Background. Most in vitro cultured epidermal models consist only of keratinocytes and melanocytes. Langerhans cells can also be cultured and added to epidermal cultures. The problem of maintaining Langerhans cells in culture was recently solved with the introduction of a medium supplemented with GM-CSF, TNF-a and 2-mercaptethanol. With this medium, Langerhans cells can be added to epidermal cultures prepared on skin equivalents. The aim of the present study was to maintain Langerhans cells in organotypic cultures. Methods. Epidermal cells, obtained from skin biopsy specimens, were seeded on human de-epidermised dermis (DED). Results. Serum-free medium supplemented with GM-CSF, TNF-a and 2-mercapto-ethanol was used to develop an experimental model of epidermis consisting of keratinocytes, melanocytes and Langerhans cells, similar to the in vivo epidermis. Conclusions. These cultures grew a multilayered, well differentiated epidermis containing melanocytes and Langerhans cells, for use in immunology, allergy and cytotoxicity studies.

This research contributes to the domain of long-term care by exploring knowledge discovery techniques based on a large dataset and guided by representative information needs to better manage both quality of care and financial spendings, as a next step towards more mature healthcare business intelligence in long-term care. We structure this exploratory research according to the steps of the CRoss Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) process. Firstly, we interview 22 experts to determine the information needs in long-term care which we, secondly, translate into 25 data mining goals. Thirdly, we perform a single case study at a Dutch long-term care institution with around 850 clients in five locations. We analyze the institution’s database which contains information from April 2008 to April 2012 to identify patterns in incident information, patterns in risk assessment information, the relationship between risk assessments and incident information, patterns in the average duration of stay, and we identify and predict Care Intensity Package (ZZP) combinations. Fourth and finally, we position all data mining goals in a two-by-two matrix to visualize the relative importance of each goal in relation to both quality of care and financial state of care institutions.

Seventy-six patients with severe diffuse plaque-form psoriasis and a baseline PASI score greater-than-or-equal-to 18 were enrolled in a randomized open study comparing cyclosporin 5 mg/kg/day (36 patients) with etretinate 0.75 reduced to 0.5 mg/kg/day (40 patients) over a period of 3 months (phase 1). The rate, severity and time to relapse after the withdrawal of therapy in the 54 patients achieving remission were evaluated over the following 6 months (phase 2). Twelve of these patients entered an open, uncontrolled phase aimed at defining the safety and the strategy of cyclosporin 2.5-5 mg/kg/day maintenance therapy over a further period of 9 months (phase 3). Patient tolerability, laboratory parameters and blood pressure were carefully monitored every week for the first 3 months and then monthly. The only concomitant therapy allowed was white petrolatum. Not only the number (35/36 vs. 29/40) but also the speed of remission (20/36 vs. 1/40 at the fourth week of treatment) was higher in the cyclosporin than in the etretinate group. Both the tolerability and safety of cyclosporin proved to be adequate for short-term treatment, all altered clinical or laboratory parameters being completely reversible after the withdrawal of therapy. Only 1 of the 36 patients in the cyclosporin group prematurely stopped taking the medication because of an adverse reaction, as against 7/40 in the etretinate group (1 case of inefficacy, 1 case of adverse reaction and 5 cases of non-compliance). Six months after the discontinuation of the trial drugs, relapses occurred in 13/29 patients in the cyclosporin group and in 3/25 in the etretinate group; no 'rebound' was observed in any of the relapsing patients. Long-term cyclosporin treatment was both efficacious and well tolerated. In conclusion, cyclosporin at doses of 2.5-5 mg/kg/day administered to reliable, carefully selected patients closely monitored in terms of both clinical and laboratory parameters currently produces the quickest and more constantly favourable results in patients with severe psoriasis.

