bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immediate contact reactions to cow's milk and egg in atopic children.
Authors: Oranje A P , Aarsen R S , Mulder P G , Liefaard G
Published: July 2023

Forty children (0-5 years old), presented with immediate contact urticaria, rash and often atopic dermatitis (n = 34). Redness or urticaria around the mouth appearing after consuming cow's milk or egg, were the major complaints in all. These symptoms suggested a food-induced immediate contact reaction, which can be immune-mediated or irritative. To reinduce this reaction, a skin provocation test, called SAFT, was performed. SAFT stands for Skin Application Food Test. This test is based on direct skin contact, during a maximum of 30 min with food in its 'ordinary consumptive state'. The SAFT can be regarded as a 'physiological' provocation patch test. If positive, contact urticaria develops most often within a few minutes. The results of SAFT and IgE RAST correlated significantly well. Total IgE values were not informative. The rapid onset of the SAFT reaction, induced by proteins, supported by RAST results, strongly indicates an immune-mediated mechanism. In 52% of the 34 patients with atopic dermatitis, dermatitis was exacerbated following food-to-skin contact. Immune-mediated contact reactions to foods play an important role in (dermal) food allergy.
Ultrastructural changes of the skin induced by human leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G.
Authors: Glinski W , Kuligowski M , Pierozynska-Dubowska M , Glinska-Ferenz M , Jablonska S
Published: July 2023

Human neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G at a concentration of 10(-6) M were found to attack various substrates when normal skin biopsy specimens were incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 h with either of these enzymes. Elastase damaged primarily hemidesmosomes, leading to the epidermal cleavage from the dermis, whereas cathepsin G damaged the membrane structures. Both these neutral proteinases were highly specific to basal lamina of blood vessels. This indicates that neutrophil elastase and neutrophil cathepsin G may play different roles in various skin diseases related to enhanced activity and infiltration of neutrophils.
Screening for skin cancer in The Netherlands.
Authors: Krol S , Keijser L M , Van der Rhee H J , Welvaart K
Published: July 2023

In the summer of 1989 a screening campaign for skin cancer was organized along part of the beach in the western region of The Netherlands, using a mobile trailer. On 4 consecutive Saturdays, 3,069 individuals were examined. A total of 65 individuals with a suspected lesion were found and referred to their general practitioner. The compliance with referral was 80%. Histological reports, obtained from 46 suspected lesions, showed: 6 melanomas (all with a thickness less than 1 mm), 2 squamous cell carcinomas, 23 basal cell carcinomas, 5 dysplastic naevi and 10 benign skin lesions. The positive predictive value of the visual examination appeared to be 83%. The campaign attracted much publicity. The effects of this publicity were measured by a questionnaire sent to all general practitioners and dermatologists in the region. It appeared that during the campaign and in the ensuing 2 months there had been an increase in the number of diagnoses of benign skin lesions and a moderate increase in the diagnoses of malignant lesions.
Pityriasis amiantacea, an unrecognized cause of scarring alopecia, described in four patients.
Authors: Langtry J A , Ive F A
Published: July 2023

Pityriasis amiantacea is not generally recognized as a cause of scarring alopecia. We describe 4 patients with scarring alopecia in the distribution of past or active pityriasis amiantacea and suggest that it is a not uncommon sequela.
The hydrating effect of a cream and white petrolatum measured by optothermal infrared spectrometry in vivo.
Authors: Petersen E N
Published: July 2023

Optothermal infrared spectrometry (OTIS) is a novel way of measuring the water content of stratum corneum non-invasively. This principle has been used in the present study to evaluate the hydrating effect of a one-week treatment of human skin twice a day with either white petrolatum or a cream (o/w emulsion). Forty-two females volunteered for the study, which comprised one control pretreatment week, one treatment week, and one post-treatment week. White petrolatum was greasy and did not produce any hydrating effect at any point in time when the hydration was measured 10 h after application, whereas the cream produced a clear hydration that became statistically significant from day one of treatment and was maintained for at least 2 days after the treatment was stopped. The hydrating effect amounted to an about 80% increase in those volunteers who had initial values below the mean OTIS value of 23.5%. It is concluded that saturation of the stratum corneum with appropriate lipids and emulsifiers as in the cream leads to hydration of the stratum corneum to about 35% water as measured by the OTIS technique.
Differential effects of sodium lauryl sulphate and non-anoic acid on the expression of CD1a and ICAM-1 in human epidermis.
Authors: Lindberg M , Färm G , Scheynius A
Published: July 2023

Normal human skin was exposed to two different detergents, sodium lauryl sulphate in distilled water and non-anoic acid in isopropanol at different concentrations. The detergents were applied under occlusion in epicutaneous tests for 24 h and biopsies were taken at 24 or 48 h. Frozen sections were labelled with monoclonal antibodies against CD1a, CD3 and ICAM-1. The evaluation of the labelled sections showed that there were differential effects on the expression of ICAM-1 and CD1a+ cells in epidermis. After non-anoic acid application ICAM-reactivity could not be detected and there was a decrease of staining for CD1a after exposure to 80% non-anoic acid. Sodium lauryl sulphate treatment, however, induced ICAM-1 expression on keratinocytes and had minor effects on the number of CD1a+ cells. ICAM-1 expression was also detected in normal epidermis in 3 of 9 unexposed control biopsies and after occlusion with the vehicles distilled water and isopropanol. An increased amount of CD3+ cells was found in the skin exposed to both detergents. The results show that there are dose and time dependent variations in the epidermal response to irritants which might influence the immunological events taken place in the epidermis.
Ethanol absorption across human skin measured by in vivo microdialysis technique.
Authors: Anderson C , Andersson T , Molander M
Published: July 2023

