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Background Broadband ultraviolet B (BB-UVB) is a well-established treatment option in dermatology. However, during the last decade BB-UVB has increasingly been replaced by narrowband UVB 311 nm (NB-UVB), especially in the therapy of psoriasis, atopic eczema and vitiligo. Several studies have indicated a better therapeutic response for almost all indications compared with BB-UVB. Objectives The aim of our study was to investigate the phototoxic effects of NB-UVB in comparison with BB-UVB in vivo. Methods Therefore, we employed the photo hen's egg test (PHET), an established phototoxic model, based on the yolk sac blood vessel system of incubated hen's eggs. NB-UVB and BB-UVB dosages increasing from 30 up to 1200 mJ cm−2 were applied on 17 test groups (each n = 12 eggs) and two unirradiated test groups served as controls. Twenty-four hours after irradiation we observed the following test parameters: lethality, membrane discoloration and haemorrhages. Results Following our results, the lethal half dose (LD50) was 60 and 720 mJ cm−2 for BB-UVB and NB-UVB, respectively. These LD50 dosages provoked severe membrane discoloration and haemorrhaging. Summarizing our results, the LD50 of NB-UVB was 12-fold higher than BB-UVB. Conclusions Interestingly, these findings are in good accordance with the literature, where the minimal erythema dose (MED) of NB-UVB in human skin is up to 14 times higher than the MED of BB-UVB. These results show that the PHET is a valid test model to evaluate the phototoxic effects of various UVB wavelengths. Moreover, our results indicate that regarding the investigation of phototoxic effects the PHET might serve as a model representative for human skin, which might reduce the extent of photoprovocation in humans in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary. A 34-year-old male patient with nonobstructive azoospermia and childlessness for more than 2 years is presented. As even severely damaged testes often harbour cryptic areas with remaining spermatogenesis, such cases might be suitable for spermatid extraction from bilateral testicular biopsies. Taking into account that testicular biopsies bear the risk of permanent testosterone insufficiency, less invasive andrological treatment modalities were considered. Under the assumption of frequent silent testicular inflammatory reactions, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen was administered. Additionally, a concomitant left-sided varicocele was removed by retrograde sclerotherapy. Within 1 year, the spermiogram showed spermatozoa at a concentration of 0.6–1.2 million ml[sup -1] . This allowed ejaculate samples to be stored for cryopreservation to enable in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic injection of spermatozoa. Our successfully performed anti-inflammatory and varicocele treatment underlines the value of conservative andrological therapies. Despite the modern possibilities of assisted reproductive procedures the clinical andrologist should be aware of a careful andrological examination and of less invasive therapeutic options such as anti-inflammatory treatment and varicocele repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1984 the German, Austrian, and Swiss photopatch test group was established to investigate photoallergic reactions as well as the epidemiology of photoallergy in central Europe. Therefore, the photopatch test procedure was defined and photopatch test data of 3998 patients were evaluated after two test periods from 1984 to 1990 and from 1991 to 1997. In summary, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disinfectants, phenothiazines as well as sunscreens were found to be relevant photoallergens in central Europe. Based on the study results and guided by contemporaneously published clinical findings, the German, Austrian, and Swiss photopatch test group released in the year 2000 an optimized photopatch test tray, including a block of 19 photosensitizers, ranging from some historical to newly reported photosensitizers. This standard set is complemented by an optional photopatch test set, indicated only in special cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor with reference to another letter on unilateral pseudogynecomastia, a work-related disease.