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Biomedical subjects

S Shuster

Publications and source records attributed to S Shuster.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Epidermal lipid metabolism in psoriasis and lichen simplex.

The rate and pattern of epidermal lipogenesis from [14C] glucose were measured in fifteen patients with psoriasis and three with lichen simplex, compared with twenty controls. In 'uninvolved' epidermis from psoriatic subjects the mean lipogenic rate was slightly raised, although the increase was not statistically significant. There was a positive correlation between overall lipogenic rate and the percentage of isotope appearing in free sterol, while the relative proportions of the other lipid classes were unchanged. By contrast, in control epidermis sterol percentage was negatively correlated with lipogenic rate. In psoriatic lesions total epidermal lipogenesis (per unit surface area) was raised compared with matched control 'uninvolved' epidermis. Also raised were percentage labelling of free sterol and of combined (free sterol and monoesters), and the free sterol: monoester ratio was increased. Similar findings were obtained with lesions of lichen simplex, suggesting that disturbed sterol metabolism may be a common feature in conditions of abnormal keratinization.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Control of scrotal colour in the vervet monkey.

The vervet monkey has a vivid blue scrotum which pales when the animal falls in social rank. Histology and electron microscopy showed dopa-positive melanocytes in the dermis each packed with fully melanised melanosomes. By transmitted light the scrotal skin was brown on a red background: by reflected light the colour was blue. Thus the blue colour is due to Tyndall scattering over a layer of melanin. Variation of scrotal colour was not due to changes in melanocyte number or dispersion of melanosomes. Pallor was induced by injecting fluid, and blueness could be restored by removing fluid. It is concluded that the blue-to-white colour variation is modulated by the degree of dermal hydration.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Effect of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and testosterone on cutaneous and modified sebaceous glands in the rat.

The effects of alpha-MSH and testosterone propionate on sebum secretion, sebaceous gland volume, dermal lipogenesis, and preputial gland weight and lipogenesis were examined in hypophysectomized rats. Hypophysectomy reduced sebum secretion, sebaceous and preputial gland size, and dermal and preputial gland lipogenesis. The greatest effects were seen on the biosynthesis of wax esters and squalene. Testosterone propionate (TP) increased sebum secretion, sebaceous gland volume and preputial gland weight and lipogenic activity, but had no significant effect on the pattern of lipid labelling. alpha-MSH had no effect on sebaceous or preputial gland size, but increased sebum secretion and dermal lipogenesis, especially wax ester biosynthesis. When given together TP and alpha-MSH had a synergistic effect on sebum secretion and on dermal and preputial gland lipogenesis, and the pattern of lipid labelling was shifted towards normal. TP and alpha-MSH also showed synergism in increasing preputial gland weight, but together they had no greater effect on sebaceous gland volume than that achieved with TP alone. These results suggest that TP and alpha-MSH have different actions on the sebaceous glands with alpha-MSH acting predominantly on lipogenesis and TP on cellualr proliferation and turnover leading to an increase in gland size. Preputial glands differ from cutaneous sebaceous glands in their response to alpha-MSH and androgen which could be a reflection of their more specilized function.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

A sebotrophic stimulus in benign and malignant breast disease.

The sebum-excretion rate (S.E.R.) has been found to be increased in patients with benign as well as malignant breast disease. The S.E.R. was not increased in patients undergoing surgery for other diseases. It is considered that the sebotrophic hormone may also be mammotrophic. Drugs such as reserpine and the phenothiazines which increase sebum production may perhaps provoke benign as well as malignant breast disease.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1975

The sebum excretion rate in rosacea.

The sebum excretion rate (SER) was measured in fifty-five patients with rosacea and 126 control subjects. The mean SER in the patients with rosacea was not increased, nor was there any correlation between SER and severity of rosacea. Our data suggest that seborrhoea plays no part in the pathogenesis of rosacea.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

The influence of age and sex on skin thickness, skin collagen and density.

Forearm skin collagen, dermal thickness and collagen density were measured in a large number of normal subjects as a standard reference for future studies. Skin collagen decreased with age and was less in the females at all ages. There is a direct relationship between skin collagen and dermal thickness but variations in collagen density in disease limit the use of dermal thickness as a guide to changes in its collagen content.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

A new method for the measurement of itch and the response to treatment.

