bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethical, Legal, and Practical Concerns Surrounding the Implemention of New Forms of Consent for Health Data Research: Qualitative Interview Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wiertz Svenja , Boldt Joachim
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

In Europe, within the scope of the General Data Protection Regulation, more and more digital infrastructures are created to allow for large-scale access to patients’ health data and their use for research. When the research is performed on the basis of patient consent, traditional study-specific consent appears too cumbersome for many researchers. Alternative models of consent are currently being discussed and introduced in different contexts.

OBJECTIVE

This study explores stakeholder perspectives on ethical, legal, and practical concerns regarding models of consent for health data research at German university medical centers.

METHODS

Semistructured focus group interviews were conducted with medical researchers at German university medical centers, health IT specialists, data protection officers, and patient representatives. The interviews were analyzed using a software-supported structuring qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Stakeholders regarded broad consent to be only marginally less laborious to implement and manage than tiered consent. Patient representatives favored specific consent, with tiered consent as a possible alternative. All stakeholders lamented that information material was difficult to understand. Oral information and videos were mentioned as a means of improvement. Patient representatives doubted that researchers had a sufficient degree of data security expertise to act as sole information providers. They were afraid of undue pressure if obtaining health data research consent were part of medical appointments. IT specialists and other stakeholders regarded the withdrawal of consent to be a major challenge and called for digital consent management solutions. On the one hand, the transfer of health data to non-European countries and for-profit organizations is seen as a necessity for research. On the other hand, there are data security concerns with regard to these actors. Research without consent is legally possible under certain conditions but deemed problematic by all stakeholder groups, albeit for differing reasons and to different degrees.

CONCLUSIONS

More efforts should be made to determine which options of choice should be included in health data research consent. Digital tools could improve patient information and facilitate consent management. A unified and strict regulation for research without consent is required at the national and European Union level. Obtaining consent for health data research should be independent of medical appointments, and additional personnel should be trained in data security to provide information on health data research.
MOTORLU KURYELERİN ÇALIŞMA KOŞULLARININ İŞ TATMİNİ VE İŞTEN AYRILMA NİYETİ ÜZERİNDEKİ ETKİSİ
Authors: IRKILATA Ersin , IRK Ersin
Published: August 2023

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın temel amacı motorlu kuryelerde çalışma koşullarının iş tatmini ve işten ayrılma niyeti üzerindeki etkisini tespit etmektir.
Yöntem: Araştırma amacına ulaşmak için toplam 266 katılımcıdan veri toplanmıştır. Çalışmada farklı değişkenler arasındaki ilişkileri araştırmak için korelasyon ve regresyon analizi tekniklerinden yararlanılmıştır.
Bulgular: Toplanan verilerin analizi önemli bilgiler ortaya çıkarmıştır. Özellikle, sonuçlar çalışma koşulları ile iş tatmini arasında anlamlı ve pozitif yönlü bir ilişki olduğunu göstermektedir. Ayrıca bu araştırma, çalışma koşulları ile işten ayrılma niyeti arasında negatif ve istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir ilişki olduğunu ortaya çıkarmıştır.
Sonuç: Araştırma bulgularına göre çalışma koşullarının iyileştirilmesi motorlu kuryelerin iş tatminlerinin yükseltmekte, işten ayrılma niyetlerini azaltmaktadır. Bu sonuç örgüt yöneticilerinin çalışma koşullarına dikkat etmesi gerektiğini göstermektedir.
Optimization of Defective Coffee Beans Decaffeination Using Palm Oil
Authors: Shofinita Dian , Lestari Dianika , Ambarwati Sekar Ayu , Gunawan Karen Christine , Achmadi Amarthya Benigna
Published: August 2023

Defective coffee beans amount to 15-20% of the total produced coffee beans. The defective coffee bean contains caffeine, which can negatively affect the human body, such as increased heart rate, and thus sensitive to consumption by some people. This study aims to optimize the decaffeination process of defective coffee beans. The extraction of aroma and flavor compounds was done by maceration, and the decaffeination was carried out using palm oil as a solvent. The type of beans (green and roasted beans), the decaffeination contact time, and the ratio between coffee bean extract and solvent were varied in this study. The caffeine content was quantified, and the organoleptic and color tests were done on the concentrated coffee extracts. It was found that the higher the amount of solvent volume in decaffeination, the higher the caffeine decrease. In addition, the longer the green beans’ decaffeination time, the lower the caffeine decrease. Decaffeination using green coffee beans resulted in a greater reduction of caffeine (6.515-48.241%) than roasted coffee beans (8.495-24.272%). The optimum operating condition of green coffee bean decaffeination was the coffee bean extract and solvent ratio of 1:5.82 and the decaffeination time of 26.5 minutes. The organoleptic test result shows that decaffeinated coffee flavor had the same preferability as the commercial coffee flavor and was thus able to compete in the market.
Continuous Biosorption of Pb2+ with Bamboo Shoots (Bambusa spp.) using Aspen Adsorption® Process Simulation Software
Authors: Lubiano II Mc Lein Roger M. , Manacup Cris Vincent L. , Soriano Allan N. , Rubi Rugi Vicente C.
Published: August 2023

The health risks impact of heavy metal contamination in the environment has prompted researchers to study its mitigation in an efficient and cost-friendly approach.  Recently, simulated continuous biosorption using agricultural wastes is gaining popularity because it offers cheaper and faster alternative study methods using efficient large-scale removal of lead, which is known to cause adverse effects even at low concentrations. Bamboo shoots (Bambusa spp.), a delicacy known in Southeast Asia, are recognized worldwide, but the inedible sheath husks are thrown. This study evaluated the continuous Pb2+ biosorption performance of Bambusa spp. using Aspen Adsorption V8.4 by varying bed height, influent concentration, and volumetric flow rate. Linear driving force model was used to simplify, according to a separate batch biosorption study, ion exchange mechanism and Langmuir isotherm for equilibrium conditions. The backward differencing method was used to solve the resulting differential equation. Results showed that increasing the volumetric flowrate from 4.00x10-5 to 8.00x10-5 m3/s, the bed height from 0.2 to 1.0 m, and influent concentration from 80 to 120 ppm resulted in changes in the breakthrough time by a factor of 0,5, 4.0, and 0.67 respectively. Analysis of the breakthrough curves showed that increasing volumetric flow rate shortens breakthrough time due to reduced contact time, and increasing Pb2+ concentration facilitated ion exchange by increasing concentration difference. Bed height provides more binding sites available hence, higher Pb2+ removal.
Melamine Acetate Preparation as a Urea-Formaldehyde Resin Additive for Particleboard Production
Authors: Dermawan Dicky , Al Ghani Lukman , Prawidya Aditya Bayu
Published: August 2023

Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin binders for wood-based panel production often use melamine as an additive to improve both mechanical properties and environmental compliance. Direct fortification for efficient use of melamine remains a problem due to low solubility. Pizzi & coworkers suggested the use of more soluble melamine salts and demonstrated success in terms of product performance. However, their preparation method showed low productivity and inefficient use of material and energy. In their scheme, a batch reactor fed with 1 kg of water and 75 g of a stoichiometric amount of melamine and acetic acid produced only around 25 g of solid melamine acetate crystal. In contrast, the remaining 50 g remained dissolved in 991 g of water, which requires high of energy to evaporate. This paper reports an attempt to increase batch productivity and work towards the more efficient use of material and energy. The experiment showed that the successive addition of melamine and acetic acid to the batch up to the solubility limit of melamine at the same reaction condition increased melamine and acetic acid fed from 75 g to 165 g. This was followed by a significant increase in dry crystal yield from 25 g to 117 - 132 g. Feeding the mother liquor to the next batch decreased the water use to only 8% of the original requirement. This resulted in a highly efficient process, eliminating the need for energy-intensive melamine acetate recovery from the mother liquor. The addition of 2% - 4% wt. of the product to UF resin resulted in particleboard with significantly lower thickness swelling, an increase in MOR & IB strength, and lower formaldehyde emission.
Chemical Properties and Breakthrough Adsorption Study of Activated Carbon Derived from Carbon Precursor from Carbide Industry
Authors: Che Husain Nursyuhani , Zawawi Nurul Athirah , Hamzah Fazlena , Mohd Rodhi Miradatul Najwa , Veny Harumi , Ariyanti Dessy , Mohidem Nur Athikah
Published: August 2023

The residual carbon from the carbide industry in Malaysia has been explored as a precursor in activated carbon (ACs) processing via chemical activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH). The residual carbon from the carbide industry consists of high fixed carbon content and is a sustainable source of raw material, making it a promising precursor for ACs processing. However, the synergy between activation temperature with impregnation ratio has yet to be well explored for precursors from carbide processing. Thus, in the present work, impregnation ratios from 1:1 to 1:5 and temperature for the activation process from 300°C to 700°C were examined in the ACs processing. The impact of these factors was evaluated towards the chemical characteristic of the derived ACs, such as pores and surface morphology, functional groups, and thermal profile. The finding indicated that the ratio of as-received carbon /KOH from 1:1 to 1:5 provided ACs with BET surface areas of 130 – 458 m2 /g and micropores content of 19 – 25.75%. The results suggested that the highest BET surface area in this range of study was 458.15 m2 /g at an activation temperature of 700oC and an impregnation ratio of 1:1. Then the developed ACs were further evaluated in carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption using breakthrough CO2 adsorption. The breakthrough time and CO2 adsorption rate capacity were calculated as 70 s and 0.175 mmol/g, respectively. This finding indicated that as-received carbon precursors from the carbide industry could be explored as one of the potential materials in ACs development, forming the microporous structure during KOH activation and encouraging the binding of CO2 molecules in CO2 capture.
Perception of Linguistic and Affective Prosody in Individuals with Aphasia
Authors: B. P. Abhishek
Published: August 2023

