bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lack of correlation between minimal erythema dose and skin phototype in a colombian scholar population
Authors: Sanclemente Gloria , Zapata José‐F , García José‐J , Gaviria Ángela , Gómez Luis‐F , Barrera Marcela 
Published: March 2008

Background: Sun exposure and skin phototype are the most relevant risk factors for skin cancer. Colombia has high levels of ultraviolet radiation during the whole year, therefore, both, high UVI's and outdoor worker's daily activities, in our country are very important risk factors for the development of cutaneous cancer. To date no study has evaluated the usefulness of Fitzpatrick's skin phototype classification in Colombians and its correlation with the minimal erythema dose (MED) and constitutional skin color. Such information is gaining importance in other nations due to the fact that several country's population is becoming more ethnically diverse.Objectives: To determine the skin phototype, accumulated sun exposure, sun protection behavior, MED and phenotype in a Colombian school population.Methods: Last year high school students from the western Antioquia were invited to participate by phone and letter through their respective school directors. A self‐questionnaire was handled to each student. A representative sample of the universe was selected for a medical examination by a dermatologist in order to validate the results of the self‐questionnaire. The constitutional skin color was determined with the chromameter CR 300 Minolta®. The MED was defined as the minimal dose of UVB being able to induce erythema 24 h later.Results: Eight schools of the area agreed to participate in the study, and a total of 911 students (58% girls and 42% boys) filled‐out the self‐questionnaire. Sun exposure in the majority of individuals was in a level between moderate and very high. Ninety percent of students do not use any sun protection device or cream. Only a 50% of concordance between self‐assessed skin phototype vs. medical skin phototype was found, and the highest concordance corresponded to skin phototype II (82%). There was a marked difference in skin photosensitivity of Colombians compared with reports in Caucasians. We observed a marked overlapping in MED's and L* values in phototypes II and III.Conclusions: The Fitzpatrick's classification was not useful in Hispanic populations such as ours. Therefore, a new skin‐phototype classification system is required. In our population the constitutional color was a good predictor of the MED but it did not correlate with skin phototype. The self‐assessed questionnaire method was not useful to determine skin cancer risk in our population. The majority of this population has light skin phototypes and is highly exposed to solar UV radiation without proper protection.
A basis function feature‐based approach for skin lesion discrimination in dermatology dermoscopy images
Authors: Joe Stanley R. , Stoecker William V. , Moss Randy H. , Rabinovitz Harold S. , Cognetta Armand B. , Argenziano Giuseppe , Peter Soyer H. 
Published: March 2008

Background: Skin lesion color is an important feature for diagnosing malignant melanoma. New basis function correlation features are proposed for discriminating malignant melanoma lesions from benign lesions in dermoscopy images. The proposed features are computed based on correlating the luminance histogram of melanoma or benign labeled relative colors from a specified portion of the skin lesion with a set of basis functions. These features extend previously developed statistical and fuzzy logic‐based relative color histogram analysis techniques for automated mapping of colors representative of melanoma and benign skin lesions from a training set of lesion images.Methods: Using the statistical and fuzzy logic‐based approaches for relative color mapping, melanoma and benign color features are computed over skin lesion region of interest, respectively. Luminance histograms are obtained from the melanoma and benign mapped colors within the lesion region of interest and are correlated with a set of basis functions to quantify the distribution of colors. The histogram analysis techniques and feature calculations are evaluated using a data set of 279 malignant melanomas and 442 benign dysplastic nevi images.Results: Experimental test results showed that combining existing melanoma and benign color features with the proposed basis function features found from the melanoma mapped colors yielded average correct melanoma and benign lesion discrimination rates as high as 86.45% and 83.35%, respectively.Conclusions: The basis function features provide an alternative approach to melanoma discrimination that quantifies the variation and distribution of colors characteristic of melanoma and benign skin lesions.
Validation of a non‐contact technique for local skin temperature measurements
Authors: George J. , Bensafi A. , Schmitt A. M. , Black D. , Dahan S. , Loche F. , Lagarde J. M. 
Published: March 2008

