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Biomedical subjects

A T Lane

Publications and source records attributed to A T Lane.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Skin benefits from continuous topical administration of a zinc oxide/petrolatum formulation by a novel disposable diaper.

BACKGROUND: Diaper dermatitis is a common childhood affliction. Aiming to help reduce the prevalence of this problem, we have advanced in our development of a novel diaper that delivers dermatological formulations to help protect the skin from over-hydration and irritation. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical benefits of a novel disposable diaper designed to deliver a zinc oxide and petrolatum-based formulation continuously to the skin during use. METHODS: All studies were independent, blinded, randomized clinical trials. Study A was conducted to confirm transfer of the zinc oxide/petrolatum (ZnO/Pet) formulation from the diaper to the child's skin during use. Children wore a single diaper for 3 h or multiple diapers for 24 h. After the use period, stratum corneum samples were taken from each child and analysed for ZnO/Pet. Study B evaluated the prevention of skin irritation and barrier damage from a standard skin irritant (SLS) in an adult arm model. Study C evaluated skin erythema and diaper rash in 268 infants over a 4-week usage period. One half of the infants used the ZnO/Pet diaper, while the other half used a control diaper that was identical except for the absence of the ZnO/Pet formulation. RESULTS: The ointment formulation and ZnO transferred effectively from the diaper to the child's skin during product use. Transfer of ZnO increased from 4.2 microg/cm2 at 3 h to > 8 microg/cm2 at 24 h. Exposure to the formulations directly on adult skin prior to an irritant challenge was associated with up to a 3.5 reduction in skin barrier damage and skin erythema. Greatest reductions were seen for the ZnO containing formulations. Wearing of the formulation treated diaper was also associated with a significant reduction in skin erythema and diaper rash compared to the control product. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated the clinical benefits associated with continuous topical administration of a zinc oxide/petrolatum-based formulation by this novel diaper.

Administration, Topical↗

Diaper dermatitis.

The primary goals of preventing and treating diaper dermatitis include keeping the skin dry, protected, and infection free. Frequent diaper changes with the superabsorbent disposable diapers may be the best tactic for infants' skin, if not the environment. Also, the more time that infants spend without diapers, the less dermatitis they experience, but a practical balance must be struck. Gentle cleansing and barrier creams are beneficial, and candidal infection must be treated. Finally, any recalcitrant diaper dermatitis must be further investigated to uncover underlying disease (Fig. 6).

Dermatitis, Allergic Contact↗

Skin manifestations of mitochondrial DNA syndromes: case report and review.

Mitochondrial DNA syndromes are an emerging class of diseases that can present at any age. Clinical findings are legion and may include renal tubulopathy, growth retardation, myopathy, seizures, and ophthalmoplegia. Mitochondrial DNA syndromes have presented with symmetric cervical lipomas, poikiloderma, and anhidrosis. We describe a child with a novel mitochondrial DNA syndrome who had poikiloderma on sun-exposed areas. We also reviewed 274 patients with mitochondrial DNA disorders for skin findings. Symmetric cervical lipomas were consistently associated with myoclonic epilepsy as part of 1 syndrome. With the exception of lipomas, skin findings were reported in 16 patients.

Acidosis, Lactic↗

Warts and molluscum contagiosum: beware of treatments worse than the disease.

To treat or not to treat, that is the question. Two cutaneous infections, warts and molluscum contagiosum, have evaded eradication for centuries, and the viruses continue to thrive and to expand in number despite all attempts at destruction. Meanwhile, many cases regress spontaneously. In this article, the authors review the characteristics of the viruses involved; discuss their transmission, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations; and assess the effectiveness of available therapies.

Adolescent↗

Topical ointment therapy benefits premature infants.