The current study was carried out with the aim of testing the perception of linguistic and affective prosody in individuals with aphasia. Convenient sampling was followed for the recruitment of participants. Comparative group design was used. The participants were divided into two groups. The first group comprised of 10 individuals with aphasia while the second group comprised of 10 neurologically healthy individuals. The study was carried out in native and non-native languages of the participants. Based on this premise, two tasks were configured. The first task required the participants to judge the prosody of sentences in native language and the second task required the participants to judge the sentences based on the prosody in the non-native language. Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the performance of the two groups. Statistically significant difference between the two groups was found on both the tasks. The theoretical premise suggests that the linguistic prosody is affected in left brain damaged adults however, the affective prosody is spared in this population. The findings of the current study contradicted this result as perception of linguistic and affective prosody was found to be affected in persons with aphasia.
IT governance matter: A structured literature review
Authors: Kandil Nariman Osama , Abou-Elkheir Ehab Kamel , Kotb Amr M.
Published: August 2023

The aim of this paper is to critically explore information technology governance (ITG) context, its consequences, its various aspects, its determinants, disclosure, maturity, and challenges. There are some motivations that urge the researchers to carry out this study. First, the review of prior relevant literature reveals a limited number of studies addressing the IT governance context, its consequences, its various aspects, its determinants, and challenges. Second, very little is known about the potential implications of IT governance within the business and how it is significant to the decision-makers (e.g., shareholders, board of directors, executives, etc.). Finally, little research employs the structured literature review (SLR) approach to critically discuss and analyze the IT governance context with its various aspects. The systematic and structured literature review has been employed for a critical analysis of the previous studies on IT governance. It is found that effective ITG has a positive impact on the firm performance in consistent with Altemimi and Zakaria (2017), Hulme (2012). Additionally, it is concluded that there is a positive association between ITG, the trustworthiness and the level of financial disclosure agreeing with (Raghupathi, 2007; Ali & Green, 2007). It is also concluded that the level of ITG disclosure is higher within firms in Europe (67%) than in the US (49%) complementing with Joshi et al. (2013). The adoption of the SLR methodology enables this paper to derive unbiased empirical insights and critique into the current ITG research and to identify possible directions for future ITG research, which may possibly be of interest to the academics, regulators, and professional bodies (e.g., shareholders, board of directors, executives, etc.).
Cutaneous vascular reactions to prostaglandins in healthy subjects and in
Authors: Juhlin L , Michaëlsson G
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Clinical, serological and epidemiological features of Framboesia tropica (yaws)
Authors: Guthe T.
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Percutaneous absorption of Soman and Tabun, two organophosphorus cholinesterase
Authors: Fredriksson T.
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Adrenocortical suppression with small doses of topical corticosteroids.
Authors: Carr RD , Belcher RW.
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Further studies on the peroxidation of the surface lipids of the skin of rodents.
Authors: Glavind J , Christensen F.
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Allergic contact dermatitis caused by paper.
Authors: Wikström K.
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
The experimental use of oral phenylalanine mustard in the treatment of malignant
Authors: Perry HO , Windelmann RK.
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Adenosine triphosphatase activity as evidence for persistence of Langerhans cell in psoriatic scales
Authors: Shelley WB.
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Water evaporation from normal skin under different environmental conditions
Authors: Lamke LO. , Wedin B.
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Vehicle role of petrolatum. Absorption studies with metallic test compounds in guinea pigs
Authors: Wahlberg JE.
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Analysis of etiological factors of squamous cell skin cancer of different locations. 4. Concluding remarks
Authors: Swanbeck G. , Hillström L.
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Resistance and serological changes in rabbits immunized with virulent Treponema pallidum sonicate
Authors: Izzat N.N. , Knox J.M. , Dacres W.G. , Smith E.B.
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhoea with a single oral dose of doxycycline
Authors: S Lidén , H Hammar , L Hillström , J Wallin , S. Ohman
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Adenosine triphosphatase staining of dermatophytes
Authors: WB Shelley , L. Juhlin
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris. Prevalence, clinical observations and prognosis
Authors: L Hellgren , H Mobacken
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris. A follow-up study of a ten-year material
Authors: W Enfors , L. Molin
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Dystrophia unguis mediana canaliformis
Authors: K. Rehtijärvi
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Lupus erythematosus hypertrophicus et profundus
Authors: K. Dammert
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Immunologic properties of the -fibrous protein of human epidermis
Authors: HP Baden , LA Goldsmith , AM. Gifford
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Proteolytic enzymes in the skin. V. Extraction and column chromatographic separation of the human skin proteinases
Authors: Seppä HE , Jansén CT , Hopsu-Havu VK
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris treated with methotrexate
Authors: K. Thomsen
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Connective tissue in scleroderma. A biochemical study on the correlation of fractionated glycosaminoglycans and collagen in human skin
Authors: J Uitto , G Helin , P Helin , I. Lorenzen
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Erythema multiforme bullosum. Report of a severe case studied by electron microscopy
Authors: L Prutkin , MJ. Fellner
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Electron microscopic and autoradiographic study of S35-L-cystine incorporation in mouse hair follicles
Authors: Forslind B.
Published: August 2023

