Characterization of human lymphocyte derived chemotactic factors for mononuclear phagocytes—II. Chemical characterization

Supernatants of PHA-stimulated human mononuclear cells were fractionated by Sephadex G-100 chromatography and isoelectric focusing. Chemotactic activities for human mononuclear phagocytes were identified at various molecular weight ranges. Major activities were found at mol. wt 45, 30, 25, 18, 12.5, 8 and 6 K. After isoelectric focusing chemotactic activities were recovered predominantly at pH 3.7–5.5 and 7.8–8.5. Fractionation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on the molecular sieve column I-125 and basic ion exchange column SAX 300 confirmed these results. Furthermore, after absorption of crude supernatants on the reversed-phase column RP 300, chemotactic activity was recovered quantitatively and thus could be separated from the bulk of other materials. In kinetic experiments supernatants were harvested after 5, 27, 42 and 63 hr and fractionated on a molecular sieve column. It was found that only low molecular weight chemotactic activity was released after 5 hr. After 27 hr most activity was found between 10–20,000 and after 42 hr activity was found over the whole fractionation range. It is concluded that multiple molecular species of chemotactic factors acting on mononuclear phagocytes are released by activated lymphocyte cultures, whose chemical nature and function remains to be studied.     

Electrolysis and thermolysis for permanent hair removal

The historical, legal, and theoretical aspects and clinical technics of both electrolysis and thermolysis are critically reviewed. The pitfalls of electronic tweezers and the dangers of self-electrolysis are discussed. Complications of electrolysis and thermolysis and the pathophysiology of hair regrowth are presented. In the United States, the lack of uniform training requirements and standards for electrologists may pose an unrecognized risk to public health. It is suggested that more responsible state legislation be enacted in order to decrease the present potential threat to the public health and safety.     

Treatment for hydrofluoric acid burns

Various approaches to HF burn have been studied. This presentation offers a somewhat different approach which centres around the use of benzethonium chloride solution and betamethasone. A review of 10 case records confirms the effectiveness of this treatment when compared to that in prior use, especially in the treatment of an emergency.     

Motorcycle passenger's burn of the right foot: prevention of a peculiar type of accident

The right feet of two children, passengers on small motorcycles, were caught between the rear wheels and the exhaust boxes, leading to deep burns. This type of accident is on the increase in Japan. Treatment and prevention of such burns are discussed. We suggest that an improvement in the motorcycle will be a solution.     

Effect of bacteria on healing of superficial wounds

The healing of superficial wounds is a process that normally follows an uneventful course in which the surface of the wound is re-epithelialized, the epidermis regenerates, and epidrmal-dermal interactions are re-established. At times colonization by pathogenic bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, results in proliferation of organisms followed by a host reaction consisting of an influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes that interferes with the healing process. This host inflammatory response is essential for prevention of deeper tissue invasion; the inflammation generated interferes with the wound healing process. Little information exists on the prevalence of colonization and infection of superficial wounds in various socioeconomic populations except for studies on infections with Group A streptococci. Taplin et al.¹ have demonstrated that a higher prevalence of infection with Group A streptococci exists in poor socioeconomic groups and that higher rates of infection exist in hot, steamy environments than in cool climates.     

Irritant contact dermatitis to glyceryl monothioglycolate

Glyceryl monothioglycolate has recently been implicated as an allergen. A case of a hairdresser who used this material is presented. He appeared to have an irritant contact dermatitis on his fingertips. Patch testing the patient and extensive patch testing in a group of fifty-four volunteers showed a very high incidence of irritant positive patch tests. No instance of allergy could be demonstrated in the reading of the patch tests or in biopsies of several individuals. Differentiation between allergens and irritants is difficult at times, but is necessary to avoid mislabeling of chemicals.     

A double-blind study of the effectiveness of a 3% erythromycin and 5% benzoyl peroxide combination in the treatment of acne vulgaris

One hundred sixty-five subjects completed a 10-week, double-blind controlled study comparing the following: (1) a combination of 3% erythromycin and 5% benzoyl peroxide in a gel, (2) 5% benzoyl peroxide gel, (3) 3% erythromycin gel, and (4) the gel vehicle. The benzoyl peroxide gel and the erythromycin gel were superior to the control gel; however, the combination product was more effective than any of the others. This was true for both pustular and papular lesions, but the most dramatic effect was on combined inflammatory lesions, i.e., papules and pustules.