bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum interleukin‐6 level is a useful marker in evaluating therapeutic effects of levamisole and Chinese medicinal herbs on patients with oral lichen planus
Authors: Sun Andy , Chia Jean‐San , Chang Yu‐Fong , Chiang Chun‐Pin 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T cell‐mediated inflammatory disease. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine that has effects on cellular and humoral immunities. Previous studies have shown that keratinocytes and tissue‐infiltrating mononuclear cells from OLP lesions can secrete IL‐6. In some OLP patients, the high serum IL‐6 levels are reduced after treatment, suggesting that IL‐6 may be a useful marker in evaluating therapeutic effects and in monitoring the disease status of OLP.Methods: In this study, we used a solid phase, two‐site sequential chemiluminescent immunometric assay to determine the baseline serum levels of IL‐6 in a group of 180 patients with erosive OLP (EOLP), nonerosive OLP (NEOLP), erythema multiforme (EM), traumatic ulcers (TU), oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), pemphigus vulgaris (PV), or Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and in 77 normal control subjects. Some OLP patients were treated with levamisole plus Chinese medicinal herbs or levamisole only for 0.5–5.5 months and their serum IL‐6 levels were measured after treatment.Results: We found that approximately 99% of the normal control subjects and the patients with EM, TU, or OSF had a normal serum IL‐6 level less than 5.0 pg/ml. However, 15% (22/149) OLP patients, 15% (20/136) EOLP patients, 20% (5/25) major type EOLP patients, 14% (15/111) minor type EOLP patients, 15% (2/13) NEOLP patients, 14% (1/7) EM patients, 43% (3/7) PV patients, and 100% (6/6) SS patients had a serum IL‐6 level greater than 5.0 pg/ml. The mean serum IL‐6 level in patients with OLP (3.4 ± 3.1 pg/ml, P < 0.001), EOLP (3.4 ± 3.2 pg/ml, P < 0.001), major type EOLP (4.9 ± 3.5 pg/ml, P < 0.001), minor type EOLP (3.0 ± 3.0 pg/ml, P < 0.01), or NEOLP (4.2 ± 1.5 pg/ml, P < 0.001) was significantly higher than that in normal control subjects (2.0 ± 1.5 pg/ml). A significant difference in the mean serum IL‐6 level was also found between major type and minor type EOLP patients (P < 0.01). The mean reduction of serum IL‐6 level in OLP patients treated with levamisole plus Chinese medicinal herbs was significantly higher (7.4 ± 4.7 pg/ml) than that in OLP patients treated with levamisole only (3.8 ± 2.3 pg/ml, P < 0.05), suggesting that the combination therapy was superior to levamisole only.Conclusion: We conclude that levamisole and levamisole plus Chinese medicinal herbs can modulate the serum IL‐6 level in OLP patients. IL‐6 may be a useful marker in evaluating therapeutic effects and in monitoring the disease status of OLP.
The incidence of oropharyngeal cancer in Taiwan: an endemic betel quid chewing area
Authors: Ho Pei‐Shian , Ko Ying‐Chin , Yang Yi‐Hsin Connie , Shieh Tien‐Yu , Tsai Chih‐Cheng 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:  Orapharyngeal cancer is the one of the most common cancers in the world. The purpose of this study was to examine the trends in oropharyngeal cancer from 1979 to 1996 in Taiwan.Methods:  Traditional cohort analysis was employed to show the birth‐cohort effect of oropharyngeal cancer incidence. Age‐period‐cohort model analysis was used to examine the age, period and cohort effect between intraoral and pharyngeal cancer.Result:  A significant increasing trend in oropharyngeal cancer has been seen in males. The principal increases have been seen in tongue and mouth in males, and tongue in females. In males, an increasing trend was found in successive cohorts born after 1929. The increase in incidence of intraoral cancer of males was greater than the increase in incidence of pharyngeal cancer in the younger age group, more recent time periods and the younger cohorts.Conclusion:  The increasing incidence in oropharyngeal cancer in Taiwan is probably heavily influenced by the rising consumption of alcohol and use of betel quid. The effect of these etiologies on intraoral cancer was more significant in recent time periods, later cohorts and the younger group.
Revision of the 1992‐edition of the WHO histological typing of odontogenic tumours. A suggestion
Authors: Philipsen Hans P. , Reichart Peter A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractClassification of odontogenic tumours is an academic excercise that has developed over the last 150 years. It was not until 1971 when a 5‐year collaborated effort, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), resulted in the first consensus on taxonomy of odontogenic tumours. The appearance of this first authoritative guide to the classification of odontogenic tumours marked the start of an era of quite intensive interest for studying this particular field of oral pathology. An updated 2nd edition of the WHO classification was published in 1992.
L'éducation de la Marquise: Un contre‐exemple? A propos des Liaisons dangereuses
Authors: Nøjgaard Morten 
Published: March 2003

