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Biomedical subjects

J Ring

Publications and source records attributed to J Ring.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

[Keratosis lichenoides chronica. Bath PUVA therapy].

We describe the case of a 51-year-old male patient with characteristic lesions of keratosis lichenoides chronica confined to the back of his hands and feet. The lichenoid papules, linear hyperkeratotic ridges and erythematosquamous plaques appeared first in early childhood and recurred after a short episode of spontaneous remission. They didn't respond to various topical treatment modalities over the years. After a local PUVA therapy all lesions disappeared with no recurrence for over two years now. Our case report indicates a new promising indication for bath-PUVA-therapy.

Balneology↗
PubMed2002

[Gianotti-Crosti syndrome following immunization].

Four infants developed Gianotti-Crosti syndrome (GCS) 6 to 8 days after immunization. Subsequent booster vaccinations were well tolerated. Different types of viral infections have been implicated in the pathogenesis of GCS. The occurrence of GCS after vaccination is rarely described in literature. We suggest that vaccination may be a relevant etiologic factor and should be considered in infants presenting with GCS.

Acrodermatitis↗
PubMed2002

[Tinea capitis. Therapeutic options in the post-griseofulvin era].

Tinea capitis is the most common dermatophyte infection during childhood. In Germany, only griseofulvin is approved for therapy by regulatory agencies. In recent years, several newer antifungal agents such as itraconazole, fluconazole and terbinafine have broadened the therapeutic armamentarium and are used for the treatment of childhood tinea capitis. Itraconazole and terbinafine seem to be equally or more effective in treatment of tinea capitis within a shorter period of time than griseofulvin. Fluconazole is probably also effective for this indication, although supporting data is limited. Encountered side effects as well as interactions with other drugs appear to be well within acceptable limits for all three drugs. In conclusion, systemic therapy of scalp ringworm with itraconazole and terbinafine, as well as perhaps fluconazole, seems to be an equivalent or a superior therapeutic approach as compared to the use of griseofulvin. For the future, regulatory approval for the use of these newer antifungal agents in tinea capitis of childhood is recommended.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2002

[Scrotal leiomyoma].

Genital leiomyomas of the scrotal skin are extremely rare benign tumors, originating from the tunica dartos of the scrotum. We describe a 55-year-old caucasian male with a 3-year history of a slowly growing asymptomatic scrotal knot which was first clinically regarded as a cyst and finally diagnosed histopathologically as leiomyoma. This typical case demonstrates that leiomyomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of scrotal tumors.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2002

Alternative medicine in allergies - prevalence, patterns of use, and costs.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that the use of alternative medicine (AM) for allergies has increased. However, little is known from population-based studies about what determines its use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the patterns of use of AM for allergies. METHODS: A population-based nested case-control study was conducted in 2000-01 using computer-assisted telephone interviews. Three hundred and fifty-one adults participated (median age 46 years) with allergies including hay fever, asthma, atopic eczema, and food hypersensitivity. Information was obtained on demographics, prevalence, motivation, information, type of AM, provider, costs, willingness to pay, and subjective assessment of AM. RESULTS: 26.5% of participants used AM because of their allergies. Compared to nonusers, this group of users was significantly younger (median age 43 vs 47; p=0.004) and better educated (school education > 8 year vs<or= 8 year; odds ratio (OR) 2.17, 1.28-3.67) and was mostly motivated by the assumption of few side-effects (78.3%), by a wish to try everything (71.7%), and by unsatisfying results from conventional therapy (66.3%). Users also had more experience with conventional therapy than nonusers (94.6% vs 63.6%; OR 10.10, 4.00-25.72). Four procedures accounted for almost the entire usage: homeopathy (35.3%), autologous blood injection (28.1%), acupuncture (16.6%), and bioresonance (10.0%). The AM were mostly promoted (40.2%) and provided (60.9%) by medical doctors, and produced median costs for single and entire treatment of 4 (15-205) and 205 (15-1278) euros. Reimbursement from insurance companies was received by 52.3%, in full (37.8%) or partial (14.5%). Most subjects (55.4%) admitted that they would pay more (median 153 euros) for the achieved result. Users scored the efficacy of conventional therapy significantly lower (p<0.001) than nonusers, and assessed the results of AM as very good (28.6%) or rather good (53.8%). CONCLUSIONS: AM is used widely for allergies by the general population and is associated with considerable costs. This has implications for the health care system and health policy.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

