bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
South American pemphigus foliaceus: electron microscopy and immunoelectron localization of bound immunoglobulin in the skin and oral mucosa
Authors: SOTTO MIRIAN N. , SHIMIZU SUMIE HOSHINO , COSTA JULIA MARIA , DE BRITO T.
Published: July 2006

Five skin and two oral biopsies from patients with South American pemphigus foliaceus (SAPF) were studied by electron and immunoelectron microscopy for the ultrastructural localization of bound immunoglobulin in epidermal and oral lesions.

Electron microscopy showed the tonofilament-desmosome complex to be preserved in the various layers of the epidermis. Immunoglobulin was bound over the plasma membrane and permeated the desmosomal junctions both in the skin and oral mucosa, thus suggesting that pemphigus antibodies are attached to the glycocalyx. It appears that the initial injury in SAPF acantholysis involves the glycocalyx and that it might be caused by interaction with intercellular antibodies present in the patient's serum.
Plasma zinc in psoriatic in-patients treated with local zinc applications
Authors: MORGAN M. E. IMOGEN , HUGHES MARTINE A. , MCMILLAN E. M. , KING I. , MACKIE RONA M.
Published: July 2006

Zinc is a major component of many local skin applications. An investigation into its systemic absorption in thirty-one psoriatic hospital in-patients is reported. Plasma zinc, copper and whole blood delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase were followed before and during in-patient treatment over 14 days. No significant alteration in these parameters was detected.

Significantly reduced plasma zinc levels were found in the patients compared to a matched control population.
Serum 25-OH vitamin D after photochemotherapy
Authors: SHUSTER SAM , CHADWICK LAWRENCE , MOSS CELIA , MARKS JANET
Published: July 2006

Patients receiving photochemotherapy (PUVA) for psoriasis were shown to have an increase in scrum 25-OH vitamin D. The effect was not seen with UV-A alone or 8-MOP alone.
An unusual presentation of systemic amyloidosis
Authors: FAIRRIE G. , McKENZIE A.W.
Published: July 2006

We report a case of systemic amyloidosis presenting as intracutaneous haemorrhage following cardiac arrest.
A comparative study of toxic erythema of pregnancy and herpes gestationis
Authors: HOLMES R.C. , BLACK M.M. , DANN J. , JAMES D.C.O. , BHOGAL B.
Published: July 2006

We compared the clinical features, histopathology, immunopathology and immunogenetics of 30 patients with toxic erythema of pregnancy and 24 patients with herpes gestationis. Although we found some clinical and histopathological overlap we highlighted several important differences. In toxic erythema of pregnancy prominent striae were frequently present. Herpes gestationis was suggested by the occurrence of periumbilical lesions, acute exacerbations immediately after delivery, and persistence of the eruption for more than 3 weeks post-partum. In herpes gestationis, immunofluorescence studies were consistently positive, there was a high frequency of HLA-B8 and an association with autoimmune thyrotoxicosis. Toxic erythema of pregnancy did not share these immunological features. Therefore we feel that toxic erythema of pregnancy and herpes gestationis should continue to be classified as separate disorders.
Studies on the regeneration of the skin barrier and the changes in 32P incorporation into the epidermis after stripping
Authors: KOMATSU H. , SUZUKI M.
Published: July 2006

The epidermis of the rabbit ear was stripped and the effects on percutaneous absorption and 32P incorporation into lipid, TCA-sotuble, RNA and DNA fractions in the epidermis were studied for 21 days. Skin penetration by 14C-propylene glycol increased 300-fold immediately after stripping twenty times. Three to five days after stripping, penetration had returned almost to normal levels, but it required several additional days for the barrier function to become normal. The process of regeneration of the skin barrier paralleled the morphological changes in the epidermis but was inconsistent with the biochemical data. A significant increase in 32P incorporation was observed at 10 days, when the hyperplasia had disappeared and percutaneous absorption had returned to normal. The discrepancy between 32P incorporation and morphology or percutaneous absorption after stripping is discussed.
Perioral dermatitis in renal transplant recipients maintained on corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy
Authors: ADAMS S.J. , DAVISON A.M. , CUNLIFFE W.J. , GILES G.R.
Published: July 2006

Five patients with perioral dermatitis are described. They were all renal transplant recipients maintained on long-term oral corticosteroids and azathioprine (13 months to 7 years). They all responded satisfactorily to oral doxycycline.
Cantharidin-induced acantholysis in Darier's disease: does acantholysis initiate dyskeratosis?
Authors: YELL J.A. , BURGE S.M. , DEAN D.
Published: July 2006

We have examined the action of cantharidin on the skin of patients with Darier's disease, and used immunohistological techniques to determine the distribution of desmosomal components, keratin intermediate filaments, and proteases in cantharidin-induced blisters. Cantharidin induced acantho- lysis, but the presence of acantholysis did not trigger the development of the characteristic warty, dyskeratotic papules in patients with Darier's disease.