No abstract available
Azelaic acid vs. placebo: effects on normal human keratinocytes and melanocytes. Electron microscopic evaluation after long-term application in vivo
Authors: Mayer-da Silva A , Gollnick H  , Imcke E , Orfanos CE
Published: August 2023

The effects of topically applied 20% azelaic acid (AA) on normal human epidermis were investigated vs. placebo in a double blind study by electron microscopy in 15 volunteers. After 3 months of local application twice daily, the pattern of epidermal keratinization was found altered in skin treated with AA. In particular, the number and thickness of tonofilament bundles and the number of keratohyaline granules seemed decreased; the remaining granules were smaller, occasionally showing irregular electron densities. The perinuclear endoplasmic reticulum and the cytoplasmic cisternae were enlarged and swollen mitochondria were regularly observed in most malpighian keratinocytes. Thorough quantitative evaluation of the number and distribution of melanocytes by a MOP-videoplan computer system showed no differences between verum and placebo sites, although, the mean number of melanocytes had increased in both, as compared to the untreated controls taken before onset of therapy. No significant qualitative changes of the normal melanocytes were found. These findings indicate that azelaic acid may influence the differentiation of normal human keratinocytes by reducing the synthesis of keratin precursors and may, therefore, act as a mild antikeratinizing agent, whereas, the pigmentary system in normal human epidermis does not show any specific change after 3 months of treatment with AA.
The effect of grenz rays on irritant skin reactions in man
Authors: Lindelöf B , Lindberg M.
Published: August 2023

To investigate the effect of grenz rays on irritant contact reactions, eleven healthy volunteers were studied. They were given 3 Gy of grenz rays, once a week for 3 weeks, to a defined area of the back. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, serial dilution sodium lauryl sulphate patch tests were applied both on the grenz ray treated area and on the untreated control skin. Biopsy specimens were taken from the irritant reactions both from the grenz ray treated area and from the control area and different cell populations in dermis and epidermis were identified by monoclonal antibodies (Leu 2, 3, 4, 7, Leu M1, B1, OKT6). In the grenz ray treated epidermis there was a pronounced reduction of OKT6-positive cells but the composition of the dermal cellular infiltrate did not differ between control and grenz ray treated skin. The assessment of the patch test reactions did reveal a tendency towards weaker reactions in the grenz ray pre-treated skin but this difference was not statistically significant. It is concluded that grenz rays do not have a marked effect on the elicitation of irritant reactions.
Dermatitis induced or aggravated by selected foodstuffs
Authors: Veien NK , Hattel T  , Justesen O , Nørholm A
Published: August 2023

The eczema of 113 patients with dermatitis other than classical urticaria or typical atopic dermatitis cleared or showed marked improvement after one to two months of dietary restriction. In their response to a questionnaire completed at least 6 months after the initiation of the diet, 61 (54%) of these patients said that diet restriction was effective in reducing the activity of or preventing recurrence of their dermatitis. Their most common symptoms were recurrent symmetrical hand eczema, anogenital eczema, pruritic papules and excoriations of the trunk as well as a "fixed" type of eczema. Forty-nine of the 113 patients were able to reproduce their symptoms at least 3 times with certain food items, most commonly eggs, milk, tomato, cheese and fish. It is likely that both the classical food allergens and foods containing or producing histamine or other vasoactive substances could be the cause of such dermatoses or act as a non-specific aggravating factor. This type of reactivity was most common among patients with a personal and/or family history of atopic diseases (asthma, hay fever and/or atopic dermatitis). Symptoms corresponding to those of contact urticaria to food items were commonly seen among the patients.
Collagen biosynthesis in a case of epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica recessiva
Authors: Chamson A , Claudy A  , Frey J
Published: August 2023

Collagen metabolism was studied in fibroblast cultures from a patient presenting an epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica recessiva (EBDR) syndrome characterized, in particular, by blistering below the basal lamina observed by electron microscopy. The previously described increase in collagen production was confirmed and several other qualitative modifications of the secreted collagen were observed, including an underhydroxylation of lysine, a decrease in the type III/type I collagen ratio, and an increase in the rapidly degraded collagen. On the other hand, these fibroblasts were able to organize and contract collagen to form a dermal equivalent like normal fibroblasts. Normal keratinocytes can grow and form an epidermal sheet on the surface of these dermal equivalents including normal or pathological fibroblasts.
Alterations in scleroderma fibroblast surface glycoproteins associated with increased collagen synthesis
Authors: Kähäri VM , Heino J  , Larjava H , Vuorio E
Published: August 2023

