A STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF PKEDNISONE AND AN ANTIHISTAMINE ON PATCH TEST REACTIONS

SUMMARY.— A study was carried out to observe the effect of the administration of varying amounts of prednisone, as well as of the antihistamine Incidal, upon the patch test reaction in patients who had previously shown a positive or strongly positive reaction with different substances. A daily dose of 40 mg prednisone given to 12 patientswasfound tosuppressthetest reaction completely in 3 patients and to diminish it in 8; in 1 case there was no change. With a daily dose of 30 mg given to 18 patients, the reaction was suppressed in 4 and diminished in 6 patients; in 8 no difference could be detected. In the 16 patients who were given a daily dose of 20 mg predispose, the test was completely suppressed in only 1, was diminished in 5 patients, and was unchanged in 10. In all of the 10 patients who were given the antihistamine Incidal (mebhydrolin napadisylate) no difference could be seen in the patch test reactions.     

HISTOENZYMOLOGICAL STUDY OF DERMAL VESSELS IN NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL SKIN

Summary— Twenty specimens of normal skin, taken from 8 different areas and 61 specimens from patients suffering from psoriasis, scleroderma (sclerodactyly), angiomas, basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas were studied histochemically for 13 enzyme activities.
Alkaline phosphatase (AP) and adenosine triphosphatases are mainly useful in revealing the vascular pattern of the dermis, ATP'ases showing activity in larger vessels than AP. On the other hand, some metabolic changes in the vascular wall may be indicated by variations in AP and ATP'ase activities.
The various other enzyme activities deserve studying for their metabolic significance. While in normal skin vessels, dehydrogenases of the glycolytic pathway are the most active, in pathological conditions like psoriasis, and carcinomas, other activities appear stronger: G6P-DH, aconitase and IC-DH.     

THE IN VITRO INCORPORATION OF 14C-ACETATE INTO THE ISOLATED SEBACEOUS GLANDS AND APPENDAGE-FREED EPIDERMIS OF HUMAN SKIN

Summary.— Following in vitro culture of 4 mm discs of human skin in the presence of ¹⁴C-acetate, the intact sebaceous glands have been harvested, using 1 mol/1 calcium chloride, thus permitting a study of the incorporation of ¹⁴C into the sebaceous gland lipids and into the lipids of the overlying appendage-freed epidermis. The method is reliable, and satisfactory patterns of incorporation have been obtained from sebaceous glands harvested from single biopsies (5–15 glands).
The pattern of incorporation obtained from the sebaceous glands has been contrasted with that from the appendage-freed epidermis, and compared with previously reported biochemical analyses of the lipids of the isolated sebaceous gland and surface film.
It is suggested that this technique could be applied to the study of sebaceous gland lipogenesis in a variety of clinical conditions and used as an in vitro screening procedure for drugs likely to influence sebum excretion.     

PERCUTANEOUS ABSORPTION OF 1-NAPHTHOL-(14C) IN MAN

SUMMARY.— The percutaneous absorption of 1-naphthol-[1-¹⁴C] has been studied in 3 men. This compound was rapidly metabolized and excreted in the urine largely as 1-naphthol conjugated with glucuronic acid; small quantities of radioactivity were present in the sulphate fraction. The results suggest that absorption was efficient; 65.0–23.8% of the applied dose could not be recovered from the skin. Large systemic doses could thus be administered through the skin. The relevance of the findings to an understanding of toxicity due to these compounds is discussed.     

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WOUND HEALING IN PORCINE SKIN WITH CO2 LASER AND OTHER SURGICAL MODALITIES: PRELIMINARY FINDINGS

Background. The CO₂ laser is a common surgical modality in dermatology. To clarify conflicting reports on the histological healing properties of CO₂ laser on incisional or ablative wounds, we have applied it in a miniature hairless porcine skin model at power settings similar to those used in clinical practice. Methods. Histological parameters of wound healing in skin incisions using the CO₂ laser were compared with those using scalpel, hot scalpel, and electrosection, and in dermal ablation using CO₂ laser, fraize, wire brush, and electrofulguration alone or with curettage. Results. In incisional wounds, tissue damage was most extensive in CO₂ laser wounds, with delayed dermal healing and reepithelialization. In ablative wounds, CO₂ laser caused a similar degree of tissue damage as did the electrosurgical modalities, and more damage than did fraize or wire brush. Reepithelialization was complete in CO₂ laser, fraize, and wire brush wounds before electrosurgical wounds. Final histology of both incisional and ablative wounds at 6 weeks was similar with all surgical modalities. Conclusion. The CO₂ laser and electrosurgery both produce greater focal tissue damage in incisional and ablative applications than the other modalities. Delayed epithelialization of the wound occurs with both modalities in incisional wounds but only with electrosurgery in ablative wounds. At 6 weeks, the appearance of the scar in all incisional and ablative modalities is similar grossly and histologically. Confirmation of these findings requires standardization of power density of the CO₂ laser in incision and ablation.     