Microdialysis, a new bioanalytical sampling technique enables measurement of substances in the extracellular space. This initial study investigates the technique's usefulness in the field of percutaneous absorption of solvents, using ethanol as test substance. Microdialysis probes are equipped at the tip with a semi-permeable polycarbonate membrane which permits passive diffusion of substances. Ethanol does not damage the membrane. In vitro recovery for ethanol is good. Probes were inserted via a guide into the skin of the ventral forearm in 7 volunteers. 99.5% ethanol was applied to the skin in excess in a glass reservoir. The probe was perfused at a flow of 1 microliter/min. 50 microliters samples were analysed by gas chromatography. Absorption of ethanol was demonstrated in all subjects. Values from the 9 probes inserted ranged from 10 micrograms/ml to 800 micrograms/ml. The variation may be explained by inter-test or inter-individual variability in ethanol absorption. Individual metabolic capacity may be of importance. The method opens new possibilities in the investigation of skin barrier function in man.
A sensitive tyrosinase method for human skin.
Authors: Wittbjer A , Odh G , Rosengren E , Rorsman H
Published: July 2023

A sensitive competitive radioimmunoassay for quantitative analysis of tyrosinase in biological tissues has been developed. The binding sites of antityrosinase antibodies were competed for by 125I-labelled human tyrosinase and a known (standard) or unknown (sample) amount of tyrosinase in solution. A sensitivity range of about 5-500 pmol/l was obtained when a solubilized melanoma tyrosinase with a molecular weight of 66,000 D was used as a standard. The method was used on 0.5 cm2 skin samples from which tyrosinase was solubilized with Nonidet P-40. The method is useful for measuring the content of tyrosinase in crude samples where the enzyme activity may be affected by inhibitors or by unspecific oxidation.
Effect of retinoic acid on the infiltration of murine melanoma cells into the type I collagen gel.
Authors: Kono T , Furukawa M , Tanii T , Taniguchi S , Mizuno N , Ishii M , Hamada T
Published: July 2023

Two lines of murine melanoma cells (B16 and Cloudman S91) were cultured on type I collagen gel and the effects of all-trans-retinoic acid on the growth and infiltration into the gel were assayed. In both lines, proliferation and the degree of infiltration were suppressed by the addition of all-trans-retinoic acid. The infiltration-inhibiting effect was expressed very rapidly and was dose-dependent at concentrations ranging from 10(-7) to 10(-5) M of all-trans-retinoic acid. These results suggest the anti-invasive effects of all-trans-retinoic acid on melanoma cells.
Functionally different Langerhans' cells in human epidermis.
Authors: Warfvinge K , Mikulowska A , Falck B
Published: July 2023

Experiments comparing the L-dopa histofluorescence method for the visualization of epidermal Langerhans' cells and immunocytochemical labelling with monoclonal anti-T6 antibodies have demonstrated the existence of two functionally different human Langerhans' cells: those that take up L-dopa by a mediated transport and those that lack the capacity to take up L-dopa.
Superficial actinic porokeratosis and cystic fibrosis.
Authors: Klapholz L , Goldenhersh M , Sherman Y , Leibovici V
Published: July 2023

A 24-year-old woman, presenting with cystic fibrosis, developed superficial actinic porokeratosis. Immunosuppression due to cystic fibrosis may be either the cause of or the exacerbating factor in superficial actinic porokeratosis in our patient.
Soluble IL2 receptor serum levels and epidermal cytokines in mycosis fungoides and related disorders.
Authors: Zachariae C , Larsen C S , Kaltoft K , Deleuran B , Larsen C G , Thestrup-Pedersen K
Published: July 2023

We examined the immune activation in 20 patients with mycosis fungoides, 6 patients with erythrodermia of unknown origin (Pré-Sézary's syndrome), 5 with lymphomatoid papulosis, 4 with parapsoriasis, 2 with Sézary's syndrome, and 2 with actinic reticuloid, by measuring soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in serum. In Mycosis fungoides we observed normal levels in 3 patients (less than 500 units/ml), between 500 and 1000 units/ml in 9 patients, and greater than 1000 units/ml in 5 patients. Four of these 5 patients died within one year after this observation, as did 2 patients with Pré-Sézary and Sézary's syndrome, respectively, who had a similarly large increase in sIL2R. Although sIL2R is not a specific parameter for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a value above 1000 units/ml is correlated with clinical disease activity and is a serious prognostic parameter. We also studied cytokine activity in epidermal homogenates from 9 patients with Mycosis fungoides and one patient with Sézary's syndrome. We observed interleukin-1-like activity within the normal range for healthy skin. However, we also observed in the same epidermal homogenates a T-lymphocyte chemotactic activity in patients with stage II, but not in stage I. The nature of this activity is not yet fully elucidated, but it may be an important biological factor for the epidermal T-cell accumulation in this disorder.
Location of ulcers on the lower limbs in relation to distal systolic blood pressure indices.
Authors: Hansson C , Andersson E , Swanbeck G
Published: July 2023