Fibroblasts were cultured from affected and unaffected skin sites of 6 patients with localized scleroderma. As a parameter of fibroblast activation, collagen synthesis and cellular pro alpha 1(I)collagen mRNA levels were measured. Cell surface glycoproteins were labelled with the periodate/borohydride method and fractionated electrophoretically. A distinct reduction in the relative amount of surface glycoproteins in the 120 kDa region was observed in two affected cell lines producing increased amounts of collagen and in one affected cell line with normal collagen production when compared to unaffected fibroblast lines. Other, non-systematic alterations in the surface glycoproteins of the affected cell lines were also detected. Compared to unaffected and healthy control fibroblasts no alterations in the surface protein profiles were seen in the other three affected cell lines. These cells did not show an increase in collagen production either. The results suggest that the activation of collagen synthesis found in scleroderma fibroblasts might be connected with alterations in the normal cell surface glycoprotein pattern.
Cell populations in pagetoid reticulosis: an immunological study using cell activation associated monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Kaudewitz P , Burg G  , Majiewski G , Gerdes J  , Schwarting R , Braun-Falco O
Published: August 2023

The nature of the epidermal cellular infiltrate in pagetoid reticulosis is still subject to intense controversies. Using a panel of recently developed monoclonal antibodies against cell activation and proliferation associated antigens it was possible to demonstrate the activated state of numerous T cells within the lesional epidermis. Moreover approximately 10% of these T cells reacted with proliferation associated antigens. In addition macrophages and Langerhans´ cells were found to represent a regular constituent of the epidermal infiltrate with a density clearly exceeding that of unaffected adjacent epidermis. The close apposition of activated T cells and monocytic cells suggests an intensive interaction of both cell types in the development of the pagetoid reticulosis lesion.
Hair root studies in patients suffering from primary and secondary syphilis
Authors: Van der Willigen AH , Peereboom-Wynia JD  , Van der Hoek JC , Mulder PG  , Van Joost TH , Stolz E
Published: August 2023

The hair root status (trichogram) was studied in eleven patients with primary and eight with secondary syphilis. Variables studied in addition to the hair roots were absence or presence of hair root sheaths, deformities and hair roots with angulations exceeding 20 degrees. A decrease in the number of anagen hair roots and an increase in the number of catagen hair roots, dysplastic/dystrophic roots and anagen hair roots with sheaths and more than 20 degrees angulation was observed in both groups of patients. No difference was demonstrable between the findings in primary and those in secondary syphilis. Whether the abnormalities found in the trichogram are specific of syphilis, is unknown.
Scleroderma after occupational exposure to trichlorethylene and trichlorethane
Authors: Flindt-Hansen H , Isager H.
Published: August 2023

Three cases of scleroderma, developed after occupational exposure to trichlorethylene and trichlorethane are described. The question is raised whether exposure to these chlorohydrocarbon solvents may be an etiological factor.
Methotrexate treatment of psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Zachariae H , Zachariae E.
Published: August 2023

A prospective study was carried out over 12 months involving twenty-eight patients with psoriatic arthritis. Almost all patients improved dramatically with regard to both pain and function. Clinical assessment including evaluation of number of swollen joints, joint tenderness score, and morning stiffness was performed by external observer without any knowledge of previous evaluation data. These data together with patients´ assessment of pain and assessment of general condition, consumption of analgetics, and sedimentation rate improved significantly after three and six or twelve months. Apart from transient increases in serum transaminases no other abnormalities developed during the study.
Psoriatic hair follicle cells. III. Characterization of aberrant morphology in differentiating cultures
Authors: Lenoir MC , Vermeesch-Markslag AM  , Goos CM , Shroot B  , Vermorken AJ
Published: August 2023

Psoriatic and control human hair follicle keratinocytes were cultured on bovine eye lens capsules in Epicult dishes for a period of 5-6 weeks and examined using light microscopy. The following morphological differences between cultures were observed: 1. The lower cell layers contained predominantly flattened cells in psoriatic cultures instead of roundish in control cultures. 2. The differentiation pattern was irregular in psoriatic cultures instead of regular in control cultures. 3. The differentiated zone of psoriatic cultures was more compact and thicker in comparison to normal cultures. These differences might allow discrimination between normal and psoriatic cultures.
Density of Langerhans´ cells in ATPase stained epidermal sheet preparations from stasis dermatitis skin of the lower leg
Authors: Bahmer FA , Lesch H.
Published: August 2023

The density of Langerhans´ cells (LC) stained with ATPase was determined in epidermal sheet preparations in skin specimens from patients with stasis dermatitis of the lower leg. Their density was highest in areas adjacent to manifest stasis dermatitis areas. Clinically diseased skin contained less LC than the adjacent areas, but still more than skin from control patients without venous insufficiency. The increased number of ATPase positive cells within and around stasis dermatitis skin might contribute to the high number of contact allergies observed in this patient group because of the antigen presenting capacity of these cells.
Long term effect on epidermal dendritic cells of four different types of exogenous inflammation
Authors: Christensen OB , Wall LM.
Published: August 2023

