Carotid body resection. Controversy--confusion--conflict

Carotid body resection has been the subject of controversy since it was introduced. Numerous analyses, both favorable and unfavorable, have been published. Most papers have dealt with unilateral carotid body resection; a few reports of bilateral carotid body resection have appeared. A critical review of the literature is presented in an attempt to resolve the confusion and conflict related to carotid body resection and to evaluate the wide differences of opinion between its supporters and opponents.     

Seborrheic dermatitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Many cutaneous disorders are associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We prospectively evaluated eighteen patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and twelve patients with the immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex for dermatologic disorders. A high prevalence of seborrheic dermatitis was found in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome--83%, in comparison with 1% to 3% of historic control subjects. Patients with the related complex also had an increased incidence of 42%. Seborrheic dermatitis in this population was often more explosive, inflammatory, and severe than is usually seen in otherwise healthy patients. Severity of seborrheic dermatitis correlated with a poor overall prognosis in our patients. Additionally, seborrheic dermatitis may be one of the most common cutaneous manifestations of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.     

Rapidly released allergens from short ragweed pollen: II. Identification and partial purification

We have identified several basic allergens in 16-min extracts of short ragweed (Ambrosia elatior) pollen and obtained a partially purified fraction (G50 II) using a combination of ion-exchange (CM-Sephadex C25) and gel-filtration (Biogel P30 and Sephadex G50) procedures. G50 II was allergenically and antigenically distinct from known allergens antigen E, Ra3, and Ra5. It gave a highly symmetrical peak on Sephadex G50 (fine), corresponding to a molecular weight of 11,500 daltons, and a single band on SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under both reducing and nonreducing conditions. However, two cathodic antigens were detectable by both agarose electrophoresis and crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Allergenic activity of G50 II, assessed by puncture testing in ragweed-sensitive subjects, showed a characteristic pattern of response independent of patient response to AgE, Ra3, and Ra5. The major antigenic and allergenic component of G50 II is designated Ra6.     

Levels of anxiety and depression in spinal cord-injured patients

To test the hypothesis that the experience of anxiety or depression correlates with the degree of sensory input, the levels of anxiety and depression in 19 quadriplegic and 16 paraplegic patients were compared by administering Zung self-rating scales. The majority of patients scored within the normal range. Quadriplegic patients were not significantly more depressed or anxious than paraplegic patients, and levels of spinal cord lesions were not associated with any significant differences in scores. These results suggest that the level of sensory input is unlikely to play a dominant role in anxiety and depression.     

Report on a National Institute of Allergy and infectious diseases-sponsored workshop on the genetics of total immunoglobulin E levels in humans

We present a report of a workshop sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) on the genetics of basal serum IgE levels, which was held September 27 and 28, 1979, in Baltimore. Ten investigators including immunologists, geneticists, and statisticians met to discuss laboratory measurements of total serum IgE levels, environmental factors affecting basal IgE levels, methods of analysis of family data, results of recent studies, and the need for further studies. The main conclusions were that additional studies are needed to investigate environmental factors affecting IgE levels, confirm the presence of a locus regulating IgE levels, and map the locus to a specific chromosome in humans.