OBJECTIVE: Premature infants have an ineffective epidermal barrier. The aim of this study was to investigate the cutaneous and systemic effects of preservative-free topical ointment therapy in premature infants. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective, randomized study of 60 infants less than 33 weeks' estimated gestational age. The treated infants received therapy for 2 weeks with twice-daily preservative-free topical ointment therapy while the control group received no topical treatment or as-needed therapy with a water-in-oil emollient. Data collection included transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurement, skin condition evaluations, fungal and quantitative bacterial skin cultures, analysis of fluid requirements, patterns of weight low or gain, and the incidence of blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures positive for microorganisms. RESULTS: We found that topical ointment therapy significantly decreased TEWL during the first 6 hours after the initial application. TEWL was decreased by 67% (p = 0.0001) when measured 30 minutes after application and 34% (p = 0.001) when measured 4 to 6 hours after application. We also observed significantly superior skin condition scores in the treated group on study days 7 and 14 (p = 0.001) and 0.0004, respectively). Quantitative bacterial cultures revealed significantly less colonization of the axilla on day 2, 3, or 4 and on day 14 (p = 0.008 and 0.04, respectively). The incidence of positive findings in blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid cultures was 3.3% in the treated group of infants versus 26.7% in the control group (p = 0.02). There was no statistical difference in the fluid requirements or patterns of weight gain or loss during the 2 weeks of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Preservative-free topical ointment therapy decreased TEWL for 6 hours after application, decreased the severity of dermatitis, and decreased bacterial colonization of axillary skin. Infants treated with ointment had fewer blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures positive for microorganisms. These data support the use of topical ointment therapy in very premature infants during the first weeks after birth.

Administration, Topical↗

Impetigo: an overview.

This article reviews in detail the pathogenesis, clinical characteristics and management of impetigo in children. Impetigo is the most common bacterial skin infection of children. Most cases of nonbullous impetigo and all cases of bullous impetigo are caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The remainder of cases of nonbullous impetigo are due to group A beta hemolytic streptococci (GABHS). GABHS colonize the skin directly by binding to sites on fibronectin that are exposed by trauma. In contrast, S. aureus colonizes the nasal epithelium first; from this reservoir, colonization of the skin occurs. Patients with recurrent impetigo should be evaluated for carriage of S. aureus. Superficial, localized impetigo may be treated successfully in more than 90% of cases with topical application of mupirocin ointment. Impetigo that is widespread or involves deeper tissues should be treated with a beta-lactamase-resistant oral antibiotic. The choice of antibiotics is affected by the local prevalence of resistance to erythromycin among strains of S. aureus, antibiotic cost and availability, and issues of compliance.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Proteus syndrome.

A 10-month-old girl had macrodactyly, facial and extremity hemihypertrophy, plantar cerebriform hyperplasia, a subcutaneous mass on the back, macrocephaly, and lumbar kyphosis. These findings were diagnostic of Proteus syndrome. The clinical features, etiology, management, and points of differential diagnosis are discussed.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Semipermeable dressings improve epidermal barrier function in premature infants.

Infants of less than 32 wk gestation have a defective epidermal barrier, with increased skin permeability and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). We studied the effect of a nonadhesive semipermeable dressing on the epidermal barrier of premature infants and on fetal skin transplanted to nude mice. Fifteen infants with a mean estimated gestational age of 27.7 wk and 16 human fetal skin grafts (estimated gestational age, 23-26 wk) transplanted to eight nude mice were studied. One lower leg (or skin graft) was treated and the other left untreated as a control. In the infants, TEWL was measured on control skin and treated skin (both through the dressing and after temporary dressing removal) on d 0, 1, 2, 4, and 7. Bacterial and fungal cultures were also performed. In the mice, TEWL and skin blood flow were measured on d 0, 2, and 4. Biopsies were obtained on d 4 for a cell proliferation assay, histology, and electron microscopy. Treated infant skin showed a consistently lower bacterial number and a significantly decreased TEWL (measured through the dressing). There was also a significantly lower TEWL on the treated side, measured after temporary dressing removal, on d 1, 2, 4, and 7, documenting improved epidermal barrier function. The animal study revealed decreased TEWL and a nearly 2-fold greater d-4 keratinocyte proliferation (p = 0.01) in treated skin and decreased blood flow on d 4 in control skin (p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in the volume density of membrane coating granules or the morphology of intercorneocyte spaces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effects of repeated application of emollient cream to premature neonates' skin.

OBJECTIVE: Emollient cream moisturizers are often used on premature newborns in neonatal intensive care units without accurate knowledge of the risks or benefits to the neonate. DESIGN: We prospectively compared premature neonates treated with a water-in-oil emollient cream for up to 16 days to untreated premature neonates. SETTING: The study was completed in a neonatal intensive care unit on neonates admitted for respiratory distress and/or possible sepsis. PATIENTS: Thirty-four neonates, between 29 and 36 weeks estimated gestational age, entered the study. INTERVENTIONS: One-half of the neonates were treated twice a day with an water-in-oil emollient cream, and the other half served as controls. OUTCOME MEASURES: The skin condition of the neonates' hands, feet, and abdomen was evaluated on entering the study and twice a week. Fungal cultures and quantitative bacterial cultures were obtained from the axilla and abdomen on entering the study and twice a week. RESULTS: The mean gestational age of the treated neonates was 32.3 weeks, whereas the mean gestational age of the control neonates was 32.5 weeks. The neonates treated with emollient cream demonstrated statistically less dermatitis of their hands (day 2 through day 11), their feet (day 2 through day 16), and their abdomen (day 7 through day 11). Fungal cultures and quantitative bacterial cultures of the abdomen and axilla were equivalent in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: These studies document that emollient cream moisturizer therapy of premature neonates decreases dermatitis without changing the microbiological flora.

