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Biomedical subjects

Peter Elsner

Publications and source records attributed to Peter Elsner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

In vivo assessment of human skin aging by multiphoton laser scanning tomography.

Changes of dermal collagen and elastin content are characteristic for skin aging as well as for pathological skin conditions. To evaluate these changes, we used in vivo multiphoton laser tomography to measure two-photon excited autofluorescence (AF) and second harmonic generation (SHG). We tested 18 patients of all ages and calculated the SHG-to-AF aging index of dermis (SAAID). We observed a negative relationship between the SAAID and age, which was accelerated for the female (n=7) subgroup. The current findings are the first in vivo demonstration of this relationship, and they show that specific characteristics of aged skin such as the ratio of extracellular matrix components collagen and elastin can be evaluated by in vivo AF and SHG measurements using near-IR femtosecond laser pulses.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Antimycotic influence of beta-cyclodextrin complexes--in vitro measurements using laser nephelometry in microtiter plates.

To determine the in vitro susceptibility of fungal organisms to beta-cyclodextrin (CD) complexes with the antifungal agents econazole-nitrate (EC) and ciclopirox-olamine (CI), a fast, rapid and simple method using laser nephelometry in 96-microtiter plate is used. The antimycotic influence of the complexes against Candida albicans DSM 11225 and Candida krusei ATCC 6258 species was determined using this method. A rapid inhibition and even killing of both fungi was observed only above certain concentrations of complex ranged between 12.5 and 100 microg/ml for beta-CD-econazole complex (CD-EC), while for the complex with ciclopirox-olamine (CD-CI) the range was between 150 and 400 microg/ml. The stability constants of the CD complexes with the two antimycotic derivatives are given. In addition, the nephelometric method allows the determination of solubilities of active agents. Thus, the improvement of solubility of both antimycotic agents in PBS buffer solution was observed by complexation with CD.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2006

Antifungal and antibacterial properties of a silver-loaded cellulosic fiber.

The skin is the interface between the body and the environment. Each skin type has a specific skin physiology and is more or less adapted for protection against multiple stress factors. Textiles on the other hand are the tissues with the longest contact to the human skin. They play a critical role especially in skin conditions with an increased rate of bacterial and fungal infections like atopic dermatitis and hyperhidrosis, and in diabetic patients and aged skin. The present study demonstrates the antifungal and antibacterial effects of SeaCell Active in an in vitro test system against Candida albicans (DSM 11225), Candida tropicalis (ATCC 1169), and Candida krusei (ATCC 6258). Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of fibers with different amounts of SeaCell Active fibers in a dose-dependent manner against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 22923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218) could be demonstrated. If this fiber seems to be suited for bioactive textiles in specific anatomical regions and skin conditions with a susceptibility for fungal and bacterial infections due to Candida species, namely Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, must be examined by means of further investigations, especially in vivo tests in human, considering allergic and toxic effects of the fiber.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2006

The repair enzyme peptide methionine-S-sulfoxide reductase is expressed in human epidermis and upregulated by UVA radiation.

Recently, we reported that photoaging correlates well with the amount of oxidized protein accumulated in the upper dermis, while protein oxidation levels in the viable epidermis are very low. We hypothesized that this might be due to epidermal expression of the repair enzymes methionine sulfoxide reductases (MSRs). The expression of human methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA) was investigated in HaCaT cells, primary human keratinocytes, and in human skin. High MSRA mRNA and protein levels as well as MSR activity were found in cultured human keratinocytes. MSRA was expressed in human epidermis, as shown by immunohistochemistry in healthy human skin. Repetitive in vivo exposure of human skin to solar-simulated light on 10 consecutive days (n=10 subjects) significantly increased epidermal MSRA expression. To further assess the functional relevance of the enzyme, its expression in response to UVB, UVA, and H(2)O(2) was investigated in HaCaT cells. While UVB lowered protein expression of MSRA, an upregulation was observed in response to low doses of UVA and H(2)O(2). In summary, MSRA represents the only enzyme so far identified in human skin that is capable of repairing oxidative protein damage. In addition to melanogenesis and DNA repair systems, a wavelength-specific activation of epidermal MSRA may be involved in epidermal photoprotection.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed2006

Epidermotropic metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the lower female genital tract mimicking primary Bowen's carcinoma.

Epidermotropic metastases from internal malignancies are exceedingly rare. We report a striking example of epidermotropic metastatic carcinoma of the lower female genital tract to the skin of the abdomen and groin. Atypical cells were scattered throughout the epidermis, mimicking Bowen's disease. Focally, islands of atypical squamous cells were also found in the adjacent dermis. Histopathologically, the lesion resembled a primary invasive squamous cell carcinoma. However, the clinical history of a metastatic carcinoma of the genitalia and the clinical presentation with multiple lesions militated against a primary squamous cell carcinoma and favored interpretation of the lesions as epidermotropic metastases.

