bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histopathological Evaluation of Griseofulvin Therapy in Lichen planus
Authors: Sehgal V.N. , Bikhchandani R. , Koranne R.V. , Nayar M. , Saxena H.M.K.
Published: October 2009

In a double-blind trial on 44 patients having lichen planus, 500 mg griseofulvin-FP daily for 8 weeks produced significantly better results compared to a placebo. The clinical improvement was accompanied by corresponding histological changes.
Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin Recurrence Rate after Different Types of Treatment
Authors: Reymann Flemming
Published: October 2009

On the basis of own investigations and a survey of the literature, it is shown that the recurrence rate following various types of treatment used for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is somewhat higher than generally assumed. Irrespective of the method used, the results obtained after treatment of recurrent BCCs are less favorable. Consequently, it is strongly recommended that patients be closely controlled for a period of years following treatment and that only specially trained doctors carry out the treatment. The possibility of centralizing treatment of BCC of the skin to dermatological units is put forward.
A Serological Study of Herpes simplex Virus Type 1 Antibody over a 13-Year Period
Authors: Ratner Joan J. , Sanford Barbara A. , Smith Kendall O.
Published: October 2009

HSV–1 serum antibody titers determined by 50% plaque reduction and confirmed by radioimmunoassay in 11 samples from an individual over a 13-year period indicated a significant increase between the first sample and a sample taken 9 years later. This increase did not seem to reflect loss of antibody in the low titered serum sample due to storage.
Lymphomatoid Papulosis
Authors: Shamsuddin A.K.M. , Nedwich A. , Toker C.
Published: October 2009

Transmission electron microscopic study of the bizarre infiltrating cells from a case of lymphomatoid papulosis reveals intranuclear and intracytoplasmic viruslike particles. These cells have large nuclei with multiple nucleoli, scant to moderate profiles of rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and a variable number of lysosomes. It is suggested that these abnormal cells are macrophages showing viral cytopathogenic effects.
Atypical Tuberous Myxedema Jadassohn-Dössekker
Authors: Suter L. , Vakilzadeh F. , Macher E.
Published: October 2009

A 48-year-old male patient with atypical tuberous myxedema Jadassohn-Dössekker, characterized by nodules on both upper legs with mucin deposits, is described. Atypical tuberous myxedema Jadassohn-Dössekker can be classified together with lichen myxedematosus and scleromyxedema Arndt-Gottron as normothyrotic myxodermia. It can be distinguished from lichen myxedematosus only by the size of the lesions. The pathogenesis is unknown.
Über das eingekapselte intraneurale granuläre Neurom (Feyrter)
Authors: Altmeyer P.
Published: October 2009

Two cutaneously and subcutaneously localized nodules of the left mamma from a 66-year-old patient were excised. The lesions were flesh-colored, firm and well circumscribed. Sections of the tumors show the typical aspects of granular cell tumor. The lesions were both surrounded by a condensation of fibrous tissue which formed a capsule. This condensation of fibrous tissue resembled and on some sections was in continuity with the perineurium of a nerve. In addition to that is the finding of granular cells situated within a nerve fascicle and apparently replacing several, or all, of the nerve fibres.
Le benzoyl peroxyde dans le traitement des ulcères de jambe
Authors: Ramelet A.-A. , van Melle G.
Published: October 2009

40 leg ulcers were treated for 6 weeks by application twice a day of a 20% benzoyl peroxide lotion. Each ulcer was regularly measured and its bacterial flora was determined. Therapeutic results were very satisfactory: the average healing rate of the ulcers was 62.8% of the initial wound area after 4 weeks of treatment and 76.5% after 6 weeks of treatment. The bacterial flora of the ulcers changed during treatment, streptococci and staphylococci disappeared. Pseudomonas aeruginosa became abundant.
Mitteilungen – Communications Alcohol Contact Urticaria Syndrome (Immediate-Type Hypersensitivity)
Authors: Rilliet Annie , Hunziker Nicole , Brun Robert
Published: October 2009

A case of alcohol contact urticaria is described. The immediate reactions with most of the primary alcohols were positive. Passive transfer was achieved.
Diagnostische Möglichkeiten für Herpes-simplex-Virusinfektionen
Authors: Schilt U. , Krebs A.
Published: October 2009

Culturing herpes simplex virus is rapid and economic for establishing an etiological diagnosis. Serological tests are only of limited value. Differentiation of type I and type II strains is necessary in the course of therapeutic studies. Analysis of the herpes simplex virus genom with restriction enzymes offers a novel tool for epidemiological and clinical investigations.
Topical Erythromycin for Acne vulgaris
Authors: Hellgren Lars , Vincent Jan
Published: October 2009

The clinical response of topical erythromycin (1%) in a new penetrative vehicle was evaluated in a double-blind investigation on 28 patients with severe and moderate acne vulgaris. The verum preparation was superior to the placebo in 21 of the patients, while in 4 the reverse was true and in 3 no differences were seen. It is thus obvious that topical erythromycin in the penetrative vehicle is a potent agent for acne treatment. The risk for development of resistant Propionibacterium acnes strains must, however, be considered in topical as well as in systemic antibiotic therapy of acne vulgaris.
Toll-Like Receptor-9 Agonist Inhibits Airway Inflammation, Remodeling and Hyperreactivity in Mice Exposed to Chronic Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Allergen
Authors: Song Dae Jin , Min Myung Goo , Miller Marina , Cho Jae Youn , Yum Hye Yung , Broide David H.
Published: October 2009

