Variations of pollen and mold concentrations in 1998 during the strong El Niño event of 1997-1998 and their impact on clinical exacerbations of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and sinusitis.

Previous studies of pollen and mold dispersal have not correlated meteorological phenomena with clinical exacerbations of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. We utilized the resources of 11 New England Society of Allergy (NESA) pollen collectors, a certified palynologist, over a dozen weather stations for meteorological data, and 10 emergency rooms to explore the effects of the strong "El Niño" of 1997-1998 on our region during the 1998 pollen season. There was a marked increase in the number of clinical exacerbations of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis in April, May, and June of 1998.

Some aspects of self-reported hand preference.

The aim of the present study was to compare self-reported handedness with the directly tested hand preference using a 10-item battery in sample of 1223 students. The question assessing self-reported handedness was whether you are a left- or a right-hander or you use both hands equally. Responses indicate that self-reported handedness is a crude but possible method of measurement.

Functional importance of hand clasping and arm folding.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between handedness and hand clasping or arm folding. Our own investigations have shown no relationship as is consistent with most results in the literature which suggests only minor functional importance of these two signs of latent handedness.

Anaphylaxis to the ingestion and inhalation of Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) and Zophobas morio (superworm).

It has been well documented, worldwide, that inhalation and/or contact with airborne particulate insect products has resulted in sensitivity to insect proteins and is manifested by such common entities as dermatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and asthma. However, the deliberate ingestion of a variety of insects (undertaken to prove their edibility and nutrient value) resulted in subsequent sensitization of some individuals. Such an outcome has not previously been reported in the literature.

Coexistent anaphylaxis to Diptera and Hymenoptera.

Background: Anaphylaxis to the bite of Diptera and specifically the bite of the Tabanidae family (horsefly) have been sparsely documented. The coexistent hypersensitivity to both the order Diptera and Hymenoptera has not been documented.

Methods: We present a patient who experienced anaphylaxis to both insect species.

Hymenoptera sensitivity occurring in families.

A total of 248 patients with systemic reactions to Hymenoptera envenomation were studied. There were 138 adults and 110 children. Twenty-eight of these 248 (11.

[Current state of knowledge regarding prenatal effects of benzene].

The present knowledge concerning the possible prenatal effect of benzene and/or its metabolites is presented. Animal experimental results and epidemiological studies proved to be completely insufficient. The physical, chemical and biochemical properties of this ubiquitously occurring solvent, especially the specific effects on the erythropoetic system including the damage of the cyto skeleton of the cells, require an enhanced attention in the cases of exposure of female workers in child bearing age and of pregnant women to benzene, even in cases of surely observing the maximum allowable concentration at work places.

Acute myocardial infarction following hymenoptera envenomation.

These are the first cases of acute myocardial infarction in a 38-year-old and 59-year-old male following vespid sting in which selective cineangiography, cardiac enzymes, venom testing and RAST testing have been utilized.

Papain anaphylaxis: a case report.

We report a case which illustrates occupational sensitivity to Papain with life-threatening anaphylaxis. In addition to urticaria and angioedema and glottic symptoms, the patient demonstrated annoying intermittent problems mimicking rheumatoid, gastrointestinal, cardiac, and pulmonary disease. All symptoms and signs disappeared after he removed himself from direct occupational exposure to Papain, and he was able to continue working in a setting five stories removed from the powder.

[Genetic and peristatic aspects of research on twins].

The incidence of multiplets according to Hellin is no more valid in the last years. The reasons have been discussed. Different comprehensions about the valence of the different methodic variants of twin research have been explained.

[Lipid chemical parameters and incidence of genetically determined hyperlipoproteinemias in patients between 20 and 45 years of age with coronary heart disease].

In 35 patients at the age between 20 and 45 years with a manifest coronary heart disease various lipid-chemical parameters were established and compared with a control group of the same age of laboratory-chemically and clinically inconspicuous test persons as well as with a group of patients with infarction older than 45 years. For HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol as well as LDL significant differences of the mean value were the result in the group of juvenile patients with a coronary heart disease and in the healthy control group as well as the group of older test persons with infarction, which confirm the accumulation of lipid-chemical risk constellations in "juvenile" patient with a coronary heart disease. Moreover, the proportion of primary hyperlipoproteinaemias is essentially greater in these patients than in older test persons with infarction.

[Not Available].

The significance of genetic factors contributing to the complex etiology of coronary heart disease is discussed using lipoprotein metabolism as an example. A radiochemical screening method was developed for precise biochemical diagnosis of autosomal monogenic hypercholesterolemia. In this method lymphocytes are used as test material.

[Diagnosis of autosomal monogenic hypercholesterolemia using lymphocytes as test material (author's transl)].

The significance of genetic factors contributing to the complex etiology of coronary heart disease is discussed using lipoprotein metabolism as an example. A radiochemical screening method was developed fro precise biochemical diagnosis of autosomal monogenic hypercholesterolemia. In this method lymphocytes are used as test material.

Anaphylactic reactions to Hymenoptera stings in asthmatic patients.

We evaluated 587 cases with generalized reactions to stings of Hymenoptera. Eighty of these patients and twenty-eight normal controls had radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) to venoms of honey bee, yellow jacket, hornet, wasp and to phospholipase A. Those patients with systemic reactions had a significantly greater frequency of positive RAST than normal controls (51.

Adverse reactions to cromolyn.

The frequency of adverse reactions (dermatitis, myositis, and gastroenteritis) to cromolyn sodium in asthmatic patients was 2% (B/375). Reactions were non-life-threatening and completely reversible. Immunologic evaluations, including skin and serum tests for immediate and delayed reactivity, all were negative.

[Pathophysiology and diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria].

Apart from the determination of preporphyrin and porphyrin in the urine recently enzymatic methods entered the diagnostics of the acute intermittent porphyria. Of particular importance is the decrease of activity of the uroporphyrogen-1-synthetase in the manifest disease as well as in the clinically healthy carriers of genes. Since the clinical picture as well as the values of chemical laboratory examinations in the acute intermittent porphyria are extraordinarily variable, a long-term control of diagnostics and therapy is necessary.