Skin disease

A depth-selective skin electrical impedance spectrometer (formerly called SCIM) developed by S. Ollmar at the Karoiinska Institute is an example of a commercial instrument intended for quantification and classification of skin irritation. It measures impedance at 31 logarithmically distributed frequencies from 1 kHz to 1 MHz, and the measurement depth can to some extent be controlled by electronically changing the virtual separation between two concentric surface electrodes (Ollmar, 1998). 

Ollmar and Nicander (1995), Nicander et al. (1996), and Nicander (1998) used the following indices  

After publication of a paper by Nicander et al. (1996) in which it was demonstrated that skin reactions elicited by three irritants of different polarity created three different histologic patterns and that each pattern could be correlated to corresponding patterns in the impedance indices, the Ollmar group has taken steps away from the data reduction technique based on the four indices to extract more information from the original impedance spectra. However, the indices are still useful for quantification of various aspects of responses to treatment or test substances, an example of which is given by Emtestam et al. (2007). 

In skin testing, the central area of die volar forearm is very popular, mainly because of ease of access. It is also considered very homogeneous and stable, compared with other areas of the human body, and in extrapolation of this belief there have been studies without randomization of test sites within the volar forearm region. In search of suitable 

Metal Electrode Part with Small Spikes 

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New impetus was given to photomedicine by development of lasers that are compatible with the clinical environment. These include HeNe, Ar ion, mby, and tunable dye lasers operating in the continuous wave (cw) mode. Prior to the advent of lasers in medicine, only the treatment of newborn jaundice, and the appHcation of long wavelength uv irradiation in conjunction with adininistration (or topical appHcation) of psoralen class sensitizers to treatment of skin diseases (86), principally psoriasis, were clinically important phototherapies. 

Many patents have been issued on the use of pyrogaUol derivatives as pharmaceuticals. PyrogaUol has been used extemaUy in the form of an ointment or a solution in the treatment of skin diseases, eg, psoriasis, ringworm, and lupus erythematosus. GaUamine triethiodide (16) is an important muscle relaxant in surgery it also is used in convulsive-shock therapy. Trimethoprim (2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)pyrimidine) is an antimicrobial and is a component of Bactrin and Septra. Trimetazidine (l(2,3,4-trimethoxybenzyl)piperazine (Vastarel, Yosimilon) is used as a coronary vasodilator. l,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-6-methoxy-l-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-9JT-pyrido[3,4- ]indole hydrochloride is useful as a tranquilizer (52) (see Hypnotics, sedatives, ANTICONVULSANTS, AND ANXIOLYTICS). Substituted indanones made from pyrogaUol trimethyl ether depress the central nervous system (CNS) (53). Tyrosine-and glycine(2,3,4-trihydroxybenzyl)hydrazides are characterized by antidepressant and anti-Parkinson activity (54). 

Sahcyhc acid USP, EP, and other pharmacopeia grades are used medically as antiseptic, disinfectant, antifungal, and keratolytic agents. Sahcyhc acid is formulated in lotion or ointment formulations for the treatment of dandmff, eczema, psoriasis, and various parasitic skin diseases. Because the keratolytic property of this aromatic acid has use in the safe removal of dead skin cells from the surface of healthy skin, the acid is used in concentrated sahcyhc acid solutions or suspensions to remove warts and corns. In more dilute form, sahcyhc acid preparations have found use in dandmff and eczema treatment. Sahcyhc acid has been considered and found effective by the Advisory Committees to the FDA in various over-the-counter (OTC) dmg regulated uses. Among these are acne products, dermatitis, dry skin, dandmff and psoriasis products, and foot care products (24). 

There are hundreds of topical steroid preparations that are available for the treatment of skin diseases. In addition to their aforementioned antiinflammatory effects, topical steroids also exert their effects by vasoconstriction of the capillaries in the superficial dermis and by reduction of cellular mitosis and cell proliferation especially in the basal cell layer of the skin. In addition to the aforementioned systemic side effects, topical steroids can have adverse local effects. Chronic treatment with topical corticosteroids may increase the risk of bacterial and fungal infections. A combination steroid and antibacterial agent can be used to combat this problem. Additional local side effects that can be caused by extended use of topical steroids are epidermal atrophy, acne, glaucoma and cataracts (thus the weakest concentrations should be used in and around the eyes), pigmentation problems, hypertrichosis, allergic contact dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, and granuloma gluteale infantum (251). 

Interaction of vitamin D and its metaboUtes with sex hormones has been demonstrated, particularly ia birds ia which the egg-laying functions combine calcium needs and reproductive activity. The metaboUtes of vitamin D behave as hormones. As such, they play an active role ia the endocrine system, along with other hormones, to maintain the various body functions. Several biological influences of metaboUtes of vitamin D have been studied, including effects related to cancer (193—197), skin diseases (198—201), immunomodulatory effects (202,203), and Alzheimer s disease (204—206) (Fig. 9). 

In medicine, the internal uses of benzoic acid are relatively unimportant. Its principal medicinal use is external it is used in dermatology as an antiseptic stimulant and irritant. Combined with salicyLic acid [69-72-7] benzoic acid is employed in the treatment of ringworm of the scalp and other skin diseases (Whitfield s ointment). 

