Background: Pimecrolimus cream 1% is a non-steroid, selective inflammatory cytokine inhibitor indicated for atopic dermatitis (AD). Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of pimecrolimus cream 1%-based treatment versus conventional therapy in adults with moderate AD. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive pimecrolimus cream 1% (n = 62) or vehicle (n = 68) at the first signs/symptoms of AD, for 24 weeks as required. A moderately potent topical corticosteroid (prednicarbate 0.25% cream) was allowed in both groups to treat flares. Results: Corticosteroids were required on fewer days in the pimecrolimus group, compared with the vehicle group (9.7 vs. 37.8%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, 59.7% of pimecrolimus-treated patients experienced no flares during the study period, compared with 22.1% of vehicle-treated patients (p < 0.001). Pimecrolimus cream 1% was well tolerated throughout the study. Conclusion: For adults with moderate AD, pimecrolimus cream 1% is well tolerated, reduces the incidence of flares, reduces/eliminates corticosteroid use, improves long-term disease control and enhances the patients’ quality of life. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Background: Pimecrolimus cream (Elidel®, SDZ ASM 981), a non-steroid inhibitor of inflammatory cytokines, is effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). We assessed whether early treatment of AD signs/symptoms reduces the need for topical corticosteroids. Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of pimecrolimus cream 1% in the long-term management of adult AD. Methods: 192 adults with moderate to severe AD were randomised (1:1) for twice daily (b.i.d.) treatment of early signs or symptoms of AD with either pimecrolimus cream 1% or vehicle cream (control group) to prevent progression to flares. Treatment was given as needed for 24 weeks. In the event of flares, a moderately potent corticosteroid (prednicarbate 0.25% cream) was permitted as rescue medication in both groups. The percentage of days on which a topical corticosteroid was used to treat disease flares was the main outcome measure. Results: Corticosteroid medication was used on 14.2% (95% confidence interval, CI: 8.3–21.1) of the days of the 24-week treatment period in the pimecrolimus group and on 37.2% (95% CI: 30.4–44.0) of the days in the control group (p < 0.001). In total, 44.8% (43/96) of patients in the pimecrolimus group did not experience a flare compared with 18.8% (18/96) of patients in the control group. The median time to first flare was 144 days in the pimecrolimus group and 26 days in the control group (p < 0.001). Pimecrolimus treatment was also associated with improvement in signs and symptoms of AD, pruritus, patients’ self-assessment and quality of life. Conclusions: Pimecrolimus cream 1% b.i.d. is an effective, well-tolerated, long-term treatment for AD in adults, substantially reducing the number of flares compared to a conventional therapy and consequently reducing or eliminating the need for corticosteroid treatment. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Da topische Glucocorticoide im Vergleich zur parenteralen Anwendung weniger systemische (Neben)Wirkungen haben können, werden sie bevorzugt in der Human- und Veterinärmedizin eingesetzt. Jedoch konnte bei vielen Untersuchungen gezeigt werden, dass topische Glucocorticoide je nach Applikationsdauer, -ort, Wirkstoffpotenz, -dosis und Behandlungsfläche ausgeprägte messbare Reaktionen wie Suppression der HHNA und der Immunzellen hervorrufen können. Beim Pferd wurden jedoch dahingehend bisher keine Untersuchungen durchgeführt. Da Glucocorticoide im Pferdesport auch dopingrelevant sind wurde der Frage nachgegangen, ob nach der dermalen Applikation eines niederpotenten Glucocorticoidpräparates auf die Haut gesunder Pferde systemische Effekte auftreten können und ob ein, nach perkutaner Resorption auftretender, Wirkstoffspiegel im Blut gemessen werden kann. Im Rahmen dieser Dissertation standen 10 erwachsene, klinisch gesunde Versuchspferde zur Verfügung. Die Versuchsdurchführung erfolgte in 3 Phasen. Vor Behandlungsbeginn (Tag 0) wurden von jedem Pferd die Kontrolldaten erfasst. Die Applikation der Dexamethasonformulierung erfolgte über einen Zeitraum von 10 Tagen. 2 mal täglich wurden 50 g einer 0,017 %igen Dexamethasonemulsion auf eine definierte Hautfläche (30 x 50 cm) aufgetragen. Die Blutentnahmen zur Gewinnung der Proben erfolgten am 2., 6., 8., und 10. Tag der Behandlung. Die Nachbehandlungsphase erstreckte sich über einen Zeitraum von 20 Tagen ohne die Dexamethasonanwendung. Hier erfolgte die Probengewinnung an den Tagen 3, 7, 11, 14 und 20 nach Absetzen der Behandlung. Aus den gewonnenen Plasmaproben wurden die Konzentrationen von Cortisol, Insulin, T3 und T4 mittels Radioimmunoassay bestimmt, sowie die ACTH-Konzentrationen mittels Chemilumineszenz-Enzymimmunometrischem Assay. Darüber hinaus wurden die hämatologischen und blutchemischen Parameter gemessen. Die Funktion des negativen Feetback-Mechanismus der Hypothalamus-Hypophysen-Nebennierenrinden-Achse wurde mittels eines ACTH-Stimulationstests überprüft. Während der Behandlung konnte eine ausgeprägte Suppression der Nebennierenrindenfunktion, gekennzeichnet durch die signifkante Abnahme der basalen Cortisolkonzentration, auf weniger als 10 % der Ausgangswerte vor der Behandlung gemessen werden. Auch der ACTH-Stimulationstest am 8. Behandlungstag zeigte einen signifikant geringeren Anstieg des Kortisolspiegels (< 50 %) als vor der Behandlung. Weiterhin kam es während der dermalen Verabreichung von Dexamethason zu einer progressiven, signifikanten Zunahme des Serumglucosespiegels bis um das 1,5 fache des Kontrollwertes. Parallel dazu stieg der Plasmainsulinspiegel um das 3-fache des Ausgangswertes vor Behandlungsbeginn. Die Plasmakonzentration von T3 zeigte einen leichten behandlungsbedingten Abfall, wohingegen der Plasma-T4-Spiegel einen deutlichen Rückgang auf 50 % des Ausgangswertes zeigte. Die endokrinologischen Veränderungen waren nach Absetzen der Behandlung alle reversibel. Weiterhin kam es zu einer signifikanten Reduktion der eosinophilen Granulozyten und der Lymphozyten, während die Zahl der Neutrophilen zunahm. Plasmakonzentrationen von Dexamethason konnten mit einem Maximalwert am 8. Tag der Behandlung (1542,10 ± 567 pg/ml) gemessen werden. Diese Ergebnisse belegen, dass bei der dermalen Applikation von Dexamethason eine perkutane Wirkstoffresorption in einem Umfang stattfindet, dass die typischen systemischen Glucocorticoidwirkungen auftreten. Es kann somit auch davon ausgegangen werden, dass die topische Verabreichung schwach wirksamer Glucocorticoidformulierungen eine gewisse Dopingrelevanz besitzt.

