The first rib of hominoids.

Homo sapiens is unique among extant hominoids in displaying a univertebral articular pattern for the first rib; that is, the head of the first rib articulates only with the body of the first thoracic vertebra. All other hominoids, indeed virtually all other mammals, display a bivertebral pattern; that is, the head of the first rib articulates with the bodies of both the seventh cervical and the first thoracic vertebrae, as well as the intervening disk. Two fossil hominid partial first ribs, A.

A comparative study of the allergens of cat urine, serum, saliva, and pelt.

In direct RAST analyses of sera from 43 individuals with a history of cat allergy, 39.5% were positive to cat pelt, 37.5% to cat saliva, and 12% each to cat urine and serum.

Immunotherapy in cat-induced asthma. Double-blind trial with evaluation of in vivo and in vitro responses.

The efficacy of immunotherapy in cat-induced asthma was studied by use of a purified fraction of cat-pelt extract and a double-blind protocol. Nine active-treatment subjects who received a mean cumulative dose of cat allergen, 1 of 10.9 units, and eight placebo-treatment subjects completed the study.

Cat allergen 1: Biochemical, antigenic, and allergenic properties.

Cat allergen 1, an important agent in human allergic reactions, has been partially purified by affinity chromatography. Heating the purified allergen at 100 degrees C for 30 min resulted in a 28% loss in the antigenicity of the allergen molecule (determined by Laurell rocket assay), although lower temperatures had little effect. Its allergenicity (determined by passive transfer skin test) was diminished slightly after heating to 56 degrees C or 100 degrees C.

Distribution of cat allergen 1 in cat tissues and fluids.

The distribution of the major allergen of the domestic cat, cat allergen 1, was studied in 22 different tissues obtained from a male and female cat and in samples of saliva and urine. Of the cat tissues studied, only extracts of pelt and female brain contained amounts of cat allergen 1 in excess of 0.50 U/ml.

Allergens detected in association with airborne particles capable of penetrating into the peripheral lung.

Extrinsic asthma is caused by exposure to airborne allergens. The diameter of airborne particles influences the depth of penetration and deposition fraction in the lung. In this study, we used an Andersen sampler to collect 9 different size ranges of airborne particles from a cat-containing and a cat-free room.

Surface washes of living cats: an improved method of obtaining clinically relevant allergen.

Washing the surface of live anesthesized cats with water results in a solution rich in allergen 1 and low in albumin. CIE and CRIE analysis showed the presence of at least seven antigens. All were shown to be immunologically identical to antigens that occur in pelt extracts and saliva.

Antibody responses following immunotherapy with cat pelt extract.

IgG antibody responses to a major allergen, cat allergen 1 (cat 1), and to a minimally allergenic protein, cat albumin (alb), were studied in patients who had received 4 to 11 mo of immunotherapy with three concentrations of crude cat pelt extract. A double-antibody radioimmunoassay utilizing 125I-labeled antigen was used to measure IgG and IgE antibody. The high-dose group (HDG)(n = 5), which was composed of the active-treatment group of a previously reported double-blind study, received a mean cumulative dose of 3440 microgram cat 1 and 10,660 microgram alb.

Parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in glucocorticoid-treated patients.

Abnormalities in parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion or vitamin D action or metabolism have been suggested as pathogenetic factors in the bone disease associated with chronic glucocorticoid therapy. We have found normal plasma PTH values in forty-eight adult asthmatic patients on chronic glucocorticoid therapy, twelve asthmatics treated without glucocorticoids and ten adults on short-term, high-dose glucocorticoid therapy for non-asthmatic illnesses. The mean serum 25-OHD level in the glucocorticoid-treated asthmatics was not significantly different from a disease control group of asthmatic patients not on glucocorticoids, but nine such patients had abnormally low 25-OHD levels.

Myths, morbidity, and mortality in asthma.

Persistence of outmoded concepts or "myths" concerning the diagnosis and treatment of asthma probably is responsible for large economic losses, overutilization of hospital beds, and many preventable deaths. There have been many worthwhile studies refuting these myths, leading to the following conclusions: Asthma consists of much more than wheezing and in many cases must be treated long after wheezing stops. There is no convincing evidence relating the chronic pulmonary changes of asthma to the psyche.

Immunotherapy in cat-induced asthma. Double-blind trial with evaluation of bronchial responses to cat allergen and histamine.

Ten asymptomatic patients with normal pulmonary function were selected for a double-blind trial of immunotherapy in cat-induced asthma. Each patient had a positive prick test to cat pelt extract and also a positive bronchial challenge response to the same extract. Patients were randomly assigned to active treatment or placebo groups and received weekly or biweekly injections over a 3 to 4-month period.

Insulin antibodies in the pathogenesis of insulin allergy and resistance.

Insulin allergy developed in a patient treated with beef/pork insulin. Desensitization therapy led to cessation of the allergy, but it was associated with the development of diabetic ketoacidosis with apparent insulin resistance which was successfully treated with fish insulin. The patient's initial serum contained a high titer of anti-insulin immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody directed primarily against beef insulin.

Oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal manifestations in Urbach-Wiethe disease.

Twenty-eight patients suffering from Urbach-Wiethe disease (UWD) and originating in northern Sweden are presented. The disease is characterized by amorphous deposits in the mucous membranes of the mouth, pharynx and larynx. Hoarseness since early childhood is the most common and striking symptom.

Allergens of mammalian origin V. Properties of extracts derived from the domestic cat.

Eight commercial cat dander extracts and two pelt extracts derived from mongrel and Siamese cats were compared. Cat allergn 1 and cat albumin were measured by radial immunodiffusion. Allergenic activity was evaluated by prick test and a modified radioallergosorbent test.

Allergens of mammalian origin. IV. Evidence for common allergens in cat and dog serum.

IgE antibodies present in serum from 3 patients clinically sensitive to cat and dog were shown to combine with whole cat and dog sera linked to cellulose particles. Employing a modified radioallergosorbent technique (RAST), it was shown that cat and dog sera inhibited the binding of IgE antibodies to insolubilized cat serum and to insolubilized dog serum. These findings suggest that cat and dog sera have common allergens.

Allergens of mammalian origin. II. Characterization of allergens extracted from rat, mouse, guinea pig, and rabbit pelts.

Aqueous extracts prepared from lyophilized, defatted rat, mouse, guinea pig, and rabbit pelts elicited intense wheal-and-flare responses in the skin of a high proportion of patients who were clinically sensitive to these animals. The major allergens in each extract were nondialyzable. Skin test reactions to rat, mouse, and guinea pig serum were common in patients allergic to these animals.