Content - Volume 74, Issue 4

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a co-factor for DNA polymerase delta, which replicates genomic DNA during cell growth and division. Using a monoclonal antibody to PCNA (PC10) and conventional immunofluorescent techniques, we have compared the effect of differentiation stimuli on PCNA expression in normal and HPV immortalised keratinocytes. Two positive nuclear staining patterns were o ...

The aim of this study was to establish an objectively assessable procedure simulating simultaneous exposure to irritants and allergens in domestic and occupational environments, in order to evaluate differences in the reactivity to the combination of these substances in atopic and non-atopic nickel-sensitized subjects. Thirty-four nickel-sensitive patients, 20 of whom were affected by atopic derma ...

To study disturbed microcirculation involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathic plantar ulcers (DNPU), we recorded dynamic changes in laser-Doppler flux (LDF) and cutaneous oxygen tension (pcuO2) caused by short-time arterial occlusion and local heating at three different sites (forefoot, ulcer edge, lower leg) in patients (n = 14) with DNPU and healthy controls (n = 18). Significantly re ...

Keratinocyte growth in vitro and DNA synthesis by epidermal cells in vivo are inhibited by therapeutic doses of cyclosporin A (CsA). This effect may be potentialized by topical treatment with ketoconazole, since this drug has been shown to inhibit CsA metabolism. Normal human skin grafts on nude mice receiving intraperitoneal injections of CsA were treated with ketoconazole cream or its placebo fo ...

One hundred and thirty-eight children aged between 2 months and 15 years were investigated to determine the prevalence and quantity of the yeast Pityrosporum ovale. Samples were taken from the forehead and cultured on a medium containing cow's milk, glycerol, glycerol monostearate and Tween 60 as the lipid source. Eighty-seven per cent of all children were positive in the qualitative culture. The ...

The possibility of an association between manifestations of Lyme borreliosis and HLA class II alleles has been investigated with varying results. In the present study, we used genomic typing techniques to determine the DR, DQ and DP allele frequencies in 29 patients with erythema migrans and 36 patients with acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans. We did not find a significant deviation from controls ...

In order to investigate the mechanism of urocanic acid (UCA)-mediated immune modulation, we studied the effect of cis- and trans-UCA on interleukin-1 beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha production by human peripheral blood monocytes, using immunospecific ELISA techniques. Trans-UCA augmented the interleukin-1 beta production and inhibited tumour necrosis factor-alpha production in a dose-depende ...

In the present study, an analysis was made of the expression pattern of thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) and its receptor (CD36) in skin biopsies obtained from healthy volunteers and from patients with lichen planus, lupus erythematosus, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and psoriasis vulgaris. Using monoclonal antibodies against TSP1 in biopsies from the healthy volunteers and from both clinically involved and un ...

The frequency of amyloid substance was studied in two different types of skin tumours: basal cell carcinoma and seborrheic keratosis. In 9 out of 49 cases of seborrheic keratosis amyloid substance was found. In the basal cell carcinomas, 194 out of 260 cases showed amyloid deposits, a rate that is higher than that previously reported. The basal cell carcinoma material was further studied regarding ...

The proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with guttate and chronic plaque psoriasis to streptococcal M protein were investigated using whole and trypsinized group A M22-positive streptococci. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell responses to whole type M22 group A streptococci were significantly increased in guttate, but not chronic plaque, psoriasis patients com ...

UV irradiation results in marked changes in skin connective tissue, such as degeneration of collagen, and abnormal elastosis. The mechanism of connective tissue damage by UV has not been clarified in detail. In the present study the mechanism of actinic damage was studied by assaying gelatinases, 72-kDa (MMP-2) and 92-kDa (MMP-9), from suction blister fluids induced on patients who had received ei ...

The expression of 65 kiloDalton heat shock protein (HSP65) immunoreactivity of skin biopsies from experimentally induced polymorphic light eruption (PLE) lesions was studied, to investigate its possible role as a photo-induced antigen responsible for precipitating lesions. In each subject the 24-h minimal erythema dose of solar simulated radiation was determined and an area of skin previously affe ...

Quinine and its d-isomer quinidine can both cause contact allergy as well as photoallergy. Contact allergic cross-reactions between quinine and quinidine are uncommon. In allergic photosensitization the two isomers cross-react, suggesting the possibility that quinine and quinidine after UV exposure are converted to one or more common sensitizing photoproducts. Solutions of quinine and quinidine at ...

