No abstract available.
Acetylcysteine* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Healthy Volunteers* ; Humans ; Skin* ; Water Loss, Insensible

PURPOSE: Antenatal steroid (AS) may result in lower insensible water loss (IWL), and higher urine output (UO) in early life. We examined if the postnatal fluid balance differed between infants exposed to AS or not (control) in VLBW infants. METHODS: Fifty-four VLBW infants were grouped into AS (n=24) or control (n=30). Fluid intake, UO, IWL and maximal % of weight loss on day 1, day 2, day 3 and day 7 after birth were analyzed. Daily maintenance fluid was determined in each infants by calculation of insensible water loss (IWL=[intake-output]-Delta wt) and UO. RESULTS: Fluid intake (AS vs control; 117.2+/-33.9 vs 126.0+/-29.6 mL/kg/d, P=0.315), IWL (28.1+/-23.7 vs 21.1+/-20.5 P=0.248), UO and maximal % of weight loss on day 7 were not different between groups: similar findings were observed on day 1, day 2, and day 3 after birth. Neonatal morbidities and clinical relevant factors were not different between groups. The duration of assisted ventilation was shorter in the AS than in the control (10.8+/-9.2 vs 27.6+/-26.2, P=0.002). However, the difference disappeared after adjustment for RDS severity and oxygenation index. CONCLUSION: VLBW infants exposed to AS did not have an alteration in postnatal fluid balance during the first week of life, when given fluid based on needs reflected by IWL and UO. The decreased need for assisted ventilation in the AS group may be related to the effects of steroid on fetal lung fluid absorption or maturity, but not on postnatal fluid balance.
Absorption ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Lung ; Oxygen ; Parturition ; Ventilation ; Water Loss, Insensible ; Water-Electrolyte Balance* ; Weight Loss

OBJECTIVETo evaluate a calculating method of wound water loss (WWL) in hospitalized burn patients.

METHODSEighty-five adult burn patients with total burn area over 50% were enrolled in the study. The WWL formula after shock stage (after 3rd postburn day) was given as: WWL (ml/%/kg/24 h) = [input (ml/24 h)-urine output (ml/24 h)-500 ml] / actual burn wound area(%) / body weight (kg). The result was compared with that determined by other formulas such as Davies, S.M.S.P and Lamke and palm rule.

RESULTSThe calculated daily WWL in burn patients after shock stage was found out to be 0.9 +/- 0.1 ml/%/kg/24 h by this method. This figure is comparable with that calculated by several different methods. Palm rule could be simply applied in the patients with body weight around 60 kg.

CONCLUSIONThis method and palm rule were proved to be simple and practical for the calculation of WWL in burn patients, which could be applied in clinical work.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Algorithms ; Body Water ; metabolism ; Burns ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Water Loss, Insensible ; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance

BACKGROUND: Several previous studies have suggested the improvement of atopic dermatitis (AD) in response to special fabrics. In particular, beneficial effects have been reported, following the use of anion textiles. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an anion textile in patients suffering from AD. METHODS: We compared an anion textile with a pure cotton textile. Fifty-two atopic patients (n=52) were enrolled and divided into two groups. The patients in the test (n=25) and control (n=19) groups wore undergarments made of an anion textile or pure cotton over a period of 4 weeks. The overall severity of disease was evaluated using the SCORing atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index, whereas, the treatment efficacy was measured using a Tewameter(R) (Courage & Khazaka, Cologne, Germany), Mexameter(R) (Courage & Khazaka) and Corneo meter(R) (Courage & Khazaka). RESULTS: At the end of the study, a significant decrease in the SCORAD index was observed among the patients with AD in the test group (mean SCORAD decreased from 47.2 to 36.1). Similarly, improvements in the mean transepidermal water loss, skin erythema and stratum corneum hydration were significantly greater among the patients with AD in the test group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Anion textiles may be used to significantly improve the objective and subjective symptoms of AD, and are similar in terms of comfort to cotton textiles. The use of anion textiles may be beneficial in the management of patients with AD.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Erythema ; Humans ; Skin ; Stress, Psychological ; Textiles ; Treatment Outcome ; Water Loss, Insensible

