Efficacy of pollen immunotherapy in seasonal allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of subcutaneous pollen immunotherapy has been documented in published double-blind, placebo-controlled studies related to treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. In the present study, subjective (symptom scores) and objective (nasal peak inspiratory flow, nasal smear, nasal biopsy) parameters were used to study the efficacy of pollen immunotherapy. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (32 male), mean +/- SE age 13.6 +/- 2.8 years allergic to grass-pollen participated in the present study. Patients were divided into three groups: group I, 24 patients who did not receive pollen immunotherapy; group II, 12 patients who received the build-up phase of pollen immunotherapy; and group III, 12 patients who had just finished pollen immunotherapy. With regard to objective and subjective parameters these three groups were compared. RESULTS: When group I was compared to groups II and III, the patients who had not received any immunotherapy were found to have a high daytime nasal symptoms score (P < 0.01), high daytime eye symptoms score(P < 0.01) and high night-time symptoms score (P < 0.01). In objective parameters, it was found that group I had low nasal peak inspiratory flow (P < 0.05), and a high eosinophil count in nasal smears (P < 0.05) and peripheral blood (P < 0.05). It was also demonstrated that there was an increased eosinophil infiltration (P < 0.01) and mast cell infiltration (P < 0.05) in nasal biopsy in group I. There was no significant difference between group II and group III according to these results (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Immunotherapy leads to a better clinical and histopathological prognosis in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis.     

应用于卫生害虫防治的昆虫生长调节剂的文献综述

近年来,应用于卫生害虫防治的昆虫生长调节剂的文献大量出现。已研究与应用的昆虫生长调节剂的类型包括昆虫保幼激素及其类似物,几丁质合成抑制剂和其它可改变昆虫生长作用的化合物。在实验室与现场已对许多种化合物防治不同骚扰性与媒介昆虫的作用进行了评价,其中阿尔多息,敌灭灵与灭幼宝等具有较好的防治作用,已在许多国家被注册,并应用于卫生害虫及兽医害虫的防治。自从Mian与Mulla(1982)关于这些化合物的作用以及对环境的影响的文献综述发表以后,已有许多研究和进展。迄今,关于昆虫生长调节剂防治的害虫类群已从叮咬性与骚扰或污染性的几种双翅目昆虫扩大到蚤类、蝉螂、蚂蚁等。本文分析与总结了近十年来关于应用于卫生害虫防治的昆虫生长调节剂的研究概况,并重点放在剂型的评价,新的防治机理,抗性的产生与状况以及对环境中非靶生物的影响。引用的文献为1983年至1994年。     

Tropical calcific pancreatitis and fibrocalculus pancreatic diabetes in Bangladesh

The relationship between tropical calcific pancreatitis (TCP) and fibrocalculus pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) is still unclear. The clinical, biochemical and radiological data of age-matched TCP and FCPD subjects have been briefly discussed in the present review. Fibrocalculus pancreatic diabetes patients present with a significantly lower BMI compared with TCP patients. Analysis of the family history reveals that some kind of environmental factors seem to play a predominant role in the development of diabetes in FCPD patients, although these factors remain to be identified. Both TCP and FCPD patients predominantly come from a rural background. Fasting and 2 h blood glucose values as well as fructosamine levels in FCPD patients are approximately four-times higher than those of TCP patients. Measurements of early renal haemodynamic and microvascular changes (glomerular filtration rate, kidney size, microalbuminuria and microtransferrinuria) indicate an early renal involvement in FCPD patients. Tropical calcific pancreatitis subjects have approximately twice as high fasting C-peptide values compared with FCPD patients. Findings of single stranded DNA measurements suggest the involvement of oxidative damage in FCPD patients. Ketosis resistance is the most conspicuous clinical feature in the FCPD group and this relative absence of ketosis is probably due to a defect in the ketone body synthesis pathway and/or in the regulation of counterbalancing hormones. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography findings of TCP and FCPD patients suggest that FCPD should not be considered only as a form of secondary diabetes consequent to generalized pancreatic damage in TCP.     

ANAESTHETIC MANAGEMENT OF A PATIENT WITH FACIOSCAPULOHUMERAL MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

We describe the anaesthetic management of a patient with a rareform of muscular dystrophy (Facioscapulohumeral or Landouzy—Dejerinetype). Anaesthesia and controlled ventilation using alfentanil-nitrousoxide and atracurium was satisfactory. In this patient, sensitivityto atracurium was found to be similar to that of the normalpopulation, but more rapid recovery was observed.     

Split-Thickness Skin Graft in Nonhelical Ear Reconstruction

Defects of the nonhelical ear after skin cancer extirpation can be challenging. When other reconstructive options are not optimal, split-thickness grafting is an easy and effective technique for successful aesthetic and functional restoration of the ear.     

Endoscopic treatment of multiple prostatic calculi causing urinary retention

Although prostatic calculi are relatively common, the etiology of these stones is not clear. We report a case with multiple prostatic calculi causing urinary obstruction and a concomitant bladder stone. We treated these stones endoscopically. We found a lot of different sized stones endoscopically, some protruding into the urethra, some filling different cavities on the prostate. So these cavities suggest prostatic calculi may occur related to intraprostatic reflux in the congenital or acquired diverticulum of the prostatic tissue. In addition, the stone composition of the bladder and prostatic stones was the same. All of these results show that the origin of bladder and prostatic stones can be the same. This case also supports a theory of intraprostatic reflux and urine stasis.     

Effect of intraurethral Mitomycin-C on healing and fibrosis in rats with experimentally induced urethral stricture

BACKGROUND: In the pathogenesis of urethral stricture, fibrosis is associated with an excessive collagen increase. After the recognition that topical application of Mitomycin-C (MMC) inhibits fibroblast proliferation and is effective in preventing scar formation, many studies have been carried out on this subject outside the scope of urology. The aim of the present study is to observe the intraurethral impact of the employment of low doses of MMC on scar formation and fibrosis in experimental rat model. METHODS: Urethral injuries were made by internal urethrotomy knife. The study was carried out with 35 adult male Wistar albino rats. Five rats were allocated to the control group (group 1), 10 to a group that was administered 2 mg/L MMC (group 2) and 20 to a group that was administered 10 mg/L MMC (group 3). Mitomycin-C was administered to the injured urethra in the form of irrigation for 5 min. The rats were sacrificed 14 days later in order to evaluate chronic inflammation and fibrosis and their penises were histopathologically examined under light microscopy with hematoxilen eosin and trichrom stains. RESULTS: When group 2 was compared with control group, the differences in hemosiderin-laden macrophages (HLM), mononuclear cell infiltration (MCI) and fibrosis were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.005, respectively). When group 3 was compared with control group, the differences in HLM, MCI and fibrosis were also found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.005, respectively). In the comparison of group 2 with group 3, no statistically significant differences were found in terms of the these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Although MMC is toxic at high doses, the antifibrotic effect of the intraurethral low dose MMC may be useful in combination therapy for internal urethrotomy.     

Results of CO2 laser cylinder vaporization of cervical intraepithelial disease in 1234 patients. An analysis of failures

Summary. This report analyses 1234 patients with CIN and noncondylomatous wart virus infection (NCWVI) managed by CO₂ laser ablation in the Regional Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead from 1979 to 1983. Thirty-five patients (3%) were lost to follow-up. Of the 1157 patients currently under review and with at least 1 year of follow-up, 44 (3·8%) were laser treatment failures. This group is analysed and the results compared with other series.