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Temnospondyls were the morphologically and taxonomically most diverse group of early tetrapods with a near-global distribution during the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic. Members of this group occupied a range of different habitats (aquatic, amphibious, terrestrial), reflected by large morphological disparity of the cranium throughout their evolutionary history. A diagnostic feature of temnospondyls is the presence of an open palate with large interpterygoid vacuities, in contrast to the closed palate of most other early tetrapods and their fish-like relatives. Although the function of the interpterygoid vacuities has been discussed in the past, no quantitative studies have been performed to assess their biomechanical significance. Here, we applied finite element analysis, to test the possibility that the interpterygoid vacuities served for stress distribution during contraction of the jaw closing musculature. Different original and theoretical skull models, in which the vacuities differed in size or were completely absent, were compared for their mechanical performance. Our results demonstrate that palatal morphology played a considerable role in cranial biomechanics of temnospondyls. The presence of large cranial vacuities were found to offer the dual benefit of providing additional muscle attachment areas and allowing for more effective force transmission and thus an increase in bite force without compromising cranial stability.

For many years an increase in cases of urethritis has been observed in western Europe. In order to be able to combat this continuous rise, the perception of sexually transmitted diseases must be promoted, the clarification and screening must be intensified and therapy must be rapidly and correctly carried out. In addition to the commonest pathogens causing urethritis, namely chlamydia and gonococci, many other pathogenic microbes must be taken into consideration in the diagnostics. With respect to therapy, apart from the increasing resistance formation of Mycoplasma genitalium, the decreasing effectiveness of standard forms of treatment of other microbes must be emphasized. For chronic and recurrent urethritis in particular a broad clarification of the pathogen should be carried out to enable targeted treatment and also partner treatment. Priority must again be given to primary prevention.

Balanitis is a descriptive diagnosis for a heterogeneous group of infectious or inflammatory dermatoses which have to be differentiated from malignant conditions. Balanitis is caused not only by Candida spp. and bacterial infections, including anaerobic bacteria: viral infections, parasites and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) also have to be considered. Lichen planus, psoriasis and contact dermatitis can characteristically lead to inflammatory conditions of the glans penis. In addition to a complete skin examination, a thorough patient history with respect to topically applied products and sexual behavior is essential. Infections must be treated and the glans penis should be kept dry. It is important to ensure a balanced genital hygiene in patients. As a last resort therapeutic circumcision can be considered for most forms of chronic balanitis.

Pyemotes mites, of which the grain itch mite is the most important for human medicine, are ectoparasites of many insect species. Human infestation occurs only accidentally and temporally. The source materials are most often grain, straw and plant-based foods. Bites produce an intensely itching urticarial wheal capped by pin-point vesicles, which often are destroyed by scratching. Pyemotes dermatitis favours the back, the abdomen and the flexor side of the forearms. The mites are barely visible to the naked eye and reside only briefly on humans and thus are not found by physicians during clinical examination. When itching starts, the parasites have usually left their hosts. Therefore it is important to investigate the patient's environment and to identify the infested materials. We describe an outbreak of Pyemotes dermatitis in at least 16 persons, most of them warehouse workers in a hobby mail-order house. Infested decorative wheat was the source of the problem. Successful eradication was achieved by fumigation of the storage facilities with the insecticide methylbromide. Our cases demonstrate the importance of examination of environmental specimens for ectoparasites in cases of unexplained dermatoses. Biological agriculture avoiding insecticides may cause reappearance of this almost forgotten skin disease.

In a multicenter study, 100 patients with chronic urticaria were examined with a standardized personality test (Giessen test), a standardized symptom questionnaire (Giessener Beschwerdebogen) and a specially developed questionnaire concerning symptoms, history and behaviour during symptomatic periods. Almost one third of the patients showed elevated scores both for depression and for symptoms that are often associated with depression. It therefore seems worth-while examining such persons more specifically and possibly treating them by psychosomatic methods. The present results do not allow the classification of chronic urticaria as a somatization disorder. Since one-third of the patients had symptoms of depression, combined dermatological and psychosomatic approach may make it possible to offer them an appropriately targeted treatment.

A 60-year-old man has been suffering from worsening chronic urticaria for 15 years. In recent years the skin changes have been associated with bone pain, intermittent fever and pruritus. X-rays show localized bone condensation. Immunoelectrophoretic analysis documents an IgM kappa monoclonal gammopathy. Bone biopsy and bone marrow aspirate revealed no atypical lymphoid infiltration. This syndrome was first described by Schnitzler et al. Other cases have been reported, most of them by French authors. The pathogenesis of the syndrome remains unclear although anti-interleukin-1-alpha-antibodies have been found in several cases. Symptomatic treatment with ibuprofen seems promising.