Comparison between intracutaneous and prick tests in detecting sensitizations to common Mediterranean allergens.

The role of the intracutaneous test (IC) in clinical allergy routine was evaluated comparing its results with those from the prick test, the radioallergosorbent test (RAST), and the specific bronchial provocation test (BPT). The study was carried out making an a posteriori survey of 384 patients suffering from symptoms of perennial and seasonal rhinitis and/or bronchial asthma. They were tested with the most common allergens in the Mediterranean countries; 681 prick tests and 489 IC tests were compared with RAST and 69 with BPT.

A clinical trial of oral clenbuterol (NAB 365) in chronic airways obstruction.

A new oral bronchodilator, clenbuterol, was compared with terbutaline during a 5-week single-blind crossover study in 16 patients with chronic airways obstruction and with cough and sputum production. After a run-in period (1 week), the study was performed in two separated 2-week periods (Phase II and Phase IV), separated by a 1-week drug-free period. Oral clenbuterol was administered at 20 to 30 micrograms 3-times daily, oral terbutaline at 2.

Dose-response study of a new oral bronchodilator, NAB 365 (clenbuterol).

A new oral bronchodilator, NAB 365 (clenbuterol), at doses of 10, 20, 30 and 40 microgram, was studied in a double-blind placebo-controlled incomplete cross-over study in 10 patients suffering from chronic bronchitis who had reversible airway obstruction. The ventilatory response was assessed by measurement of the forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), total airway resistance (Raw) and specific airway conductance (sGaw) before and 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 360 and 480 min after administration. With the 30 and 40 microgram doses, a significant bronchodilating effect was seen between 30 and 360 min after administration, with peak effects between 120 and 240 min.

[Modifications in the closing volume due to the inhalation of tobacco smoke].

Two methods, the one making use of nitrogen and the other of body plethysmography were applied to a group of normal young subjects in order to value the effects of the inhalation of tobacco smoke on the "closing volume". The results obtained with the two methods are different; according to authors, this phenomenon may be explained on the base of the physiopathologic meanings of the closing volume, under the condition to admit that tobacco smoke may promote an early closure and before all disorders in the distribution of the residual volume.