Here we propose to quantify local temperature variations using thermal imaging to assess the effect of dermatological lasers.Objectives: To quantify the temperature raise induced by laser application and to differentiate the effects of a potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser and an intense pulsed light (IPL).Methods: A randomized comparative study was performed on 10 adult volunteers with symmetrical rosacea treated by KTP laser or IPL. Skin temperature measurements were performed on inclusion, immediately after laser treatment and 3 min after thermal water application, using a high‐resolution (0.08 °C) infrared thermal video camera.Results: KTP laser treatment induced a significant rise in local skin temperature whereas no significant change was revealed by the IPL treatment. The infrared camera is a reliable and reproducible technique that allows a follow‐up of skin temperature without skin contact.Conclusion: Thermography using an infrared camera could potentially be applied in clinical pharmacology for inflammatory reactions or scarring processes.
Neural basis of sensitive skin: an fMRI study
Authors: Querleux Bernard , Dauchot Katia , Jourdain Roland , Bastien Philippe , Bittoun Jacques , Anton Jean‐Luc , Burnod Yves , De Lacharrière Olivier 
Published: March 2008

Background/purpose: About 50% of women declare themselves to have sensitive skin. However, sensitive skin still appears to be a questionable problem not corresponding to a specific physiological pattern. To objectivate the neural basis of sensitive skin, we measured cerebral response to cutaneous provocative tests in self‐perceived sensitive and non‐sensitive skin subjects using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).Methods: Subjects were divided into two groups according to their self‐perceived characterization by using a dedicated questionnaire about their skin reactivity. Event‐related fMRI was used to measure cerebral activation associated with skin discomfort induced by a simultaneous split‐face application of lactic acid and of its vehicle.Results and discussion: In both groups, skin discomfort due to lactic acid increased activity in the primary sensorimotor cortex contralateral to application site and in a bilateral fronto‐parietal network including parietal cortex, prefrontal areas around the superior frontal sulcus, and the supplementary motor area. However, activity was significantly larger in the sensitive skin group. Most remarkably, in the sensitive skin group only, activity spreaded into the ipsilateral primary sensorimotor cortex and the bilateral peri‐insular secondary somatosensory area. Our results demonstrate that, compared with control subjects, self‐perceived sensitive skin subjects have a specific cerebral activation during skin irritative test, which allows us to hypothesize that self‐perceived sensitive skin is intrinsically linked to a specific neurophysiologic pattern for these subjects.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that fMRI is an effective objective method for measuring cerebral processes underlying skin reactivity and contributes to a better understanding of the neural basis of the sensitive skin phenomenon.
Moisture Evaluator: a direct measure of fingertip skin hydration during object manipulation
Authors: André T. , De Wan M. , Lefèvre P. , Thonnard J.‐L. 
Published: March 2008

Background/purpose: The mechanical properties of the fingertip skin are very important when studying dexterous manipulation. These properties are strongly influenced by the level of skin hydration. Currently, there is no device capable of measuring skin moisture during object manipulation.Methods: Skin moisture levels during object manipulation were measured using the Moisture Evaluator, a probe consisting of gold‐covered electrodes connected to a resistor–capacitor circuit. In vivo calibration was performed by comparison with measurements obtained using a Corneometer® at two normal force levels (0.2 and 2 N).Results: Measurements from the Moisture Evaluator were well correlated with those from the Corneometer®.Conclusion: A new device for evaluating skin moisture at the fingertip has been designed and validated.
Tape stripping on a human nail: quantification of removal
Authors: Tudela E. , Lamberbourg A. , Cordoba Diaz M. , Zhai H. , Maibach H. I. 
Published: March 2008

