skin-care-1.matches: skin care
Photochemoprevention of ultraviolet B signaling and photocarcinogenesis.

Afaq F, Adhami VM, Mukhtar H.

Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Medical Sciences Center, Room #B25, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA.

Exposure to solar radiation, particularly its ultraviolet (UV) B component, has a variety of harmful effects on human health. Some of these effects include sunburn cell formation, basal and squamous cell cancers, melanoma, cataracts, photoaging of the skin, and immune suppression. Amongst these various adverse effects of UV radiation, skin cancer is of the greatest concern. Over the years, changes in lifestyle has led to a significant increase in the amount of UV radiation that people receive, and this consequently has led to a surge in the incidence of skin cancer. The development of skin cancer is a complex multistage phenomenon involving three distinct stages exemplified by initiation, promotion and progression stages. Each of these stages is mediated via alterations in various cellular, biochemical, and molecular changes. Initiation, the first step in the carcinogenesis process is essentially an irreversible step in which genetic alterations occur in genes that ultimately leads to DNA modification and fixation of mutation. Tumor promotion is the essential process in cancer development involving clonal expansion of initiated cells giving rise to pre-malignant and then to malignant lesions, essentially by alterations in signal transduction pathways. Tumor progression involves the conversion of pre-malignant and malignant lesions into an invasive and potentially metastatic malignant tumor. All these processes for skin cancer development involve stimulation of DNA synthesis, DNA damage and proliferation, inflammation, immunosuppression, epidermal hyperplasia, cell cycle dysregulation, depletion of antioxidant defenses, impairment of signal transduction pathways, induction of cyclooxygenase, increase in prostaglandin synthesis, and induction of ornithine decarboxylase. Photochemoprevention has been appreciated as a viable approach to reduce the occurrence of skin cancer and in recent years, the use of agents, especially botanical antioxidants, present in the common diet and beverages consumed by human population have gained considerable attention as photochemopreventive agents for human use. Many such agents have also found a place in skin care products. Although this is more common in oriental countries, its popularity is significantly growing in western countries. In this article, we have summarized the available information of laboratory studies on UVB-mediated signaling that can be exploited as targets for photochemoprevention. We suggest that the use of skin care products supplemented with proven chemopreventive agents in conjunction with the use of sunscreens along with educational efforts may be an effective strategy for reducing UV-induced photodamage and skin cancer in humans. The mechanistic basis for the use of such products is discussed.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15748645&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-5.matches: skin care
An analysis of the reduction of elasticity on the ageing of human skin and the recovering effect of a facial massage.

Iida I, Noro K.

Research Laboratory, Kose Corporation, Tokyo, Japan.

Based on a study of human hand movements during practical diagnosis, evaluation patterns of softness and elasticity were observed. The evaluation models were extracted from these analyses and applied to the developing a method of detecting the dynamic properties of human skin. The device consisted of a robot arm controlled by microcomputer system and a probe with a mounted mechanical strain gauge. A method was developed to measure the dynamic properties of human skin. Correlations were obtained between parameters from the measurements and the values evaluated by experts. The dynamic properties of the cheek skins of a panel of 86 people, aged from 20 to 75 years, were measured. A remarkable reduction in elasticity was observed in older people and the lack of sebum was analysed. From these results the metabolism in the skin surface and the muscles of the cheeks were analysed. The effects of skin care products were then confirmed by measuring cheeks before and after continual use of facial treatment systems for a month. Significant recovery effects were observed in a less soft-skinned group and a less elastic-skinned group over 30 years of age. These experiments suggest a protecting effect of facial treatments and skin care products.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7671867&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-5.matches: skin care
A teaching booklet for patients receiving mantle field irradiation.

Gomez EG.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To design a booklet for use in educating patients with Hodgkin's disease about mantle field irradiation. DATA SOURCES: Published articles, book chapters, and clinical experience. DATA SYNTHESIS: Information about the actual mantle field irradiation treatment and its acute side effects, self-care measures, and late effects are included in the booklet, along with a self quiz. CONCLUSIONS: Feedback from patients and staff is positive. Early detection of and intervention for herpes zoster infection has improved. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The booklet can be used in conjunction with other teaching tools for radiation therapy and skin care and as a written reference for patients and staff.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7708511&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-5.matches: skin care
The cost of treating pressure ulcers following implementation of a research-based skin care protocol in a long-term care facility.

Frantz RA, Bergquist S, Specht J.

Although concern for the costs associated with pressure ulcer treatments persists, studies that precisely quantify costs are limited. A retrospective research design was used to describe the costs incurred by an 830-bed, long-term care facility to treat 81 pressure ulcers over a one-year period following implementation of a research-based, skin care protocol. The total cost for the study period was $30,079 with 73% of these expenditures attributable to nursing care. Mean cost of treatment was $3.74/pressure ulcer/day, which was a reduction from the $5.35/pressure ulcer/day cost prior to implementation of the skin care protocol. These findings suggest that implementing a research-based, skin care protocol can promote a reduction in treatment costs.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7795870&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-5.matches: skin care
Carcinogens show comedogenic activity: a potential animal screen for tumorigenic substances.

Kligman AM, Kligman LH.

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Philadelphia 19104-6142.

Formation of a comedo, an impaction of horny cells in sebaceous follicles, entails a metaplastic change in the differentiation patterns of the follicular epithelium. Since metaplasia is a requisite early stage in carcinogenesis, we postulated that carcinogens might be comedogenic. The rabbit ear was used to assay the comedogenic potentialities of an array of known tumorigens. Complete carcinogens and some tumor promotors were invariably strongly comedogenic at concentrations of 1.0% and below. Comedogenic chemicals commonly found in skin care products usually required concentrations of 40% and greater to induce comedones which were small in comparison to carcinogen induced comedones. We suggest that the rabbit ear model might be an easy and reliable way to screen for carcinogenicity.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7812937&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-5.matches: skin care
Musculoskeletal management of the severely burned child.

Birch JR, Eakins B, Gosen J, Green S, Morton M.

Aggressive management of severe burns minimizes contractures and helps to maintain muscle tone, joint function and psychological well-being. The positioning, activity and exercise programs, splinting and bandaging, and skin care of burned children carried out by the burns team at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto is outlined.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=782680&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-5.matches: skin care
Ileoanal teaching tools: developing a tool to meet a specific need.

Parker BM.

As ET nurses working with ileoanal surgery patients for the first time in 1979, we discovered that there were no tools or materials available for teaching our patients how to care for themselves during the various stages of the procedure. Over the years, therefore, we have created a compilation of data based on answers to questionnaires completed by recent patients. This data base contains information on topics such as skin care and diet, and enables us to create teaching tools tailored to our own patient population. Although there are now other materials available for teaching self-care to ileoanal surgery patients, the ongoing collection of data from a particular group of patients can also help to create valuable teaching tools and enhance overall understanding of this complex procedure.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7848509&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine