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Biomedical subjects

J Serup

Publications and source records attributed to J Serup.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Treatment of lichen planus with acitretin. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 65 patients.

Sixty-five patients with lichen planus were included in a multicenter trial of acitretin. At the end of an 8-week placebo-controlled, double-blind phase, a significantly higher number of patients treated with 30 mg/day acitretin (64%) showed remission or marked improvement compared with placebo (13%). Furthermore, during the subsequent 8-week open phase, 83% of previously placebo-treated patients responded favorably to acitretin therapy. Typical retinoid adverse reactions were present in all patients on active drug. Laboratory studies did not show any clinically significant changes. This study shows that acitretin is an effective and acceptable therapy for severe cases of lichen planus.

Acitretin↗
PubMed1991

Formation of oiliness and sebum output--comparison of a lipid-absorbant and occlusive-tape method with photometry.

Sebum output and the development of oiliness formation were studied in 24 acne-prone volunteers. Sebutape and photometric measurement by the Sebumeter were compared. Tapes were taken 1, 2 and 3 h after degreasing. Tapes were scored, and light transmission was measured by a special densitometric device. Sebumeter recordings were performed after 3 h. Densitometric evaluation of tapes was accurate with a high correlation to scoring. Sebutape and Sebumeter assessments correlated. However, in some individuals the tape method overestimated the sebum output. Right-left comparison indicated that the tape method was less reproducible, particularly after longer sampling periods. It is suggested that Sebutape, due to water occlusion and temperature insulation during the sampling period, interferes with sebum droplet formation and spreading. However, such systematic interference may be advantageous since sweating and heat are important clinical prerequisites in the formation of oiliness. Thus, it is suggested that the Sebutape is a specialized method for the determination of 'oiliness', the very last phase of sebum output, in which sebum droplets spread over the skin surface. The tape is not automatically comparable to other methods for determining sebum output from the follicular reservoir.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1990

The effect of superficial hydration on the mechanical properties of human skin in vivo: implications for plastic surgery.

The influence of topically applied tap water on the mechanical properties of human skin was studied in vivo by applying tap water to the ventral aspect of the forearms of 18 healthy volunteers for 10 or 20 minutes and then measuring distensibility, elastic retraction, and hysteresis. Significant increases in distensibility, resilient distensibility, and hysteresis were noted after 20 minutes of soaking. Most of these findings were already apparent after 10 minutes. This study shows that the epidermis plays a significant role in determining the mechanical properties of human skin. Possible practical implications of superficial skin hydration for plastic surgery such as tissue expansion and larger excisions are briefly discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Sodium lauryl sulphate for irritant patch testing--a dose-response study using bioengineering methods for determination of skin irritation.

The dose-response relationship in patch testing with sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) was studied. The irritant skin response was quantified by visual scoring as well as by the following noninvasive methods: measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by an evaporimeter, measurement of skin color by a colorimeter, measurement of superficial blood flow by laser Doppler flowmetry, and measurement of edema in the skin by ultrasound A-scan. Twelve volunteers were patch tested with 0.12, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00% SLS, and the skin response was evaluated after 24 and 48 h, respectively. We found a statistically significant linear dose-response relationship between dose of SLS and skin response evaluated by measurement of TEWL, skin color, superficial blood flow, and edema. Statistical evaluation by regression analysis proved measurement of TEWL to be the method best suited overall for quantification in relation to patch testing with SLS, whereas colorimetry was found to be the least sensitive of the applied methods. Ultrasound A-scan was found to be a promising method for quantification of the inflammatory response, being consistently more sensitive than measurement of skin color.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Individual and instrumental variations in irritant patch-test reactions--clinical evaluation and quantification by bioengineering methods.

A major purpose of irritant patch testing is to differentiate between normal, delicate and less sensitive skin. To assess the usefulness of irritant patch testing, knowledge of variation in responses to identical patch tests is essential. In the present study inter- and intra-individual variation in irritant patch test reactions due to sodium lauryl sulphate and nonanoic acid is given when evaluated by traditional visual scoring as well as different non-invasive methods, i.e. measurement of transepidermal water loss, the hydration state of stratum corneum by electrical conductance, cutaneous blood flow by laser Doppler flowmetry, and measurement of skin thickness by 20-MHz ultrasound A-scan. The intra-individual 'site-to-site' variation was considerably less than the inter-individual variation, which is essential to differentiate between persons with delicate and less sensitive skin. Methods used were relevant for this purpose except for the measurement of electrical conductance.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effects of oil and water baths on the hydration state of the epidermis.