We have studied drug eruptions at a single clinic since 1956. The last 5-year series comprises in-patients with drug eruptions during the period 1986-1990. The total number of cases in this series was 135, the most common types being fixed eruption, exanthematous eruption and urticaria. The causative agent was confirmed with a provocation test in 102 cases. The most common groups of causative drug ...

A case of eosinophilic cellulitis (Wells' syndrome) in association with ascariasis is described. The clinical and histopathologic features of the patient responded well to an oral anthelminthic drug. According to our search, this association has not previously been reported.

We have investigated the systemic effect of local treatment with dithranol for one week in psoriasis by a combination of subjective assessment of the severity of individual plaques and more objective assessment of blood flow (measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry) of the centre of the plaque, and at the active edge of the plaque. There is both subjective and objective evidence of an improvement in u ...

Vitamin A and E blood levels were determined, using a high-performance liquid chromatographic method, in 7 patients with erythrodermic psoriasis or psoriatic acral pustulosis associated or not associated with chronic alcoholism, during and after the acute episode. These vitamins were also studied in 5 patients with psoriasis vulgaris involving more than 80% of the surface body area and associated ...

Topical treatment of psoriasis with calcipotriol has been proven effective. The efficacy of calcipotriol has been compared to that of topical corticoids in a number of studies using subjective visual scoring systems such as the PASI index. The purpose of this study was to compare, with objective data, the efficacy of calcipotriol and clobetasol propionate 0.05% in the treatment of plaque type psor ...

We have evaluated whether neutralising anti-streptokinase IgG antibodies are produced following streptokinase-streptodornase therapy of leg ulcer patients. Serum anti-streptokinase IgG concentrations in 10 leg ulcer patients were determined before, and 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks following the treatment. We observed only a negligible increase in neutralizing anti-streptokinase IgG concentrations ...

In order for us to evaluate the efficiency of perforator vein surgery and skin grafting in leg ulcer patients, 47 patients were randomized into 3 treatment groups (group A: surgery for incompetent perforators, group B: surgery for incompetent perforators and ulcer excision followed by grafting, group C: control group). All the patients were treated with a compression bandage. When cellulitis was o ...

We report a patient with sclerodermatous changes secondary to porphyria cutanea tarda, who responded to venesection treatment. The clinical characteristics of cutaneous sclerosis secondary to porphyria cutanea tarda and the degree to which it can mimic generalized morpheas are discussed.

Diphencyprone is a potent contact sensitizer in widespread use for treatment of alopecia areata. It is currently not known whether this compound is absorbed following topical application. This is important, since little is known regarding potential toxicity. We therefore analysed serum and urine samples following application of at least 0.5 ml of a 1% solution of diphencyprone to the scalp of pati ...

A 71-year-old woman had noticed the development of blisters on her forehead 4 months before she was referred to our department. Treatment with oral corticosteroids resulted in complete healing, but new blisters subsequently developed on the face, neck and backs of the hands. After the possibility of phototoxic and photoallergic reactions, as well as an abnormal porphyrin profile, had been excluded ...

An investigation of the induced suppression and cytotoxicity of T lymphocytes, carried out in 57 patients with different forms of syphilis, has made it possible to find some reasons for the depression of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in patients with early syphilis. The analysis of the immunoreaction of patients with different forms of syphilis clarifies the influence of the human immunodeficiency ...

We report 3 cases of pruriginous papular eruption of HIV disease, in which demodectic mites were found in the pilosebaceous follicles which were surrounded by a granulomatous inflammatory infiltrate. Papular eruption of HIV disease is a distinctive clinicopathological entity, whose pathogenicity is not known. Our observations suggest that demodectic mites might be sometimes the etiologic agents of ...

First-void urine specimens, collected from 309 military recruits, 246 male adolescent gymnasium students and 194 patients consulting venereal disease clinics, were studied for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis with the use of antigen detection tests--two enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and a direct immunofluorescence test (DIF; Syva MicroTrak). Urethral swabs were collected when discrepancies betwee ...

Comment in Segmental neurofibromatosis versus giant nevus spilus. [Acta Derm Venereol. 1995]