PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

James R Schwartz

Publications and source records attributed to James R Schwartz.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Three etiologic facets of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis: Malassezia fungi, sebaceous lipids, and individual sensitivity.

Application of new molecular and biochemical tools has greatly increased our understanding of the organisms, mechanisms, and treatments of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Dandruff results from at least three etiologic factors: Malassezia fungi, sebaceous secretions, and individual sensitivity. While Malassezia (formerly P. ovale) has long been a suspected cause, implicated by its presence on skin and lipophylic nature, lack of correlation between Malassezia number and the presence and severity of dandruff has remained perplexing. We have previously identified the Malassezia species correlating to dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. In this report, we show that dandruff is mediated by Malassezia metabolites, specifically irritating free fatty acids released from sebaceous triglycerides. Investigation of the toxic Malassezia free fatty acid metabolites (represented by oleic acid) reveals the component of individual susceptibility. Malassezia metabolism results in increased levels of scalp free fatty acids. Of the three etiologic factors implicated in dandruff, Malassezia, sebaceous triglycerides, and individual susceptibility, Malassezia are the easiest to control. Pyrithione zinc kills Malassezia and all other fungi, and is highly effective against the Malassezia species actually found on scalp. Reduction in fungi reduces free fatty acids, thereby reducing scalp flaking and itch.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2005

Zinc and skin health: overview of physiology and pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Zinc is known to have a critical role in overall human physiology, which likely explains many of its therapeutic uses for the last several thousand years. The specific roles zinc plays in skin health and function are less widely known yet are likely just as critical based on the manifestations of dietary zinc deprivation, which include moderate to severe dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: To provide a critical review of the scientific literature as to the physiologic importance of zinc to skin, the biochemical basis for these effects, and pharmacologic aspects of zinc therapeutics. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Skin is in a continual state of renewal, placing a high demand on zinc-based enzymes and proteins that direct this process. The importance of zinc physiologically is especially evident in studies of wound healing and inflammation reduction. During these processes, the high needs for zinc can be supplemented externally, generally increasing the rates of the natural processes. Topical zinc delivery involves the pharmacologic optimization of zinc delivery, often mediated by the solubility of the zinc material and interactions within the product matrix.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

Pardon me: that's our money!

Not-for-profit healthcare providers have several options they can use to resist government attempts to apply the charitable trust doctrine to their business decisions. As a strategic defense, providers should perform internal due diligence that focuses on governing documents, financial arrangements, donations/solicitation, real estate, and charitable waste allegations.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Revisiting the duty of care of the nonprofit director.

The current corporate responsibility environment has prompted interested stakeholders, including legislators and state charity law officials, to more closely evaluate what constitutes the proper exercise of the "duty of care" by the director of a nonprofit corporation. The authors review recent developments affecting duty-of-care obligations and conclude that corporate responsibility and related concepts are likely to require directors to give greater consideration to the exercise of their "oversight" obligations as subsumed within the duty of care. The Article identifies a number of recent instances in which state charity law officials and other third parties have raised issues associated with the proper exercise of directors' oversight obligation, and concludes that directors of nonprofits will require greater counseling on their duty-of-care obligations in order to reduce their liability profile in an increasingly contentious environment.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed2002

"Must-know" legal issues for healthcare CFOS.

Healthcare financial managers are finding that regulatory agencies' customary focus on Medicare and tax-exemption concerns is shifting to other issues directly related to financial management. Regulatory agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, are scrutinizing not-for-profit and charitable trust law matters. Because of this renewed attention to existing regulations, healthcare financial managers need to increase their diligence in ensuring their organizations' compliance with those laws governing areas for which they traditionally have been accountable, including auditor relationships, restricted gifts, consulting arrangements, investment management, and financial reporting.

Charities↗
PubMed2002

The fiduciary duties of healthcare directors in the "zone of insolvency".

Directors of healthcare organizations normally owe fiduciary duties to their shareholders or, in the case of nonprofits, to the charitable mission of the organization. As an organization descends to bankruptcy, however, the board's duties may shift. At some point, the board may be imposed with different and often conflicting obligations to the corporate enterprise as a whole, with a primary criterion being the interests of creditors. In this article, the authors analyze the murky areas of the Zone and give guidance as to when the board's duty may shift-and as to how directors should proceed both in determining their duties and in working to fulfill them.

Bankruptcy↗
PubMed2002

What CFOs should know--and do--about corporate responsibility.

Not-for-profit healthcare organizations are not immune to the scrutiny arising from corporate accounting scandals and legislation. Financial managers will play a critical role in satisfying corporate-responsibility concerns. Financial managers need to understand the public-policy concerns fueling the corporate-responsibility movement and the effects. Financial managers should take steps related to certifying financial statements, establishing audit committees, and ensuring independence of audits, among other actions.

Financial Audit↗