The effects of bath-oil and tap-water baths were studied by non-invasive bioengineering methods. Measurements of water evaporation, electrical conductance and capacitance demonstrated an increase in cutaneous hydration for 20 min after both types of bath, with the larger increase occurring within the first 10 min. A small but significantly greater amount of water (12-27%) was bound in the skin following use of bath oil. However, measurements of evaporation, conductance and capacitance indicated no clear difference in the skin surface hydration following bath-oil and tap-water baths. Thus, the increase in the water-holding capacity of the skin resulting from bath oil is slight and of no real importance for skin-surface hydration immediately after bathing. There was no difference between 5-min and 20-min baths. Oil baths resulted in an increase in skin-surface lipids lasting at least 3 h, comparable to the effect of traditional moisturizing lotions. This lipidization of the skin surface may have protracted effects. In conclusion, the value of bath oil lies mainly in the general lipidization of the skin with potential improvement in dryness and scaling, i.e. effects which are complex and protracted. The direct hydration of the skin is of short duration and comparable to a tap-water bath. In comparison with lotions, use of an oil bath has the disadvantage that it is not practical for repeated daily treatment over the long period which is necessary for therapy to be effective. The present study on normal skin does not take into account other effects of bathing with or without the addition of oil.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Colorimetric quantification of erythema--a comparison of two colorimeters (Lange Micro Color and Minolta Chroma Meter CR-200) with a clinical scoring scheme and laser-Doppler flowmetry.

Erythema elicited by the local irritant sodium lauryl sulphate was studied in comparison with unexposed skin. Colour coordinates of the CIE system were recorded using two commercially available colorimeters. With both colorimeters a positive movement of the alpha-axis (toward red, P less than 0.001) and a negative movement on the L-axis (toward dark, P less than 0.01) were registered. Technical and in-vivo experimentation showed the two pieces of equipment to be accurate. However, a simple conversion factor cannot be established. Both pieces of equipment correlated positively with clinical scoring of erythema and with measurement of cutaneous blood flow by laser-Doppler flowmetry. In conclusion, the two colorimeters appeared comparable. Colorimetry by the CIE system, which takes into account the non-linear colour perception of the human eye, was found useful with potential value in both experimental and clinical dermatology. The techniques appeared suitable for routine testing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Ranking of the antipsoriatic effect of various topical corticosteroids applied under a hydrocolloid dressing--skin-thickness, blood-flow and colour measurements compared to clinical assessments.

In 10 patients with chronic plaque type psoriasis one or two plaques affected equally with psoriasis were chosen for study. Five punched out rings of a hydrocolloid dressing were applied to the psoriasis plaque(s). In each circular test area 20 mg of one of the following creams was applied: base, 1% hydrocortisone (DAK), 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalogue), 0.1% betamethasone-17-valerate cream (Betnovate), and 0.05% clobetasol proprionate cream (Dermovate). The areas were occluded with a thin film of transparent hydrocolloid dressing (Comfeel Transparent Dressing), for 1 week. Non-invasive measurements (ultrasound skin thickness, laser-Doppler flowmetry, colorimetry) were performed before and after treatment. Therapeutic response was evaluated blindly by clinical score. The measurements showed a decline in blood flow, a decrease in skin thickness, and normalization of colour approaching that of normal skin, the more potent the corticosteroid used. The clinical scores showed the same: the more potent a corticosteroid used, the closer to the score of normal skin. Data on variability and applications of the methods are presented. The study concludes that potent corticosteroids occluded with a hydrocolloid dressing can clear psoriasis in 1 week. Short-course corticosteroid therapy appears harmless and relevant for clinical dermatology.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1990

Epidermal hydration and skin mechanics. The relationship between electrical capacitance and the mechanical properties of human skin in vivo.

The possible relationship between skin capacitance and the mechanical properties of the skin was studied using non-invasive techniques. Skin hydration was changed by soaking skin with tap water. Hydration of the skin increased the capacitance significantly (p less than 0.01) and hysteresis (creeping phenomenon) (p less than 0.01). The elasticity of the skin was reduced by hydration (p less than 0.01). Capacitance was found to be a poor predictor of the mechanical properties of untreated skin; while increases in hysteresis (creeping phenomenon) and decreases in elasticity were significantly (p less than 0.0001) related to changes in the capacitance of hydrated skin.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Generalized morphea with blisters. A case report.

A patient suffering from generalized morphea developed blisters in the morpheic plaques on her buttocks. The plaques had an increased concentration of serum aminoterminal propertice of type III procollagen, an echo response and thickened skin on ultrasound scanning, and compact bundles of collagen fibrils with bimodal distribution of the diameters. The blisters appeared as an echo-free band in the subepidermal zone by ultrasound scanning. Electron microscopy revealed blisters in the upper papillary dermis, surrounded by degraded collagen fibrils.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Short-term effects of topical 17 beta-oestradiol on human post-menopausal skin.