In the present study we produced allergic, irritant, ultraviolet and liquid nitrogen inflammation in human volunteers. Biopsies were taken from each test site and adjacent normal skin as control 4-5 weeks later. The monoclonal antibodies OKT 6 and HLA-DR were used for light microscopic detection of Langerhans´ cells (LC). At all 4 post-inflammatory test sites the number of epidermal LC (OKT 6 positive as well as HLA-DR positive) were significantly increased compared to normal skin. Also, the density of dermal dendritic cells was increased in post-inflammatory test sites. The increased number of epidermal LC seems to be a result of inflammation and not a specific event strongly related to certain cutaneous inflammatory disorders. The present investigation supports the theory that epidermal LC play a role in skin homeostasis.
Methotrexate hepatotoxicity and concentrations of methotrexate and folate in erythrocytes--relation to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis
Authors: Zachariae H , Schrøder H  , Foged E , Søgaard H
Published: August 2023

Assessment of folate and methotrexate concentrations in erythrocytes has been suggested as criterion for when to institute liver biopsy surveillance during methotrexate treatment of psoriasis. We report an investigation of these parameters in thirty psoriatics on long-term methotrexate treatment. The patients were six psoriatics with histologically verified methotrexate-induced liver cirrhosis, eleven patients in which a blind histological evaluation had established a liver fibrosis in progression during treatment, and thirteen patients, who either had no liver fibrosis or no progression in the degree of fibrosis. There was no statistically significant difference in erythrocyte folate between the groups. When the two groups with progression were combined and compared with the group without progressive hepatic disease, erythrocyte methotrexate was found significantly higher in the patients with progression. Individual data, however, did not support the idea that assessment of folate and methotrexate in erythrocytes can limit the number of necessary liver biopsies during methotrexate treatment.
Epidermal hydration of psoriasis plaques and the relation to scaling. Measurement of electrical conductance and transepidermal water loss
Authors: Serup J , Blichmann C.
Published: August 2023

Seventy-seven plaques of ten patients with psoriasis vulgaris were studied with measurement of electrical conductance (3.5 MHz), measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and clinical scoring of erythema, induration and scaling. Uninvolved skin of the same body region served as control. Findings were very distinct with decreased conductance and increased TEWL. Plaques with no or mild scaling did not differ from grossly scaly plaques. Scales of psoriasis do not seem to exert any major occlusive effect on the water evaporation. The inverse relation between conductance and TEWL indicates reduced water-holding capacity of psoriatic epidermis, being a very common feature.
Influence of repeated washings with soap and synthetic detergents on pH and resident flora of the skin of forehead and forearm. Results of a cross-over trial in health probationers
Authors: Korting HC , Kober M  , Mueller M , Braun-Falco O
Published: August 2023

Ten healthy individuals washed their forehead and forearm twice a day over consecutive periods of four weeks with soap and synthetic detergents or vice versa (cross-over design). In general the pH values were higher during the period when soap was applied (the mean pH differed by 0.3 units, p less than 0.01). As a rule the counts of coagulase-negative staphylococci were not much altered. The number of propionibacteria, however, was markedly higher when soap was used (p = 0.02 and 0.01 resp.). At the forehead there was a clear correlation between bacterial counts and skin pH both with propionibacteria (0.56, p less than 0.001) and staphylococci (0.51, p less than 0.001). At the forearm only the former proved true (0.24, p less than 0.05). Thus the skin pH seems to be open to long-standing changes according to the preferred washing habits which may also be of major influence on the composition of the cutaneous bacterial flora.
Combination chemotherapy with bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, prednisone and etretinate (BCPE) in advanced mycosis fungoides: a six-year experience
Authors: Zachariae H , Thestrup-Pedersen K.
Published: August 2023

A six-year experience in 20 patients with advanced mycosis fungoides treated with combination chemotherapy with bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, prednisone and etretinate (BCPE) in advanced mycosis fungoides showed initial complete remissions in 16 patients (85%). The initial complete remissions lasted in average 8 months. A second complete remission was obtained in seven patients. The overall survival after 2 years was 50% and 30% after 4 years. At the time of the investigation six patients are alive, three in complete remission and three in partial remission. Two patients are in partial remission after 6 years, one of these had additional therapy with alfa-interferon. Patients entering the study until 1982 also received transfer factor, an immune stimulating agent. Since in 1982 a double-blind study revealed no differences between patients given the active--and patients given the inactive medication, no new patients since then had transfer factor. BCPE compares favourable with other chemotherapeutic regimes. The data presented seem to justify the use of retinoids as a part of combination chemotherapy in mycosis fungoides.
Delayed pressure urticaria syndrome: a clinical expression of interleukin 1
Authors: Shelley WB , Shelley ED.
Published: August 2023

Study of a patient with the bullous delayed pressure urticaria syndrome showed remarkable congruence of the extra-cutaneous findings and the known effects of interleukin 1: malaise, fever, myalgia, arthralgia, leukocytosis, increased sedimentation rate, and circulating acute phase reactants. As a result of this "clinical assay" for interleukin 1, we conclude that the delayed pressure urticaria syndrome is the clinical expression of interleukin 1, synthesized in the skin as a result of pressure and released into the circulation. Delayed urticaria, mediated by interleukin 1, is to be contrasted with immediate type urticaria, long known to be histamine mediated.
Common warts suggestive of allergy to metals: a case report
Authors: Kokelj F
Published: August 2023

