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Biomedical subjects

C Aquilina

Publications and source records attributed to C Aquilina.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Efficacy of topical 0.05% retinaldehyde in skin aging by ultrasound and rheological techniques.

BACKGROUND: The natural precursor of retinoic acid, i.e. retinaldehyde, has been proven to exert retinoid activities. AIM AND METHODS: The aim of this prospective instrument study was to determine the effect of topical retinaldehyde 0.05% on the physical properties of aging skin. This was performed using two devices, namely a high-resolution (70-80 microm) ultrasound scanner, which visualizes the thickness of both the epidermis and the dermis, and an echorheometer, which assesses the stiffness and elasticity of the skin by suction. In a 1-year study, 21 patients applied retinaldehyde cream 0.05% on the face, while another group of 19 volunteers were only treated with an emollient (control group). Epidermal and dermal thicknesses were measured on the forehead and temple, and stiffness and elasticity were measured on the forehead only. All the instrumental parameters were assessed at baseline and at the end of treatment. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, retinaldehyde treatment induced a significant increase in epidermal thickness of the temple, as well as in cutaneous elasticity (p < 0. 01). Similarly, retinaldehyde treatment tended to increase dermal thickness and reduce cutaneous stiffness, but no statistical difference could be observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results further suggest that retinaldehyde has counteracting effects on skin aging

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

Intermittent selection pressure with zidovudine plus zalcitabine treatment reduces the emergence in vivo of zidovudine resistance HIV mutations.

The development of mutations conferring drug resistance was investigated in 49 antiretroviral-naive asymptomatic HIV-1 subjects with CD4+ cell counts of 250-500/mm3 given intermittent (6-week courses, 6 weeks apart) or continuous treatment with zidovudine (AZT) plus zalcitabine (ddC) over 54 weeks. The concentration of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA in the plasma and the CD4 cell counts were measured every 6 weeks. The rate of decrease of HIV-1 RNA concentration in plasma after a 6-week course of AZT + ddC was similar for each treatment cycle (approximately 1-log reduction). The plasma HIV-1 RNA concentration returned to its initial level at each treatment interruption. The mean CD4 cell counts after 54 weeks in the two treatment groups were similar. Genotype analysis by sequencing the reverse transcriptase coding region from plasma viral RNA on treatment showed a lower frequency of AZT resistance mutations after 54 weeks in patients given intermittent treatment (18%) than in those treated continuously (79 %, P < 0.001). No mutations conferring ddC resistance or multidideoxynucleoside resistance were observed in either group. These findings may have clinical implications for long-term treatment strategies.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: a cutaneous adverse effect due to prophylactic antiviral therapy with protease inhibitor.

We describe a human immunodeficiency virus-seronegative man who presented with a skin disorder that we diagnosed as acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, which we believe was an adverse reaction to combination prophylactic therapy with zidovudine, lamivudine, and protease inhibitor for human immunodeficiency virus. Cutaneous adverse effects are rarely reported with the use of these antiviral drugs.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Indinavir-associated lipodystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Lipodystrophies are rare cutaneous disorders characterized by the symmetrical loss of subcutaneous fat from the body surface. The cause of lipodystrophy is not known, but a possible genetic predisposition is likely and either overt diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance are often associated. DESIGN AND METHODS: Case study. PATIENTS: Eight patients who developed either partial or generalized lipodystrophy after protease inhibitor therapy. RESULTS: In all eight patients lipodystrophy occurred after 2-12 months of starting indinavir and was not preceded by weight loss or inflammatory skin disease. Short-term follow-up after withdrawal of therapy showed no change in the patients' appearance. One patient developed glycosuria as lipodystrophy became manifest. In three cases glucose tolerance test was performed revealing a high level of insulin between the first and third hour of loading. CONCLUSIONS: In our view, lipodystrophy is an unwanted side-effect of protease inhibitor therapy causing noticeable disfigurement.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Cutaneous non-epidermotropic lymphoma associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

A case of pure non-epidermotropic cutaneous lymphoma in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient is reported following a viral opportunistic infection [cytomegalovirus (CMV) hepatitis]. The lymphoid infiltrate was Epstein-Barr virus and CMV negative with a CD30-positive T-cell phenotype. Molecular analysis demonstrated T cell receptor gene rearrangement, but a non-aggressive disease course was noted supporting a cautious therapeutic approach in this case.

Cytomegalovirus Infections↗
PubMed1996

Focal epithelial hyperplasia (Heck disease) associated with AIDS.