Dans la fameuse lettre 81, la marquise de Merteuil, protagoniste des Liaisons dangereuses, expose ses principes «pédagogiques», véritable programme féministe.En plus de son roman, Choderlos de Laclos a laissé trois petits écrits sur l'éducation des femmes. Il y apparaît à la fois comme l'ardent défenseur des thèses les plus hardies de Rousseau sur la femme à l'état de nature, et comme le représentant de la nouvelle idéologie bourgeoise basant la vie sociale sur la constituion hiérarchique de la famille et sur les liens de tendre affection qui en constituent l'essence spirituelle. Ces textes nous donneront l'occasion d'esquisser les idées prémodernes des femmes de la Révolution et d'en retracer le triste sort au début du dix‐neuvième siècle.
A full‐UV spectrum absorbing daily use cream protects human skin against biological changes occurring in photoaging
Authors: Seité S. , Colige A. , Piquemal‐Vivenot P. , Montastier C. , Fourtanier A. , Lapière C. , Nusgens B. 
Published: March 2003

Background: There is overwhelming evidence that exposure of human skin to ultraviolet radiations (UVR) leads to the development of cutaneous photoaging and eventually to neoplasia. This study was designed to evaluate in humans the protection afforded by a daily use cream containing a photostable combination of UVB and UVA absorbers (Uvinul® N539, Parsol® 1789 and Mexoryl® SX) providing a continuous absorption through the entire UV spectrum, against damages induced by repeated daily exposure to solar simulated radiation (SSR).Methods: Buttock skin of 12 healthy volunteers was exposed 5 days per week for 6 weeks to one minimal erythema dose of solar simulated radiation per exposure. The following parameters in treated and untreated skin were evaluated: erythema, pigmentation, skin hydration, skin microtopography, histology and immunochemistry, and collagen and metalloproteinase (MMP) mRNA levels.Results: In SSR exposed unprotected skin sites, we observed melanization and changes in the skin hydration and microtopography. The epidermis revealed a significant increase in stratum corneum and stratum granulosum thickness. In the dermis, an enhanced expression of tenascin and a reduced expression of type I pro‐collagen were evidenced just below the dermal epidermal junction. Although we were unable to visualize any change in elastic fibers in exposed buttock skin, a slightly increased deposition of lysozyme and alpha 1 antitrypsin on these fibers was observed using immunofluorescence techniques. Furthermore, types I and III collagen mRNA were slightly increased and a significant enhancement (up to 2.8‐fold) of MMP‐2 mRNA level was observed. The daily use cream was shown to prevent all these biological changes.Conclusion: Our results show in vivo that an appropriate full‐UV spectrum product significantly reduces the solar‐UV‐induced skin damage, demonstrating the benefit of daily photoprotection.
Interaction of commonly used emollients with photochemotherapy
Authors: Boyvat Ayşe , Erdi Hatice , Birol Ahu , Gůrgey Erbak 
Published: March 2003

