bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Venous leg ulceration: skin and serum zinc concentrations
Authors: Dachowski EJ , Plummer VM , Greaves MW.
Published: July 2023

Zinc was measured in serum and in thigh skin in patients with venous leg ulceration and also in controls. Skin zinc concentrations were expressed in terms of area and dry weight. The mean serum zinc concentration was significantly lowered in the ulcer group. The thigh skin zinc concentration was elevated in patients with chronic venous leg ulceration. The difference was more marked if the zinc concentration was calculated per surface area of skin, but did not reach statistical significance.
5-S-cysteinyldopa in the plasma of melanoma patients and the renal clearance of this amino acid
Authors: Agrup G , Andersson T , Falck B , Persson K , Rorsman H , Rosengren AM , Rosengren E.
Published: July 2023

5-S-cysteinyldopa has been demonstrated in the plasma of two patients with metastases of malignant melanoma and a high excretion rate of 5-S-cysteinyldopa in the urine. In one patient the plasma clearance of 5-S-cysteinyl dopa was 30 ml/min and in the other 69 ml/min. These clearance values were 43 and 45%, respectively, of the creatinine clearance in the two patients.
Chronic polymorphic light eruption. Particular wavebands and the effect of carotene therapy
Authors: Thune P.
Published: July 2023

Forty patients with chronic polymorphic light eruption (CPLE) were tested with the Osram High Pressure Xenon (XBO 150 W) lamp. The tests were performed with unfiltered light, with the Schott WG320 filter for wavelengths above 320 nm and with Schott filters for 310 nm and 361 nm. Abnormal reactions, i.e. lowered MED, papular response or reactions to long wave UV light were observed in almost all patients. A papular response was obtained in more than 50%. With a Schott KG1 filter, which particularly reduces the amount of infrared radiation, there was a great reduction in number of responses. The effect of carotene therapy was evaluated in 17 patients. The therapy had a beneficial effect of low significance only in the case of unfiltered light and not for any particular waveband. Some patients showed clearly an increase in tolerance to sunlight, but this was not related to the plasma level of carotene.
Cutaneous side effects of bleomycin therapy
Authors: Werner Y , Törnberg B.
Published: July 2023

In a series of eight patients with malignant lesions treated with bleomycin, the morphology of the erythematous skin areas was studied in punch biopsies. The main changes were found in the squamous cells of the epidermis, varying from slight cell degeneration, to complete lysis.
The cutaneous reactions to kallikrein, prostaglandin and thurfyl nicotinate in chronic urticaria and the effect of polyphloretin phosphate
Authors: Thune P , Ryan TJ , Powell SM , Ellis JR.
Published: July 2023

The erythema and wealing resulting from the application of thurfyl nicotinate ointment (Trafuril) and from the inoculation of kallikrein has been studied in patients with chronic urticaria and normal controls. Polyphloretin phosphate (PPP) suppressed the reaction in controls but in patients with urticaria it increased the reactions to Trafuril and had little effect on the kallikrein reaction. PPP also suppressed the PGE2-induced erythma in normal controls but not in urticaria patients. In a separate study using fibrinolysis autography, prostaglandin (PG) E2 and PGF2alpha depressed fibrinolysis in the skin of two pigs and both kallikrein and Trafuril suppressed fibrinolysis in human skin. It is suggested that the inflammatory reaction induced by thurfyl nicotinate and kallikrein is mediated in part by a prostaglandin-like action. Several anomalies in the action of Trafuril in skin diseases can be explained if such prostaglandin-like activity is mediated in part through inhibition of fibrinolysis.
The relation of HL-A antigens to liver histology in methotrexate-treated psoriatics
Authors: Nyfors A , Svejgaard A.
Published: July 2023

A total of 45 patients with severe psoriasis vulgaris treated with Methylaminopterin NFN (Methotrexate Lederle) were HL-A typed in order to seek a possible correlation between HL-A antigens and the histological abnormalities in post-Methotrexate (MTX) liver biopsies. Highly significantly increased frequencies of w17 and TY (P less than 0.0001) were found, while HL-A13 Was only slightly increased. No statistically significant correlations were found between HL-A antigens and liver histology. HL-A typing does not seem to be of any predictive value in the pre-MTX screening of psoriatics in order to rule out patients with a high risk of liver damage during long-term MTX therapy.
Oral trimethylpsoralen in the treatment of vitiligo
Authors: Theodoridis A , Tsambaos D , Sivenas C , Capetanakis J.
Published: July 2023

One hundred and 18 children with various clinical types of vitiligo, were treated with oral trimethylpsoralen (Trisoralen, P. B. Elder Co.) followed by exposure to sunlight or an artificial ultraviolet radiation source. In 61 of the adult patients, more than 80% of the vitiliginous areas became repigmented, 18 patients re-pigmented 50-80%, 13 repigmented less than 50% and 8 patients failed to repigment at all. In all of the children, more than 80% of the treated vitiliginous patches became repigmented. No side effects were observed. A follow-up study of the retention of the new pigment revealed that 72 adults (out of 76 followed-up) and 10 children (out of 11) without any treatment had retained 95% or more of the new pigment, 18 months after the completion of treatment. Oral trimethylpsoralen is therefore suggested for the treatment of vitiligo.
Histiocytosis X with skin lesions as the sole clinical expression
Authors: Feuerman E , Sandbank M.
Published: July 2023