The distribution of desmosomal components. keratins and proteases within the acantholytic keratinocytes in the cantharidin-induced blisters was similar to that previously found in acantholytic cells within lesions of Darier's disease: peripheral staining for extracellular desmosomal components was reduced: some desmosomal components were detected diffusely in the acantholytic cells: basal cell keratin markers were expressed by some suprabasal acantholytic cells, and plasminogen was detected in association with acantholytic cells. Cleavage of desmosomes did not reveal the underlying abnormality in Darier's disease.
Skin fibroblast activity in pretibial myxoedema and the effect of octreotide (Sandostatin®) in vitro
Authors: PRIESTLEY G.C. , ALDRIDGE R.D. , SIME P.J. , WILSON D.
Published: July 2006

The accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the skin in pretibial myxoedema appears to be a response by local fibroblasts to a stimulating factor in the patient's serum, but the identity of the factor, its ability to stimulate skin fibroblasts as opposed to cultured thyroid cells, and the specificity of its effect to pretibial skin fibroblasts, are all controversial. We have studied fibroblasts cultured from the lesional skin of two women with pretibial myxoedema, and compared their proliferation and secretion of glycosaminoglycans with those of fibroblasts from the patients' forearms and from the forearm skin of two normal subjects. We found that in the presence of the patients' sera all six lines of fibroblasts secreted more glycosaminoglycans [205±21% (SD)] than with normal human sera (147±19%), or fetal calf serum (100%). Fibroblast proliferation showed the same pattern of differences: patients' sera 142±22%; normal human sera 116±9%, and fetal calf serum 100%. These experiments confirm the presence of a serum factor in pretibial myxoedema which is capable of stimulating the activity of skin fibroblasts in vitro, and show that its effects are not restricted to fibroblasts from pretibial skin or to those grown from the skin of the patients. Proliferation of normal fibroblasts cultured in medium supplemented with fetal calf serum was reduced by Sandostatin® (octreotide), but it failed to inhibit their secretion of glycosaminoglycans. In contrast, secretion of glycosaminoglycans by a patient's pretibial skin fibroblasts was almost completely inhibited by 1 mM minoxidil. In the presence of patients' sera Sandostatin® (0.1–10 μg/ml) reduced secretion of glycosaminoglycans by about 50%. Our data support the use of Sandostatin® in pretibial myxoedema, and suggest that it may suppress fibroblast glycosaminogly- can secretion within the skin via depletion of insulin-like growth factor or the blocking of its effect.
Cutaneous manifestations of methylmalonic and propionic acidaemia: a description based on 38 cases
Authors: BODEMER C. , DE PROST Y. , BACHOLLET B. , POGGI F. , TEILLAC-HAMEL D. , FRAITAG S. , SAUDUBRAY J.M.
Published: July 2006

Methylmalonic and propionic acidaemias are rare metabolic disorders with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. A number of aminoacidopathies may have cutaneous manifestations, but these are usually absent in methylmalonic and propionic acidaemia. We have studied 38 children with propionic and methylmalonic acidaemia in the last 10 years at the Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades. Thirteen had cutaneous manifestations: acute superficial scalded skin and superficial desquamation, bilateral and periorificial dermatitis, psoriasiform eruptions, and alopecia. The relative uniformity of these manifestations (scalded skin and desquamation after metabolic decompensation, chronic bilateral and periorificial dermatitis) suggests that methylmalonic and propionic acidaemias should be included in the category of aminoacidopathies with cutaneous manifestations. All these patients were suffering from severe forms of these diseases, with no residual enzyme activity, and they were all subjected to a very severe natural protein-restricted diet. These cutaneous manifestations may therefore either be part of a complex multideficiency syndrome, or be due to the enzyme deficiency itself.
Hydrolysis Kinetics of Trisaccharides Consisting of Glucose, Galactose, and Fructose Residues in Subcritical Water
Authors: Khajavi Shabnam Haghighat , Ota Shuji , Nakazawa Risa , Kimura Yukitaka , Adachi Shuji
Published: July 2006

The hydrolysis kinetics of trisaccharides consisting of glucose, galactose, and fructose residues with different glycosidic bonds, 1‐kestose,d‐melezitose,d‐raffinose, and lactosucrose, in subcritical water were conducted over the temperature range of 150–230 °C and at a constant pressure of 10 MPa. The hydrolysis of trisaccharides in subcritical water proceeded consecutively, i.e., one cleavage of the two bonds antedated the other. The preceding cleavage was not expressed by the first‐order kinetics, but by the kinetics considering the concentration of the acidic compounds, which were produced by the degradation of the constituent monosaccharides. The hydrolysis of the constituent disaccharides, except sucrose composed of the α‐Glc‐(1→2)‐β‐Fru bond, obeyed first‐order kinetics. All of the rate constants of the hydrolytic kinetics were determined, and the values were found to depend on the type of bond.
Poly(vinyl alcohol) Hydrogel as a Biocompatible Viscoelastic Mimetic for Articular Cartilage
Authors: Grant Colin , Twigg Pete , Egan Alex , Moody Alexandra , Smith Annie , Eagland Donald , Crowther Nicholas , Britland Steve
Published: July 2006