Background/Aim: Even though emollients are commonly used in combination with photochemotherapy, we still lack guidance for the selection of the appropriate emollient to be used in combination with photochemotherapy. The purpose of our study was to determine the interaction of commonly used emollients with photochemotherapy.Methods: The study was carried on 75 healthy volunteers. In order to assess the effects of five different emollients – white petrolatum, 3% salicylic acid in white petrolatum, Balmandol, Decubal and Urederm hydro – the subjects were divided into five groups. Minimal phototoxic dose (MPD) was determined by irradiating two rows of six circular test fields on the back of the subjects with increasing doses of UVA. One of the emollients listed above was applied to the skin under the upper rows alternatively, whereas the lower rows served as control.Results: Application of Urederm hydro and Decubal before exposure to UVA resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the MPD in all subjects. Even though application of white petrolatum and white petrolatum containing 3% salicylic acid decreased the MPD in most of the subjects and Balmandol application slightly increased the MPD, the results did not reach statistical significance.Conclusions: According to our findings, it is probable that the total dose of UVA needed to cause clearing of psoriasis would be decreased by application of Urederm hydro and Decubal prior to photochemotherapy. We noted a slight photoprotective effect of Balmandol in the UVA range, but this finding has to be further studied. Clinical studies are needed to clarify the effects of these emollients on the course and outcome of photochemotherapy.
Determination of UVA protection factors using the persistent pigment darkening (PPD) as the end point
Authors: Moyal Dominique , Chardon Alain , Kollias Nikiforos 
Published: March 2003

Background/Aims: The accuracy and reliability of any method to assess the UVA protection effectiveness of sunscreens needs to be demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to calibrate the effectiveness of a biological end point (Persistent Pigment Darkening, PPD) to assess UVA photoprotection.Methods: Persistent Pigment Darkening was selected as the end point because its action spectrum extends across the UVA. A broad UVA source was chosen to challenge all UVA wavelengths. Attenuation of UVA was performed with neutral density filters (equally absorbing at all wavelengths). Human subjects were tested with a series of UVA beams attenuated by the neutral density filters. The UVA protection effectiveness of a standard sunscreen was also tested with four panels of volunteers to assess the reproducibility of the method.Results: The attenuation factors of the neutral density filters were found to correspond to the UVA protection factors arrived at with PPD as the end point. The repetitive tests showed a good internal consistency of the method.Conclusions: The calibration procedure proposed shows threshold PPD, used as an end point in a UVA‐PF test method, to be a reliable endogenous dosimeter for UVA radiation that enters the skin.
Balneophototherapy of psoriasis: highly concentrated salt water versus tap water – a randomized, one‐blind, right/left comparative study
Authors: Gambichler T. , Rapp S. , Senger E. , Altmeyer P. , Hoffmann K. 
Published: March 2003

Background/Purpose: Apart from climatotherapy and spa therapy, combined treatment with salt water baths and artificial UV radiation (balneophototherapy) has been advocated for the treatment of psoriasis. As there is a lack of controlled studies on balneophototherapy (BPT), we conducted a randomized, one‐blind, right/left comparison with salt water versus tap water in order to investigate the significance of the salt concentration in the efficacy of BPT.Methods: Ten psoriasis patients with chronic plaques on the elbows were included in the study. One elbow was soaked in 24% NaCl solution and the other in tap water. Subsequently, broadband UVB irradiation was administered. BPT was performed 4 times weekly with a total of 30 treatments.Results: A highly significant (P<0.001) decrease of the clinical baseline score was observed after 30 treatments; however, there was no significant (P>0.5) difference in clearance of the psoriatic lesions between the sites soaked in salt water and tap water.Conclusion: Our results suggest that any additional benefit of soaking in salt water and tap water in BPT are unlikely to be due to the salinity of the liquids.
In vivo measurement of the photostability of sunscreen products using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Moyal Dominique , Refrégier Jean‐Louis , Chardon Alain 
Published: March 2003

Background/Aim: The issue of the photostability of sunscreens has been frequently raised because of the possible loss of photoprotection, mainly in the UVA range, during sun exposure. Up to now, in vitro techniques have been mainly proposed to evaluate photostability. These techniques have generated controversial debates concerning the predictive value of these in vitro observations in relation to the in vivo reality during sun exposure.Methods: Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a recently developed technique that allows measurement of the UVA efficacy of sunscreen products in vivo on human volunteers. The absorption spectrum of the product is obtained by measuring the change in reflection of the skin with and without product. From this absorption spectrum, the UVA protective efficacy of the test product can be calculated for an appropriate source and a given biological action spectrum. We have used the DRS technique in vivo to determine the photostability of sunscreen products by measuring reflection spectra in the UVA range (320–400 nm) before and after product application and before and after UV exposure of the test products. Comparison between these spectra or between the corresponding calculated UVA protection factors has made it possible to determine the remaining level of protection in the UVA range after exposure. This study was designed to compare in vivo the protective efficiency and the photostability of three marketed sunscreen products (SPF 23–30) after solar‐simulated exposure for SPF testing or after actual sun exposure. These in vivo data were then compared to in vitro photoinstability results.Results: According to the in vitro measurements, one sunscreen product was found photostable and two products photo‐unstable. After UVe exposure for in vivo SPF determination, a decrease in UVA absorption and UVA‐PF was observed for the two photo‐unstable products, while the photostable product did not present any decrease in UVA absorption. These results were confirmed through exposure to actual sun.Conclusion: Our study confirms the prediction of the in vitro methods previously used to assess the photostability of sunscreen products. In addition, DRS provides a powerful new tool for the in vivo simultaneous evaluation of photostability and estimation of the UVA protection factor of sunscreen products performed during the test for SPF determination.
Norepinephrine‐dependent phosphorylation of the transcription factor cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element‐binding protein in bovine pinealocytes
Authors: Schomerus Christof , Laedtke Elke , Korf Horst‐Werner 
Published: March 2003

