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Biomedical subjects

S Shuster

Publications and source records attributed to S Shuster.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Measurement of risk of sensitisation and its application to Kathon.

The prevalences of patch test reactions to 27 common allergens including Kathon 100 ppm, were calculated in a standard test battery applied to 2 consecutive cohorts of 656 and 653 patients seen in 1985/6 and 1986/7. The overall prevalence of Kathon sensitivity was 0.9% for 1985-87. The prevalence for 1985/6 and 1986/7 was 0.8% and 1.1% (difference not significant). The rate of sensitisation to Kathon was measured in 212 patients with negative patch tests by retesting after 6-15 months (mean 10.8 months +/- 0.2 SE), and gave a mean rate of sensitisation of 1/2280 patient months or 0.5%/patient population. Retesting 45 negative reactors after 4 weeks gave no new reactors, showing that the rate of sensitisation by patch testing with 100 ppm Kathon is low. It is concluded that the low and stable prevalence of Kathon sensitivity and the low rate of new sensitisation is in keeping with a low potential for sensitisation. Used on a larger scale, the present method would rapidly define risk from potential new allergens.

Allergens↗
PubMed1987

Role of protein kinase C in the pigment cell of the lizard (Anolis carolinensis).

The role of protein kinase C in melanosome dispersion was examined using the melanophores of the lizard Anolis carolinensis and an in-vitro rate method of bioassay. The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), which directly activates protein kinase C, was able to potentiate the melanophore response to alpha-MSH in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, the stimulatory response to forskolin, which activates the adenylate cyclase catalytic subunit, was also potentiated by TPA. The response of the melanophore to cyclic AMP, however, remained unaltered by any dose of TPA. We thus propose that the potentiation of alpha-MSH potency by TPA is through an interaction of protein kinase C with adenylate cyclase and, more specifically, that this interaction may be at the level of the linkage of the nucleotide regulatory subunit Ns with the catalytic moiety C of adenylate cyclase.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Effect of aspirin on pruritus.

The effect of 900 mg aspirin on persistent itch from chronic dermatoses other than urticaria (eight patients) and other causes (five patients) was measured subjectively using a 10 cm line and objectively as nocturnal scratch using limb meters. There was no change in itch or scratch and it is concluded that aspirin neither affects itch centrally by a pain related mechanism nor affects itch physiologically by cyclo-oxygenase inhibition in the skin.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Site variation in anthralin inflammation on forearm skin.

The effect of application site on anthralin inflammation was measured at 10 clinically normal volar skin sites on each forearm of 31 subjects as the increase in skin thickness at 48 h using Harpenden calipers. Pre-treatment and increase in skin thickness were significantly related to application site. Pre-treatment thickness increased distally and laterally by an amount depending on sex, and to a lesser extent other factors, whilst the increase in skin thickness values was greater proximally, laterally and on the right arm but was not affected by age, sex or skin type. When increases in skin thickness values were adjusted for pre-treatment thickness, the difference between proximal and distal sites was lost but there was still a significant difference between the medial and lateral aspect and the right and left arms. The absolute differences were small but demonstrate the need to use symmetrical forearm skin sites and randomized treatment sides when comparing the effects of topical agents on anthralin inflammation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Measurement of lipogenesis in isolated preputial gland cells of the rat and the effect of oestrogen.

Lipogenesis was measured in isolated preputial gland cells of female rats after ovariectomy and after the administration of oestradiol benzoate. Ovariectomy decreased preputial gland cell lipogenesis and also altered the pattern of lipid synthesis, producing a relative decrease in the proportion of polar lipids and an increase in the proportion of 'triglycerides'. Although daily administration of 2 or 10 micrograms oestradiol benzoate for 7 days produced slight increases in preputial gland cell lipogenesis in ovariectomized rats, the effects were not significant. A single injection of 10 micrograms oestradiol benzoate, however, produced significant increases in preputial gland cell lipogenesis of ovariectomized rats at both 2 and 24 h and, moreover, at 24 h the pattern of polar lipid and triglyceride labelling was restored to normal. Prior administration of actinomycin D reduced the lipogenic effect of oestradiol benzoate. Oestradiol benzoate had little or no effect on preputial gland cell lipogenesis in male rats. These results confirm that oestrogen is able to stimulate preputial lipogenesis in female rats. Whether this action of oestrogen is related to its pheromone-producing effect on the preputial glands is not yet known.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

The nature of mycosis fungoides.