The prevalence of suboptimal outcome for surgical interventions in the treatment of full‐thickness articular cartilage damage suggests that there is scope for a materials‐based strategy to deliver a more durable repair. Given that the superficial layer of articular cartilage creates and sustains the tribological function of synovial joints, it is logical that candidate materials should have surface viscoelastic properties that mimic native articular cartilage. The present paper describes force spectroscopy analysis by nano‐indentation to measure the elastic modulus of the surface of a novel poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel with therapeutic potential as a joint implant. More than 1 order of magnitude decrease in the elastic modulus was detected after adsorption of a hyaluronic acid layer onto the hydrogel, bringing it very close to previously reported values for articular cartilage. Covalent derivatization of the hydrogel surface with fibronectin facilitated the adhesion and growth of cultured rat tibial condyle chondrocytes as evidenced morphologically and by the observance of metachromatic staining with toluidine blue dye. The present results indicate that hydrogel materials with potential therapeutic benefit for injured and diseased joints can be engineered with surfaces with biomechanical properties similar to those of native tissue and are accepted as such by their constituent cell type.
Population and multilocus isozyme structures in a barley landrace
Authors: Jaradat A.A. , Shahid M.
Published: July 2006

Isozyme data were used to assess genetic diversity within and among a subdivided population of the salt-tolerant Batini barley landrace. Population diversity and its components were estimated on the basis of 12 isozymes scored on 450 single plants representing seven subpopulations. Two principal components, based on mean gene diversity, Shannon's diversity index, percentage polymorphic loci, genetic identity and genetic distance among subpopulations accounted for 91.7% of total variation and separated the subpopulations into four distinct groups. Contributions to total diversity by individual subpopulations were partitioned into intra- and inter-population components. The level of population differentiation indicates that a large percentage of total genetic diversity was apportioned within subpopulations. The presence of valuable genetic diversity in this landrace was confirmed.
Composition of and variation in high- and low-molecular weight glutenin subunits, and omega gliadins in Ethiopian tetraploid wheat germplasm
Authors: Hailu Faris , Johansson Eva , Merker Arnulf , Belay Getachew , Harjit-Singh  , Zeleke Habtamu
Published: July 2006

A collection of 120 Ethiopian tetraploid wheat accessions was analysed for high-molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunit, low-molecular weight (LMW) glutenin subunit and omega gliadin composition by SDS–PAGE. For the HMW glutenin subunits, a new allelic variant, 2****, was detected which has not been previously described at the Glu-A1 locus. A high proportion of Glu-A1x banding pattern was observed in durum wheat. For the Glu-B1 locus four different banding patterns were detected. Among those HMW glutenin subunits, 7+8 were the most common, while subunits 14+15 and 6+8 were found to be rare. A high degree of variation was evident for the LMW glutenin subunits and D-zone omega gliadins. The association of the composition of the gluten with quality has been discussed. This wide variation can be used in improving the quality of wheat and to widen its genetic base.
Genetic characterization and relationships of traditional grape cultivars from Transcaucasia and Anatolia
Authors: Vouillamoz José F. , McGovern Patrick E. , Ergul Ali , Söylemezoğlu Gökhan , Tevzadze Giorgi , Meredith Carole P. , Grando M. Stella
Published: July 2006

We present here the first large-scale genetic characterization of grape cultivars from Transcaucasia and Anatolia. These regions where wild grapes still grow in nature have been cultivating wine and table grapes for thousands of years and are considered the cradles of viticulture. Using 12 nuclear microsatellite markers, we genotyped 116 accessions of traditional grape cultivars from Armenia, Georgia and Turkey and we detected 17 identical genotypes and six homonymy cases, mainly within each national germplasm. Neighbour-joining analysis of genetic distance showed that each germplasm could have multiple origins and although they are now separated, they might have some common ancestors. In addition, four varieties from Western Europe included as outgroups turned out to be more related to Georgian cultivars than other germplasms, suggesting a possible ancient origin in Georgia. This work represents a first step towards germplasm management of this rich ampelographic heritage.
General framework for developing and evaluating database scoring algorithms using the TANDEM search engine
Authors: MacLean Brendan , Eng Jimmy K. , Beavis Ronald C. , McIntosh Martin
Published: July 2006

Motivation: Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) identifies protein sequences using database search engines, at the core of which is a score that measures the similarity between peptide MS/MS spectra and a protein sequence database. The TANDEM application was developed as a freely available database search engine for the proteomics research community. To extend TANDEM as a platform for further research on developing improved database scoring methods, we modified the software to allow users to redefine the scoring function and replace the native TANDEM scoring function while leaving the remaining core application intact. Redefinition is performed at run time so multiple scoring functions are available to be selected and applied from a single search engine binary. We introduce the implementation of the pluggable scoring algorithm and also provide implementations of two TANDEM compatible scoring functions, one previously described scoring function compatible with PeptideProphet and one very simple scoring function that quantitative researchers may use to begin their development. This extension builds on the open-source TANDEM project and will facilitate research into and dissemination of novel algorithms for matching MS/MS spectra to peptide sequences. The pluggable scoring schema is also compatible with related search applications P3 and Hunter, which are part of the X! suite of database matching algorithms. The pluggable scores and the X! suite of applications are all written in C++.

Contact:  mmcintosh@fhcrc.org

Availability: Source code for the scoring functions is available from

Supplementary information:
A multivariate approach for integrating genome-wide expression data and biological knowledge
Authors: Kong Sek Won , Pu William T. , Park Peter J.
Published: July 2006

Motivation: Several statistical methods that combine analysis of differential gene expression with biological knowledge databases have been proposed for a more rapid interpretation of expression data. However, most such methods are based on a series of univariate statistical tests and do not properly account for the complex structure of gene interactions.