Bismuth compounds were once employed for the treatment of amoebic dysentery, certain skin diseases, and several spirochetal diseases besides syphilis, but these substances are now seldom considered the dmgs of choice. Various insoluble preparations of bismuth, especially the subcarbonate, subnitrate, subgaHate, subcitrate, and subsahcylate, are stiU employed for the treatment of ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders, even though use for these purposes is often supported largely by tradition. With a few possible exceptions, it is now difficult to justify the presence of bismuth compounds in a modem therapeutic armamentarium. A review of the biological activity of organobismuth compounds has been pubHshed (179). 

In the past, juglone had been used to dye wool and cotton a yellowish brown. Although it no longer has any commercial value as a dye, it is a fungicide and as such finds use in the treatment of skin diseases. Its toxic properties have been made use of in catching fish. Juglone has been used to detect very small amounts of nickel salts since it gives a deep violet color with such salts. 

Occupational skin diseases health and safety precautions... 

Seveso, Italy, caused wide-spread pollution of the industrial site as well as its surroundings. Serious effects of dioxin were detected both in dontestic animals, such as cows and sheep, and in humans, the most serious early effects being a serious skin disease, chloracne, and alterations in the function of the immune system. Follow-up studies have demonstrated that this accident also increased the cancer risk in exposed individuals. ... 

Haut-krankheit, /. skin disease, -krebs, m. cancer of the skin, epithelioma, -lehre, /. dermatology, -leim, m. glue (or size) from hides, -pulver, n. hide powder, -reaktton /,... 

For the topical treatment of some chronic inflammatory skin diseases (like atopic dermatitis) immunosuppressive macrolides (like TRL and pimecrolimus) that permeate the inflamed epidermis are of benefit for patients. Severe side effects comparable to those after systemic application of TRL in transplanted patients (see above) have not been observed so far. For the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris these drugs are less effective. The CD2 antagonist alefacept may be a suitable alternative to allergic reactions. 

Ei addition, clinical observations in EFN-a-treated hqiatitis C or melanoma patients have suggested a promoting effect of type I EFN in autoreactive skin disorders such as Lichen planus. This inflammatory skin disease was, however, not restricted to EFN-a treated patients but was found to be associated with expression by so far unknown mechanisms of the EFN-induced MxA... 

The development of ligands selective for individual receptor subtypes relevant to a targeted disease could decrease these toxic effects thereby improving the therapeutic index. Two new arotinoids are already available for topical use in skin diseases. These are tazarotenic acid (tazarotene) and 6-[3-(l-adamanty 1)-... 

These arotinoids, which were first introduced for the treatment of skin diseases, may also have potential as anticancer diugs. For example, the synthetic retinoid 6-[3-(l-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphthalene carboxylic acid (CD437) has been shown to induce apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells including lung cancer cells in vitro, and studies concerning the use of this agent in vivo would be desirable. 

Topical antipsoriatics are drugs used in the treatment of psoriasis (a chronic skin disease manifested by bright red patches covered with silvery scales or plaques). These drug help remove tiie plaques associated with this disorder. Examples of antipsoriatics include antiiralin (Anthra-Derm) and calcipotriene (Dovonex). 

Acanthus ebracteatus is a plant traditionally used for various ailments, amongst those skin diseases in Thai traditional medicine. The stem of the plant was shown to contain neutral and acidic polysaccharides with effect in... 

Mahe A, Ly F, Aymard G, Dangou JM (2003) Skin diseases associated with the cosmetic use of bleaching products in women from Dakar, Senegal. Br J Dermatol 148 493-500... 

Bieber T. Braun-Falco O IgE-bearing Langerhans cells are not specific to atopic eczema but are found in inflammatory skin diseases. J Am Acad Dermatol 1991 24 658-659. 

Adding another layer of complexity to the regulation of mast cell activation levels in vivo is the observation that activated mast cells can respond to, and in some cases produce, a myriad of mediators that may serve to amplify FceRI-induced responses. For example, stem cell factor (SCF), the ligand for KIT, both can enhance FceRI-dependent activation of mouse or human mast cells and, under certain circumstances, can directly induce mast cell degranulation [6, 25, 62]. Thus, elevated SCF levels and/or activating KIT mutations (such as those that occur in mastocytosis) may exacerbate mast cell-driven reactions. Indeed, patients (both adult and children) with extensive skin disease associated with mastocytosis are at increased risk to develop severe anaphylaxis [63]. Moreover, it was recently reported that cases of idiopathic anaphylaxis are... 

MS24 Health surveillance of occupational skin disease. 

Deletions in the elastin gene (located at 7qll.23) have been found in approximately 90% of subjects with Williams syndrome, a developmental disorder affecting connective tissue and the central nervous system. The mutations, by affecting synthesis of elastin, probably play a causative role in the supravalvular aortic stenosis often found in this condition. A number of skin diseases (eg, scleroderma) are associated with accumulation of elastin. Fragmentation or, alternatively, a decrease of elastin is found in conditions such as pulmonary emphysema, cutis laxa, and aging of the skin. 

A number of skin diseases, mainly characterized by blistering, have been found to be due to mutations in genes encoding various keratins. Three of these disorders are epidermolysis bullosa simplex, epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, and epidermolytic pahnoplantar kerato-derma. The blistering probably reflects a diminished capacity of various layers of the skin to resist mechanical stresses due to abnormalities in microfilament strucmre. 

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