The case is presented of a patient with histiocytosis X of the skin of some 25 years' duration. Extensive investigation failed to reveal any other signs of the disease in other organs. The light and electron microscope findings are described. The electron microscope study revealed an abundant cytoplasm with numerous mitochondria, vacuoles, dense bodies, a well-developed Golgi apparatus and numerous Langerhans' cell granules.
An evaluation of delayed hypersensitivity in guinea pigs to various trichophytin preparations
Authors: Kaaman T , Von Stedingk LV , Wasserman J.
Published: July 2023

Guinea pigs immunized with mycelium from Trichophyton mentagrophytes in Freund's complete adjuvant were tested intradermally with the following trichophytin preparations: TrI extracted by ethylene glycol, TrII extracted by phenol and TrII, a commercially obtained preparation fromS√§chsisches Serumverk KG. In our experience, TrI was found to be superior to the other preparations. It showed signifiicant delayed skin reactions in all sensitized animals and none in the controls. Lymphocyte stimulation test with this preparation (TrI) gave positive results.
Treatment of psoriasis with trioxsalen baths and dysprosium lamps
Authors: Fischer T , Alsins J.
Published: July 2023

Photochemotherapeutic treatment of psoriasis with trioxsalen baths (0.5 mg/1) for 15 minutes followed by irradiation with dysprosium lamps (Osram HQI-TS) healed or nearly healed the psoriatic lesions in 18 patients within 3-5 weeks. A control area treated with the Ingram method showed a slower healing in 9 of these patients. Methoxsalen bath was not as effective in healing at the concentration used (1 mg/l). The bath method is easy to administer and cosmetically acceptable. Sensitisation to light is maximal immediately after the bath and disappears more quickly than after painting with an alcoholic trioxsalen solution. By using baths, there is less risk of accidental burns or uneven pigmentation than with the often time-consuming local application of psoralen solutions. Toxic systemic effects, which are possible with oral treatment, are less apt to occur. The dysprosium lamps give high intensity in the UV-A region. Exposure times of 10 seconds to 8 minutes are effective in the treatment of psoriasis, where both the UV-B region itself and the UV-A in combination with trioxsalen have psoriasis-healing properties.
Isolation of Neisseria meningitidis in urogenital/rectal infections
Authors: Odegaard K , Gundersen T.
Published: July 2023

In 9 cases (6 men, 3 women) during 1975 we have isolated N. meningitidis from routine samples from urogenital/rectal locations to be examined for gonococci by culture. One of the men harboured meningococci in the rectum, the other 5 in the urethra. Two of the women had meningococci in the cervix and one in the urethra. Of the meningococci isolated, one belonged to serogroup A, 6 to group B and 2 to group C. Six of the patients, 4 men and 2 women, who attended the Department of Venereal Diseases, are described in greater detail. Of these, only one had symptoms. The meningococci disappeared spontaneously in 5 cases, whilst a man with unsymptomatic infection still harboured meningococci in the rectum after one month. Two of the 4 men were homosexual.
In vitro growth of mouse hair root
Authors: Uzuka M , Takeshita C , Morikawa F.
Published: July 2023

Hair roots from mouse dorsal skin continued to grow in culture medium for 10 h or more after isolation. Under observation by time-lapse cinematography, the cultured hair roots appeared to grow downward. We observed both the downward growth of the cultured hair roots as well as the transfer of melanosomes from melanocytes to cortical cells. The hair roots were also capable of incorporating the labelled amino acid and thymidine.
Allergenicity of epoxy resins in the guinea pig
Authors: Thorgeirsson A , Fregert S.
Published: July 2023

The sensitizing capacity of epoxy resins of diglycidylether-Bisphenol A type was investigated using the "guinea pig maximization test". One isolated resin had a molecular weight (MW) of 340, which is the lowest among this type of epoxy resin. The other resins were mixtures with different MWs. Their distribution is not known, but only their average MW. The low molecular weight resin sensitized all of the animals and can be classified as an extreme allergen. The sensitizing capacity decreased in inverse proportion to the increase in the average MW of the resin mixtures. The cross-testing also indicated that the resin mixtures with higher average MW contained enough of the low MW resin (MW 340) to render this resin a sensitizer. Bisphenol A did not sensitize the animals at all but epichlorhydrin sensitized 60%. It is evident that in order to formulate hypoallergenic epoxy resins it will be necessary to achieve sensitization of animals with isolated resins of varying molecular weight.
Hypomelanosis of Ito
Authors: Nordlund JJ , Klaus SN , Gino J.
Published: July 2023

Hypomelanosis of Ito appears to be a disorder of hypopigmentation. Findings from histochemical and electronmicroscopic studies indicate that pigment cells from the hypopigmented areas have short dendrites and synthesize less than normal amounts of melanin. The syndrome may have two forms; a cutaneous and neurocutaneous variety. In the more severe neurocutaneous variety, the phenotypic pigmentary abnormalities probably reflect a biochemical defect in all tissues derived from the neuro-ectodermal anlage.
New staining techniques for the Langerhans cell
Authors: Juhlin L , Shelley WB.
Published: July 2023

