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Biomedical subjects

I Dobrić

Publications and source records attributed to I Dobrić.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Non-aromatic naphthalane preparation; preliminary clinical study in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.

This study aimed to prove the similarity of the composition of non-aromatic Croatian naphthalane (NAN) with brown naphthalane (BN), which is used in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. The comparison of the compositions was performed by obtaining GC fingerprints, which were supported by GC-MS data. In spite of remarkable differences in general profiles of the GC chromatograms, lower and medium molecular weight components of NAN were found to be qualitatively the same as the saturated constituents of BN. Quantitatively, lower molecular weight components as well as all n-alkanes were comparatively lower in NAN. NAN, additionally, contained higher molecular weight components, among which there were saturated oligocyclic hydrocarbons (up to pentakishomohopanes), described as responsible for the curing effect of naphthalane. The composition characteristics of NAN including its non-aromatic character made it suitable for a clinical study. In the treatment, the efficacy was determined by means of comparison of Psoriasis Area Severity Indices, PASI, at the beginning and at the end of the therapy. Adult volunteer-patients, nine males and six females, applied NAN over the whole body, except the scalp, at the room temperature for 20 min and this was followed by the selective UVB radiation. After the 3-week therapy, all essential clinical manifestations as erythema, desquamation and infiltration were significantly reduced in 14 patients; in nine cases the improvement was 50-93%, while the state of five patients improved between 25 and 50%. In one case, there was no obvious change. No exacerbation occurred during the therapy period. No adverse effect on hematological or biochemical parameters was noticed.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Detection and genotyping of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato by polymerase chain reaction.

AIM: To isolate and genotype Borrelia burgdorferi genospecies in serum samples of Croatian patients with erythema migrans. METHODS: DNA isolates from sera of patients with erythema migrans were analyzed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), amplifying a segment of flagellin gene with primers encompassing the conserved region of the gene. To screen PCR products for heterogeneity, we performed single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. The samples showing differences in SSCP patterns were sequenced, and the sequence compared in the GeneBank for sequence homology with known Borrelia burgdorferi genospecies. We also constructed phylogenetic tree of all known borrelial sequences. RESULTS: The nested PCR method using specially designed flagellin gene primers, achieved the sensitivity of 10 genome copies (0.01 pg of purified Borrelia burgdorferi DNA from culture) by dilution analysis. The assay specificity was confirmed by amplification of a part of the flagellin gene from different bacterial species. The primer pairs successfully amplified only Borrelia burgdorferi flagellin gene. The genome of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was detected in the sera of all 10 tested patients with erythema migrans. Sequence data and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that all amplified samples belonged to Borrelia afzelii genospecies. CONCLUSION: Phylogenetic tree analysis placed the borrelial isolates together with Borrelia afzelii sequences into a single group. This finding was additionally supported by sequence homology analysis, which produced a homology score of 99%. In patients with erythema migrans who come from the northwest Croatia, an endemic area for Lyme borreliosis, Borrelia afzelii was the cause of skin manifestations of Lyme borreliosis.

Borrelia burgdorferi Group↗
PubMed1992

The possible role of skin surface lipid in rosacea with epitheloid granulomas.

The examination was carried out in 50 rosacea patients (30 females and 20 males) in order to establish the connexion between skin surface lipids, infestation with Demodex folliculorum and previous local corticosteroid treatment with the appearance of epitheloid granulomas. Our analysis showed three types of histological conditions: 1) chronic dermatitis of the rosacea type was noted in 15 patients (30%); 2) granulomas composed of epitheloid cells was found in 16 patients (32%). In three female patients of this group presence of caseous necrosis associated with epitheloid granuloma was noted, too; 3) prevalence of perifollicular absceses was found in 19 patients (38%). Demodex folliculorum was detected in 43 rosacea patients (86%), considerably more then in the control group. The normal value of the skin surface lipids was found in 9 female rosacea patients (30%) and in 9 female controls (43%), in 8 male rosacea patients (40%) and in 5 males controls (33%). Lower amounts of skin surface lipids were found in 19 female rosacea patients (63%) and in 9 female controls (43%), in 4 male rosacea patients (20%) and in 1 male control (7%). Higher amounts of skin surface lipids were found in 2 female rosacea patients (7%) and in 3 female controls (14%), in 8 male rosacea patients (40%) and in 9 male controls (60%). Lower quantities of lipids determined a higher incidence of Demodex folliculorum in rosacea patients. Demodex folliculorum were also more frequently detected in patients who had previously been treated with topical corticosteroids (even in 91.9%), what was often followed by epitheloid granulomas. The treatment with tetracycline yielded good or excellent results in 90% of all the patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Evaluation of the effect of local corticosteroids in the phototherapy of psoriasis].