Abstract:  Norepinephrine (NE)‐dependent activation of transcription factors is of central importance for the rhythmic production of melatonin in the rodent pineal gland. At variance with rodents, NE regulates melatonin biosynthesis through post‐translational mechanisms in ungulates, and it is not yet known whether transcription factors play any role in ungulate pineal functions. Here, we investigated in isolated bovine pinealocytes the NE‐dependent phosphorylation of the transcription factor cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) responsive element‐binding protein (CREB) and compared the effects of NE with those of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP). Treatment with 10−7 m NE for 30 min induced a strong nuclear phosphorylated CREB (pCREB) immunoreaction in cells that were identified as pinealocytes by immunocytochemical demonstration of serotonin, a pinealocyte‐specific marker. Immunoblots showed that the NE‐induced immunoreaction was due to phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB and another protein, presumably the activating transcription factor 1 (ATF‐1). 10−7 m isoproterenol (ISO) or 10−5 m forskolin mimicked the response to NE indicating that NE acts through the β‐adrenergic/cAMP pathway. Also 10−7 m PACAP, but not 10−7 m VIP‐enhanced CREB phosphorylation; however, only a subpopulation of cells was responsive to PACAP. Our results suggest that, irrespective of whether or not melatonin production is controlled via transcriptional mechanisms, NE‐induced CREB phosphorylation represents a very conserved element in pineal physiology of mammals because NE increases pCREB levels in all mammalian species investigated so far. However, the genes targeted by pCREB may vary from one mammalian species to the other. Our results also suggest that transcription factors other than pCREB, like ATF‐1, may play a role in pineal functions of mammals.
A novel in vivo model in guinea pigs for dry skin syndrome
Authors: Sagiv Assaf Eliezer , Ingber Arieh , Dikstein Shabtay 
Published: March 2003

Background/aims: The lack of a suitable, validated animal model for the comparison of the pharmacological effectiveness of known and potential moisturizers in the treatment of “dry skin syndrome” led us to develop such an in vivo model.Methods: “Dry skin syndrome” was induced in guinea pigs by daily application of 2% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) in deionized water on one of the two shaved flanks for three consecutive days. After ascertaining skin dryness, that side was treated with an agent for 6 days. The in vivo humectant effect was measured by a Corneometer CM 825®, erythema was measured by a Mexameter MX 16®. In some cases histological studies were carried out.Results: The treatment with the 2% SLS led to a consistent “dry skin syndrome” for 2 weeks. Glycerol, Vaseline, urea and ammonium lactate treatments validated the model, since the Corneometer CM 825® readings of the treated dry side was equal to that of the control untreated side after 1 week of treatment. Mexameter MX 16® measurements showed abolishment of the erythema by glycerol only. Histological study showed that SLS treatment creates acanthosis that is partially reversed by Vaseline and fully reversed by glycerol treatment.Conclusion: The guinea pig dry skin model is a relevant model of the human “dry skin syndrome”. The instrumental results combined with the histological findings indicate that erythema measurements are relevant for the determination of curative effect.
Use of Cutometer to assess epidermal hydration
Authors: Dobrev Hristo 
Published: March 2003