Bowen's Disease↗
PubMed2006

Treatment of superficial surgical wounds after removal of seborrheic keratoses: a single-blinded randomized-controlled clinical study.

BACKGROUND: For the treatment of superficial surgical wounds, there are a number of options, including topical antibiotic ointments, dressings, and specialized wound care materials, such as hydrocolloid dressings. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the wound-healing activity of a commercially available hydrocolloid wound dressing (Avery H2460, Avery Dennison, Turnhout, Belgium) in comparison with a control treatment (Fucidine cream with Cutiplast sterile dressing) in superficial wounds after surgical removal of seborrheic keratoses. METHODS: In a single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial, the hydrocolloid wound dressing (Avery H2460) was compared with healing by secondary intention as a control. Sixteen patients between 18 and 80 years of age with seborrheic keratoses were enrolled. Wound healing was evaluated after 7 and 10 days and then daily until complete closure of the wound area. In 7 of 16 patients, biopsies were taken after 14 days of reepithelization. RESULTS: The hydrocolloid wound dressing (Avery H2460) induced a significantly (p<.05) faster healing (median: 8.5 days) in comparison with the control treatment (median: 10 days). The histologic investigations showed no significant differences for the investigated parameters in both groups. CONCLUSION: The faster healing in comparison with the control treatment supports the use of the hydrocolloid wound dressing (Avery H2460) for the treatment of superficial surgical wounds.

Bandages, Hydrocolloid↗
PubMed2006

Cyclodextrin-induced apoptosis in human keratinocytes is caspase-8 dependent and accompanied by mitochondrial cytochrome c release.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides that are able to form inclusion complexes with a variety of substances. For pharmaceutical applications, CD-based drug formulations offer important advantages compared with uncomplexed drugs. These include improved water solubility of lipophilic drug molecules, increased chemical stability, as well as enhanced bioavailability and absorption rate. Also, a number of topical formulations for dermal and transdermal drug delivery contain CDs. However, the most frequently used CDs - beta-CD and MbetaCD - are known to extract cholesterol from plasma membranes and thus to cause cellular damage and cell death. In the present study, the influence of various CDs and CD derivatives on the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT was assessed. We found that beta-CD and MbetaCD induce apoptosis via the activator caspase-8, which subsequently activates the effector caspases-3/-7. Furthermore, beta-CD-induced apoptosis is accompanied by mitochondrial cytochrome c release. A significant shift from mitochondria into the cytosol was found. These findings may provide further rationale to the use of CDs in topical formulations for dermal and transdermal drug delivery or as raw material in order to functionalize textiles for medical applications.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2006

Approaches for optimizing the calibration standard of Tewameter TM 300.

Calibration of devices measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is in intensive discussion. Comparative studies revealed that comparable measuring systems, e.g. open and closed chamber systems, do not always deliver the same results, even when expressing the measured values in SI units, namely in g/m(2)/h. Therefore, adequate and reliable calibration procedures need to be established. We were able to test the reliability of a multi-step calibration algorithm for an open chamber system such as Tewameter TM 300. In order to achieve reliable measurements, the maintenance of stable microclimate conditions without air turbulences is mandatory. The TEWL values should be compared with those determined gravimetrically on heated skin simulators. The reproducibility of the results is warranted by consecutive measurements on different adjacent spots of a defined area. Preheating of the probe sensors is an effective approach for shortening the measuring time and gaining a rapid steady-state. The accurate calibration of the probe can be checked under laboratory conditions any time. The critical point of the calibration and ultimately the accuracy of in vivo measurements maintain the steady functional capacity of the probes during the entire duration of continuous studies. The studied calibration procedure ensures these requirements.

Air↗
PubMed2006

Antimicrobials and the skin physiological and pathological flora.

Healthy human skin is regularly colonized by nonpathogenic microorganisms. Bacterial genera isolated are coagulase-negative staphylococci and diphtheroid rods on the skin surface and propionibacteria in the infundibulum of the sebaceous glands. As for fungi, Pityrosporum (Malassezia spp.) is regularly present. The distribution and density of the flora is dependent on age and environmental factors such as sebum secretion, occlusion, temperature and humidity. Odor production in the axilla is related to the activity of aerobic diphtheroids. Antimicrobials may reduce the density of the skin resident flora, but they do not completely eliminate it. While antimicrobials may cause irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, no evidence exists that the use of antimicrobial substances may change the ecology of resident bacteria on the skin thereby leading to the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2006

A new silver-loaded cellulosic fiber with antifungal and antibacterial properties.

