A review of photodiagnostic investigations over 26 years: experience of the National Scottish Photobiology Service (1989-2015).

Background The Scottish Photobiology Service is the national referral pathway for patients with cutaneous photosensitivity diseases in Scotland. We reviewed the pattern of diagnosis of photosensitivity diseases and investigations performed between 1989 and 2015. Methods and Results Data were collected from the Photodiagnostic Database, annual reports and paper records. The total number of patients assessed each year was stable over the period studied (median 242 [range 231-266]), with most being new patients (median 69 [range 62-73]%). Monochromator phototesting was the most utilised investigation, although the use of provocation testing and photopatch testing has increased. The most common diagnosis was polymorphic light eruption, and there was a trend to increasing diagnosis of photoaggravated atopic eczema. Conclusions The pattern of diagnosis of photosensitivity diseases remains fairly stable in Scotland and we wish to emphasise the importance of this Scottish specialist service for patients with photosensitivity diseases and referrers.

Estudio prospectivo, aleatorizado y controlado con placebo, para valorar la eficacia del tratamiento con láser, asociado o no a ortesis de muñeca en el síndrome del túnel del carpo idiopático / A prospective, randomized and placebo controlled study of the efficacy of treatment with laser, with or without splinting of wrist in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome

Objetivo. Valorar la incidencia por sexos en el síndrome del túnel del carpo (STC); la evolución en los tratados con láser verdadero (Lv) frente a los tratados con láser placebo (Lp) ambas sin ortesis; evolución de las muñecas tratadas con Lv + ortesis, respecto de las tratadas con Lv sin ortesis, y evolución de las muñecas tratadas con Lv + ortesis frente a las tratadas con Lp sin ortesis. Material y método. Se seleccionaron 49 pacientes con STC con afectación leve o moderada, tratados con láser de 808 y 905nm y 25W de potencia pico, asociado en 15 pacientes a ortesis de mano más afectada; en 12 pacientes en ambas manos, y en 22 pacientes sin ortesis. Energía total suministrada/sesión: 915J/cm2 sobre área de 4×4cm2. Análisis estadístico. Programa SPSS 15.0. de la t de Student, con valores significativos para p<0,05, corroboradas con las pruebas de los rangos con signos de Wilcoxon. Resultados. La incidencia fue muy superior en mujeres (93,5%). En los pacientes con ortesis hay diferencias significativas en todos los valores tratados con Lv frente a los tratados con Lp. Cuando no se utilizaron ortesis las diferencias fueron significativas entre los tratados con Lv frente alos tratados con Lp. En pacientes tratados con Lv y ortesis frente a los tratados con Lv sin ortesis, no hubo diferencias significativas. Comparando los pacientes tratados con Lv y ortesis frente a los tratados con Lp sin ortesis hay diferencias muy significativas a favor de los primeros. No hay diferencias significativas entre los valores obtenidos entre el primero y tercero mes del tratamiento. Conclusiones. El tratamiento con láser en pacientes con STC es más eficaz que el grupo placebo, hasta 3 meses después de finalizado el tratamiento. La utilización de ortesis y láser no es más eficaz que el láser solo (AU)

Objective. To evaluate incidence by gender in the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the evolution in those treated with real laser (rL) versus those treated with placebo laser (pL), both groups without orthesis; evolution of wrist treated with rL plus orthosis versus those treated with rL without orthosis and evolution of wrist treated with rL + orthosis versus those treated with pL without orthosis. Materials and methods. A total of 49 patients with CTS with mild or moderate involvement were selected. They were treated with laser 808 and 905nm and 25W peak power. In 15 patients, treatment was associated to orthesis in the most affected hand. In 12 patients, both hands were affected and orthosis was not used in 22. Total energy applied/session was 915J/cm2 on an area of 4×4cm2. Statistical analysis. The SPSS 15.0, Student's T test was used, with significant values for P<.05, corroborated with the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results. The incidence was much higher in women (93.5%). In patients with orthosis, there are significant differences in all the values in the laser-treated subjects versus the placebo-laser treated ones. When orthesis was not used, there were significant differences between those treated with real laser versus those treated with placebo. In patients treated with laser and orthesis versus those treated with laser without orthesis, no significant differences were found. When patients treated with laser plus orthesis were compared with those treated with pL without orthesis, very significant differences were found in favor of the former. There are no significant differences between the values obtained at the first and third month of treatment. Conclusions. Treatment with laser in CTS patients is more effective than placebo up to three months after the treatment has been completed. The use of orthotic devices and laser is no more effective than the use of laser alone (AU)

[Recent progress in the theoretical studies of structure, function, and reaction of biological molecules].

