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A D Hernandez

Publications and source records attributed to A D Hernandez.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The effectiveness of low-strength anthralin in psoriasis. A paired comparison study.

Recent trends in psoriasis therapy favor using lower-strength anthralins. To assess the effectiveness of a low concentration (0.01%) v a mid concentration (0.1%) of anthralin, combined with UV-B therapy, a prospective double-blind study was undertaken. Nine patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis involving more than 25% of the total body surface (excluding the scalp) were treated in a paired comparison manner. Patients were examined each day and the degree of erythema, induration, and scale of lesions was recorded for each side of the body. In all nine patients, the side receiving 0.1% anthralin required an average of 10.8 treatment days to achieve the predefined end point: complete flattening of all plaques to palpation. An identical rate of improvement for the 0.01% anthralin-treated side was noted in five of nine patients. The remaining four patients failed to reach the end point on the 0.01% anthralin-treated side even after an average of 15 treatment days.

Administration, Oral↗

Disseminated cryptococcosis presenting as palpable purpura.

Disseminated cryptococcosis with palpable purpura as the initial clinical manifestation developed in a patient with diffuse histiocytic lymphoma. Cryptococcal vascular injury in a thrombocytopenic cancer patient best explains this previously unreported presentation of cryptococcosis. Purpuric presentations of disseminated fungal infection are likely to increase in frequency as cancer therapy becomes more aggressive.

Biopsy↗

Cutaneous infarction. Manifestation of disseminated mucormycosis.

We describe the second reported case of cutaneous infarction as a manifestation of disseminated mucormycosis. The lesion, which closely resembled ecthyma gangrenosum, occurred in a leukemic patient who was on a regimen of broad-spectrum antibiotics. In this case as in the only other reported case, Mucor pusillus was the cause.

Adult↗

Hepatic histopathology in two populations of the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus.

The pollution-tolerant mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus, inhabits a heavily contaminated estuary, Piles Creek (PC), in Linden, NJ. PC contaminants include PAHs, PCBs and many metals, including high Hg and Pb. PC mummichog livers and kidneys were compared with those from a pristine estuary in Tuckerton (TK), NJ, by standard histopathological methods, with quantification by computerized image analysis. PC livers had > 2 x the lipid ratios of TK livers. Cell sizes and shapes were not different between populations. TK livers had a 25% incidence of basophilic areas and an age-related 30% incidence of macrophage aggregates; PC livers had none of these lesions. PC livers had a 100% incidence of necrotic foci, compared with 55% of TK livers. Inflammation was noted in 50% of TK livers but only 27% of PC livers. Curiously, the TK livers had a 45% incidence of metacercarial cysts of a digenetic trematode, while none were found in the PC livers. The TK focal necrosis and macrophage aggregates coincided with parasite infestation. There were no observed kidney lesions in either population. Positive biomarkers in this species thus included high hepatic lipid content, possibly necrosis, but no other lesions. The lack of trematode cysts in PC livers may reflect the lack of an intermediate host in this low biodiversity estuary.

Animals↗

Type II collagen-induced autoimmune inner ear lesions in guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs immunized with type II collagen developed histologic changes resembling those observed in patients with sensorineural hearing loss associated with connective tissue diseases. The histologic changes observed in the inner ears of these guinea pigs included spiral ganglion cell degeneration, atrophied organ of Corti, atrophy of stria vascularis, and mild extension of Reissner's membrane. These pathologic changes were accompanied by both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses directed against type II collagen--a collagen found in the subepithelial layer of the endolymphatic duct and spiral ligament. These findings suggest that an immune response directed against type II collagen can induce inner ear lesions.

Animals↗