Results: We present a simple yet effective multivariate statistical procedure for assessing the correlation between a subspace defined by a group of genes and a binary phenotype. A subspace is deemed significant if the samples corresponding to different phenotypes are well separated in that subspace. The separation is measured using Hotelling's T2 statistic, which captures the covariance structure of the subspace. When the dimension of the subspace is larger than that of the sample space, we project the original data to a smaller orthonormal subspace. We use this method to search through functional pathway subspaces defined by Reactome, KEGG, BioCarta and Gene Ontology. To demonstrate its performance, we apply this method to the data from two published studies, and visualize the results in the principal component space.

Contact:  peter_park@harvard.edu
Pigmented basal cell epithelioma
Authors: BLEEHEN STANLEY S.
Published: July 2006

Light and electron microscopic studies have been carried out on three pigmented basal cell epitheliomas and on cell cultures of two of these tumours, to determine the formation and transfer of pigment and the fine structure of the constituent cells. Scattered in the epithelial tumour buds were many functional melanocytes that contained melanosomes in various stages of development and whose morphology was essentially normal. Many melanophages were present in the dermal stroma, but few transferred melanosomes were to be found in the epithelial tumour cells.

Tissue culture studies revealed that melanocytes were present among the proliferating islands of epithelial cells and these contained many melanosomes. However, few melanosomes were found in the epithelial cells. This study indicated a block in the transfer of pigment from the melanocyte to the basal epithelioma cells.

Several of the cultured epithelial cells were found to contain dense bundles of filaments resembling amyloid. It is likely that they are abnormal tonofilaments resulting from the differentiation and keratinization of basal cells in vitro.
Pigmentary demarcation lines
Authors: SELMANOWITZ VICTOR J. , KRIVO JAMES M.
Published: July 2006

The natural pigmentary demarcation boundaries of the skin can be classified as: Group A—lines along the upper limb with variable trans-pectoral extension; Group B—lines along the lower limb; Group C—paired lines in median or paramedian course on the chest with midline abdominal extension; Group D—posteromedian demarcation; and Group E—bilaterally symmetrical, obliquely oriented hypopigmented macules on the chest. Groups A and C are the most distinct and occur in both Negroes and Japanese.
Median rhomboid glossitis
Authors: COOKE BRIAN E.D.
Published: July 2006

Infection by Candida Albicans was found in all biopsies taken from ten patients presenting with midline lesions of the tongue which clinically presented as median rhomboid glossitis.
Dermo—epidermal adhesion and its effect on epidermal structure in the mouse
Authors: BULLOUGH WILLIAM S. , DEOL JOHANNA U.R.
Published: July 2006

Evidence is presented that dermo—epidermal adhesion is low in mouse ear. Consequently the pressure caused by mitotic activity in the basal epidermal layer is readily relieved by cell extrusion distally and the number of basal cells per unit skin area remains low. The rule then is that the number of distal cells per unit skin area must be equally low, and the epidermis is therefore thin.

Conversely, dermo—epidermal adhesion is high in mouse sole-of-foot epidermis, and the mitotic pressure leads through cell crowding to a columnar basal epithelium. Furthermore, in the footpad centre, where adhesion is evidently highest, the baseline folds. With basal cell crowding and baseline folding there are more basal cells, and therefore more distal cells, per unit skin area. The epidermis is thick.

Epidermal cells are regarded as equipotential. The different epidermal characteristics of the different body regions are determined by the combined actions of the local mitotic rate and the local strength of the dermal grip.
The dysgonic form of Microsporum canis in N. W. London
Authors: TUCKER W. D. L.
Published: July 2006

An account is given of the occurrence in N. W. London of ringworm due to the dysgonic form of Microsporum canis in cats, dogs, and humans. The unusual morphology of the dysgonic strain is described as is the extraordinary lability of the fungus in culture. The distribution of cases in man and animals in the area is mapped. The clinical and epidemiological behaviour of the fungus, as illustrated by four family outbreaks, differs little from that of the typical strain. The origin of the dysgonic strain is unknown.
Dyes and preservatives in oral antihistamines
Authors: ALDRIDGE R. D. , MAIN R. A. , SMITH M. E.
Published: July 2006

Antihistamines are commonly used in the treatment of urticaria. Some antihistamines contain dyes and preservatives which have themselves been shown to produce or exacerbate urticaria; the presence of these substances is not indicated in the usual formularies and a list of commonly prescribed antihistamines is presented, detailing the azo dyes, other dyes and preservatives contained therein.
Pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus coexisting with oral lichen planus
Authors: NEUMANN-JENSEN B. , WORSAAE N. , DABELSTEEN E. , ULLMAN S.
Published: July 2006

Two women, aged 72 and 61 years, had mucocutaneous manifestations of pemphigus vulgaris, and one 76-year-old man had pemphigus foliaceus coexisting with oral lichen planus. Clinical and histopathological findings as well as direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies established the diagnosis.
Amyloid vascular disease: cord-like thickening of mucocutaneous arteries, intermittent claudication and angina in a case with underlying myelomatosis
Authors: BREATHNACH S. M. , WELLS G. C.
Published: July 2006

