Diagnosis of formaldehyde allergy

Exposure to small-dose environmental agents is a risk factor of immunopathological reactions. The levels of formaldehyde-specific IgE were comparatively analyzed in 50 children of whom 25 live in the area exposed to formaldehyde. Children with varying respiratory allergic reactions comprised a study group. To identify allergen-specific IgE, the authors used a method that determined formaldehyde antibodies by using the tested allergen (formaldehyde on the paper). There were significant group-specific differences in the levels of formaldehyde antibodies (3.8 times higher in the study group than in the controls). Combined therapy substantially reduced specific IgE whose levels returned to the levels observed in the controls. The findings may recommend the use of this test for the diagnosis of immune-depended abnormalities and the evaluation of their effective treatment.     

Hygienic evaluation of the effectiveness of the use of impulse ultraviolet radiation sources in railway transport

The paper covers the use of impulse ultraviolet radiation sources for disinfecting the air and inside surfaces of the premises of railway station buildings and the water of long-distance passenger trains.     

Efficacy of Zoladex LA (goserelin) in the treatment of girls with central precocious or early puberty

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a longer acting preparation of the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue goserelin (Zoladex LA, 10.8 mg) in 12 girls with central precocious or early puberty. METHODS: Two girls started treatment de novo; the remainder had been on suppressive treatment for a median duration of 1.5 (range, 0.2-5.6) years. Assessment comprising auxology, pubertal staging, and pelvic ultrasound examination was carried out at weeks 0, 4, 8, 10, and 12 (first cycle) and weeks 8, 10, and 12 (second cycle) to evaluate the required injection frequency. Thereafter, assessment was performed on the day of injection. Zoladex LA was given every 12 weeks unless pubertal progression occurred. RESULTS: Satisfactory control was achieved in eight patients using this regimen, and three patients required more frequent injections. One girl was removed from the study because of clinical progression and extreme mood swings. No serious adverse effects occurred. Mean height velocity during the study period was 4.5 cm/year (range, 3.1-6.6) compared with 6.5 cm/year (range, 3.8-9.6) before treatment in nine patients for whom data were available. CONCLUSIONS: Zoladex LA was effective in controlling precocious puberty in girls when given at intervals of 9-12 weeks and it is recommended that an initial assessment is made eight weeks after beginning treatment.     

Beta2 integrin/ICAM-1 adhesion molecule interactions in cutaneous inflammation and tumor promotion

The beta2 integrin (CD 18/CD 11 a, b, c) family of proteins mediate adherence of leukocytes to vascular endothelium and the associated ligand, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1; CD 54), interacts with beta2 integrin proteins to allow transendothelial migration of leukocytes into sites of inflammation. The present study examines the function of these proteins in a murine model of acute cutaneous inflammation induced following topical application of 12-O- tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) to the dorsal epidermis of SENCAR mice and in a model of skin multistage carcinogenesis. At 24 h following topical application of TPA to the dorsal epidermis of mice, dermal leukocytes expressed higher levels of beta2 integrin protein compared with the lower levels of beta2 integrin protein expression by peripheral blood leukocytes. ICAM-1 protein was localized to epidermal keratinocytes and vascular endothelium in TPA-treated skin and to proliferating papilloma cells. Intravenous (i.v.) injection of either 50 microg anti-beta2 integrin antibody alone or in combination with anti-ICAM-1 antibody significantly inhibited both TPA-stimulated neutrophil infiltration into the dermis (P < 0.001) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (P < 0.03 anti-beta2 integrin antibody; P < 0.01 anti- beta2 integrin + ICAM-1 adhesion molecule antibodies), but had no effect on TPA-induced epidermal hyperplasia. In addition, injection of either anti-ICAM-1 adhesion molecule antibody alone (P < 0.004) or in combination with anti-beta2 integrin antibody (P < 0.001) significantly inhibited TPA-induced production of 7,8-dihydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8- OHdG) immunoreactive proteins by epidermal keratinocytes. Beta2 integrin/ICAM-1 adhesion molecules work in concert to regulate migration, retention and functional activation of leukocytes within the dermis during TPA-induced skin inflammation and within stromal tissue of papillomas that form during multi-stage carcinogenesis. Agents that inhibit these receptor/ligand interactions may be useful in defining the roles of specific cell populations in cutaneous inflammation and multistage carcinogenesis and may also have potential as anti-promoting and anti-progression agents.      

Mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene in spontaneously occurring osteosarcomas of the dog

Inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous human cancers, including osteosarcomas. Appendicular osteosarcomas of the dog appear to be a good model for their human equivalent with regard to biologic behavior, epidemiology and histopathology. We individually screened exons 5-8 of the p53 gene for mutations in 15 canine appendicular osteosarcomas using 'Cold' SSCP to compare the role of this gene in human and canine osteosarcoma tumorigenesis. Seven of the tumors (47%) exhibited point mutations, with one tumor possessing two mutations within different exons. Of these, seven were missense mutations and the eighth was a 'silent' mutation potentially affecting the exon 6-7 splicing region. Five of the missense mutations were located in highly conserved regions IV and V, while another corresponded with the highly conserved codon 220 mutational hotspot located outside the conserved domains. The locations and types of mutations were nearly identical to those reported in human cancer. These findings provide strong evidence of the involvement of p53 mutations in the development of canine appendicular osteosarcomas. Canine osteosarcomas appear to be a promising model for their human equivalent on a clinical, pathologic, and molecular level.      

SOMATIC NEUROPATHY IN DIABETES MELLITUS

One hundred patients of Diabetes Mellitus (70 with and 30 without clinical somatic neuropathy) were studied to correlate clinical severity with the magnitude of nerve conduction abnormalities. Age range was 10-79 years (mean 49) with equal number of males and females. Incidence of neuropathy was more in patients over 40 years of age (60 out of 70 patients) with duration of disease over two years (78.33%). The grades of severity were mild in 22 (31.33%), moderate in 25 (35.71%) and severe in 23 (32.86%) patients. Nerve conduction studies were carried out in 48 (27 with and 21 without clinical neuropathy) patients, using the apparatus Dantec (Cantata TM). The nerves (median, peroneal and sural) were stimulated at two points and the recording of latency; amplitude (micro V) and motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities (m/s) were done under identical environmental conditions. Sensory nerve conduction velocity was more affected than motor velocity. In the 21 patients without clinical neuropathy, 14 showed abnormalities indicating early involvement of peripheral nerves. Reduction of motor nerve conduction velocity was more in patients with moderate and severe grades. The reduction was more in lower than in upper limbs. Nerve conduction abnormality helps in diagnosis in diabetic neuropathy even in preclinical state and correlates with severity, in clinical neuropathy.KEY WORDS: Diabetic neuropathy, Nerve conduction abnormality, Peripheral neuropathy     

Contemporary trends in surgery of adrenal glands

There have been analysed the records of suprarenectomy in 459 patients with Conn' syndrome, syndrome of Icenko-Cushing as well as with androsteroma, pheochromocytoma and other tumors, who were operated in the clinic of abdominal surgery of S.P. Fedorov Russian Military Medical Academy. On the base of retrospective analysis the most actual aspects in surgery of the adrenal glands and the ways of the development of this branch of medicine have been determined. High effectiveness and perspectiveness of endovideosurgical removal of the adrenal glands is shown. Original and tested methods of choice of surgical approach, prophylaxis and treatment for some complications of suprarenectomy (adrenal insufficiency, Nelson' syndrome, etc.) are proposed. Substantiated policy in so-called hormono-inactive tumors of the adrenal glands is proposed.     

Mode of surgery completion in peritonitis

1310 patients with various forms of peritonitis were operated during 1989-1998. The tactics of the treatment was determined depending on bacterial contamination of the abdominal cavity. In abscesses of the abdominal cavity with massive bacterial contamination (6-7 CFU/g) drainage procedure was used. Mortality rate made up 4.8%. In local extended and diffuse peritonitis with a slight bacterial contamination of the abdominal cavity (3-5 CFU/g) and in absence of fibrinous deposition fixed on peritoneum, the drainage of the abdominal cavity was not used, and laparoscopy was performed in postoperative period for the control of the course of infectious process. Mortality rate was 0.6%. In extended peritonitis with massive bacterial contamination (6-8 CFU/g) the method of repeated explorations and sanitations of the abdominal cavity was used, mortality rate being 17.8%. The overall lethality made up 7.8%. Postoperative wound infection occurred in 6.7%, intraabdominal infection as abscesses or progressing peritonitis--in 2.1% of cases.