Murine photoplethysmography for in vivo estimation of vascular gold nanoshell concentration

There is an urgent clinical need to monitor the intravenous delivery and bioavailability of circulating nanoparticles used in cancer therapy. This work presents the use of photoplethysmography for the noninvasive real-time estimation of vascular gold nanoshell concentration in a murine subject. We develop a pulse photometer capable of accurately measuring the photoplethysmogram in mice and determining the ratio of pulsatile changes in optical extinction between 805 and 940 nm, commonly referred to as R. These wavelengths are selected to correspond to the extinction properties of gold nanoshells. Six 30-s measurements (5 min, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 h) are taken under light anesthesia to observe the change in R as the nanoparticles clear from the circulation. Our model describes the linear fit (R(2)=0.85) between R and the concentration of nanoparticles measured via ex vivo spectrophotometric and instrumental neutron activation analysis. This demonstrates the utility of this technique in support of clinical nanoparticle therapies.

Role of Glycolipids and Phosphatidylglycerol in the Serological Activity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Mycoplasma pneumoniae lipids were fractionated by combined silicic acid and diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography. The lipid fractions were tested for complement-fixing activity and for blocking of metabolism-inhibiting antibodies in human and rabbit antisera to M. pneumoniae. Thin-layer chromatography and carbohydrate analysis of hydrolysates of the lipid fractions indicated that glycolipids were responsible for the specific serological activities of the lipid extracts of the organism. Phosphatidylglycerol, which accompanied the glycolipids, was serologically inactive when isolated free from glycolipids. Phosphatidylglycerol considerably enhanced the serological activity of the glycolipids, serving as an auxiliary lipid. Because of this auxiliary effect, minute quantities of contaminating glycolipids sufficed to render serological activity to "purified" phosphatidylgylcerol preparations, providing an explanation to the previous identification of the active lipid as a phospholipid.

Ethanol-induced flushing with topical pimecrolimus use

Topical calcineurin inhibitor use has been implicated in a flushing reaction associated with ethanol ingestion. This adverse effect has mostly been described as occurring with the application of tacrolimus ointment, and one report associated it with the use of pimecrolimus cream. We present three cases of ethanol-induced flushing in patients who used topical pimecrolimus.

Medallion-like dermal dendrocyte hamartoma

Medallion-like dermal dendrocyte hamartomas are rare congenital cutaneous lesions, with only three occurrences reported in the English language literature. They present at birth as asymptomatic circular, oval, or triangular well-circumscribed, atrophic patches. Typically, they have an erythematous or yellow-brown hue and a characteristic pliable, wrinkled surface; subtle telangiectases may also be appreciated. They may be misdiagnosed as atrophoderma, cutis aplasia, or anetoderma. All reported patients have been female. Characteristic histologic findings include epidermal atrophy and the presence of a CD34-positive spindle cell proliferation in the dermis. This spindle cell proliferation represents a population of dermal dendrocytes, which are bone marrow-derived cells that are believed to function as antigen-presenting cells that contribute to the function of the skin immune system. Little is known about the pathophysiology of medallion-like dermal dendrocyte hamartomas. We present a patient with this entity and review similar presentations reported in the literature.

Capecitabine induced inflammation of actinic keratoses

Capecitabine, an oral prodrug of 5-fluorouracil, is a systemic chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of metastatic breast and colon cancer. Patients undergoing capecitabine therapy may experience inflammation and irritation of existing actinic keratoses. Oncologists and dermatologists alike should be aware of this side effect.

Near-infrared resonant nanoshells for combined optical imaging and photothermal cancer therapy

Metal nanoshells are core/shell nanoparticles that can be designed to either strongly absorb or scatter within the near-infrared (NIR) wavelength region ( approximately 650-950 nm). Nanoshells were designed that possess both absorption and scattering properties in the NIR to provide optical contrast for improved diagnostic imaging and, at higher light intensity, rapid heating for photothermal therapy. Using these in a mouse model, we have demonstrated dramatic contrast enhancement for optical coherence tomography (OCT) and effective photothermal ablation of tumors.

Subcutaneous fat in normal and diseased states

The quest for effective strategies to treat obesity has propelled fat research into an exploration of the molecular processes that drive adipocyte formation, and hence body fat mass. The development of obesity is dependent on the coordinated interplay of adipocyte hypertrophy (increased fat cell size), adipocyte hyperplasia (increased fat cell number), and angiogenesis. Evidence suggests that adipocyte hyperplasia, or adipogenesis, occurs throughout life, both in response to normal cell turnover as well as in response to the need for additional fat mass stores that arises when caloric intake exceeds nutritional requirements. Adipogenesis involves two major events-the recruitment and proliferation of adipocyte precursor cells, called preadipocytes, followed by the subsequent conversion of preadipocytes, or differentiation, into mature fat cells. In vitro studies using experimental and primary preadipocyte cell lines have uncovered the mechanisms that drive the adipogenic process, a tightly controlled sequence of events guided by the strict temporal regulation of multiple inhibitory and stimulatory signaling events involving regulators of cell-cycle functions and differentiation factors. This article reviews the current understanding of adipogenesis with emphasis on the various stages of adipocyte development; on key hormonal, nutritional, paracrine, and neuronal control signals; as well as on the components involved in cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions that are pivotal in regulating fat cell formation. Special consideration is given to clinical applications derived from adipogenesis research with impact on medical, surgical and cosmetic fields.

Ultraviolet recall reaction after total body irradiation, etoposide, and methotrexate therapy

Ultraviolet (UV) reactivation reactions are rare and can occur in areas of prior sunburn or UV light therapy after the administration of chemotherapy, antibiotics, and other medications. Reactions may occur within days, as described after methotrexate therapy, or may appear months later, as described with ampicillin. Such reactions have been variably termed "UV recall," "sunburn recall," "photo recall," and "photodermatitis reactivation," making classification difficult. We report a UV reactivation reaction in a patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia treated with total body irradiation, etoposide, and methotrexate. We propose the terms "UV recall" and "UV enhancement" be used in future reports to classify UV reactivation reactions in a scheme analogous to the terminology for cutaneous reactions after radiotherapy.

Growth inhibition of Trichophyton species by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

OBJECTIVE

To assess the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to inhibit the growth of Trichophyton mentagrophytes (TM) and Trichophyton rubrum (TR).

DESIGN

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, or Staphylococcus epidermidis were grown in co-culture with either TM or TR.

SETTING

An academic medical center.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The total fungal units and hyphal-spore ratio were measured at days 1, 5, 10, and 15.

RESULTS

There was a 73% and 46% reduction of total fungal units and a final hyphal-spore ratio of 0.16 and 0.04, respectively, when TM and TR were co-cultured with P aeruginosa. The number of fungal units increased when TM and TR were cultured with E coli (28% and 42%, respectively), S epidermidis (13% and 18%, respectively), and control media (44% and 62%, respectively), and the hyphal-spore ratio increased to above 30 in the presence of S epidermidis, E coli, and control media.

CONCLUSION

Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibits growth inhibitory properties against TM and TR.

Nonpigmenting confluent and reticulated papillomatosis

We report three teenaged Caucasian patients with confluent and reticulated papillomatosis whose presentation was atypical due to the absence of hyperpigmentation and presence of a fine white scale.