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Biomedical subjects

H Hammar

Publications and source records attributed to H Hammar.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase-like immunoreactivity in psoriasis. An immunohistochemical study on catecholamine synthesizing enzymes and neuropeptides of the skin.

Immunoreactivity for phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), the enzyme involved in the conversion of norepinephrine to epinephrine, was present in the basal epidermis and upper dermis in 16 patients with psoriasis. The amount of immunoreactivity was increased tenfold in involved compared to uninvolved skin as characterized by computer-assisted image analysis. In skin from healthy volunteers no immunoreactivity could be found. In our subjects, no immunoreactivity was observed for the other catecholamine synthesizing enzymes (tyrosine hydroxylase; dopa-decarboxylase; dopamine-beta-hydroxylase), apart from single tyrosine hydroxylase positive adrenergic vascular nerves. Furthermore, in psoriasis, the immunoreactivity pattern of the peptides somatostatin, substance P, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and bombesin was in agreement with skin from healthy volunteers.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Oral retinoids in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: a comparison of isotretinoin and etretinate. A study from the Scandinavian Mycosis Fungoides Group.

Thirty-nine patients with mycosis fungoides in various stages or Sézary syndrome were treated with isotretinoin and 29 with etretinate as single drug therapy. Complete remission within 2 months was obtained with isotretinoin in 8 cases (21%) and partial remission in another 15 cases (38%). Etretinate induced complete remission in 5 cases (21%) and partial remission in 11 (46%). Only 1 case with Sézary syndrome went into partial remission. The first sign of remission occurred in 2 to 4 weeks. During continued treatment remissions could not always be maintained. Isotretinoin and etretinate were considered to be of equal potency in the treatment of mycosis fungoides.

Drug Eruptions↗
PubMed1986

Comparison of two enzyme immunoassays and an immunofluorescence test for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis.

Three rapid methods for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis were compared: one immunofluorescence test and two enzyme immunoassays. Cervical and urethral specimens were obtained from 75 women in an outpatient clinic for therapeutic abortions and from 50 women in a sexually transmitted disease clinic. Urethral specimens were also obtained from 154 men in the same clinic. One hundred and nineteen cervical and 272 urethral specimens of a total 391 specimens were tested by the three methods. The direct immunofluorescence test detected Chlamydia trachomatis in 8% and the two enzyme immunoassays in 10% and 12% of the patients. The sensitivity of the immunofluorescence test was 76% compared to 91% and 80% for the two enzyme immunoassay tests. All three tests had a specificity of 99%. Dilution experiments confirmed that one immunoassay test, Chlamydiazyme, detected most of the positive specimens. The rapid and easily automated enzyme immunoassays are a valuable complement to the culture technique.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1986

Psoriasis treatment: faster clearance when UVB-dithranol is combined with topical clobetasol propionate.

Fifty patients with plaque psoriasis were treated with dithranol and UVB 5 days per week. Twenty-six of these patients also received 13 treatments (once daily in the 1st week, every other day in the 2nd week, twice in the 3rd week and once in the 4th week) with topical clobetasol propionate. The median time for clearance was 2.5 weeks for those on the clobetasol propionate-dithranol-UVB combination compared with 4 weeks when only dithranol-UVB was used. Scaling and induration of the lesions disappeared during the first 2 weeks of treatment with clobetasol propionate-dithranol-UVB which was a significant improvement compared with dithranol-UVB alone. The time of remission in patients completely cleared was the same in the two groups. Relapses occurred slightly more often in the clobetasol propionate treated than in the control group (during treatment 5 of 26 versus 2 of 24; after 6 months 7 of 18 versus 4 of 15) but the differences were not statistically significant. The study shows that addition of topical clobetasol propionate according to our schedule to the traditional dithranol-UVB regimen of psoriasis results in a more rapid clearance of lesions without undesirable side effects.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1985

Palmoplantar lesions in psoriatic patients and their relation to inverse psoriasis, tinea infection and contact allergy.

One hundred and seven psoriatics with palmoplantar involvement were clinically examined. They were selected from 921 patients filed in 1976 with the diagnosis psoriasis. Fifty per cent of the patients with palmoplantar psoriasis had flexural changes. The frequency of palmar involvement in patients with inverse psoriasis compared to patients with psoriasis vulgaris was increased 5.3 times. Pustulosis palmoplantaris (PPP) in addition to psoriasis was diagnosed in 18 patients (17%). A dermatophyte infection was observed in 1 of 48 patients examined for tinea infection. Positive patch tests were obtained in 8 of 47 patients, 7 of whom had more than one test reaction. The result gives no evidence of tinea infection and contact allergy as important factors in maintaining palmoplantar psoriasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Coagulation and fibrinolytic systems during the course of erysipelas and necrotizing fasciitis and the effect of heparin.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a grave infection of the skin leading to gangrene of the integument and often having a complicated and prolonged course. Studies on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis were done in 15 patients with NF and compared with 5 cases of erysipelas (E). In both conditions local fibrin deposition occurred initially in their course, but it was quantitatively more pronounced in NF than in E. Fibrinolysis decreased and stayed low at the site of NF up to 5 months (median) after discharge from hospital. Fibrinogen and activities of several plasma serine proteinases modifying coagulation were increased during the course of both diseases and even at the follow-up. Factor XII was decreased during the first week in E but a transient drop was present in NF only on days 3 and 4. The treatment of NF consists of high doses of appropriate antibiotics instituted early in its course. A beneficial effect of 300-500 IU heparin/kg/day was suggested from this open study. The hard induration preceding the appearance of skin gangrene was inhibited, if heparin was given early in the course of NF. We conclude that the enhanced fibrin deposition and vascular occlusions in the skin are the basis for most complications present in NF.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Subpopulations of mononuclear cells in microscopic lesions of psoriatic patients. Selective accumulation of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells in epidermis during the evolution of the lesion.

