bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ANDROGENS IN THE TOPICAL TREATMENT OF LICHEN SCLEROSUS
Authors: PASLIN DAVID 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. Testosterone propionate has been shown repeatedly to be effective in the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus, yet studies of androgens in serum of women with untreated vulvar lichen sclerosus suggested an abnormal activity of 5‐alpha reductase in these patients. If impairment of 5‐alpha reductase in women with untreated vulvar lichen sclerosus is a proximate cause of this disease, then dihydrotestosterone should be more effective than testosterone propionate in the treatment of the condition. Methods. To test this hypothesis, five women with vulvar lichen sclerosus received topically either dihydrotestosterone or testosterone propionate in a double‐blind crossover study. Results. These androgens appear to be equally effective in inducing objective improvement of the vulvar lichen sclerosus by both gross and microscopic criteria. Conclusions. Impairment of 5‐alpha reductase may not be germane to the pathogenesis of vulvar lichen sclerosus.
OIL OF BITTER ORANGE: NEW TOPICAL ANTIFUNGAL AGENT
Authors: RAMADAN WAFAÀ , MOURAD BASMA , IBRAHIM SUZAN , SONBOL FATMA 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. Superficial dermatophyte infection is one of the most common dermatologic diseases. Some of these infections are extremely resistant to therapy. Methods and Patients. Sixty patients participated in this study; they were classified into three groups (20 patients in each). All groups had comparable numbers of patients with tinea corporis, cruris, and pedis. Group 1 was treated with a 25% emulsion of oil of bitter orange (OBO) three times daily; group 2 was treated with 20% OBO in alcohol three times daily and group 3 was treated with pure OBO, once daily. Clinical and mycologic examinations were performed before therapy and every week until a complete cure had occurred. Results. In group 1, 80% of patients were cured in 1 to 2 weeks and 20% in 2 to 3 weeks. In group 2, 50% were cured in 1 to 2 weeks, 30% in 2 to 3 weeks and 20% in 3 to 4 weeks. In group 3, 25% of patients did not continue the trial. Of the remaining patients, 33.3% were cured in one week, 60% in 1 to 2 weeks, and 6.7% in 2 to 3 weeks. Oil of bitter orange produced no side effects except mild irritation seen with the use of the pure form. Conclusions. An in vitro study showed that OBO (natural product) exerts fungistatic and fungicidal activity against a variety of pathogenic dermatophyte species. It is a promising, cheap, and available topical antifungal therapeutic agent.
PERSISTENT VIABILITY OF THE MEDLAR BODY
Authors: ROSEN TED , OVERHOLT MEREDITH 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. The Medlar body represents an adaptive tissue form of the fungi known to cause cutaneous chromomycosis. This study was designed to determine the in vitro viability of Medlar bodies that are found in profusion within lesional epidermis. Methods. Epidermal scrapings of three indigenous cases from Texas of chromomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi were collected and periodically cultured to determine the duration of fungal viability. Results. The causative organism could be recovered 11, 15, and 18 months, respectively, after epidermal scrapings were obtained from the three patients. Conclusions. This simple but important experiment indicates that Medlar bodies are quite hardy. Thus, clinical lesions may appear after long incubation periods subsequent to traumatic implantation of etiologic fungi. The robust adaptability of the tissue form may also account for the difficulty in achieving a “cure” in cases of chromomycosis.
CUTANEOUS MYIASIS FOLLOWING TRAVEL TO BELIZE
Authors: SWETTER SUSAN M. , STEWART MARGARET I. , SMOLLER BRUCE R. 
Published: May 2007

Two days after returning from Belize, a 70‐vear‐old man developed three nonhealing ulcers with serosanguinous drainage on the right posterior ankle. He recalled mildly pruritic “mosquito bites” on the ankles prior to leaving Belize, but no evidence of skin breakdown. Tbe patient denied fever, chills, or other systemic symptoms associated witb his skin lesions.A one‐week course of cephalexin, 500 mg po q.i.d., given for “superficial cellulitis,” failed to improve the plaque on the right ankle. The patient was evaluated in the dermatology department 4 weeks after his return from Belize with no progression of the ankle lesions. The examination showed a 4 x7 cm indurated, nontender, erythematous plaque with three sinuses draining serosanguinous fluid (Fig. 1).A skin biopsy was performed on an area containing a draining sinus tract and submitted for routine and special stains. Tissue and wound cultures were negative for bacteria (aerobic and anaerobic), fungi, mycobacteria, and Leishmania. Histopathologic Findings: The deep retlcular dermis and subcutis showed an extensive, polymorphous, inflammatory reaction surrounding a parasitic structure that measured 1.8 mm in diameter (Fig. 2). The parasite had a thick eosinophilic cuticle with striated muscle visible around the out‐lines of the alimentary tube and other organs (Fig. 3). The morphologic appearance of the parasite was consistent with the larva of a fly, most likely of the Dermatobia species. Clinical Course: Conservative treatment with polymyxin B sulfate‐bacitracin zinc ointment and ace wrap occlusion for 2 days resulted in the extraction of two mature larvae (Fig. 4). The patient reported the sensation of “movement” within the sinuses immediately prior to larval extraction. The third larval specimen was contained in the skin biopsy tissue. All three sites of larval penetration showed rapid healing following the extraction of the larvae.
