A novel in vitro technique for measuring the water resistance of sunscreens.

A novel in vitro technique has been used to assess the water resistance of topical sunscreens. The technique is based upon transmission spectrometry using excised human epidermis as the substrate. The sun protection factors (SPFs) of four sunscreens obtained prior to water immersion and after two immersions were compared with in vivo data determined using human volunteers.

A novel ex vivo technique to assess the sand/rub resistance of sunscreen products.

A novel ex vivo technique has been used to assess the sand/rub resistance of topical sunscreens. The technique is based on transmission spectrometry using excised human epidermis as the substrate. The sun protection factors (SPFs) of 10 sunscreen products were measured prior to, and after agitation with sand.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the face. A case report.

Cutaneous mucinous adenocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm. It occurs most commonly on the facial skin. We present a case of an apparently recurrent primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the facial skin and highlight the necessary diagnostic work up and management of this tumour.

Merkel cell carcinoma can be distinguished from metastatic small cell carcinoma using antibodies to cytokeratin 20 and thyroid transcription factor 1.

Aim: To investigate whether immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin 20 (CK20) and thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) is useful in distinguishing Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs) from metastatic small cell carcinomas (SCCs).

Methods: Eleven cases of MCC and 10 of lung SCC were stained for CK20 and TTF-1.

Results: Ten of 11 MCCs stained with the antibody to CK20.

Subliminal ultraviolet-B irradiation for the prevention of vitamin D deficiency in the elderly: a feasibility study.

Aim: To investigate whether daily subliminal ultraviolet-B irradiation in elderly subjects can maintain a normal vitamin D status.

Material And Methods: In an open, uncontrolled study, 10 residents (four men and six women), mean age on entry of 83 years (range 65-97 years), from a residential nursing home in County Durham, England, were exposed daily to an artificial source of ultraviolet-B radiation equivalent to 15 min of summer sunshine. The change in plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels following irradiation was measured.

Adipocyte insulin action in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.

In-vitro studies of adipose tissue have shown that patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have marked insulin resistance, the abnormalities being more pronounced during amenorrhoea compared to following an ovulatory cycle. If the insulin resistance in PCOS is a reflection of anovulation then patients with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH) should also have a reduction in insulin sensitivity. This study was designed to investigate insulin sensitivity in patients with HH.

An evaluation of photographic methods to demonstrate the uniformity of sunscreen applied to the skin.

Sunscreen is used to help provide some protection from the harmful effects of the sun. Each sunscreen identifies its sun protection factor (SPF) which indicates the degree of protection offered by the product. However, the SPF is dependent upon an internationally agreed amount of 2 mg/cm2 being applied.

The feasibility of using fluorescence spectroscopy as a rapid, non-invasive method for evaluating sunscreen performance.

We have carried out ex vivo studies to examine the feasibility of using fluorescence spectroscopy as an in vivo quantitative technique to assess sunscreen substantivity in terms of skin surface thickness and/or photoprotection. We found that the majority of sunscreens produced insufficient natural fluorescence and so we have attempted to increase the fluorescent signal by adding various fluorescing agents to the sunscreens. However, none of these substances is ideal; either they do not bind sufficiently strongly to sunscreen products, or their fluorescence is quenched by the active ingredients contained within sunscreens.

The water resistance of sunscreen and day-care products.

The water resistance of 10 sunscreen products and three day-care products containing ultraviolet filters has been assessed using an in vitro method based on transmission spectrometry. The sunscreen products which claimed to be 'water resistant' or 'waterproof' had significantly better substantivity than products which made no claim concerning water resistance. However, there was no significant difference between the substantivities of the 'water resistant' and 'waterproof' products, suggesting that it may be unnecessary to differentiate between these two categories on product labelling.

Chlamydia in a district general hospital: an audit of treatment and contact tracing.

A retrospective case note audit, with reference to the recently published central audit group guidelines, was undertaken to assess females with chlamydial infection attending a district general hospital department of genitourinary medicine. Those diagnosed and referred by other agencies (mainly general practitioners (GPs)) were more often symptomatic and those treated before attending was more likely to need retreating. Contact tracing for current and recent partners was more successful than tracing previous partners.