UV-induced skin changes due to regular use of commercial sunbeds.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Increased pigmentation and thickening of the epidermis are the most important photoprotective skin reactions induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The present study was designed to find out what changes are induced by regular use of commercial sunbeds twice weekly over a period of 6 weeks. METHODS: The parameters analysed were skin pigmentation measured by chromametry, minimal erythema dose (MED) as a parameter of light sensitivity, epidermal thickening as determined by histology, induction of keratinocyte apoptosis as determined by TUNEL staining and antioxidant metabolism as measured by changes of cis- and trans-urocanic acid (UCA) content of the skin. RESULTS: As expected, chromametry confirmed the clinically obvious increased skin pigmentation. However, no increase in MED was observed. In addition, neither epidermal thickening nor sunburn cells were seen. Significant detectable changes in proportion of the UCA isomer content of the UV-exposed skin were seen. The total UCA and cis-UCA content increased significantly between nearly all points of measurement. The amount of trans-UCA first decreased, then increased significantly between the different time points. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that sunbed-induced tanning is non-protective, which has to be addressed for persons looking for this effect before planning a stay in a sunny climate. However, sunbed-induced tanning may influence immunological reactions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Invasion of human keratinocytes by Staphylococcus aureus and intracellular bacterial persistence represent haemolysin-independent virulence mechanisms that are followed by features of necrotic and apoptotic keratinocyte cell death.

BACKGROUND: Colonization of human skin by Staphylococcus aureus is a characteristic feature of several inflammatory skin diseases, which is often followed by tissue invasion and severe cell damage. A crucial role has been attributed to staphylococcal haemolysins in the cytotoxicity to epidermal structures. OBJECTIVES: To investigate haemolysin-independent virulence to human keratinocytes. METHODS: The stable alpha-haemolysin, beta-haemolysin double-negative S. aureus mutant DU 5720 was compared with the fully virulent parent strain 8325-4 and with its isogenic fibronectin-binding protein A/B-negative variant DU 5883 in an invasion model. RESULTS: This assay showed dose-dependent internalization of all the strains investigated by human HaCaT keratinocytes, with reduced internalization of DU 5883. Transmission electron microscopy revealed adhesion of staphylococci to cellular pilus-like extrusions, followed by the embedding of the bacteria in cellular grooves. Following attachment to the keratinocytes the staphylococci were engulfed into vesicles within the cytoplasm where some bacteria persisted for 24-48 h. Addition of cytochalasin D strongly reduced the bacterial uptake, suggesting an active keratinocyte process. Bacterial invasion was followed by severe keratinocyte cell damage showing the morphological changes of cytotoxic and, to a lesser extent, apoptotic cell death as determined by the trypan blue exclusion test and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labelling assay. The highest levels of lethal cytotoxicity were observed in haemolysin-producing strains, whereas the induction of apoptosis seemed to depend on internalization. CONCLUSIONS: Staphylococcal invasion of human keratinocytes represents a potent staphylococcal virulence factor, which, independently of alpha- and beta-haemolysins, leads to necrotic and apoptotic cell damage.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2002

[Studying school beginners in western and eastern Germany: allergy trends and sensitisations 1991-2000].

