PURPOSE: The study was done to explore variations in physiologic parameters of the stratum corneum (SC) of the dorsal hand and cord area during early days of life in high-risk newborns. METHODS: In this longitudinal study, a total of 77 high-risk newborns were assessed for pH, temperature and hydration of the SC of the dorsal hand and the cord area on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th days of life. RESULTS: Results showed that an acid mantle (AM) was formed in 57.1% for dorsal hand and 35.1% for cord area, implying significant delay regardless of decrease in pH (F=103.60, p<.001), and hydration (F=4.00, p=.003) across days in both areas. Peripheral hypothermia with low hydration level was also observed in both areas. There was a positive relation between hydration and temperature (.14 Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Birth Weight ; Body Water ; Epidermis/drug effects/*physiology ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Infant, Newborn ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Temperature ; Time Factors ; Umbilical Cord/drug effects/*physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of epicutaneous application of anticoagulant warfarin, by examining the presence of tissue injury and immune/inflammatory activity in exposed skin.

METHODSRats were exposed to warfarin by applying 10 μg of warfarin-sodium to 10-12 cm(2) skin (range 0.8-1 μg per 1 cm(2)) for 3 consecutive days. Tissue injury was evaluated by lipid peroxidation, histomorphological changes and signs of reparative activity in skin. T cell infiltration and selected aspects of epidermal cell activity were examined as indicators of immune/inflammatory skin response to warfarin application.

RESULTSRepeated warfarin application exerted no effect on skin metabolic viability, but resulted in tissue injury (increased malondialdehyde, MDA, production, evident histo-morphological changes in epidermis and dermis depicting cell injury and death). Increased numbers of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA(+)) cells indicated reparative processes in injured skin. Infiltration of CD3(+) cells (T lymphocytes) along with the increased production of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) by epidermal cells from warfarin-treated skin and their co-stimulatory effect in an in vitro T-cell activation assay demonstrated immunomodulatory effects of epicutaneous warfarin.

CONCLUSIONPresented data have documented tissue damage associated with immune/inflammatory activity in skin exposed to warfarin. Observed effects are relevant to immunotoxic potential of this anticoagulant in settings of external exposure.

Animals ; CD3 Complex ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dermatitis, Contact ; pathology ; Epidermis ; cytology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; physiology ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rodenticides ; pharmacology ; Skin ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes ; physiology ; Warfarin ; pharmacology