A 'one-stop' vascular clinic: initial experience of an out-patient immediate-access radioisotope limb blood flow service.

The availability of an 'immediate-access' nuclear medicine service has facilitated the introduction of a 'one-stop' vascular clinic, enabling radioisotope limb blood flow and Doppler ankle:brachial index tests to be performed within 2 h of each other for new patient referrals. The test results are available to assist clinical management decisions during the same clinical session. A patient satisfaction survey was undertaken in 71 patients to assess their perspective of this service provision.

Laboratory testing of UV transmission through fabrics may underestimate protection.

Laboratory testing of the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) provided by fabrics normally utilizes a collimated source of UV radiation and either a broadband sensor or spectroradiometer to detect the radiation, both unattenuated and after passing through the fabric sample held in a flat tensionless state. We report the results of an in vivo study of UV transmission through various T-shirts at several sites on the trunk and arms of a life-size mannequin irradiated with diffuse radiation and using UV sensitive polymer films as the sensor. We found a variation in UPF by a factor of two or more at different anatomical sites for a given T-shirt, with lower UPFs seen at sites where the fabric is stretched; and found that at every site and for each T-shirt this in vivo UPF was higher than the conventional in vitro UPF determined using collimated radiation.

How well are sunscreen users protected?

Previous studies have shown that people often apply less sunscreen than the recommended amount of 2 mg/cm2. Our purpose in this study was to determine objectively how photoprotection varies with application thickness. The protection provided by differing quantities of sunscreens containing varying amounts of titanium dioxide was measured in vitro using excised human epidermis as the substrate.

Reliability of fat-pad sign in radial head/neck fractures of the elbow.

In a prospective study at a single centre between August 1995 and March 1996, 193 patients with elbow injuries were studied. Standard radiographs of the elbows were taken. A total of 181 X-rays were reported by one person concerning the presence or absence of fractures and fat-pad signs.

Ramp test objects for slice sensitivity profile measurement in spiral CT.

Spiral CT is increasingly becoming a routine imaging technique in the UK. The ability to scan whole organs within a single breath-hold often demands that the scan pitch (ratio of the patient translation distance per tube rotation (d) to the collimated slice thickness) be increased within technically acceptable limits. It is known that the full width at half maximum height (FWHM) of the slice sensitivity profile (SSP), degrades with increasing scan pitch and also varies with interpolation algorithm.

Preliminary design and experimental studies of a novel soft implant for correcting sagittal plane instability in the lumbar spine.

Study Design: A novel soft implant design for resisting the instability of the lumbar spine in the sagittal plane was mechanically tested.

Objectives: To ascertain whether a soft preformed implant made of differing grades of silicone would contribute to stabilizing the lumbar spine in the sagittal plane.

Summary Of Background Data: Methods of stabilizing the lumbar spine in patients who present with chronic low back pain have usually concentrated on rigidly fixing the associated segment.

A survey of the incidence and care of postoperative wound infections in the community.

The incidence of postoperative wound infection after clean surgery in the four weeks following early discharge from hospital and its effect on community medical services have been studied prospectively. The wound infection rate as assessed by 118/155 patients who responded to a postoperative questionnaire was 9%; half of the wound problems presented after discharge. Postoperative wound infection increased the time spent by general practitioners per patient twofold, and that of practice/district nurses > or = fivefold.

The influence of sunscreen type on photoprotection.

Twenty-five volunteers took part in this study whose aims were to determine whether there was any difference between the applied amounts of a chemical and physical sunscreen of the same sun protection factor (SPF); whether the SPF of a chemical sunscreen influenced the quantity applied; and whether individuals who burnt easily in sunlight tended to apply more sunscreen than those who tolerated sun exposure. We found that most subjects choose to apply about two-thirds the quantity of physical compared with chemical sunscreen. This reduction in amount applied is likely to lead, in practice, to the physical sunscreen providing a SPF of about one-half of that achieved with the chemical sunscreen.