AIM: Aim of the study is to examine the hypotheses of a steeper increase in allergies and allergic sensitisations in East than in West German children between 1991 and 2000. METHOD: Between 1991 and 2000 we yearly repeated cross-sectional studies (SAWO: Study on school beginners) and asked 36,645 parents about diagnoses and symptoms of allergies in their six-year old children (response: 79 %). The study was done in Leipzig, Halle, Merseburg, Magdeburg, small towns in the Altmark region, Duisburg, Essen, Köln and Borken during spring. An allergological investigation was included 1991, 1994, 1997 and 2000. Dermatologists diagnosed a prevalent atopic eczema, administered a skin prick test (n = 7,229) and blood was taken for the determination of specific IgE antibodies against common allergens (n = 7,714, RAST). Odds Ratios (OR) for trend were calculated separately for the data from East and West Germany and are given along with their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Allergies and their symptoms (exception: atopic eczema) were less prevalent in East German children born before the reunification than in West German ones. In East as well as in West Germany bronchial asthma was diagnosed more often in 2000 than in 1991 (OR East: 2.42 [1.78-3.28] West: 2.07 [1.43-3.00]). In contrast the prevalence of atopic eczemas was more than halved between 1991 and 2000. Of all symptoms and diagnoses of allergies only hay fever and its symptoms showed an upward trend in East Germany which was steeper than the trend in West Germany (OR East: 4.41 [3.17-6.13] West: 1.74 [1.19-2.57]). This can partly be explained by a parallel trend in sensitisation against grass pollen. CONCLUSION: The spatial and temporal pattern of the allergic diseases bronchial asthma, hay fever and atopic eczema in six-year old children from Germany is different. The expected steeper increase of allergies in East than in West Germany could only be shown for hay fever.

Asthma↗
PubMed2002

Protein kinase inhibitors modulate time-dependent effects of UV and ionizing irradiation on ICAM-1 expression on human hepatoma cells.

PURPOSE: To investigate modulation of the expression of the adhesion protein ICAM-1 by UV and ionizing irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HepG2 hepatoma cells were irradiated in vitro with UVB (20 mJ cm(-2)) or X-rays (5 Gy), respectively. Gene expression of ICAM-1 after irradiation was quantified by RT-PCR. Cell surface density of ICAM-1 was determined by flow cytometry. Protein or lipid kinase inhibitors were used to clarify radiation-induced transduction pathways that control ICAM-1 expression. Immuno-electron microscopy and dot-blot analysis were used to examine localization of ICAM-1. RESULTS: The study showed time-dependent effects of ionizing and UV irradiation on ICAM-1 expression of HepG2 cells. After an immediate transient decrease of ICAM-1 cell surface expression within minutes to hours, ICAM-1 expression increased up to 1.35-fold over normal level at 48 h post-irradiation. Irradiation caused ICAM-1 to become internalized into lysosomes. Additionally, ICAM-1 together with parts of the cell were pinched off. Finally, ICAM-1 levels were down- and up-regulated by decreased or increased gene expression. The early decrease of ICAM-1 expression could be blocked by a potent PKC inhibitor (BisX), whereas the increase of ICAM-1 after 24 h was prevented by addition of the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB 203580. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that ICAM-1 expression is modulated by UV, as well as ionizing radiation, in a time-dependent way involving PKC and p38 MAP kinase pathways.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed2002

Topical calcipotriol plus oral fumaric acid is more effective and faster acting than oral fumaric acid monotherapy in the treatment of severe chronic plaque psoriasis vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Calcipotriol is an established topical therapy for psoriasis vulgaris. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether the addition of calcipotriol to fumaric acid ester (FAE) monotherapy had an additive efficacy and an FAE-sparing effect in patients with severe plaque psoriasis. METHODS: This multicentre, randomised, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study included 143 patients for up to 13 weeks treatment. Group A received FAE tablets (Fumaderm) with an increasing daily dosage from 105 to 1,075 mg + ointment vehicle. Group B received FAE tablets + calcipotriol ointment (50 microg/g). Ointments were applied twice daily. Clinical response was assessed using percentage changes in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), from baseline to treatment end. RESULTS: The mean percentage change in the PASI was -76.1% in group B and -51.9% in group A, the difference between treatments was -24.2% (95% CI from -34.2 to -14.2%; p < 0.001). Group B responded more rapidly to treatment. Investigators' and patients' overall efficacy assessments were significantly more favourable for group B (p < or = 0.001). Group B was prescribed less FAE than group A. This difference was greatest at the last visit (mean daily dose 529 and 685 mg, respectively; p = 0.006). Overall adverse events in the two groups were similar. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the combination of calcipotriol and FAEs is significantly more effective and faster acting than FAE monotherapy in the treatment of severe plaque psoriasis. The combination has a slight FEA-sparing effect and therefore a superior benefit/risk ratio.

Administration, Oral↗