The distal systolic blood pressure indices (AI = ankle/arm and TI = toe/arm) of 100 patients with lower limb ulcers at a dermatology outpatient clinic were correlated to ulcer site. The left limb was more often ulcerated than the right. Most ulcers were situated medially, while ulcers on the anterior and posterior sides were infrequent. An AI below 0.9 and TI below 0.6 is usually considered to indicate arterial insufficiency. Forty-four per cent of the patients had an AI less than 0.9 and 66% a TI less than 0.6. The lowest mean indices in all ulcerated limbs were found in patients with ulcers on the feet, followed by those with ulcers in lateral and posterior positions. A significantly lower TI (p = 0.002) was found in the ulcerated limbs when comparing the patients with one ulcerated and one non-ulcerated leg, but no such difference was found for AI. Thus, the ulcerated and the seemingly healthy limb usually had about the same AI. In all patients, TI decreased significantly with age (p = 0.0001). TI was lower in men, than in women, when the effect of age was eliminated (p = 0.0509).
Incidence and mortality of malignant melanoma in Berlin (West) from 1980 to 1986.
Authors: Garbe C , Thiess S , Nürnberger F , Ehlers G , Albrecht G , Lindlar F , Bertz J
Published: July 2023

Newly diagnosed melanomas were investigated utilizing the histological reports from the 4 Departments of dermatology as well as from 3 Departments of pathology in Berlin (West) during the years 1980-86. The study included 960 melanomas and documented the histological features, age, gender and nationality of the patients involved. 936 patients were Germans (379 males, 557 females), and the mean age-adjusted incidence rate (for the European standard population) was 7.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and year for both genders with an increase between 1980-81 and 1985-86 in men from 6.0 to 9.8 and in women from 5.8 to 7.8/100,000 and year. Thus a 49% increase in incidence was observed for both genders combined during a 5-year period. In this study, a preponderance of male incidence rates was observed for the first time in Germany. Interestingly, the age-adjusted incidence rate for the Turkish population, which is the largest foreign population with more than 100,000 inhabitants in Berlin, was only 1.3/100,000 and year. 162 men and 145 women died of melanoma in the time period examined. From 1980-81 to 1985-86, the age-adjusted mortality rate changed from 3.5 to 2.6 for men and from 1.2 to 1.6 for women per 100,000 and year, thus revealing a slight decrease in mortality for both genders combined.
Melanocytic naevi in sun-exposed and protected skin in melanoma patients and controls.
Authors: Augustsson A , Stierner U , Rosdahl I , Suurküla M
Published: July 2023

The possible link between exposure to ultraviolet light and naevus development was studied in 121 melanoma patients and 310 controls by comparing the number of naevi in a sun-exposed area on the back with that in a sun-protected area on the buttocks. Both patients and controls had a four-fold increase in the number of naevi in the exposed compared with the protected area, p less than 0.001. The difference in naevus count between the exposed and the protected area was larger in patients than in controls, p less than 0.001. Subjects with dysplastic naevi, melanoma patients as well as controls, had a larger difference in the number of naevi between the two areas than subjects without dysplastic naevi, p less than 0.001. These results support the idea that sunlight plays an important role in naevus development and may explain why a high naevus count is a risk marker for malignant melanoma.
Beta-carotene in prevention of cutaneous carcinogenesis.
Authors: Szmurlo A , Marczak M , Rudnicka L , Majewski S , Makiela B , Skiendzielewska A , Skopinska M , Kornhauser A , Jablonska S
Published: July 2023

Beta-carotene, administered orally to mice, caused a decrease in angiogenesis evoked by HPV-transformed tumorigenic cell lines (SKv-t, HeLa). It did not affect angiogenesis induced by the non-tumorigenic SKv (not-t) cell line, and increased lymphocyte-induced immune angiogenesis. We suggest that the anti-cancerogenic effect of beta-carotene may be due, at least in part, to its inhibitory effect on formation of new blood vessels within the tumour mass.
Intralesional injection of bleomycin sulphate into resistant warts in renal transplant recipients versus non-transplant warty patients.
Authors: Sobh M A , Abd El-Razic M M , Rizc R A , Eid M M , Abd el-Hamid I A , Ghoneim M A
Published: July 2023

Sixteen adult renal transplant patients and 20 non-transplant patients with warts underwent intralesional therapy with bleomycin sulphate. One unit/ml bleomycin sulphate was injected in 93 warts in renal transplant recipients and 100 warts in non-transplant patients with proven resistance to conventional treatment for at least 6 months. The treatment was compared with a normal saline placebo injected into the paired warts in the same patient. Thirty-four out of 93 warts (37%) in renal transplant recipients vs. 59 out of 100 warts (59%) in non-transplant patients were completely cured after one to three injections. We found bleomycin completely ineffective in 56 warts (60%) in renal transplant recipients, but ineffective in only 17 warts (17%) in non-transplant warty patients. None of the patients treated experienced any side effects except for local pain which was well tolerated, especially by non-transplant patients.
On circadian rhythms in human epidermal cell proliferation.
Authors: Frentz G , Møller U , Hölmich P , Christensen I J
Published: July 2023

