BACKGROUND:The antioxidants selenium and vitamin E can be effective in reducing acute and chronic ultraviolet (UV)-induced skin damage.OBJECTIVE:This study investigated whether topical L-selenomethionine with topical RRR-alpha-tocopherol (Eol) or oral RRR-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Eac) can reduce the incidence of UV-induced skin damage more than treatment with each alone.METHODS:Skh:2 hairless pigmented mice were treated with lotion vehicle, L-selenomethionine lotion, Eol lotion, oral Eac, L-selenomethionine plus Eol lotion, or L-selenomethionine lotion plus oral Eac and exposed to UVB. Skin pigmentation was scored, and the number of skin tumors per animal was counted weekly.RESULTS:Mice treated with selenium and vitamin E had significantly less acute and chronic UV-induced skin damage.CONCLUSION:Topical L-selenomethionine alone and combined with vitamin E gave the best protection against UV-induced blistering and pigmentation. In protecting against skin cancer, topical Eol and topical L-selenomethionine plus oral Eac were best. Significant synergy of L-selenomethionine with vitamin E was not observed.

The current incidence of inguinal hernia (IH) in premature infants is not well-established. It is also unclear whether common co-morbidities in this population, i.e., chronic lung disease (CLD) or nutritional status or both contribute to the development of IH. The purpose of this study was to establish the epidemiologic profile of preterm infants of 32 weeks gestational age (GA) or less at birth with IH and determine whether the severity of CLD or poor nutritional status predisposes to the development of IH. Perioperative profiles of infants undergoing surgery were also reviewed. A retrospective study of 1,057 infants born at 23–32 weeks GA from January 1990 to December 1995 was done. Specific risk and demographic factors were identified. Factors used to determine severity of CLD were: days on intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV); days on positive pressure (IMV + continuous positive airway pressure); and total number of days on supplemental oxygen. Overall nutritional status was determined by weight gain in g/kg per day. The incidence of IH in preterm infants of 32 weeks GA or less who were admitted for 28 days or more was 9.34% (65/696) prior to discharge. The incidence in infants weighing 1,500 g or less was 11.11% (63/567) and in infants 1,000 g or less 17.39% (48/276). All parameters that determined the severity of CLD were statistically significant in infants with IH by univariate analysis. In a multivariate regression model, male gender was the most important variable that was significantly associated with IH (odds ratio OR=9.6; 95% confidence interval CI=3.90–23.59), followed by total days on supplemental oxygen (adjusted OR=1.00; 95% CI= 1.01–1.02). Weight gain (g/kg per day) was not significantly different between the two groups. Surgical correction before discharge was well tolerated. We conclude that the incidence of IH is GA-dependent. Factors related to severity of CLD play a more important role than weight gain in predisposing to IH.

This study investigates whether supplementation with topical RRR-alpha-tocopherol (Eol), topical RRR-alpha-tocopheryl succinate, and oral RRR-alpha-tocopheryl acetate can reduce the incidence of acute and chronic damage to the skin (i.e., sunburn and pigmentation and skin cancer, respectively) induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to mice. Groups of twenty Skh:2 female hairless pigmented mice were treated with 1) lotion vehicle, 2) 5% Eol lotion, 3) 5% topical RRR-alpha-tocopheryl succinate lotion, or 4) lotion vehicle and oral RRR-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Within each group, 15 mice were exposed to 0.24 J/cm2 of UV-B radiation three times per week. The animals' weights and food intakes were monitored, and the vitamin E concentrations of skin, liver, and adipose tissue were measured to determine whether the topical Eol resulted in significant tissue levels. Skin pigmentation was scored, and the total number of clinically detectable skin tumors per animal was counted weekly. Results showed that the skin concentrations of Eol, as well as levels in the adipose tissue, were increased after topical application. Mice treated with each form of vitamin E showed no signs of toxicity and had significantly less acute and chronic skin damage induced by UV irradiation, as indicated by reduced inflammation and pigmentation and by later onset and lesser incidence of skin cancer.

Hypothesis: Infants born at younger GA demonstrate poor physical growth compared to those of higher GA. Obj: Comparison of growth of preterm AGA infants by gest. age and examine factors that could potentially affect growth. Setting: Level 3 NICU & Neurodevelopmental follow-up clinic. Sample: 134 preterm infants, 104 of whom had follow-up evaluations. Methods: Measurements of wt, length and head circumference at birth, discharge and 4, 8 and 12 months' corrected age (CA) were obtained for 3 groups of AGA infants(23-25 wks', 26-28 wks' and 29-31 wks' GA). Factors thought to affect growth(lung disease, sepsis, PDA, age at introduction & duration of TPN and age of 1st feeding) were also recorded. Results: Infants in all 3 GA groups fell from similar percentiles at birth to significantly lower percentiles at discharge with the younger GA infants doing much worse than the higher GA group. However, all 3 groups experienced significant catch-up growth by 4 months' CA, especially the younger GA infants despite significant comorbidity. In contrast to female infants who continued to grow well, Male infants < 26 wks' GA at birth dropped off significantly in weight & head circumference from 4 to 12 months' CA but were similar in length to higher GA groups. Conclusions: Irrespective of GA at birth, preterm AGA infants born between 23 & 31 wks' GA have potential for significant catch-up growth. This persists despite significant morbidity in the younger GA infants. Speculation: Possible contributors to catch-up growth include optimal in-hospital nutrition preserving potiential for later growth, improvement in chronic lung disease, positive impact of home environment including ad libitum feeds & consistent care provider. Table