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Biomedical subjects

F Lawlor

Publications and source records attributed to F Lawlor.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Arachidonic acid transformation is not stimulated in delayed pressure urticaria.

Little is known about the molecular mechanisms or inflammatory mediators involved in delayed pressure urticaria (DPU). Pressure sufficient to provoke lesions was applied to the back of six patients with DPU. The levels of products of arachidonic acid transformation in skin exudate from the pressure challenged skin were estimated immediately after pressure was removed and 6 h later when lesions were present. These were compared to levels estimated in a similar way from unchallenged skin in these patients. Levels of leukotriene C4/D4/E4, prostaglandin E2, 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and leukotriene B4 were not raised in lesional skin. Our results suggest that arachidonic acid metabolism is not stimulated in DPU.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Delayed pressure urticaria, objective evaluation of a variable disease using a dermographometer and assessment of treatment using colchicine.

A randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial of colchicine in the treatment of 13 patients with delayed pressure urticaria enabled us to assess some of the variables in this disorder. We have modified a previously described method of pressure testing using a calibrated dermographometer and shown a pressure induced papular dose response curve. Assessment of disease activity was based on the number of pressure weals which occurred, the size of delayed pressure induced papules using a dermographometer calibrated at 9.75 x 10(5) pascals for five separate time periods on the back and estimations of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the acute phase protein levels. We have been unable to show a therapeutic effect using colchicine 0.5 mg bd for I week.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Vibratory angioedema: lesion induction, clinical features, laboratory and ultrastructural findings and response to therapy.

We report the investigation and treatment of a 28-year-old woman with the rare condition of non-familial vibratory angiodema. Lesions were reproduced using a vibrator set at pre-determined frequencies and amplitudes, applied for a fixed time period. There was no indication of the production of tolerance in the patient with repeated vibration, but terfenadine produced a good therapeutic response. There was no evidence of mast cell degranulation at the ultrastructural level. The patient also had mild delayed pressure urticaria and dermographism, thus demonstrating the clustering frequently found in the physical urticarias.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Symptomatic dermographism: wealing, mast cells and histamine are decreased in the skin following long-term application of a potent topical corticosteroid.

Clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment and an otherwise identical steroid-free base were applied topically to a 10 cm2 area on the anterior thighs of six patients with symptomatic dermographism for 6 weeks. Four patients showed a significantly decreased wealing response to stroking of steroid pretreated skin compared to that of control sites. There was a parallel decrease in mast cell numbers and histamine levels in skin biopsies taken from the steroid treated areas. At 6 weeks two patients demonstrated a decrease in flare areas following the intradermal injection of compound 48/80 in steroid pretreated skin compared to base treated sites. Flare areas following intradermal injection of histamine in these two patients were equivalent in base and steroid treated skin.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1989

A timed study of the histopathology, direct immunofluorescence and ultrastructural findings in idiopathic cold-contact urticaria over a 24-h period.

The histopathology, immunofluorescence and ultrastructure of skin in idiopathic cold-contact urticaria have been studied over the 24 h following the application of a cold stimulus sufficient to provoke a confluent weal on the anterior thigh. Biopsies were taken 10 min, 2 h and 24 h after ice removal. Considerable epidermal and dermal oedema was present. Type I and Type II mast-cell degranulation was noted but was not universal. Lymphatics and capillaries were dilated and endothelial cells showed an increase in micropinocytotic activity, without evident vasculitis. In two cases packed platelets were seen within vessel lumina. There was no change in the infiltrating dermal cell population and direct immunofluorescence was negative. The evidence suggests that idiopathic cold-contact urticaria is an exudative rather than an infiltrative process.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Calcium antagonist in the treatment of symptomatic dermographism. Low-dose and high-dose studies with nifedipine.

The effect of nifedipine on subjective symptoms and objective dermographometer induced whealing was assessed independently in two double-blind cross-over trials in which active drug or placebo were taken for 2 weeks. The lower dose study used nifedipine 5 mg 3 times daily and gave rise to symptomatic improvement as assessed by diary card and visual analogue scale in 5 of 11 patients. This was not statistically significant and was not accompanied by a reduction in dermographometer-induced wheal and flare responses except at highest pressures. In a separate study 7 patients were treated with nifedipine 10 mg 3 times daily. No change in whealing occurred, 3 patients' symptoms became worse and only 1 showed symptomatic improvement on nifedipine. Side effects were frequent at this dose. The reasons for the unfavourable response despite in vitro evidence for inhibition of mast cell degranulation by this drug are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Progress of a harlequin fetus to nonbullous ichthyosiform erythroderma.

The term harlequin fetus is used to describe the most severe form of congenital ichthyosis. All except one previously reported patient died during the first few weeks of life. The development of one such fetus to the age of 2 years 6 months is reported, along with a photographic record of progress. Details of the progress of another harlequin fetus to 6 months of age are given. The clinical diagnosis of the former patient is nonbullous ichthyosiform erythroderma.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1987

Cholinergic urticaria. A clinical and histologic study.

We studied the natural history, the prevalence of atopy, and the frequency of systemic symptoms during attacks in 35 patients with cholinergic urticaria, the histologic condition of the eruption in seven patients (20%), and the response to intradermal injections of acetylcholine, histamine, and methacholine in 18 patients (51%). In most patients symptoms began between the ages of 10 and 30 years, persisted for many years, and caused them to modify their activities to avoid the provoking factors of exercise, emotion, and heat. The condition usually improved with time, and five patients (14%) had a spontaneous remission. Atopy, present in about 12 (34%) of the patients, was more frequent than in the general population. Systemic symptoms were uncommon during attacks, and patients had no greater responses than controls to the intradermal tests. The histologic study revealed neutrophils in and around the walls of superficial subpapillary dermal vessels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Harlequin fetus successfully treated with etretinate.

A harlequin fetus seen at birth was treated with etretinate and more general measures, including careful attention to fluid balance, calorie intake and temperature control. She improved, continued to develop, and had survived to 5 months at the time of this report.

Etretinate↗
PubMed1983

Dithranol-UV-A phototherapy (DUVA) for psoriasis: a treatment without dressings.

Dithranol in yellow soft paraffin with 2% salicylic acid was applied daily (increasing concentrations from 0.2% to 5%) for 1 hour to twenty consecutive patients with diffuse psoriasis. The ointment was then washed off and patients were irradiated with 10 J cm-2 of UV-A radiation since the absorption spectrum of dithranol is maximum in the UV-A waveband. The median clearance time was 14 days (range 7-39 days). No dressings were required. The patients were allowed to apply an emollient if the skin became dry.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1982

Side effects of benoxaprofen.

A study was made of adverse dermatological reactions to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent benoxaprofen. Photosensitivity was seen in several patients, confined to wavelengths less than 340 nm. Other cutaneous side effects were erythema multiforme, the Stevens-Johnson syndrome, milia, and onycholysis. One case of pancytopenia and toxic epidermal necrolysis was reported. patients were not rechallenged with the drug, but these reactions appear to be true side effects of benoxaprofen.

Aged↗