A patient with established myelomatosis and an IgG paraproteinaemia presented with intermittent claudication. Indurated cord-like structures were noted on the dorsum of the right hand and the buccal surface of the lower lip, and biopsy of the hand lesion revealed massive amyloid deposition within the wall of an artery. Cord-like thickening of mucocutaneous arteries as a presenting sign of systemic amyloidosis in the absence of glossomegaly or other cutaneous lesions has not been reported previously. The presence of intermittent claudication and angina suggested that amyloid involvement of large arteries was extensively distributed.
Evaluation of drug phototoxicity by photosensitization of Trichophyton mentagrophytes
Authors: HORIO TAKESHI
Published: July 2006

Long wave ultraviolet radiation to suspensions of T. mentagrophytes, in the presence of photosensi tizing chemicals, resulted in death of the fungus as measured by loss in colony-forming ability. Photosensitization could be demonstrated, with appropriate exposures and concentrations, with chlorpromazine, promethazine, perphenazine, anthracene, sulphanilamide, trimethylpsoralen, tolbutamide, tetrachlorosalicylanilide, and tribromosalicylanilide. No phorotoxicity was detected with demethylchlortetracycline and thiazides.

The present system seems to be simple, reproducible, and sensitive as an in vitro screening test for the photosensitizing potential of chemicals.
The rate of corneocyte formation in microscopic lesions in patients with active psoriasis
Authors: JOHANNESSON ANDERS , HAMMAR HANS
Published: July 2006

Microscopic lesions in active psoriasis were identified after careful examination with a magnifying glass in areas free of macroscopic lesions and of hair follicles. Biopsies were excised without anesthesia, immediately frozen and cryostat-sectioned. Care was taken to preserve the horny layer which was stained to reveal corneocyte membranes and nuclei when present. The interlocking sheets of corneocyte layers made it feasible to outline and trace intercellular spaces parallel to the surface and count the number of corneocyte layers between pairs of these. It was assumed that the location of such a space in the horny layer indicates the period of time from its formation. This information was used to assess the rate of corneocyte layer formation at specified intervals of time. The result shows that adjacent areas of the horny layer could be compared and relative rates of corneocyte layer formation computed.

In the parakeratotic part of the early lesions of psoriasis studied the rate of corneocyte layer formation was 15 times higher than that in the non-involved skin. The peak rate, coincident with parakeratosisj was preceded by a number of thickened corneocyte layers. These also showed an increased rate of formation, up to 6.6 times that in non-involved skin. There was no acanthosis in the lesions studied. A subepidermal cellular infiltrate was observed. Periods of rapid corneocyte formation with parakeratosis were often short (not more than one day). These were interrupted by periods with a lower rate. The relationship between corneocyte morphology and stratum corneum kinetics is a distinct feature in the early psoriatic lesion.
The spectrum of inflammatory skin disease following jejuno-ileal bypass for morbid obesity
Authors: KENNEDY CAMERON
Published: July 2006

From a scries of 105 patients who had undergone jejuno-ileal bypass for morbid obesity, seven developed an episodic illness featuring inflammatory skin lesions, usually associated with a non destructive polyarthritis. Tenosynovitis, myalgia and fever had also occurred. The illness abated spontaneously in four patients.

The most characteristic skin lesion was an erythematous macule which developed a central vesicle or pustule. Erythema nodosum-like lesions and liquefying nodules were also seen. Early lesions were characterised by a dense accumulation of neutrophils. Changes in dermal vessels were less destructive than is usually seen in immune complex mediated vasculitis. Circulating immune complexes could be demonstrated in patients actively developing skin lesions. They were also found in some patients long after activity had ceased and in jejuno-ileal bypass subjects who had never developed inflammatory lesions.

Dapsone was effective in suppressing the skin and joint symptoms when metronidazole and/or tetracycline had failed.
Fatal chronic cutaneous herpes simplex associated with thymoma and hypogammaglobulinaemia
Authors: BECK S. , SLATER D. , HARRINGTON CHRISTINE I.
Published: July 2006

A patient is described who suffered from cutaneous herpes simplex for 9 years. A raediastinal tumour had been demonstrated radiologically 10 years prior to the onset of the skin disease and at autopsy the tumour was identified as a spindle cell thymoma. The patient also had hypogammaglobulinaemia.
A population genetic study of psoriasis
Authors: SWANBECK G. , INEROT A. , MARTINSSON T. , WAHLSTRÖM J.
Published: July 2006

We present epidemiological data for 5197 families with psoriasis. Errors in reporting have been analysed. Analysis of the data provides indications of random mating with respect to whether the partner has the skin disease or not. Data on psoriasis among parents, siblings and children are provided, and particular attention has been paid to the age at onset of psoriasis. Psoriasis was present in the parents of about 36% of the probands. In families in which one or both parents have psoriasis, the occurrence of the disease among the siblings does not provide any information which differentiates between a dominant and recessive mode of inheritance, but is compatible with both. In families in which neither parent had psoriasis, provided there was a proband with psoriasis, the probability of the siblings suffering from psoriasis was close to 0.25, indicating a recessive mode of inheritance. The distribution of psoriasis among the parents of all probands, and among the children of probands, was also compatible with this mode of inheritance. The prevalence of psoriasis in the elderly was estimated to be about 5%, and the gene frequency in the whole population 25%.