Background/purpose: Tape stripping is commonly used to investigate the stratum corneum (SC). This study assesses if protein quantitative tape stripping method was suitable for human nails.Method: We used a colorimetric method to quantify proteins removed by the tape. Water barrier functions as a result of tape stripping were also observed by changes in transonychial water loss (TOWL) from the baseline.Results: Using tape stripping, we observed no difference between nails in the protein quantity removed by tape stripping (P=0.39). The mean TOWL before and after tape stripping were 6.9 and 9.3 g/m2/h, respectively; this was significantly increased in tape stripped nails (P<0.0001).Conclusion: Tape stripping seems to be an effective method to extract proteins from human nail plate and may aid the study of nail structure and function. Further studies are needed to extend our results in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and disease.
In vivo evaluation of the protective capacity of sunscreen by monitoring urocanic acid isomer in the stratum corneum using Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Egawa Mariko , Iwaki Haruhi 
Published: March 2008

Background/purpose: Urocanic acid (UCA) is a major ultraviolet (UV) ray‐absorbing component in the epidermis, and it isomerizes from the trans to the cis form upon exposure to UV radiation. Continuous measurement of UCA isomers in the skin at the same area is not available using conventional methods. This study aimed to evaluate the protective capacity of sunscreen by non‐invasively monitoring the trans‐UCA (t‐UCA) amount in the stratum corneum (SC) by confocal Raman spectroscopy.Methods: In vivo Raman spectra of the skin at the cheek or volar forearm were obtained from 27 healthy Japanese volunteers of different ages (age range, 22–53 years) throughout a whole year using confocal Raman spectroscopy. Eighteen healthy male Japanese volunteers (age range, 25–52 years) were enrolled for the evaluation of the protective capacity of sunscreen. The concentration depth profile of t‐UCA relative to keratin was calculated from the Raman spectra in the 400–2200 cm−1 region. Then, the integrated amount within the depth of 0–12 μm was calculated, which represented the total amount of t‐UCA in the SC.Results: The integrated amount of t‐UCA in the cheek skin was significantly lower than that in the volar forearm skin throughout a year. The amount of it in the volar forearm skin was significantly the lowest in summer, but not in the cheek skin. The amount of t‐UCA decreased immediately after UV exposure even below 1 minimal erythema dose, remained low for 1 week, and gradually increased up to the initial level about 2 weeks after UV exposure. The decrease in the t‐UCA amount was hindered by the application of sunscreen on the skin surface. There were no statistical differences in response to UV exposure between the erythema‐positive and erythema‐negative groups.Conclusions: The monitoring of the amount of t‐UCA in the SC by confocal Raman spectroscopy is a good method to assess the efficacy of sun protective substances.
Millimeter wave reflectivity used for measurement of skin hydration with different moisturizers
Authors: Alekseev S. I. , Szabo I. , Ziskin M. C. 
Published: March 2008

Background/aims: A new non‐invasive method for determining the free water content in human skin has been developed. The method analyzes the reflection of millimeter (mm) wavelength electromagnetic waves. The amount of reflection of mm waves depends on an electrical property (namely, the permittivity) of the skin, and this depends upon the free water content of the various skin layers. The aim of the present study was to use the mm wave reflectometry method for determination of free water content in healthy skin treated with different hydrating substances.Methods: Skin lotion, pure water, glycerol, and petroleum jelly (an occlusive substance) were used for hydration of skin. The amount of free water was calculated using the permittivity values of skin layers found from fitting a three layer skin model to measured reflection data. The skin model consisted of (1) the stratum corneum (SC), (2) the viable epidermis plus the dermis, and (3) fat layers.Results: Mm wave reflection was significantly affected by the water content of the thick SC of the palm but not by the very thin SC of the forearm. Treatment of the forearm and palm skin with different hydrating substances produced notable changes of the free water content in the SC, but not in the viable epidermis or dermis. The greatest hydration was produced by pure water and skin lotion, and the lowest by petroleum jelly. However, petroleum jelly produced prolonged retention of water in the SC following its hydration by other moisturizers. The content of free water was found to return to its baseline value after removal of moisturizers in as short a time as 8.3 min.Conclusion: The study shows that mm wave reflectometry can be used as a sensitive technique for the non‐invasive determination of water content in living skin.
Integrated real‐time Raman system for clinical in vivo skin analysis
Authors: Zhao Jianhua , Lui Harvey , McLean David I. , Zeng Haishan 
Published: March 2008