<p>U savremenoj hirurgiji imperativ je da hirur&scaron;ka procedura bude efikasna, ali i da obezbedi kvalitetan i brz oporavak. Najbitniji segment operativnog lečenja je obezbediti maksimalan učinak kako bi se osobi omogućio brz i potpun povratak aktivnostima dnevnog života. Posebno je pojačano&nbsp;&nbsp; interesovanje za rekonstrukciju prednjeg ukr&scaron;tenog ligamenta kod mlađe i sporsko aktivne populacije. Trendovi u medicini kao i u ortopedskoj hirurgiji idu u pravcu smanjenja postoperativnog krvarenja, bola i skraćenja postoperativnog oporavka. Supstancija sa antifibrinolitičkim delovanjem, kao &scaron;to je traneksamična kiselina, svakako je na&scaron;la svoje mesto u smanjenju postoperativnog krvarenja. Ciljevi istraživanja su se odnosili na utvrđivanje uticaja lokalno aplikovane traneksamične kiseline tokom rekonstrukcije prednjeg ukr&scaron;tenog ligamenta kolena na postoperativno krvarenje, posmatrane laboratorijske parametre, mere obima kolena, učestalosti postoperativnih komplikacija i kvaliteta postoperativnog oporavka između dve grupe ispitanika (ispitivana i kontrolna grupa). Studija je bila eksprimentalnog karaktera i sprovedena je u Kliničkom centru Vojvodine u Novom Sadu uz odobrenje etičke komisije. U istraživanje, metodom slučajnog izbora, bila su uključena 124 ispitanika oba pola raspoređena u dve grupe (ispitivana i kontrolna), a kod kojih je indikovana operativno zbrinjavanje prekida prednjeg ukr&scaron;tenog ligamenta kolena i koji su dali pristanak da budu uključeni u studiju. Svi prikupljeni podaci su beleženi u protokol, koji je za ovo istraživanje posebno dizajniran. Ispitanici su bili podvrgnuti operativnom zahvatu, uz primenu op&scaron;te ili spinalne anestezije, sa postavljenom pneumatskom poveskom na operisanom ekstremitetu. Ispitivanoj grupi bilo je lokalno aplikovano 20 ml traneksamične kiseline, dok je u kontolnoj grupi na isti način aplikovano 20 ml NaCl 0,9 % rastvora. Postoperativni gubici krvi su praćeni i beleženi tokom 24 h od operacije, dok su laboratorijki nalazi uzorkovani preoperativno i sedmog postoperativnog dana. U posmatranom periodu (preoperativno, sedmog postoperativnog dana, treće i &scaron;este postoperativne nedelje) kod ispitanika je praćen obim kolena i pojava komplikacija (hematom, hemartroza). Nakon sprovedenog istraživanje, prikupljeni podaci su dokumentovani i statistički obrađeni. Rezultati istraživanja jasno ukazuju da postoji statistički značajna razlika (t=7.181, p&lt;0.001) u količni postoperativnog krvarenja između grupa. Prosečno postoperativno krvarenje u ispitivanoj grupi je bilo 71.29&plusmn;40.76 ml, u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu gde je postoperativno krvarenje iznosilo 154.35&plusmn;81.45 ml. U kontrolnoj grupi, postoperativno se beleže niže vrednosti hemoglobina (t=9.608, p&lt;0.001) i hematokrita (t=8.325, p&lt;0.001), i vi&scaron;e vrednosti trombocita (t=2.201, p=0.032) nego u ispitivanoj grupi. Podaci o postoperativnom bolu ispitanika govore u prilog statistički značajnoj razlici u jačini bola prve nedelje nakon operacije između ispitivane i kontrolne grupe (t=2.405, p=0.018) i treće nedelje nakon operacije (t=3.700, p&lt;0.001). U ispitivanoj grupi zabeležena je ređa pojava hematoma 6.45% (n=4), dok je u kontrolnoj grupi 19.35% (n=12). Svi pacijenti u uzorku su popunili upitnik o postoperativnom kvalitetu oporavka. Nije zabeležena statistički značajna razlika u kvalitetu postoperativnog oporavka nakon operacije između dve analizirane grupe ispitanika. Dobijeni rezultati o postoperativnom krvarenju, nakon aplikovane traneksamične kiseline, ukazuju na efikasnost leka i pri lokalnoj primeni tokom rekonstrukcije prednjeg ukr&scaron;tenog ligamenta kolena. S obzirom na insuficijentnost podataka, ovo ispitivanje stvara &scaron;iru osnovu za dalja istraživanja.</p> / <p>In modern surgery, we need an effective surgical procedure, which provides quality and rapid recovery. The most important segment of surgical treatment is to provide maximum impact to allow a person to return quickly and fully to the activities of daily living. There has been particular interest in the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in the younger and sport active population. Trends in medicine, as well as in orthopedic surgery, are heading towards reducing postoperative bleeding, pain, and postoperative recovery. A substance with antifibrinolytic activity, such as tranexamic acid, has certainly found its place in reducing postoperative bleeding. The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of locally applied tranexamic acid during the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate knee ligament on postoperative bleeding, observed laboratory parameters, measures of knee circumference, frequency of postoperative complications, and quality of postoperative recovery between the two groups of subjects (study and control group). The study was prospective, conducted at the Clinical Center of Vojvodina in Novi Sad with the approval of the ethics committee. The study, by random selection method, included 124 subjects of both sexes, divided into two groups (tested and control), which indicated operative management of the anterior cruciate ligament rupture and gave informed consent for inclusion in the study. All data collected were recorded in a protocol, which was specifically designed for this research. Subjects underwent surgery, with general or spinal anesthesia, with pneumatic attachment placed on the extremity undergoing surgery. The test group was given topically 20 ml of tranexamic acid, while the control group was administered 20 ml in the same way. NaCl 0.9% solution. Postoperative blood losses were monitored and recorded within 24 h of surgery, while laboratory findings were sampled preoperatively