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Biomedical subjects

A Lahti

Publications and source records attributed to A Lahti.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Acute irritant reactivity to sodium lauryl sulfate in atopics and non-atopics.

Predictive testing of chemicals to assess their acute skin irritation potential is an important part of the assessment of their toxicological profile. It is possible, where safety and ethical considerations can be met, to do this work in groups of human volunteers. Previously, the relative responsiveness of atopics and non-atopics has been evaluated. The results showed that atopics (defined broadly by high IgE reactivity) were a little more susceptible to skin irritation, but not significantly so. In the present work, the relative reactivity of a skin atopic group versus a non-atopic group was examined in more detail. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) was applied at a range of concentrations and exposure times, such that a fairly constant degree of skin irritation was produced. At various time points, the irritation response was measured by visual assessment, chromametry, laser Doppler flowmetry and transepidermal water loss. Using all of the methods of assessment, the reactions in atopics were similar to or a little less than those seen in non-atopics. The conclusion is that atopics and non-atopics will give similar results in a predictive human test for acute skin irritation. Furthermore, the pattern of response obtained from short duration exposure should be predictive of that following longer durations of (single) exposure.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Breast conservation or mastectomy in breast cancer: factors affecting the choice of operation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In the surgical treatment of breast cancer, breast conservation is considered preferable to mastectomy provided that certain prerequisites are fulfilled. This retrospective analysis reports those factors which affected the choice between operations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 1993, a total of 104 women were operated on for breast cancer or carcinoma in situ in the Department of Surgery, University Central Hospital of Turku. There was a palpable tumour in 75%. In 23% the disease was found at mammography screening. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Breast conservation was achieved in 24%. The proportion was about the same whether the disease was found at screening or clinically (27% and 23%). In the presence of a palpable tumour breast conservation tended to succeed slightly more often than in wire-guided operations (26% versus 19%).

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Does pursuit abnormality in schizophrenia represent a deficit in the predictive mechanism?

Although an abnormality of smooth pursuit eye movement has been consistently noted in schizophrenia, the underlying ocular motor pathophysiology is unknown. It is unclear whether the abnormality represents deficits in processing of information provided by the moving target, generation of pursuit eye movements, or other ocular motor and related cognitive processes. To evaluate the ability to process information provided by a moving target, saccadic accuracies were studied in step-ramp and single step tasks. Schizophrenic (with and without tardive dyskinesia [TD]) and normal subjects made equally accurate initial corrective saccades to the moving target. Thus, when the target jumped and then smoothly moved (creating a position and a velocity error on the retina), the patients were able to process retinal motion information and generate a normally accurate saccadic response. After the initial corrective saccade, both groups followed the target with a combination of pursuit eye movements and occasional catch-up saccades. During this period, the retinal velocity error is minimal because the eye approximates the target motion, and the major source of target motion information both for the smooth pursuit and saccadic responses is extra-retinal (i.e., predictive mechanism). The accuracies of catch-up saccades were significantly lower in the schizophrenic patients than in the normal subjects. During this period, overall pursuit performance, measured by pursuit gain, was also significantly worse in the patients. Accuracies of subsequent catch-up saccades, but not initial corrective saccades, significantly predicted the pursuit gain. Low pursuit gain was associated with high numbers of saccades per time spent in pursuit, which were similar in both schizophrenic subgroups (i.e., with and without TD), but were only significantly higher in the patients with TD than in the normal subjects. These preliminary data suggest that schizophrenic patients are able to process retinal motion information but have difficulties in using extra-retinal motion information to generate an appropriate saccadic response.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Guidelines for measurement of skin colour and erythema. A report from the Standardization Group of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis.

This report reviews individual-related variables (age, sex, race, anatomical site, skin surface properties), intra- and interindividual variation (temporal, physical and mental activity, orthostatic effect, menstrual cycle/menopause), environment-related variables (light conditions, temperature) and various instrument-related variables that influence skin colour. CIE colorimetry (Minolta Chroma Meter) and spectrophotometric measurement (Derma Spectrometer) are considered. The guidelines give recommendations for measuring conditions and procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Corticosteroid contact allergy: an EECDRG multicentre study.

