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Biomedical subjects

S M Connolly

Publications and source records attributed to S M Connolly.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Hematologic disease in scleroderma syndromes.

Review of 4 430 patients with a diagnosis of scleroderma, morphea, or eosinophilic fasciitis has revealed 16 patients with one of a variety of serious hematologic diseases. Although it is not possible to comment on the exact relationship between the dermatologic disease and the hematologic disorder, in seven patients there appeared to be a close temporal relationship between the onset of the two conditions. The development of a serious hematologic disease, especially a lymphoproliferative process, may rarely be seen not only in patients with eosinophilic fasciitis but also in those with systemic or localized scleroderma.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone and its metabolites on the secretion of sulfated polysaccharides by foot integument of a pond snail.

The effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), TRH metabolites, and a TRH analog on the secretion of 35S-labeled sulfated polysaccharides from in vitro incubated foot integument of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis palustris was assessed. Whereas TRH significantly inhibited the secretion of 35S-labeled polysaccharides, its metabolite deamido TRH significantly stimulated polysaccharide secretion. Histidyl-proline-diketopiperazine did not alter the secretion of 35S-labeled sulfated polysaccharides. Foot integument exhibited considerable TRH-peptidase activity in vitro. The principal proline-containing TRH metabolites were deamido-TRH and proline. The deamido-TRH content of the foot, mantle, and hemolymph was determined by radioimmunoassay. All tissues contained deamido-TRH. These findings suggest that the secretory activity of skin mucus glands of L. stagnalis palustris is the result of the stimulatory action of deamido-TRH and the inhibitory action of TRH. 3Methyl-2histidyl-TRH, TRH, vasotocin, and bombesin did not alter the polysaccharide secretion by in vitro incubated foot integument, indicating that the changes in mucus secretion after TRH and deamido-TRH administration are specific and that the gastropod "TRH receptors" may differ from the mammalian brain and anterior pituitary gland TRH receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Sebaceous gland tumors and systemic disease: a clinicopathologic analysis.

The association of sebaceous gland neoplasms with visceral carcinomas, first described by Muir and Torre, has become widely recognized. The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of malignancy, other associated diseases, and familial carcinoma in patients who had one or more cutaneous lesions within the spectrum of sebaceous adenoma, epithelioma, or carcinoma. Our histopathology files contained tissue from 59 such cases. Overlap between the categories was common, often precluding precise histologic classification. Of the 59 patients, 25 (42%) had one or more primary visceral malignancies. These totaled at least 49, of which 25 were colonic, 9 urogenital, 5 hematologic, 4 breast, and 6 miscellaneous. Fifteen patients (25%) had colonic polyps, most often multiple; and at least one primary carcinoma of the colon appeared in 10 of these, initially or later. Other less common findings included uterine fibroids, thyroid adenomas, and benign renal cysts. A family history of carcinoma was found in 72% of cases with visceral malignancy, most often of the colon and stomach. We conclude that sebaceous neoplasms form a histologic continuum, and strong associations with colonic polyps, internal malignancy, and a family history of carcinoma are apparent.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1984

Thalidomide treatment of prurigo nodularis.

Four patients with classic recalcitrant prurigo nodularis had symptomatic and physical responses to thalidomide with remissions. Three of the four patients had increased IgE levels that decreased during therapy. In two patients, short-term treatment (2 to 3 months) was not sufficient to produce remission, but retreatment was effective. Two patients had long-term remission with more than 6 months of treatment. No significant side effects occurred.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1984

Scleroderma: therapeutic options.

Although the cause of scleroderma remains elusive, pharmacologic advances and increased understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease provide therapeutic options. Therapy usually addresses the fibrotic, vascular, or immunologic alterations, but general measures can be helpful and should not be overlooked.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed1983

Effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on the synthesis and secretion of polysaccharides by the integument of gastropods.