BACKGROUND: Skin pigmentary changes of pityriasis versicolor may occur as either hyperpigmented or hypopigmented lesions, depending on the outcome of interactions between Malassezia yeasts and the skin, such as lipoperoxidation process, stimulus of inflammatory cell to melanocytes, and increased thickness of keratin layer. OBJECTIVE: To investigate skin characteristic factors that enhance the susceptibility to Malassezia yeasts and provoke different color changes of pityriasis versicolor patients. METHODS: To clarify these factors, we investigated the skin characteristics of pityriasis versicolor patients, using a non-invasive method known as MPA 5(R) (Courage and Khazaka, Germany). A total of 90 normal healthy subjects and 30 pityriasis versicolor patients were included in this study. RESULTS: Both hyperpigmented and hypopigmented pityriasis versicolor skin lesions showed higher humidity, increased sebum excretion rate and increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) values than normal healthy subjects. But no significant difference of specific Malassezia yeasts species between hyperpigmented and hypopigmented skin lesions was evident. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that higher humidity and increased sebum level provide a better growing environment of Malassezia yeasts in the skin, leading to the assumption that interaction between Malassezia yeasts and skin barrier materials makes disruption of skin barrier causing increased TEWL.
Humans ; Humidity ; Keratins ; Malassezia ; Melanocytes ; Pityriasis ; Sebum ; Skin ; Tinea Versicolor ; Water Loss, Insensible ; Yeasts

BACKGROUND: Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of water transporting proteins present in many mammalian epithelial and endothelial cell types. Among the AQPs, AQP3 is known to be a water/glycerol transporter expressed in human skin. OBJECTIVE: The relationship between the expression level of AQP3 and transpidermal water loss (TEWL) in the lesional and peri-lesional skin of psoriasis-affected patients, and skin hydration in the lesional and peri-lesional skin of psoriasis patients, was investigated. METHODS: The expression of AQP3 in psoriasis-affected and healthy control skin was determined using immunohistochemical and immunofluroscence staining. TEWL and skin hydration were measured using a Tewameter(R) TM210 (Courage & Khazaka, Cologne, Germany) and a Corneometer(R) CM 820 (Courage & Khazaka), respectively. RESULTS: AQP3 was mainly expressed in the plasma membrane of stratum corneum and the stratum spinosum in normal epidermis. Unlike the normal epidermis, AQP3 showed decreased expression in the lesional and peri-lesional epidermis of psoriasis. TEWL was increased, and skin hydration was decreased, in the lesional and peri-lesional skin of psoriasis patients, compared with the healthy control sample. CONCLUSION: Although various factors contribute to reduced skin hydration in the lesional and peri-lesional skin of psoriasis, AQP3 appears to be a key factor in the skin dehydration of psoriasis-affected skin.
Aquaporin 3 ; Aquaporins ; Cell Membrane ; Dehydration ; Endothelial Cells ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Proteins ; Psoriasis ; Skin ; Water Loss, Insensible

BACKGROUND: Microneedles provide a minimally invasive means to transport molecules into the skin. A number of specific strategies have been employed to use microneedles for transdermal delivery. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety of two new digital microneedle devices (Digital Hand(R) and Digital Pro(R); Bomtech Electronics Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea) for the perforation of skin in skin-hairless-1 mice. This device replaces conventional needles and is designed specifically for intradermal delivery. METHODS: We used two newly developed digital microneedle devices to perforate the skin of skin-hairless-1 mice. We conducted a comparative study of the two digital microneedle devices and DTS(R) (Disk type-microneedle Therapy System; DTS lab., Seoul, Korea). To evaluate skin stability, we performed visual and dermatoscopic inspections, measurements of transepidermal water loss, and biopsies. RESULTS: The two novel digital microneedle devices did not induce significant abnormalities of the skin on visual or dermatoscopic inspection, regardless of needle size (0.25~2.0 mm). No significant histopathological changes, such as inflammatory cell infiltration, desquamation of the stratum corneum, or disruption of the basal layer, were observed. The digital microneedle devices and microneedle therapy system produced similar results on measures of skin stability. CONCLUSION: These two novel digital microneedle devices are safe transdermal drug delivery systems.
Animals ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Mesotherapy ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Needles ; Pyridines ; Skin ; Thiazoles ; Water Loss, Insensible

