The experimental production of high-level intraepidermal splits

The effects of trypsin at 37° C and 4° C on adhesion between keratinocytes in normal human epidermis were assessed by light and electron microscopy. The results provide evidence for the contribution of both extracellular and intracellular factors to keratinocyte adhesion and for changes in the nature of adhesion in the granular layer. Trypsinization at 4° C produced a high-level intraepidermal split identical in location and intercellular route to that observed in the staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.     

Coexistence of bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus foliaceus

A patient with bullous pemphigoid developed pemphigus foliaceus 5 years later. Mixed bullous diseases are rare and this is the first reported case of coexisting bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus foliaceus.     

VIRUS TITRES AND PERSISTENTLY RAISED WHITE CELL COUNTS IN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID IN MICE AFTER PERIPHERAL INFECTION WITH DEMYELINATING SEMLIKI FOREST VIRUS

Parsons L.M. & Webb H.E.1982 Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology 8, 395–401
Virus titres and persistently raised white cell counts in cerebrospinal fluid in mice after peripheral infection with demyelinating Semliki Forest virus
Virus titres and cell counts in the cerebrospinal fluid of mice have been examined following intraperitoneal inoculation of demyelinating Semliki Forest virus (SFV). Virus titres in cerebrospinal fluid were highest 2–4 days after infection and fell again after day 4, 48 h before reduction in brain titres. White cell counts were very low in the first 48 h and showed a steep rise from 4 days after infection to a peak on day 6. After day 8, cell numbers fell to a plateau level which was sustained up to day 61. The significance of these findings in relation to the pathogenesis of virus-induced disease of the central nervous system is discussed.     

Investigation of the structural parameters involved in the δ-opioid selectivity of several families of opioid peptides

Three series of highly δ-opioid selective peptides are now available, and each family is used as template to investigate the structural parameters involved in δ-receptor recognition and in the modulation of the selectivity of the parent peptide. The first series includes cyclic derivatives such as Tyr-D-Pen-Gly-Phe-D-Pen(DPDPE) and Tyr-D-Pen-Gly-Phe-Pen(DPLPE); the second are the synthetic linear constrained peptides [Tyr-D-Ser(OtBu)-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr(DSTBULET), Tyr-D-Ser(OtBu)-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr(OtBu) (BUBU) and especially Tyr-D-Cys(StBu)-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr(OtBu) (BUBUC)] and the last one the natural peptides [Tyr-D-Met-Phe-His-Leu-Met-Asp-NH₂ (deltorphin or dermenkephalin) and Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Asp-Val-Val-GlyNH₂ ([D-Ala²] deltorphin I)]. In the present study, the possibly of transposing some of the decisive factors of δ-selectivity evidenced in the two other families, to the linear constrained peptides series was examinated. With this aim in view, residues such as Phe³, pClPhe⁴ or Asp were introduced in the sequence of DSTBULET, BUBU or BUBUC. Direct comparison between the biochemical profiles of the [pClPhe⁴] analogs of the linear constrained peptides and their parent compounds shows that the addition of an electronegative atom on the Phe⁴ residue of enkephalin sequences is not an absolute parameter for δ-selectivity improvement. The hydrophobic δ-receptor subsite seems able to receive a range of molecular volumes and electronegativities. By contrast, this subsite cannot interact with a Phe³ aromatic ring introduced in this series of peptides. Moreover, the results obtained with linear peptides including additional negatively charged residues demonstrate that the proposed location of the δ-receptors in a cationic membrane environment is not adequate to explain the selectivity profile of a number of compounds.     

Shared care: a study of patients' experiences with erythropoietin

A study was carried out to evaluate the impact of a shared care scheme on patients receiving erythropoietin treatment. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was given to adult patients receiving recombinant human erythropoietin. Completed questionnaires were received from 86 of 119 patients (72 per cent). Thirty respondents reported problems with administration. Reports of pain were significantly higher from those patients receiving Eprex than those using Recormon (P = 0.01, χ² test). Doses were missed occasionally by 27 patients (31 per cent) and frequently by two patients. Supply problems had resulted in missed doses for 15 respondents (17 per cent). Eleven patients claimed that their general practitioner (GP) had not been aware of dosage adjustments initiated at the hospital. Thirty respondents (35 per cent) stated that they would like to speak to a pharmacist about their treatment. In conclusion, the shared care scheme was effective and practical for most patients. However, some difficulties were identified. Problems involved administration, concordance, supply, and communication of dosage adjustments. Furthermore, there was a general lack of information about the treatment among many patients.     

Fatal chronic cutaneous herpes simplex associated with thymoma and hypogammaglobulinaemia

A patient is described who suffered from cutaneous herpes simplex for 9 years. A raediastinal tumour had been demonstrated radiologically 10 years prior to the onset of the skin disease and at autopsy the tumour was identified as a spindle cell thymoma. The patient also had hypogammaglobulinaemia.