These findings show that, with regard to first-degree relatives, the inheritance of psoriasis can fit an autosomal recessive model. The concept of a recessive mode of inheritance may be used as a basis for genetic counselling.
The effect of tacalcitol (1,24(OH)2D3) on cutaneous inflammation, epidermal proliferation and keratinization in psoriasis: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study
Authors: PGERRITSEN M.J. , MBOEZEMAN J.B. , VAN VLIJMEN-WILLEMS I.M.J.J. , VAN DE KERKHOF P.C.M.
Published: July 2006

The aim of the present study was to discover to what extent 1.24(OH)2D3 ointment (tacalcitol; 4 μg/g) can modulate epidermal proliferation and keratinization, and several aspects of inflamation. Ten patients with psoriasis vulgaris were included in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study, using 1,24(OH)2D3 ointment (4μg/g). Before, and after 8 weeks of treatment, punch biopsies were taken from lesions treated with the active agent and placebo-treated lesions. An immunohistochemical study was carried out using monoclonal antibodies against the hyperproliferation-associated keratin 16, against cycling nuclei, filaggrin, involucrin, T lymphocytes, Langerhans cells, CD14 and polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN).

The Wilcoxon test for matched pairs was used for statistical analysis of results. The biopsies from the lesions treated with the active agent showed a statistically significant change towards normalization of all aspects of inflammation studied, and of epidermal proliferation and keratinization, but there did not appear to be any effect on Langerhans cells. The only parameter which showed a significant alteration in the placebo-treated lesions was the number of cycling nuclei in the epidermis (P≤0.02). However, the biopsies from the plaques treated with the active agent showed a greater decrease of cycling cells (decrease: Mactive=70, Mplacebo=53) and a lower P-value (≤0.01).

We therefore conclude that at the cell biological level 1.24(OH)2D3 ointment (4μg/g) has a substantial effect on several cell types, with regard to inflammation, epidermal proliferation and keratinization, with the exception of Langerhans cells.
Quantification of erythema and pigmentation using a videomicroscope and a computer
Authors: TAKIWAKI H. , SHIRAI S. , KANNO Y. , WATANABE Y. , ARASE S.
Published: July 2006

We report a method for quantitative analysis of erythema and pigmentation using a videomicroscope interfaced with a computer. The analysis was carried out by examining the brightness intensity of every picture element, composed of an image picked up from each band of red, green, and blue, and by deriving the quasi-absorbance value (absorbance index) from the mean brightness for each band. In assessments of UV-induced erythema and tanning, excellent linear correlations were found between the results obtained with our system and those with a narrow-band reflectance spectrometer. Moreover, the absorbance indices of haemoglobin and melanin solutions showed linear relationships with their concentrations in in vitro examination. As the monitored picture becomes out of focus if incorrect pressure is exerted on the skin, and as regions of interest can be chosen from a magnified image, this system offers excellent interobserver reproducibility, and is suitable for the evaluation of erythema or pigmented lesions which are too small or irregular to quantify by conventional methods such as colorimetry.
Simultaneous occurrence of two rare cutaneous markers of poor prognosis in myelodysplastic syndrome: erythema elevatum diutinum and specific lesions
Authors: ARACTINGI S. , BACHMEYER C. , DOMBRET H. , VIGNON-PENNAMEN D. , DEGOS L. , DUBERTRET L.
Published: July 2006

We report the concomitant occurrence of erythema elevatum diutinum and specific skin lesions in a patient with a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This patient's course, and review of other reported cases, support the opinion that neutrophilic dermatoses are associated with a poor prognosis of MDS. The simultaneous appearance of these manifestations could be the consequence of a particular chemotactism of myeloid cells, expressed after acute transformation.
Urartian Metal Artifacts: an Archaeological Review
Authors: Muscarella Oscar White
Published: July 2006

Metal artifacts constitute the main component of the cultural material known from the ancient state of Urartu. The great majority of these artifacts available to archaeologists for cultural analysis derives from plundered sites, which proveniences, whether from sites in modern Turkey, Armenia, or northwestern Iran, are unknown. In fact, only a minority was obtained from excavations at known sites and tombs. At the same time there is a large quantity of publications on Urartian metal artifacts, most of which are in museums and private collections in Europe, the United States, and Japan. Most of the publications, many by museum personnel, ignore the reality of the lack of provenience and present subjective conclusions regarding provenience and interpretation. This paper discusses the consequences of the non-archaeological methodology of these publications, the nature of which many archaeologists remain unaware, and how this behavior has interfered with achieving an accurate knowledge of Urartian culture.
Redundancy and distinctness in flax germplasm as revealed by RAPD dissimilarity
Authors: Fu Yong-Bi
Published: July 2006

