Effects of desloratadine, diphenhydramine, and placebo on driving performance and psychomotor performance measurements.

Introduction: First-generation antihistamines taken for relief of allergic rhinitis are sedating and pose potential risks for those driving a car or operating machinery. Desloratadine is a potent, selective, histamine H(1)-receptor antagonist that does not easily cross the blood-brain barrier. It is nonsedating at therapeutic doses and should not affect driving or psychomotor performance.

Cyclandelate in the treatment of vertigo of circulatory origin. A study in general practice.

A multicentre study with 622 patients has been undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of cyclandelate 1600 mg daily in the treatment of vertigo of circulatory origin in general practice. The characteristics of the patient population were consistent with the diagnosis of vertigo of circulatory origin. Patients with some risk factors, essentially a history of thrombosis and atherosclerotic patients, had more severe symptoms at the onset of the study.

Influence of ageing on IgE-mediated reactions in allergic patients.

The influence of age and sex has been evaluated in 326 allergic patients on the following parameters: total serum IgE concentration, serum concentration of specific IgE antibodies against seventeen common allergens, mean number of positive allergens, absolute numbers of circulating eosinophils, corticosteroid dependence and response to sodium cromoglycate (DSCG). The results indicate that age and sex significantly influence the IgE antibody production in these patients. The data strongly suggests the appearance during ageing of a progressive natural desensitization.

Immunosuppression and Carcinogenesis: effects of azathioprine on induction of sarcomas by 3-methylcholanthrene.

The effects of Azathioprine (AZA) on the carcinogenesis with 3-Methylcholanthrene (MC) are described. When AZA is given before MC, there is a shortened tumor latency period. When AZA treatment followed MC injection a lengthened latency period was observed.

Improvement in measuring migration areas in migration inhibition assays.

An improved method for measuring migration areas in migration inhibition assays is described. In this method, drawings of the projected image are analysed with an image analysis system. This method is faster as well as more accurate than a standard method.

A simple procedure for identification of macrophages in peritoneal exudates.

Identification of peritoneal exudate macrophages by labelling with China ink followed by May-Grünewald Giemsa staining was investigated as a simple and reliable procedure to differentiate these cells from the largest lymphoid cells. This procedure was compared with techniques which reveal acid phosphatase activity and which vitally stain lysosomes (neutral red). The cells were further separated in adherent and nonadherent populations for investigation by the three described techniques.