THE VITAMIN B12 LEVEL IN PSORIATIC SKIN AND SERUM

SUMMARY.— Skin and serum B:; levels were measured using Lactobacillus leishmanii in 16 non-psoriatic control subjects and in 10 psoriatic patients before and after treatment. There was a significant positive correlation between the B₁₂ levels of the skin and serum of the control group. The B₁₂ level was lower in psoriatic than non-psoriatic skin and active lesions had lower levels than healed lesions. The findings suggest that the increased metabolic activity in psoriatic skin is associated with lowered B₁₂ levels which may precede visible pathological change.     

ABSORPTION AND EXCRETION OF 35S DAPSONE IN DERMATITIS HERPETIFORMIS

SUMMARY.– The variability of dosage of dapsone required to control dermatitis herpetiformis is well known but unexplained. As a first step in the investigation of this problem this paper describes the results of estimations of serum levels and urinary excretion levels after a single oral dose of 100 mg. ³⁵S dapsone given to patients with and without dermatitis herpetiformis. For comparison the levels were measured by radio-activity and by chemical methods. Radiochromatographic studies were also carried out to determine the form in which dapsone circulates and is excreted. Autoradiographs of biopsies are also discussed.     

THE IN VITRO METABOLISM OF 7α-3H DEHYDROEPIANDRO-STERONE BY HUMAN SKIN

SUMMARY.— Slices of skin from human subjects have been shown to transform ³H-dehydroepiandrosterone predominantly to 4-androstene-3,17-dione and 5-androstene-3β,17β-diol. Testosterone, testosterone sulphate and dehydro-epiandrosterone sulphate were not formed in detectable amounts under the conditions of the investigation. Skin from the shoulder appeared significantly more active than that from the thigh or axilla in metabolizing the dehydro-epiandrosterone.     

THE INFLUENCE OF DIMETHYL SULPHOXIDE ON THE PERCUTAENOUS MIGRATION OF POTASSIUM BUTYL, [35S] SULPHATE, POTASSIUM METHYL [35S] SULPHATE AND SODIUM [35S] SULPHATE

SUMMARY.— The potassium salts of methyl [³⁵S] sulphate and butyl [³⁵S] sulphate have been prepared and their ability to migrate across selected human skin samples from aqueous, unbuffered solutions examined. By comparison to the results obtained with potassium dodecyl [³⁵S] sulphate in the previous paper, both the present sulphate esters are able to migrate across intact whole skin samples with the methyl ester exhibiting the higher order of migration. Application of the dodecyl ester and the butyl ester in dimethyl sulphoxide solutions did not alter the pattern of migration whereas the methyl ester showed a concentration dependant accelerant relationship with increasing concentrations of dimethyl sulphoxide. Limited studies on inorganic ^aaSO² ions indicated that this substance did not migrate across whole skin samples from aqueous unbuffered solutions. The primary resistance barrier t the passage of each of the above test materials was absent when "stripped" skin samples were used as the diffusion-membranes. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

STUDIES ON THE ENTERO-HEPATIC CIRCULATION OF 14C PORPHYRINS

SUMMARY. The possible existence of an entero-hepatic pathway for porphyrins has been studied in bile-fistula rabbits and in isolated inverted hamster gut sacs using isotopically labelled porphyrins. Results from the gut sacs suggest the existence of a less than 20% absorptive pathway and a major pathway could not be demonstrated in the rabbits. The existence of an hepatic storage pool of porphyrins could explain previous reports of protoporphyrin reabsorption and some evidence is presented that this is the situation.     

LYMPHATIC FUNCTION: THE DISAPPEARANCE RATE OF 131I ALBUMIN FROM THE DERMIS

SUMMARY.— The clearance rate of ¹³¹I human serum albumin from the dermis has been measured in 50 patients with normal skin, psoriasis, rosacea and the yellow nail syndrome. In each patient the clearance rate varied with the injection site following a constant pattern such that ¹³¹I albumin disappeared most rapidly from the index finger 0·5 cm. from the nail fold, less rapidly from the region 2 cm. from the nail fold, and most slowly from the cheek. The results were reproducible.
To what extent these findings reflect true variations in lymphatic function is not yet clear. Preliminary results have shown no significant change in the disappearance rate of ¹³¹I human serum albumin in the different diseases studied.     

THE INFLUENCE OF DIMETHYL SULPHOXIDE ON THE PERCUTANEOUS MIGRATION OF POTASSIUM DODECYL [45S] SULPHATE

SUMMARY.— The results obtained in the present communication are consistent with the view that the primary resistance zone to the percutaneous migration of potassium dodecyl [⁴⁵S] sulphate from aqueous, unbuffered solutions across human skin samples resides in the horny layer. It is further proposed that a secondary resistance zone is present in the combined epidermal and dermal regions. Application of the $$S-lablelled ester in dimethyl sulphoxide in a concentration range 50 100% did not influence the rate of migration. By contrast, pretreatment of isolated horny layers by total immersion in 100% dimethyl sulphoxide for four hours at temperatures up to 60 C, markedly reduced the barrier function. Control experiment involving pretreatment in water were without effect. Pretreatment of whole skin samples in position in the diffusion cells using 100% dimethyl sulphoxide at temperatures up to 60 C, did not reduce the capacity of the barrier towards potassium dodecyl [⁴⁵S] sulphate.     