Thirty-four patients with a clinical diagnosis of plaque stage mycosis fungoides, poikiloderma atrophicans vasculare (poikiloderma) and parapsoriasis en plaques (parapsoriasis) were investigated for evidence of extracutaneous disease using a biochemical screen, blood films, bone marrow examination, chest radiograph, abdominal ultrasound, isotope liver scan, liver biopsy and lymphangiography. Skin biopsies were also taken from these patients and, in order to rule out non-specific histological change, from 29 controls with inflammatory skin disease; the slides were examined blind by two independent observers for evidence of mycosis fungoides or poikiloderma and graded accordingly. Both observers were able to differentiate significantly histological grades of mycosis fungoides corresponding to the clinical diagnosis although exact histological grades only corresponded on 35 per cent of slides. Features graded as classical or probable mycosis fungoides were found in between 22 and 67 per cent of patients with parapsoriasis and between 67 and 100 per cent of those with poikiloderma. We found no evidence of extracutaneous disease in any of our patients. Lymphangiograms were abnormal in 30 of 31 examinations but the changes were non-specific and did not correspond to disease type, duration or extent. Four patients had apparently unrelated co-existing disease including chronic lymphatic leukaemia in two, a monoclonal gammopathy and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. This study shows that in its early stages mycosis fungoides is predominantly if not primarily a cutaneous disease. The findings also suggest that parapsoriasis and poikiloderma are part of the same disorder as mycosis fungoides or evolve into it. Aggressive treatment to prevent progression to mycosis fungoides plaque and tumour stage should therefore be tried. The findings support the idea that mycosis fungoides is a reactive rather than a neoplastic disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Response of scalp psoriasis to oral ketoconazole.

A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study showed improvement of scalp psoriasis with oral ketoconazole, although the study had to be stopped before completion because of the possibility of drug toxicity. The common appearance of psoriasis in the scalp and certain other sites may be due to pityrosporal colonisation that also causes seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1985

Phase 1 and Phase 2 drug metabolism in isolated epidermal cells from adult hairless mice and in whole human hair follicles.

A sensitive fluorimetric assay to determine both Phase 1 (oxidation) and Phase 2 (conjugation) drug metabolism in epidermal cells isolated from hairless mice, using ethoxycoumarin as a model substrate, is described. Ethoxycoumarin was metabolized by isolated epidermal cells via dealkylation to 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-OHC) and subsequent conjugation. Phase 1 metabolites were extracted in ether from the aqueous incubation media, back extracted into sodium hydroxide and determined fluorimetrically. Conjugated metabolites remaining in the aqueous phase were hydrolysed by the action of beta-glucuronidase and extracted and determined in a similar manner. The production of free 7-OHC by isolated epidermal cells was biphasic at all substrate concentrations tested, exhibiting an initial linear increase followed by a plateau phase. The plateau phase was attributable to the conjugation of 7-OHC produced in situ. Metabolism was inhibited by SKF 525A, carbon monoxide, and alpha-naphthoflavone. Endogenous supplies of reducing equivalents in the form of NADPH were adequate to attain maximal rates of metabolism. With human hair follicles both Phase 1 and Phase 2 activity was detectable in 7 out of 11 subjects. The assay has the advantages of being sensitive, producing single defined metabolites from both Phase 1 and Phase 2 metabolism; is readily adaptable to human skin samples.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Surgery for psoriasis.

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Dermatologic Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1985

The stimulatory effects of prostaglandins on the melanophores of the lizard, Anolis carolinensis.

The melanosome dispersing activity of prostaglandins PGE1, PGE2, PGF1 alpha, PGF2 alpha, PGI2 and 6 beta PGI, was tested on the melanophores of Anolis carolinensis. Only PGE2 and PGE1 were active and while PGE2 was the most potent and acted synergistically with alpha-MSH, PGE1 was additive with alpha-MSH. Arachidonic acid also stimulated melanosome dispersion but its effect was blocked by indomethacin suggesting an action through its conversion to PGE1 or PGE2. The effect of alpha-MSH, on the other hand, was unaltered by indomethacin which suggests that alpha-MSH stimulated melanosome dispersion does not depend upon prostaglandin synthesis. Thus, while some prostaglandins may interact with alpha-MSH to stimulate melanosome dispersion they are unlikely to mediate its action.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Drug acetylation and expression of lupus erythematosus.

Acetylator phenotype was measure in 58 patients presenting to a skin clinic with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and in 51 normal healthy subjects. Twenty seven of the patients with DLE were found to have evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (D+SLE). Frequency of slow acetylator phenotype was 58% in all DLE patients, 52% in those with D+SLE and was no different from the 57% in controls. The distribution of acetylator phenotypes within the groups with DLE and those with D+SLE was similar to controls. Severity of DLE was assessed as number of skin lesions and median lesion count was 11.5 in slow acetylators and 10 in fast acetylators but in D+SLE median lesion count was 22 in slow acetylators and 12 in fast acetylators, and there was a significant inverse relationship between lesion count and rate of acetylation; scores for systemic involvement showed no relationship. We conclude that there is no difference in the frequency or distribution of slow acetylator phenotype between normal subjects and patients with DLE with or without SLE but that actual rate of acetylation may determine severity of expression of the disease in slow acetylators.

Acetylation↗