Three new techniques are described for staining the Langerhans cell in whole mounts of fresh human and guinea pig epidermis. These employ paraphenylenediamine, gold sodium thiomalate and cobalt chloride, respectively, and require appropriate epidermal separation with EDTA, ammonium thiocyanate or sodium bromide. Used in conjunction with a modified adenosine triphosphatase stain, these techniques provide greater capability for observing the Langerhans cell in disease states than can be achieved by any single stain. A combined stain with adenosine triphosphate and gold is also described.
An in vivo study of cell-mediated immunity in human warts. Preliminary results
Authors: Thivolet J , Hegazy MR , Viac J , Chardonnet Y.
Published: July 2023

Purified human papilloma virus (HPV) was used to study cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in patients with warts and in controls by means of the intradermal test (IDT). IDT was positive in 75% of patients with past history of warts, in 56% of patients presenting with warts, but in only 7% of controls. Immunofluorescent antibody levels were initially low and increased after injection of HPV antigen in all groups.
Elevated serum immunoglobulin levels in polymorphous light eruptions
Authors: Jansén CT.
Published: July 2023

Elevated immunoglobulin levels were demonstrated in the sera of patients suffering from chronic polymorphous light eruptions. Compared with corresponding levels in a control population, the IgE levels were elevated very significantly, the IgM levels significantly, and the IgG levels almost significantly. Apart from the occurrence of a low grade positive Waaler-Rose test titre in 14% of the patients, serological abnormalities associated with so-called collagen diseases could not be demonstrated.
Increased serum levels of the pregnancy zone protein in psoriasis
Authors: Beckman L , Bergdahl K , Cedergren B , Damber MG , Lidén S , Von Schoultz B , Stigbrand T.
Published: July 2023

On the basis of immunological studies on psoriasis in recent years, it seems probable that immunological mechanisms are of importance and that psoriasis could be regarded as an immunogenetic disease. In this study, increased serum levels of an immunosuppressive factor, the pregnancy zone protein (PZ), were found in psoriatic patients. Patients with elevated levels (greater than 2 S.D. units) of PZ showed a positive association with continuous symptoms and a negative association with blood groups A and Fy(a+b-). Thus, induction of PZ occurs mainly in psoriatic patients who have a particular genetic constitution. The results support the hypothesis that PZ is not only an immunosuppressive but also an immunoreactive protein.
An unusual case of benign mucous membrane pemphigoid
Authors: Harrington CI , Sneddon IB.
Published: July 2023

This case of benign mucous membrane pemphigoid (BMMP) is unusual in that blistering, scarring lesions were confined to the skin for 15 years before mucous membranes were involved. The onset of this disorder at the age of 38 is also unusual. Detailed immunological investigation was performed on this patient but the results in no way clarify the present confusion regarding the immunopathological processes in BMMP related to those operative in bullous pemphigoid.
Penicillamine-induced pemphigus foliaceus
Authors: Kristensen JK , Wadskov S.
Published: July 2023

A 61-year-old man suffering from active generalized scleroderma developed pemphigus foliaceus after 9 months of D-penicillamine therapy, 900-1200 mg daily. At the same time, he developed proteinuria. Upon discontinuation of the drug, the proteinuria quickly resolved, but the bullous disease was still active one year later, with development of fresh blisters and intercellular deposits of immunoglobulin G and complement C3. The theory is proposed that D-penicillamine alters the epidermal cement substance, rendering it antigenic and thus initiating a vicious circle.
The clinical significance of cutaneous reactions to trichophytin in dermatophytosis
Authors: Kaaman T
Published: July 2023

An intracutaneous test was performed in 114 patients with dermatophytosis verified by culture and in 32 control subjects, unsing purified trichophytin (according to the ethylene glycol method) and commercially available trichophytin. Immediate reactions occurred with both trichophytin antigens at a similar frequency in 12-14% of cases. Delayed reactions occurred significantly more often to the purified trichophytin in patients with dermatophytosis (36%) but in none of the controls. Immediate reactions to purified trichophytin occurred in 26% of the chronically infected patients. Delayed reactions were correlated to patients with tinea cruris (50% positive reactions), to infections with Epidermophyton floccosum (50%) and to patients not chronically infected. Thus, chronic dermatophytosis was characterized by immediate reactions to purified trichophytin and few delayed reactions. In contrast, patients not chronically infected were characterized by delayed reactions and few immediate reactions.
Multiple keratoacanthomata A unique case and review of the current classification
Authors: Reid BJ , Cheesbrough MJ
Published: July 2023

A case of multiple keratoacanthomata is described, with involvement of the palms and soles, and erosive lesions of the eyelids and penis. Several lesions healed spontaneously, leaving circular scars. Some were atypical clinically, taking the form of keratotic tumors. Methotrexate produced marked improvement of all lesions but had to be abandoned because of thrombocytopenia. The current classification of keratoacanthomata is reviewed.
Enzymatic liberation of viable cells of human skin
Authors: Hentzer B , Kobayasi T
Published: July 2023

To obtain viable cells from normal human skin, clostridial collagenase was used. Crude collagenase digestion of collagen fibres and basal lamina results in free dermal cells and sheets of epidermis. The collagenase was tested at various concentrations, solvents and incubation periods. The specimens digested were either split or full thickness skin of varying size. The optimal result was obtained by using small (3mm across) split skin pieces incubated in 2 mg/ml collagenase. The choice of solvent MEM, MEM supplemented with serum, and Tris buffer, was less important. 3 hours' incubation the epidermis was peeled off in sheets and finally dissociated by trypsin-EDTA. The corium was completely digested after 6 hours. After 6 hours' incubation no viable cells could be seen. The epidermal cells appeared mainly as polygonal cells of various sizes and a few little dendritic cells. The dermal cells had a heterogeneous morphology during the first weeks of cultivation. After 2 weeks the cells appeared as fibroblast-like cells.
The cytolytic effect of PUVA treatment on PHA-stimulated human peripheral lymphocytes
Authors: Schmoeckel C , Scherer R , Dern B , Braun-Falco O
Published: July 2023