FURUNCULAR CUTANEOUS MYIASIS CAUSED BY DERMATOBIA HOMINIS LARVAE EOLLOWING TRAVEL TO BRAZIL
Authors: TSUDA SHINGO , NAGAJI JUNKO , KUROSE KOICHIRO , MIYASATO MINORU , SASAI YOICHIRO , YONEDA YUTAKA 
Published: May 2007

A 62‐year‐old Japanese man had visited Rondonia in central Brazii on May 28, 1994, at which time he suffered insect bites on the left axiila and ieft chest regions. Three bites persisted and became tender and painfui. These areas developed into tender nodules with moderate serous drainage from a central pore. Malaise and an intermediate‐grade fever accompanied the eruption. The tender nodules continued after he returned to Japan on July 7. The diagnosis of furunculosis was made by his family physician, but treatment with oral cefdinir (300 mg per day) and naproxen (600 mg per day) for 2 days and application of ointment containing 0.1% gentamicin sulfate failed to resolve the lesions. The patient complained of a crawling sensation under the skin. Since a maggot was removed from the axillary lesion with the aid of the patient's fingers, he was referred to the Dermatology Clinic of the Kurume University Hospital on August 1, for evaluation of parasitic diseases.Physical examination revealed two firm furuncle‐like erythematous nodules, 2.0 cm in diameter, with a centrally placed 4 mm punctum on the left side of the chest (Fig. 1). There was serous drainage from each punctum and a motile larva was seen in each cavity. A lesion on the axilla had healed spontaneously. Laboratory tests were normal. Two florid lesions on the chest were surgically removed under local anesthesia with 0.5% lidocaine hydrochloride. Histologic examination revealed a mixed cell inflammatory infiltrate throughout the dermis with a tract containing a larva. Examination of the larva revealed a segmented ovoid organism, 1.5 × 0.5 cm in size (Fig. 2). The lesions healed completely within 2 weeks without further treatment. The larva removed by the patient was forwarded to the Department of Medical Zoology, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, and was identified as third instar larvae of Dermatobia hominis, the human botfly. The other two of the third instar larvae were transplanted under the skin of a rat and a mouse to obtain pupae or adults, but they failed to pupate and died.
FAMILIAL ACANTHOSIS NIGRICANS
Authors: DHAR SANDIPAN , DAWN GOUTAM , KANWAR AMRINDER J. , NADA RITAMBHARA 
Published: May 2007

A 15‐year‐old girl (Case 1), presented with thickening and hyperpigmentation of the skin over the dorsa of both hands and feet, and the periorbital area. Hyperpigmentation at the above sites was noticed 6 months after birth; gradually the skin became thickened over the years. Her 39‐year‐old mother (Case 2) also had similar skin lesions since infancy. On enquiry, the girl's one brother (27 years old), maternal uncle (55 years old), and maternal grandfather (77 years old) were found to have similar skin lesions (Fig. 1).No abnormality was detected on general physical and systemic examinations. Both the patient and her mother were of average build, nutrition, and weight. Dental, ophthalmologic, and endocrinologic examinations were essentially normal. Examination of the skin in both cases revealed hyperpigmented velvety plaques of skin over the dorsa of both hands and feet (Fig. 2, 3) helix of pinnae, and periorbital areas. The sides of the neck and the axillary, inframammary, and inguinal folds were minimally affected. Hairs, nails, and teeth were normal.Histopathologic examination of the skin from both the dorsum of a hand and face in both patients showed almost identical features. The epidermis appeared to be thinned out over the tips of dermal papillae. There was hyperkeratosis with dermal papillae projecting upwards as fingerlike projections; however, there was mild to moderate acanthosis in the valleys between the papillae (Fig. 4). The rete ridges were poorly developed. There was no proliferation or increased activity of basal melanocytes. The dermis appeared normal.The following investigations were carried out and were within normal limits: complete blood count, urinalysis, serum sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, blood sugar, blood urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, transaminases, and alkaline phosphatase; chest roentgenogram and electrocardiogram (ECG). The patients were advised to use topical application of 0.05% retinoic acid and gradual reduction in hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratosis was observed over a period of 8 to 12 weeks. The nature of the condition was explained to the patients.
