The effect of corona discharge on Der p 1

BACKGROUND: Reduction of house dust mite allergens in the domestic environment can play an important part in reducing sensitization and in the amelioration of symptoms in atopic individuals. Chemical and physical methods have been tried with varied levels of success. The present paper presents a novel electrostatic way of destroying Der p 1, the major mite allergen. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of negative Trichel, negative continuous glow, positive pulse and positive continuous glow corona in destroying Der p 1. To determine whether ozone has any effect on the integrity of Der p 1 in the experimental conditions present. METHODS: A simple point-to-plane apparatus was used to irradiate samples of Der p 1 for periods of 1, 15, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min. Controls were exposed to the atmosphere with no corona products present for the equivalent time. The effect of the corona by-product ozone was investigated alone by exposing samples of Der p 1 to molecular ozone for 60 min. Der p 1 concentration was quantified by two-site monoclonal antibody ELISA. RESULTS: High current negative glow resulted in a 67.37% reduction in Der p 1 concentration after 300 min compared with a 50.5% reduction from a low current Trichel regime. High current positive glow corona gave a reduction of 25.22% while a low current positive pulse corona caused a 13.72% reduction after 300 min. All these reductions were statistically significant (P < 0.05) compared with unexposed controls. Negative corona always gave greater percentage reductions in Der p 1 concentration for each time exposure investigated. The pattern of percentage reduction follows an exponential rise to maximum relationship in respect to time. Samples of Der p 1 were not affected by exposure to molecular ozone. CONCLUSION: These data indicate corona products to be a powerful new method of destroying Der p 1 allergen that is not dependent on the presence of the oxidizing corona product ozone.     

Zur Zulässigkeit des Verzichts auf Zuzahlungen durch eine Krankenkasse im Rahmen integrierter Versorgung

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in the absence of posterior capsular support

Because of the high incidence and great variety of complications associated with anterior chamber intraocular lenses, we have developed a technique for the implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens in the absence of posterior capsular support. The posterior chamber IOL is placed in the ciliary sulcus by suturing the superior haptic to the iris and the inferior haptic to the sclera at the ciliary sulcus. We have used this technique successfully in both complicated extracapsular surgery and secondary intraocular lens implantation.     

Pulmonary toxoplasmosis in AIDS.

The chest radiographs obtained in nine patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and pulmonary toxoplasmosis were reviewed. In three patients, a bilateral, diffuse, fine to medium reticulonodular pattern indistinguishable from that seen in Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) was observed. In six patients, however, a bilateral, predominantly coarse, nodular pattern was observed. This type of abnormality is unusual with PCP, and its presence may help in distinguishing between pulmonary infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii and P carinii. Other opportunistic pneumonias occurring in patients with AIDS, including tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, and coccidioidomycosis, might show similar coarse, nodular opacities on chest radiographs and thus may not be differentiated from pulmonary toxoplasmosis. No hilar or mediastinal adenopathy was observed. Two patients had pleural fluid. Radiologists familiar with the chest radiographic appearance of T gondii pneumonia could be first to suggest this unusual complication of AIDS.