Two new methods are described for the quantitative measurement of itch: the principle is to measure scratch which is the major objective correlate of itch. The first method is to record whole body movement at night by a vibration transducer on a bed leg; this gives qualitative and quantitative information. The second method is to measure limb movement with movement-sensitive meters; this give only quantitative data but is quicker and more easily carried out. The subjective sensation of itch was found to correlate well with nocturnal scratch, confirming the basic assumption of the method. Itching as measured by scratch occurs throughout the night and increased severity of itch is accompanied by an increase in the number of bouts of itch and not in their duration. Nocturnal restlessness is associated with an increase in leg movement and so can be dissociated from itch-provoked scratch, which is mostly done by the hands. The response of pruritus to treatment was demonstrated by both methods.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1975

Selective bronchial arteriography in patients with cystic fibrosis and massive hemoptysis.

Massive hemoptysis is a potentially fatal complication of long-standing cystic fibrosis. Lobectomy may prevent a hemorrhagic death if the hemorrhage source can be identified and if involvement of the remaining lung tissue is mild. Selective bronchial arteriography was performed in six patients with cystic fibrosis to localize a lobar source of bleeding. Arteriographic findings correlated with bronchoscopic observations. Bronchial arteriography may be helpful when bronchoscopy cannot be done because of continuous hemorrhage or because the severity of the lung disease precludes general anesthesia, but it is not an adequate substitute for bronchoscopy in most patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

The effect of chlorpromazine on the secretion of immunoreactive beta-MSH and prolactin in man.

The effect of chlorpromazine (50 mg. im) on the plasma concentration of immunoreactive beta-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (beta-MSH) and prolactin was studied in 8 hospitalized subjects with non-endocrine skin disorders. Plasma beta-MSH concentrations remained unchanged over a period of 7 h in 6 subjects. In the remaining 2 subjects there was a slight increase. Plasma prolactin concentrations were greatly increased in all subjects 1 1/2-3 h after the injection and had almost returned to pre-injection levels by 7 h. This suggests that the control of beta-MSH secretion in man, unlike that of prolactin in man and MSH peptides in other mammals, is not predominantly inhibitory. The reason for this discrepancy may be that beta-MSH is not a natural MSH in man and occurs as part of the lipotropic hormone (LPH) or as a breakdown product.

Chlorpromazine↗
PubMed1975

Jack the Ripper and doctor-identification.

It is possible that Jack the Ripper can be understood in terms of doctor-identification borne of one or more terrifying experiences he may have had with doctors during his childhood. The fantasies acted out by this primitive murderer are similar to the fantasies experienced by people who have been surgically traumatized as children. The evidence suggests that the activities of Jack the Ripper resemble the acting-out of a horror story in which he, as the main character, played to the population of London as an actor plays to his audience, through the need to discharge anxiety and regain some kind of emotional balance. When his depredation failed to achieve the desired results for him, the Ripper probably commited suicide.

Acting Out↗
PubMed1975

Control of sebaceous gland function in the rat by alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.

The effect of alpha-MSH on sebum secretion and preputial gland weight was examined in intact, castrated and hypophysectomized male rats and in hypophysectomized rats receiving treatment with either testosterone propionate (TP) or progesterone. After treatment with alpha-MSH for 2 weeks, increases in sebum secretion occurred in intact, castrated and hypophysectomized rats, but larger responses were found in the hypophysectomized rats that had received treatment with either TP or progesterone, suggesting that alpha-MSH acts synergistically with TP and progesterone to stimulate sebum secretion. Alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone also increased preputial gland weight in intact rats, but there was no response after castration and only a small response after hypophysectomy. However, when the hypophysectomized rats received simultaneous treatment with either TP or progesterone, alpha-MSH increased preputial gland weight. It is suggested that alpha-MSH acts directly on the sebaceous glands to stimulate lipogenesis and, together with steroid hormones, may have an important role in controlling sebaceous glandd function in the rat and other hairy mammals. With the evolution of hair, certain of the MSH peptides may have lost their significance as pigmentary hormones and have developed a sebotrophic function. For this reason, it might be more appropriate to refer to these peptides as the 'sebotrophins'.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

The sebotrophic effect of pregnancy.

The sebum excretion rate (SER) in forehead skin was measured in late pregnancy and 8-20 weeks after delivery in 43 women. There was considerable individual variation but the mean SER during pregnancy was significantly higher than in a control group of non-pregnant women and it showed a large and significant decrease to the control level after delivery. This suggests that a powerful sebotrophic hormone is secreted during pregnancy. The mean SER during pregnancy in women with twins or triplets was no greater than the SER in women with a single foetus. This suggests that the sebotrophic factor of pregnancy is unlikely to be of placental origin, and is in keeping with the idea that the sebotrophic factor may come from the pituitary.

Adult↗