This article describes the results of an EECDRG multicentre study on contact allergy to corticosteroids. A total of 7238 patients were investigated: 6238 in 13 centres in the course of 1993, and 1000 patients in 1 centre in 1993 and 1994. The 5 corticosteroids tested were budesonide 0.1% pet., betamethasone-17-valerate 1% pet., clobetasol-17-propionate 1% pet., hydrocortisone-17-butyrate 1% eth., and tixocortol-21-pivalate 1% pet.; 189 (2.6%) gave a positive patchtest reaction (+, ++, + + +) to at least 1 of the corticosteroids. The data regarding the corticosteroid-sensitive patients, as well as the patchtest results, were recorded on a standardized form.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1995

Immediate irritant reactions to benzoic acid are enhanced in washed skin areas.

Factors affecting immediate irritant skin reactions are poorly understood. Our purpose was to study the effect of washing on reactions to benzoic acid, a well-known immediate-type irritant. 12 test subjects washed their left upper arms with a diluted dishwashing liquid 2X daily for 6 days. Benzoic acid in a dilution series was tested on both upper arms on days 0, 3 and 6. The reactions were graded visually, and the blood flow, skin color, transepidermal water loss and electrical capacitance of the test sites were measured. On days 3 and 6, the benzoic acid reactions were stronger on the washed arm than on the control arm. This was clinically visible and was associated with changes in blood flow and skin color measurements. Washing itself did not usually cause visible erythema, but transepidermal water loss increased and electrical capacitance decreased. Low concentrations of irritant substances, such as benzoic acid, may cause clinically relevant reactions in repeatedly washed skin. This should be taken into consideration in assessing product safety in the cosmetic, medical and household chemical industries, and when tests for chemical skin irritancy are designed and the results of such tests interpreted.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Chloromethylisothiazolone/methylisothiazolone (CMI/MI) use test with a shampoo on patch-test-positive subjects. Results of a multicentre double-blind crossover trial.

A randomized, multicentre, double-blind, 2-period crossover study with 2 shampoos was performed on subjects patch-test-positive to 100 ppm CMI/MI. One shampoo was preserved with 15 ppm a.i. CMI/MI, the other with 0.3% imidazolidinyl urea (IU). 27 subjects from 5 European dermatology clinics participated. 1 subject discontinued use after severe adverse reactions to the CMI/MI-preserved shampoo and did not evaluate the other shampoo. Another 2 subjects developed moderate symptoms with the CMI/MI-preserved shampoo and discontinued its use, but tolerated the IU-preserved shampoo for the full 2-week period. 2 subjects discontinued use after 1 or 2 washes after severe adverse reactions to the IU-preserved shampoo. 1 of these subjects tolerated the CMI/MI-preserved shampoo for 2 weeks without any untoward effects. However, the majority of subjects had negative findings on the scalp, face, neck, and hands for both shampoos. The physicians' global evaluation data indicated that shampoo with CMI/MI caused fewer skin problems than shampoo with IU (38% versus 27%, n.s.), with over 1/3 of the subjects (35%) having no skin problems with either preservative. The current study showed that most subjects previously sensitized to CMI/MI can successfully use shampoo preserved with CMI/MI. Since some subjects previously sensitized to CMI/MI, or possibly to IU, may develop clinical reactions, it would still be prudent for the clinician to advise alternative products to patients with sensitivity to a shampoo or cosmetic ingredient. Full ingredient labelling will ensure that this is possible. As the overall rate of adverse effects in sensitized individuals was low, studies of this nature should also be conducted for other allergens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cross-Over Studies↗
PubMed1995

Testing with fragrance mix. Is the addition of sorbitan sesquioleate to the constituents useful?

