Sensitive Skins May Be Neuropathic Disorders: Lessons from Studies on Skin and Other Organs

Sensitive skin can be considered a neuropathic disorder. Sensory disorders and the decrease in intra-epidermal nerve ending density are strong arguments for small-fiber neuropathies. Sensitive skin is frequently associated with irritable bowel syndrome or sensitive eyes, which are also considered neuropathic disorders. Consequently, in vitro co-cultures of skin and neurons are adequate models for sensitive skin.

Assessment of The Nerve Ending Distributions on Dartos Fascia in Children with Concealed Penises

Background: The role of nerve ending distribution indartos fascia in the pathogenesis of concealed penis (CP) is still unclear. Our aim is to compare the histological structure of dartos fascia of both normal and CP tissue to evaluate the importance of nerve ending distribution. Methods: After degloving, tissue specimens of dartos fascia located at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12- o’clock of the penile shaft were harvested from the CP.Therelatively normal tissues at the periphery after resection of black moles or hemangioma in other parts were considered as control. The distribution of nerve plexuses between these groups was compared using standard hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and S-100 immunohistochemical staining. Results: The number of nerve plexuses for all cases of CP was abundant but significantly fewer in the normal group. In CP, the number of nerve plexuses in superficial fascia collected at 6 o’clock position of penile shaft was the most abundant among different positions. Conclusions: Abundant nerve plexuses were presented indartos fascia in children with CP, especially at the 6 o’clock position,suggesting surgery performed at the preputial frenulum should avoid damage of dartos fascia to preserve the erectile and sexual function of penis in puberty.

Analysis of an End Neuroma 6 Months after Capping with a Bioresorbable Polycaprolactone Cap (NEUROCAP®) in a Human Model

Various methods have been described in the literature for the treatment of painful end neuromas. One technique involves capping the neuroma with a biological or synthetic material. However, failure of this technique may result from mechanical irritation of the capped nerve. In addition, the physical act of blocking the nerve end is insufficient to prevent further neuroma formation and additional measures need to be taken to halt the regenerative process of the nerve. A new technique of using a bioresorbable polycaprolactone cap (NEUROCAP®), leaving a chamber distal to the nerve ending, has been studied in animal models. The chamber results in a resultant thinner, cone shaped neuroma with a more organised fascicle structure. The chamber prevents mechanical tether or compression by scar. The cap resorbs, preventing mechanical irritation of the nerve ending. We present a case where a NEUROCAP® was excised 6 months after implantation and the nerve end was studied. This study is the first of its kind, analysed in a human model.

Innervation of the thoracolumbar fascia

The aim of the study was to obtain information on the sensory functions of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF). The types of nerve fibres present in the TLF were visualized with specific antibodies to neuropeptides and sympathetic fibres. Most data were obtained from the TLF in rats, but some findings from the human fascia are also included. The only receptive nerve ending found was the free nerve ending, i.e. no corpuscular receptors existed in our specimen. An exclusive innervation with free nerve endings speaks for a nociceptive function, but the TLF may also fulfill proprioceptive functions, since many of the free nerve endings have a low mechanical threshold. Most of the fibres could be visualized with antibodies to CGRP [calcitonin gene- related peptide (CGRP)] and SP [substance P (SP)]. The latter ones most likely were nociceptors. The TLF contained a great proportion of postganglionic sympathetic fibres, which may be vasoconstrictors. A comparison between an inflamed and intact fascia showed an increase of the CGRP- and SP-positive fibres in the inflamed TLF. This finding could be one explanation for the low back pain of many patients, since practically all lesions of the fascia are accompanied by a sterile inflammation.

ATP Reduces the Entry of Calcium Ions into the Nerve Ending by Blocking L-type Calcium Channels

At neuromuscular junctions, ATP inhibits both the evoked and spontaneous acetylcholine release and inward calcium current operating via presynaptic P2Y receptors. It was shown in the experiments with the frog neuromuscular synapse using specific calcium-sensitive dye Oregon Green Bapta 1 that exogenous ATP reduces the amplitude of calcium transient, which reflects the changes in the entry of calcium ions in response to the nerve pulse. The depressing effect of ATP on the transient was prevented by suramin, the blocker of P2 receptors. Nitrendipine, a specific blocker of L-type calcium channels, per se decreased the calcium transient amplitude and significantly attenuated the effect of ATP on the calcium signal. Contrariwise, the preliminary application of ATP to the neuromuscular junction completely eliminated the depressing effect of nitrendipine on the calcium response. The obtained data suggest that an essential component in the inhibitory action of ATP on the calcium transient amplitude is provided by reduction of the entry of calcium ions into a frog nerve ending via L-type voltage-gated calcium channels.

Nerve Ending

Curtiz directedI’ll See You in My Dreams (1951), starring Doris Day and the newcomer Danny Thomas. The picture was his last box-office hit at Warner Bros.His long-cherished project,The Will Rogers Story, starring the commentator-actor’s son, was a handsome picture but a commercial failure. A remake of The Jazz Singer(1952) with Danny Thomas turned out even worse, though he cast the singer Peggy Lee in the film.Curtiz was becoming increasingly angry with Warners for refusing to hire his brother David as an assistant director and stonewalling his inquiries concerning the profit percentages on his films. After Curtiz directed John Wayne in Trouble Along the Way(1953), the studio claimed that all Curtiz’s films but onehad lost money.It then attempted to cheat him out of those minuscule profits by legally parsing his contract.The author also notes two sets of differing financial figures that Warner Bros. maintained on Curtiz’s films.After Warner informed him that he would have to accept a salary reduction and rejected his profit claims, Curtiz threatened a lawsuit. The suit was dropped and Jack Warner eventually paid him off to settle the matter. Curtiz finished his last Warner movie,The Boy from Oklahoma(1954),and moved on to Paramount Pictures.