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Biomedical subjects

J Serup

Publications and source records attributed to J Serup.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Reproducibility and variability of transepidermal water loss measurement. Studies on the Servo Med Evaporimeter.

Recording technique and accuracy of the Servo Med EP1 evaporimeter were studied. The technical accuracy of this equipment was found high with a coefficient of variation of 3.3%. Measurements of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were performed on the palm of the hand and on the flexor side of the forearm in 10 healthy volunteers. Continuous registrations were undertaken for a three-minute period and repeated immediately thereafter. Values reached a linear state 30 sec after application of the probe. The variation of TEWL in relation to time was determined in the same individuals. Measurements were repeated after 1 hour and 24 hours. In conclusion, though the TEWL as measured by the Servo Med evaporimeter shows a considerable interindividual variation, the intraindividual variation and the variation by time are relatively minor. We recommend that more detailed studies are based on paired observations, with recordings read 30 sec after application of the probe onto the skin.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Epidermal hydration of psoriasis plaques and the relation to scaling. Measurement of electrical conductance and transepidermal water loss.

Seventy-seven plaques of ten patients with psoriasis vulgaris were studied with measurement of electrical conductance (3.5 MHz), measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and clinical scoring of erythema, induration and scaling. Uninvolved skin of the same body region served as control. Findings were very distinct with decreased conductance and increased TEWL. Plaques with no or mild scaling did not differ from grossly scaly plaques. Scales of psoriasis do not seem to exert any major occlusive effect on the water evaporation. The inverse relation between conductance and TEWL indicates reduced water-holding capacity of psoriatic epidermis, being a very common feature.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Papulo-vesicular count for the rating of allergic patch test reactions. A simple technique based on polysulfide rubber replica.

Silicone rubber replica of patch test reactions were obtained from 12 patients with allergic contact dermatitis. 85 positive or doubtful reactions to allergens included in a standard battery were studied. The number of papulo-vesicles and sweat pores as seen in the replica were counted under a stereomicroscope. The papulo-vesicular count increased significantly in relation to clinical reading of the reactions of increasing strength. The number of sweat pores of positive reactions was decreased. This was probably due to cutaneous oedema with compression of sweat gland ducts. Papulo-vesicles are also consequences of the inflammatory oedema. The replica method was concluded to be a useful tool for the grading of allergic patch test reactions. It has the virtues of reproducibility, simplicity and low cost, and it can be evaluated under standardized laboratory conditions. Replica may also be the basis for more sophisticated methods of quantitation such as computer-aided image analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Antinuclear antibodies and anti-DNA antibodies in scleroderma. A possible relationship between joint manifestations and increased antibodies in localized scleroderma.

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA), including anti-DNA antibodies, and rheumatoid factors (RAT, Waaler-Rose) were determined prospectively during a 3-year period in 40 patients with localized scleroderma (LS) compared with 77 patients with generalized scleroderma (GS). ANA were increased in 26% of patients with LS, and in 47% with GS, anti-DNA antibodies in 23% of patients with LS, and in 34% with GS. Thus, the anti-DNA antibody level was lower compared with the known level in systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatoid factors were present in 6-7% of patients with LS, and in 14-15% of patients with GS. Increased antinuclear antibodies were not associated with any specific type of localized scleroderma, nor with internal disorders, and no case of clinical overlap to discoid or systemic lupus erythematosus was observed. However, six patients with localized scleroderma and complaints of arthralgia all presented increased antibodies, and one patient showed overlap to rheumatoid arthritis. It is suggested that increased ANA and anti-DNA antibodies in localized scleroderma, associated with joint manifestations, represents a systemic component in this type of scleroderma, with activation of the immune system and similarities with generalized collagen diseases.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1986

Quantitation of facial affection in scleroderma.

The interincisor distance, the vertical lip distance, and the horizontal oral distance were measured in 68 patients with generalized scleroderma and in 66 healthy individuals. Interincisor distance and vertical lip distance were decreased in scleroderma (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.001). Vertical lip distance and horizontal oral distance provided clinically a clear differentiation between minor and major affection (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.001), while the interincisor distance provided a weaker differentiation (p less than 0.05). The horizontal oral distance correlated with the duration of scleroderma (r = -0.289, p less than 0.05), and the vertical lip distances tended to do so (r = -0.208, n.s.). In healthy individuals interincisor and vertical lip distances decreased significantly with age (in males only), while the horizontal oral distance showed no significant decrease. In conclusion, interincisor and vertical lip distances are preferable for diagnosis and the horizontal oral distance for follow-up of facial scleroderma. If only one vertical parameter is wanted, the authors prefer the vertical lip distance to the interincisor distance.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Assessment of epidermal atrophy in localized scleroderma (morphea).

The skin surface of scleroderma skin becomes glossy as a result of epidermal atrophy. In this study, the skin relief was studied in 12 patients with localized scleroderma (morphea). Measurements by a stylus method showed smoothening of the skin in all plaques studied (p less than 0.01). Ultrasound measurement showed increased skin thickness (p less than 0.01). There was no correlation between smoothening of the skin surface and increase in skin thickness, and no correlation to the duration of the plaques. It is concluded that glossy appearance of plaques of scleroderma is an early sign, which may be useful in the clinical diagnosis of scleroderma.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Thyroid hormones in generalized scleroderma. A controlled study.

