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Biomedical subjects

B Faivre

Publications and source records attributed to B Faivre.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Effect of a conjugated oestrogen (Premarin) cream on ageing facial skin. A comparative study with a placebo cream.

The effects of Premarin cream on ageing facial skin were studied in a randomised, double-blind, parallel group study. Fifty-four women aged 52-70 years who had moderate to severe facial cutaneous ageing, applied 1 g of either Premarin cream (0.625 mg conjugated oestrogens per gram of cream), or placebo cream (same composition with the exclusion of conjugated oestrogens) to the face nightly for 24 weeks. Each morning these women protected their face with a sunblock SPF 15. Skin thickness was measured by B-scan ultrasonic echography, and skin microrelief by profilometry. Each subject's facial appearance was also evaluated by the subject herself and by the clinician. A statistically significant difference (P = 0.013) in favour of Premarin cream was detected in skin thickness at week 24. Skin thickness (dermal plus epidermal) for the women who used Premarin cream increased from 1.56 +/- 0.20 mm at baseline to 1.68 +/- 0.19 mm, compared with 1.52 +/- 0.20 mm at baseline to 1.59 +/- 0.19 mm in the placebo group. Premarin cream was also significantly more effective than placebo cream in improving fine wrinkles according to the results at weeks 12 and 24 (P = 0.010 and P = 0.012, respectively). Significant improvement from baseline was detected in both groups for roughness, laxity and mottled pigmentation and/or lentigines; however, there was no significant difference in these parameters between the two treatment groups. No subjects discontinued treatment for a safety reason. In conclusion, Premarin cream produced better results than the placebo cream; the difference was statistically significant for skin thickness and fine wrinkles. Premarin cream was well tolerated locally, and its general safety was good.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of cutaneous photodamage using a photographic scale.

Clinical assessments of photodamage are based upon a subjective evaluation of characteristic features such as wrinkling and pigmentary change, and are influenced by inter-observer differences in grading criteria. In an effort to standardize the grading of photodamage severity, we have developed a six-point photographic scale in which each of the six grades of overall photodamage severity is depicted by three photographs. The use of three photographs to portray each grade illustrates the diversity and range of manifestations within each grade. This photographic scale was tested by two groups of dermatologists, who used it on two occasions to grade the overall photodamage severity of a single group of female Caucasian subjects. Results indicate high inter-observer agreement, with chance-corrected agreement ranging from 0.44 to 0.63 and from 0.54 to 0.76 on the first and second occasions, respectively. Intra-observer repeatability was high, with chance-corrected agreement ranging from 0.56 to 0.78. Inter- and intra-observer differences were within one category in nearly all cases. Similar grades were assigned by dermatologists with and without experience in treating photodamaged patients. We conclude that application of this scale results in consistent and reproducible clinical evaluations of overall photodamage severity in Caucasian subjects. The scale may be useful in categorizing subjects for epidemiological studies, or in selecting patients for clinical trials.

Dermatology↗
PubMed1994

Hydration, transepidermal water loss, pH and skin surface parameters: correlations and variations between dominant and non-dominant forearms.

The aim of this study was to examine differences between the skin of both forearms with regard to several parameters: hydration (skin capacitance), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), pH and skin surface parameters. Possible correlations between measurements were investigated. Thirty-three healthy women (32.6 +/- 8.4 years) participated in the study. The different parameters were measured on each volar forearm (dominant and non-dominant) at precisely delineated sites. TEWL and developed length (DL) were significantly increased on the dominant forearm (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, a correlation matrix was calculated with the differences between dominant and non-dominant forearms for all the parameters measured. Only the skin surface parameters were found to be interrelated with this statistical approach. These data confirm that randomization between forearms is essential in the design of a reliable experimental plan, and indicate the lack of relationship between these measurements as assessed in a group of healthy young women.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Human hemoglobin conjugated to carboxylate dextran as a potential red blood cell substitute. II--Pharmacotoxicological evaluation.

