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Biomedical subjects

J H Barth

Publications and source records attributed to J H Barth.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Lipogenesis by isolated human apocrine sweat glands: testosterone has no effect during long-term organ maintenance.

Lipid synthesis by freshly isolated human apocrine glands has been measured by the incorporation of [U-14C] acetate. Incorporation is linear over 6 h at 1010 +/- 282 pmol/mg wet weight/h (n = 11; mean +/- sem). The lipid classes, as percentages of the total lipid synthesized, were found by TLC to be cholesterol 12.3 +/- 2.0, mono-glycerides 7.5 +/- 1.5, 1,2 di-glycerides 3.0 +/- 0.9, 1,3 di-glycerides 3.5 +/- 0.5, tri-glycerides 28.4 +/- 1.8, free fatty acids 2.0 +/- 0.4, lysolecithin 15.4 +/- 3.9, sphingomyelin 9.9 +/- 4.3, phosphatidyl-choline 8.4 +/- 0.4, phosphatidyl-ethanolamine -inositol and -serine 1.8 +/- 0.1, phosphatidic acid and cardiolipin 3.3 +/- 0.5, and unidentified 3.3 +/- 0.5 (mean +/- sem, n = 5). Glands were maintained on permeable supports. After 10 d maintenance, electron microscopy showed that the cellular architecture had been preserved, that the ATP contents were the same as in freshly isolated glands, and that [U-14C] acetate incorporation was not significantly altered at 851 +/- 237 pmol/mg/h (n = 18). The addition of 3 microM testosterone had no effect on acetate incorporation at 844 +/- 231 pmol/mg/h (n = 18). The lipid classes and their proportions were similar to the values for fresh glands after 10 d maintenance both with and without testosterone.

Acetates↗

Spironolactone is an effective and well tolerated systemic antiandrogen therapy for Hirsute women.

We treated 22 hirsute women with spironolactone in an open trial to determine whether it caused objective changes in hair growth. Among them, 18 women completed 12 months therapy with 200 mg spironolactone daily. During this period, the mean daily linear growth rates of hair on the face, abdomen, and thigh were reduced to 66% (P less than 0.001), 75% (P less than 0.01), and 72% (P less than 0.001) of their pretreatment values. The mean hair shaft diameters were reduced to 83% (P less than 0.01) on the face, 88% (P less than 0.001) on the arm, 74% (P less than 0.01) on the abdomen, and 80% (P less than 0.001) on the thigh. Daily hair volume production was calculated from the diameter and daily growth rate; it was reduced to 60% (P less than 0.01) on the face, 52% (P less than 0.01) on the arm, 34% (P less than 0.001) on the abdomen, and 48% (P less than 0.001) on the thigh. Six of the 18 women who completed the study developed midcycle vaginal bleeding, and 3 women had previously irregular menstrual cycles regulated. We conclude that spironolactone is effective and well tolerated for hirsute women.

Adult↗

Nail abnormalities and autoimmunity.

Eight patients are described with both vitiligo and nail abnormalities. Two had additional autoimmune disorders but these did not develop at the same time as the nail abnormality. Both had thyrotoxicosis. The proposed association with certain autoimmune disorders is discussed.

Adolescent↗

Pemphigoid and ulcerative colitis.

We report eight patients with ulcerative colitis who have subsequently developed pemphigoid. Four patients were investigated to determine the pattern of pemphigoid antibody staining on whole and chemically split skin and oral mucosa to distinguish between pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. The findings were suggestive of pemphigoid with a predominantly epidermal pattern. Three patients were studied for the presence of antibodies against the colon (which were absent). The relationship between pemphigoid and ulcerative colitis is discussed in relation to a case-control study.

Adult↗

Acanthosis nigricans, insulin resistance and cutaneous virilism.

Thirteen patients with the syndrome of acanthosis nigricans and insulin resistance are described. They all had a combination of dermatoses related to hyperandrogenism (cutaneous virilism): hirsuties (II), acne vulgaris (6), hidradenitis suppurativa (5) and androgenic alopecia (4). In addition, 9 out of 13 had keratosis pilaris. The patients had raised fasting plasma insulin levels compared with matched normal controls (P less than 0.01) and increased insulin resistance (P less than 0.02). Insulin resistance correlated with total serum testosterone (rs = 0.65; P less than 0.02).

Acanthosis Nigricans↗

Prepubertal hypertrichosis: normal or abnormal?

The pattern of hair growth, morphology of the hair shafts, and the hair root state are described in four girls and two boys with prepubertal hypertrichosis. The exact nosology of this form of excessive hair growth is discussed in relation to hirsuties and the possibility of it representing an 'atavistic' trait.

Child↗

Alopecia and hirsuties. Current concepts in pathogenesis and management.

Hirsuties and androgenic alopecia are the patterns of hair growth in women which develop in a similar manner to that normally seen in men. This process is mediated by androgens. It may be due to increased hormone production or increased target organ sensitivity. The majority of patients with hirsuties may be adequately managed with a careful explanation of their condition and advice about depilatory techniques. Some will benefit from a course of systemic antiandrogen therapy, but hair growth will resume on cessation of therapy. There have been few objective studies to evaluate the benefits of antiandrogen therapy in female baldness and none with minoxidil.

Alopecia↗

Body fat topography in women with androgen excess.

The relationship between body fat distribution and androgen excess was determined in 168 premenopausal women of varying degrees of androgen excess. In 84 women with the polycystic ovary syndrome or idiopathic hirsutism, the waist:hips girth ratio (WHR) was 0.81 +/- 0.01 (mean +/- s.e.m.) and was significantly greater (P less than 0.001) than in an age- and weight-matched group of 84 non-hirsute women (0.77 +/- 0.01), indicating upper body fat predominance in the hirsute subjects. Plasma testosterone was directly correlated with the WHR (r = 0.55, P less than 0.001) and this relationship was independent of obesity level, supporting the hypothesis that plasma androgens are an important determinant of body fat topography in premenopausal women.

Adipose Tissue↗

Immunofluorescence of the nail bed in pemphigoid.

A case of pemphigoid is described which is complicated by ulcerative colitis and a cicatrizing nail dystrophy. A longitudinal nail biopsy revealed linear deposits of C3 and IgM at the basement membrane zone. The relevance of these findings is discussed.

Basement Membrane↗

Normal hair growth in children.

Abnormalities in the hair growth of children are common reasons for referral to a dermatologist or pediatrician. There is wide variation in the normal sequence of development of hair form and pattern in childhood and adolescence. Very occasionally, abnormalities may be a component of complex metabolic disorders. Therefore it is important to recognize the normal growth of children's hair. Most diagnoses of hair disorders may be made on clinical examination and inspection of hair shafts and roots under a light microscope.

Adolescent↗