Critical study of hair growth analysis with computer-assisted methods

BACKGROUND: Computer-assisted image analysis has been proposed for human hair growth studies. METHODS: The performances of Trichoscan, a commercially available automated system combining epiluminiscence microscopy with digital image analysis, developed for office-based hair growth measurements, have been evaluated comparatively on the same skin sites using standardized photographic equipment and calibrated processing for contrast-enhanced phototrichogram (CE-PTG) analysis. This reference method has been validated with scalp biopsies and histological examination of serial sectioning. RESULTS: Besides edge effects, hair fibres escaped the Trichoscan analysis for various reasons including, but not limited to, thickness, pigmentation, closeness and crossing. CONCLUSION: Most of these problems have been identified in the late 1980s and remain largely unsolved by the processing software that was evaluated in 2004. Therefore claims promoting the Trichoscan method for accurate hair measurements in clinical trials on scalp and body hair are not supported by the present investigation. The speed at which the analysis is performed is outweighed by the errors in signal detection. Therefore we suggest that improvements must be clearly documented before Trichoscan is established for quantified diagnostic purposes and detailed hair cycle monitoring during hair trials.     

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation: an overview

Pain control is one of the most challenging aspects in the management of chronic pancreatitis. Total pancreatectomy can successfully relieve the intractable abdominal pain in these patients but will inevitably result in insulin-dependent diabetes. Islet autotransplantation aims to preserve, as far as possible, the insulin secretory function of the islet cell mass thereby reducing (or even removing) the requirement for exogenous insulin administration after a total pancreactomy. Despite the relatively small number of centres able to perform these procedures, there are important technical variations in the details of their approaches. The aim of this review is to provide details of the current surgical practice for total pancreatectomy combined with islet autotransplantation, and outline the potential advantages and disadvantages of the variations adopted in each centre.     

Renal Aspergilloma--A Case Illustrating the Problems of Medical Therapy

The second documented case of renal aspergilloma due to Aspergillusflavus is presented. The merits of the medical therapy thatfailed are discussed. Pathological examination showed a nidusof aspergillus around suture material persisting from a pyelolithotomyoperation 2 years before in India. We argue that this was thereason for the failure of the medical therapy. This is the firstcase of its kind reported.     

Risk factors and their relation to initiation of alcohol use among early adolescents

This study examined the relationship between risk factors and initiation of alcohol use over a 15-month period among a cohort of 7th graders who were abstainers at the time of initial testing. The relationship between risk factors and alcohol use was examined using a discriminant function analysis. At the univariate level, rejection of parental authority, deviant behavior, and sensation seeking were statistically significant. The discriminant function retained only three of the risk factors: rejection of parental authority, deviant behavior, and religious commitment. Implications for school-based prevention programs are discussed, particularly the need to target primary prevention programs based upon adolescents' risk.     

Disappointing results and low tolerability of photodynamic therapy with topical 5-aminolaevulinic acid in psoriasis. A randomized, double-blind phase I/II study

BACKGROUND: Based on good results in the treatment of superficial skin tumours, since the early 1990s topical photodynamic therapy with aminolaevulinic acid (ALA PDT) has been used for disseminated, inflammatory dermatoses including psoriasis. However, there is still a lack of well-documented trials. OBJECTIVE: A prospective randomized, double-blind phase I/II intrapatient comparison study was conducted in 12 patients to investigate whether topical ALA PDT is an effective treatment for chronic plaque-type psoriasis. METHODS: In each patient three psoriatic plaques were randomly treated with a light dose of 20 J/cm(2) and 0.1%, 1% and 5% ALA, respectively. Treatment was conducted twice a week until complete clearance or for a maximum of 12 irradiations. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by weekly determination of the psoriasis severity index (PSI). RESULTS: The mean percentage improvement was 37.5%, 45.6% and 51.2% in the 0.1%, 1% and 5% ALA-treated groups, respectively. Irradiation had to be interrupted several times because of severe burning and pain sensation. CONCLUSION: Topical ALA PDT did not prove to be an appropriate treatment option for plaque-type psoriasis due to disappointing clinical efficacy, the time-consuming treatment procedure and its unfavourable adverse event profile.     

Heterogeneity of the genes encoding the major surface glycoprotein of Leishmania donovani.

The major surface glycoprotein of Leishmania (GP63) is present on all known species of Leishmania and likely plays an integral role during the infection of macrophages in the mammalian host. To identify regions of GP63 which may be of functional significance, the nucleotide sequence of a gene encoding GP63 of Leishmania donovani was determined and compared to the sequences reported for GP63 genes of Leishmania major and Leishmania chagasi. The GP63 nucleotide and predicted protein sequence was highly conserved among the 3 species despite their diverse geographical distribution. L. donovani GP63 is encoded by a multigene family and the gene locus contains at least 7 tandemly repeated genes and at least 3 genes which are dispersed from the tandem array. In addition, polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analyses demonstrated that there was size heterogeneity within the pro-peptide coding regions of the multiple GP63 genes of L. donovani and that such genes were expressed concurrently in the promastigote life stage.