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Biomedical subjects

H Zachariae

Publications and source records attributed to H Zachariae.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Normal oxidative activity and chemotaxis of circulating neutrophils in patients treated with photopheresis.

In photopheresis peripheral leukocytes are exposed to photoactivated 8-methoxypsoralen in an extra-corporeal flow system. The present study was performed to characterize the effect of photopheresis upon the function of peripheral circulating neutrophils. Superoxide generating capacity and chemotactic ability of peripheral circulating neutrophils were tested in seven patients immediately before and after treatment with photopheresis. Superoxide generation stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and fMLP-induced chemotaxis were found not to be influenced by photopheresis. We conclude that circulating neutrophils obtained from patients treated with photopheresis possess normal superoxide-generating capacity and chemotactic ability.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Plasma endothelin and the aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) in systemic sclerosis.

Forty-four patients with systemic sclerosis and 3 patients with localized scleroderma were investigated for plasma endothelin and aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP). Although there was an overlap between plasma levels of endothelin in patients with systemic sclerosis and healthy controls, the mean value of the patients was significantly higher than in controls. Plasma endothelin was normal in all 3 patients with localized scleroderma. The highest levels of plasma endothelin were found in patients with type II and III systemic sclerosis with the largest cutaneous involvement, and in patients with the scleroderma-specific antibodies Scl-70 and anticentromere antibodies. Extremely high values were found in a patient who experienced a renal crisis and in a patient who had her lower leg amputated due to severe vasculitis. A positive correlation was found between plasma endothelin and serum PIIINP. This, together with the fact that in systemic sclerosis the vascular lesions are the earliest, would seem to support the theory that endothelial cell damage could lead to increased secretion of endothelin and subsequent fibrosis in this disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Skin scoring in systemic sclerosis: a modification--relations to subtypes and the aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP).

Forty-one patients with systemic sclerosis were investigated with a new and simple skin score method measuring the degree of thickening and pliability in seven regions together with area involvement in each region. The highest values were, as expected, found in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (type III SS) and the lowest in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (type I SS) with no lesions extending above wrists and ancles. A positive correlation was found to the aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen, a serological marker for synthesis of type III collagen. The skin score is considered simpler than previous methods and is recommended for more general use.

Arm↗
PubMed1993

[Thalidomide treatment of prurigo nodularis].

Twenty-two patients suffering from prurigo nodularis were treated with thalidomide 50-300 mg daily for an average of 12 months (two weeks to five years), following a special arrangement between the Danish Government and the producer Grünenthal GMBH, by which the Government took full economical responsibility for any claims related to the treatment. All patients received prior to treatment a detailed written information about all potential side-effects from the treatment, and had by their signature acknowledged, that they wished to be treated. All but two of the patients had an immediate pronounced effect on their main symptom, the tormenting itching. The same patients had a significant decrease in size and numbers of skin lesions after one to two months of treatment. However, the therapy had to be discontinued in thirteen patients (59%) due to side-effects. The most important side-effect, neuropathy, was the reason for discontinuation of thalidomide in five patients (22%). In spite of the high frequency of side-effects, we consider that this treatment modality should still be offered to the patients with the most severe symptoms due to the pronounced effect on this otherwise therapy resistant disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Photopheresis in systemic sclerosis: clinical and serological studies using markers of collagen metabolism.