Early studies performed between 1946 and 1952 reported that cutaneously applied oestrogens had local effects in spite of probable systemic absorption. In order to test the validity of these observations the epidermal effects of topically applied 17 beta-oestradiol (E2) of 8 post-menopausal women were studied in a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study using non-invasive bioengineering techniques. E2 or placebo was applied twice daily for 45-50 days in a gel (at concentrations of 0.1 mg/g and 1.0 mg/g) and the results were compared. Changes in epidermal hydration (electrical capacitance and conductance) and mechanical properties were studied. We were unable to confirm the short-term local oestrogenic effects on post-menopausal human skin reported in the earlier studies. Thus, in spite of its high number of oestrogen receptors, the epidermis does not appear to be a target organ for oestrogens under clinical conditions.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1989

Seasonal variation of skin resistance to irritants.

In order to investigate a possible seasonal variation in the skin response to irritants, 17 healthy volunteers were patch tested with sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and nonanoic acid in the winter and summer. The response to these irritants was quantified by visual scoring, measurement of transepidermal water loss, measurement of electrical conductance indicating the hydration state of the superficial epidermis, measurement of blood flow by laser Doppler and measurement of oedema by ultrasound A-scan. Significantly stronger reactions to SLS were found during the winter than the summer as indicated by visual scoring and by measurements of transepidermal water loss, whereas no significant seasonal variation was found in the response to nonanoic acid. A decreased hydration state of the epidermis of unexposed skin was found during the winter, and we believe this to be responsible for the increased susceptibility to SLS during this season.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Transonychial water loss: relation to sex, age and nail-plate thickness.

The transonychial water loss (TOWL) was measured in 21 healthy volunteers with an evaporimeter, to establish the usefulness of this technique and study the influence of sex, age and nail-plate thickness. The median TOWL was 19.4 g/m2 h-1 and it decreased with increasing age (R = 0.51, P less than 0.018). The median transepidermal water loss (TEWLHAND) from the back of the hand was 16.0 g/m2 h-1 and from the dorsal side of the underarm (TEWLARM) it was 5.6 g/m2 h-1. The TEWLARM was significantly less than from any of the two other points studied (P less than 0.01), while there was no significant difference between the values obtained on the hand and the nail. TEWLARM had a median value of 6.4 g/m2 h-1 in men and 4.3 g/m2 h-1 in women (P less than 0.05) in this study. No significant correlation between nail-plate thickness, as measured by ultrasound 20 MHz A-scan, and TOWL was found. Measurements of TOWL are of interest and should be age-related. Further studies are needed to determine TOWL in various forms of nail pathology.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Quantification of the DMSO-response--a test for assessment of sensitive skin.

The DMSO-test has been suggested as a means of assessing skin sensitivity. When DMSO is applied to the skin a whealing response is provoked, and the magnitude of the response depends on the susceptibility of the individual. In this study clinical grading, along with transepidermal water loss measurement (TEWL), electrical conductance, laser Doppler flowmetry and ultrasound skin thickness measurement have been used for quantification of the DMSO-response. It is concluded that TEWL measurement, electrical conductance and ultrasound skin thickness measurement are all suitable methods for quantifying the DMSO-response, while laser Doppler flowmetry, due to interference from oedema formation, should not be used for this purpose. The ultrasound technique was quick and simple to handle as compared to the other bioengineering methods. The DMSO-test is an interesting and realistic possibility as a test for skin sensitivity and, with new bioengineering methods, the separate phenomena comprising the response can be evaluated and quantified, improving the objectivity of the test.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

A simple method for the study of scale pattern and effects of a moisturizer--qualitative and quantitative evaluation by D-Squame tape compared with parameters of epidermal hydration.

A new tape (D-Squame tape) made for scale pattern assessments was used to study epidermal effects of an oil-in-water emulsion applied at random to forearm skin of 16 volunteers. The contralateral forearm served as an untreated control. The emulsion was applied twice daily for 7 days. Tapes were assessed visually in a medical viewer, and a special system for measurement of optical transmission of the tapes was established. Visual evaluation showed (Day 7) an altered pattern in nine volunteers with an absence of flakes on the treated side, which was not seen on the control side. The optical transmission of the tapes from the 16 volunteers was significantly increased in samples from the test side (P less than 0.001). One week after cessation of treatment the transmission was still increased (P less than 0.02), and one volunteer presented an altered scale pattern according to visual grading. Measurements of electrical conductance and capacitance, both parameters of epidermal hydration, gave similar results, i.e., increased values on Day 7 and increased conductance 1 week later. Thus, the epidermal effects of the emulsion were protracted. Evaluation of the tape method showed this to be reproducible and valid. The method is easy to use and suited for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of variations in the scale pattern of human skin.

Adult↗