The ascertainment of consistent diurnal variations in human epidermal cell proliferation may have important implications for the treatment of many skin diseases. For the evaluation of diurnal rhythms in the growth of human epidermis, skin biopsies were taken every 4th hour for 48 h from each of two persons under synchronized living conditions. The epidermal cell proliferation was assessed by the fraction of cells in S and in G2-M phase as determined by measurements of the DNA content in the individual cells in single-cell suspensions. The existence of diurnally consistent body functions in the test persons was verified by monitoring the excretion of cortisol by urine. The fraction of cells in G2-M phase indicated circadian rhythmicity for the first 32 h of the test period. No regular variation according to time of day could be established in the fraction of cells in S-phase.
Evaluation of thyroid function and anti-thyroid autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis.
Authors: Molnár I , Balázs C , Szabó E , Czirják L
Published: July 2023

Parameters of thyroid metabolism, and the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies were investigated in 43 patients with systemic sclerosis. Anti-thyroid antibodies were detected in 14 cases. Elevated levels of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were determined in 4 cases, anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies in 11, and anti-microsomal antibodies in 5. The detection of anti-TPO antibodies gave the most remarkable information about the presence of autoimmune thyroiditis. The patients with anti-TPO and/or reduced T3 concentration tended to have secondary Sjögren's syndrome. Our results provide further evidence that anti-thyroid antibodies might be responsible for the remarkable appearance of autoimmune thyroiditis in systemic sclerosis.
Skin cancer after renal transplantation: the causal role of azathioprine.
Authors: Taylor A E , Shuster S
Published: July 2023

In 167 unselected patients with renal allografts, after a lag of 3.5 years the prevalence of dysplastic keratotic lesions increased linearly by 6.8%/yr and number of lesions also increased. There was no relationship to sun exposure or skin type. Malignancies occurred in 5 patients after 9 years. Viral warts occurred in 42% but prevalence and extent were not related to time after transplantation or keratoses. Comparison with other drugs and diseases suggests malignant keratoses are initiated in two stages by the cytotoxic effect of azathioprine, the role of immunosuppression remaining unproved. Psoriasis and eczema remitted and the prevalence of zoster and fungal disease increased. P. orbiculare (but not P. ovale) infection increased, unlike in other states of immunosuppression, suggesting the organisms are distinct, not transitional, and differently influenced by the different immunodeficient states induced by drugs and disease.
Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (Ofuji's disease) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Authors: Patrizi A , Di Lernia V , Neri I , Gherlinzoni F
Published: July 2023

The authors report the third case of eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) associated with a non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The dermatosis occurred after an autologous bone marrow transplantation performed as treatment for the lymphoproliferative disorder. Although EPF was initially described as an idiopathic disease, the association of some cases with immunologic alterations or diseases, such as immunodeficiencies, suggests a possible immunopathologic event in the pathogenesis of EPF.
Linear alopecia mucinosa along Blaschko lines.
Authors: Tosti A , Fanti P A , Peserico A , Varotti C
Published: July 2023

We present a case of linear reversible non-inflammatory alopecia mucinosa in a 25-year-old Nigerian patient. The patient exhibited an arciform bald patch on the scalp and follicular mucinosis in both lesions. The possible relationships between the unusual linear arrangement of alopecia mucinosa along Blaschko's lines and lichen striatus are discussed.
Cutaneous cryptococcosis resembling molluscum contagiosum in a homosexual man with AIDS. Report of a case and review of the literature.
Authors: Ghigliotti G , Carrega G , Farris A , Burroni A , Nigro A , Pagano G , De Marchi R
Published: July 2023

A 43-year-old homosexual man with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) developed cutaneous molluscum contagiosum-like lesions on face, ears, neck, hands and feet. He was admitted to our unit with fever, malaise and headache. Cytologic examination of skin brushing revealed numerous encapsulated budding yeasts, identified as Cryptococcus neoformans. Such a finding calls for a cytologic examination of skin lesions in patient with AIDS who present with fever and headache, in order to rule out a potentially life-threatening fungal infection.
Allergic granulomatosis and angiitis of Churg-Strauss. A case of high serum level of eosinophil cationic protein.
Authors: Morita H , Kihara T , Tatsumi Y , Kitano Y , Sagami S
Published: July 2023

We report a case of allergic granulomatosis and angiitis of Churg-Strauss. The patient is a 40-year-old woman who satisfied the clinico-pathological triad of asthma, tissue and blood eosinophilia, and granulomatous vasculitis. We also measured serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels in this patient. In the active stage, the serum ECP level was higher than in healthy controls, declining in the remission stage, a finding suggesting that ECP is involved in the pathogenesis and course of Churg-Strauss disease.
Leg and foot ulcers. Nursing care in Malmö, Sweden.
Authors: Lindholm C , Bjellerup M , Christensen O B , Zederfeldt B
Published: July 2023

Questionnaires concerning nursing care of leg and foot ulcer patients in three major care-giving sectors of the national health service, namely the Department of Dermatology, general hospital wards/clinics, and primary care, have been analysed. The overall response rate was 88% (primary care: 100%). Forms regarding 193 patients with leg ulcers and 64 patients with foot ulcers were analysed. Substantial differences in nursing care were noted between the three sectors. In 55% of the leg ulcers and 45% of the foot ulcers fibrin slough was present in the ulcer. Black, necrotic tissue was present in 8% of the leg ulcers and 22% of the foot ulcers. Profuse ulcer-exudation was most commonly reported for leg ulcer patients treated at the Department of Dermatology, while the majority of foot ulcers had only a mild exudation. Frequency of dressing changes varied between 1.4 times/week for leg ulcers at the Department of Dermatology and 9.2 times/week (foot ulcers 11.6) at general hospital clinics. Local wound dressings were exclusively chosen by physicians at the Department of Dermatology, mainly by physicians at general hospital clinics, and equally often by physicians and nurses in primary care. Time since last evaluation of the ulcer by a physician varied. At the general hospital clinics, 89% of the patients with leg ulcers had been seen by a physician within the last 2-month period. At the Department of Dermatology, 89% and in primary care 61% of the patients were examined within this period. 11% of the patients in primary care had never consulted a physician for their ulcers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Coeliac-type dental enamel defects in patients with dermatitis herpetiformis.
Authors: Aine L , Mäki M , Reunala T
Published: July 2023