The morphology of PUVA-treated and PHA-stimulated human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro was studied by means of the light and electron microscopes. Most cells showed signs of cytolysis, such as pyknotic nuclei and a swollen and decomposed cytoplasm; a few cells, however, appeared as normal lymphoblasts. In the latter, repair-enzyme mechanisms may successfully have rectified alterations in the DNS prior to the inception of S-phase. These findings are discussed with reference to the in vivo effect of PUVA treatment.
Lymphocyte transformation induced by nickel sulphate: an in vitro study of subjects with and without a positive nickel patch test
Authors: Svejgaard E , Morling N , Svejgaard A , Veien NK
Published: July 2023

Lymphocytes from 8 patients with contact dermatitis and a positive nickel patch test, 7 patients with contact dermatitis due to other factors and with a negative nickel patch test, and 9 other subjects, 7 of whom suffered from other dermatological disorders, were tested with the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT), using nickel sulphate in various concentrations. All execpt one of the nickel allergics showed a significant response to nickel, whereas the controls showed borderline (3 patients) or no response (12 patients). These observations confirm previous findings indicating that nickel hypersensitivity can be diagnosed in vitro. This may be of importance in cases of acute contact dermatitis where patch testing is undesirable. Some individuals with a negative nickel patch test responded significantly though weakly to nickel in the LTT, indicating that apart from acting as a specific antigen (hapten?) nickel sulphate may also have weak non-specific mitogenic properties.
Free and bound 5-S-cysteinyldopa and dopa in human malignant melanomas
Authors: Agrup G , Hansson C , Rorsman H , Rosengren AM , Rosengren E
Published: July 2023

Free dopa and 5-S-cysteinyldopa were extracted from two human melanomas. Subsequent hydrolysis of carefully washed melanoma tissue released dopa and 5-S-cysteinyldopa, indication the presence of these catechol amino acids in proteins. Cysteinyldopa-containing proteins may represent the antigens previously demonstrated in human melanomas.
Studies on carrier protein in contact dermatitis: in vivo sensitization with soluble epidermal proteins as carrier proteins
Authors: Miyagawa S , Miyagawa N
Published: July 2023

Contact hypersensitivity to picrylchloride was induced in guinea pigs by the subcutaneous injection of heteroantigenic components which were isolated by antibody immunoadsorbent from soluble epidermal proteins of picrylchloride painted guinea pigs. The injection of non-heterantinenic components obtained from the picrylchloride treated guinea pig epidermis did not elicit contact sensitization to picrylchloride in guinea pigs. These results corroborate previous findings obtained when utilizing the in vitro migration inhibition assay.
Increased 133xenon washout from cutaneous tissue in generalized scleroderma indicates increased blood flow
Authors: Kristensen JK , Wadskov S
Published: July 2023

Blood flow in cutaneous tissue of the dorsum of the hand was measured by the local 133Xenon washout technique in 18 normal persons and in 26 patients suffering from generalized scleroderma of the acrosclerosis types. Flow values calculated from the accepted blood--tissue solubility coefficient (lambda) were 8.6 +/- 0.4 S.E.M. ml/100 g X min in normals and 14.5 +/- 1.1 ml/100 g X min in sclerodermic skin (i.e. increased by 69%). The difference was significant (p less than 0.001). Blood flow values in sclerodermic skin were directly proportional to the degree of dermal sclerosis. As lambda in sclerodermic skin is probably decreased due to a decreased fat content, it may not be correct to interpret these results as evidence of increased blood flow. A "worst case" was constructed in calculation of lambda using zero fat content for sclerodermic skin. Flow value was now 12.3 +/- 1.1 S.E.M. ml/100 g X min for sclerodermic skin, an increase of 43% compared with normal skin. It is probably only justified to use this "worst case lambda" in the group of severely involved cases of scleroderma. In these patients it yielded a flow value of 17.8 +/- 3.1 (N = 6) which, when compared with the flow value for normal skin, indicates an increase by 100% of the blood flow in severely involved sclerodermic skin.
An ultrastructural study of the epidermis in hyperkeratosis lenticularis perstans
Authors: Ikai K , Murai T , Oguchi M , Takigawa M , Komura J , Ofuji S
Published: July 2023

A 60-year-old Japanese man contracted hyperkeratosis lenticularis perstans (Flegel). Biopsy specimens of the keratotic papules on the dorsa of the feet were studied with electron microscopy. An increase in the number of membrane coating granules, keratohyalin granules and tonofilaments was the most prominent feature of the keratinocytes underlying the keratotic papule. However, in the area just above the cone-shaped dermal infiltration, membrane coating granules were absent and keratohyalin granules and tonofilaments were poorly developed.
Delayed cold urticaria
Authors: Bäck O , Larsen A
Published: July 2023