The hypothesis that thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) affects salt and water transport in gastropod skin by means of altering the secretion of epithelial surface mucus was tested. The synthesis and secretion of 35S-labeled sulfated polysaccharides was measured as an index for the synthesis and secretion of mucus. It was found that physiological concentrations of TRH significantly inhibited the secretion of 35S-labeled sulfated polysaccharides by short-term in vitro incubated gastropod foot integument. TRH did not alter the rate of synthesis of 35S-labeled sulfated polysaccharides in short-term in vitro incubated gastropod foot skin. The synthesis and release, but not the tissue/medium ratio of 35S-labeled sulfated polysaccharides was significantly lower in animals with an elevated endogenous TRH content than in control animals. The results from these studies suggest that acute exposure of gastropod skin to TRH results in a decrease in the secretion of preformed epithelial surface mucus and that chronic exposure also results in a reduction of the synthesis of surface mucus. It thus appears that TRH indirectly modulates gastropod skin ion transport by altering the thickness of the surface mucus coat which results in a change in the ion concentration at the cell surface and a change in the activity of the ion transporting mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Allergic contact dermatitis. When to suspect it and what to do.

Allergic contact dermatitis is a common problem that can affect persons of all ages and in any state of health. A high index of suspicion and careful follow-through with patch testing and investigative work are needed to establish the diagnosis. Recognition of sources of exposure to the allergen and of important cross-reacting substances is the key to prevention of recurrences.

Acetates↗
PubMed1983

Bronopol allergic contact dermatitis.

Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol) is an antimicrobial compound widely used as a preservative, primarily in cosmetic formulations. Analysis of patch tests performed on our patients revealed an incidence of 12.5% relevant positive results to 0.5% and/or 0.25% bronopol. This result reflects a history of prolonged use of bronopol-containing lubricants in our referral population of patients with different types of severe, extensive dermatitis. Contact sensitization to bronopol in this population is probably facilitated by abnormal cutaneous barrier function. Our findings emphasize the need for further clinical study of the potential for bronopol to produce contact sensitivity, and suggest caution with regard to its use in patients with dermatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Development of neuron-specific enolase immunoreactivity in avian nervous tissue in vivo and in vitro.

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a glycolytic isoenzyme that is primarily located in neurons and neuroendocrine cells. The development of NSE immunoreactivity in th avian nervous system at the level of the hind limb has been examined using immunocytochemical methods. NSE immunoreactivity is first detected in ventral horn motor neurons and dorsal root ganglion neurons at embryonic day 9-10. This is at least 2-3 days after some neurons in both these populations are capable of electrical activity. The glycogen body, a non-neuronal structure, also exhibits NSE (+) staining, but the onset of this immunoreactivity is earlier, at 8 days of embryonic development. NSE immunoreactivity was absent from the cell bodies of paravertebral sympathetic ganglia throughout development, but was present in cellular processes and terminals in the adult ganglia. NSE immunoreactivity also develops in tissue cultures containing cells of neural tube and neural crest origin.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

An association between C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency and lupus erythematosus: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Two patients who had lupus erythematosus and C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency are described. The data on eleven previously reported cases are reviewed and summarized with those from our own cases. Early complement component depletion secondary to C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency may predispose to the development of lupuslike syndromes by impairing the ability of the organism to handle foreign antigen. Further study of this unique group of patients may provide insight into the pathogenesis of immune complex disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Carpal tunnel syndrome in cutaneous connective tissue disease: generalized morphea, lichen sclerosus, fasciitis, discoid lupus erythematosus, and lupus panniculitis.

Carpal tunnel syndrome developed concurrently with cutaneous connective tissue disease in five patients. The skin lesions varied from morphea, lichen sclerosus, fasciitis, and discoid lupus erythematosus to lupus panniculitis. Variable and transitory serologic and direct immunofluorescent findings were noted. In two cases, surgical specimens from carpal tunnel operations had lymphoid nodules. Treatment of the cutaneous connective tissue syndrome (antimalarials, four cases; corticosteroids, two cases) brought healing of the carpal tunnel syndrome as well as improvement of the skin lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Synapse formation is related to the onset of neuron-specific enolase immunoreactivity in the avian auditory and vestibular systems.