An open clinical trial was carried out in order to establish to what extent the application of topical corticosteroids with the UVB therapy influences the complete dosage of the UVB radiation required for the clearing of psoriasis and the duration of remission. Out of 30 patients who were administered the suberythemogenic UVB dosage, 15 received a topical corticosteroid and 15 an indifferent ointment (u. emolliens). Although the therapeutic response was initially somewhat more immediate in the corticosteroid--UVB group, there is no statistically significant difference between these two groups in the total UVB dosage required for the remission of the disease. The patients in the topical corticosteroid--UVB group remained in remission longer than the patients in the control group receiving no local corticosteroid.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1990

Occurrence of hereditary bullous epidermolyses in Croatia.

To determine the occurrence of hereditary bullous epidermolyses (EB) in Croatia, Yugoslavia, from 1960 to 1987, cases were gathered from the hospital files of dermatologic and pediatric clinics and departments throughout the area. The diagnosis of EB type was made on the basis of clinical features, patients' histories, and light microscopy and electron microscopy findings. Fifty families with 58 patients were registered; 44 patients were examined personally by one of the authors. The most frequent type of EB in Croatia was recessive dystrophic EB Hallopeau-Siemens, occurring in 35 of the 58 individuals. Regional accumulation of cases within the Varazdin area was noted (13 patients). Prevalence of EB in Croatia is 0.956 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. One case of recessive dystrophic EB Hallopeau-Siemens occurred in about every 52,000 live births.

Epidermolysis Bullosa↗
PubMed1990

Combination of cyclosporin and methotrexate for prophylaxis of acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for leukemia.

From May 1985 to July 1989, 76 patients with leukemia (30 acute myelogenous leukemia, 24 acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 22 chronic myeloid leukemia) were randomized to receive either cyclosporin (CSP) alone (n = 39) or CSP combined with methotrexate (CSP + MTX, n = 37) for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Patients were conditioned with total body radiation and cyclophosphamide followed by bone marrow infusion from an HLA-identical sibling. Engraftment of the transplanted bone marrow was similar in both groups. The incidence of moderate to severe acute GVHD was significantly higher in the CSP group compared with the CSP + MTX group (20 (51%) versus 9 (25%), chi 2 = 4.76, p less than 0.02). There was no significant difference in the incidence of chronic GVHD. Survival was significantly better for the CSP + MTX group (63 +/- 16%) compared to CSP alone (42 +/- 18%). Leukemia-free survival tended to be better for the CSP + MTX group (55 +/- 17% versus 32 +/- 16%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Plasma cholinesterase activity in patients during therapy with dexamethasone or prednisone.

We have studied the effects of i.v. dexamethasone and oral prednisone on plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity in 13 male and 10 female patients during long-term treatment with dexamethasone or prednisone. A decrease in ChE activity--probably due to inhibition of ChE synthesis in the liver--was seen in all the patients. In individual patients there was a drop in enzyme activity of 14-57% (dexamethasone) and 23-69% (prednisone) respectively, compared with individual control values. After withdrawal of dexamethasone, ChE activity in most cases increased to above control values and the period necessary for complete restoration of ChE activity was variable (between 25-70 days). Our results suggest that the decrease in ChE activity in patients treated with dexamethasone or prednisone depends on the initial dose of the drug as well as on the duration of treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[The effectiveness of tetracycline in the treatment of rosacea associated with epithelioid granulomas].