Background: As passive environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in nonsmokers can increase both asthma symptoms and the frequency of asthma exacerbations, we utilized a mouse model, in which ovalbumin (OVA) + ETS induce significantly increased levels of eosinophilic airway inflammation and remodeling compared to either stimulus alone, to determine whether a Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR-9) agonist could reduce levels of airway inflammation, airway remodeling and airway hyperreactivity (AHR). Methods: Mice treated with or without a TLR-9 agonist were sensitized to OVA and challenged with OVA + ETS for 1 month. AHR to methacholine was assessed in intubated and ventilated mice. Lung Th2 cytokines and TGF-β1 were measured by ELISA. Lungs were processed for histology and immunohistology to quantify eosinophils, mucus, peribronchial fibrosis and smooth muscle changes using image analysis. Results: Administration of a TLR-9 agonist to mice coexposed to chronic ETS and chronic OVA allergen significantly reduced levels of eosinophilic airway inflammation, mucus production, peribronchial fibrosis, the thickness of the peribronchial smooth muscle layer, and AHR. The reduced airway remodeling in mice treated with the TLR-9 agonist was associated with significantly reduced numbers of peribronchial MBP+ and peribronchial TGF-β1+ cells, and with significantly reduced levels of lung Th2 cytokines [interleukin-5 and interleukin-13] and TGF-β1. Conclusion: These studies demonstrate that TLR-9-based therapies inhibit airway inflammation, remodeling and AHR in mice coexposed to ETS and allergen who exhibit enhanced airway inflammation and remodeling.
Antiapoptotic Seminal Vesicle Protein IV Induces Histamine Release from Human FcεRI+ Cells
Authors: Prevete Nella , Rossi Francesca Wanda , Triggiani Massimo , Marone Gianni , de Paulis Amato , Metafora Vittoria , De Maria Salvatore , Cartenì Maria , Ragone Raffaele , Ravagnan Gianpietro , Metafora Salvatore
Published: October 2009

Background: Seminal vesicle protein number 4 (SV-IV) is a small, basic, multifunctional, intrinsically disordered secretory protein synthesized in large amounts by rat seminal vesicle epithelium under androgen transcriptional control. SV-IV-immunorelated proteins occur in other rat tissues and in humans. Methods: The in vitro effect of SV-IV on human FcΕRI+ cells was investigated by standard immunologic, biochemical and molecular biology procedures. Results: SV-IV-induced histamine release from human basophils and lung mast cells without any influence on leukotriene C4 release and cell migration. The histamine release rate was slower compared with that induced by anti-IgE, the temperature dependence of the event being similar. SV-IV-induced histamine release was Ca2+-dependent, suggesting a physiological interaction of the protein with FcΕRI+ cells. SV-IV and anti-IgE acted synergistically on the histamine release. SV-IV did not induce de novo synthesis of cytokines and growth factors (transforming growth factor-β1, interleukin-10, interleukin-13, tumor necrosis factor-α, vascular endothelial growth factor A) in FcΕRI+ cells. Conclusions: SV-IV protein induces in human FcΕRI+ cells the release of histamine, a proinflammatory, antiapoptotic and immunosuppressive biogenic amine. These data: (1) are consistent with the antiapoptotic and immunosuppressive properties of SV-IV; (2) confirm a regulatory feature of SV-IV on mammal inflammatory reactivity by either inhibiting the arachidonate cascade pathway or stimulating proinflammatory cytokine release from lymphocyte/monocytes and histamine from FcΕRI+ cells; (3) raise the possibility of a protective role of SV-IV on implanting hemiallogenic blastocysts against maternal reactive oxygen species and immunological attacks at the uterine implantation site.
Oral Challenge with Pasteurized Egg White from Gallus domesticus
Authors: Jurado-Palomo Jesús , Fiandor-Román Ana María , Bobolea Irina Diana , Sánchez-Pastor Sofía , Pascual Cristina Y. , Quirce Santiago
Published: October 2009

Background: Since raw egg may cause digestive toxic infections, we assessed whether pasteurized raw egg white is as reliable as fresh raw egg white in the diagnosis of egg allergy. Methods: Thirty-two egg-allergic children were challenged with both pasteurized and fresh raw egg white. Open challenges were carried out with increasing doses of pasteurized raw egg white and fresh raw egg white administered every 60 min. Results: Eleven children (34.4%) had positive challenges with pasteurized raw egg white. Twenty-one children (65.62%) who tolerated pasteurized raw egg white also had a negative challenge with fresh raw egg white. If the challenge with pasteurized raw egg white resulted positive, the study was stopped. The protein profile and IgE-binding capacity of both pasteurized and fresh egg white were almost identical as observed by SDS-PAGE and IgE immunoblotting. In the IgE immunoblotting-inhibition and ImmunoCAP-inhibition assays, both extracts behaved in a similar way. Conclusions: We did not find any relevant allergenic differences between fresh and pasteurized egg white. This study supports the use of pasteurized egg white in the diagnosis of allergy to fresh raw egg proteins.
Transfer Factor in Mycosis fungoides: Three Years Experience
Authors: Zachariae H. , Ellegaard J. , Grunnet E. , Thestrup-Pedersen K.
Published: October 2009

