Peripheral blood eosinophilia in owl monkeys is associated with increased eosinophilopoiesis yet depressed recruitment kinetics to the Chemokine RANTES.

New world nonhuman primates of the genus Aotus (owl monkeys) can be categorized by 11 distinct karyotypes (K). It has been demonstrated that monkeys of K-VI persistently have one order of magnitude more eosinophils (EOS) in the peripheral blood than K-I monkeys. The purpose of this study was to investigate the basis for this difference and examine EOS recruitment using two cutaneous models of inflammation. Peripheral blood EOS were isolated on metrizamide gradients to > or = 95% purity and then used for phenotypic studies. There were no significant differences when comparing karyotypes in the ratio of normodense (K-I, 6.4% +/- 3.8%; K-VI, 21.1% +/- 8.8%) EOS or their survival in culture (K-I, 5.3% +/- 2.9% at 72 hours; K-VI, 2.8% +/- 0.7% at 72 hours) (P > .05). Examination of bone marrow revealed that K-VI monkeys had greater than fivefold more EOS and EOS precursors than K-I animals. To examine EOS function in recruitment, monkeys of each karyotype were given a single intradermal injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or human recombinant (PMN) and mononuclear cells occurred in response to LPS as early as 4 hours after injection; the severity of infiltration was similar in both karyotypes and at all time points up to 24 hours. In contrast, by 8 hours after intradermal injection of RANTES, leukocyte infiltration in K-I monkeys consisted mostly of PMN (94.8% +/- 0.7%) that were predominantly EOS. In comparison, there was essentially no infiltrate in K-VI animals at all time points. There was no difference in VCAM-1 expression in response to intradermal LPS or RANTES between the two karyotypes. These results suggest that the genetic basis of peripheralblood eosinophilia in K-VI owl monkeys is likely a function of heightened eosinophilopoiesis and depressed recruitment kinetics from the peripheral circulatory pool in response to RANTES.

Retrospective cohort mortality study of workers with potential exposure to epichlorohydrin and allyl chloride.

Previous epidemiologic research has associated potential epichlorohydrin exposure with lung cancer and, in conjunction with allyl chloride exposure, to heart disease mortality. The study was designed to test both hypotheses by examining the mortality experience of 1,064 male employees (12,574 person-years) who had a minimum of 1 month work experience between 1957-1986 in the production or use of epichlorohydrin and allyl chloride and 1 year total employment duration at Dow Chemical's Texas Operations. Vital status follow-up occurred through 1989 of which there were 66 total deaths (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 62-101). There were no significantly elevated SMRs for all malignant neoplasms, lung cancer, circulatory system disease, or arteriosclerotic heart disease when compared to external (U.S.) or internal (Texas Operations) populations. There were no apparent mortality trends with cumulative exposure analyses of potential epichlorohydrin exposure with and without accompanying allyl chloride exposure. A high prevalence of circulatory system death certificates were certified by nonphysicians in the local county and more than one third were described in nonspecific terms. The study results are not consistent with the prior hypothesized associations. However, the study results are limited by the cohort's size, duration of follow-up, relatively few number of observed and expected deaths, and the level of potential epichlorohydrin exposure experience.

Trisomy 22 and facioauriculovertebral (Goldenhar) sequence.

We report on an infant girl born with complete trisomy 22 and left hemifacial microsomia, ear anomaly, and limbal and epibulbar complex choristoma. Trisomy 22 was confirmed by prometaphase chromosome analysis and in situ hybridization. This patient extends the list of chromosome abnormalities associated with apparent Golenhar sequence and emphasizes the importance of chromosome analysis in the investigation of patients with this condition. A detailed ophthalmopathological investigation is reported.

Idiopathic conjunctival granulomas.

A 12-year-old white boy presented with a 1-year history of intermittent bilateral follicular conjunctivitis with yellowish bulbar and limbal nodules and few symptoms. Histopathological examination of conjunctival biopsy specimens showed non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas with giant cell formation. The lesions partially responded to therapy with topical corticosteroids but persisted for another 4 years and then gradually cleared over the next 5 years. A systemic investigation failed to disclose a specific cause. At the time of writing, the nodules had completely resolved and no associated systemic disease had developed.

Zipper closure of the abdominal wall in the treatment of recurrent intra-abdominal abscesses.

Diffuse retroperitoneal soilage following rectal laceration with a blunt object resulted in significant morbidity despite prompt recognition, parenteral antibiotic administration, and early surgical intervention. A septic postoperative course was complicated by perforation of the third portion of the duodenum and a diffuse suppurative peritonitis with multiple intra-abdominal abscesses. Closure of the incision at reexploration was facilitated by sewing Marlex to the fascia while a centrally located nylon zipper allowed access to the peritoneal cavity for further explorations and eventual ablation of the septic process.