Patch testing with oxidized R-(+)-limonene and its hydroperoxide fraction.

R-(+)-Limonene is an ubiquitous allergen in our environment. It is one of the most widely used fragrance materials not only in fine fragrances but also most often incorporated in domestic and occupational products. Although the non-oxidized R-(+)-limonene itself is not allergenic, it easily forms allergenic products due to autoxidation during handling and storage.

[Guideline development in the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1992-2001].

Objective: To evaluate a program for the local development and implementation of evidence based guidelines in the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Design: Retrospective evaluation study.

Method: In the period 1992-2001, 50 guideline projects had received funding.

Contact allergy to oak moss: search for sensitizing molecules using combined bioassay-guided chemical fractionation, GC-MS, and structure-activity relationship analysis.

In addition to pure synthetic fragrance materials several natural extracts are still in use in the perfume industry. Among them oak moss absolute, prepared from the lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Arch.

A functional genomics approach toward the understanding of secondary metabolism in plant cells.

Despite the tremendous importance of secondary metabolites for humans as for the plant itself, plant secondary metabolism remains poorly characterized. Here, we present an experimental approach, based on functional genomics, to facilitate gene discovery in plant secondary metabolism. Targeted metabolite analysis was combined with cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism-based transcript profiling of jasmonate-elicited tobacco Bright yellow 2 cells.

Do S,S'-coordinated o-dithiobenzosemiquinonate(1-) radicals exist in coordination compounds? the [AuIII(1,2-C6H4S2)2]1 -/0 couple.

The square planar, light-green, diamagnetic complex [N(n-Bu)(4)][Au(III)(L(t)()(-)(Bu))(2)] (1) reacts with iodine in acetone affording the neutral paramagnetic species [Au(L(t)()(-)(Bu))(2)] (1a) (S = (1)/(2)) where H(2)[L(t)()(-)(Bu)] represents the ligand 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzenedithiol. The corresponding complexes containing the unsubstituted ligand H(2)[L], 1,2-benzenedithiol, namely [N(n-Bu)(3)H][Au(L)(2)] (2) and [Au(L)(2)] (2a), have also been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography; the structure of the latter has been reported in ref 10. (197)Au Mössbauer spectra of 1 and 1a clearly show that the one-electron oxidation is ligand-centered and does not involve the formation of Au(IV) (d(7)).

Deodorants: an experimental provocation study with hydroxycitronellal.

Axillary dermatitis is a common problem, particularly in individuals with contact allergy to fragrances. Many individuals suspect their deodorant to be the causal product of their fragrance allergy. It has been shown that deodorants containing cinnamic aldehyde (cinnamal) can elicit axillary dermatitis in patients sensitized to this substance.

Routine patch testing with frullanolide mix: an European Environmental and Contact Dermatitis Research Group multicentre study.

Contact sensitivity to plants containing 1 or more sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) is difficult to diagnose. The mixture of SLs (SL mix) has been shown to detect only about 60% of sensitized individuals. In order to improve the diagnosis of sensitization to plants containing SLs, we have tested a mixture of frullanolides contained in Frullania dilatata and Frullania tamarisci at 3 different concentrations (0.

Malignant large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumor of the testis.

A 45-year old man presented with a slow-growing, unilateral beige testicular mass, with a diameter of 4 cm. The testosterone, FSH, LH, estradiol and betahCG serum levels were within normal limits, and there were no associated hormonal syndromes. The patient was treated with inguinal orchidectomy.

Contact dermatitis from electrocardiograph-monitoring electrodes: role of p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin.

Three cases of allergic contact dermatitis localized to the sites of electrocardiograph-monitoring electrodes are reported. All patients had positive patch tests to both the gel and the adhesive part of the Red Dot 2239 3M monitoring electrode used and to the p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin (PTBP-F-R) of the standard series. Two patients had a history of possible exposition to the resin previously but there was no explanation for the third.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by isocyanates.

Between 1978 and 2001, 22 patients were diagnosed with occupation-related allergic contact dermatitis from isocyanates and/or polyurethanes in our clinic. 13 had a positive reaction to the isocyanates, of whom 10 also reacted to diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA), which is used in the production or processing of isocyanates and polyurethanes; 9 reacted only to MDA. The object of the present study was to identify the trades and industries responsible for the development of contact allergy to these resins.

Further important sensitizers in patients sensitive to fragrances.

In order to find sensitizers additional to the current fragrance mix (FM) a series of fragrance materials (series II) was evaluated in 6 dermatological centres in Europe. 11 of the test materials were essential oils, the remaining 7 being either mixtures of isomers or simple chemicals of frequent usage in the perfume industry. 1606 patients were consecutively tested with series II and 8% FM.

Further important sensitizers in patients sensitive to fragrances.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of responses to selected fragrance materials in consecutive patients patch tested in 6 dermatological centres in Europe. 1855 patients were evaluated with the 8% fragrance mix (FM) and 14 other frequently used well-defined fragrance chemicals (series I). Each patient was classified regarding a history of adverse reactions to fragrances: certain, probable, questionable, none.

An epidemic of allergic contact dermatitis due to epilating products.

Over a period of 19 months, 33 cases of acute allergic contact dermatitis from Veet epilating waxes and/or the accompanying tissue (Reckitt Benckiser, Massy, France) were observed in France and Belgium. The lesions started on the legs and spread to other parts of the body, especially the face, and were sometimes so severe that hospitalization and/or systemic corticosteroids were required. Primary sensitization occurred as early as after the first application in several patients.

Boosting heterologous protein production in transgenic dicotyledonous seeds using Phaseolus vulgaris regulatory sequences.

Over the past decade, several high value proteins have been produced in different transgenic plant tissues such as leaves, tubers, and seeds. Despite recent advances, many heterologous proteins accumulate to low concentrations, and the optimization of expression cassettes to make in planta production and purification economically feasible remains critical. Here, the regulatory sequences of the seed storage protein gene arcelin 5-I (arc5-I) of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) were evaluated for producing heterologous proteins in dicotyledonous seeds.

Oxidized citrus oil (R-limonene): a frequent skin sensitizer in Europe.

Background: Peel oil from citrus fruits consists of R-(+)-limonene, which is one of the most commonly used fragrance materials in technical products and in fine fragrances. This substance forms allergenic oxidation products during handling and storage.

Objective: We wanted to study the frequency of allergic reactions to oxidized R-(+)-limonene in patients with dermatitis and find a suitable test preparation.