PULSED ADMINISTRATION OF CORTICOSTEROIDS IN THE TREATMENT OF ALOPECIA AREATA
Authors: SHARMA VINOD K. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. Widespread alopecia areata (AA) is difficult to treat and modalities such as topical and systemic steroids, topical sensitizers (e.g., squaric acid dibutylester and diphencyprone), psoralen‐ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy, minoxidil, and immunomodulators have been tried. Methods. Patients with widespread alopecia (> 40% scalp involvement), including alopecia totalis (AT) and universalis (AU), were treated with 300 mg oral prednisolone pulses at 4‐week intervals, for a minimum of 4 doses or until cosmetically acceptable hair growth was obtained. Response to therapy was monitored by serial photographs and patients were examined monthly for side effects of steroids. A 1000 mg oral prednisolone pulse was administered to five patients with alopecia totalis/universalis and to three failures of the 300 mg‐pulse treatment. Results. Thirty‐two patients (24 men, 8 women) with a mean age of 29 years were recruited. They had alopecia for a mean period of 2.8 years. Twenty‐seven patients (21 alopecia areata, 5 alopecia universalis, 1 alopecia totalis) received 300 mg pulse therapy and eight patients received 1000 mg prednisolone pulses. Fourteen (58.3%) patients (13 AA, 1 AT) out of 24 evaluated treated with 300 mg pulse therapy showed complete or cosmetically acceptable hair growth. Response was evident on average after 2.4 months and was cosmetically acceptable at 4 months. Three (AA, AT, AU‐one each) out of seven patients assessed for the 1000‐mg pulse had cosmetically acceptable hair growth at 6–9 month. Conclusions. An oral monthly pulse of prednisolone 300 mg is effective, safe, and can be administered on an outpatient basis. It is recommended as one of the modalities for the treatment of widespread alopecia areata.
ULTRASTRUCTURE AND HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS DNA IN PAPILLOMATOSIS OF EXTERNAL AUDITORY CANAL
Authors: XIA MING‐YU , ZHU WEN‐YUAN , LU JUNG‐YU , LU QIN , CHEN LEI 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. A viral etiology has been suspected in papillomatosis of the external auditory canal (peac), but virus particles have not been detected so far, although they are easily demonstrable in skin warts. The purpose of the study was to solve this discrepancy by the use of polymerase chain reaction (pcr). Materials and Methods. Specimens from the external auditory canal of 14 patients with PEAC, but no human papilloma virus infection of the genital areas, were examined histologically by light and electron microscopy, as well as by PCR to detect viral dna. Results. Histologically, papillomatosis was present in all specimens. Vacuolated cells were found in the upper part of the stratum malpighii in five cases. On electron microscopy, the numbers of perichromatin and interchromatin granules were increased, but no viral granules were observed. In all specimens, dna of hpv 6 was detected using PCR, but there was no evidence of DNA of other hpv. Conclusions. Papilloma of the external auditory canal is produced by infection with hpv 6.
VALUE OF TOUCH PREPARATIONS (IMPRINTS) FOR DIAGNOSIS OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS
Authors: BAHAMDAN KHALED A. , KHAN ABDUR RAUF , TALLAB TALAL M. , MOURAD MOHAMED MAZEN 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. The clinical diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis is confirmed by demonstrating the organism on a superficial smear or on a biopsy of the lesion. Misdiagnosis in a biopsy specimen may be due to scanty Leishmania organisms that may not be identified in histologic sections. Methods. Punch biopsies of skin lesions, suspected clinically to be cutaneous leishmaniasis, from 29 patients were taken. Touch smears on slides were air‐dried, fixed with methyl alcohol, and stained with Giemsa stain. Results of routine histologic examination were then compared with those of touch preparation. Results. Twenty‐one cases were positive for leishmaniasis. In 18 cases, the organisms were seen both in the biopsy and in the touch preparation. In three cases, the organisms were only identified on touch preparation. Conclusions. A touch preparation improves the sensitivity of the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis without incurring additional cost to the laboratory.
CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS: SCHEDULES FOR INTRALESIONAL TREATMENT WITH SODIUM STIBOGLUCONATE
Authors: TALLAB TALAL M. , BAHAMDAM KHALID A. , MIRDAD SOLEMAN , JOHARGI HANAN , MOURAD MOHAMED MAZE. , IBRAHIM KARAM , EL SHERBINI ABDUL HAMEED , KARKASHAN EMAN , KHARE ASHOK KUMAR , JAMAL AWATIF 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. Various therapeutic modalities have been used for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis. Intralesional pentavalent antimonial injection is one of the effective therapeutic modalities. In this study, the efficacy of three different intralesional schedules with sodium stibogluconate have been investigated. Methods. Ninety‐six patients with 129 lesions were entered into the study, all with confirmed diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The lesions were treated with three different schedules, including daily, alternate day, and weekly interlesional injections of sodium stibogluconate. The clinical response was then compared to arrive at the most effective schedule. Results. The clinical responses (complete and partial cure) were 67%, 97%, and 91% for the daily, alternate‐day, and weekly schedules, respectively. Lesions with either partial cure or failure of treatment were injected weekly with the same medication until complete cure had been achieved. The final overall success rate of complete cure was 99.2%. Conclusions. Alternate day or weekly intralesional treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with sodium stibogluconate are more effective than daily treatments.
MEASUREMENT OF THE SKIN‐CLEANING EFFECTS OF SOAPS
Authors: WOLF RONNI , FRIEDMAN MARCEL 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. In the past 30 years, many tests for assessing the irritancy of soaps have been introduced, but only very few tests for evaluating their cleaning properties. The urgent need for such a method is obvious. Methods The method is based on the principles developed by Schrader, with substantial modifications. As in Schrader's method, we used a fat‐based ointment to emulate “dirt.” The washing process was performed by placing the examined hand in a rotating soap solution for 5 minutes. The capacity of various soaps to remove the “dirt” was assessed by comparing the sebumeter readings before and after the washing process. The difference between the two readings provided a quantitative estimate of the percentage of “dirt” (ointment) that was washed off during the process. Results The cleansing capacity of two soaps was compared to that of water. Soap 1 showed a cleansing of 81.7 ± 2.4%, soap 2 a cleansing of 75.3 ± 2.9%, as compared to water of 29.7 ± 3.4%. The curve representing the distribution of the data was very smooth, bell‐shaped and symmetric about its mean. The difference between the cleaning activity of the two soaps tested was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Conclusions We have presented a new method for testing the cleansing capacity of soaps. We believe, that our method gives better results than that of Schrader; in particular, it enables us to discriminate more effectively among the various soaps. Our results indicate that the method is reliable and reproducible. It is also practical, easy to perform, does not require an expensive and complex washing machine, and can be carried out in every laboratory.
BEHÇET'S DISEASE: CLINICAL STUDY OF JORDANIAN PATIENTS
Authors: AL‐ABOOSI MUSTAFA M. , AL SALEM MAHMOUD , SAADEH ABDALLAH , AL‐JAMAL MOHAMMED , HIJAWI MUSTAFA , KHAMMASH MUHAMMAD , SHARMA RAGHAVENDRA V. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. Behçet's disease is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory disorder characterized by the triad of oral and genital ulcers and ocular lesions. The etiology is unknown. This is the first report giving details of the clinical manifestations of Behçet's disease in Jordanian patients. Methods. Twenty patients with Behçet's disease were studied to determine the clinical pattern in the North of Jordan. The patients were seen in Princess Basma Teaching Hospital in North Jordan. They presented to various clinics and underwent full clinical examination. Data for each patient on all features of Behçet's disease were recorded on a standard form. A comparison was made between Behçet's disease in Jordan and other countries in the region. Results. Of the 20 patients, 14 were men and six women, giving a ratio of 2.3:1. Their ages ranged from 14 to 58 years. All had mouth ulcers, 65% genital ulcers, 65% ocular involvement, 55% joint involvement, 35% skin lesions, 20% vascular lesions, and 5% gastrointestinal involvement. The oral ulcers were the first manifestation of the disease process in 70% of our patients. Skin lesions, genital ulcers, and involvement of the central nervous system and the pulmonary system were less frequent in our study. Conclusions. Although it is difficult to obtain figures as to the incidence and prevalence of Behçet's disease in Jordan, the clinical manifestations, with a few exceptions, are similar to those in other countries in the region.