and on the seventh postoperative day. During the observed period (preoperatively, on the seventh postoperative day, on the third and sixth postoperative weeks), the knee volume and the occurrence of complications (hematoma, hemarthrosis) were monitored in the subjects. Following the survey, the data collected were documented and statistically processed. The study results indicate that there was a statistically significant difference (t = 7.181, p &lt;0.001) in the amount of postoperative bleeding between groups. The mean postoperative bleeding in the study group was 71.29 &plusmn; 40.76 ml, compared to the control group where postoperative bleeding was 154.35 &plusmn; 81.45ml. In the control group, lower hemoglobin values (t = 9.608, p &lt;0.001) and hematocrit (t = 8.325, p &lt;0.001) were observed postoperatively, and higher platelet counts (t = 2.201, p = 0.032) than in the study group. The data on the postoperative pain of the respondents support a statistically significant difference in the severity of pain on the first week after surgery between the study and the control group (t = 2.405, p = 0.018) and the third week after surgery (t = 3.700, p &lt;0.001). In the study group, the incidence of hematoma was less than 6.45% (n = 4), while in the control group it was 19.35% (n = 12). All patients in the sample completed a questionnaire on postoperative quality of recovery. There was no statistically significant difference in the quality of postoperative recovery after surgery between the two analyzed groups of subjects. The results of post-operative bleeding, after administrated tranexamic acid, indicate the efficacy of the drug and at a local application during the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. Due to the insufficiency of data, this study creates a broad basis for further research.</p>

Topical exposure to isopropyl alcohol has been reported in the literature to be toxic if sufficient isopropyl alcohol is absorbed (1-5). A clinical case is reported where a 48-y-old female presented with multiple unexplained cardiac and neurological deficits. The woman had developed the deficits over a 6-mo period in which she had been soaking towels with isopropyl alcohol and applying then to her skin overnight to ease arm pain she was experiencing. Cessation of the isopropyl alcohol exposure resolved her deficits within 3 d. A controlled repeat dermal exposure to isopropyl alcohol under clinical observation reproduced the deficits noted with corresponding serum and urine concentrations of isopropyl alcohol and acetone. Cessation of topical isopropyl alcohol exposure lead to subsequent resolution of all toxicities.

This study investigates the role music played in the Civil Rights Movement as a form of political protest. The first part of the studies analyzed how political protest music was used in the early part of the twentieth-century leading up to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. An analysis of the role of music in African-American culture also provides a historical background to the music-making of the Civil Rights Movement. Specific musical forms such as topical ballads, freedom songs, and spirituals are examined. In addition, musical influences of African culture as well as religious influences on music-making during the Civil Rights Movement are also examined. The second section of the paper investigates the life and murder of NAACP organizer Harry T. Moore of Mims, Florida. Moore’s life and death became the subject of a topical ballad, “The Ballad of Harry T. Moore”, composed in 2001 by musical group Sweet Honey In The Rock. An analysis of the song’s, literary, political, and musical connections to the ideology and music of the Civil Rights Movement, as well as subject matter, gives evidence that places the song within the tradition of the musical protest activities of the Civil Rights Movement

Background: Topical negative pressure wound therapy (TNPWT) is a regularly used method in modern wound treatment with a growing and diverse potential for clinical use. So far positive effects on microcirculation have been observed and examined, although precise statements on the underlying mechanism appear unsatisfying. Objective: The aim of our study was to extend the understanding of the effect of TNPWT on tissue perfusion and determine the time frame and the extent to which the tissue perfusion changes due to TNPWT. Material and methods: TNPWT was applied to the anterior thighs of 40 healthy individuals for 30 min, respectively. Before and up to 90 min after the application, measurements of the amount of regional haemoglobin (rHb), capillary venous oxygen saturation (sO2), blood flow (flow) and velocity were conducted with spectrophotometry (combining white light spectrometry and laser Doppler spectroscopy) within two different depths/skin layers. A superficial measuring probe for depths up to 3 mm and a deep measuring probe for up to 7 mm were used. Results: All parameters show significant changes after the intervention compared to baseline measurements. The greater effect was seen superficially. The superficially measured rHb, sO2 and flow showed a significant increase and stayed above the baseline at the end of the protocol. Whereas deeply measured, the rHb initially showed a decrease. The flow and sO2 showed a significant increase up to 60 min after the intervention. Conclusion: The application of TNPWT on healthy tissue shows an increase in capillary-venous oxygen saturation and haemoglobin concentration of at least 90 min after intervention. A possible use in clinical practice for preconditioning to enhance wound healing for high-risk patients to develop wound healing disorder, requires further studies to investigate the actual duration of the effect.

The purpose of this Master’s thesis is to contribute to knowledge of what author-assigned keywords add to the indexing of Swedish dissertations in literature. This study had two research questions: 1) What types of keywords do the authors choose? 2) How do the author-assigned keywords compare to the cataloger-assigned subject headings from the controlled vocabulary Svenska Ämnesord (SAO) regarding types of terms, exhaustivity and specificity? Theoretical perspectives for this study come from Domain analysis which is a core paradigm within the research area Knowledge Organization (see e.g. Smiraglia 2015). Within Domain analysis the focus for indexing is the domain, and it is the needs of the domain that shall direct the indexing practice. The dataset of the study contained 34 dissertations in literature published in the Swedish university repository DiVA between 2012 and 2022, that had both author-assigned keywords in Swedish and were assigned sao-subject headings in the Swedish national catalogue Libris. In total 431 author keywords and 195 sao-subject headings were analysed using a modified version of thematic analysis as described by Braun &amp; Clark (2006). The results reveal that the author-assigned keywords show more themes than the subject headings, and indicates higher exhaustivity and specificity. For example, one main theme for the keywords were discipline-related terms, that were often connected to theory/methodology for the dissertations, but the subject headings were lacking this as a main theme. Also names of philosophers and theorists formed a theme for the keywords, but the subject headings did not have this theme. Furthermore the findings show that the subject headings tended to be more general in character than the keywords. From the point of view of Domain analysis it is problematic if the indexing used in the university library databases does not meet the needs of the academic domains. Therefore it is argued in this thesis that either the author-assigned keywords should be better utilised within the national catalogue Libris, or that the policy for professional indexing should be adjusted to better meet the needs of the academic domains.

