Selective two-dimensional effect-directed analysis with thin-layer chromatography.

There are thousands of organic trace substances in the environment that are not fully characterized, and evaluation of their relevance to the ecosystem is difficult. Effect-directed analysis (EDA) is a suitable tool to assess the effects of a substance via in-vitro bioassays, which can provide information about the relevance of the substance. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) has been shown to be a good method for fractionation.

The reciprocal iso-inhibition volume concept: A procedure for the evaluation in effect-directed analysis with thin-layer chromatography - using the thin-layer chromatography-luminescent bacteria assay as an example.

In effect-directed analysis (EDA) with high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), the effect is often detected using images. Thus, an approach to create inhibition chromatograms from these images was developed using the example of the HPTLC- bioluminescence inhibition test. A comparison between the cuvette test and the HPTLC test shows that the test on the plate is significantly more sensitive.

Coupling of In Vitro Bioassays with Planar Chromatography in Effect-Directed Analysis.

Modern analytical test methods increasingly detect anthropogenic organic substances and their transformation products in water samples and in the environment. The presence of these compounds might pose a risk to the aquatic environment. To determine a possible (eco)toxicological risk, aquatic samples are tested using various bioassays, including sub-organismic assays such as the luminescent bacteria inhibition test, the acetylcholinesterase inhibition test, and the umu-test.

Conventional topical delivery systems.

Effective dermatologic therapy depends on both the active drug and the properties of the delivery system. A topical delivery system, or vehicle, is defined as the substance that carries a specific drug into contact with and through the skin. The challenge to topical drug delivery is the transport across the skin barrier.

Consensus guidelines for the management of plaque psoriasis.

The Canadian Guidelines for the Management of Plaque Psoriasis were reviewed by the entire National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board and updated to include newly approved agents such as ustekinumab and to reflect practice patterns in the United States, where the excimer laser is approved for psoriasis treatment. Management of psoriasis in special populations is discussed. In the updated guidelines, we include sections on children, pregnant patients or pregnant partners of patients, nursing mothers, the elderly, patients with hepatitis B or C virus infections, human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, and patients with malignant neoplasms, as well as sections on tumor necrosis factor blockers, elective surgery, and vaccinations.

Identification of ozonation by-products of 4- and 5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole during the treatment of surface water to drinking water.

During the treatment of surface water to drinking water, ozonation is often used for disinfection and to remove organic trace substances, whereby oxidation by-products can be formed. Here we use the example of tolyltriazole to describe an approach for identifying relevant oxidation by-products in the laboratory and subsequently detecting them in an industrial-scale process. The identification process involves ozonation experiments with pure substances at laboratory level (concentration range mg L(-1)).

Combination of different liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry technologies for the identification of transformation products of rhodamine B in groundwater.

Rhodamine B and its five de-ethylated transformation products could be identified in a groundwater sample. Using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) six fluorescent zones were detected in the sample. In order to identify the compounds in the zones by exact mass mass spectrometry (MS) measurements and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), they were extracted from the HPTLC plate for subsequent analysis by nano-chip high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (nano-chip HPLC/QTOFMS).

Impact of seasonality on conducting clinical studies in dermatology.

It is generally accepted among dermatologists that certain skin diseases are subject to seasonal influence. This belief, however, is based primarily on anecdotal observation rather than fact-based evidence. To address this controversy, we performed a retrospective analysis of a total of 3931 subjects enrolled in 7 phase 3 clinical trials across the diseases acne, atopic dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis and found a seasonal effect to exist in the treatment response of the 3 very common dermatologic diseases studied.

An assessment of the cost-utility of therapy for psoriasis.

Objective: Recently a number of new therapies have been introduced to treat psoriasis, but concerns have been expressed about their high cost. The purpose of this study was to determine whether most psoriasis treatments lie within the accepted range of cost-utility.

Methodology: 32 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis were administered the Euro-Qol 5 Dimension (EQ-5D) survey to calculate their health state utility.

A randomized controlled clinical trial assessing the effect of betamethasone valerate 0.12% foam on the short-term treatment of stasis dermatitis.

Background: There are no published studies examining either the effectiveness of topical steroids in the treatment of stasis dermatitis or indicating what steroid strength or duration of treatment is optimal to treat this common condition.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of twice-daily application of the topical steroid betamethasone valerate 0.12% foam for the treatment of stasis dermatitis.

Cutaneous mucormycosis secondary to acquired reactive perforating collagenosis.

Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis (ARPC) is a rare perforating disease of the skin. It is characterized by hyperkeratotic papules with transepidermal elimination of degenerated material including collagen and elastic fibers. The disease presents clinically as umbilicated papules with a central adherent keratotic plug.

Quality of life considerations in psoriasis treatment.

Psoriasis can have a profound impact on a patient, interfering in all aspects of life. Therefore, measuring the impact of disease and the effects of treatment must include both physiologic measurements as well as health-related quality of life tools. Psychosocial evaluation of patients at risk allows for early interventions that will promote positive patient outcomes and compliance with the treatment pathways.

Quantifying the harmful effect of psoriasis on health-related quality of life.

Background: Psoriasis affects 7 million people in the United States, causing substantial cost, social stigma, and disability.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the health effects of skin disease by comparing psoriasis to other primary medical disorders using 3 different scales of health-related quality of life.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 3 health-related quality of life measures was given sequentially to 35 eligible patients with psoriasis presenting to the Dermatology Branch of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for an investigational therapeutic protocol.