13 patients with clinically and histologically verified mycosis fungoides were treated with transfer factor as additional therapy to the hitherto conventional treatment after this had failed. After approximately 3 years, complete remission was present in 3 patients, 4 patients were significantly improved and registered as being in partial remission, while the condition was registered as no change in 3 patients. 1 patient was found worse, 1 patient had died after discontinuation of therapy and 1 patient was out of the study. In this case treatment was withdrawn because of the development of contact urticaria to nitrogen mustard, her basic therapy. The number of T lymphocytes, which was low prior to treatment, increased to normal values during the therapeutic period. During the first year a decrease in serum IgE was noted. The results of the clinical evaluation seem to indicate that transfer factor may be of value as an additional therapeutic agent in mycosis fungoides. Controlled investigations are needed and are in progress.
Molluscum contagiosum Limited to a Scar
Authors: Isaac Florence
Published: October 2009

A case of molluscum contagiosum confined to burn scar is described.
Dose Measurement in PUVA Therapy
Authors: De Bersaques J.
Published: October 2009

The dose emitted by the fluorescent tubes used in PUVA therapy is not constant: it varies in function of time, age of the lamps, and several other factors. Exact knowledge of the dose given to the patient requires continuous measurement and integration of the UV-A output.
Klinische und immunologische Untersuchungen bei Wärme-Kontakt-Urtikaria
Authors: Wüthrich B.
Published: October 2009

A case of localized urticaria in an otherwise healthy young woman, produced only by direct contact of the skin with heat, is described. The minimal temperature of urtication was 44°C (immersion of the forearm in hot water for 5 min). Redness and painful oedema immediately developed without reflex flare. Total serum IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, complement factors C3 and C4, and α1-antitrypsin were in the normal range, whereas the C1-inhibitor level was slightly decreased. There was no evidence of circulating immune complexes in the serum. A skin test and a RAST with house dust were positive, but there were no signs of respiratory atopy. An attempt for passive transfer of heat urticaria into the abdominal skin of a rhesus monkey failed, but was successful for house dust. A treatment trial with ketotifen, a new, perorally acting anti-allergic drug, was poorly effective, but dexchlorpheniramine maleate, a classical antihistaminic, in a dose of 12 mg daily completely suppressed the swelling evoked by heat, but not the erythema, suggesting that other tissue or plasma factors than histamine may be involved in the mechanism of heat urticaria in this patient.
Enzymzytochemische und immunzytologische Differenzierung von Infiltratzellen in der Haut bei Mycosis fungoides
Authors: Büchner Stanislaus A.
Published: October 2009

In 4 patients with mycosis fungoides in the praemycotic, infiltrative and tumour stage of the disease, a differentiation and functional characterization of the infiltrate cells, obtained from cell suspensions and cutaneous smears, was carried out by means of enzyme cytochemical and immunological methods. The lymphocyte-associated acid esterase is considered to be a marker for mature T-cell populations. Apart from monocytes and histiocytes, acid esterase-positive small lymphocytoid cells with T-cell properties are found in the praemycotic stage. In the tumour stage, large lymphocytoid cells become increasingly prevalent, they show no acid esterase activity, but an intracytoplasmatic-localized reaction in the acid phosphatase activity. On the basis of the cytochemical pattern, it is assumed that these cells represent proliferating lymphoblasts.
Télangiectasies nævoïdes acquises
Authors: Reymond J.L. , Stoebner P. , Amblard P.
Published: October 2009

Clinical and ultrastructural study of three cases of acquired nevoid telangiectasia: (1) angioma serpiginosum, (2) angiokeratoma neviformis, and (3) unilateral nevoid telangiectasia. Despite the clinical similarities, the ultrastructural aspects of these lesions are different, showing: (1) ectasia of arteriolar type, (2) budding of capillaries, and (3) ectasia of venular type. The physiopathological mechanism of these lesions seems to be different.
Les phénomènes d’adaptation parasitaire des champignons pathogènes en médecine humaine et vétérinaire
Authors: Biguet J.
Published: October 2009

The pathogen species involved in medical and veterinary mycology can be divided into three categories according to their level of increasing adaptation to parasitism. Only the third category includes a few species (some dermatophytes) which can be regarded as genuine parasites. The opportunistic fungi belong to the first or the first two the three categories according to the given definition. The various possible factors of preadaptation or adaptation to parasitic life (physical factors, biochemical factors, avoidance of the immunological pressure and ecological factors) are discussed. Except for the species belonging to the first category they probably are efficient only if the host does not react normally.
Progrès récents des techniques immunologiques dans le diagnostic des mycoses systémiques
Authors: Bastide J.M. , Mallie M. , Richard M.
Published: October 2009

The new immunological techniques used for the diagnosis of systemic mycoses are very specific. Purified antigens are now available and new methods allow the detection of various classes of specific antibodies. Precipitation tests, such as bidimensional electrophoresis and electroimmunodiffusion, are compared with passive agglutination tests; radioimmunoassays and enzyme immunoassays are analyzed. The value and utilization of cellular immunity and various other tests are discussed.
Les champignons en pathologie pulmonaire
Authors: Wegmann T.
Published: October 2009

The author presents the most frequently observed pulmonary infections due to some opportunistic fungi (yeasts, Aspergillus, Mucor). He describes the criteria for a correct diagnosis of pulmonary mycosis.
Connective Fibers Involved in the Dermoepidermal Anchorage
Authors: Rodrigo Guerra , Cotta-Pereira G.
Published: October 2009