BACKGROUND: Topical application of corticosteroids also has an influence on skin barrier impairment. Physiological lipid mixtures, such as multi-lamellar emulsion (MLE) containing a natural lipid component leads to effective recovery of the barrier function. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to conduct an evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy and skin barrier protection of topical mometasone furoate in MLE. METHODS: A multi-center randomized, double-blind, controlled study was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of mometasone furoate cream in MLE for Korean patients with eczema. The study group included 175 patients with eczema, who applied either mometasone furoate in MLE cream or methylprednisolone aceponate cream for 2 weeks. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using the physician's global assessment of clinical response (PGA), trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pruritus. Patients were evaluated using these indices at days 4, 8, and 15. RESULTS: Comparison of PGA score, TEWL, and VAS score at baseline with those at days 4, 8, and 15 of treatment showed a significant improvement in both groups. Patients who applied mometasone furoate in MLE (74.8%) showed better results (p<0.05) than those who applied methylprednisolone aceponate (47.8%). The TEWL improvement ratio was higher in the mometasone furoate in MLE group than that in the methylprednisolone aceponate group, and VAS improvement was also better in the mometasone furoate in MLE group. CONCLUSION: Mometasone furoate in MLE has a better therapeutic efficacy as well as less skin barrier impairment than methylprednisolone aceponate.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Cross-Over Studies ; Eczema ; Humans ; Methylprednisolone ; Pregnadienediols ; Prostaglandins A ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Treatment Outcome ; Water Loss, Insensible ; Mometasone Furoate

BACKGROUND: The skin of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients has a high susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus colonization, and the toxins produced by S. aureus may aggravate AD by acting as superantigens. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the skin barrier function, colonization of S. aureus, and the clinical severity of AD. We also examined the predominant toxin genes produced in Korean AD patients. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with AD were evaluated for clinical severity and skin barrier function by using Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). S. aureus was isolated from the forearm, popliteal fossa, and anterior nares of AD patients (n=39) and age-matched controls (n=40); the toxin genes were analyzed by performing multiplex polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: TEWL showed a statistically significant correlation with clinical severity in patients with AD (p<0.05). TEWL was correlated with the number of S. aureus colonization sites and the presence of nasal colonization, but these results were not statistically significant. S. aureus strains were isolated in 64.1% of the 39 AD patients. The SCORAD index and AD severity were strongly correlated with the number of colonization sites. The predominant toxin gene found in AD patients was staphylococcal enterotoxin a (sea) only, which was produced in 52.6% of patients. The toxin genes sea and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (tsst-1) were found together in 42.1%, while tsst-1 only was found in 5.3% of the patients. CONCLUSION: S. aureus strains were isolated in 64.1% of the 39 AD patients. Skin barrier function, as measured by TEWL, revealed a statistically significant correlation with clinical severity in AD patients. The SCORAD index and severity of AD was strongly correlated with the number of colonization. The most common toxin gene was sea in the Korean AD patients and this gene might have an important role in the pathogenesis of AD.
Bacterial Toxins ; Colon ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Enterotoxins ; Exotoxins ; Forearm ; Humans ; Shock, Septic ; Skin ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Superantigens ; Water Loss, Insensible

BACKGROUND: The innate immune system of human skin contains antimicrobial peptides(AMPs) known as cathelicidins(LL-37) and human beta-defensins(hBD)-2. These peptides immediately respond to intruded microbes for prevention of further invasion. In normal skin these peptides are negligible, but they are accumulated in the skin affected by inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis. Although atopic dermatitis(AD) is recurrent inflammatory skin disease, it has been known that the expressions of AMPs in AD are decreased compared to that of psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: Current research was to identify the expressions of AMPs according to changes transepidermal water loss(TEWL) levels in AD. METHODS: The involved and uninvolved sites of patients diagnosed as having AD were evaluated using TEWL. And the expression of LL-37 and hBD-2 in skin biopsies specimens from involved and uninvolved site of these patients were determined by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining(IHC). RESULTS: The TEWL levels increased in both uninvolved and involved sites, more increased in involved sites. It implicated that permeability barrier function was more disrupted in involved sites of atopic dermatitis. In RT-PCR, the expression levels of hBD-2 and LL-37 mRNA were down-regulated in both uninvolved and involved sites, more decreased in involved sites. In Western blotting of hBD-2 and LL-37 proteins, the levels of hBD-2, LL-37 protein expressions of uninvolved sites were determined to be more intense than those observed in the involved sites. These findings were also confirmed by IHC. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that expression of antimicrobial peptides downregulated according to increasing TEWL levels in atopic dermatitis lesions. Therefore, this deficiency may account for the susceptibility of patients with atopic dermatitis to skin infection, also implicate that localized skin barrier disruption play a role for decreased the expression of AMPs.
Biopsy ; Blotting, Western ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Humans ; Immune System ; Peptides* ; Permeability ; Psoriasis ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Water Loss, Insensible