Background/aims: The Cutometer equipped with a 2‐mm diameter suction probe is a device suitable for assessment of epidermal mechanics. The objectives of this study were to determine the sensitivity of Cutometer parameters to epidermal hydration, to evaluate the correlation between skin mechanical parameters and skin capacitance, and to study the role of pretension of the skin.Methods: In the first study, skin capacitance (Corneometer) and 10 mechanical parameters were determined before and 60 min after application of five different moisturizers on the volar forearm. In the second study, measurements of epidermal mechanics were made without and with 0.1 s presuction of the skin, before and 120 min after application of petrolatum and glycerin.Results: Hydration of the skin significantly increased the values of capacitance and all rheological parameters. Delayed distension (Uv) and viscoelastic‐to‐elastic ratio (Uv/Ue) were the most sensitive Cutometer parameters. Significant correlations between skin capacitance and mechanical parameters were not found. Pretension of the skin did not significantly influence the values of skin mechanical parameters.Conclusions: The non‐invasive measurements of skin elasticity are appropriate for an objective and quantitative evaluation of the complex effect of different dermatological and cosmetic products on skin mechanics and hydration.
Digital dermoscopy analysis of atypical pigmented skin lesions: a stepwise logistic discriminant analysis approach
Authors: Rubegni P. , Cevenini G. , Burroni M. , Dell'Eva G. , Sbano P. , Cuccia A. , Andreassi L. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Digital microscopy is a non‐invasive diagnostic technique enabling determination of characteristics that cannot be appreciated by direct observation. If correctly applied, this technique can be useful for the diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions.Purpose: To evaluate the utility of digital microscopy for analysing atypical benign and malignant pigmented skin lesions exploiting digital numerical filtering and automatic measurements.Methods: Forty‐eight parameters were identified as possible discriminating variables, and were grouped in four categories: geometries, colours, textures, and islands of colour. Statistical analysis was used to identify the variables with the highest discriminating power.Results: The high quality of the digital image made it possible to observe diagnostic signs in pigmented skin lesion images, acquired by the present technique, in great detail. Specially designed filtering enhanced certain diagnostic patterns. Stepwise discriminant analysis selected only 10 variables (the means of these variables were higher in melanomas than in nevi).Conclusions: The combined use of digital dermoscopy and stepwise logistic discriminant analysis made it possible to single out the best objective variables for distinguishing atypical nevi and early melanoma.
Surface free energy characterization of vernix caseosa. Potential role in waterproofing the newborn infant
Authors: Youssef Wael , Wickett R. Randall , Hoath Steven B. 
Published: March 2003

Background/aims: Vernix caseosa is a proteolipid biofilm synthesized by the human fetus, which progressively covers the fetal skin surface during the last trimester of pregnancy. The exact physiological functions of vernix are unclear. Hypothetically, it serves a role in “waterproofing” the fetus during the critical period of epidermal barrier development before birth. Vernix may also play a role in adaptation of the fetal skin surface to the dry, cool extrauterine environment after birth. Given the strategic position of vernix on the fetal skin surface and the rapidly changing environment encountered by the skin at birth, we proposed that investigation of vernix surface characteristics would facilitate understanding its putative physiological roles.Methods: In this paper, we focused on the determination of the surface free energy (SFE) of vernix caseosa. Different approaches were used to calculate the SFE of vernix from contact angle (θ) measurements between vernix and various liquids (benzyl alcohol, diiodomethane, glycerol, and water). The critical surface tension (CST) of vernix was calculated using Zisman plots. The dispersive and the polar components of vernix SFE were calculated using the Owens–Wendt geometric mean method. Vernix was contrasted with petrolatum, a commonly used skin protectant.Results: CST of fresh vernix was 40.5 dyne/cm while that of petrolatum was 35.8 dyne/cm. Fresh vernix polar SFE was 1.5 dyne/cm while petrolatum had almost no polar SFE component (0.03 dyne/cm). For all liquids (except the nonpolar diiodomethane) there was a significant decrease in contact angle with time.Conclusions: The CST and the total SFE values suggest that vernix has very low surface energy and is highly unwettable. These findings are significant insofar as the main component in vernix is water, which is highly energetic. Although vernix has a very high water content, the major part of its SFE is hydrophobic (dispersive). The limited interaction between vernix and hydrophilic liquids supports the hypothesis that vernix acts as a natural protectant cream to “waterproof” the fetus in utero while submerged in the amniotic fluid.