The human dermoepidermal anchoring fibrils, the oxytalan fibers, and the elaunin fibers have been related with dermoepidermal adherence. In the present work their ultrastructure and origin are studied. The similarity between the segment long-spacing tropocollagen molecular aggregates and the anchoring fibrils band patterns is evidenced. This fact supports the concept that the anchoring fibrils may be formed by a mechanism of side by side tropocollagen molecular aggregation after its polar binding to the basement lamina. The oxytalan fibers were studied in the superficial dermis, and their direct continuity with the elaunin fibers was demonstrated. The role of these fibers in the dermoepidermal mechanical adhesion is discussed.
Evaluation of Treatment of Lepromatous Leprosy Patients in The Netherlands
Authors: Faber W.R. , Leiker D.L.
Published: October 2009

The results of treatment of the group of leprosy patients at the lepromatous side of the leprosy spectrum registered at the Department of Dermatology of the University of Amsterdam in the years 1950–1976 were studied. The average duration of treatment to obtain bacteriologically negative skin biopsies in patients who were untreated at the time of registration, was 5 years. A substantial number of patients suffered a relapse; the main reasons for these relapses were discontinuation of treatment and DDS treatment in low dosage.
Effect of Benzoyl Peroxide on Skin Surface Lipids
Authors: Fanta D. , Müller M.M.
Published: October 2009

Investigations have been performed on the effect of benzoyl peroxide on skin surface lipids by direct lipid extraction with petrol ether and quantitative determination. Though there was no change after 1 week treatment, after 4 weeks a significant reduction of the casual level as well as the replacement sum could be observed.
Oral Treatment of Pustulosis Palmo-Plantaris with a New Retinoid, Ro 10-9359
Authors: Fredriksson T. , Pettersson U.
Published: October 2009

Ro 10-9359 is a retl·noic acid derivative, selected for study because of a better tolerance than retinoic acid, shown in animal experiments. Earlier clinical experience has proved Ro 10–9359 to be an extremely potent antipsoriatic drug. The well-known association between psoriasis and pustulosis palmoplantaris was a motivation to evaluate Ro 10-9359 also in the last-mentioned disease, which is notoriously known to be resistant to treatment. In this study 30 patients were given either 75 mg/day of Ro 10-9359 or 200 mg twice every week according to a randomized pattern. All patients had suffered from the disease for at least 2 years without any spontaneous remission during the year preceding the trial. After a treatment period of about 2 weeks with Ro 10–9359 hyper-keratotic scales had usually disappeared, and 2 weeks later there were in general significantly less pustular lesions. The treatment continued for 8 weeks, and at this time the average reduction of the number of pustules was 80%. The daily dosage seemed to give better results and was also better tolerated than was the twice-weekly dosage. Side effects were common, but generally mild. On average, the remission lasted 1 month after cessation of therapy.
RNA and Protein Synthesis of Dyskeratotic Cells in Morbus Darier
Authors: Sato A. , Anton-Lamprecht I. , Schnyder U.W.
Published: October 2009

RNA and protein synthesis of dyskeratotic cells in Darier’s disease was studied by autoradiography after in vitro incubation with 3H-uridine, 3H-leucine and 3H-histidine. These three isotopes were incorporated in cells constituting the basis and wall of the lacuna, while they did not accumulate in isolated acantholytic and dyskeratotic cells in the lacuna, corps ronds and grains.
Etude expérimentale de la phototoxicité de l’essence de Bergamote
Authors: Girard J. , Unkovic J. , Delahayes J. , Lafille C.
Published: October 2009

Phototoxicity of bergamot oil in solar simulating radiation (SSR ≥ 290 nm) and in long ultraviolet radiation (LUV ≥ 320 nm) has been compared by studying photoaugmentation of erythema in the guinea pig after 24 h and pigmentary photoaugmentation in man on the 8th day. The results show that a close relationship exists between guinea pig and human responses, with both radiations used, and that man seems to be slightly more sensitive to phototoxic effects of bergamot oil than the guinea pig. This difference of sensitivity necessarily implies the participation of U VA (320–400 nm) in the phototoxic reaction of bergamot oil with solar radiation. This UVA participation is particularly obvious in the guinea pig; in man, the results are less clear and a certain synergy of UVB rays (290–320 nm) may be involved in the phototoxic UVA-induced reaction of bergamot oil. Despite these slight differences, the erythematous reaction in the guinea pig appears to be a remarkable experimental model to show out potential phototoxic reactions of products containing psoralens in man.
Severe Erosive Stomatitis and Giant Lymph Node Hyperplasia of Retroperitoneum (Castleman’s Tumor)
Authors: Tagami Hachiro , Sagawa Kimitaka , Imamura Sadao , Uchiyama Takashi , Takatsuki Kiyoshi
Published: October 2009

A severe, extensive, erosive stomatitis developed in a 33-year-old Japanese man who had had intraperitoneal giant lymph node hyperplasia (Castleman’s tumor) of the hyaline-vascular type. Histologically, there was a dense lymphoid cell infiltration in the dermis with invasion of the mucosal epithelium. It was hypothesized that an autoaggressive attack of lymphoid cells against the epithelium of the oral mucosa played a role in the pathogenesis of this erosive stomatitis and it was suggested that there might be a correlation between the occurrence of stomatitis and the presence of Castleman’s tumor.
Leukocyte Motility in Acne conglobata
Authors: Wahba A.
Published: October 2009