Molecular characterization ofex situplant germplasm, although more attainable than before, has rarely been applied to a whole germplasm collection of 2000 accessions or larger. The benefits of screening large numbers of accessions have not been well recognized for germplasm management and utilization. Challenges also exist in identifying duplicated and genetically related accessions and in validating developed core subsets. Here we show how a new approach using an average marker-based dissimilarity of an accession in a collection can be applied to identify both redundancy and distinctness in a plant germplasm collection. Application of this dissimilarity measure to 2727 flax accessions genotyped by 149 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers revealed that up to 22% of accessions could be deemed to be redundant. Up to 500 of the most distinct flax accessions were identified and these can be directly screened for traits of interest to broaden the genetic base in a flax improvement programme. These results demonstrate that molecular screening of a large number of accessions with an informative diversity analysis can facilitate the management and utilization ofex situplant germplasm.
Immunohistological studies, with anti-connective tissue and anti-immunoglobulin antisera, of the skin in lupus erythematosus and scleroderma
Authors: ROWELL N.R , SCOTT D.G
Published: July 2006

Skin lesions from six patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, five patients with discoid lupus erythematosus, twelve patients with systemic sclerosis, five patients with localized morphoea and twenty controls were examined by immunohistological techniques using fluorescein-labelled antihuman IgG, anti-human C3 and anti-human renal glomerulus antisera.

The major immunohistological changes in systemic sclerosis and in localized morphoea consisted of foci of intercollagenous staining for connective tissue antigens in the reticular layer of the dermis. It is suggested that these findings indicate collagen neogenesis.

In lupus erythematosus the major changes occur in the dermo-epidermal junction and consist of deposits of IgG and C3 and thickening and disruption of the membrane as demonstrated by the use of heterologous sera containing antibasement membrane antibodies.

Immunohistological techniques are useful in the diagnostic differentiation between scleroderma and lupus erythematosus.
A double-blind trial of metronidazole versus oxytetracycline therapy for rosacea
Authors: SAIHAN E. M. , BURTON J. L.
Published: July 2006

Forty patients with papulo-pustular rosacea were treated for 12 weeks on a random double-blind basis either with oxytetracycline 250 mg twice daily or with metronidazole 200 mg twice daily. Both drugs produced an improvement which was greater after 12 weeks than after 6 weeks, but there was no significant difference between them. Metronidazole appears to be a safe and effective drug for the treatment of rosacea.
Acute and chronic graft-vs-host reaction in skin: report of two cases
Authors: MASCARO J. M. , ROZMAN C. , PALOU† J. , GRAÑENA A. , CASTEL† T. , FELIU E. , MALLOLAS† J.
Published: July 2006

The cutaneous changes of the acute form of graft-vs-host reaction are described in two patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation for treatment of severe aplastic anaemia. One patient went on to develop a chronic reaction of the lichenoid type. Histopathology confirmed the presence of ‘satellite cell necrosis’ from the acute stage of the disease onwards. Direct immunofluorescence showed deposits of immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM), fibrinogen and complement on the necrotic keratinocytes, whilst the basement membrane was positive for C3. These findings suggest that humoral immunity as well as cellular immunity may play a part in the production of the rash.
Serum proteins in human squamous epithelium
Authors: ÇORUH G. , MASON D. Y.
Published: July 2006

A new immunoperoxidase staining technique of high specificity (the labelled antigen method) has been used for the detection of serum proteins in the epithelium of human skin and mucous membranes. The majority of specimens contain cells showing strong diffuse intracellular staining. These cells usually lie in the upper mid-zone of the epithelium and are often characterized by vacuolated or pyknotic nuclei. Double immunoenzymatic labelling (using alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase) showed that the different proteins are usually present in the same cells. A less frequent pattern of staining took the form of delicate strands of intercellular IgG.

Samples from a wide range of skin diseases were studied, but no clear relationship between positive epithelial staining and disease states was apparent. It is suggested that serum proteins may enter epithelial cells by passive diffusion, and attention is drawn to other instances (e. g. in the central nervous system and lymphoid tissue) where similar phenomena have been observed by immunoenzymatic staining techniques.
Do corticosteroids prevent post-herpetic neuralgia?
Authors: KECZKES KALMAN , BASHEER A. M.
Published: July 2006

Forty otherwise healthy patients over 50 years of age with early, severe painful herpes zoster were randomly allocated to two groups for treatment. Twenty patients received prednisolone 40 mg daily with gradual reduction over a period of 4 weeks, whilst the other twenty patients received carbamazepine 100 mg four times daily. Thirteen of the twenty patients (65%) in the carbamazepine treated group developed post-herpetic neuralgia lasting up to 2 years, whilst only three of the twenty prednisolone treated patients (15%) had post-herpetic neuralgia lasting up to 6 months only. Thus the incidence and duration of post-herpetic neuralgia were considerably reduced in the prednisolone treated group. In neither group did disseminated zoster or other complications occur.
The effect of steroid and dithranol therapy on cyclic nucleotides in psoriatic epidermis
Authors: SAIHAN E. M. , ALBANO JANET , BURTON J. L.
Published: July 2006

Absolute values of both cAMP and cGMP levels were measured in the involved and uninvolved skin of psoriatic patients, and also the effect of topical therapy on these levels in the involved skin was studied. The mean cGMP level in the untreated psoriatic plaque was increased by 300% compared to the non-involved skin (which did not differ from normal skin), but no significant difference in cAMP levels was found. Epidermal stripping of uninvolved skin, which stimulates cell proliferation, did not change the cGMP level.