A solution of human hemoglobin bound to benzene tetracarboxylate substituted dextran, whose physicochemical characteristics are defined in part I, was evaluated in vivo as a potential red blood cell substitute. Further experiments show: - the confirmation of a lack of acute toxicity in mice and guinea pigs after injection of 12.5%, 25% and 50% of the blood mass and the absence of death in rabbits having undergone three successive 25% hemorrhagic shocks in three week intervals. A plasma half-life of 9.5 +/- 0.5 hours in 70-75% hemorrhagic shocks on guinea pigs and the absence of dex-BTC-Hb in thoracic and abdominal cavities. No tissue oedema was noticed. Total hemoglobinuria did not exceed 10% of the injected hemoglobin quantity and only involved free hemoglobin. A lack of death in 70-75% hemorrhagic shocks and survival times ranging from 10 hours to 3 days in total exchange transfusions in guinea pig experiments.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Methemoglobin formation after administration of hemoglobin conjugated to carboxylate dextran in guinea pigs. Attempts to prevent the oxidation of hemoglobin.

In 1990, McGown demonstrated in vitro a limitation of extracellular methemoglobin (metHb) formation by releasing and recycling of ascorbic acid by red blood cells. In order to investigate the autoxidation of free or modified hemoglobin in plasma and the possibility of reproducing McGown's phenomenon in vivo, we performed a 50% blood mass exchange in guinea-pigs with a 70 +/- 5 g/l dex-BTC-Hb solution (metHb < 5%). Methemoglobin was determined according to Evelyn-Malloy's method. We observed a clear but limited oxidation of plasmatic hemoglobin (MetHb approximately 30-40% at t = 12 hrs up to t = 24 hrs). A similar blood mass exchange was performed with the same hemoglobin solution which was previously totally oxidized into metHb. 40% of this methemoglobin was found to be reduced after 12 hrs. These results demonstrated a marked reducing activity by residual blood as shown by others. The addition of potentially protective compounds such as ascorbic acid (non enzymatic intraerythrocytar reduction pathway), methylene blue or riboflavin (enzymatic intraerythrocytar pathway), allowed a significant drop in the methemoglobin level. On the contrary, we didn't observe any reducing effect with reduced glutathione.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Septicemic cutaneous localization of cryptococcosis following renal transplantation in a female].

Cryptococcosis is a systemic disease caused by the yeast-like fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. Cutaneous manifestations, although rare, may precede other organ involvements. A case of cutaneous cryptococcosis is described herein. The skin lesions in our patient (a 47-year old female with renal transplant) consisted of acute cellulitis over her left and right thighs, revealing a septicemic infection. The patient received immunosuppressive drugs (prednisone, azathioprine). Clinical, mycological and histopathological data are described in details. Amphotericin B and fluconazole were initially successful, but a relapse with Cryptococcus meningitis required the adjunction of itraconazole to treatment. This case report underlines the insufficient effectiveness of fluconazole and the success of itraconazole.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1992

Possible importance of chromatographic purification position in a blood substitute elaboration process.

Purification of hemoglobin (Hb) solutions suggested as oxygen carriers is an imperative necessity. All processes currently used clear out the solutions of almost the totality of impurities that are able to negatively influence the transfusional efficiency of Hb. We have studied the stability (metHb measurement) of Hb purified by DEAE dextran chromatography (Spherodex, 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.20) which eliminates lipopolysaccharides, enzymes and non heminic-proteins ... without denaturing Hb. In spite of the improvements due to this purification method on the transfusional efficiency of non modified Hb solutions, the lack of enzymes involved in the protection of Hb against autooxidation (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase ...) makes it much more vulnerable to the reagents used during the following chemical processes: pyridoxylation, polymerization or macromolecule binding, thereby leading to an important oxidation to metHb. These observations led us to question the optimal position of purification in a process of modified Hb preparation. We have shown the importance of this chromatographic position in working on pyridoxylated Hb bound to monomethoxypolyoxyethylene. Spherodex chromatography appears to be a very satisfactory purification method, provided it occurs only at the last step of the process. Many authors have not been attentive to this phenomenon which could be found with other Hb modifications. This therefore imposes to study the best place to incorporate a particular purification step into a hemoglobin preparatory procedure.

Blood Substitutes↗
PubMed1992

A potential blood substitute from carboxylic dextran and oxyhemoglobin. II. Physicochemical and physiological assessments. Preliminary results on guinea pig.