Leukocytes derived from the peripheral blood of 10 patients with acne conglobata demonstrated enhanced chemotactic and random migratory activities in comparison with leukocytes from 10 healthy subjects. This enhancement is most probably secondary to the state of chronic infection and inflammation. These findings probably rule out a defect in leukocyte motility as a cause of the severity of the lesions in acne conglobata.
Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin with Ultrasoft X-Rays
Authors: Reymann Flemming , Kopp Heinrich
Published: October 2009

The results of a follow-up study carried out in 1975–76 are described. The study involved 454 patients who had received ultrasoft X-ray treatment for basal cell carcinomas during the period 1965–1969. In females, the percentage of recurrence was 4.9, in males, 11.9. The figures indicating the frequency of recurrence are minimum ones; the patients were selected to a certain extent, the large tumors being treated surgically. The most important result of the study was the observation that approximately 30% of the X-ray scars examined were so disfiguring from a cosmetic point of view that they must be characterized as unacceptable. The indications for X-ray treatment of basal cell carcinomas should, consequently, be limited to deep-growing tumors or tumors which are not well demarcated, and to tumors in elderly patients, who should be spared surgery.
Bullous Pemphigoid and Metastatic Skin Cancer
Authors: Ikai Kouichi , Imamura Sadao , Ogino Atsuhiko , Danno Kiichiro , Hayakawa Minoru
Published: October 2009

A case of bullous pemphigoid associated with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the skin from the oral cavity, is described. Such an association of these two uncommon entities does not appear to have been reported previously.
Untreated Acrodermatitis Enteropathica in Adults
Authors: Ølholm-Larsen Poul
Published: October 2009

In the literature six cases of acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) are described in which the patients survived to adult age. In a few of these cases the symptoms disappeared at the onset of puberty, while in the rest the disease had a fluctuating course with long symptom-free intervals and an uncharacteristic symptomatology. Two cases are reported. In case 1 there remained only characteristic skin changes on the feet at adult age, in case 2 both skin and intestinal symptoms disappeared at adult age. For long periods this patient was invalidated through depressions, a symptom which is characteristic of children suffering from an active AE. The same patient developed parkinsonism at a relatively young age. In both cases a very low serum zinc level essentially supported the diagnosis. It is possible that AE in adults is underdiagnosed because of an uncharacteristic symptomatology.
Condyloma-Like Lesions Possibly Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Haim S. , Levi J.
Published: October 2009

A 2-year-old girl suffered from continuous pyogenic inflammation in the anogenital region probably enhanced by neurological alterations. In one episode, the inflammatory process presented multiple moist papillomatous growths on the labia majora and along the anal margin which are thought to have been caused by gonococcal infection.
Studies on Human Semen in Topical Corticosteroid-Treated and in Methotrexate-Treated Psoriatics
Authors: Grunnet E. , Nyfors A. , Hansen Brogaard
Published: October 2009

Ejaculates were studied from ten men with severe psoriasis treated with topical corticosteroids and from ten similar patients who had received methotrexate therapy from 1 to 9 years. It was not possible to demonstrate any unfavorable effect on the semen quality during the methotrexate therapy. The semen analysis was more frequently found normal (p = 0.04) in the methotrexate treated group, and no specific abnormality was found in spermatozoa of methotrexate-treated patients. Methotrexate therapy to male psoriatics seems safe and in agreement with this no congenital abnormalities have been reported. A remarkable number of the ejaculates had reduced sperm qualities, and it is proposed that this might be due to psoriatic lesions in the genital tract.
Kontrolle röntgenbestrahlter tuberöser Hämangiome nach 15–20 Jahren
Authors: Zala L. , Wanner H. , Faessler R. , Krebs A.
Published: October 2009

The treatment of hemangiomas with X-rays has been sharply criticized because of their tendency to involute spontaneously. It has been the aim of this catamnestic study to re-examine for X-ray injury those patients, whose hemangiomas were irradiated 15–20 years ago. The findings indicate that signs of roentgenoderma can appear already with 800 r and increase rapidly over 1,500 r. The observed irreversible damages, however, were mostly not grave, but admonish a certain amount of restraint. An assessment of the effectiveness of low X-ray doses still requires verification considering a faster spontaneous involution.
Is Mycosis fungoides an ‘Immunoma’
Authors: Schuppli R.
Published: October 2009

New knowledge of the function and biological behaviour of the cells of the lymphocytic system justifies a critical reappraisal of the nature and origin of mycosis fungoides (MF). The fact that in MF the immune response remains active during the whole course of the disease distinguishes it from other malignant processes. On the basis of the well-known fact that chronic stimulation of the immunological system may lead to tumour formation, the hypothesis is stressed that MF may be an ‘immunocytoma’ or ‘immunoma’. New findings indicate that immunological stimulation of lymphocytes may lead to the formation of endogenous oncogenic viruses. All these questions should be investigated in as many centres as possible.
Immunization of Mice with a Mutant of Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Reiss Frederick , Alture-Werber Erna
Published: October 2009

In 69% of subdermally and 50% of subcutaneously immunized mice, immunity against Cryptococcus neoformans was obtained. The vaccine consisted of a γ-irradiated mutant, which grew well at 5 °C and at room temperature. Many subcultures and animal passages did not restore this mutant to the encapsulated, pathogenic wild type.
Lack of Effect of Vitamin A on Differentiation in Squamous Carcinoma
Authors: Kuni Christopher C.
Published: October 2009

