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Biomedical subjects

G Volden

Publications and source records attributed to G Volden.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Effective treatment of chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Once a week occlusion therapy with clobetasol propionate and Duoderm].

The lesions of 161 patients with chronic skin diseases that were unresponsive to therapy were treated once a week with clobetasol propionate lotion left under the completely occlusive patch Duoderm. The lesions completely resolved after a period of nine days to four weeks in 148 patients, while partial remission was observed in the remaining 13. The following diseases responded favourably: chronic plaque psoriasis, psoriasis on palms and soles, palmoplantar pustulosis, skin lesions related to Reiter's syndrome, chronic lichenified eczema, neurodermatitis, breast eczema, discoid lupus erythematosus, lichen planus, sarcoidosis, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and lymphocytic infiltrate of Jessner. Relapses were infrequent when complete histological remission had been achieved. Other diseases which improved with this treatment were pompholyx, necrobiosis lipoidica, granuloma annulare and pretibial myxoedema.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1992

Successful treatment of therapy-resistant atopic dermatitis with clobetasol propionate and a hydrocolloid occlusive dressing.

During recent years, 48 patients with therapy-resistant chronic skin lesions of atopic dermatitis have been treated once a week with clobetasol propionate lotion left under Duoderm occlusive patches. They had previously failed to respond, or responded only sparsely, to topical corticosteroids. The lesions resolved completely in 44 patients, while partial remission was observed in the remaining 4. The mean time needed to obtain complete remission was, for lichenifications, 2 weeks; pruriginous lichenoid papules, 12 days; chronic hand eczema, 2.5 weeks; nummular eczema, 8 days; perioral eczema, 11 days, and breast eczema, 10 days. Adverse experiences were mild and infrequent. The amount of topical corticosteroid required was reduced to at most one-twentieth and to as little as one-hundredth of the amount of common topical steroid treatment needed. We conclude that clobetasol propionate and Duoderm once a week is the best treatment for resistant lesions of atopic dermatitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Successful treatment of chronic skin diseases with clobetasol propionate and a hydrocolloid occlusive dressing.

The lesions of 141 patients with chronic skin diseases unresponsive to therapy were treated once a week with clobetasol propionate lotion left under the completely occlusive patch Duoderm. In 131 patients the lesions resolved completely, while partial remission was observed in the remaining 10. The mean interval to complete remission was: for chronic plaque psoriasis, 12 days; psoriasis on palms and soles, 2.5 weeks; palmoplantar pustulosis, 2.2 weeks; skin lesions of Reiter's syndrome, 3 weeks; chronic lichenified eczema, 2.0 weeks; neurodermatitis, 3.1 weeks; breast eczema, 9 days; discoid lupus erythematosus, 3.7 weeks; lichen planus, 2.8 weeks; sarcoidosis, 4 weeks; and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, 2 weeks. Other conditions benefitting from the treatment were pompholyx, necrobiosis lipoidica, granuloma annulare and pretibial myxedema. The amount of topical corticosteroids needed was reduced to at most 1/20 and to as little as 1/100, compared with common topical steroid preparations.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Short-contact treatment at home with Micanol.

The efficacy of home treatment of psoriasis with a new dithranol formulation, Micanol, was investigated in three studies. They were carried out according to a randomized, within-patient comparison design. In a 4-week pilot study Micanol was compared with placebo (10 patients) and in two 6-week studies Micanol was compared with dithranol 1% in petrolatum (33 patients) and with dithranol 1% in Amitase stick (16 patients). Micanol was found to be effective and well suited for treatment at home in all studies. The vehicle itself did not improve the psoriasis plaques. The rate of clinical improvement was faster for dithranol in petrolatum and Amitase stick than for Micanol. The prevalence and severity of erythema, burning and staining of skin and clothing were far less for Micanol. Approximately half the number of patients preferred dithranol in petrolatum or Amitase stick and the other half preferred Micanol.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1991

[Dermatological laser treatment].