Thirty-three patients (M/F 25/8, aged 19-71 years) with severe erythrodermic psoriasis entered an open multicenter study to evaluate the efficacy (induction and maintenance of clinical remission) and tolerabilitv of long-term treatment with cyclosporin. It was given at a maximum initial dose of 5 mg/kg/day (initial mean dose 4.2 mg/kg/day), subsequently adjusted during the course of treatment according to clinical response. patient tolerability and any modification in laboratory parameters or blood pressure, carefully monitored each month. All of the patients were unsatisfactory responders to conventional systemic therapy (PUVA therapy, retinoids, corticosteroids), free of any clinically obvious immunodeficiencies, malignancies or blood dyscrasia and within the normal range for renal and hepatic function and blood pressure. At remission (defined as complete resolution of erythema in the body area involved), cyclosporin was slowly tapered off (0.5 mg/kg every 2 weeks) until total discontinuation or the reappearance of signs of disease. As concomitant therapy. white petrolatum in association with cyclosporin as well as specific local therapy between cyclosporin cycles was allowed. After 6.3 +/- 3.4 months (mean +/-SD), cyclosporin doses of 3-5 mg/kg/day had led to complete remission in 67% of patients (22/33) in a median time of 2-4 months; in a further 27% of cases, considerable improvement in skin involvement was observed, with a reduction of more than 70% in comparison with baseline. The rapid and progressive improvement in the degree of skin involvement, pruritus and the severity of the characteristics of the psoriatic lesions (erythema and desquamation) proved to be significant versus baseline as early as the first month of treatment, as well as at all of the subsequent visits (p<0.05, Dunnett's test). Four patients, previously achieving remission, relapsed between 3 and 12 months after entering the study with a relapse-free interval of between 2 and 8 months; 3 of them were in the drug withdrawal phase. the fourth had completely discontinued treatment. No evidence of any signs of disease rebound was seen. Side effects were observed in 15/33 patients, 8 of whom were considered to be certainly drug related. Cyclosporin was discontinued in 6 patients because of side effects: in 2 as main reason for discontinuation (hypertension and cerebrovascular disorders), in the remaining 4 as secondary reason to poor protocol compliance. The adverse events reported were mild/moderate and reversible on dose adjustment. In conclusion, given the rapidity of action and good tolerability of low-dose cyclosporin (3-5 mg/kg/day). It can be considered as the new therapy of choice in patients with erythrodermic psoriasis. An intermittent regimen (such as an attack therapy for an acute and severe form of psoriasis followed by gradual withdrawal) makes the drug manageable and well tolerated.

Research Articles| October 27 2009 Thyroid Function Investigation by Means of I131 in Acne Vulgaris and in Seborrheic Dermatitis Subject Area: Dermatology , Immunology and Allergy L. Andreassi; L. Andreassi University Department of Dermatology, Siena (Dir.: Prof. F. Ottolenghi) and Institute of Medical Semeiology, University of Siena (Dir.: Prof. F. Lenzi) Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar C. Gennari; C. Gennari University Department of Dermatology, Siena (Dir.: Prof. F. Ottolenghi) and Institute of Medical Semeiology, University of Siena (Dir.: Prof. F. Lenzi) Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar M. Bencini M. Bencini University Department of Dermatology, Siena (Dir.: Prof. F. Ottolenghi) and Institute of Medical Semeiology, University of Siena (Dir.: Prof. F. Lenzi) Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Dermatologica (1969) 139 (1): 69–75. https://doi.org/10.1159/000253891 Article history Received: June 11 1968 Published Online: October 27 2009 Content Tools Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation L. Andreassi, C. Gennari, M. Bencini; Thyroid Function Investigation by Means of I131 in Acne Vulgaris and in Seborrheic Dermatitis. Dermatologica 1 January 1969; 139 (1): 69–75. https://doi.org/10.1159/000253891 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll JournalsDermatology Search Advanced Search Article PDF first page preview Close Modal This content is only available via PDF. 1969Copyright / Drug Dosage / DisclaimerCopyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements. You do not currently have access to this content.