Search

The distribution of water molecules around aromatic rings in the protein structures and crystal structures of small molecules shows quite a small number of the strongest OH-π interactions, a larger number of parallel interactions, and the largest number of the weakest CH-O interactions.

Dermatitis artifacta is a psychodermatological condition in which skin lesions are produced or inflicted by the patient's own actions. Patients present with lesions of various forms and bizarre shapes, which are difficult to recognize. Lesions can mimic many different dermatological diseases, but they mostly resemble superficial erosion, hyperpigmented maculae, excoriation or ulcerations. Patients often deny responsibility, so the direct confrontation will mostly lead to withdrawal and seeking help somewhere else. An effective therapeutic relationship requires a nonjudgemental, empathic and supportive environment in order to encourage return to follow up, and eventually talk about the possible psychological basis of the disease. Dermatitis artifacta is difficult to diagnose and is rarely recognized, but it is estimated that 0.2%-0.5% of dermatological patients suffer from this disease. There is generally considered to be a female preponderance, but estimates vary from 1:3 to 1:20 male to female ratio. Most affected patients are in their teens or early adulthood. Many patients suffer from a psychiatric illness, mostly borderline personality disorder. Patients may suffer from anxiety, depression or somatoform disorders. There is strong association with eating disorders; it is estimated that dermatitis artifacta occurs in approximately one-third of patients with anorexia or bulimia. Patients may have subconscious compulsion based on psychological or emotional need to elicit care; the illness often serves as an extreme form of nonverbal communication. Dermatitis artifacta occurs in patients with poor coping skills and often represents a maladaptive response to psychological stressor. Treatment is very difficult and with variable outcomes. Dermatitis artifacta is a challenging condition that requires both dermatological and psychiatric expertise, but unfortunately psychiatric treatment is rarely conducted since patients deny their responsibility and refuse psychiatric help.

Background:   Melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin tumours for which the major risk factor is ultraviolet radiation. Sun protection is extremely important, especially for melanoma patients who, once diagnosed with melanoma, have 500 times greater chance of developing another melanoma than the general population., Objective:   In this study, we examined the perception of melanoma and attitudes towards sun protection among melanoma patients and compared their results with the patients suffering from other dermatological disorders., Methods:   In total, 240 participants were included in the study: 120 patients suffering from melanoma and 120 participants in the control group. The Sun Behaviour Patterns Questionnaire and the Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire were used in this study to assess sun behaviours and perception of melanoma., Results:   Melanoma patients have negative attitude towards sunbathing: 57% avoid sunbathing and 27% spend time in the sun only during swimming, otherwise seeking shade, whereas participants in the control group have more positive attitude towards sunbathing. Results indicate very short time of using sunscreen protection during the year and very small number of people using adequate SPF value, in both melanoma and control group., Conclusion:   Participants in control group perceive melanoma as a more serious illness than patients who think that melanoma has mild symptoms, is easy to cure and control, has moderate consequences and lasts relatively long. Both melanoma patients and participants in the control group show relatively good sun behaviour patterns and slightly negative attitudes towards sun protection., (© 2011 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology © 2011 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

Dysplastic nevus is an acquired or hereditary nevus that clinically seems atypical and pathohistologically dysplastic. The term of dysplastic nevus has changed through history and even until now the dermatologists and pathologists have not found the same conclusion for name and definition of dysplastic nevus. Epidemiology of dysplastic nevus is different depending on geographic lattitude, being three times higher in Australia than in Great Britain. Genetic factors play a role in etiology of dysplastic nevus but are still not well defined. UV radiation is indisputable main etiological factor in developing dysplastic nevus. Many studies confirm that children who have been using sun protection creams with SPF have less dysplastic nevi than those who did not. Nevus with geographic shape and muddy borders, dominately macular, red to brown colored and has 5 mm or more in diameter is clinically dysplastic nevus. ABCDE rules count for dysplastic nevus as well as for melanoma but prefferable diagnostic criteria for dysplastic nevus would be "ugly duckling sign". Pathohistologic analysis is the key in confirming the diagnosis of dysplastic nevus. Great experience and knowledge in dermatopathology field is essential for pathologists to make a distinction between dysplastic nevus and melanoma in situ. Likewise great experience in dermatooncology field is essential in differentiating dysplastic nevus from other nevi. Surgical excision is the only therapy that should be done for dysplastic nevus. Regular follow up is highly recommended for patients with dysplastic nevus and syndroma naevi dysplastic. Education about sun protection measures and self-examination techniques is essential for all patients with dysplastic nevi and their family.

