Sensitization of Children in the Stockholm Area to House Dust Mites

ABSTRACT. Atopic sensitization of children in the Stockholm area to house dust mites (HDM) was investigated in a case-control study. Sixty children with and 60 without positive skin prick tests for HDM were matched for age and sex. HDM-sensitized children had previously more often lived in other areas known to be mite infested than the control children. Sensitization to mites was related to dampness in the homes, but no significant relationship was found to the type of residence, frequent visits to a summer house in the archipelago or parental smoking. Dust samples from mattresses of the children with the strongest positive reactions to miles in skin prick tests and the respective controls were subjected to an enzyme immunoassay, to measure the content of the major allergens of the Dermatophagoides ( D. ) species D. pterinyssinus, D. farinae and D. microceras. Mattress dust samples from the beds of HDM-sensitized children contained significantly higher HDM antigen concentrations than those from the beds of controls. Private houses contained significantly more HDM antigens than flats and 10 of 11 homes in which a dampness problem was recognized contained mite antigens. It is postulated that mite infestation is increasing in the area, energy-saving measures creating improved conditions for HDM survival.     

Treatment of Hyperthyroidism with Standard Doses of Radioiodine Aiming at Ablation

ABSTRACT Sixty patients with hyperthyroidism were treated with standard doses of ¹³¹I during 1969–83 in our department. The doses were 10–25 mCi (370–920 MBq), mostly 15 mCi (550 MBq). 38 of the patients have become hypothyroid, mostly within one year after treatment. There were 3 early relapses of hyperthyroidism; these patients became hypothyroid within one year after an additional dose of radioiodine. All hypothyroid patients had early substitution with l-thyroxine before overt clinical symptoms and signs had developed. There were no late relapses of hyperthyroidism. 15 patients had died during the follow-up; all were euthyroid or hypothyroid with adequate substitution. 28 of the 60 patients have been followed for 5–14 years, 14 for 2–5 years, 7 for 1–2 years and 10 for less than one year. Standard dose ¹³¹I treatment offers certain advantages compared with attempted individualized treatment. Late hypothyroidism after individualized dosage may be difficult to anticipate and detect, whereas early hypothyroidism after ablative standard dose treatment is easy to detect and control. Generally speaking, hypothyroidism is not to be regarded as a complication of radioiodine treatment for hyperthyroidism, but as its natural end result. The fixed dose schedule is especially well suited for regions where hyperthyroidism with no goitre or a small goitre is common.     

Airborne contact dermatitis from Compositae oleoresins simulating photodermatitis

American ragweed (Ambrosia) dermatitis has an airborne pattern and is caused by lipid soluble oleoresins of pollens. A similar weed dermatitis has been described in India and Australia. The weeds involved were all of the Compositae family and contain sesquiterpene lactones with one common antigenic determinant. This study reports seven Danish patients treated for many years under the diagnosis of photodermatitis, who eventually proved to suffer from Compsoitae oleoresin dermatitis. Probably, Compsitae dermatitis is a world-wide disease, although aften misdiagnosed as has happened in Scandinavia.     

Oestrogen-induced changes in lipoprotein metabolism: role in prevention of atherosclerosis in the cholesterol-fed rabbit

Administration of moderate pharmacological doses of oestrogen to cholesterol-fed rabbits for 12 weeks resulted in a dramatically retarded development of arterial lesions as compared to non-oestrogen-treated, cholesterol-fed rabbits (7% vs. 47% aortal involvement). Oestrogen treatment was associated with a retarded increase in plasma cholesterol, and five times higher high density lipoprotein (HDL) to very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol ratio. Expression of hepatic lipoprotein receptor activity, as detected by heparin-releasable binding of 125I-hypercholesterolaemic VLDL, was heavily suppressed by cholesterol feeding. Administration of oestrogen modulated this response and resulted in higher receptor expression. In accordance, oestrogen treatment resulted in a less prominent reduction of 125I-hypercholesterolaemic VLDL clearance in the cholesterol-fed rabbits. VLDL from both groups of cholesterol-fed animals stimulated cholesteryl ester synthesis in cultured macrophages to the same extent. Thus, in rabbits under a dietary cholesterol load, oestrogen counteracted hepatic lipoprotein receptor suppression, reduced plasma VLDL- and increased plasma HDL-cholesterol levels, and to a large extent abolished the development of atherosclerosis.     

Growth hormone 24-h serum profiles during pregnancy—lack of pulsatility for the secretion of the placental variant

Summary. Serum profiles of growth hormone (GW) were recorded for 24 h in women at different stages of normal pregnancy. Two monoclonal antibodies directcd against different epitopes and unaffected by human placental lactogen were used in radioimmunoassays to distinguish the pituitary 22K-GH from the placental GH variant. The 'normal' episodic peak activity of GH in non-pregnant and first trimester pregnant women was dramatically changed into a continuous very stable secretion during late pregnancy. This change was first observed at 17 weeks gestation. It is concluded that during the second half of pregnancy, serum measurements of GH reflect a major contribution from a non-cpisodically secreted placental GH variant and a concomitant suppression of pituitary GH. This specific signal, i.e. a continuous GH secretion, may be an important regulator of maternal liver metabolism during pregnancy.     

Commentary on the reduced urinary noradrenaline excretion following cold stress and exercise in physically trained rats

Urinary catecholamine excretions of rats trained by swimming or running were compared with those of cold-acclimated rats and controls i.e. sedentary warm-acclimated rats. During cold stress the trained rats excreted less noradrenaline (NA) than did controls. In fact rats trained by swimming excreted less NA than did cold-acclimated rats. while rats trained by running excreted about the same amount as did cold-acclimated rats. 2 h of swimming increased the urinary catecholamine (CA) exretions of all groups but trained rats excreted less NA than did controls and cold-acclimated rats. which had excretions of similar magnitude. The NA excretions of the two trained groups never deviated statistically from each other. It is concluded that concerning NA requirement in order to maintain homeostasis, training produces “cross tolerance” to cold stress but cold-acclimation does not produce “cross tolerance” to acute exercise. Furthermore the positive effect of training on NA excretion during the stress of cold or that of acute exercise seems essentially to be an effect of increased locomotor activity as such regardless of the type of training. It is also suggested that increased levels of locomotor activity of the rat may be of importance for seasonal acclimation of the species by increasing its tolerance to cold.     

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY IN DERMATOLOGY

Summary.— Successful results are reported with hyperbaric oxygen treatment of 6 dermatological cases in which previous methods of therapy have been unsatisfactory. In one case of advanced generalized scleroderma, regression of the skin contraction was achieved, together with improved mobility of joints and healing of persistent ulcerations. In 2 cases of severe arterisoclerotic leg ulcers healing of healing of the ulcers was achieved without mutilating operations. In one case each of progressive pyoderma gangrenosum, ulcer of Felty's syndrome and fulminant bullous haemorrhagic erysipelas, full healing of the ulcers was also achieved. The nursing periods were undoubtedly greatly shortened, and the hyperbaric treatment could to a large extent be given on an ambulatory basis. No adverse side-effects were observed.