The teeth of 30 adult patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and 66 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were examined for dental enamel defects. Sixteen of the patients (53%) with dermatitis herpetiformis, opposed to only one (2%) of the healthy controls (p less than 0.001), were found to have coeliactype permanent-tooth enamel defects. The grades of these defects were milder than those described for severe coeliac disease. There was no correlation between the degree of enamel defects and jejunal villous atrophy. The present finding of frequent coeliactype dental enamel defects in adults with dermatitis herpetiformis suggests that these patients were already suffering from subclinical gluteninduced enteropathy in early childhood, at the time when the crowns of permanent teeth develop.
Familial occurrence of fixed drug eruptions.
Authors: Pellicano R , Silvestris A , Iannantuono M , Ciavarella G , Lomuto M
Published: July 2023

Fixed drug eruptions following the use of pyrazolone derivatives occurred in 4 members of the same family: a 12-year-old girl, her grandmother, and two of her great aunts. Although the pathophysiologic events leading to this type of reaction are unknown, these cases of familial occurrence suggest that genetic predisposition might be an important causal factor.
Immunohistochemical localization of alpha 2-macroglobulin receptors in human skin.
Authors: Feldman S R , Sangha N D
Published: July 2023

The localization of receptors for the proteinase inhibitor alpha 2-macroglobulin was studied in human skin by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal mouse antibody. No epidermal staining was identified. alpha 2-Macroglobulin receptors were identified on dermal fibroblasts and dermal dendritic cells. Endothelial cells did not stain with the antibody, but positive staining cells were concentrated around dermal vessels. The myoepithelial layer of eccrine glands exhibited receptors
A new marker of epidermal differentiation associated with the membrane coating granules: characterization and applications to pathology.
Authors: Bailly J , Darmon M , Juhlin L , Démarchez M
Published: July 2023

A murine monoclonal antibody, BC12, was obtained after immunization against suprabasal human keratinocytes. In the epidermis of normal human skin, the antigen recognized by BC12 (BC12 antigen) is located at the apex of keratinocytes in the upper stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum but is absent in other layers. The BC12 antigen is also present in hair follicles. Immunoblotting performed on keratinocyte subpopulations confirmed the presence of the BC12 antigen in differentiated keratinocytes only. Two-dimensional immunoblotting showed that the BC12 antigen corresponds to a set of polypeptides with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 33kD. In keratinocyte cultures, the antigen is present only in stratified areas. The distribution of the BC12 antigen, as studied by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, and its presence in certain subcellular fractions of epidermal cells suggest that it is a component of membrane coating granules (MCGs) or that it is associated with these structures. Strikingly, in psoriasis, eczema and many other diseases, the BC12 antibody does not label the epidermis, but vessels in dermal papillae. The BC12 antibody may thus be a useful tool in the study of keratinocyte differentiation and MCG physiology, and, also, in pathology.
Immunophenotypical characterization of inflammatory cellular infiltrates in tinea.
Authors: Brasch J , Sterry W
Published: July 2023

In order to elucidate the still poorly understood pathogenetic pathways of acute tinea, the inflammatory cellular infiltrates in this infection were analyzed. Lesional punch biopsies were cryostat-sectioned and stained with monoclonal antibodies for immunophenotypization of T cells, B cells, macrophages and activation markers. For each antibody the positively stained inflammatory cells in the dermis and in the epidermis were quantified separately. Most of the dermal mononuclear cells in acute tinea were identified as T helper lymphocytes of the memory type. Furthermore, considerable amounts of Langerhans' cells and macrophages were found, but virtually no B cells. A high proportion of cells expressed markers of activation. Within the epidermis, accumulations of Langerhans' cells and LeuM5+ dendritic macrophages were detected near fungal element. In view of the otherwise rather similar cellular infiltrates in acute tinea and different non-infectious dermatoses, acute tinea may be particularly suitable to study the functional relationship of Langerhans cells and LeuM5+ macrophages.
Quantitative analysis of Langerhans' cells in epidermis at irritant contact reactions using confocal laser scanning microscopy.
Authors: Scheynius A , Dalenbring M , Carlsson K , England R , Lindberg M
Published: July 2023

