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Biomedical subjects

D Burrows

Publications and source records attributed to D Burrows.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Dynamic hepatic scintigraphy in the screening of psoriatic patients for methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity.

We report the use of dynamic hepatic scintigraphy in the assessment of the hepatic status of psoriatic patients before and during methotrexate therapy. Eighty-seven paired dynamic scans and percutaneous liver biopsies were performed in 63 patients. The liver biopsies were graded according to Warin et al. with fibrosis of grade 2 or worse being a strong indication for withdrawal of methotrexate. The sensitivity of dynamic hepatic scintigraphy in detecting fibrosis of grade 2 or worse was 83.3% and the specificity was 81.5%. The predictive value of a normal scan for fibrosis of grade 0-1 was high (98.5%) although the predictive value of an abnormal scan for fibrosis of grade 2 or worse was low (25%). Dynamic hepatic scintigraphy may therefore offer a means to reduce the number of liver biopsies necessary in patients receiving methotrexate for psoriasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Erythropoietic protoporphyria, transfusion therapy and liver disease.

A 28-year-old man who had suffered from erythropoietic protoporphyria since infancy was referred because of worsening photosensitivity. Conventional therapy with beta-carotene, terfenadine and topical sunscreens was ineffective or not tolerated, and he was treated with transfusions of washed packed cells. Unexpectedly, his photosensitivity deteriorated further, his whole blood protoporphyrin levels doubled and he developed abnormal liver function tests. This is the first report of such an adverse response to blood transfusion therapy for erythropoietic protoporphyria and may have been related to subclinical hepatitis or the increased iron load associated with blood transfusion.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Patch testing with pure palladium metal in patients with sensitivity to palladium chloride.

During a 15-month period, 536 patients being investigated for suspected contact dermatitis were patch tested with the European standard series and palladium chloride 1% pet. 13 patients (2.4%) had a positive allergic response to palladium chloride and all 13 were also allergic to nickel. 12 of these 13 patients consented to further patch testing with discs of pure palladium metal foil, and none reacted. We have shown previously that palladium chloride patch test material contains traces of nickel, and propose an explanation for these results in terms of the additive effect of allergens when tested in combination.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Keratinocyte expression of class II MHC antigens in long-lasting allergic patch test reactions.

The keratinocyte expression of class II MHC antigens HLA-DR, DP and DQ was studied in 20 long-lasting allergic patch test reactions and 17 normal allergic patch tests reactions. No significant difference in the expression of these antigens in the 2 groups was detected. No 1 allergen was responsible for the majority of long-lasting allergic patch test reactions. The immunological mechanisms which may contribute to long-lasting allergic patch test reactions are discussed with reference to HLA-DR keratinocytes.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Minocycline-induced pigmentation occurring in two sisters.

Two sisters are described who developed facial pigmentation while on minocycline therapy for acne vulgaris. It is suggested that the possible mechanisms for this relatively uncommon complication occurring in these two patients may be due to either a genetically acquired alteration in metabolic handling of minocycline or to the ethinyloestradiol component of Dianette, which they were also receiving as treatment for their acne vulgaris. It is concluded that patients on minocycline should be regularly screened for signs of hyperpigmentation, especially if they are on other drugs which are known to accentuate pigmentation of skin.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1991

Reduced frequency of nickel allergy upon oral nickel contact at an early age.

From animal studies we know that oral administration of T-dependent antigens before sensitization effectively induces systemic immune unresponsiveness. Such 'oral tolerance' is persistent, dose-dependent, antigen-specific and presumably T suppressor cell-mediated. Oral tolerance induction could be an effective way to prevent undesired T cell-mediated immune functions, such as playing a role in allograft reaction, autoimmune and allergic diseases. In the present study allergic contact hypersensitivity (ACH) to nickel, currently presenting the most frequent contact allergy in man, was chosen to establish the feasibility of oral prevention of undesired T cell-mediated immunity in man. Potentially tolerizing (oral nickel contacts via orthodontic braces) as well as sensitizing (ear piercing) events were studied retrospectively in 2176 patients attending nine European patch test clinics. Patients were interviewed by means of a confidential questionnaire. The results show that ear piercing strongly favoured development of nickel ACH. More importantly, patients having had oral contacts with nickel-releasing appliances (dental braces) at an early age, but only if prior to ear piercing, showed a reduced frequency of nickel hypersensitivity. Frequencies of other hypersensitivities, in particular to fragrance, were not affected. These results support our view that induction of specific systemic immunologic tolerance by timely oral administration of antigens is feasible in man.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Usefulness of commercial memory aids as a function of age.

Recent research has produced disagreement about the usage and usefulness of external memory aids across age groups. The present study examined the use and perceived usefulness of commercial memory aids as a function of the ages of users and potential users. Three age groups (ages 20, 45 and 65 years) were asked to indicate whether they owned each of thirty different commercial aids and regardless of ownership, to rate the degree of usefulness of each of the aids. Each age group used certain aids or perceived certain aids as more useful, than did other age groups. The pattern of results suggest that memory aid usage differs with age partly because the memory tasks required of a person change with life stage.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A possible role for superoxide production in the pathogenesis of contact dermatitis.

Superoxide generation by blood monocytes was examined in patients with irritant, nickel, and chromate hand dermatitis. Phorbol myristate acetate stimulated monocytes generated significantly more superoxide in patients with nickel dermatitis, as did patients with hand eczema generally. No significant stimulation of monocyte superoxide generation occurred with either opsonized zymosan or PMA in the presence of excess superoxide dismutase in any of the groups of hand dermatitis. The results indicate a biochemical stimulation of superoxide which may accentuate the immunological damage in the skin that is observed in nickel and perhaps chromate dermatitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

The effects of mental and physical stress on the incidence of skin disorders.

The effect of civil unrest and terrorism in Northern Ireland from 1969 on skin diseases which are generally accepted to be aggravated by stress and strain has been studied (1) by reporting cases making claims against the government for skin diseases developed as the result of violence and (2), studying changes in the pattern of skin diseases at skin clinics in Northern Ireland over the last 10 years. There has been little change in the pattern of skin diseases which could be attributed to mental or physical stress.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Industrial dermatitis in Northern Ireland.

Industrial injuries and disablement benefits paid for industrial dermatitis (PD 42) in Northern Ireland are analyzed by age, industry and substance responsible. The most significant trend is a decrease in the number of cases due to cement and an increase in the number of nickel cases.

Dermatitis, Contact↗