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Biomedical subjects

L G Millard

Publications and source records attributed to L G Millard.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Information leaflets in the dermatology out-patient waiting area.

Patients' attitudes to the supply and quality of information provided about their condition were examined by questionnaire before (n = 852) and after exposure to an information leaflet campaign (n = 560) in the dermatology out-patient waiting area. A high expectation of this service was demonstrated, particularly from patients under 60 years of age with chronic diseases. A variety of information sources, other than doctors, were identified which could be improved (video-systems, specialist nurses, leaflets, posters). The campaign significantly increased the percentage of patients who derived information from the leaflet source (5.6-18.8%, P < 0.001) and it reduced a demand for leaflets (16.4-9.1%, P < 0.001). However, the campaign did not alter patients' perceived need to spend more time with a dermatologist. In order to achieve a greater impact on patient satisfaction, a combination of information sources in the out-patient department should be targeted at young adults with chronic diseases.

Dermatology

Comparative inhibition profiles of three non-sedating antihistamines assessed by an extended Lewis model.

Antihistaminic drugs are widely prescribed across a multitude of medical specialties such as Allergy and Dermatology. The potentially serious sedative effect of these valuable agents has previously restricted their full use and the choice of drug has been dictated more by individual patient acceptability than by any laboratory demonstrations of comparative efficacy. Unsurprisingly therefore, there is a trend towards prescribing those newer preparations which leave the central nervous system unclouded. We have studied the most frequently prescribed non-sedating antihistamine preparations, terfenadine (Triludan, Triludan Forte), cetirizine (Zirtek) and loratadine (Clarityn) in pharmacodynamic and relative efficacy trials using a quantifiable and reproducible extension of the classic Lewis model. The results indicate that two preparations, terfenadine 120 mg (Triludan Forte) and cetirizine 10 mg (Zirtek) are superior to their immediate rivals in degree of efficacy and/or speed of action. These results should assist clinicians in the positioning of effective, rapidly acting antihistamines for the symptomatic treatment of immediate hypersensitivity reactions such as urticaria and rhinitis.

Adult

A comparison of glycoprotein biosynthesis in benign and malignant squamous epithelioma and normal epidermis.

Protein and N-linked glycoprotein biosynthesis was studied in histologically verified normal epidermis, actinic keratoses, keratoacanthoma, intra-epidermal carcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The PAGE profiles of 3[H]-leucine-labelled proteins and 3[H]-mannose-labelled glycoprotein from all disease states studied differed from each other and from normal epidermis. A large 3[H]-mannose-labelled glycoprotein region (band A) with a peak at 97-92 kDa appeared to indicate the presence of a relatively large proportion of basaloid cells in the tissue. An associated peak in the region of 78-74 kDa also appeared in normal epidermis and what appeared to be non-invasive lesions. The main region of change in all lesions corresponded to the 66-34-kDa region (bands B and C). The absence of a group of glycoproteins and proteins in the 62-58-kDa region appeared to be specific for invasive squamous-cell carcinoma. All tumours showed a peak at 38-34 kDa which was not present in normal epidermis. Actinic keratosis had a pattern similar to normal epidermis except that the peaks of band B tended towards the higher-molecular-weight end of the band than those in normal epidermis and peaks at 28-22 kDa were seen. The latter seemed to correspond to the presence of a high proportion of spinous cells in the tissue sample.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

The effect of PUVA therapy on glycoprotein biosynthesis in uninvolved psoriatic epidermis.

Protein and N-linked glycoprotein biosynthesis was studied in the uninvolved epidermis of patients with psoriasis by the incorporation of radiolabelled leucine and mannose prior to and during PUVA treatment. Analysis of the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) patterns of the 3[H]-labelled proteins and glycoproteins showed that the major changes in untreated uninvolved psoriatic epidermis compared to normal epidermis were: (a) a shift towards the synthesis of low-molecular-weight glycoproteins; (b) the absence of a 48-kDa peak labelled with mannose; (c) the appearance of 3[H]-mannose-labelled peaks at 40-36 kDa. PUVA treatment gradually changed the PAGE profile back more towards that expected for normal epidermis, with the reintroduction of a 52-48-kDa glycoprotein and reduction of the peaks in the 40-34-kDa region. This effect was dependent on uninterrupted treatment. The PUVA-treated PAGE profiles were compared to those expected in skin tumours (i.e. increased 3[H]-mannose-labelled peaks at 95 and 40-34 kDa with an absence of 62-kDa peaks). It appeared that these criteria were not seen generally as a result of PUVA treatment. However, the results indicate that tumour development may be possible if a patient responds to PUVA treatment by showing an increased peak at 95 and 40-34 kDa in association with a loss of an 3[H]-mannose-labelled peak at 62 kDa.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel

Sézary-type cutaneous T-cell leukaemia. Response to Winkelmann regimen.

A 37-year-old woman presented with an aggressive leukaemic form of small T-cell Sézary syndrome. Despite this unusually malignant variant of the disease, there was a dramatic response to a modified Winkelmann regimen of chlorambucil and prednisolone, and a useful, sustained remission of 7 months. The Winkelmann regimen remains an important and relatively non-toxic chemotherapeutic option for palliation of advanced Sézary syndrome.

Adult

Systemic sclerosis in association with multiple primary pulmonary malignancy--a marker of internal malignancy?

Multiple pulmonary malignancy is uncommon and has not been reported in association with systemic sclerosis. We now report such a case in which it is likely that the connective tissue disease occurred as a marker of the internal malignancy. Systemic sclerosis is not generally a reliable indicator of malignant change, but it is possible that in patients who are immunosuppressed, either therapeutically or inherently, the onset of systemic sclerosis should prompt investigation for an underlying cause.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

Severe cutaneous reactions to captopril and enalapril; histological study and comparison with early mycosis fungoides.

A severe non-dose related skin eruption attributable to treatment with captopril was recently reported: this is distinct from the dose related rashes that have been widely described. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies were carried out to determine in detail the histological features of this eruption: the histological appearances were similar to those found in early mycosis fungoides, so that this disease was erroneously diagnosed in one case. Unlike most other complications resulting from treatment with Captopril, an indistinguishable rash can result from treatment with enalapril, a newer angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.

Captopril

Abnormal laboratory test results and their relationship to prognosis in discoid lupus erythematosus. A long-term follow-up study of 92 patients.

Investigation of 92 patients with discoid lupus erythematosus, manifested initially by localized cutaneous lesions only, showed abnormal laboratory test results for 57 patients (62%) on admission and for 62 patients (67.4%) on review 16 to 20 years later. Patients with discoid lesions confined to the head and neck (DLE) showed fewer laboratory abnormalities than those patients with disseminated lesions involving trunk and limbs (disseminated discoid lupus erythematosus [DDLE]). Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) eventually developed in six (6.5%) of the patients, and all had shown persistent multiple abnormal laboratory findings from the beginning. Complete remission occurred in 46.7%. A persistent positive antinuclear factor of either speckled or homogeneous pattern with a titer greater than 1:50, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, or a false-positive Wassermann reaction indicated those patients who may progress to DDLE or SLE.

Antibodies, Antinuclear