Five patients with delayed cold urticaria are described. The urticarial skin response was present between 24 and 72 hours after ice challenge. In two of the patients the cold sensitivity was of clinical relevance. Some of the patients displayed low alpha1-antitrypsin and increased C4 levels in their serum. Our findings may justify the introduction of cold provocation as a routine procedure in the investigation of a patient with chronic urticaria.
Local absorption of zinc from wounds treated with different concentrations of zinc sulphate
Authors: Hallmans G
Published: July 2023

In the present study it was shown in rats that zinc is absorbed from excisional wounds treated with zinc sulphate. Systemic toxic effects were observed in the group treated with 20% zinc sulphate. Local toxic effects were seen in wounds treated with 0.2%, 2% and 20% zinc sulphate. An inhibitory effect of zinc on the migration of granulocytes was suggested on the basis of microscopic observation. In the operated groups which were not treated with zinc and the group treated with 0.02% zinc sulphate a decline was observed in the concentration of zinc in serum. The zinc concentration in serum increased in proportion to the zinc sulphate concentration (0.2%, 2% and 20%) applied to the wounds, while the copper concentration decreased in the groups treated with 2% and 20% zinc sulphate. In all operated groups an increase in zinc and copper concentrations was observed in liver. This was most pronounced in groups treated with higher concentrations of zinc sulphate (0.2%, 2% and 20%). The groups treated with higher concentrations of zinc sulphate also had higher pancreas zinc concentrations than the remaining groups.
Topical nitrogen mustard induced carcinogenesis
Authors: Kravitz PH , McDonald CJ
Published: July 2023

Mycosis fungoides is a rare malignant lymphoma that primarily affects the skin. Lymph node and visceral involvement may follow. The disease is chronic in course, displaying numerous clinical variations. Two cases of mycosis fungoides complicated by the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma will be discussed. One of the two patients developed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma from an initial primary cutaneous lesion. Both patients were treated for long periods with topical nitrogen mustard in addition to systemic therapy. The question of topical nitrogen mustard induction of squamous cell carcinoma is raised.
Giant melanin granules in vitiliginous achromia with malignant melanoma
Authors: Ortonne JP , Perrot H
Published: July 2023

Histological and ultrastructural examination of normal and perilesional skin of a patient with vitiliginous depigmentation associated with a malignant melanoma revealed the presence of giant melanin granules in keratinocytes and melanocytes. These structures are compared to macromelanosomes which have been observed in numerous pigmentary diseases. The formation and significance of the giant melanin granules is discussed.
Failure of transfer factor therapy in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Hovmark A , Ekre HP
Published: July 2023

A controlled clinical study was conducted on 6 patients with atopic dermatitis to assess the efficacy of transfer factor. After the code was broken the 3 patients treated with placebo preparation were treated with transfer factor for a further period of 10 weeks. No definite therapeutic effects could be demonstrated. The immunological in vivo and in vitro tests failed to reveal any effects except for a change to positive in the tuberculin skin test in those patients who had previously been skin test negative. The treatment had to be discontinued in one patient due to a suspected allergic reaction against transfer factor.
Psoriasis and arthritic lesions in relation to the inheritance of HLA genotypes: a family study
Authors: Marcusson J , Möller E , Rosenthal L , Lindwall N , Thyresson N
Published: July 2023

This family consists of forty-eight subjects, all of whom have been examined with regard to the presence of psoriasis and nearly all for the presence of arthritic lesions (sacroiliitis and peripheral arthritis). All the members have been tissue-typed not only for HLA-A, B and C locus products but also for D locus products. This has enabled us to study the entire HLA chromosomal region. In the family concerned we have found that those subjects haploidentical with the proband have, to a very large degree, either one or all clinical manifestations, which demonstrates a close genetic relationship between joint (especially sacroiliitis) and cutaneous manifestations. These findings prompt us to repeat our previously made proposal about different phenotypic expressions of the same genotype. In this family study the disease-associated haplotypes did not contain the genes for B13, 17 or 37 antigens which are known to occur frequently in psoriatic patients. However, not all psoriasis patients have these antigens. Despite that, we believe that the gene(s) which increase the likelihood of developing psoriasis are identical in all patients and therefore family studies where the proband does not carry the particular psoriasis associated B-alleles are equally illuminating as to the inheritance pattern of disease.
Intercellular and circulating antibodies in patients with dyskeratosis follicularis, Darier's disease
Authors: Vedtofte P , Joensen HD , Dabelsteen E , Veien N
Published: July 2023

Skin biopsies from 6 patients, and biopsies of the palatal mucosa of 4 of these patients with dyskeratosis follicularis (DF) (Dariers disease) were examined for in vivo bound antibodies by means of a direct immunofluorescence (IF) technique. Antibodies located in the intercellular substance of the epidermis were found in the skin lesions of all patients. Immunoglobulins of the classes IgG, IgA and IgM as well as C3 were found in all lesions. No antibodies reacting with the palatal mucosa were found. Sera from 6 patients with DF and 10 control persons were tested by an indirect IF technique for circulating antibodies. Guinea pig lip and normal oral mucosa and skin were used as antigens. All patients sera and one control serum reacted with the basal cell of the guinea pig lip. Three DF sera--but no control sera--reacted with the basal cells of human oral mucosa. None of the sera reacted with human skin.
Werner's syndrome and the cellular immune reactions
Authors: Salamon T , Bogdanović B , Lazović-Tepavac O , Blazević A , Macanović-Bogner K
Published: July 2023