This report describes the case of a woman positive to nickel and cobalt patch tests and presenting common warts in the sites of contact with metals.
Pili torti and hirsuties: are twisted hairs a normal variant?
Authors: Barth JH , Dawber RP.
Published: August 2023

Twisted hairs as seen in pili torti have been observed on the abdomen and thighs of hirsute men and women. The occurrence of twisted hairs in persons without the syndrome of pili torti is discussed.
IgE in atopic dermatitis: a study of the intercellular fluid
Authors: Beck HI , Hagdrup HK  , Brandrup F , Bonnevie-Nielsen V
Published: August 2023

In 33 adult patients with atopic dermatitis of mild to severe degree the concentration of IgE in serum (S) and intercellular fluid (IF) was studied by suction blister technique. The median value of IF/S-IgE was 0.20 and not different from the ratio 0.21 found in controls. Furthermore, by subdividing the patients into groups with asthma/rhinitis or different severities of eczema no significant differences in the IF/S-IgE ratios were found compared with the controls. In the controls the IF/S-IgE ratio (0.21) was significantly different from the IF/S-IgG ratio (0.32). The median ratio of IF/S-IgE divided by IF/S-IgG was 0.63, which might indicate a reduced passage of IgE into IF compared with IgG presumably dependent on differences in the molecular size or tertiary structure of the proteins.
Hendersonula toruloidea infection: successful response of onychomycosis to nail avulsion and topical ciclopiroxolamine
Authors: Rollman O , Johansson S.
Published: August 2023

The exotic mould Hendersonula toruloidea may occasionally produce a ringwormlike, non-inflammatory, therapy-resistant mycosis of the skin and nails simulating chronic dermatophytosis. We report on a 30-year-old Nigerian male who, after two years´ sojourn in Sweden, developed finger-nail dystrophy and mild scaling of the palm and sole skin due to H. toruloidea infection. Nail avulsion followed by long-term occlusive application of ciclopiroxolamine cleared the onychomycosis, whereas the sole and palm infection was resistant to ciclopiroxolamine and glutaraldehyde treatment.
Carcinomas following Grenz ray treatment of benign dermatoses
Authors: Mortensen AC , Kjeldsen H.
Published: August 2023

During the years 1977-1986 five patients were referred to the Department of Plastic Surgery. University Hospital, Arhus, for treatment of carcinomas occurring in the skin on the sites previously treated with Grenz rays for benign dermatoses. Grenz ray treatment had been given for eight to nineteen years. The dose given, in one case, was very extensive. Otherwise a dose between 10,000 rad (100 Gy) and 29,300 rad (293 Gy) was given. The tumours were squamous cell carcinomas in four cases and basal cell carcinoma in one case. One person developed both squamous and basal cell carcinomas. The tumours behaved aggressively and in one young patient the dura and the parietal bone had to be replaced by tensor fasciae latae graft and a free latissimus dorsi flap. None of the patients had been exposed to other known carcinogens. Caution in applying Grenz ray treatment is stressed.
Human epidermal Langerhans´ cells in bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Emtestam L , Hovmark A  , Lindberg M , Asbrink E
Published: August 2023

Through the epidermal analysis of 13 patients with bullous pemphigoid compared to controls, using OKT6 monoclonal antibodies on the light microscopic level and electron-microscopy, we found a redistribution of the Langerhans´ cells towards the basal membrane in combination with an increased total number of Langerhans´ cells. This redistribution was also noted in clinically normal skin from patients with bullous pemphigoid. The findings may be consistent with the theory of antigen presentation.
Effects of PUVA and mechlorethamine treatment of psoriatic patients on epidermal Langerhans´ cells
Authors: Torinuki W , Mauduit G  , Haftek M , Thivolet J
Published: August 2023

Using OKT6 monoclonal antibody, we investigated the number of epidermal Langerhans´ cells (LCs) in involved skin from patients with psoriasis, before and after mechlorethamine (HN2) or PUVA treatment. The number of LCs remained at about pretreatment number during three weeks of HN2 treatment alone, though they were reduced after 10 systemic PUVA treatments. Therefore, in contrast to PUVA which influences LCs, HN2 seems to have little effect on LCs. LCs in psoriatic plaques were, in number, 3-4 times less numerous than those in uninvolved, nontreated epidermis.
Antipsoriatic activity of 10-acyl analogues of dithranol (anthralin). II. Clinical comparison of dithranol and butantrone sticks with special reference to side effects
Authors: Brandt H
Published: August 2023