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used for quantitative analysis of CD1a+ cells in epidermis at irritant reactions. Sodium lauryl sulphate (2% and 4%) or non-anoic acid (20% and 80%) were applied to the skin of healthy volunteers under occlusion for 24 h. Skin biopsy specimens were taken after additional 24 h and were snap frozen. Freeze-sections, 25 microns thick, were stained with anti-CD1a antibodies (Leu-6) followed by FITC-labelled rabbit anti-mouse IgG. The sections were viewed and optically sectioned in the CLSM at four depth levels. The data was analysed using a threshold value for the fluorescence. The obtained result is presented as the proportion of specimen area having a fluorescence intensity above the threshold. The result demonstrates that the CLSM is a useful tool for obtaining not only structural information but also quantitative information from a defined tissue volume. In the present investigation it was possible to demonstrate variations in CD1a+ reactivity in epidermis at detergent-induced irritant reactions with a marked decrease in CD1a+ after 80% non-anoic acid exposure and only minor differences in the CD1a+ after 2% and 4% sodium lauryl sulphate exposure.
Aberrant cutaneous weal and flare responses in chronic urticaria.
Authors: Shall L , Saihan E M
Published: July 2023

This study examined cutaneous mast cell behaviour in 14 patients with chronic urticaria but no dermographism and 11 healthy controls, by measuring cutaneous weal and flare reactions evoked in response to intradermal challenge injections of 0.1 ml isotonic saline, histamine (20 micrograms), codeine phosphate (10 micrograms) and compound 48/80 (10 micrograms). Five minutes after each injection, the area of the resulting weal and flare was calculated by computer-aided planimetry. The process was repeated at 15, 30 and 45 min following the injection. In patients, saline flares were significantly larger than those of the volunteers at 15, 30 and 45 min (p < 0.05). However, histamine and codeine flare areas were significantly smaller in the patients when compared to the controls at 15, 30 and 45 min (p < 0.05). Compound 48/80 produced smaller reactions in the patients without reaching statistical significance.
Drug-triggered pemphigus in a predisposed woman.
Authors: Ruocco V , Gombos F , Lombardi M L
Published: July 2023

A 31-year-old woman with three pemphigus-prone antigens in her HLA haplotype (B7, DR4, DQw7) developed the disease soon after taking a pyrazolone derivative, viz. feprazone. The pemphigus lesions persisted despite withdrawal of the drug and worsened appreciably when she used ceftriaxone (a new cephalosporin with three sulphur atoms) for a bout of acute pharyngitis. Thiol groups formed from the metabolic breakdown of ceftriaxone are thought to have promoted acantholysis via a biochemical route. Genetic predisposition alone ('the soil') may be essential, though not per se sufficient for outbreak of pemphigus the intervention of exogenous, heterogeneous factors ('the seed') often seems decisive in triggering full-blown disease.
Bullous impetigo caused by group A streptococci. A case report.
Authors: Helsing P , Gaustad P
Published: July 2023

Bullous impetigo is considered to be a staphylococcal disease. Staphylococcus aureus, phage type 71, produces an epidermolytic toxin, assumed to be the cause of bullous formation in the skin. We present a case of bullous impetigo. Microbiological tests suggested beta-hemolytic streptococci, group A, M-type 3, as the etiological agent. Group A streptococci were isolated from the throat of the patient's mother and brother. The strains were shown to be identical, by means of DNA-'fingerprinting' and M-typing.
Peptide T in the treatment of severe psoriasis.
Authors: Delfino M , Fabbrocini G , Brunetti B , Procaccini E M , Santoianni P
Published: July 2023

We investigated the effect of treatment with peptide T on severe psoriasis in 5 patients. Within 2 months, peptide T led to complete remission of all lesions in 1 patient and to good improvement in 3 others. In 1 patient, no effect was observed.
Parathyroid hormone related protein is localized in the granular layer of normal skin and in the dermal infiltrates of mycosis fungoides but is absent in psoriatic lesions.
Authors: Juhlin L , Hagforsen E , Juhlin C
Published: July 2023

Biopsies of normal and diseased skin were immunohistochemically investigated for the presence of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rp). In normal skin and several skin disorders a monoclonal antibody against the 34-68 sequence of PTH-rp was found to be exclusively located in the granular layer. PTH-rp could not be detected in untreated psoriatic plaque lesions even when a granular layer was present. Psoriatic lesions improving after 1-2 weeks' treatment with betamethasone or vitamin D3 analogue revealed PTH-rp reactivity just above the granular layer. These findings substantiate a possible role for PTH-rp as a growth inhibitor. In the dermis the granular layer in the upper part of the hair follicles was stained for PTH-rp and the dermal infiltrates in 5 of 10 patients were stained with mycosis fungoides.
Oral acitretin in psoriasis: drug and vitamin A concentrations in plasma, skin and adipose tissue.
Authors: Larsen F G , Vahlquist C , Andersson E , Törma H , Kragballe K , Vahlquist A
Published: July 2023

The purpose of the present study was to determine the concentrations of acitretin and its main metabolite, 13-cis acitretin, in epidermis, subcutis and plasma in twelve psoriatic patients treated with 30 mg acitretin orally daily for 6 months. In addition, endogenous concentrations of vitamin A were monitored. Blood samples and biopsies from normal appearing skin were obtained prior to therapy, after 1 and 6 months of treatment and finally 1 month after cessation of therapy. Using a highly sensitive liquid chromatography method concentrations of synthetic retinoids and endogenous retinoid (retinol, 3,4-didehydroretinol) were analysed in hydrolyzed tissue samples and plasma. Steady-state concentration of acitretin in epidermis (17 +/- 9 ng/g) was reached within 1 month of therapy. There was a significant correlation between the individual plasma trough value and the epidermal concentration of acitretin after 1 month of therapy. The acitretin concentrations in subcutis varied from 15 to 1437 ng/g, but the mean values at 1 and 6 months of therapy were similar (177 and 227 ng/g, respectively). After stopping therapy the acitretin level was below the detection limit in both epidermis and serum within 1 month in 9 out of 12 patients. In contrast, only 3 of the patients were negative for acitretin in subcutis biopsies obtained 1 month after stopping therapy. The occurrence of a presumed tissue contaminator with characteristics similar to 13-cis acitretin prevented quantitation of this metabolite in many subcutis samples. The epidermal, subcutis and serum composition of retinol and 3,4-didehydroretinol remained unchanged during therapy, indicating no or only minimal interaction between acitretin and endogenous vitamin A metabolism.
Mast cells in oral erythema multiforme.
Authors: Ruokonen H
Published: July 2023