A case of Werner's syndrome in a 39-year-old man is described. PPD and trichophytin intradermally proved negative; the percentage of T-lymphocytes and the lymphocyte response to PHA were reduced. Cellular immune reactions seem to have been impaired in this case.
Sutton's summer prurigo of the elbows
Authors: Rasmussen JE
Published: July 2023

Seasonal variations in skin diseases are most noticeable in those parts of the country with significant changes of seasons. For the past 5 years, I have noticed an unusual recurrent prurigo of the elbows which was originally described by Sutton. This disease, which I feel is related to atopic eczema, usually occurs on the elbows of children during the first few weeks of good spring weather. The disease appears as a papular eczematous dermatitis which is usually limited to the elbows but may also affect the knees, hands and chest. It responds well to topical corticosteroids but has a tendency to recur each spring for several years.
Pediculosis capitis treated with quassia tincture
Authors: Jensen O , Nielsen AO , Bjerregaard P
Published: July 2023

454 patients were treated with quassia tincture for head lice. At examination one week later only three patients had hatched lice. There was firm evidence that these patients had been reinfested. The treatment procedure was acceptable both to patients and to staff and no side-effects were observed. As resistance to clophenothane has appeared, alternative cures are needed. This study confirms earlier reports on the effectiveness of quassia tincture, which seems to be a useful alternative to clophenothane. At present the recommended treatment is two applications with an interval of one week.
Culture diagnosis of gonorrhoea--a comparison between two standard laboratory methods and a commercial gonococcal culture kit (Kvadricult)
Authors: Danielsson D , Sandström E , Kjellander J , Moi H , Wallmark G
Published: July 2023

The efficiency of a commercial kit--Kvadricult--intended for the culture diagnosis of gonorrhoea and specially designed to simplify "bedside" inoculation, was compared in two laboratories with their standard laboratory gonococcal (GC) culture methods. The yields of specimens inoculated "bedside" were compared with those inoculated after transport for 4-18 hrs in a modified Stuart transport medium. The highest positive yield was obtained by "bedside" inoculation with approximately equal results for the conventional methods and the Kvadricult system. Compared with "bedside" inoculation, the loss of positive specimens after transport was less than 10% in one laboratory but more than 17% in the other, which was found to be due to inferiority of the GC medium used in this laboratory, the reasons for which are discussed. Prolonged transportation of specimens for 2 days increased the loss of positive specimens, rising to as much as 55% even at the laboratory with the more efficient GC medium. These losses can obviously be avoided by transport for less than 24 hours--or better still, by "bedside" inoculation. From this point of view we have found the Kvadricult system efficient and easy to handle.
Measurement of the horny layer turnover after staining with dansyl chloride: description of a new method
Authors: Johannesson A , Hammar H
Published: July 2023

A simple non-radioactive technique is described. The corneal layers were stained with 5% dansyl chloride ointment during 24-48 h of occlusion. The number of newly formed corneal layers were counted on sections from punch biopsies obtained at various intervals after the staining. The rate of formation is given as layers formed per 24 hours. The technique makes it possible to detect an increase in the turnover rate when it is more than 15-32% above normal. The biological material can also be utilized for comparative studies utilizing biochemical and histological methods. The average rate of formation was 1.15+-0.09 (S.E.M.) layers per 24 hours in a group of 10 subjects.
Membrane-associated actin in psoriatic epidermis
Authors: Wanger L , Sundqvist KG
Published: July 2023

With immunofluorescence technique by using specific antibodies, polymerized actin (F-actin) was found to be present in the peripheral parts of the cells in all layers of epidermis from lesional skin taken from twelve psoriatics, whereas normal epidermis from the same individuals showed no such reactivity. This finding might have some bearing on the induction of these lesions.
Parakeratosis in some epidermal tumors: fine structural and immunohistochemical similarity between parakeratosis and "Hornmark" -like structure
Authors: Kimura S
Published: July 2023

Both parakeratosis and "Hornmark" -like structure are basic histopathologic changes found in a variety of skin lesions. In order to investigate more closely the architecture and components of these two structures, three cases of epidermal tumor which showed both parakeratosis and "Hornmark" -like structure were studied by using routine histology and histochemistry, immunofluorescence technique, and electron microscopy. In the intercellular space of the stratum corneum in these two structures, diastase-resistant PAS-positive substance was found. This substance also showed positive immunofluorescence for immunoglobulins, complement, and fibrinogen. Electron microscopically, this substance was moderately electron-dense and fine granular, and was located in the intercellular space and in part in the cytoplasm of the horny cells. On the basis of these findings, this substance was judged more likely to be derived from the components of plasma protein than a result of the degeneration of epidermal cells. Only quantitative difference was observed between these two structure. This substance was considered to play an important role on the increased cohesiveness of the horny cells. However, whether this is a product of antigen-antibody reactions, or the result of the process similar to blood coagulation, remains to be elucidated.
Biogenic amines derived from tryptophan in systemic and cutaneous scleroderma
Authors: Stachów A , Jabłońska S , Skiendzielewska A.
Published: July 2023