Thirty outpatients with limited (under 15% of skin area affected), symmetrical psoriasis of the plaque type were included in an open, right-left comparison study. Paraffin-based, 3% dithranol sticks (Ditrastick, Orion Pharmaceutica, Espoo, Finland) and similar, equimolar 4% butantrone sticks were used. Antipsoriatic activity, staining of the skin and clothes and irritation were the parameters followed up. An overall evaluation was made at the end of the trial. The antipsoriatic activity of dithranol and butantrone was almost equal at equimolar concentrations. Staining of the skin was significantly (at least p less than 0.05) milder with butantrone after 2 to 10 weeks treatment. Staining of clothes was less on the butantrone side for up to three months of use but was thereafter similar to that of dithranol. Irritation caused by butantrone reached its maximum only after 6 to 10 weeks and remained on average below the level of initial dithranol irritation. Six patients discontinued the treatment due to irritation by both preparations. Four patients tolerated better dithranol than butantrone. One patient could not use dithranol but cleared with butantrone. Thus, even if butantrone has an antipsoriatic efficacy almost equal to that of dithranol and is less staining than dithranol, it causes in some patients slowly increasing irritation with Koebner-like deterioration of the disease after some weeks of uneventful overnight use.
Irritation and staining by dithranol (anthralin) and butantrone (10-butyryl dithranol): further short contact and tape stripping experiments
Authors: Göransson A
Published: August 2023

Ten psoriatics were tested with three concentrations of butantrone (0.66, 2.0 and 3.9%) on the healthy skin of the back and the irritant and staining reactions were compared with those produced by 0.1 and 0.5% dithranol, both in white petrolatum. Of the three test areas one was stripped before exposure to simulate the penetration of a psoriasis lesion, one after exposure to simulate posttreatment washing and one was unstripped. The contact times were 20 and 60 min. The degrees of erythema and staining, and the increase in skin blood flow were measured 1, 2, 3 and 7 days after application. Both dithranol concentrations produced a markedly stronger increase of blood flow and erythema than any of the butantrone concentrations and a clear dose response when the concentration was raised from 0.1 to 0.5%. Such a dose response was not clearly seen with butantrone. Staining with both dithranol and butantrone was minimal. Apparently, higher concentrations of butantrone than dithranol can be used in short contact therapy if cumulation of the drug can be excluded by a short contact time and careful removal of the surplus drug.
A preliminary study of the effect of 11a-hydroxyprogesterone on the hair growth in men suffering from androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Van der Willigen AH , Peereboom-Wynia JD  , Van Joost T , Stolz E
Published: August 2023

Ten male patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia were treated during one year with a lotion containing 1% 11a-hydroxyprogesterone. Eight untreated patients served as control group. The parameters used were hair root status, hair shaft diameter of anagen hair roots and number of hairs with a diameter less than 40 micron. After therapy the cranial region showed an increase in the number and mean hair shaft diameter of anagen hair roots and in the number of hair roots with a diameter less than 40 micron. The number of hair roots in catagen/telogen decreased, the number of dysplastic/dystrophic hair roots remained unchanged. After therapy the cranial region in the controls showed a decrease in number and mean hair shaft diameter of anagen roots, and in the number of dysplastic/dystrophic hair roots. There was an increase in number of hair roots in catagen/telogen and of hair roots with a diameter less than 40 micron. The results warrant the conclusion that the above mentioned therapy would seem to be effective in men suffering from androgenetic alopecia.
Impacts of Morphological Knowledge on the Degree of Lexical Complexity and the Quality of Academic Essays of EFL Intermediate Students
Authors: Thanh Thi Hoai , Yen Phuong Hoang
Published: August 2023

In the context of learning English in secondary schools and high schools in Vietnam in general and in Mekong Delta in particular, writing is usually considered the most challenging skill for the majority of students. These students frequently encounter a lot of obstacles in their writing practices, such as high-standard conventions in academic writing, complicated grammatical structures, lack of ideas, an insufficient amount of time spent on writing in class, as well as poor and noncomplex vocabulary. Such challenges do not only result in low performances and low scores but also students’ fear and loss of interest in writing lessons. Several previous studies indicated that the teaching of morphology had positive impacts on expanding students’ vocabulary, and indirectly improved the quality of their writing. This current study was conducted in order to examine the impacts of teaching morphology to EFL intermediate students on the degree of lexical complexity and the quality of their academic essays. This study employed the experimental research approach, which utilized three different research instruments: writing tests (before and after the study), questionnaires (before and after the study), and focus group interviews (after the study). This 14-week study was carried out at a private English center in Mekong Delta, with the participation of two groups of EFL students who were studying at the same level and progress. The results revealed that the instruction of morphology to EFL intermediate students had positive impacts on the degree of lexical complexity and the quality of their academic essays. Moreover, the results of the questionnaires and interviews also pointed out that these students had positive attitudes towards the instruction of morphology in their academic essay writing lessons. Finally, several recommendations and pedagogical implications were concluded with the attempt of contributing to the innovation of teaching vocabulary and teaching writing in the context of secondary schools and high schools in Mekong Delta particularly and Vietnam generally.