The age of microscopic lesions in psoriatic subjects was assessed from the stacking characteristics in the horny layer and related to type and density (cells/tissue volume) of mononuclear cells in the epidermis and the dermis determined by immunoperoxidase methods using monoclonal antibodies. Pan T cells (Lyt-2+, Lyt-3+, Leu-4+, OKT3+), T helper cells (Leu-3a+, OKT4+), T suppressor/cytotoxic cells (Leu-2a+, OKT8+), Ia+ cells and monocytes (OKM2+, BRL alpha mono+) were determined in epidermis and dermis. The psoriatic lesion was divided into regions underneath a parakeratotic and an orthohyperkeratotic/hypergranular portion of the horny layer and contrasted with perilesional and uninvolved psoriatic skin as well as with healthy skin. In the various regions and skin layers, the cell density was highest in parakeratosis and decreased toward normality with decreasing histologic abnormality. The relation between epidermal and dermal cell densities of the T-cell subsets was modified in the involved psoriatic skin with a selective preponderance of T suppressor/cytotoxic cells in the epidermis. The accumulation was present in the youngest lesion found (3 days) and cell densities were unchanged in older lesions. The findings suggests that the altered relationship in the subsets of T cells has an important role during the induction and progress of the psoriatic process in the skin.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Treatment of keloids with excision and postoperative X-ray irradiation.

During a 9-year period 47 patients with 62 keloids, treated with excision and postoperative superficial X-ray irradiation, were included in a retrospective study. The follow-up time was 6 months to 9 years. 88% experienced a good or excellent result. Single or fractioned dose and time interval between excision and radiation did not influence the result. Hyperpigmentation was noted as a side effect in 16 of 47 patients. More favorable results were obtained in the treatment of small keloids and of keloids located in the head-neck area compared to those on the trunk and the extremities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

The explant culture of pig skin after corneocyte layer stripping in vivo.

Adult pig skin was stripped of its horny layer by cellophane tape. At intervals over the next 4 days explant cultures were prepared from such areas. Growth displayed an initial rapid and secondary slower phase. Plating of explants immediately following the stripping gave rise to an increased rate of migration of cells from the explants during the first growth phase but a decreased second or proliferative growth phase. This was not present when plating was delayed 1 to 4 days after stripping. The growth fraction in cells of the stripped skin explant cultures was similar to that of unstripped controls. The diminished growth rate of the cells was due to prolongation of the mean cell cycle time. Thus, the hyperproliferative state induced in vivo after stripping did not maintain itself when transferred in vitro. This result is of importance concerning animal models for psoriasis and the influence a transfer to in vitro conditions may have on the hyperproliferative psoriatic epidermis.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

The deposition of immunoglobulins and complement in stratum corneum in microscopic lesions in patients with active psoriasis: the relationship to hyperproliferation.

The morphology of the horny layer was utilized to determine the age distribution of corneocytes in early psoriatic lesions and in their vicinity. By using the age distribution the number of corneocyte layers found in any time interval could be obtained and expressed as the rate of corneocyte layers formed. Deposits if immunoglobulins G, M and A and C3 were also age-distributed in a similar way. In the period during which the horny layer was formed, variation in the rate of corneocyte formation could be related to the appearance of immunodeposits. Hyperproliferation was found to precede deposits of immunoglobulins G, M and A and C3 by one to several days. Deposits were examined both visually and by means of microfluorometry, with the same result. The specificity of the deposits was established in two ways. A Fab2-anti-immunoglobulin conjugate was used to detect a possible Fc receptor binding. This was not demonstrated. Albumin was used as a plasma filtrate marker. Albumin was not found in the horny layer but was abundant in the intercellular spaces in the rest of the epidermis. It was concluded that the immunodeposits found in the early lesions of psoriasis are a secondary phenomenon during the initiation of a psoriatic lesion.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Corneocyte morphology and formation rate in lichen planus and experimental parakeratosis in subjects with and without psoriasis.