High oral doses of vitamin A given to Irish rats bearing squamous carcinomas failed to produce detectable light level histologic change in the tumors. The cell line was grown in tissue culture with and without vitamin A; electron-microscopic examination failed to reveal significant differences between experimental and control cultures.
Bleomycin Therapy in Mycosis fungoides
Authors: van Vloten W.A. , Polano M.K.
Published: October 2009

Nine patients with mycosis fungoides in different stages were treated with Bleomycin. Much better results were obtained with this new drug in the six patients with the infiltrative or beginning tumour stage than in the patients in the advanced tumour stage. Complete remission was not seen. In one case the results were objectivized by DNA cytophotometry. The role of Bleomycin in the treatment of mycosis fungoides is discussed. It is concluded that Bleomycin is not the medicament of choice for the treatment of mycosis fungoides.
Über Porphyria-cutanea-tarda-artige Hautveränderungen bei Langzeithämodialysepatienten
Authors: Korting G.W.
Published: October 2009

In two female patients with prolonged maintenance hemodialysis, blisters and postbullous erosions could be observed. One case also showed raised amounts of uroporphyrin I and III in the urine.
Who Was Standing at the Cradle of Phoniatrics? To Celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Name of Our Medical Specialty
Authors: Vrtička Karel
Published: October 2009

Since the very beginnings of medicine, physicians have been concerned with the study of normal and the therapy of disturbed verbal communication. However, no professional name for their specific activities has been handed down. The ancient Athenian phonascoi and Roman phonasci were voice trainers and not physicians although they also advised the performers on dietetic and behavioral measures. The British throat specialist Sir Morell Mackenzie was the first physician who called himself – in the eighties of the 19th century – phoniatros. Yet, his pioneering work found no echo and was reported only eight decades later. Hermann Gutzmann Sr. is credited as the founder of phoniatrics. In fact, in 1905 he laid the foundation for this specialty but he called it medical voice and speech pathology (Sprachheilkunde). The present-day name of phoniatrics was first used – independently of Mackenzie’s proposal – by Miloslav Seeman and Hugo Stern, and it was the latter of the two who introduced it in 1919 to the public. After the formation of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP) by Emil Fröschels in 1924, phoniatrics has been accepted worldwide as the official name of medical communicology.
School-Aged Children’s Production of /s/ and /r/ Consonant Clusters
Authors: McLeod Sharynne , Arciuli Joanne
Published: October 2009

Objective: To describe the acquisition of /s/ and /r/ word-initial consonant clusters across 2 elicitation modalities. Patients and Methods: Seventy-four typically developing children aged 5–12 years produced 2- and 3-element /s/ and /r/ consonant clusters in word-initial position. Stimuli were presented pictorially and as written words in separate trials. Results: Overall, 94.5% of the consonant clusters were produced correctly. Two-element /r/ clusters were 94.0% correct, 2-element /s/ clusters were 96.8% correct, and 3-element clusters were 92.0% correct. The age of acquisition was typically younger than established by previous researchers. The characteristic non-adult production of /s/ consonant clusters was the substitution of /s/ with interdental or lateral phonemes, and of /r/ consonant clusters the substitution of /r/ with [w]. The last consonant clusters to be mastered were: /θr/ (thr), /str/, /spr/ and /skr/. There were no significant differences in error rates across the modalities; although younger children required significantly more prompting when naming written words. Conclusion: Primary-school-aged children characteristically produced /s/ and /r/ consonant clusters correctly. The accuracy of production was not influ- enced by the elicitation modality. Elicitation using pictures compared with written words was more efficient for 5- to 8-year-olds. Both elicitation modes were equally efficient for 9- to 12-year-olds.
Defective Particles Can Lead to Underestimated Antibody Titers in Virus Neutralization Tests
Authors: Handke Wiebke , Krüger Detlev H. , Rang Andreas
Published: October 2009

Objective: Stocks of RNA viruses often contain divergent mixtures of infectious and defective particles (DPs). Since the surface of both particles share the same immunoreactivity, differing ratios of these particles in stocks used for virus neutralization tests might alter the results. Here the impact of such off-target effects were measured. Methods: To determine the relative content of DPs in 3 stocks with high, medium and low titers of infectious virions, the amounts of nucleocapsid protein and viral RNA were quantified by Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR. Thereafter, stocks with different amount of DPs were used to determine the titer of neutralizing antibodies in serum from a convalescent Puumala virus-infected patient by a focus reduction neutralization test. Results: The relative amount of DPs was at least 5-fold higher in the stock with the lowest titer compared to the stock with the highest. Stocks with lower levels of DPs led to higher antibody titers compared to the analysis performed with stocks containing higher levels of DPs. Conclusion: These results imply that DPs in virus stocks should be considered when performing virus neutralization tests to quantify neutralizing antibodies.
Novel Hepatitis B Virus Subgenotype in the Southern Yunnan Province of China
Authors: Shen Tao , Gao Jian-mei , Zou Yun-Lian , Dong Hong , Yan Xin-Min
Published: October 2009