This article reviews the different lasers used in dermatology. Special emphasis is placed on the treatment of naevus flammeus ("portwine stain") where lasers are the treatment of choice. Argon laser and pulsed dye laser are the main lasers used in vascular skin diseases, and the article focuses on these two types. Copper vapour laser, neodymium-YAG-laser and CO2-laser are also presented. Information is provided about the availability of laser technology in the different health regions in Norway.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Local sunscreening agents--why, when, how and where?].

Sunscreens are used primarily to protect against sunburn. The cosmetic benefits of sunscreens have been widely accepted with the recent indictment of photoaging as a major cause of wrinkles. It is not so well known that sunscreens also protect against the development of carcinomatous processes in the skin. It is important to protect against UV-A as well as against UV-B because UV-A has an additional effect and can also itself initiate cancer. We advocate use of sunscreens with a high sun protection factor. It is of utmost importance to protect children against the deleterious effects of the sun to prevent development of skin cancer later in life. The article includes an overview of the most common active sunfilter compounds. Allergy to these compounds does occur but is rare. Certain textiles provide good but varying protection against the sun.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1990

[Malignant melanoma--a warning. How to reduce mortality?].

Incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin has risen rapidly during the last decades. Mortality rates are also rising, although not so much as incidence rates. There is strong evidence that exposure to sunlight is a major factor in the etiology of melanomas. There appears to be no direct cumulative dose-response relationship, except in the case of lentigo maligna melanoma. Episodes of sunburn among children and young individuals seem to be more important as an etiologic factor for melanoma than chronic exposure to the sun. Very high risk of melanoma exists in persons with dysplastic nevus syndrome. Persons with giant congenital nevi are also at increased risk. However, many melanomas arise de novo. It is our intention to reduce mortality by screening families at risk, by early detection and treatment of melanomas, and by education.

Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

The production of tumour necrosis factor, tissue thromboplastin, lactoferrin and cathepsin C during lipopolysaccharide stimulation in whole blood.

The release of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), lactoferrin (LF) and cathepsin C (CC) into plasma and production of thromboplastin (TPL) in monocytes were studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated heparinized whole blood from 10 healthy donors. The influence of dextran 70, haemaccel and methylprednisolone on levels of these parameters were examined. TNF concentration in plasma 5 min after the addition of LPS (0 h) was 250 pg/ml (median), 520 pg/ml after 1 h and 1300 pg/ml after 3 h. The addition of dextran 70 to the blood in addition to LPS at the same intervals gave significantly higher values of 740 pg/ml and 1800 pg/ml after 1 h and 3 h respectively. Unstimulated cells had no TPL but after 1 h with LPS, the TPL activity in incubated cells was 2.3 mU/10(6) monocytes and after 3 h, 2.7 mU/10(6) monocytes. LPS induced the secretion of LF from granulocytes (PMN) and the levels 5 min after the addition of LPS (0 h) were 2.1 mg/l (control 0.2 mg/l) and after 1 h, 5.3 mg/l (control 1.3 mg/l) in plasma after LPS stimulation. Haemaccel enhanced the LPS-induced generation of TPL in monocytes and production of CC. The LPS-induced secretion of LF was, to a small extent, influenced by the three reagents tested. Methylprednisolone (1 mmol/l) reduced the production and appearance of TNF in plasma and the generation of TPL activity in monocytes. This model for stimulating heparinized whole blood is suitable for examination of the production and appearance of cellular factors and the influence of drugs on this production.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Degradation of human epidermal keratin by cod trypsin and extracts of fish intestines.