In a recent paper changes in corneocyte morphology and formation rate in psoriasis have been established. In the present study the specificity of these alternations were analysed in two situations. Early lichen planus papules were chosen as a model of hyperproliferation with hypergranulosis and orthohyperkeratosis. Hyperproliferation with parakeratosis was induced by nonanoic acid (CH3(CH2)7COOH) as an experimental model in psoriatics and non-psoriatics. In lichen planus papules, the rate of corneocyte layer formation was 2.4 times that of the non-involved skin. In psoriasis, a similar rate was found in parts with hypergranulosis. A 13% decrease in corneocyte diameter took place in lichen planus lesions--similar to that found in psoriasis. The corneocytes in lichen planus were also thicker than normal cells, though their volumes were similar. Thickness decreased in more superficial locations of these corneocytes. Swelling was a finding during the histological procedure, Corneocytes in the lesion increased markedly in volume, due to swelling. The parakeratosis elicited by nonanoic acid showed cells with irregular membranes and nuclei with non-flattened and irregular borders. The rate of corneocyte layer formation was 2.6 times that of the normal skin. The epidermal reaction to the superficial damage by nonanoic acid did not differ between psoriatics and non-psoriatics. This type of parakeratosis was distinctly different from that present in psoriasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Stimulated mouse ear epidermis in explant culture- The effect of retinoic acid and hexadecane.

Ear skin of adult mice was used as a source of explant cultures of epidermal cells and the requirements for growth were defined. Two growth phases were observed, the first more rapid than the second. All-trans-retinoic acid or n-hexadecane was applied topically for up to 9 days and the skin was then used for explant cultures. During both treatments the ear became red and swollen. The epidermis became hyperkeratotic or deprived of its horny layer. The thickness of the stratum Malpighii increased to up to nine layers, from the normal of two or three layers. The stratum granulosum became multilayered and keratohyalin granules were abundant. Explants of n-hexadecane-treated skin behaved exactly as their normal controls. All-trans-retinoic acid included an increase in migratory cell activity during the first growth phase. In the second growth phase the growth rate was similar or lower than that of the controls.

Alkanes↗
PubMed1981

Blood coagulation and fibrinolytic systems in patients with erysipelas and necrotizing fasciitis.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a skin infection caused by a group A streptococci, resulting in an erythematous lesion with cyanosis and vesicles or bullae leading to gangrene. The condition is prostrating and often accompanied with cerebral confusion. A table of diagnostic scores is given to differentiate initial symptoms and signs of NF from erysipelas (E). Assays of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis together with routine laboratory examinations were made in 12 patients with NF on admission to the hospital and they were compared with similar analyses of 5 patients with E. The NF and E patients showed increased levels of fibrinogen, factor V and factor VIII as well as positive ethanol gelation test, which hypercoagulability as did also decrease antithrombin III and increased levels of fibrinopeptide A. Slightly increased levels of fibrinogen degradation products were also noted. The Hageman factor was low in E compared to NF. In both conditions fibrin formation seems to be enhanced, most probably more extensively in NF. General signs of secondary fibrinolysis were less conspicuous. It is possible that the Hageman factor is activated to modulate the inflammatory response differently in E than in NE.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

The rate of corneocyte formation in microscopic lesions in patients with active psoriasis.

Microscopic lesions in active psoriasis were identified after careful examination with a magnifying glass in areas free of macroscopic lesions and of hair follicles. Biopsies were excised without anesthesia, immediately frozen and cryostat-sectioned. Care was taken to preserve the horny layer which was stained to reveal corneocyte membranes and nuclei when present. The interlocking sheets of corneocyte layers made it feasible to outline and trace intercellular spaces parallel to the surface and count the number of corneocyte layers between pairs of these. It was assumed that the location of such a space in the horny layer indicates the period of time from its formation. This information was used to assess the rate of corneocyte layer formation at specified intervals of time. The result shows that adjacent areas of the horny layer could be compared and relative rates of corneocyte layer formation computed. In the parakeratotic part of the early lesions of psoriasis studied the rate of corneocyte layer formation was 15 times higher than that in the non-involved skin. The peak rate, coincident with parakeratosis, was preceded by a number of thickened corneocyte layers. These also showed an increased rate of formation, up to 6.6 times that in non-involved skin. There was no acanthosis in the lesions studied. A subepidermal cellular infiltrate was observed. Periods of rapid corneocyte formation with parakeratosis were often short (not more than one day). These were interrupted by periods with a lower rate. The relationship between corneocyte morphology and stratum corneum kinetics is a distinct feature in the early psoriatic lesion.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Prostaglandin E1 treatment of leg ulcers caused by venous or arterial incompetence.

An open and a double-blind study were undertaken on patients with leg ulcers caused mainly by venous (VI) or arterial incompetence (AI). They were treated with intravenous infusions or injections of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). Eight of 10 patients in the open study experienced relief of pain and a complete or almost complete healing of their ulcers. In the double-blind study (20 patients) 4 out of 5 patients with a history of leg ulcers due to VI for more than 5 year responded to the PGE1 treatment, compared with one of 5 treated with saline. In the saline group 3 more patients with VI of shorter duration improved. In 3 of 5 patients of PGE1 with ulcers due to AI the original ulcer area was reduced by 78--65% after 70 days, while in the 2 remaining cases healing occurred later on. No effect was noted in the 2 patients with ulcers due to AI who received saline infusions. The results indicate the beneficial effect of PGE1 on pain and healing in leg ulcers caused by peripheral vascular disease.

Aged↗