Background: Raman spectroscopy is a non‐invasive optical technique that can probe the molecular structure and conformation of biochemical constituents. The probability of Raman scattering is exceedingly low (∼10−10), and consequently up to now the practical application of Raman spectroscopy to clinical medicine has been limited by either the weak spectral signal or by the long data acquisition times. Recent advances in Raman hardware and probe design have reduced spectral acquisition times, paving the way for clinical applications.Methods: We present an integrated real‐time Raman spectroscopy system for skin evaluation and characterization, which combines customized hardware features and software implementation. Real‐time data acquisition and processing includes CCD dark‐noise subtraction, wavelength calibration, spectral response calibration, intensity calibration, signal saturation detection, cosmic ray rejection, fluorescence background removal, and composition modeling. Real‐time in vivo Raman measurement of volar forearm skin is presented to illustrate the methods and modeling.Results: The system design implemented full‐chip vertical hardware binning to improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio by 16‐fold. The total time for a single in vivo measurement with analysis can be reduced to 100 ms with this implementation. Human skin was well modeled using the base Raman spectra.Conclusion: In vivo real‐time Raman can be a very promising research and practical technique for skin evaluation.
Automated body hair counting and length measurement
Authors: Vallotton P. , Thomas N. 
Published: March 2008

Background/purpose: Hair loss or hair excess is a common condition. There is a growing need to quantitatively assess the success of interventions aimed at replenishing areas that lack hair or at removing hair from areas such as the back, the legs, or the arms. Non‐invasive methods that do not require staining are highly desirable because the staining process itself may affect the efficacy of the treatment.Methods: We introduce a system based on a flatbed scanner and on novel and sensitive image analysis algorithms to count the number of hairs and their individual length. Additionally, a measure of hair visibility is introduced, which allows assessing objectively the severity of the condition.Results: Our system is able to detect even hairs that are difficult to see to a human observer. It is robust to skin impurities or variations in the skin texture and colour. Scanner imaging ensures a sharp image over the whole field. The system analyses on the order of two images per minute, making it suitable for large clinical studies. Counts delivered by a human counter vs. the software were within 10% of each other (N=12).Conclusion: Based on our results, we expect that the software will be useful to a number of researchers investigating medical and cosmetic issues involving objective assessment of pilosity. The algorithm itself may be of use for other applications.
A magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of antisocial behaviour disorder, psychopathy and violent crime among military conscripts
Authors: Basoglu Cengiz , Semiz Umit , Oner Ozgur , Gunay Huseyin , Ebrinc Servet , Cetin Mesut , Sildiroglu Onur , Algul Ayhan , Ates Alpay , Sonmez Guner 
Published: March 2008