The results of the oxytetracycline therapy given orally to 26 patients with severe papulopustular rosacea are presented. The biopsies were taken at the most typical sites. In 19 out of 26 patients the pathological changes characteristic of papulopustular rosacea were found. In 7 out of 26 patients epitheloid granulomas without central caseation were histologically observed. In these 7 patients tuberculosis was excluded (the absence of other tuberculous stigmata, normal laboratory data). Tetracycline (oxytetracycline) was given orally to 26 patients. One month later, a remarkable clinical improvement could be seen, i.e. the papules and pustules disappeared in all 26 patients and the recurrence of the disease could not be noticed in any patient during a 2.5-year-observation period. As no signs of tuberculosis could be detected in these patients, the authors believe that rosaceiform changes with epitheloid granulomas should be systematized in rosacea as "rosacea-like eruptions". A good therapeutic response of "rosacea-like eruptions" to tetracyclines could possibly confirm the authors' hypothesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[The effect of local administration of corticosteroids on the course and therapy of rosacea].

The results of the analysis of 446 patients (305 women and 141 men) with rosacea treated in the Medical cosmetologic section (Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb) between 1985 and 1986 have been presented. The disease was more common among women than in men. (2.16:1). The duration, localization and clinical picture were typical. The histopathologic analysis was done in 9 patients. Among the 446 rosacea patients, 250 (56.1%) had prolonged therapy with powerful topical corticosteroids. The recommended treatment depended on the severity of the clinical picture consisting of usual local therapy and oral tetracyclines. In the group previously treated with topical corticosteroids, because of more severe clinical picture, tetracyclines were given more frequently (in the 35.6% of cases) than in the other group where the tetracyclines were given in 20.9%. The authors followed-up the duration and treatment success in 275 regularly controlled patients (in 164 with prolonged topical corticosteroid treatment and in 111 without previous corticosteroid treatment). In average, the patients without previous corticosteroid therapy were treated shorter and with better success in contrasts to patients with prolonged topical corticosteroid treatment. The results of the investigation indicate that rosacea patients should not be treated with topical corticosteroids.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1989

Quantitative analysis of immunocomplex deposits in the skin of patients with collagenosis.

The aim of this work was to contribute to identifying more precise diagnostic criteria of particular collagenosis. In a group of 215 patients with clinical diagnosis of collagenosis immunocomplex deposits at the dermal-epidermal junction were determined. The results, when compared with the clinical and histopathological findings, showed that direct immunofluorescence of skin sections of patients with collagenosis confirms the clinical diagnosis significantly more often than does the histopathologic analysis. The advantage of this test suggests that it should be used as an additional diagnostic method for confirming systemic diseases of the collagenous tissue.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Changes in the skin in transplantation versus host reaction. 2. Our clinical findings from observations using light microscopy and electron microscopy].

A clinical, light microscope and electron microscope study of skin changes was undertaken in 19 patients after bone marrow transplantation. Thirteen of the total number of 19 patients were clinically suspect of the acute and 6 of the chronic form of GvHD. Skin biopsy between the seventh and thirtieth day following transplantation confirmed the diagnosis of the acute form of GvHD in 7 of the 19 patients. In 4 of the 6 patients in whom skin biopsy did not verify the diagnosis of the acute form of GvHD, completely atypical rash in addition to signs of GvHD of the liver and intestines developed between the 30th and 50th day following transplantation. In all 6 patients who were clinically suspect of the chronic form of GvHD, skin biopsy performed some 4-10 months after transplantation confirmed the diagnosis of chronic, sclerodermoid or lichenoid GvHD. Furthermore in 71% of the patients with histologically verified chronic form of skin GvHD, symptoms of liver and intestine GvHD were present too at the time of the skin biopsy. With regard to the fact that histologically the least reliable seems to be the diagnosis of Grade 1 cutaneous GvHD, the authors recommend that regular dermatological follow-up examinations be made in the period of 7 to 50 days following transplantation in addition to skin biopsy in the case of appearance of any rash. Electron microscopy revealed in both forms of GvHD, the acute and the chronic, the most significant epidermal changes, i.e. degeneration of the cellular organelles and the appearance of numerous intracytoplasmic vacuoles.

Adolescent↗