Cod Gadus morhua and bovine trypsin degraded human epidermal keratin with similar efficacies in vitro around optimal pH, which was at pH 8.4 for cod trypsin and at pH 9.5 for bovine trypsin. Extract of intestines of cod, Atlantic herring Clupea harengus, Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, and redfish Sebastes marinus degraded keratin with similar efficacies with pH optima between 8.5 and 9.5. Sheets of plantar callus were degraded with somewhat lower efficacy than keratin. The keratin-degrading activity of extract of cod intestines had a temperature optimum around 45 degrees C. Inhibition with benzamidine and 4-phenylbutylamine showed that trypsin amounted to more than 2/3 of the keratin-degrading activity in all extracts of fish intestines. Apart from cod intestines, which had the lowest chymotrypsin content, chymotrypsin made a smaller but significant contribution to the keratin-degrading activity. The present investigation demonstrates that fish trypsin and extract of fish intestines are effective in degrading human epidermal keratin in vitro, and in a recent investigation the same was shown with fish pepsin. This may suggest a possible mechanism for the development of irritative contact eczema caused by exposure to fish.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Retinoids plus PUVA (RePUVA) and PUVA in mycosis fungoides, plaque stage. A report from the Scandinavian Mycosis Fungoides Group.

Sixty-nine patients with mycosis fungoides, plaque stage, were treated in an open study with photochemotherapy (PUVA) or the combination of oral retinoids and PUVA (RePUVA). The response rate of Re-PUVA was equal to that of PUVA, with complete remission in 73% and 72%, respectively. Remissions were obtained with fewer PUVA sessions, and with a lower UVA dosage, if PUVA was combined with retinoids. A lower UVA dosage was needed if treatment was given four times weekly in stead of twice weekly. The duration of the remissions tended to be prolonged if retinoids were given as maintenance therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Ultraviolet radiation at high latitudes and the risk of skin cancer.

Solar irradiance in the spectral region 280 to 800 nm was measured with a double monochromator at 2 locations in Norway, Tromsø (69.7 degrees N) and Longyearbyen (78.2 degrees N). During the observational (midnight sun) period in Longyearbyen, the maximum UVB irradiance recorded was less than 0.3 W/m2, and no radiation was detected for wavelengths below 300 nm. Such low levels are believed to be a consequence of the low solar elevation angle and the high ozone content of the Arctic ozone layer, which absorbs the incident UV light. With levels between 280 and 350 DU over the period of study, Tromsø and Longyearbyen recorded only one-ninth of the calculated UVB radiation at the equator. There is therefore a considerably higher risk of radiation damage to the skin in equatorial regions (controlling for skin type), a finding that agrees with the statistical evidence for a 7-8 times higher rate of skin cancer in the white population of equatorial countries.

Absorption↗
PubMed1988

A simple assay for determining keratin and collagen degradation in vitro.

A simple assay measuring degradation of human epidermal keratin and bovine tendon collagen is presented. Insoluble protein substrate (30 mg) was incubated with 1 ml buffer and enzyme sample for 1 h at 37 degrees C, following addition of 1 ml distilled water and removal of the remaining substrate by filtration/centrifugation. The protein content was determined in the filtrate/supernatant by the Lowry method. Keratin was prepared as follows: Freeze-drying, homogenization in a mortar or beetling mill, extraction in 0.9% (w/v) NaCl followed by water and 100% ethanol, drying at 37 degrees C. The assay was tested with pig pepsin, bovine trypsin, and crude extract of fish stomach, demonstrating that these preparations are effective in degrading human epidermal keratin.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Degradation of human epidermal keratin by fish pepsin.

Stomach extract of Atlantic herring Clupea harengus, Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, cod Gadus morhua, redfish Sebastes marinus, and plaice Pleuronectes platessa, degraded human epidermal keratin effectively in vitro. The keratin-degrading activity of all extracts showed a pH optimum around 3.3-3.4, and sheets of plantar callus were degraded with about the same efficacy as keratin. Pepstatin sensitivity, heat lability, and the acidic pH optimum demonstrated that the keratin-degrading activity was pepsin. The keratin-degrading activity of cod stomach extract had a temperature optimum of around 42 degrees C at optimal pH, and showed a similar pH dependency with collagen as with keratin as substrate. The keratin-degrading activity of pepsin I and pepsin II purified from cod showed a pH optimum of 3.7 and 3.1, respectively, similar to that obtained with hemoglobin as substrate. Pig pepsin showed a pH optimum of about 2 with keratin, hemoglobin, and collagen as substrates. The present investigation demonstrates that fish pepsin is effective in degrading human epidermal keratin in vitro, and in a contemporary study the same was shown with fish trypsin. This may suggest a possible mechanism for the development of irritative hand eczema caused by exposure to fish and acidified fish material.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Genotypic and phenotypic markers in the differentiation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains.