Eight patients with progressive systemic sclerosis were treated with photopheresis or extracorporeal photochemotherapy given on 2 consecutive days every 4 weeks for 5 to 8 months. Previous treatment with immunosuppressive agents or D-penicillamine was discontinued for at least 4 weeks prior to photopheresis. Although IL-2 receptor density in peripheral blood T-lymphocytes decreased significantly in the initial phase of the photopheresis therapy, no substantial clinical improvement occurred. Although the intention had been to treat all patients for at least 8 months with photopheresis alone, it was mandatory due to severe exacerbations to give additional immunotherapy to 4 patients, and 2 of these together with another patient wanted to discontinue photopheresis after 5 and 6 months, as they did not expect an effect. Three of the 4 patients with progression had RNP-antibodies, suggesting that they had their scleroderma as part of a mixed connective tissue disease. The clinical exacerbations were accompanied in all patients by a highly significant increase in serum aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP), which has been reported to correlate with involvement of skin and internal organs in systemic sclerosis. Similar but less significant increases were found in serum carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP); there were no significant changes in serum cross-linked fragment of type I collagen. Plasma levels of 8-methoxypsoralen were all above 80 ng/l, showing that the lack of responses to photopheresis could not be due to poor absorption of the drug.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Autotransplantation in vitiligo: treatment with epidermal grafts and cultured melanocytes.

Previous studies have shown the usefulness of autologous grafts carrying melanocytes for treatment of vitiligo. In our study repigmentation was obtained in three patients using epidermal sheets from suction blisters. The repigmentation was found stable in follow-ups from one to three years. The most homogenic repigmentation, however, was found in a patient treated by grafting autologous melanocytes applied to the dermabraded areas of vitiligo by collagen film.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1992

[Systemic scleroderma and scleroderma-like disease after silicone implants].

Systemic sclerosis or clinical patterns indistinguishable from systemic sclerosis have previously been demonstrated in workers in the polyvinylchloride industry and in mine-workers exposed to silica dust. In recent years, an increasing number of cases of systemic sclerosis, localized scleroderma, and scleroderma-like disease have been diagnosed in women after implantation of silicone gel prosthesis either following operations for breast cancer or cosmetic augmentation mammoplasty. We present two cases of systemic sclerosis or scleroderma-like disease appearing after silicone implants. Together with the already reported cases these results should lead to reduced use of silicone for cosmetic augmentation mammoplasty and a search for another material for patients operated on for breast cancer. The cases described, together with the reports concerning industrially provoked scleroderma, are of interest for the continued efforts to clarify the pathogenesis of scleroderma. Other types of exposure than those described here may also be of interest, i.e. occupational exposure to silicone spray.

Female↗
PubMed1992

[HIV and behavior].

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HIV Seropositivity↗
PubMed1992

Morphologic renal changes during cyclosporine treatment of psoriasis. Studies on pretreatment and posttreatment kidney biopsy specimens.

BACKGROUND: Because of concern about long-term renal toxicity from low-dose cyclosporine therapy, we studied kidney biopsy specimens in psoriasis patients treated with this drug. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate whether any morphologic changes appear after approximately 1 year of treatment. METHODS: Pretreatment and posttreatment renal biopsy specimens were performed in 12 psoriasis patients treated with cyclosporine in dosages from 1.8 to 6 mg/kg/day for 6 to 18 months. RESULTS: The study disclosed a slight but significant increase in interstitial fibrous tissue, which negatively correlated with creatinine clearance. The findings were similar to those described in patients receiving higher dosages of cyclosporine. CONCLUSION: The clinical relevance of these so-far minor changes is unknown and does not exclude the use of cyclosporine in severe psoriasis; however, they should be taken into consideration in so-called low-dose therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Hemolytic uremic syndrome in a patient with systemic sclerosis treated with cyclosporin A.

The case is presented of a 48-year-old female suffering from diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (diffuse scleroderma) since 8 years, who went into renal failure as part of hemolytic uremic syndrome following 3 weeks' treatment with 3.8 mg/kg cyclosporin A. Hemolytic uremic syndrome has previously been described in transplant patients receiving cyclosporin A. There are also four cases reported in the literature of renal failure developing in middle aged females with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis after short-term use of low dosage cyclosporin A treatment. It is suggested, that it may be wise not to use cyclosporin A to this category of patients, in which it can not be ruled out, that even a low dose therapy may trigger the rapid onset of scleroderma renal crisis or as in our case provoke hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Acute Disease↗