We compared the number of mast cells in erythema multiforme lesions, in clinically healthy mucosa between the EM attacks and in healthy mucosa from healthy volunteers. The mast cell count in patients with erythema multiforme was numerically higher than in healthy controls, but the differences were not statistically significant. In erythema multiforme lesions the mast cell count was low in the intensely inflamed superficial lamina propria, but high in normal appearing mucosa between the attacks suggesting local mast cell degranulation in the most intensely inflamed areas.
Serum alpha 1/protease inhibitor levels in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Authors: Imai S
Published: July 2023

A comparative study of serum alpha 1/protease inhibitor levels in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria and control subjects revealed that the values in the patients were significantly lower than those in the controls, especially in patients over 60 years. The results suggests that some protease which can be inhibited by alpha 1/protease inhibitor may be involved in urticarial reactions in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Interferon/alpha treatment decreases the number of blood eosinophils in patients with severe atopic dermatitis.
Authors: Paukkonen K , Fräki J , Horsmanheimo M
Published: July 2023

Eight patients with severe atopic dermatitis were treated with interferon/alpha (IFN/alpha 2b), given by subcutaneous injection, three times a week. The maximum doses varied from 3 to 9 x 10(6) U and the period of treatment from 6 to 14 weeks. The therapy was well tolerated. No changes were observed in eczema or IgE levels, although IFN/alpha 2b treatment significantly decreased blood eosinophils.
Two rare manifestations of melanomas: generalized cutaneous melanosis and rapid solar induction of showers of small pigmented lesions. A critical review of the literature and presentation of two additional cases.
Authors: Lerner A B , Moellmann G
Published: July 2023

Two unusual patients with metastatic melanoma are presented. One had generalized melanosis, and the other a rapid induction of multiple small pigmented lesions within a day of exposure to the sun. From a variety of clinical observations on these 2 patients and ones reported in the literature, and from recent advances in basic biomedical knowledge, we conclude that in both conditions the anomalous presence of growth factors that stimulate the proliferation and melanogenic differentiation of normal and malignant melanocytes played a major role in producing the clinical events.
Induction of type IV hypersensitivity to contact allergens in guinea pigs by in vitro haptenized allogenic peritoneal exudate cells.
Authors: Helmbold P , Rytter M , Ziegler V , Haustein U F
Published: July 2023

The induction of type IV hypersensitivity to contact allergens in guinea pigs has been studied by using allogenic peritoneal exudate cells (> 90% macrophages), which had been incubated primarily in vitro with dinitrochlorobenzene, formaldehyde, potassium dichromate, nickel II sulphate or para/aminobenzoic acid. In these guinea pig sensitization experiments Freund's complete adjuvant was used. In all haptens investigated the sensitization rates of the presented method were parallel to the known contact allergenicity in humans and, apart from the potassium dichromate results, comparable with those of the guinea pig maximization test. Because of its alternative immunization procedure, in which only few or no allergen molecules escape the effective presentation pathway, the authors conclude that this method could be developed into a predictive test assay for the evaluation of the contact allergenicity of water/soluble substances.
Toxic pustuloderma induced by ofloxacin.
Authors: Tsuda S , Kato K , Karashima T , Inou Y , Sasai Y
Published: July 2023

A patient with drug/induced toxic pustuloderma is presented. The patient, who was asthmatic and who was being treated with ofloxacin for bronchitis and pharyngitis, developed intense erythemas followed by subcorneal pustulation associated with fever and a neutrophil leukocytosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by oral readministration of ofloxacin, with the result that pustular eruptions were induced. This form of drug eruption had not previously been attributed to ofloxacin.
Supervised four/week heliotherapy alleviates the long/term course of psoriasis.
Authors: Snellman E , Aromaa A , Jansén C T , Lauharanta J , Reunanen A , Jyrkinen-Pakkasvirta T , Luoma J , Waal J
Published: July 2023

The long/term effects of psoriasis heliotherapy were studied in a randomized cross/over trial with a 2/year follow/up. We allocated 95 patients randomly to receive a 4/week heliotherapy course, either at the onset or in the middle of the follow/up period. After a highly significant immediate alleviation of psoriasis about 50% of the patients still had a reduction of psoriasis 6 months later and about 25% one year later. A favourable carry/over treatment effect was still observed during the second follow/up year. Taking advantage of the cross/over design, the effect of heliotherapy was calculated to be statistically significant during the first follow/up year, and the apparent long/term alleviation of psoriasis after the heliotherapy was reflected in a significant period effect. The alleviation of psoriasis was accompanied by a significant decrease in the use of antipsoriatic treatments.
Speculations around the mechanism behind the action of peptide T in the healing of psoriasis: a minireview.
Authors: Johansson O , Hilliges M , Talme T , Marcusson J A , Wetterberg L
Published: July 2023

