Treatment of alopecia areata with dinitrochlorobenzene.

Persistent refractory alopecia areata in 26 patients was treated topically with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). Sixteen patients have had excellent regrowth of hair; three patients could either not be initially sensitized or an adequate allergic contact dermatitis on the scalp did not develop. Two patients discontinued therapy within two months; hair growth did not develop in five patients despite an adequate trial. Augmentation of the T-lymphocyte pool via DNCB sensitization and challenge may become effective therapy for some patients with severe alopecia areata.     

Temporary inhibition of growth and adrenal suppression associated with the use of steroid nose drops

Inhibition of growth and adrenal suppression are reported following the use of intranasal betamethasone (0.1%) in a 9-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis and nasal polyps and in a 3-year-old girl with allergic rhinitis. On stopping treatment catch-up growth occurred and adrenal function returned to normal.     

Erythrocyte sodium transport in Bartter's syndrome

Erythrocyte sodium transport was evaluated by measurement of intracellular Na concentration (ICNa), 22Na efflux rate constant (NaERC) and 3H-ouabain binding (BMax) (reflecting the number of Na/K ATPase pump sites) in 9 children with Bartter's syndrome compared to controls (children and adults) and children with various forms of salt wasting disease. There were no differences between control children and adults. In untreated Bartter's syndrome ICNa was significantly increased with NaERC and BMax significantly decreased compared to findings in controls and patients with other salt wasting disease. On prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor (Indomethacin) therapy, ICNa decreased but remained higher than in controls, NaERC increased to normal values but BMax remained low. These data support the view that there is a widespread defect in membrane electrolyte transport in Bartter's syndrome but suggest that the benefit of indomethacin therapy is not manifest via an effect on Na/K ATPase.     

The captopril test: an aid to investigation of hypertension.

Twenty three children aged from 5 to 16 with mild to moderate hypertension were investigated using the orally active angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril. Falls in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after a single dose of captopril were significantly correlated with initial plasma renin activity. In addition, some information about the aetiology of hypertension was deduced from the renin response to captopril. The blood pressure response to captopril is a useful screening test for renin dependent hypertension in childhood.     

Malignant primitive neuroectodermal tumor presenting as a scalp nodule

We report a case of a 20-year-old woman who presented with a 3-year history of a stable cystic nodule on the scalp. Light microscopy of the excised nodule demonstrated a malignant small round cell undifferentiated neoplasm. Immunohistochemical studies suggested a neural crest origin, while ultrastructural examination revealed characteristics of schwannian differentiation. Both of these special techniques were essential in establishing the diagnosis of a malignant epithelioid schwannoma of superficial tissue (neurotropic melanoma, desmoplastic melanoma). We discuss the differential diagnoses and describe the immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of this tumor. This case illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing this rare malignant tumor, which masqueraded as a benign-appearing scalp lesion.     

Association of Angiotensinogen (M235T) Gene Polymorphism with Blood Pressure Lowering Response to Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (Enalapril)

Purpose: It has been suggested that genetic backgrounds, which have an association with essential hypertension, may also determine the responsiveness to ACE inhibitor. We determined the association of angiotensinogen (M235T) gene polymorphism with essential hypertension and the relationship between polymorphism in the angiotensinogen (M235T) gene and blood pressure response to ACE inhibitor (Enalapril) in patients with essential hypertension from northern Indian subjects. Methods: 250 patients with essential hypertension and 250 normal healthy controls from Delhi and surrounding areas were recruited for the investigation. Blood pressure was recorded before and after 6 weeks of treatment with ACE inhibitors, Enalapril. Genotyping were carried out by polymerase chain reaction and Restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Results: Statistically significant association of T allele was observed with essential hypertension [x2 = 14.67, p = 0.00013, Odds ratio = 1.76 (1.3-2.32) at 95% CI], the relative risk at 95% CI being 1.28 (1.2-1.54). The decrease in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure after six weeks of treatment of the patients carrying TT genotype (SBP = 26±17.4 mmHg, DBP = 14.83±7.6mmHg) were greater than the groups carrying MT (SBP = 3.0±7.8 mmHg, DBP =6.2±3.0 mmHg) and MM genotypes (SBP = 1.2±0.8 mmHg, DBP = 0.10±12.1 mm Hg. Conclusions: The angiotensinogen (M235T) gene polymorphism is significantly associated with essential hypertension. Patients carrying TT genotype had higher blood pressure lowering response when treated with ACE inhibitor, Enalapril than those carrying MM and MT genotypes suggesting that the T allele may be a possible genetic marker for essential hypertension. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.