Sensitization to green coffee bean (GCB) and castor bean (CB) allergens among dock workers

Summary Dock workers (n = 218) occupationally exposed to green coffee beans (GCB) were studied, using a specific questionnaire for allergic symptoms and skin tests for common and occupational allergens. Thirty-one workers (14.3%) complained of allergic symptoms of the eye, nose and bronchial system at the workplace. The prick tests, using both commercial allergens and specific extracts prepared from the most common types of coffee and their corresponding sacks, confirmed a sensitization in 21 workers (9.6%). A positive skin reaction to castor beans (CB) was found in nearly all these cases; in ten workers there was also a positive reaction to GCB allergens and in 14 cases prick tests were positive to extracts of sacks. There was a good concordance between prick tests and specific IgE for CB (95.0%) and also, but to a lesser extent, for GCB. The authors concluded that there is a significant risk of sensitization to CB and GCB allergens in dock workers occupied in handling green coffee bean, despite the fact that the exposure is not continuous. CB emerged as a common contaminant of GCB from various countries. For effective prevention, a modification of the methods of transport is required to avoid CB contamination to other products. Eliminating environmental dust during shipping operations is the most important preventive measure and it can be achieved by the use of containers, as some exporting countries are already doing.     

Transconjunctival reopening of an occluded filtration fistula with the Q-switched Neodymium-YAG laser

The Q-switched neodymium-YAG laser was used via a transconjunctival approach to reopen a failed filtering bleb, 6 weeks after a primarily successful trabeculectomy had failed. One day after treatment, the intraocular pressure had decreased from 34 mm Hg to 17 mm Hg, and a conjunctival bleb had reformed.     

Microbial transformation of isoprenoid systems by means of fungi of Zoophthora genus — Microbial transformation of compounds with α-campholenic system by means of fungus Zoophthora (Neopandora) sp.

Unsaturated ketones ( 4 and 10 ) and epoxides ( 2–3 and 8–9 ) were the main products of biotransformation performed by means of Zoophthora (Neopandora) phyllobii. Enantiospecificity of both reactions leading to these compounds strongly depends on the distance of reacting fragment of molecule from the chiral center at C-1′.     

The in vitro fertilisation programme at Tygerberg Hospital and the University of Stellenbosch. Five years' experience, April 1983-January 1988

The results of the in vitro fertilisation programme at Tygerberg Hospital for the period April 1983 to January 1988 are presented. Of the 1117 laparoscopies performed, 825 patients reached the transfer stage. A live-birth rate of 9.3% was achieved. The pregnancy rate after transfer of 4 embryos was 25.9% compared with 15.4% after 2 embryos and 10.8% after 3 embryos (P = less than 0.0001). The multiple pregnancy rate was 2.8% in the group receiving 2 embryos and 11.7% and 10.4% in those receiving 3 and 4 embryos, respectively. Of the 77 successful pregnancies (90 babies), 1 baby died at 34 weeks' gestation as the result of abruptio placentae due to preeclampsia and 1 cot death occurred. The only congenital abnormality encountered was a cleft palate.     

Skin grafting in gynogenetic common carp (Cyprinus carpio, L.). The development of histocompatible clones

The fate of skin allografts exchanged among heterozygous and homozygous gynogenetic common carp siblings, and among newly developed inbred strains and F1 hybrids, is described. Heterozygous gynogenetic offspring were produced by fertilizing eggs with UV-irradiated sperm and by treating the resulting zygote with a cold shock (0 degree C, 45 min). The temperature shock causes retention of the second polar body, which allows the eggs to develop into normal diploid fry. Homozygous gynogenetic offspring were similarly produced by using a heat shock (40 degrees C, 2 min), which suppresses the first mitotic division. Skin allografts exchanged among heterozygous gynogenetic carp exhibited prolonged survival, with some allografts (21.8%) surviving for over 28 days. Furthermore, a strong histocompatibility locus was seen to segregate in this group. In contrast, skin allografts exchanged among homozygous gynogenetic siblings were all rejected within 14 days (MST 9.4 days). New homozygous inbred strains, designated JJ and MM, were produced by gynogenetic reproduction of homozygous female carps, while F1 hybrids were produced by crossing of these homozygous females with homozygous male siblings. All grafts exchanged among members of the same strain were permanently accepted. Likewise grafts from homozygous strain members were accepted by fish from the related F1-hybrids, while the reverse grafts were rejected. These results provide evidence for the idea that in the carp histocompatibility genes exist at least one major locus and multiple minor loci, which are codominantly expressed.     

Improved graft survival for flow cytometry and antihuman globulin crossmatch-negative retransplant recipients

We compared our standard NIH (extended incubation) crossmatch (XM) with antihuman globulin (AHG) and flow cytometry XMs and correlated the results with rejection episodes and graft survivals. For 89 CsA-Pred, primary renal allograft recipients, AHG and/or FCXM results did not improve on the NIH-XM-negative (NEG) graft survival results, whether testing pretransplant or historical (Hx) sera. Similarly, there was no association of a positive (POS) AHG or FCXM with increased rejection episodes in these primary recipients. However, for retransplant (Re-Tx) recipients a neg AHG or FCXM did discriminate fewer rejections and an improved graft survival compared with the NIH-XM-neg. results. The overall one-year graft survival for the 47 Re-Tx recipients studied herein was 66% (based on a neg pre-Tx NIH-XM). Pre-Tx AHG-NEG, Re-Tx recipients displayed an improved graft survival compared with NIH-XM NEG recipients (77% vs. 66%, P less than 0.05) and with AHG-POS recipients (77% vs. 47%, P less than 0.05). Similarly, pre-Tx, FCXM-NEG, Re-Tx recipients displayed improved graft survivals compared with NIH-XM-NEG recipients (83% vs. 66%, P less than 0.05) and FCXM-POS recipients (83% vs. 48%, P less than 0.05). Re-Tx recipients displaying a POS AHG and/or FCXM experienced a significantly greater number of rejections than NEG-XM recipients (P less than 0.05, respectively). The AHG and FCXM results correlated with rejections and graft survivals whether testing pre-Tx or Hx high-PRA sera. Re-Tx recipients who were AHG-XM-NEG but FCXM-POS, experienced more rejection episodes than recipients who displayed a negative XM reactivity for both AHG and FCXM (P less than 0.02), but with no resulting differences in graft survival. HLA matching, pre-Tx blood transfusions and PRA did not impact on these crossmatch and graft survival results. Use of AHG and/or FCXMs for Re-Tx, but not primary, recipients should help to improve graft survival for these high-risk recipients.     

Asthma caused by cyanoacrylic glues

Cyanoacrylate-based glues have been reported as producing dermatitis and bronchial asthma. The paper describes the case of a patient occupationally exposed to Loctite 406, who developed irritation of the skin and mucosae of the face and late bronchial asthma. Preventive measures for subjects exposed to cyanoacrylic instant glues are discussed.     

Acute and chronic renal failure in liver transplantation

We have performed a retrospective review of the incidence and etiologies of acute renal failure (ARF) in 105 adult patients receiving liver transplants. The prevalence of chronic renal failure was also determined. ARF occurred in 94.2% of these patients. Acute tubular necrosis was the leading cause of ARF and was associated with the highest mortality. Factors associated with increased mortality included: (1) peak serum creatinine greater than 3 mg/dl, (2) multiple liver transplants and (3) the need for dialysis. Pretransplant renal failure did not increase mortality. Chronic renal failure developed in 83% of patients at latest follow-up (mean: 30.5 +/- 7.9 months).