The skin is the interface between the body and the environment. Each skin type has a specific skin physiology and is more or less adapted for protection against multiple stress factors. Textiles on the other hand are the tissues with the longest contact with the human skin. They play a critical role especially in skin conditions with an increased rate of bacterial and fungal infections like atopic dermatitis or hyperhidrosis, diabetic patients and aged skin. The present study demonstrates the antifungal and antibacterial effect of Sea Cell(R) Active in an in vitro test system against Candida albicans (DSM 11225), Candida tropicalis (ATCC 1169) and Candida krusei (ATCC 6258). Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of fibers with different amounts of Sea Cell Active fibers could be demonstrated in a dose-dependent manner against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 22923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218). Whether this fiber seems to be suited for bioactive textiles in specific anatomical body regions and skin conditions with a susceptibility to fungal and bacterial infections, namely Candida species, S. aureus and E. coli, must be examined by means of further investigations, especially human in vivo tests considering allergic and toxic effects of the fiber.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2005

Smelling renal dysfunction via electronic nose.

The human body odor plays an important role in social communication in various situations, like the olfactory identification of partners and relatives as well as in parents-child interactions. In patients with renal dysfunction the compound of sweat and volatile gases is changed because of the limited ability for removing metabolic products from the blood. The regulation of electrolyte composition and acid-base balance are also altered so that the body odor of these patients may be significantly influenced by these disorders. We show the ability of an electronic nose to detect changes in the human body odor in consequence of renal dysfunction by reducing multivariate sensor signals with principal component analysis to its first and second principal odor component (POC). All healthy subjects could clearly be distinguished from patients with renal failure using quadratic discriminant analysis, whereas a correct classification of 95.2% (98.4% using 1st-3rd POC) of patients between end stage renal failure and chronic renal failure was found. This methodology of analyzing human body odor may also provide new approaches for investigating symptoms of renal failure and for diagnosing other diseases of internal or cutaneous origin.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2005

Influence of selected wound dressings on PMN elastase in chronic wound fluid and their antioxidative potential in vitro.

Exudates from non-healing wounds contain elevated levels of proteolytic enzymes, like elastase from polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN elastase), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). The overproduction of proteolytic enzymes leads to reduced concentrations of growth factors and proteinase inhibitors, resulting in an imbalance between degradation and remodelling processes. Thus, the reduction of protein-degrading enzymes and scavenging of ROS and RNS seem to be suitable ways to support the healing process of chronic stagnating wounds. The aim of this study was to test selected wound dressings from different biomaterials (collagen, oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) and ORC/collagen mixture), regarding their antioxidative potential in vitro and their influence on the concentration and activity of PMN elastase in chronic wound fluid. Antioxidant capacity of the investigated wound dressing was determined by a pholasin-based chemiluminescent assay. PMN elastase concentration was determined by means of ELISA. Enzyme activities could be measured by a fluorescence assay. As the presented data demonstrates, all tested materials showed antioxidant capacity. In addition, the investigated materials were able to reduce the concentration and activity of PMN elastase. Beside other aspects, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, fluid absorption and clinical effects (e.g. angiogenesis and microcirculation), the understanding of these properties may help to support the further refinement of wound dressings for improved wound healing.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2005

Fruit acids do not enhance sodium lauryl sulphate-induced cumulative irritant contact dermatitis in vivo.

Combined exposure to different irritants in the workplace may lead to irritant contact dermatitis, which is the main type of occupational dermatitis among bakers and confectioners. Following previous work on "tandem irritation", a panel of healthy volunteers was exposed twice daily for 4 days to the organic fruit acids: citric, malic, and lactic acid, either alone or in tandem application with 0.5% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) in a repetitive irritation test. Irritant cutaneous reactions were quantified by visual scoring and non-invasive measurement of transepidermal water loss and skin colour reflectance. Twice daily application of either citric or malic acid alone did not induce a significant irritant reaction. Combined exposure to one of the fruit acids and SLS caused marked barrier disturbance, but the latter irritant effect was smaller than that obtained by combined exposure to SLS and water. Thus, combined exposure to the above-mentioned fruit acids and SLS did not enhance cumulative skin irritation.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Induction of a hardening phenomenon by repeated application of SLS: analysis of lipid changes in the stratum corneum.

Adaptation of the skin to repeated influence of exogenous irritants is called the hardening phenomenon. We investigated the stratum corneum lipid composition before and after induction of a hardening phenomenon. Irritant contact dermatitis was induced in 23 non-atopic volunteers by repeated occlusive application of 0.5% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) over 3 weeks. At 3, 6 and 9 weeks after irritation, the SLS responses of pre-irritated skin and normal skin were compared. The horny layer lipid composition (ceramides 1-7, cholesterol and free fatty acids) was assessed before irritation and 3, 6 and 9 weeks after irritation. During the first 2 weeks of irritation the transepidermal water loss increased continuously and seemed to decrease during the third week (effect of adaptation). The barrier function of pre-irritated sites was more stable to SLS challenge. Three weeks after irritation, there was a significant increase of ceramide 1 (p<0.001). The only volunteer without hardening phenomenon showed no increase of ceramide 1. Ceramide 1 seems to play a key role as a protection mechanism against repeated irritation.

Administration, Cutaneous↗