Treatment of the psoriasis with dithranol caused the cGMP levels to return to normals but a potent topical glucocorticoid, in contrast, produced no such decrease. This may imply that the two drugs at different levels in suppressing cell replication, and dithranol may be a useful tool for the further investigation of cyclic nucleotide metabolism.
Treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis with halcinonide cream applied once and three times daily
Authors: FREDRIKSSON TORSTEN , LASSUS ALLAN , BLEEKER JOHAN
Published: July 2006

In a double-blind multi-centre study, comprising ninety-five patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, 0.1% halcinonide cream applied once daily was equally as effective as the cream applied three times daily. However, the onset of action was more rapid when the cream was applied three times daily. In a control study once daily application of 0.1% halcinonide cream was found to be superior to the vehicle alone in the treatment of forty patients with the same diseases.
Genetic tylosis with malignancy: a study of a South Indian pedigree
Authors: YESUDIAN PATRICK , PREMALATHA S. , THAMBIAH A. S.
Published: July 2006

Tylosis at birth was found as an autosomal dominant inheritance in twenty-two members of a family spanning over five generations. Of those affected three of the fourth generation tylotics developed squamous carcinoma of the tylotic skin and one of these died of carcinoma of the oesophagus. It is possible that there is a genetic association between the state of the oesophagus and the tylosis of the palms and soles which predisposes both sites towards the development of squamous carcinoma.
Enhanced monocyte and neutrophil cytotoxicity and normal cyclic nucleotide levels in severe psoriasis
Authors: HERLIN T. , KRAGBALLE K.
Published: July 2006

Eighteen patients with active psoriasis were investigated for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by monocytes and neutrophil leukocytes. Patients with extensive psoriatic lesions showed increased ADCC whereas patients with minimal psoriasis had normal mono cyte and neutrophil function. After clinical remission the ADCC became normal. No stimulatory factors in psoriatic serum could be demonstrated. The increased monocyte and neutrophil cytotoxicity in severe psoriasis is not explained by altered cyclic nucleotide levels as cAMP and cGMP levels were normal in psoriatic monocytes and neutrophils showing both increased and normal ADCC. Our results indicate that increased ADCC is secondary to the psoriatic activity.
Nickel, hands and hip prostheses
Authors: BURROWS DESMOND , CRESWELL SANDRA , MERRETT J.DESMOND
Published: July 2006

The evidence on the effect of oral nickel on hand dermatitis in nickel sensitive patients is conflicting. The evidence of this study suggests that the amount in an ordinary diet plays no part in the chronicity of nickel dermatitis although this conclusion must be made with reservations because of the small number of patients in the present study. It may be that larger doses not found in a normal diet may have some aggravating effect. Low nickel diets are difficult due to the widespread distribution of nickel in food. There is no evidence that current metals on plastic hips sensitize to nickel or aggravate existing dermatitis. Nickel allergy is not a factor in rejection so patients who are allergic to metal do not necessarily require titanium hips and pre-operative patch testing is unnecessary.
Hyaluronectin in normal human skin and in basal cell carcinoma
Authors: DELPECH ANNIE , DELPECH B. , GIRARD NICOLE , BOULLIE MARIE CLAUDE , LAURET P.
Published: July 2006

The localization of hyaluronectin has been studied in normal skin and in basal cell carcinoma. In fetal skin it is abundant in the dermis but absent from the epidermis, and in adult skin it is totally absent except in the hair sheaths and bulbs. In basal cell carcinoma it is abundant only in the stroma reaction. The presence of this protein in mesenchymatous tissues seems to be linked to zones of physiological or neoplastic proliferation.
Erythema and skin blood content
Authors: ARGENBRIGHT LAWRENCE W. , FORBES P.DONALD
Published: July 2006

We have studied the inflammatory response produced by painting pigs and hairless mice with anthracene and subsequently exposing the skin to fluorescent blacklight lamps. Erythema and oedema appeared in pig skin shortly after the onset of irradiation; oedema but no erythema was evident in mouse skin. The response in both animals became increasingly severe as long as irradiation continued, and began to resolve when irradiation ceased. Hyperaemia (increased tissue blood content) was quantified by the increase in 51Cr-RBC content (c.p.m./wet weight) of the skin. Erythema (appearance of redness) was assessed by the use of an ‘erythema grading scale’ consisting of red gelatin filters of increasing red saturation sandwiched between clear acrylic sheets. Mouse skin responded with a nine-fold hyperaemia compared with unirradiated skin, although no erythema was produced. In contrast, pig skin responded with intense erythema with no corresponding increase in hypaercmia. It is apparent that a stimulus which produces hyperaemia will not necessarily produce erythema, and erythema can develop without hyperaemia.
Zoon's (plasma-cell) balanitis: treatment by circumcision
Authors: SONNEX T.S. , DAWBER R.P.R. , RYAN T.J. , RALFS I.G.
Published: July 2006

Though circumcision has long been known to cure Zoon's balanitis, this mode of treatment has been largely neglected by many leading authorities in recent times.

In this report we describe two patients who failed to respond to recommended topical treatment but who were rapidly cured by circumcision.