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a unique form of the glycolytic enzyme, enolase, which, in the brain, is strictly localized in differentiated neurons and neuroendocrine cells. In this report evidence is presented that NSE is first seen in the cell bodies of developing chick auditory and vestibular neurons shortly after the time when they first form immature synapses. Subsequently, immunoreactive NSE increases and spreads into transiently appearing structures which participate in the morphogenesis of mature synaptic arrangements. These data correlate synaptogenesis with the differentiation of a specific neuronal enzyme.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Systemic retinoids in dermatology.

Orally administered retinoids are synthetic derivatives of vitamin A. This new group of drugs (not yet available for general use in the United States) has been effective in experimental trials for treatment of a wide range of skin diseases. The current status of two of these drugs, isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) and etretinate (Ro 10-9359), is herein reviewed.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1982

Cutaneous and subcutaneous inflammatory sclerosis syndromes.

Systemic scleroderma and localized scleroderma (morphea) show comparable changes on skin biopsy specimens, and a distinction has often been made on the basis of Raynaud's phenomenon, organ involvement, and laboratory abnormalities characteristically seen in systemic scleroderma. Critical evaluation not only of patients with localized scleroderma but also of those with eosinophilic fasciitis, morphea profunda, and acral pansclerotic morphea has disclosed Raynaud's phenomenon, organ involvement, and laboratory abnormalities typical of systemic scleroderma in a small percentage of patients. Histologically, all five conditions show similar inflammation and sclerosis of the skin, the primary difference being the depth at which these changes occur. These conditions may possibly be related, and the clinical and laboratory differences observed may result from variations in depth, nature, and intensity of the cutaneous and subcutaneous inflammatory sclerosis.

Child↗
PubMed1981

Actinic prurigo.

Actinic prurigo is a chronic photodermatitis found predominantly in North American Indians. Other terms have been used to describe similar cases in Central and South America and in Europe. Relatively little has been written about this condition in the English literature, and confusion exists over whether this is a form of polymorphic light eruption. Actinic prurigo can be considered a unique variant of polymorphic light eruption; however, we believe that certain differences help to distinguish actinic prurigo as a separate disease entity. Herein we report three cases of this disease and review the related literature. Characteristic clinical features include prurigolike papules and cheilitis. Pruritus is the predominant symptom, and a familial tendency and an early age at onset are usually noted. Results of karyotyping and analysis of sister chromatid exchanges were normal in two of our patients so tested. Skin testing for photosensitivity has yielded inconsistent results, and use of light testing for diagnosing actinic prurigo does not seem to be a predictable procedure. Actinic prurigo is a chronic disease that often is refractory to therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Direct immunofluorescent findings in scleroderma syndromes.

Cutaneous direct immunofluorescent findings were examined in 78 patients who had either vascular scleroderma (group 1, 52 patients) or scleroderma with features of myositis or lupus erythematosus (group 2, 26 patients). Group 2 had higher antinuclear antibody levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, serum IgG concentrations, frequency of positive LE clot test, and rheumatoid factor activity. Ninety-two percent of group 1 (48 patients) had negative direct immunofluorescent findings, whereas 77% of group 2 (20 patients) had positive findings at the basement membrane or in the blood vessels (or both). The 6 patients in group 2 who had negative immunofluorescent findings were all on systemic steroid therapy. Of the 17 patients in group 2 who had tests for antibody to extractable nuclear antigen, only 3 had high-titer antibody to ribonucleoprotein--a pattern characteristic of mixed connective tissue disease. Direct cutaneous immunofluorescence is proposed as a means of identifying those patients with scleroderma who may be steroid-responsive.

Adolescent↗