Parameters of thyroid metabolism were analysed in 42 patients with generalized scleroderma and healthy individuals matched with respect to sex and age for comparison. Decreased free thyroxine (p less than 0.01), decreased free triiodothyronine (p less than 0.001), and increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (p less than 0.001) evidenced an associated state of myxoedema in scleroderma. Total thyroxine was normal, and total triiodothyronine was increased (p less than 0.01) probably reflecting binding to abnormal serum proteins in scleroderma. Normal concentrations of reverse triiodothyronine indicated a normal peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones. Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins also analysed were within normal range. Changes in free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone were quantitatively small with mean values within normal ranges. In conclusion, this study evidenced a mild associating myxoedema state in generalized scleroderma. Probably, this reflected slight and subclinical affection of the thyroid.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Quantification of weal reactions with laser Doppler flowmetry. Comparative blood flow measurements of the oedematous centre and the perilesional flare of skin-prick histamine weals.

Skin-prick experiments with different concentrations of histamine (0.1 mg/ml, 1.0 mg/ml, 10.0 mg/ml) and isotonic NaCl solution for control were performed on the forearms of 10 healthy volunteers. Regular recordings of the cutaneous blood flow by laser Doppler flowmetry were performed in the centre of the weals and 5, 10, 15 and 20 mm from the centre representing the zone of perilesional flare. In the weal centre the blood flow was increased but neither different concentrations of histamine nor the control reaction could be differentiated. Recordings performed 5 and 10 mm from the centre showed, however, significant differences between the different solutions of histamine tested as well as the control reaction. The better differentiation was obtained 5 and 10 min after skin-prick. In conclusion, laser Doppler flowmetry with recordings of the perilesional flare is found useful for quantification of weal reactions.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Ring size measurement of the digits in females suffering from generalized scleroderma (acrosclerosis). A simple method to quantify skin and soft tissue affection.

Measurements of the ring size (circumference in millimeters) of the middle phalanx in 22 females suffering from generalized scleroderma (acrosclerosis) were carried out and compared to control measurements in 22 age-matched healthy females. The ring size was increased (p less than 0.01) in the patients (mean 52.8 mm; range 45-61) as compared to the controls (mean 49.4 mm; range 46-52). Ring size measurements correlated well (r = 0.71; p less than 0.001) with ultrasound measurement of soft tissue thickness over the middle phalanx. Ring size was larger (p less than 0.001) in a group of healthy men as compared to female controls. Ring size was not correlated to age in healthy females (r = 0.06; n.s.), whereas it was in 19 healthy men studied (r = 0.78; p less than 0.001). The normal range (mean +/- 2 SD) for ring size in females was 45.5-53.3 mm; in males less than or equal to 60 years of age, the range was 48.5-59.2 mm. It is concluded that ring size is suited to quantify soft tissue changes of the digits in acrosclerosis. This method has the advantage of being simple.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Glycosaminoglycans in localized scleroderma (morphoea).

The composition of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) was analyzed in skin samples of eight patients suffering from localized scleroderma, i.e., three having generalized morphoea and five localized morphoea plaques. From each patients, biopsies were obtained from sclerotic and perilesional areas, and from clinically uninvolved skin of the same region. In the perilesional areas hyaluronic acid concentration was increased (p less than 0.05), while it was decreased (p less than 0.01) in sclerotic areas. Dermatan sulfate concentration was increased in the perilesional (p less than 0.05) as well as in the sclerotic (p less than 0.01) areas. Chondroitin 4/6 sulfate was increased in the sclerotic areas (p less than 0.05). Heparan sulfate showed no changes. No major differences were found in the total concentrations of uronic acid and hexosamine. This study demonstrates that changes in GAG composition in localized scleroderma follow previously described sequences of events of inflammation and fibrosis of connective tissue.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Vascular changes in morphea.

Vascular changes in morphea were studied in skin biopsies from 14 patients. Small vessels with pericytes present the changes in three different patterns. The first was the endothelial cells in a stimulated condition and thickened vascular wall with infiltrating macrophages and mast cells. The second was characterized by thick basal lamina of pericytes and the third by activated pericytes with infiltrating lymphocytes and plasma cells. Otherwise, all patterns showed altered endothelial cells and infiltrating macrophages and mast cells similar to the first pattern. The first pattern was mostly found in uninvolved skin. The second and the third were found in the inflammatory and sclerotic areas. It seems, therefore, that activated pericytes are the most essential changes in vessels of morphea. Probably, muscular vessels are simply involved in the fibrotic process.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Vitamin D metabolites in generalized scleroderma. Evidence of a normal cutaneous and intestinal supply with vitamin D.

Vitamin D metabolites in serum were analysed in 20 patients with generalized scleroderma. The concentration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was normal, however, significantly lower concentrations (p less than 0.05) were found in 7 patients with cutaneous calcinosis in comparison with 13 patients with no calcinosis. Concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 24-25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and vitamin D-binding protein (Gc globulin) were all within the normal range. The 24,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D level correlated with the duration of disease (r = 0.4453, p less than 0.05), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D tended to correlate (r = 0.3016, NS). The study strongly indicates that cutaneous synthesis, intestinal absorption and hepatic hydroxylation of vitamin D are not deficient in scleroderma. A relative but specific decrease in the renal hydroxylation to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, i.e. the active hormone, as the disease progresses and calcinosis occurs, is suspected.

Adult↗