Background:Prefrontal and/or temporo-limbic abnormalities associated with antisocial personality disorder (APD), high psychopathy scores and violent behaviours can readily be evaluated by neuroimaging methods.Objectives:In this study, we compared the brain metabolites in adult male military conscripts with APD, high psychopathy scores and serious violent crimes (n = 15) with age- and educational-level-matched healthy controls (n = 15) by means of magnetic resonance spectroscopy.Methods:All cases were diagnosed by means of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-IV APD module of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM III-R Axis II Disorders (SCID-II) semistructured questionnaire in Turkish. The psychopathy scores were evaluated by means of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised translated into Turkish (PCL-R). PCL-R is a 20-item, reliable and valid instrument for assessment of psychopathy, both in categorical and dimensional natures. All patients had a total score of 29 (of possible 40) or higher from PCL-R, indicating a high degree of psychopathy.Results:Our results showed no significant differences in ratio of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr) and choline-related compounds in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and amygdala–hippocampus regions of cases compared with controls. ACC NAA/Cr was significantly negatively correlated with both the PCL-R total score and the PCL-R factor I score (interpersonal/affective problems) among the cases.Conclusion:As ACC plays an important role in decision-making and emotional information processing, we postulate that the lower NAA/Cr ratio, suggesting impaired neural integrity, may increase the severity of interpersonal/affective problems of the psychopathy factor in male subjects exhibiting APD, high psychopathy overall scores and violent crimes.
Osteopenia of prematurity: a national survey and review of practice
Authors: Harrison CM , Johnson K , McKechnie E 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPremature infants are at significant risk of reduced bone mineral content (BMC) and subsequent osteopenia. There are currently no standard practices regarding screening, investigation or treatment of this condition. We present a case report and findings of a national survey of 36 level 2 and 3 neonatal units (72% response rate). The findings showed widely disparate practice regarding screening, prevention and treatment. We summarize the tests currently available for osteopenia and suggest guidelines for management of the at risk group.Conclusion: Our survey confirms inconsistent practices regarding management of infants at risk of osteopenia of prematurity. Investigations and treatments available are summarized together with a guideline for management of this susceptible group of infants.
Antifungal prophylaxis for the prevention of neonatal candidiasis?
Authors: O'Grady Michael J , Dempsey Eugene M 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground: Randomized controlled trials suggest that prophylactic administration of antifungal agents reduce the rate of colonization and invasive Candida infection in a subgroup of high‐risk very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates. The extent of antifungal prophylaxis use in the United Kingdom and Ireland is unknown.Methods: A postal questionnaire was administered to neonatologists practicing in the United Kingdom and Ireland caring for VLBW infants. Information was requested on the prophylactic agents used, dosing schedules and duration of therapy. The rationale for reported practices was also ascertained.Results: The response rate was 55% (125/228). Antifungal prophylaxis use was reported by 66 (53%) respondents. First‐line agents utilized included oral nystatin (53%) and intravenous fluconazole (41%). The most frequent indications for antifungal prophylaxis included antibiotic administration in 45 (68%) and decreased birth weight in 33 (50%) respondents. The majority of respondents who did not use antifungal prophylaxis felt that the perceived rate of invasive fungal disease within their unit was not high enough to justify its use.Conclusions: A small majority of clinicians caring for VLBW neonates routinely use antifungal prophylaxis. This reflects the wide variation in the incidence of invasive disease, lack of guidelines supporting a role for prophylaxis and concerns related to emergence of resistant strains.
Preterm birth and carotid diameter and stiffness in childhood
Authors: Bonamy Anna‐Karin Edstedt , Andolf Ellika , Martin Helena , Norman Mikael 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim: Low birthweight, either as a result of poor foetal growth or preterm birth, is a risk factor for stroke in adult life. Carotid stiffening, an early marker of atheromatous disease, has been found in low‐birthweight children born at term. We hypothesized that carotid artery growth and dynamic properties are permanently affected by preterm birth.Methods: Carotid artery stiffness and dimensions in 56 school children, 39 born very preterm (mean gestational age [GA] 29 weeks) and 17 controls born at term, were studied by ultrasonic measurements of the pulsatile movements of the vessel wall.Results: The carotid artery diameter was 6.4 mm both in children born preterm and at term (p = 0.99). No difference in carotid stiffness was found. Within the preterm group, no differences could be seen between those born small for gestational age (SGA) or appropriate for gestational age (AGA).Conclusions: Carotid artery elasticity and structure are not altered after preterm birth. The mechanisms behind the increased stroke risk in adults born preterm remain unresolved.