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is highly prevalent in China. To identify the genotypes of HBV in the southern Yunnan Province of China, full-length HBV genomes were extracted from 1 Dai and 4 Hani HBV carriers and linked with the pMD T-18 vector. For each patient, 3–10 clones were sequenced directly and a consensus sequence was created. Genotypic and serotypic analysis revealed 4 HBV/B (2 B2 with adw2 and 2 new subgenotypes with ayw1) and 1 HBV/C (C1 with adrq+) genotypes. The divergences of the entire genome sequences of the new subgenotype were 0–0.9% and 2.99–6.48% between other known HBV/B. Divergences in other coding regions revealed that it was more similar to B3 and B4 in the precore/core gene (2.02 and 2.09%, respectively), and similar to B3 and B5 in the preS1/S2/S gene (2.24 and 2.78%, respectively). Phylogenetic trees using the precore/core and X genes both revealed a new clad separating from the major trunk of genotype B with a 99% bootstrap value. These results show that the 2 consensus isolates are a mosaic of B3–B5, which we designated to subgenotype B6. Considering the geographical distances, the relationship between B6 and other HBV/B subgenotypes (B3–B5) and HBV evolution needs to be further studied.
Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Composition of Breast Milk in Pre-Eclamptic Mothers
Authors: Dangat Kamini D. , Mehendale Savita S. , Yadav Hemlata R. , Kilari Anitha S. , Kulkarni Asmita V. , Taralekar Vaishali S. , Joshi Sadhana R.
Published: October 2009

Background: Maternal fatty acid nutrition during pregnancy and lactation determines the transfer of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids via the placenta and through human milk. Neural maturation of breast-fed infants is known to be linked to breast-milk long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations. In spite of this, the fatty acid composition of breast milk in pre-eclamptic mothers is poorly understood. Objectives: To compare the fatty acid composition of breast milk of pre-eclamptic (n = 45) with normotensive (n = 85) mothers and examine the association of breast-milk fatty acids with plasma fatty acids. Methods: Milk and plasma fatty acid methyl esters were prepared and analyzed by the modified method of Manku and colleagues using gas chromatography. Results: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations were significantly increased (p < 0.01) in breast milk in spite of lower maternal plasma DHA concentrations (p < 0.05) in pre-eclamptic women. However, there was no difference in arachidonic acid levels between groups in spite of reduced maternal plasma arachidonic acid levels. Conclusions: The data suggest that in pre-eclampsia, the relation between plasma and milk DHA is altered. The resulting higher milk DHA concentrations are beneficial for infants.
Cerebral Amino Acid Profiles after Hypoxia-Reoxygenation and N-Acetylcysteine Treatment in the Newborn Piglet
Authors: Jantzie Lauren L. , Cheung Po-Yin , Johnson Scott T. , Bigam David L. , Todd Kathryn G.
Published: October 2009

Background: Neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is a common clinical occurrence. Recently, much evidence has been gathered to suggest that oxygen free radicals are implicated in the pathogenesis of hypoxia-reoxygenation injury through the initiation and propagation of toxic cascades including glutamate excitotoxicity and the manifestation of post-HI neurologic disorders. Following HI, excessive free radicals are formed and antioxidant defenses are diminished. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a clinically available antioxidant and has been previously shown to reduce oxidative stress and scavenge free radicals in multiple models of brain injury. Objectives: Using an acutely instrumented swine model of neonatal hypoxia-reoxygenation, the objective of the present study was to examine the neurochemical effects of NAC administration in 5 brain regions exquisitely vulnerable to severe hypoxia. Methods: In a blinded fashion, newborn piglets (1–4 d, 1.4–2.2 kg) were block randomized into surgical sham (SHAM), hypoxic control (HC) and NAC-treated (H-NAC) groups. Both HC and H-NAC piglets were subject to 2 h of alveolar hypoxia (paO2 = 20–40 mm Hg) and then resuscitated with 100% O2 for 1 h followed by 21% for an additional 3 h. Results: Our results show that two hours of severe hypoxemia causes metabolic acidosis and significant changes in cerebral amino acids including glutamate, aspartate and alanine, in all brain regions investigated including the cortex, basal ganglia and thalamus. The administration of NAC 10 min into the reoxygenation period and subsequently continued as an infusion, maintains post-resuscitation amino acid neurochemistry at the levels observed in SHAM piglets. Conclusions: In newborn piglets that have sustained brain injury related to hypoxia/reoxygenation, the administration of NAC does not disrupt cerebral amino acid balance and maintains cerebral amino acid homeostasis.
Maternal Alcohol Intake and Offspring Pulse Wave Velocity
Authors: Morley Ruth , Dwyer Terence , Hynes Kristen L. , Cochrane Jennifer , Ponsonby Anne-Louise , Parkington Helena C. , Carlin John B.
Published: October 2009

Background: Intrauterine exposure to alcohol may affect cardiovascular development, increasing risk of cardiovascular malformations. Intrauterine exposure to light maternal alcohol intake has been reported to affect human umbilical arterial contractility, and adult sheep exposed in utero have had altered cerebrovascular reactivity. In human adults, alcohol intake affects arterial stiffness. Objectives: We investigated whether intrauterine exposure to alcohol was associated with childhood pulse wave velocity (PWV), a measure of arterial stiffness. Methods: On postnatal day 4, mothers of 147 twin pairs born in Tasmania from 1991 to 1993 reported alcohol intake during each trimester of pregnancy. At 9 years, child PWV was assessed over carotid-femoral and femoral-dorsalis pedis arterial segments by applanation tonometry. Results: Carotid-femoral PWV was 0.2 m/s (95% CI 0.06, 0.4) higher (indicating stiffer vessels) in children whose mothers drank alcohol in the 2nd trimester rather than abstained, after adjusting for potential confounding factors. A similar effect was not seen for femoral-dorsalis pedis PWV. Findings were independent of child blood pressure which correlated strongly with PWV. Alcohol intake varied little between trimesters, so it was not possible to assess the effect of timing of exposure. Conclusions: Carotid-femoral PWV in adults is predictive of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The degree of continuity between childhood and adulthood PWV is unknown, but as we found an association between prenatal alcohol exposure and carotid-femoral PWV at 9 years, a permanent change in vessel wall structure or function is possible. These findings need to be confirmed in other and larger cohorts, and mechanistic animal studies are needed.
Comparison of Calcium Analysis, Longitudinal Microradiography and Profilometry for the Quantitative Assessment of Erosion in Dentine
Authors: Ganss C. , Lussi A. , Scharmann I. , Weigelt T. , Hardt M. , Klimek J. , Schlueter N.
Published: October 2009

