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Epidermal melanin reduces some effects of UV radiation, the major cause of skin cancer. To examine whether induced melanin can provide protection from sunburn injury, 65 subjects completed a trial with the potent synthetic melanotropin, [Nle4-D-Phe7]-α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone ([Nle4-D-Phe7]-α-MSH) delivered by subcutaneous injection into the abdomen at 0.16 mg/kg for three 10-day cycles over 3 months. Melanin density, measured by reflectance spectroscopy, increased significantly in all [Nle4-D-Phe7]-α-MSH-treated subjects. The highest increases were in volunteers with lowest baseline skin melanin levels. In subjects with low minimal erythemal dose (MED) skin type, melanin increased by an average of 41% (from 2.55 to 3.59, P<0.0001 vs placebo) over eight separate skin sites compared with only 12% (from 4.18 to 4.70, P<0.0001 vs placebo) in subjects with a high-MED skin type. Epidermal sunburn cells resulting from exposure to 3 MED of UV radiation were reduced by more than 50% after [Nle4-D-Phe7]-α-MSH treatment in the volunteers with low baseline MED. Thymine dimer formation was also shown to be reduced by 59% (P=0.002) in the epidermal basal layer. This study has shown for the first time the potential ability of a synthetic hormone that augments melanin production to provide photoprotection to people who normally burn in direct sunlight.Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2006) 126, 1869–1878. doi:10.1038/sj.jid.5700317; published online 8 June 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose: This study aimed to determine the relationship between various measures of constitutive skin pigmentation and erythema caused by solar-simulated UV (ssUV), 290 and 310 nm UV. Methods: Skin pigmentation was assessed clinically by skin typing as well as objectively by measurement of the melanin index (MI) by reflectance spectroscopy. Subjects having Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV were exposed to graded doses of ssUV and either narrowband 310 nm ( n=70) or 290 nm ( n=69) UV, and assessed 24 h after exposure. Minimal erythema dose (MED) was assessed visually as the lowest dose that caused minimally perceptible erythema. Susceptibility to further development of erythema with higher exposure doses was measured by the gradient of erythema dose–response curves. This was determined by linear regression using reflectance spectrometry data beyond the MED. Results: Although there was considerable variation within each skin type, MI and ssUV MED increased with increasing Fitzpatrick skin type. MI correlated with ssUV MED and 310 nm UV MED, but not 290 nm UV MED. There was also a significant negative correlation between MI and erythema dose–response gradients caused by ssUV, 310 and 290 nm UV. Conclusion: Melanin situated near the basal epidermis may not protect from the initial development of threshold erythema caused by 290 nm UV because it penetrates poorly past the stratum corneum and is not well absorbed by melanin in vivo compared with 310 nm UV. Higher erythemal 290 nm UV doses may reach basal epidermal melanin, which may then afford protection against further 290 nm UV erythema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe psoriasis vulgaris can be extremely difficult to treat in some patients, even with the newer biological therapies available today. Case presentations: We present two patients with severe chronic plaque psoriasis who received numerous systemic anti-soriatic therapies with varied results. Both responded well to initial treatment with efalizumab (anti-CD11a), but then experienced a flare of their disease after missing a dose. However, after disease stablization, both patients responded well to re-introduction of efalizumab, one patient requiring concurrent treatment with infliximab (anti-TNF-á). Conclusion: These cases are presented to characterize this "flare" reaction, and to inform health care providers that efalizumab can still be administered after disease flare, and again may be a successful therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates the sun protection factor (SPF) of six sunscreens sold in Australia, using an ultraviolet (UV) spectrum which mimics sunlight as closely as possible, and by using volunteers with a range of skin types to reflect the Australian population. SPF measurement; Disparity in the SPF levels yielded by the experiment and the brands' labelled levels; Effect of the application method on the SPF measurement.

SUMMARY Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease: the incidence is increasing in many countries and treatment can be difficult. The aim of this retrospective case series was to examine the effect of oral azathioprine on the clinical severity and serum IgE levels in 38 patients with severe atopic dermatitis. The AD was well-controlled in nearly 80% (30/38). The maintenance dose required was in the range 25–200 mg per day. Four patients withdrew because of adverse affects, including one case of pancytopenia and a further four ceased azathioprine after 4 months because of a lack of clinical improvement. Total serum IgE levels were measured before commencing azathioprine and after two years of treatment in 26 patients. IgE levels decreased in almost all patients and this was statistically significant (P = 0.012). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a perspective on the basic concept of academic dermatology in Australia. The Australasian Society of Dermatology aims to constitute the Australasian College of Dermatologists through the promotion of research related to skin diseases. Information about the society and its delegated responsibilities are provided.

The case of an 18 year old woman who developed generalized pustular psoriasis of pregnancy in the 25rd week of her first pregnancy is reported. Treatment with topical therapies was unsuccessful and oral steroids were introduced with rapid response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]