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE FUNCTIONS OF EPIDERMAL LANGERHANS CELLS IN HAIRLESS MICE AND NUDE MICE

An experimental examination of contact allergic hypersensitivity in hairless mice and nude mice was carried out using 2,4-dinitro-1-chlorobenzene. In normal nude mice without T-cells, we were unable to detect apposition of mononuclear cells to Langerhans cells. In hairless mice, however, we could detect apposition of mononuclear cells to Langerhans cells after both sensitization and challenge procedures. Accordingly, hypotheses are proposed that mononuclear cells are T-cells, and that Langerhans cells play the role of target cells which do not traverse the epidermis but remain within it. When we studied untreated hairless mice, a few immature Langerhans cells and indeterminate dendritic cells could be seen. Three hours after the challenge with 2,4-dinitro-1-chlorobenzene, however, a great number of mature Langerhans cells were recognizable. The investigation of nude mice yielded reciprocal data.     

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE SENSITIVITY OF MOUSE DORSAL ROOT GANGLION AND CEREBELLUM TO HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS IN VITRO

To study the effect of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) on nervous tissue, we examined (1) the possibility of establishment of latent infection in vitro, (2) the replication of HSV in mouse dorsal root ganglion and cerebellar cultures and (3) the effect of anti-HSV rabbit serum on the maintenance of both cultures. Although both cultures without antibody were finally destroyed after inoculation, replication of HSV in cerebellar cultures was much higher than in the ganglion in both medium and tissue (P<0.005). Infected cultures treated with anti-HSV antibody (CF: ×128) could survive longer in nerve cells of ganglion than in those of cerebellum. These results suggest that the ganglion can resist HSV infection and this makes latent infection possible.     

THE CLINICAL RELEVANCE OF HEAT-STABLE, SHORT-TERM SENSITIZING ANAPHYLACTIC IgG ANTIBODIES (IgG S-TS) AND OF RELATED ACTIVITIES OF IgG4 AND IgG2

book reviewed in this article: Hormone Therapy of Acne. Clinical and Experimental Principles. Doris Fanta (1980) Manual of Skin Diseases. Gordon C. Sauer (1980) Entomology in Human and Animal Health. 7th edn. R.F.Harwood AND M.T.James (1979) Paraneoplasia: Biological Signals in the Diagnosis of Cancer. Jan G.Waldenströ (1978) Diseases of the External Ear. An Otologic-Dermatologic Manual. B.H.Senturia , M.D.Marcus AND F.E.Lucante (1980) Basic and Diagnostic Aspects of Cutaneous T Cell Lymphomas. E.M. VAN DER Loo (1980) Cytodiagnosis in Dermatology. V.Ruocco (1980) Photochemotherapy. Information for Doctors and Patients. Gerhard Weber (1980)     

用APAAP免疫组化方法研究CD1(OKT6)抗原在正常及SLE皮疹组织中的分布

本文以APAAP免疫组化方法及HIT6-1McAb检测了各种正常及病变组织中相应抗原的分布,所检测的正常组织包括5-6个月引产胎儿之心、肺、肾、脑、肝、平滑肌、横纹肌、甲状腺、胸腺、胃肠,成人肝、肾、扁桃体、淋巴结、骨髓等.病变组织包括ITP脾、溶血性贫血脾、再障扁桃体与食道,肺的鳞癌、腺癌及12例活动期的SLE皮疹组织.发现95以上的胸腺皮质淋巴样细胞以及扁桃体、淋巴结及脾脏中的指状突网状细胞和表皮棘细胞间LC和真皮浅层树突状网状细胞可表达HIT6-1抗原,并证实HIT6-1是CD1样McAb,并以此种McAb检测了12例SLE皮疹中LC,认为SLE皮疹中LC数目较正常者减少,而且形态也有异常.     

DETECTION WITH THE POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS DNA IN CONDYLOMATA ACUMINATA TREATED WITH CO2 LASER AND MICROWAVE

Background. The recurrence rates of condyloma acuminata are high. The reasons for the relatively high relapse rates with different treatments are unknown. Methods. Twelve specimens of condylomata acuminata of the vulva were excised from 12 patients and divided into three parts. One part was untreated, the second and the third parts were treated with CO₂ laser and microwave, respectively. dna was then extracted from tissue by proteolytic digestion and amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. Dot blots were performed with the use of radiolabeled consensus and human papilloma virus (hpv ) type-specific probes. Results. hpv dna was amplified in 100% of untreated specimens (6-hpv 6; 6-hpv 11), and in 83.3% and 50% of specimens treated with CO₂ laser and microwave, respectively. There was a significant difference in detection between untreated and microwave-treated specimens (χ²= 4.18, P < 0.05). Conclusion. Microwave damages hpv dna more effectively than CO₂ laser.