Peptide T, the HIV envelope/derived fragment Ala/Ser/Thr/Thr/Thr/Asn/Tyr/Thr, has already been used to successfully treat psoriatic patients without major side/effects. The underlying reason for the positive effect is, however, at present unknown. In the following minireview, we summarize today's knowledge regarding peptide T's interaction with other chemical messenger molecules, such as somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), within the human skin, and, finally, speculate about their relationship to each other. In summary, we believe that the clearance effect of peptide T on psoriasis will open up new avenues with regard to the concept of the pathogenesis of as well as the clinical attendance to this disease.
Sphingosines: antimicrobial barriers of the skin.
Authors: Bibel D J , Aly R , Shah S , Shinefield H R
Published: July 2023

Among the factors that control the survival of microorganisms on human stratum corneum are skin lipids, including sphingosines. Because the antibacterial spectrum of sphinganine resembles that of cell wall antibiotics, electron microscopy of sphinganine/treated and untreated S. aureus was performed the lipid induced multiple lesions of cell wall, membrane evaginations and loss of ribosomes. However, comparisons of minimal inhibitory concentration of sphinganine for coccal forms and L/forms of S. aureus, which lack cell walls, and of the respective dose/related reductions in colony/forming units demonstrated both the susceptibility of L/forms and their superior resistance. Therefore, cell wall lesions are sequelae of a probable membrane reaction. Candida albicans was susceptible to sphinganine, sphingosine, dimethylsphingosine, and to a lesser degree, stearylamine. Liquid assays of these lipids against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans and Epidermatophyton floccosum established their high susceptibility to sphingosine and stearylamine. Sphinganine was the least effective, perhaps due to the presence of L isomers T. tonsurans was the most sensitive. These four lipids were found to be fungistatic, preventing germination and retarding thalli. Antifungal efficacy was confirmed in vitro on stratum corneum.
Localized atypical pemphigoid on lymphoedema following radiotherapy.
Authors: Callens A , Vaillant L , Machet M C , Arbeille B , Machet L , De Muret A , Sizaret P Y , Lorette G
Published: July 2023

Autoimmune bullous diseases have been reported associated with different causal factors: drugs, mechanical trauma and physical trauma, particularly ultraviolet light and radiotherapy. In these cases different hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of blister formation can be supported. In this observation, we report a localized cicatricial pemphigoid with unusual clinical presentation. Moreover, it appeared 9 years after radiotherapy for breast carcinoma and it was preferentially localized on an upper limb lymphoedema. Because of the long time between the treatment of carcinoma with radiotherapy and the onset of pemphigoid, we assume that lymphoedema played a major etiological role in this particular cicatricial pemphigoid.
Descendant family history of atopic dermatitis.
Authors: Uehara M , Kimura C
Published: July 2023

Descendant family history of atopic dermatitis was examined in 270 adult patients with this skin disease and their 529 children. Of the 529 children, 316 (60%) had a history of atopic dermatitis. Boys and girls were equally affected. The prevalence of affected children was 56% (180/321) in those patients whose spouses did not have a history of both atopic dermatitis and respiratory atopy, 81% (48/59) in those patients whose spouses had a history of atopic dermatitis, and 59% (88/149) in those patients whose spouses had a history of respiratory atopy only. These results indicate that the mode of inheritance of atopic dermatitis is autosomal dominant. They also suggest that the genetic background of atopic dermatitis is not identical with that of respiratory atopy.
Screening of effects of selenomethionine/enriched yeast supplementation on various immunological and chemical parameters of skin and blood in psoriatic patients.
Authors: Harvima R J , Jägerroos H , Kajander E O , Harvima I T , Aalto M L , Neittaanmäki H , Naukkarinen A , Kantola M , Miettinen U K , Horsmanheimo M
Published: July 2023

Selenium (Se) is known to affect the immune system, and decreased Se/levels in blood of patients with moderate or severe psoriasis have been reported. In this study, the effect of Se/supplementation (400 micrograms/day for 6 weeks as Se/yeast, containing about 70% selenomethionine, SeMet) on skin and blood Se/content, on skin glutathione peroxidase activity and on various chemical and immunological parameters of blood and skin was investigated in 7 psoriatic patients. Before the SeMet/supplementation, serum and blood Se/levels were at the normal range, but they increased 42/45% during the Se/dosage, while zinc levels remained unchanged. Se/dependent glutathione peroxidase activity in both normal and lesional psoriatic skin remained unchanged during the trial, although a small net Se/uptake was detected. At the same time, a slight but statistically significant increase in the number of CD4+ T/cells was observed in the reticular dermis of the psoriatic lesions whereas the numbers of CD8+, CD11c+, and CD1+ cells were not significantly altered. Also, a relatively high number of patients (3 out of 7) showed a strongly reduced number of gamma/delta T/lymphocytes or increased CD8+ T/cells (2 patients) in peripheral blood. However, SeMet/supplementation was not related to these abnormalities or to the number of other peripheral blood immunocytes or to serum immunoglobulin levels. In addition, no marked effect on the clinical condition of the patients was observed. This pilot study suggests that SeMet may be able to modulate the immunological mechanism of psoriatic lesions by increasing the number of CD4+ T/cells.