The hemoglobin solution covalently linked to dextran benzene tetracarboxylate (dex-BTC) described in Part I, offered the following characteristics: [Hb] = 70 g/l, non modified Hb less than 15%, metHb less than 5%, P50 close to blood value, viscosity and oncotic pressure near to physiological values (37 degrees C). It was biocompatible, stable in plasma, non hypotensive in rat model, non pyrogenic and did not present abnormal toxicity (on mice, according to the french Pharmacopea). Nevertheless, on account of the presence of dextran in the conjugate and due to the literature, we observed an anaphylactoïd reaction in rats consecutive to the injections: absence of hypotension but presence of a massive oedema resulting from an important increase in the capillary permeability with harmful consequences to the vascular retention and survival time. As guinea pigs are insensitive to dextran, we are beginning to assess this conjugate solution in this animal. The first results are very promising: a lack of mortality after large injection, an almost complete vascular retention, a weak urinary loss (only non conjugated Hb), and a plasmatic half-disappearance time close to 7h. Results from haemorrhagic shocks to a final hematocrit less than 0.10 l/l and total and isovolemic exchange transfusions seem to prove a real oxygen-carrying capacity of this new Hb solution.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Transepidermal water loss related to volar forearm sites in humans.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate differences in human skin transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in vivo related to site on volar forearm. Fourteen healthy volunteers entered the study and seven sites were tested. After randomization of both forearm and measure order, TEWL measurements were performed using the Servo Med Evaporimeter. TEWL values next to the wrist were found statistically greater than on the other sites. Hence wrist region should preferably be excluded from TEWL measurements on forearm.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Citropten and bergapten suction blister fluid concentrations after solar product application in man.

Citropten (5,7-dimethoxycoumarin) and bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen) are present in bergamot oil which is used as a cosmetic tanning product. The aim of this study was to quantify, using HPLC, the amount of citropten and bergapten in the skin after the application of suntan products (emulsion and oil formulations). A suction blister technique, performed on the volar aspect of the forearm, permitted the collection of these two molecules. The blister fluid concentrations were 37 and 51 ng/ml (emulsion) and 26 and 23 ng/ml (oil), respectively, for citropten and bergapten. Our results show that the suction blister technique could be used for comparing transepidermal penetration of several compounds in vivo in man.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗
PubMed1991

Assessment of histocompatibility of different hemoglobin solutions using mesenteric perfusion on the small bowel of the male Wistar rat.

Histocompatibility assessment of 70 g/l stroma-free hemoglobin solutions pyridoxylated or not, and purified or not, was carried out using vascular perfusion of the intestine of rats. Mechanical and ultrastructural changes in the organ and the arteriovenous difference of PO2 were compared to those obtained with albumin, gelatin and dextran. Overlapping epithelium conserves its structure in the presence of hemoglobin, whereas it is partially or totally destroyed with the plasma substitutes. Nevertheless, with non pyridoxylated hemoglobin there is a strong detachment of the epithelium from the lamina propria. The intestine, irrigated by the hemoglobin solutions shows efficient peristalsis, but this totally disappears with plasma substitutes. For similar arterial PO2, for all the solutions, the arteriovenous difference was of 100 mmHg for the hemoglobin solutions, whereas they never exceeded 60 mmHg for the plasma substitutes. Hemoglobin pyridoxylation led to an arteriovenous difference significantly superior (p less than 0.001) to those obtained using non modified hemoglobin. With their O2 supply hemoglobin solutions appear able to limit the development of hypoxia in the tissue. The continuation of peristalsis and the weak ultrastructural modifications confirm the slight histological improvement gained when using pyridoxylated hemoglobin. Nevertheless an extravasation appeared constantly, as well as flow reduction during perfusion with the hemoglobin solutions.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Use of anti-collagenase properties of doxycycline in treatment of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency panniculitis.

Three patients (a 71-year-old man and 2 women, 73 and 50 years, respectively) with recurrent panniculitis associated with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency are presented. Because the concept of chronic and exaggerated inflammatory response in the patients with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is based on the theory of protease-antiprotease imbalance, we suggest that tetracyclines will alleviate this condition. Indeed, tetracyclines were found to inhibit collagenase activity. The total remission of the condition in these 3 patients underlines for the first time the effects of doxycycline on a condition characterized by deficiency of the antiprotease system. A review of the 23 reported cases of panniculitis associated with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is presented in table form.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Opsonizing activity of anti-Aeromonas salmonicida antibodies after inactivation of complement in rainbow trout.

