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Biomedical subjects

Anatoli Freiman

Publications and source records attributed to Anatoli Freiman.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Treatment with 17-beta-estradiol reduces superoxide production in aorta of ovariectomized rats.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidant stress contributes to vascular injury and atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that estrogen treatment of ovariectomized rats decreases O(2)(-) by decreasing the activity of NAD(P)H oxidase and this reduction in O(2)(-) could have a vasculoprotective effect. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ovariectomized rats were treated with 17-beta-estradiol E2 (0.25mg) or oil placebo for 21 days. Aorta were removed for contractility studies and O(2)(-) production was measured by lucigenin enhanced chemiluminescence (230 and 5microM). E2 treatment decreased basal O(2)(-) production but did not alter NADH or NADPH stimulated O(2)(-) production. Total p47phox and p47phox in membrane fractions of cardiac tissue were decreased, which suggests less activation of NAD(P)H oxidase in E2 treated rats. E2 did not change expression of other components of NAD(P)H oxidase in heart, lung, spleen and diaphragm. Expression of eNOS was also lower in E2 treated rats. E2 did not affect the contractile response to phenylepherine, dilation with acetylcholine, dilation with superoxide dismutase or constriction with l-NAME. This argues against changes in bioavailable NO. CONCLUSIONS: E2 decreases activation of p47phox and O(2)(-) production by NAD(P)H oxidase. This did not affect contractile properties of the vessel, but could still potentially alter cell signaling from oxidant increasing stresses.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Patch testing with thimerosal in a Canadian center: an 11-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Thimerosal has been used for decades as an antiseptic, a disinfectant, and a preservative in various consumer products. It is also a notoriously frequent contact allergen, but the significance of positive patch-test reactions has been debated over the past decade. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and relevance of positive patch-test reactions to thimerosal in a large Canadian center and to compare our results with those of previous publications. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data collected over the course of 11 years in the contact dermatitis clinic of a university hospital was performed. RESULTS: Of 2252 subjects patch-tested for thimerosal, positive reactions were observed in 102 individuals (4.53%), placing thimerosal as the fifth most common allergen in our practice. The sensitization rate was equivalent between the patients who underwent aimed patch testing and those who were routinely tested for reaction to thimerosal when this allergen was included in our standard patch-testing series 8 years into the study. There was an increased incidence of thimerosal sensitization in chemists and laboratory technicians, as well as in health care workers, including medical doctors, registered nurses, dentists, and dental assistants. While eight reactions were deemed possibly relevant, in none of the cases was it possible to definitely establish the relevance of positive reactions to thimerosal, either because the presence of this allergen could not be verified in patients' products or because patch testing with these products gave negative results. CONCLUSION: In agreement with previous reports, we conclude that even though positive reactions to thimerosal are frequent, very few seem to be clinically relevant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Leukemia cutis presenting with fingertip hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with leukemia often manifest cutaneous findings, which include nonspecific lesions and specific leukemic infiltrates termed leukemia cutis. OBJECTIVE: A case of leukemia cutis involving distal finger pads is reported and literature describing hand involvement of specific leukemic infiltrates is reviewed. METHODS AND RESULTS: An 80-year-old woman with a 10-year history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia developed painful symmetric tumors of her distal finger pads. Histopathological examination of the biopsy specimen revealed infiltration by neoplastic lymphocytes. Only a few cases of leukemia cutis involving the hands have been reported in the literature, none with this particular presentation. The clinical and histopathologic features of leukemia cutis are reviewed. CONCLUSION: This case emphasizes the importance of obtaining a biopsy specimen for histopathological examination of any suspicious skin lesion in a patient with leukemia.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of melanoma diagnosis on sun-awareness and protection: efficacy of education campaigns in a high-risk population.