Blood levels of serotonin (5-HT) and urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindole-acetic acid (5-HIAA), tryptamine (T), and indole-acetic acid (IAA) were determined in 39 cases of systemic scleroderma and in 7 cases of very severe cutaneous scleroderma. The T/IAA ratio was normal and serotonin elevated in mild and rather severe acrosclerosis alike, i.e. in systemic scleroderma with pronounced vascular involvement. The T/IAA ratio was increased and serotonin normal in severe acroscleroderma, representing an intermediate form or transition to diffuse scleroderma, in severe diffuse scleroderma, and in severe cutaneous scleroderma. The T/IAA ratio and serotonin level were both elevated in a few cases of systemic scleroderma and in severe generalized morphea with concomitant vascular changes. The findings suggest impaired monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in scleroderma with consequent accumulation in the organism of biogenic amines derived from tryptophan. An increased T/IAA ratio seems to be of prognostic significance in scleroderma, suggesting an adverse course of the disease.
Scleredema of Buschke with IgA deficiency
Authors: Theodoridis A , Capetanakis J.
Published: July 2023

We describe here a case of Scleredema of Buschke in a female patient aged 63 with IgA deficiency. The disorder appeared after an acute episode of tonsillitis, followed by non-pitting, woody hardness of the skin of the face, neck, shoulders and upper part of the trunk. The disorder resolved after 5 months of penicillin treatment.
Oral retinoid and UVB radiation: a new, alternative treatment for psoriasis on an out-patient basis
Authors: Orfanos CE , Steigleder GK , Pullmann H , Bloch PH.
Published: July 2023

The combined application of an oral retinoid (Ro 10-9359) and phototherapy with predominantly UVB radiation (Selective Ultraviolet Phototherapy=SUP) is a new, highly effective method of treating psoriasis. It has few side effects and can be performed on an out-patient basis. With the aid of this combined treatment we achieved good or very good improvement in 19 out of 23 patients with generalized psoriasis (=82.6%). The average number of radiation sessions required to achieve this was 22.9, and the mean total therapeutic dose (TTD) was 73 J/cm2. In a control group of 40 psoriasis patients, who received only radiation therapy, we achieved good or very good results in only 60% with an average of 26 radiation sessions and 94 J/cm2 TTD. The effect of the oral retinoid and UVB radiation therapy is apparently additive, since the retinoid does not increase the sensitivity of the skin to light.
Does the cancer accompanying acanthosis nigricans contain endocrine cells of the APUD series?
Authors: Curth HO.
Published: July 2023

Abstract is not available.
Quantitation of skin bacteria: lethality of the wash solution used to remove bacteria
Authors: Bloom E , Aly R , Maibach HI.
Published: July 2023

A widely used technique for the quantitative removal of bacteria from the skin uses a detergent, Triton X-100 (p, t-octylphenoxynonaethoxyethanol), to remove and suspend the bacteria. We determined the half-life for the survival of five common skin bacteria suspended in the solution. The shortest-lived was Streptococcus pyogenes with a half-life of 0.9 hours. All of the others (Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) had half-lives of 1.5 hours or longer. K. pneumoniae, the only Gram-negative species tested, had a half-life of more than 30 hours. Thus, a one hour delay in plating and incubation of samples suspended in this detergent solution inhibits quantitation of most species tested.
Pulmonary disease complicating intermittent methotrexate therapy of psoriasis
Authors: Verdich J , Christensen AL.
Published: July 2023

A patient with psoriasis was treated with methotrexate (MTX) orally once a week. Bilateral pulmonary infiltrations, hilar- and peripheral adenopathy with granulomas, cough, fever and dyspnoea developed after 10 months of treatment. Similar symptoms in patients receiving MTX have been described by others. The clinical symptoms cleared after MTX was withdrawn. However, the radiographic changes persisted long after the symptoms had resolved. The possibility of sarcoidosis incidentally developing during the MTX treatment is discussed.
Skin reactivity in workers with and without itching from occupational exposure to glass fibres
Authors: Björnberg A , Löwhagen GB , Tengberg JE.
Published: July 2023

98 workers at a glass-wool factory were divided into three comparable groups: those with persistent troublesome itching from the fibres, those without itching, and those who had become 'hardened' to the itching. The three groups were compared with respect to the results of patch testing with glass fibres and six chemical irritants, a rubbing test with fibres, the Trafuril test, and provocation of dermographism. Anamnestic data with respect to atopy, itching from wool and synthetic fibres, sweating, and reactions to the sun were evaluated, as also was the general skin pigmentation. No statistically significant differences between the three groups were found in respect of any of these tests or factors except for a subjectively increased sensitivity in the rubbing test with fibres for the itching group. It is possible that similar itch-provocation tests might be useful for pre-employment assessment to predict severe occupational itching from glass fibres.
Porphyria cutanea tarda associated with lymphoma
Authors: Maughan WZ , Muller SA , Perry HO.
Published: July 2023

Three patients with porphyria cutanea tarda and lymphoma were seen at the Mayo Clinic. In one patient, the signs and symptoms of porphyria cutanea tarda and lymphoma occurred simultaneously, whereas in the other two, the porphyria was seen before the lymphoma occurred, three years before in one and one and a half years before in the other. Involvement of liver or marrow was not related to the development of porphyria cutanea tarda in any of the 3 patients. The porphyria cutanea tarda was not eased by radiotherapy or chemotherapy of the lymphoma, although it was probably less symptomatic after the patients were treated. While a relationship between porphyria cutanea tarda and lymphoma is speculative, confirmation will require a closer scrutiny of patients with these two diseases.
An approach to experimental scleroderma, using urinary glycosaminoglycans from patients with systemic scleroderma
Authors: Ishikawa H , Suzuki S , Horiuchi R , Sato H.
Published: July 2023