PAPULAR‐PURPURIC GLOVES‐AND‐SOCKS SYNDROME
Authors: VARGAS‐DÍEZ ERICH , BUEZO GUADALUPE F. , ARAGÜES MAXIMILIANO , DAUDÉN ESTEBAN , DE ORY FERNANDO 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background and Objective. Papular‐purpuric gloves‐and‐socks syndrome (PPGSS) is a recently described dermatosis in which human parvovirus B19 (HPV B19) has been implicated as etiologic agent; however, it is suspected that PPGSS may be caused by various agents. This study was designed to survey the general characteristics of PPGSS and to determine the role of HPV B19 in its etiology. Methods. We analyzed data from 21 patients and examined serum samples from three new cases for various viruses. Results. The PPGSS displays a striking uniform clinical pattern. Histologic and immunofluorescence findings are nonspecific. Seroconversion of HPV B19 was reported in six cases and confirmed in two of our patients. In only one case was a possible causative role of Coxsackie virus B6 suggested consistently. Conclusions. The PPGSS represents a distinctive dermatosis and a manifestation of HPV B19 infection. Unlike erythema infectiosum, anti‐HPV B19 antibodies seem to develop later after onset of the skin eruption and while viremia is still present.
CHLORACNE IN THE 1990s
Authors: VAZQUEZ EDUARDO ROSAS , MACIAS PABLO CAMPOS , TIRADO JOSE GUADALUPE OCHOA , SOLANA CARLOS GARCIA , CASANOVA ANTONIO , MONCADA JOSE FRANCISCO PALOMINO 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. Chloracne is a disease associated with toxicity of halogenated compounds used in some industrial processes. A patient affected by chloracne led us to study a total of nine cases from a single factory. Methods. We studied the clinical features of nine patients exposed chronically to chlorobenzenes. On all of them blood samples were drawn and biopsies of affected skin and liver were taken. Their work environment was visited and studied. Results. All nine patients were men and had polymorphic skin lesions, characterized mainly by comedones and cysts. They had chronic conjunctivitis and seven had cysts in the Meibomian glands. All of them had polyneuropathy and liver damage and seven had hypertriglyceridemia. Compounds known to cause chloracne were found in exceedingly high concentrations in the water used in the workplace. Conclusions. Every patient exposed to halogenated compounds with the cutaneous manifestations of chloracne should be carefully investigated for systemic complications (such as ophthalmic, neuropathic, hepatic, and lipoprotein abnormalities).
OCCUPATIONAL ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS CAUSED BY 2,4,6‐TRIS‐(DIMETHYLAMINOMETHYL)PHENOL, AND REVIEW OF SENSITIZING EPOXY RESIN HARDENERS
Authors: KANEKRVA LASSE , ESTLANDER TUULA , JOLANKI RIITTA 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. Epoxy resin compounds (ERG) include a large number of sensitizing chemicals such as epoxy resins (ER), hardeners (curing agents), and reactive diluents. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by ERCS is often occupational. Materials and Methods. We report a patient, sensitized to a hardener of a two‐component epoxy paint. Three conventional patch test sessions were performed to diagnose the causative chemical. We also review the literature on sensitizing epoxy‐resin hardeners. Results. A 47‐year‐old nonatopic woman developed dermatitis from a two‐component epoxy paint. Patch testing with epoxy resin was negative, but 2,4,6–tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol (tris‐DMP), used in the paint hardener, induced an allergic patch test reaction. We also review briefly other epoxy hardeners that have caused allergic dermatitis, including: (1) aliphatic polyamines, e.g., ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, 3‐dimethylaminopropylamine, and trimethylhexamethylenediamine; (2) cycloaliphatic polyamines, e.g., isophoronediamine and 3,3′‐dimethyl‐4,4‐diaminodicyclohexylmethane; (3) aromatic amines, such as 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane, m‐phenylene diamine, and 1,3‐xylylene diamine; (4) dicyanodiamide; (5) triglycidyl isocyanurate, an epoxy compound that may be used as an epoxy‐resin hardener; and (6) additives in epoxy accelerators, such as hexavalent chromate. Conclusions. No one chemical can be used to screen for sensitization to the many different epoxy hardeners. Extensive patch testing may be required to reveal the hardener that has caused the allergy. The hardener, 2,4,6‐tris‐dimethylaminomethyDphenol (tris‐DMP), is a new sensitizer. To verify ACD caused by tris‐DMP, patch‐testing at 1% in petrolatum is suggested.