Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Urbach

Publications and source records attributed to F Urbach.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Normal T-lymphocyte function in psoriatic patients undergoing methoxsalen photochemotherapy.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from psoriatic patients undergoing photochemotherapy using oral 8-methoxypsoralen and high-intensity long-wave ultraviolet radiation, were isolated and their ability to respond to phytohemagglutinin and to form spontaneous rosettes with sheep red blood cells was measured in vitro. Seventeen patients were investigated who had received 200 to 3700 Joules/cm2 of ultraviolet radiation over a 6- to 33-month period. No significant defects in lymphocyte blastogenesis or E-rosette formation were detected in these patients.

Adult↗

Aging, environmental influences, and photocarcinogenesis.

Repeated exposure of human skin to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) over a period of many years is responsible for the induction of most nonmelanoma skin cancers in man. The tumors are progressively more common in chronologically older people. Is this fact purely a function of adequate dose accumulation and development time, or is tumor expression influenced by "physiological age"? The answer to this question influences risk estimates of the results of atmosphere modification. Data from animal studies indicate that the tumor incidence is affected by dose-delivery factors and not just by the accumulated lifetime dose. In addition, young mice are more prone to tumor induction by a given UVR dose than are older animals. Because the quanlity and quantity of the stimulus (UVR) can be readily manipulated and accurately described, studies on photocarcinogenesis offer distinct possibilities for untangling some of the interactive variables in the aging process.

Aged↗

Mycosis fungoides, nitrogen mustard and skin cancer.

The prevalence of epithelial cancer was determined in 202 patients with mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome and was found to be 10.5%. In an attempt to establish a possible association with topically applied nitrogen mustard, it was noted that 4.0% of these patients had lesions prior to nitrogen mustard therapy (although over half subsequently developed further lesions) and 6.5% of the patients developed them de novo after therapy. In two patients in this latter group, malignancies developed in are as not usually associated with solar-induced cancer. These findings indicate that epidermal neoplasia is not uncommon in these patients and that nitrogen mustard may function as a carcinogen or a co-carcinogen.

Administration, Topical↗

The correlation of indoor solar simulator and natural sunlight: testing of a sunscreen preparation.

To determine the equivalence of xenon arc solar simulator and natural sunlight test results, the sun protection factor (SPF) for an experimental sunscreen preparation was determined using each light source. The minimal erythemal doses (MEDs) were shown to be equivalent on unprotected skin. It was necessary to supply additional heat to the treated skin prior to solar simulator exposures to obtain comparable SPFs. By careful control of the subjects' environment, natural sunlight effects can be duplicated with a solar simulator.

Dermatology↗

Recommendations for future research on ultraviolet radiation carcinogenesis.

Recommendations for future research on photocarcinogenesis were developed during an international conference on UVR carcinogenesis. Areas covered in the recommendations include research at the molecular biology level, human (especially epidemiologic aspects), physical (including instrumentation), and biologic studies (stressing animal models). The recommendations also propose the establishment of central supply and service sources for photocarcinogenesis research as well as the establishment of interdiscipilinary training programs related to research in photocarcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Experimental ultraviolet photocarcinogenesis: wavelength interactions and time-dose relationships.

Tumors were induced in the skin of SKH hairless mice by exposure to fluorescent FS sun lamps or to a long-arc xenon solar simulator. Tumores developed about equally well with varying amounts of UV-A radiation (lambda greater than 320 nm) given simultaneously. In contrast, incremental changes in the UV-B region (lambda less than 320 nm) led to substantial increases in carcinogenic effectiveness. A tumor-"initiating" dose of UV-B (4-10 wk of daily FS lamp exposures) was rendered less effective by subsequent exposures of the mice to UV-A (6 hr/day, F-40 T12BL lamps). The mechanism for this effect is not known. Most tumors induced by a short course (10 wk) of FS lamp exposure grew slowly or regressed, whereas mice exposed for a longer period (30 wk) developed more tumors, and many of those that appeared early grew aggressively. Effects of daily dose fractionation were less clear, and the subject requires further study. These and other variables are being tested in a program designed to yield useful information on the effects of changing spectrum, dose, and dose delivery rates on sunlight-induced cancer.

Animals↗

Modification of photocarcinogenesis by two immunosuppressive agents.

The carcinogenic effect of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on the skin of hairless (hr) mice was modified by two immunosuppressive agents, rabbit anti-mouse lymphocytic serum (ALS), and 6-mercaptopurine (6MP). Daily exposure of mice to UVR resulted in multiple tumor production. Carcinogenesis was measured in terms of affected mice (prevalence) and numbers of tumors produced. By both criteria, photocarcinogenesis was enhanced by ALS but inhibited by 6MP.

Animals↗

Cutaneous photobiology: past, present and future.

The history and origin of the science of photobiology are reviewed. Interest in the biologic effects of light gradually increased, beginning with the discovery of ultraviolet and infrared radiation early in the 19th century. The basis of experimental photobiology was laid by the studies of Raab and Tappeiner on photodynamic action and the early uses of phototherapy by Finsen and Dorno. The discovery of the association of porphyrins with some light-related skin diseases and of the capability of chemical agents such as coal tar and bergamot to induce phototoxic contact dermatitis resulted in a flurry of clinical investigations leading to better understanding of the processes of phototoxicity and photoallergy. The early epidemiologic studies of Unna and Dubreuilh relating solar radiation exposure to the formation of actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancer were experimentally confirmed in animals by Findlay, Roffo, and Blum. In the most recent quarter century (1950-1975), cellular and molecular photobiology has been refined. The studies on photochemistry of nucleic acid and of damage and repair mechanisms in DNA have set the stage for understanding the basic processes of biologic effects of light and promise the development of useful applications of specifically directed phototherapy and prevention of such light-induced diseases as skin cancer.

Animals↗

Photocarcinogenesis: lack of enhancement by fluorescent white agents.

These studies were designed to determine whether fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) could: (I) produce an augmented acute response of skin to a single ultraviolet light exposure (i.e., phototoxicity), or (II) increase the number or hasten the appearance of skin tumors after several ultraviolet light exposures (i.e., chemically enhanced photocarcinogenesis). Five substituted stilbene FWAs were screened for phototoxicity. The results of pretreatment with these agents were compared with pretreatment by a known photoxic agent, 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) or the vehicle (methanol) using the skin of hairless mice, miniature pigs, and man. None of the FWAs was phototoxic. Photocarcinogenesis testing involved pretreating hairless mouse skin with FWAs, 8-MOP, or methanol only before each daily exposure to simulated solar ultraviolet light. In terms of tumor yield and tumor development time, photocarcinogenesis was enhanced by 8-MOP, but not by FWAs.

Animals↗