Restriction enzyme (RE) patterns, using Hind III enzyme, were analysed on 101 urogenital strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The strains were also analysed serologically, using monoclonal antibodies, and tested for nutritional requirements by auxotyping. In addition, testing susceptibility to doxycycline was performed by an agar-dilution method. The strains were distributed into 23 RE patterns, of which the five most common accounted for 67.3% of all isolates. The same strains were distributed into 17 serovars, of which the four most common accounted for 77.3% of all isolates. Eleven auxotypes were demonstrated, of which the four most common accounted for 85.1% of all isolates. When the methods were combined, 38 combinations of RE patterns and serovars, 25 combinations of RE patterns and auxotypes, and 31 combinations of serovars and auxotypes were seen. Combining all three methods, 40 combinations of RE patterns, serovars and auxotypes were found. Correlations were particularly seen between RE patterns and auxotypes. The strains were moderately sensitive to doxycycline, those with serological markers for WII/WIII being less sensitive than those with markers for WI.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1987

Lysosomal enzyme pattern in lung lymph and blood during E. coli sepsis in sheep.

Systemic release of lysosomal enzymes and local release in the pulmonary microcirculation from sequestrated and activated leucocytes could be an important factor in the development of the lung microvascular injury seen after septicaemia. The maximal activities of 11 lysosomal acid hydrolases (acid phosphatase, alpha- and beta-glucosidase, alpha- and beta-galactosidase, alpha-mannosidase, beta-acetylglucosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase, arylamidase and cathepsins B and C) were measured in serum and lung lymph from seven sheep before and after infusion of live E. coli bacteria. In the early phase of septicaemia (the first hour) the activities of eight enzymes were increased in serum and/or lung lymph (1.1 to 2X pre-infusion values). In the late phase, 3-4 h after sepsis, there were significantly elevated serum activities of beta-glucosidase (5.4X), alpha- and beta-galactosidases (2.7X, 1.5X), beta-acetylglucosaminidase (2.0X) arylamidase (1.2X) and cathespin B (1.7X). In lymph acid phosphatase (1.7X), alpha- and beta-glucosidases (1.6X, 6.4X), alpha- and beta-galactosidases (2.1X, 1.7X). Beta-acetylglucosaminidase (2.6X), and beta-glucuronidase (4.0X pre-infusion) were elevated. The findings of a heterogenicity of changes in serum and lymph activities, as well as the large molecular sizes of some of the enzymes with changed activities indicated to us that permeability changes were not major causes of increased lymph enzyme activities. The results could indicate a local release of enzymes either from sequestrated leucocytes or lung tissue due to local reactions in the lung or lung microvessels. The heterogenous changes in activities for the various lysosomal enzymes as found in the present study indicated that measurement of only one enzyme could be misleading.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The effect of pregnancy on functions of inflammatory cells in healthy women and in patients with rheumatic disease.

Chemiluminescence (CL) after zymosan stimulated phagocytosis of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) and mononuclear cells (MNC), random migration of PMN and intra- and extracellular activities of nine lysosomal enzymes were assessed serially in 8 healthy women and 10 women with rheumatic disease during and after pregnancy. A gestational increase of lysosomal enzymes in serum and enhancement of PMN random migration was observed in all women. Significant differences between healthy and rheumatic women were found for CL of phagocytic cells. In healthy women, CL of PMN was slightly enhanced, while it remained unchanged in MNC during pregnancy. In patients, CL of PMN was markedly suppressed, while MNC CL increased during gestation. An inverse relationship between CL and intracellular enzyme activities was noted. Thus, the presence of an inflammatory state seemed to influence the gestational behavior of phagocytic cells.

Female↗