Erosion of dentine causes mineral dissolution, while the organic compounds remain at the surface. Therefore, a determination of tissue loss is complicated. Established quantitative methods for the evaluation of enamel have also been used for dentine, but the suitability of these techniques in this field has not been systematically determined. Therefore, this study aimed to compare longitudinal microradiography (LMR), contacting (cPM) and non-contacting profilometry (ncPM), and analysis of dissolved calcium (Ca analysis) in the erosion solution. Results are discussed in the light of the histology of dentine erosion. Erosion was performed with 0.05 M citric acid (pH 2.5) for 30, 60, 90 or 120 min, and erosive loss was determined by each method. LMR, cPM and ncPM were performed before and after collagenase digestion of the demineralised organic surface layer, with an emphasis on moisture control. Scanning electron microscopy was performed on randomly selected specimens. All measurements were converted into micrometres. Profilometry was not suitable to adequately quantify mineral loss prior to collagenase digestion. After 120 min of erosion, values of 5.4 ± 1.9 μm (ncPM) and 27.8 ± 4.6 μm (cPM) were determined. Ca analysis revealed a mineral loss of 55.4 ± 11.5 μm. The values for profilometry after matrix digestion were 43.0 ± 5.5 μm (ncPM) and 46.9 ± 6.2 (cPM). Relative and proportional biases were detected for all method comparisons. The mineral loss values were below the detection limit for LMR. The study revealed gross differences between methods, particularly when demineralised organic surface tissue was present. These results indicate that the choice of method is critical and depends on the parameter under study.
Study of the Efficacy of Toothpaste Containing Casein Phosphopeptide in the Prevention of Dental Caries: a Randomized Controlled Trial in 12- to 15-Year-Old High Caries Risk Children in Bangalore, India
Authors: Rao S.K. , Bhat G.S. , Aradhya S. , Devi A. , Bhat M.
Published: October 2009

Casein phosphopeptide (CPP) has the potential to be added to mouth rinses, gels, toothpastes, chewing gums and confectioneries. Until now CPP has been studied in vitro, in situ and in animals, but clinical trials are lacking. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of CPP-containing toothpaste in preventing dental caries in schoolchildren. The study was conducted among 150 schoolchildren randomly divided into three groups, each using one of three types of toothpastes: (a) containing 2% w/w CPP; (b) containing 1,190 mg/kg fluoride as 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP); (c) placebo toothpaste without CPP or fluoride. Students brushed with the given toothpastes for 24 months. Oral hygiene and caries experience were assessed at baseline, 12 and 24 months. The increments in caries lesions were calculated and analyzed to assess the caries-preventive effect. A significant reduction in caries increment was observed among students using CPP toothpaste or SMFP toothpaste, compared with the group using the placebo toothpaste. The reduction in caries increment was not significantly different between the CPP and SMFP groups. Oral Hygiene Index score increased from the 12-month to the 24-month examination. It is concluded that CPP can be effectively incorporated into calcium carbonate-based toothpaste and that toothpaste containing CPP is effective in preventing caries. Toothpaste containing 2% CPP seemed to have an efficacy similar to paste containing 1,190 mg/kg SMFP in the prevention of caries.
Prospective Evaluation of Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide in Serpiginous Choroiditis
Authors: Wadhwa Neeraj , Garg Sat Pal , Mehrotra Abhas
Published: October 2009

Objective: To evaluate intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in unilateral serpiginous choroiditis with macular involvement with special reference to effectiveness of treatment and its side effects. Methods: In this prospective nonrandomized, consecutive, interventional case series, IVTA was given in 8 eyes of 8 patients of unilateral active serpiginous choroiditis. Treatment was evaluated on both subjective and objective parameters: any improvement or stabilization of visual acuity, fundus and fluorescein angiography (FA) and central macular thickness on optical coherence tomography (OCT). Result: The treatment induced rapid remission clinically and vision improved or stabilized. Mean visual acuity improved from 0.93 ± 0.21 LogMAR units at baseline to 0.36 ± 0.24 (p = 0.00) LogMAR units at 6 months. A 33.73% reduction in mean central macular thickness was observed at the 6-month follow-up from 294.63 ± 17.84 to 195.25 ± 5.49 µm (p = 0.00). Lesions healed rapidly with FA and OCT proving the clinical observation. Conclusion: Intravitreal triamcinolone may prove to be a promising therapeutic approach as a rescue therapy in this recurrent sight-threatening disorder by inducing rapid remission without the systemic side effects seen with systemic immunosuppression.