In a multicentre study, the value of adding sorbitan sesquioleate (SSO) to the constituents of the 8% fragrance mix (FM) was investigated. In 7 centres, 709 consecutive patients were tested with 2 types of FM from different sources, its 8 constituents with 1% SSO, its 8 constituents without SSO, and 20% SSO. 5 patients (0.71%) reacted to the emulsifier SSO itself, read as definitely allergic on day 3/4. 53 patients reacted to either one of the mixes with an allergic type of reaction. When tested with the constituents without SSO, 41.5% showed an allergic reaction versus 54.7% with SSO. If both types of reactions were considered (allergic and irritant) 38.3% of 73 patients showed a positive "breakdown" result without SSO, versus 54.8% with SSO. The differences were statistically significant. Reactivity to FM constituents was changed in a specific pattern by addition of SSO--irritant reactions increased, particularly for cinnamic alcohol, eugenol, geraniol, oak moss and hydroxycitronellal, whereas others showed only a slight change. Allergic reactions were also increased by SSO, but the rank order of the top 3 sensitizers (isoeugenol, oak moss and eugenol) did not change. Cinnamic alcohol was the only constituent with decreased reactivity after addition of SSO. A positive history of fragrance sensitivity (HFS) was clearly associated with a positive allergic reaction to either the mix or 1 of its constituents (51% versus 28.6% with a negative HFS). Irritant reactions were linked to a negative HFS in a high proportion (64.3%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allergens↗
PubMed1993

Assessment of skin erythema by eye, laser Doppler flowmeter, spectroradiometer, two-channel erythema meter and Minolta chroma meter.

Visual grading, a laser Doppler flowmeter, a spectroradiometer, a two-channel erythema meter and a Minolta chroma meter were compared in the measurement of erythemas arising from immediate contact reactions produced either by 250 mM benzoic acid or 10 mM methyl nicotinate in petrolatum in an open application test or by ultraviolet irradiation. A good correlation between visual grading and objectively measured values was found for all the instruments, but the laser Doppler flowmeter gave proportionally lower values for the ultraviolet erythemas than the skin reflectance meters, suggesting that these differ from erythemas induced by benzoic acid or methyl nicotinate. The laser Doppler flowmeter gave less repeatable results than other meters when measuring moderate and pronounced erythemas produced by ultraviolet irradiation. Measuring both the blood flow and the actual erythema may give more information about the reaction than either measurement system alone.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Allergic reactions to a hairdressers' series: results from 9 European centres. The European Environmental and Contact Dermatitis Research Group (EECDRG).

To obtain data on the frequency of sensitization among European hairdressers, the patch test results from 9 centres were evaluated. 8 allergens recommended by the ICDRG and EECDRG in the hairdressing series and PPD from the standard series were used to patch test 809 hairdressers and 104 clients suspected of contact sensitization. Among hairdressers, the mean frequencies of sensitization ranked as follows: GMT 19%, PPD 15%, APS 8%, PTD 8%, ONPPD 4% and PADH 4%. In contrast to GMT in acid permanent waves, the frequency of sensitization to AMT in alkaline permanent waves was only 4%. Frequencies of sensitization to pyrogallol and resorcinol were 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively. The frequencies of sensitization showed marked regional variations, particularly that to GMT, which was highest in Germany (51%), followed by Spain (22%) and London (19%). Clients of hairdressers showed a similar rank order of sensitization frequency, with the exception of APS, which was completely negative in this (small) series.

Beauty Culture↗
PubMed1993

Alcohol vehicles in tests for non-immunological immediate contact reactions.