Essential biomolecular functions often involve electron-related events such as chemical reactions and photoluminescence phenomena. Theoretical description of such electronic processes requires the use of quantum mechanics (QM), but the number of atoms that can be handled with QM is usually smaller than the number of atoms present in a single protein. A reasonable strategy is therefore to give priority to a few tens or hundreds of atoms in the system and deal with them quantum mechanically. Lower-priority atoms influence the event occurring in the higher-priority area; therefore, their effect should also be taken into account. Under these circumstances, a reasonable approach is to apply two or more different theoretical methods to differently prioritized subsystems. QM can be combined, for example, with less accurate yet much less demanding molecular mechanics (MM). Our own N-layered integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics (ONIOM) method allows for such hybrid calculations, and our group has been applying it to a wide range of biology-related problems. In this paper, we briefly explain the theoretical background and the procedure for the theoretical investigation of biological systems. Subsequently, we provide an overview of some of our recent studies of metalloenzymes and photobiology-related problems.

Photobiological hydrogen production: Recent advances and state of the art.

Photobiological hydrogen production has advanced significantly in recent years, and on the way to becoming a mature technology. A variety of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic microorganisms, including unicellular green algae, cyanobacteria, anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria, obligate anaerobic, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria are endowed with genes and proteins for H2-production. Enzymes, mechanisms, and the underlying biochemistry may vary among these systems; however, they are all promising catalysts in hydrogen production. Integration of hydrogen production among these organisms and enzymatic systems is a recent concept and a rather interesting development in the field, as it may minimize feedstock utilization and lower the associated costs, while improving yields of hydrogen production. Photobioreactor development and genetic manipulation of the hydrogen-producing microorganisms is also outlined in this review, as these contribute to improvement in the yield of the respective processes.

Light-energy conversion in engineered microorganisms.

Increasing interest in renewable resources by the energy and chemical industries has spurred new technologies both to capture solar energy and to develop biologically derived chemical feedstocks and fuels. Advances in molecular biology and metabolic engineering have provided new insights and techniques for increasing biomass and biohydrogen production, and recent efforts in synthetic biology have demonstrated that complex regulatory and metabolic networks can be designed and engineered in microorganisms. Here, we explore how light-driven processes may be incorporated into nonphotosynthetic microbes to boost metabolic capacity for the production of industrial and fine chemicals. Progress towards the introduction of light-driven proton pumping or anoxygenic photosynthesis into Escherichia coli to increase the efficiency of metabolically-engineered biosynthetic pathways is highlighted.

Las cabinas de bronceado, el cáncer de piel, los estándares internacionales y la función social del dermatólogo / Sunbeds, Skin Cancer, International Standards, and the Social Role of Dermatologists

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Promoting R & D in photobiological hydrogen production utilizing mariculture-raised cyanobacteria.

This review article explores the potential of using mariculture-raised cyanobacteria as solar energy converters of hydrogen (H(2)). The exploitation of the sea surface for large-scale renewable energy production and the reasons for selecting the economical, nitrogenase-based systems of cyanobacteria for H(2) production, are described in terms of societal benefits. Reports of cyanobacterial photobiological H(2) production are summarized with respect to specific activity, efficiency of solar energy conversion, and maximum H(2) concentration attainable. The need for further improvements in biological parameters such as low-light saturation properties, sustainability of H(2) production, and so forth, and the means to overcome these difficulties through the identification of promising wild-type strains followed by optimization of the selected strains using genetic engineering are also discussed. Finally, a possible mechanism for the development of economical large-scale mariculture operations in conjunction with international cooperation and social acceptance is outlined.

DNA microarrays: from structural genomics to functional genomics. The applications of gene chips in dermatology and dermatopathology.

The human genome project was successful in sequencing the entire human genome and ended earlier than expected. The vast genetic information now available will have far-reaching consequences for medicine in the twenty-first century. The knowledge gained from the mapping and sequencing of human genes on a genome-wide scale--commonly referred to as structural genomics--is prerequisite for studies that focus on the functional aspects of genes. A recently invented technique, known as gene chip, or DNA microarray, technology, allows the study of the function of thousands of genes at once, thereby opening the door to the new field of functional genomics. At its core, the DNA microarray utilizes a unique feature of DNA known as complementary hybridization. As such, it is not different from Southern (DNA) blot or northern (RNA) blot hybridizations, or the polymerase chain reaction, with the exception that it allows expression profiling of the entire human genome in a single hybridization experiment. The article highlights the principles, technology, and applications of DNA microarrays as they pertain to the field of dermatology and dermatopathology. The most important applications are the gene expression profiling of skin cancer, especially of melanoma. Other potential applications include gene expression profiling of inflammatory skin diseases, the mutational analysis of genodermatoses, and polymorphism screening, as well as drug development and chemosensitivity prediction. cDNA microarrays will shape the diagnostic approach of the dermatology and the dermatopathology of the future and may lead to new therapeutic options.

20 years after--milestones in molecular photobiology.