Emollients↗

Herpes simplex virus in childhood erythema multiforme.

Although an association between herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and erythema multiforme (EM) minor has been documented in adults, this has not been reported in the pediatric population. This study assessed the potential role of HSV infection in the pathogenesis of EM minor in children. Erythema multiforme skin lesions from 20 children, aged 1 to 16 years, were examined for the presence of HSV by using the polymerase chain reaction. The children included all fit strict clinical criteria for EM minor. Ten had a clinical history of an antecedent herpes infection ("herpes-associated EM"), and 10 did not ("idiopathic EM"). Herpes simplex virus DNA was detected in skin lesions of 8 of 10 children with herpes-associated EM and in 8 of 10 with idiopathic EM. Control skin biopsies from children with other bullous inflammatory diseases were negative. In addition, no HSV could be detected in a biopsy of normal uninvolved skin of a child in whom HSV was present in lesional skin. In situ hybridization on selected biopsies by means of an HSV-specific riboprobe confirmed the presence of HSV and localized it to the epidermis. It is concluded that HSV is a significant precipitating factor for EM minor in children, as it is in adults, and that clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion of HSV even in the absence of a known history of herpes infection.

Adolescent↗

Candida and Malassezia as nursery pathogens.

Candida and Malassezia can be both normal flora and pathogens in the nursery. Very low-birth-weight infants are at high risk for systemic infection from these organisms. We review the microbiology and clinical manifestations of disease within the neonatal nursery.

Antifungal Agents↗

Comparison of mometasone furoate 0.1% cream and hydrocortisone 1.0% cream in the treatment of childhood atopic dermatitis.

We conducted a 6-week randomized, blinded study that compared mometasone furoate 0.1% cream, applied once daily, and hydrocortisone 1.0% cream, applied twice daily, in 48 children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Mometasone furoate, a moderate-potency steroid, produced significantly greater improvement than the low-potency hydrocortisone used twice daily. The difference in therapeutic response was particularly evident in patients with involvement of more than 25% of their body surface area. Morning plasma cortisol levels were assayed before treatment, after 1 week of therapy, and at the end of the clinical trial. Plasma cortisol levels were transiently suppressed in one child who was treated with hydrocortisone and in none of the children treated with mometasone.

Administration, Topical↗

Intraepithelial anchoring fibril components.

Cultured human keratinocytes and cultured human cervical carcinoma cells (ME-180) contained intracellular pools of antigens that reacted with the anchoring fibril antibodies AF1 and AF2. In keratinocytes, these antigens formed a basement membrane-like structure near the apical portions of the cells. Using flow cytometric techniques, pretreatment of the ME-180 cells with acetone revealed large intracellular pools of antigen. The intracellular epitope was calcium sensitive. Some forms of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa have retention of intracellular portions of the anchoring fibril suggesting a relation of the intracellular anchoring fibril antigens to that disease.

Acetone↗

Evaluations of diapers containing absorbent gelling material with conventional disposable diapers in newborn infants.

We evaluated 149 infants diapered in either conventional cellulose core disposable diapers or diapers containing cellulose core with absorbent gelling material. The infants were evaluated from 1 day of age to 14 weeks of age for the prevalence and severity of diaper dermatitis. We identified a low prevalence of diaper dermatitis throughout the study period. At 14 weeks of age, we noted that infants in diapers containing absorbent gelling material had significantly less diaper dermatitis than those in conventional disposable diapers. Despite the overall low prevalence of diaper dermatitis in the newborn period, 7 of 204 infants evaluated had small skin erosions in the diaper area noted within the first 4 days of age. Both diaper types were associated with infants with erosions. This surprisingly high incidence of erosions in newborn infants suggests previously undocumented increased skin fragility of full-term infants.

Diaper Rash↗