In a search for vehicles that might enhance the sensitivity of human skin tests for nonimmunological immediate contact reactions, benzoic acid was tested in 17 liquid vehicles on 16 medical students using the open application test method on the upper back. The results were read visually and the change in blood flow was measured using a laser-Doppler flowmeter 20, 40 and 60 min after application of the test substances. 2-propyl alcohol (isopropanol), ethyl alcohol (ethanol), 1,2-propylene glycol and water were mixed to form alcohol, alcohol/water, alcohol/alcohol, alcohol/propylene glycol and propylene glycol/water vehicles. The reactions were stronger in the alcohol/water vehicles than in the alcohols as such. The addition of 25% propylene glycol to isopropanol and ethanol had the greatest enhancing effect on the reactions. Ethanol has been the most popular liquid vehicle in tests for non-immunological immediate contact reactions, but at least with benzoic acid, stronger reactions can be elicited if alcohol/propylene glycol or alcohol/water mixture are used.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Psychiatric illnesses in families of subjects with schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorders: high morbidity risks for unspecified functional psychoses and schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: The authors determined morbidity risks for psychiatric illnesses in the families of probands with schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorders. METHOD: Subjects were recruited from the community through newspaper advertisements. Subjects were identified as having schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorders (N = 30) if they met at least three, four, or three DSM-III-R criteria for schizoid (N = 14), schizotypal (N = 20), and/or paranoid (N = 15) personality disorder, respectively. The comparison subjects had no psychiatric diagnoses (N = 8) or had other personality disorders (N = 12); none of the subjects in either group had any DSM-III-R axis I diagnosis. Trained interviewers collected family history information about the relatives of the two groups; the interviewers were blind to the probands' diagnoses. RESULTS: The risks for schizophrenia, other functional psychoses, and schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorders were significantly higher in the relatives of subjects with schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorders than in the families of the comparison subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of schizophrenia in the families of probands with schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorders is consistent with the previous findings of higher than normal rates of these personality disorders in the biological relatives of schizophrenic patients. The significance of the high rate of unspecified functional psychoses is unclear. Use of the family study method, by which valid differential diagnosis of psychoses is possible, is indicated. The results from the current study do not rule out the possibility that the schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorders are related to psychoses in general rather than specifically to schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Initiation of the effects of acrivastine and cetirizine on histamine-induced wheals and itch in human skin.

The initiation of the antihistamine effect of a single dose of acrivastine (8 mg) or cetirizine (10 mg) on wheals and itch induced by histamine dihydrochloride (10 mg/ml) in the prick test was studied in a randomized cross-over design employing 20 healthy medical students. The prick test was performed before ingestion of the drug and after 15, 20, 25, 30, 60 and 90 min and 2, 3 and 4 h. Local symptoms (itching) were recorded on a visual analogue scale. The inhibitory effect of acrivastine on the histamine wheal was first noticed 20 min (p < 0.01) after ingestion of the drug and that of cetirizine after 60 min (p < 0.001). The maximum effect of cetirizine, at 4 h, was greater than that of acrivastine, at 3 h (p < 0.001). The suppression of itching was first noticed 25 min after ingestion with both drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Prick and use tests with 6 glove brands in patients with immediate allergy to rubber proteins.

20 patients with contact urticaria from rubber gloves were prick tested using eluates from 4 latex (Triflex, Ansell Gammex, Exona, Armi) and 2 non-latex (Tactylon, Elastyren) glove brands. All patients showed a positive prick test reaction to at least 2 latex glove eluates. A hypoallergenic glove (Ansell Gammex) gave a positive prick test reaction in 1 patient, but non-latex gloves were negative in all cases. All patients showed a positive result in the use test with a latex surgical glove (Triflex), whereas none did with a non-latex glove (Tactylon). Non-latex gloves and, in some cases, also hypoallergenic latex gloves, are a good alternative to rubber gloves for patients with immediate latex allergy.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Tobacco smoking increases square-wave jerks during pursuit eye movements.

Smooth-pursuit eye-movement (SPEM) abnormalities have been consistently observed in schizophrenia. The SPEM changes in schizophrenia are not thought to be an artifact of voluntary attention or medication, although a number of nondisease factors are known to affect SPEM. However, cigarette smoking has recently been reported to deteriorate SPEM in both smokers and nonsmokers. This finding is particularly relevant to schizophrenia, because schizophrenic patients smoke cigarettes considerably more than do normals, and none of the previous studies in this patient group have controlled for smoking. The current study was initiated to examine the effects of smoking on a number of oculomotor measures, including SPEM in smoker and nonsmoker normal volunteers. The results of this study suggest that cigarette smoking induces or significantly increases square-wave jerks, especially during smooth pursuit in normals. However, the effect is small and the global qualitative SPEM score is not affected. Other eye movements such as latencies for reflex and volitional saccades and saccadic distractibility are also unaffected by smoking. No differences were apparent between chronic smokers and nonsmokers under nonsmoking conditions in any of the eye-movement measures.

Adult↗