Ultraviolet radiation represents one of the most relevant environmental factors because of its hazardous health effects, which include induction of skin cancer, premature skin aging, and exacerbation of infectious diseases. The biologic effects exerted by ultraviolet radiation have been well characterized by a variety of in vitro and in vivo studies. The events taking place inside the cell during the ultraviolet response, however, remained unclear for quite a long time. Molecular photobiology has increased our knowledge about ultraviolet-induced signal transduction enormously within the last 10 years. For a long time, nuclear DNA has been regarded as the only chromophore for ultraviolet radiation. Today we know that ultraviolet radiation can affect also other molecular targets located in the cytoplasm and at the cell membrane. These targets include cell surface receptors, kinases, phosphatases, and transcription factors. Detailed knowledge about ultraviolet-induced signal transduction will certainly increase our understanding of how ultraviolet radiation exerts its biologic effects and furthermore will provide us with tools to interfere with these pathways, thereby reducing the adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation.

Photodermatology: progress, problems and prospects.

Photodermatology is a sub-specialty of photobiology. As such it includes all aspects of photobiology related to the skin ranging from sun exposure and its consequences (both short term and long term) to the therapeutic effects derived from exposure to natural or artificial radiation. In this review the terms photodermatology and photomedicine are used in a somewhat interchangeable fashion, although the former is really a portion of the latter. Four international journals are the primary sources for information - Photochemistry & Photobiology; Journal of Photochemistry & Photobiology (pt B); Photodermatology, Photomedicine & Photoimmunology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology. This review is structured so as to report on recent progress, existing problem areas and prospects for advances in the near future.

El uso adecuado de protectores solares en Costa Rica / Sunscreens in Costa Rica

Costa Rica es un país tropical con una alta exposición solar y una gran cantidad de su población tiene piel blanca. El tumor maligno más frecuente en ambos sexos es el cáncer de piel esto es muy probable que sea causado por una exposición solar de sus habitantes desde muy temprana edad. Otra alteración en piel producida por la exposición solar es el fotoenvejecimiento el cual es causa frecuente de consulta cosmetológica. Se explican algunos factores relacionados con la fotobiología de la exposición a la radiación ultravioleta y se analizan algunas sustancias químicas que actúan como filtros, desviadores, reflectores o bloqueadores que son utilizados en preparados tópicos y que brindan protección adecuada de la piel a la acción de la radiación ultravioleta. Se discute las indicaciones para el uso de protectores solares, sus efectos secundarios y se propone un programa de promocón de la salud y prevención de fotoenvejecimiento y el cáncer de piel basados en la educación de los individuos. (Rev Cost Cienc Méd 1999; 20(1-2): 103-11) Palabras clave: Filtros solares, fotobiología, cáncer de piel, fotoenvejecimiento

Psoralen photobiology and photochemotherapy: 50 years of science and medicine.

In 1998 it is appropriate to commemorate the 50th anniversary of el Mofty's use of purified 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) in the treatment of vitiligo (el Mofty AM. A preliminary clinical report on the treatment of leukoderma with Ammi majus linn. J R Egypt Med Assn 1948,31:651 65. el Mofty AM, el Sawalhy H, el Mofty M. Clinical study of a new preparation of 8-methoxypsoralen in photochemotherapy. Int J Dermatol 1994;8:588 92). Two young American dermatologists (Aaron Lerner and Thomas Fitzpatrick) were intrigued by the potency of this material. After Lerner determined that artificial long wavelength ultraviolet (320-400 nm, UVA) radiation was the most efficient for activating 8-MOP. the development of artificial sources enabled the efficient delivery of these photons to skin containing 8-MOP. Their initial studies for vitiligo led to further development of this therapy for the treatment of psoriasis (Parrish JA, Fitzpatrick TB, Tannenbaum L, et al. Photochemotherapy of psoriasis with oral methoxsalen and long-wave ultraviolet light. New Engl J Med 1974;291:1207-11. Honigsmann H, Fitzpatrick TB, Pathak MA, et al. Oral photochemotherapy with psoralen and UVA (PUVA): principles and practice. In: Fitzpatrick TB, Eisen AZ, Wolf K, editors. Dermatology in General Medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1987:1728-54). This photochemotherapy came to be called 'PUVA' (psoralen + UVA). The position PUVA holds today as one of the most common procedures performed in dermatology can be traced to their initial curiosity and their subsequent ingenuity. Further developments in more recent years capitalized on their seminal work. The therapy met with unprecedented success from the outset, leaving little perceived need to understand underlying science. However, in recent years there has been a new found interest in the basic aspects of psoralen photobiology and molecular mechanistic events contributing to therapeutic responses as well as to the development of skin cancers in PUVA patients. These will be surveyed in this review commemorating the 50 years of modern psoralen photobiology and photomedicine.

Langmuir-Blodgett films of photosensitive proteins.

The striking properties of monolayers and multilayers of photosensitive proteins obtained by using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique are described. The close packing of the protein molecules, which preserve most of the properties found in solution, seems to be the main cause for their thermal stability, which in some cases reached a temperature of 200 degrees C without the loss of the protein secondary structure. The review is focused on three of the most intensively studied photosensitive proteins, namely photosynthetic reaction centres, bacteriorhodopsin and bovine rhodopsin, and on their possible applications as molecular optical devices.