Hypothèse: L’impression sur textile d’une formulation de microparticules lipidiques avec un principe actif (éconazole nitrate) permet de conserver ou d’améliorer son activité pharmaceutique ex vivo et in vitro. Méthode: Une formulation de microparticules d’éconazole nitrate (ECN) a été formulée par homogénéisation à haut cisaillement, puis imprimée sur un textile LayaTM par une méthode de sérigraphie. La taille des microparticules, la température de fusion des microparticules sur textile et la teneur en éconazole du tissu ont été déterminées. La stabilité de la formulation a été suivie pendant 4 mois à 25°C avec 65% humidité résiduelle (RH). L’activité in vitro des textiles pharmaceutiques a été mesurée et comparée à la formulation commerciale 1% éconazole nitrate (w/w) sur plusieurs espèces de champignons dont le C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. kefyr, C. luminisitae, T. mentagrophytes et T. rubrum. La thermosensibilité des formulations a été étudiée par des tests de diffusion in vitro en cellules de Franz. L’absorption cutanée de l’éconazole a été évaluée ex vivo sur la peau de cochon. Résultats: Les microparticules d’éconazole avaient des tailles de 3.5±0.1 μm. La température de fusion était de 34.8°C. La thermosensibilité a été déterminée par un relargage deux fois supérieur à 32°C comparés à 22°C sur 6 heures. Les textiles ont présenté une teneur stable pendant 4 mois. Les textiles d’ECN in vitro ont démontré une activité similaire à la formulation commerciale sur toutes ii espèces de Candida testées, ainsi qu’une bonne activité contre les dermatophytes. La diffusion sur peau de cochon a démontré une accumulation supérieure dans le stratum corneum de la formulation textile par rapport à la formulation Pevaryl® à 1% ECN. La thermo-sensibilité de la formulation a permis un relargage sélectif au contact de la peau, tout en assurant une bonne conservation à température ambiante. / Hypothesis: Textile imprinted with a formulation of microparticles of a drug (econazole nitrate) can maintain or improve its pharmaceutical activity ex vivo and in vitro. Methods: A formulation of econazole nitrate microparticles was made by high shear homogenization then printed on a LayaTM textile by screen-printing. The size of microparticles, melting temperature of microparticles on textile and econazole nitrate content were determined. The stability of the formulation was followed for 4 months at 25°C with 65% residual humidity (RH). The in vitro activity of pharmaceutical textiles was measured and compared to the commercial formulation econazole nitrate 1% (w/w) in several species of fungi including C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. kefyr, C. luminisitae, T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum. Temperature sensitivity of the formulations was studied by in vitro tests in Franz diffusion cells. Dermal absorption of econazole nitrate was assessed ex vivo on pig skin. Results: Econazole microparticles were 3.5±0.1 μm in diameter. The melting temperature was 34.8°C. The thermosensitivity of the system was determined by a release test at 32°C compared to 22°C over 6 hours. Textiles showed stable levels for 4 months (97±0.3 μg/cm2). ECN textiles on in vitro tests showed similar activity to the commercial formulation on all Candida species tested, as well as good activity against dermatophytes. Ex vivo tests on pig skin showed a higher accumulation of ECN on the stratum corneum for textile formulation as compared to the Pevaryl® iv formulation. The thermo-sensitivity of the formulation permits a selective release in contact with the skin, while ensuring good storage at room temperature.

Pacientes vítimas de queimaduras convivem com seqüelas que podem diminuir sua auto-estima e qualidade de vida. Vítimas de queimaduras faciais são excluídos social e profissionalmente solicitando ao cirurgião plástico tratamentos complementares aos cirúrgicos para melhoria da aparência e qualidade da pele. Quinze pacientes do sexo feminino, vítimas de queimadura facial por álcool com mais de dois anos de evolução, foram submetidas a tratamento tópico com tretinoína 0,05% durante um ano, com exceção da região pré-auricular. Após este período, duas biópsias faciais, uma na região pré-auricular e outra um centímetro abaixo do lóbulo da orelha, foram realizadas para comparar áreas não tratadas e tratadas. Os fragmentos biopsiados foram submetidos à análise mecânica e histológica. Medidas de resistência e elastância foram significativamente menores nas áreas tratadas (resistência p=0,03 e elastância p<0,05). Não houve diferença estatística entre as densidades de fibras colágenas totais e de colágeno tipo III, fibras elásticas e versicam nas áreas tratadas e não tratadas / Patients that are victims of burns live with sequelae that may decrease their self-esteem and quality of life. Victims of facial burns are excluded from social and professional life. They request the plastic surgeon to provide complementary treatment to the surgical one, so as to improve their appearance and the quality of the skin. Fifteen female patients, victims of facial burns caused by alcohol with more than two years of evolution, underwent topical treatment with 0.05% tretinoin during one year. During this period, a small area at the pre-auricular region was spared from the treatment. After this period two facial biopsies, one in the pre-auricular area and the other one, 1 cm below the ear lobe, were performed to compare treated and non treated areas. Skin strips underwent a mechanical and histological analysis. Measurements of resistance and elasticity were significantly lower in the treated skin as compared with non-treated skin (resistance, p=0.03 and elasticity, p<0.05). The density of collagen and collagen type III fibers, elastic fibers and versican was not significantly different between treated and non-treated skins