Focal epithelial hyperplasia (FEH) of the oral mucosa occurring in a HIV-infected man is described. Molecular biology disclosed an HPV-32 type in oral lesions. The association of FEH and AIDS is uncommon although many HPV subtypes may manifest during HIV infection.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1993

Electron-beam therapy in Arndt-Gottron's scleromyxoedema.

We report a patient with Arndt-Gottron's scleromyxoedema whose skin lesions responded to electron-beam therapy. This treatment appears to be effective in improving the cutaneous signs and functional impairment of this disease.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1991

Violence by psychiatric in-patients.

A review of studies on violence by psychiatric in-patients is presented. Violence in various settings has been studied and a few general conclusions emerge. The assailant is commonly a young schizophrenic. Only few patients are repeatedly violent. Persistently violent schizophrenics have been shown to have neurological impairments. Violence usually occurs in crowded, unstructured settings. There is no agreed definition of assaults and how they should be graded. Although violence is common it rarely leads to serious physical consequences. Victims are most often nursing staff. Some staff and patients are assaulted more often than others. Violence is difficult to predict. Ways of preventing assaultive behaviour are discussed. After considering some problems with existing studies, areas for further study are suggested.

England↗
PubMed1991

[Lupus erythematosus and papules. 4 cases].

Papular skin eruptions are uncommon in lupus erythematosus (LE), and their occurrence may suggest several diagnoses. We report four cases of papular eruptions in LE patients. Two of these patients had purely lupoid papules on acute LE in one and on chronic LE in the other. In the remaining two cases the papules were formed by mucinous deposits that were either secondary to LE or belonged to an associated primary mucinosis. These four cases prompted us to discuss the significance of papular eruptions in lupus erythematosus. LE-specific papular manifestations have a purely lupoid histological and immunopathological substratum. In systemic LE, the frequency of these manifestations varies from one series to another, but they seem to rank fourth after vespertilio, alopecia and photosensitivity. The papules vary in size and number, and they usually complicate a severe and active systemic LE. In chronic LE, a papulo-nodular eruption may be observed, but this is even rarer. Papules occurring in the course of LE may suggest a diagnosis of mucinosis, this disease being either secondary to, or associated with LE. Secondary mucinosis is intricated with LE-specific histological abnormalities. It appears as a symptomatic alcianophilic deposit induced by cytological alterations in some dysimmune collagen diseases, such as dermatomyositis or LE. In the literature, three cases of mucinosis secondary to LE are well documented, and to these we add a fourth case in which the papules contained lupoid lesions and a variable amount of dermal mucinous deposit. The literature has also yielded sixteen cases of primary papular mucinosis associated with systemic LE (12 cases) or chronic LE (4 cases); we add to these a case of systemic LE in which the papular eruptions varied in course, density and size of the papules. As in isolated papular mucinosis, histology regularly shows a copious mucinous deposit. When present, the LE-specific skin manifestations are clearly distinct from those of mucinosis (except for the above-mentioned cases of papular lupus). The course of papular mucinosis usually runs parallel to that of LE which is characterized by its severity and its articular, haematological and renal manifestations. Analysis of the literature also provides various anatomico-clinical elements which help in differentiating between isolated papular mucinosis and primary papular mucinosis associated with LE. In the majority of cases treatment relies on corticosteroid therapy or synthetic antimalarial agents, but the results are irregular since LE seems to be more resistant to treatment than mucinosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1987

[Pseudo-hypertrophic pelvi-crural amyloid myopathy in lambda light-chain myeloma. Clinical, morphological and immunocytochemical study].

The case of 65 year old woman with progressive enlargement and "wooden" induration of the pelvic girdle and thigh muscles due to an amyloid infiltration is reported. Muscle changes appeared two years after a diagnosis of myeloma with free lambda light chains. The patient complained of muscle pain, lassitude and weakness. Macroglossia was present. Skeletal muscle (vastus lateralis) contained large amounts of amyloid substance and showed type 2B atrophy. There was no fiber type grouping. Some amyloid deposits abutted on the muscle fiber, destroyed the basal lamina and sarcolemma, but never infiltrated it. Besides the amyloid phagocytosis by macrophages, a relationship between amyloid filaments and fibroblasts was present. Another non-congophilic substance was revealed using the Avidin-Biotin peroxidase complex to localize lambda light chains by light microscopy and corresponded to a granular substance in electron microscopy. Clinicopathological results are discussed with a review of thirteen similar cases previously reported.

Aged↗