Government's role in rising health care costs.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J D Guin.
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Urticaria represents a wide variety of conditions characterized by urticarial papules, wheals, and angioedema. The number of potential causes of urticaria is legion, but a diligent search by careful history and examination is indicated. Laboratory testing depends upon the specific situation, but routine screening examinations are not cost effective. Histamine from mast cells plays an important role in urticaria. Multiple factors, such as aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, direct histamine-releasing agents (including benzoates), tartrazine and other azo dyes, and perhaps blockers of beta 2-adrenergic activity and H2 receptors, adversely influence histamine release either directly or indirectly. Vasodilation is also detrimental. Treatment of both acute and chronic urticaria necessitates removal of the patient from aggravating factors as well as the cause of the outbreak (if one can be found), along with effective antihistaminic agents and perhaps beta 2-adrenergic agonists. Treatment of specific entities within the urticarial group is briefly outlined in this article.
Comedones were extracted from twenty subjects using topical 1% clindamycin phosphate and were assayed for free clindamycin. Positive specimens were obtained from sixteen subjects at 2 weeks and from eighteen at 4 weeks, with levels of 0.06 to 1.49 micrograms/mg. Mean content was 0.39 +/- 0.08 micrograms/mg and 0.6 +/- 0.11 micrograms/mg, respectively. These values closely match levels previously determined following treatment with clindamycin hydrochloride, which may explain how these two esters can be similarly effective therapeutically. Satisfactory cooperation by the participants was likely obtained because their clinical progress paralleled that reported in other studies. Comedonal material reported as negative could very well contain effective levels of clindamycin, since minimum inhibitory concentrations of that antibiotic for most strains of Propionibacterium acnes are far below those detectable by current bioassay methods.
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Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are now classified in the genus Toxicodendron which is readily distinguished from Rhus. In the United States, there are two species of poison oak, Toxicodendron diversilobum (western poison oak) and Toxicodendron toxicarium (eastern poison oak). There are also two species of poison ivy, Toxicodendron rydbergii, a nonclimbing subshrub, and Toxicodendron radicans, which may be either a shrub or a climbing vine. There are nine subspecies of T. radicans, six of which are found in the United States. One species of poison sumac, Toxicodendron vernix, occurs in the United States. Distinguishing features of these plants and characteristics that separate Toxicodendron from Rhus are outlined in the text and illustrated in color plates.
Chronic and uninterrupted application of 1% hydrocortisone was followed by complications in six patients. Three developed a rosacea-like eruption for the first time and one also had perioral dermatitis. All of these responded to treatment and remained clear. Another patient had a severe exacerbation of rosacea following use and withdrawal of 1% hydrocortisone cream. Two female adults developed atrophy and telangiectasia of the eyelids following long-term application of 1% hydrocortisone cream. The severity of the complications reported was generally less than that found following use of more potent topical corticosteroids. However, the complications experienced by these patients would suggest that therapy with any effective topical corticosteroid should be intermittent. Particular care should be used in susceptible individuals and in vulnerable areas such as the eyelids.
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Eastern poison oak, Toxicodendron toxicarium, is a nonclimbing shrub whose leaves have three leaflets. The leaflets with their numerous round lobes resemble somewhat the leaves of some oaks in the white oak groups. The plant grows in nutritionally poor, sandy soil, and especially in dry pine-oak woodland. Deposits resembling black enamel paint can often be seen where plants have been injured. During winter, the U- or V-shaped leaf scars, the naked fruit stalks in female plants, and the sparse upright branches all aid in recognition. Other features can be useful in spring and fall. While poison oak and poison ivy are so closely related that the sensitivity of individuals and resulting dermatitis are not markedly different, accurate recognition is important in avoiding contact.
In a double-blind study, 1% clindamycin phosphate in aqueous-alcohol vehicle was compared with the vehicle alone on the opposite side. Of 29 patients evaluated, the clindamycin-treated side was found to be better in 11, the placebo side was better in four, and both sides were improved in five. No benefit was found in the remaining nine patients. These results were not considered statistically significant. Following discontinuance of treatment a prominent flare was noted in 14 of 19 patients who had previously improved on one side or the other, and this was considered significant (p less than .05). One percent clindamycin phosphate in equal parts of alcohol and water is apparently beneficial for some, but not for all patients with inflammatory acne.
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Rapid whitening of scalp hair developed during a three-month period along with a diffuse, subtotal alopecia in a patient. Immunofluorescence microscopy of biopsy material showed prominent deposits of IgG and IgM in a granular pattern in the epithelium of the lower portions of hair follicles. Some return of the color and amount of scalp hair occurred within a year, but occasional bouts of hair loss continued to occur. It is theorized that the rapid graying was caused by a selective loss of pigmented hair, which was perhaps caused by an immunologic mechanism. Some of the findings suggest that the cause of this patient's loss of hair color may be different from those of patients who have been previously described as having rapid whitening of scalp hair because of alopecia areata or vitiligo.