Patients who are already diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma are at increased risk of developing another primary melanoma. The occurrence of multiple primary melanoma is a rare phenomenon, varying in frequency, with an estimated incidence ranging from 0.2% to 8.6%. The authors are presenting data on the patients with multiple primary melanoma from the Croatian Referral Melanoma Centre. The clinical, histological and epidemiological characteristics of 36 (3.6%) patients, identified from 991 patients with histologically confirmed melanoma, are analyzed in this study. Twenty-eight of the patients (78%) had two primary melanomas, six had three melanomas (16.7%) and two (5,6%) had four melanomas. Diagnosis was established synchronously in 11 patients (30%) and, in the rest of the patients, time interval between the diagnosis of the first and second melanoma varied from 1 month to the longest interval of 16 years. However, the majority of subsequent melanomas were removed within 2 years of the initial operation. The mean Breslow's thickness of the first melanoma was significantly higher than the mean Breslow's thickness of the second primary melanoma. The proportion of in situ to invasive melanomas was greater for the second melanomas compared with the first melanomas. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of regular follow-up as well as the education in regular self--skin examinations in melanoma patients in order to detect subsequent primary melanomas in the early phase.

Acne patients are subject to different degree of psychosocial distress. The emotional impact of acne vulgaris due to disfigurement caused by the disease is undisputed. Most common reactions to the acne are depression and anxiety. The use of isotretinoin, one of the most effective options in acne treatment, increases depression symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological status of the patients with moderate to severe acne and to compare patients treated with isotretinoin with patients treated with vitamin C. A total of 85 patients suffering from acne vulgaris were included in the study. The results of this study do not find a significant correlation between the use of isotretinoin and the psychological effects of the drug.

Psoriasis is a chronic, hereditary disease generally characterized by eruption of erythematous, silvery-scaled plaques, predominantly on the elbows, knees, scalp and trunk, affecting between 1-2% of the population worldwide. Psoriasis is a multifactorial disease of unknown etiology. It has been shown that in some patients alcohol abuse has been associated with psoriasis. Chronic alcohol abuse results in the impairment of health-related, social and occupational functioning. Therefore the association of psoriasis and alcoholism represents one of the major psychodermatological issues where a multidisciplinary approach (including dermatologist, psychiatrist, psychologist and others) is crucial for optimal outcome.

Using the data from Protein Data Bank the correlations of primary and secondary structures of proteins were analyzed. The correlation values of the amino acids and the eight secondary structure types were calculated, where the position of the amino acid and the position in sequence with the particular secondary structure differ at most 25. The diagrams describing these results indicate that correlations are significant at distances between -9 and 10. The results show that the substituents on Cbeta or Cgamma atoms of amino acid play major role in their preference for particular secondary structure at the same position in the sequence, while the polarity of amino acid has significant influence on alpha-helices and strands at some distance in the sequence. The diagrams corresponding to polar amino acids are noticeably asymmetric. The diagrams point out the exchangeability of residues in the proteins; the amino acids with similar diagrams have similar local folding requirements.

The correlation between the primary and secondary structures of proteins was analysed using a large data set from the Protein Data Bank. Clear preferences of amino acids towards certain secondary structures classify amino acids into four groups: alpha-helix preferrers, strand preferrers, turn and bend preferrers, and His and Cys (the latter two amino acids show no clear preference for any secondary structure). Amino acids in the same group have similar structural characteristics at their Cbeta and Cgamma atoms that predicts their preference for a particular secondary structure. All alpha-helix preferrers have neither polar heteroatoms on Cbeta and Cgamma atoms, nor branching or aromatic group on the Cbeta atom. All strand preferrers have aromatic groups or branching groups on the Cbeta atom. All turn and bend preferrers have a polar heteroatom on the Cbeta or Cgamma atoms or do not have a Cbeta atom at all. These new rules could be helpful in making predictions about non-natural amino acids.