Young rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were immunized with killed Aeromonas salmonicida, bled 5 wk later, and tested for the presence of serum agglutinins. The positive antisera were pooled and fractionated in a Ultrogel AcA 34 column. Seven fractions were collected and concentrated. The higher agglutinin titres were found in the 2nd fraction, which also contained IgM revealed by immunoelectrophoresis. The 7 fractions were heated for 30 min at 45 degrees C to inactivate the complement system, and used to opsonize non-virulent cells of A salmonicida, which were subsequently put in contact with trout adherent cell cultures. Controls were carried out with non-heated immune and heated or non-heated normal sera. Non-opsonized bacteria and bacteria opsonized with heated normal trout serum or with fractions 4-7 were not phagocytized. Non-heated sera allowed observation of approximately 33% of phagocytic cells. A noticeable opsonizing activity (approximately 28% of phagocytic cells) was observed only in fraction 2, which contained the highest titres of specific antibodies. It appears that in the absence of complement opsonizing properties clearly persist in the fraction which contains specific antibodies.

Aeromonas↗
PubMed1990

Chronopharmacokinetics of 5-methoxypsoralen.

Diurnal variations in drug pharmacokinetics are a well known phenomenon. Chronopharmacology studies now appear to be attracting increasing interest with a view to establishing an optimum therapeutic prescription. In order to determine possible chronobiological variations of 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) pharmacokinetic, 5-MOP blood concentrations were quantified in 8 healthy subjects after drug ingestion at different times during the day. Stolk's High Performance Liquid Chromatography technique was used to assess the 5-MOP serum concentrations. Each subject underwent three pharmacokinetic studies after oral ingestion of 5-MOP (1.2 mg/kg), in conjunction with a standardized low-lipid meal. The first pharmacokinetic study was started in the morning, the second in the afternoon and the third in the evening. Drug intake was at intervals of 2 days, to avoid drug accumulation. The results showed that the evening intake of the drug induced a higher 5-MOP maximum concentration and a higher 'area under curve' than morning or afternoon ingestion. This study suggests an optimized PUVA therapy, when performed in the evening.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗
PubMed1990

Desmoplastic trichoepithelioma nosology. Reappraisal about a case developed on a varicella scar.

We report the case of a 51-year-old woman who presented with a progressive elevation of the border of an old varicella scar. The lesion which was clinically diagnosed as a basal cell carcinoma turned out to be a typical desmoplastic trichoepithelioma. The development of desmoplastic trichoepithelioma in an area of scarring has not been previously reported. The nosology of this tumor is discussed with particular emphasis on its possible relationship to morphoeic basal cell carcinoma, thus questioning it as a true tumor sui generis.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗
PubMed1990

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome and acrokeratosis verruciformis. Occurrence of two rare inherited autosomal dominant conditions in the same patient.

An exceptional case of nevoid basal cell carcinoma (NBCC) syndrome occurring with acrokeratosis verruciformis (AKV) in the same patient is presented. The occurrence of two rare autosomal dominant diseases in a patient suggests that AKV might be one of the different dyskeratoses of the NBCC syndrome. The clinical aspect of the flesh-colored papules of AKV, indistinguishable from flat warts, might nevertheless prompt performance of a biopsy.

Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Assessment of aging of the human skin by in vivo ultrasonic imaging.

The ultrasonic imaging technique that we have developed provides cross-sectional images of human skin in vivo with a resolution of about 80 microns axially (i.e., deep into the skin) and 250 microns lateral (parallel to the surface). In order to study aging skin, we obtained ultrasonic images from the mid-forearm (volar and dorsal sides) of 142 women. Ultrasonically, on the images, the dermis appears composed of two bands: a dark superficial one where the ultrasonic waves are propagated in a relatively homogeneous or non-echogenic medium, and a deeper one, which is lighter in color, suggesting a heterogeneous medium. Our results show that skin is thicker on the dorsal than on the volar forearm. In contrast to previously published results, skin thickness remains constant until the seventh decade of life, diminishing thereafter. The relative thickness of the two bands show marked variations with age: a progressive thickening of the dark band, from zero in infants to approximately 75% of total skin thickness in aged subjects, while the light band shows the inverse trend. Comparing the amplitude of the bands on the volar and dorsal forearm, the relative thickness of the dark band is larger on the dorsal (exposed) side and increases with age. These findings and the analysis of variously stained biopsies taken in some of our patients lead us to assign this dark band to a zone in the upper dermis where the collagen network is delicate, dense, and well organized. This is supported by some data in the literature. The thickness of this subepidermal non-echo-genic band appears to be a far more sensitive marker of skin aging at the dermal level than is the measurement of skin thickness.

Aging↗