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Sun-awareness campaigns increase public knowledge but may not translate into behavioral changes in practice, which is particularly alarming when reported for individuals in high-risk groups. In particular, patients diagnosed with melanoma are at increased risk of developing subsequent primary melanomas compared with the general population. OBJECTIVES: The study was undertaken (1) to assess whether patients with known risk factors for developing melanoma had been exposed to preventative campaign messages prior to their diagnosis, (2) to quantify whether the diagnosis of melanoma changed sun-related attitudes and behavior, and (3) to assess the adequacy of sun-related advice given to patients with melanoma, as well as their compliance with the advice. METHODS: Using an anonymous questionnaire, 217 patients previously diagnosed with melanoma were interviewed on the source and frequency of received sun-related advice, as well as on their knowledge, attitudes, and behavior toward sun protection before and after the diagnosis. RESULTS: The number of patients who reported receiving sun-related advice after being diagnosed with melanoma increased by 36% (52% pre-vs. 88% postDiagnosis), with advice being given more frequently and more often by a physician (19% pre- vs. 49% postdiagnosis). Furthermore, sun-related attitudes and behavioral practices were positively altered. Yet, patients with known risk factors were not preferentially targeted for advice before their diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of melanoma leads to increased sun-awareness and protection. While dermatologists should continue their efforts to promote and reinforce sun-awareness in patients with melanoma, additional emphasis on preventative targeting of high-risk individuals would be of marked benefit in decreasing the overall incidence of melanoma. Non-dermatologists, such as family physicians, can be key players in this preventative campaign, and can be educated to recognize and educate patients at risk, as well as direct them to be followed under dermatology care.

Awareness↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cutaneous effects of smoking.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is the single biggest preventable cause of death and disability in developed countries and is a significant public health concern. While known to be strongly associated with a number of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and cancers, smoking also leads to a variety of cutaneous manifestations. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the effects of cigarette smoking on the skin and its appendages. METHODS: A literature review was based on a MEDLINE search (1966-2004) for English-language articles using the MeSH terms cutaneous, dermatology, tobacco, skin, and smoking. An additional search was subsequently undertaken for articles related to smoking and associated mucocutanous diseases, with the focus on pathogenesis and epidemiologic data. Articles presenting the highest level of evidence and latest reports were preferentially selected. RESULTS: Smoking is strongly associated with numerous dermatologic conditions including poor wound healing, wrinkling and premature skin aging, squamous cell carcinoma, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, hair loss, oral cancers, and other oral conditions. In addition, it has an impact on the skin lesions observed in diabetes, lupus, and AIDS. The evidence linking smoking and melanoma, eczema, and acne is inconclusive. Anecdotal data exist on the possible protective effects of smoking in oral/genital aphthosis of Behçet's disease, herpes labialis, pyoderma gangrenosum, acral melanoma, and Kaposi's sarcoma in AIDS patients. CONCLUSIONS: An appreciation of the adverse cutaneous consequences of smoking is important. Dermatologists can play an integral role in promoting smoking cessation by providing expert opinion and educating the public on the deleterious effects of smoking on the skin.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The story of Clostridium botulinum: from food poisoning to Botox.

In the last fifty years, Clostridium botulinum has become notorious for its ability to produce the deadly botulinum neurotoxins. While botulinum toxin A, better known as Botox, is universally recognised by the public as a cosmetic enhancement tool, the botulinum neurotoxins are commonly used off-label for many medical conditions in ophthalmology, neurology and dermatology. The versatility of these botulinum toxins has made Clostridium botulinum one of the most widely known bacterial pathogens in medical history. This article outlines the discovery of botulinum toxins through to their present day applications in medicine.

Biological Warfare↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Case reports: mitozantrone-induced onycholysis associated with subungual abscesses, paronychia, and pyogenic granuloma.

Chemotherapeutic agents may induce a wide variety of adverse mucocutaneous effects, including nail changes. We present a case of atypical onycholysis, associated with subungual abscess formation, paronychia and pyogenic granuloma resulting from the use of mitozantrone, an antineoplastic cytotoxic agent, in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer.

Abscess↗