As a result of intraperitoneal injections in mice of crude glycosaminoglycans obtained from the urine of patients with systemic scleroderma, a fibrotic process similar to the intial changes of human scleroderma was frequently observed, especially in the skin and esophagus when the glycosaminoglycans contained a probable variant of heparan sulfate. Furthermore, the scleroderma-like change was also observed, to some extent, in the ultrastructure of collagen fibers and glycosaminoglycans of the skin.
Antinuclear antibodies during Puva therapy
Authors: Bjellerup M , Bruze M , Forsgren A , Krook G , Ljunggren B.
Published: July 2023

During PUVA therapy 7 patients out of 34 with severe psoriasis developed circulating antinuclear antibodies (ANA) (21%). Before treatment only 3 patients of 50 (6%) considered for PUVA had detectable ANA. The ANA titres were usually low. Antibodies against native DNA as studied with the Crithidia luciliae test, were not found, and blood and urinary screening for collagenosis was negative. All 7 patients responded well to the PUVA treatment. The significance of these findings remains to be determined.
Distribution of tritium-labelled 8-methoxypsoralen in the rat, studied by whole body autoradiography
Authors: Wulf HC , Hart J.
Published: July 2023

The distribution of 3H-8-methoxypsoralen has been studied in rats by whole body autoradiography. The highest organ concentration were seen 1 hour after dosing. The most pronounced accumulation was found centriblobular in the liver, corticomedullary in the kidneys, and in the cortex of the adrenals. The concentrations in these organs were approximately six times higher than in the blood. Other organs showed concentrations similar to blood levels. Illumination with UVA (10 J/cm2) increased the concentrations in the subcutis.
Exogenous arachidonic acid metabolism in platelets from psoriatic patients.
Authors: Vila L , Solá J , Puig L , De Castellarnau C , De Moragas J M
Published: July 2023

Several reports have been published on platelet hyperaggregation in psoriatic patients, which might be related to alterations in arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism by platelets. We have studied the AA metabolism pattern, total eicosanoid formation and biosynthesis rate in platelet from psoriatic patients and from normal subjects after incubation with exogenous AA. We have found no difference in the metabolic pattern of platelets. Total formation of 12-HETE was higher in the control group (p less than 0.01). The rate of synthesis of cyclooxygenase products was higher in the psoriatic group, but only that of thromboxane B2 was statistically significant (p less than 0.02). There was a close correlation between thromboxane B2 formation rate and the lag time of platelet aggregation in response to 1 mM AA (p less than 0.01). The percentage of aggregation of platelets from psoriatics was significantly higher than that from normal subjects (p less than 0.05) and the lag time was lower in psoriatic group, but the difference was not statistically significant.
Transferrin and epidermal growth
Authors: Hammar H , Acevedo F , Naito S
Published: July 2023

Growth of keratinocytes in explant culture of mouse ear epidermis was studied. The addition of transferrin to the culture media improved growth. Transferrin fractionated from human and fetal calf serum increased outgrowths of the cultures when compared with commercially available transferrin. An acidic transferrin fraction was present in greater amount in human serum and in fetal calf serum than that found in commercial transferrin. This fraction was more abundant in serum from psoriatic patients than in serum of healthy subjects as shown by isotachophoresis. For the culture studies, preparation of this material was done by chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose 6B-CL columns. Further on, diferric transferrin was preferentially used in order to abolish variation due to iron saturation. Iron concentration higher than 5 microM was deleterious to cell growth. The basal culture medium contained transferrin depleted fetal calf serum in RPMI 1640 with 2 microM glutamine and antibiotics. Serum-free medium was used in some experiments. The additions were 1.7 microM insulin, 1.4 microM hydrocortisone, 10 microM ethanolamine and 10 microM phosphoethanolamine. A partially purified fraction of the acidic forms of transferrin (10-20 micrograms/ml medium) improved outgrowth when compared with a neutral fraction under these circumstances.
A quantitative comparison of the effect of local analgesics on argon laser induced cutaneous pain and on histamine induced wheal, flare and itch.
Authors: Bjerring P , Arendt-Nielsen L
Published: July 2023

A quantitative comparison was made of the effect of infiltration of local analgesics and topical analgesic cream (EMLA) on laser-induced pain and histamine-induced wheal, flare and itch. Wheal and flare were quantified by planimetry and analgesia was quantified by the pricking pain threshold to argon laser stimulation. The intensity of histamine-induced itch was scored on a 4-point scale. Local analgesics had no effect on the wheal area. The flare reaction was abolished by infiltrating lignocaine, and gradually inhibited by increased application times of EMLA. Itch was abolished after local lignocaine infiltration, but not significantly reduced after EMLA cream applied for less than 120 min, although the skin was anaesthetized to laser-induced pain. The reduction of flare area correlated to the level of analgesia, which may therefore reflect the cutaneous responsiveness to neurogenic inflammation. It is suggested that itch and pricking pain are mediated by different populations of nerve fibres, as itch can be evoked even when the sensation of pricking pain is abolished. Surgery, skin prick tests and other traumatic procedures should therefore be performed under local anaesthesia to reduce neurogenic inflammation.