of a covalently cross-linked viscoelastic solid. In addition, multi-angle laser light scattering experiments (MALLS) were performed to analyse the potential time-dependent changes in the weight-average molar mass of the samples. The observed increase showed that the gel formation is based on the assembly of covalently cross-linked aggregates. The viscoelastic properties and the shear resistance of the gel assure that the enzyme-containing jelly material smoothing the skin surface is not removed from the stratum corneum by shear regimes during dolphin jumping. The even skin surface is considered to be most important for the self-cleaning abilities of the dolphin skin against biofouling.

A zymogel enhances the self-cleaning abilities of the skin of the pilot whale (Globicephala melas).

Enzyme activity in the stratum corneum of the pilot whale Globicephala melas was investigated employing colorimetric enzyme screening assays combined with NATIVE PAGE, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and histochemical staining procedures. Applying different substrates, several enzymes were detected. The histochemical demonstration of some selected hydrolytic enzymes enriched in the stratum corneum showed high extracellular accumulation. As demonstrated by size exclusion chromatography, high molar mass aggregates were built up from a glycoprotein-rich 20-30-kD fraction. Using NATIVE PAGE experiments under non-reducing conditions, a selection of five degrading enzymes was recovered within the above-reported aggregates. Activity of extracellular aggregate-attached enzymes in the superficial layer of the stratum corneum exhibited no remarkable decrease potentially resulting from self-degradation. We thus conclude that due to their enclosure within the microenvironment of aggregates, a zymogel is formed and autolysis of the stratum corneum is reduced. With respect to the skin surface, the zymogel with hydrolytic activities covering major parts of it enhances the self-cleaning abilities of the skin of the pilot whale based on physical pre-requisites by hydrolyzing adhesive glycoconjugates of settling biofouling organisms considered as primary steps in fouling.