Micropropagation and Cryoconservation of the Endangered Plant Species Artemisia laciniata (Asteraceae).

BACKGROUND: Artemisia laciniata, mainly distributed in Siberia and Central Asia, is classified as critically endangered in Europe. OBJECTIVES: This study developed a protocol for its micropropagation and cryopreservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro cultures from fresh seed and in vivo shoots were initiated. Micropropagation and cryopreservation protocols were developed. Bacteria detected after cryopreservation were investigated using 16S rRNA analysis. Genome size measurements of regenerated plants after cryopreservation using flow cytometry and carbon isotope measurements to evaluate stress status were also carried out. RESULTS: A. laciniata from both starting materials could be successfully propagated on MS medium with 0.5 uM BAP. Material initiated from in vivo shoots yielded lower regeneration percentages (16%) after cryopreservation than material generated from seed (57 and 63%) using the droplet-vitrification method and PVS3. Bacteria occurring after cryopreservation belonged to the genera Sphingomonas, Staphylococcus, Curtobacterium and Gordonia. There was no significant difference in the genome size and stress status between non-cryopreserved and cryopreserved plants. CONCLUSION: A. laciniata could be readily micropropagated and cryopreserved. No negative effects of cryopreservation on plant water use efficiency or on genetic stability were found.

Nickel and molybdenum contact allergies in patients with coronary in-stent restenosis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary in-stent restenosis might be triggered by contact allergy to nickel, chromate, or molybdenum ions released from stainless-steel stents. We investigated the association between allergic reactions to stent components and the occurrence of in-stent restenosis. METHODS: Patients with coronary stainless-steel stents who underwent angiography for suspected restenosis were consecutively included in this study. Quantitative coronary angiography for analysis of percentage diameter stenosis was done on 131 patients (mean age 62 years [SD 9]) with 171 stents 6.1 months (2.7) after stent implantation. All patients underwent epicutaneous patch tests (Finn chamber method) for nickel, chromate, molybdenum, manganese, and small 316L stainless-steel plates. Patch tests were assessed by independent dermatologists after 48 h, 72 h, and when necessary 96 h of contact with the potential allergen. FINDINGS: In-stent restenosis (> or =550% diameter stenosis) occurred in 89 patients. All ten patients with positive patch-test results had restenoses (p=0.03). Four male patients had positive reactions to molybdenum, and seven patients (four male, three female) had reactions to nickel. No patient with an allergic reaction to the standard test substances had a positive reaction to the stainless-steel plates. All patients with positive results had recurrent angina pectoris and needed target-vessel revascularisation. INTERPRETATION: Patients with allergic patch-test reactions to nickel and molybdenum had a higher frequency of in-stent restenoses than patients without hypersensitivity. Allergic reactions to nickel and molybdenum released from stents may be one of the triggering mechanisms for in-stent restenosis.

Positive skin tests in late reactions to radiographic contrast media.

In the last few years delayed reactions several hours after the injection of radiographic and contrast materials (PRC) have been described with increasing frequency. The authors report two observations on patients with delayed reactions in whom intradermoreactions (IDR) and patch tests to a series of ionic and non ionic PRC were studied. After angiography by the venous route in patient n degree 1 a biphasic reaction with an immediate reaction (dyspnea, loss of consciousness) and delayed macro-papular rash appeared, whilst patient n degree 2 developed a generalised sensation of heat, persistent pain at the site of injection immediately and a generalised macro-papular reaction after 24 hours. The skin tests revealed positive delayed reactions of 24 hours and 48 hours by IDR and patch tests to only some PRC with common chains in their structures. The positive skin tests are in favour of immunological reactions and may help in diagnosis of allergy in the patients.

Efficacy of antihistamine pretreatment in the prevention of adverse reactions to Hymenoptera immunotherapy: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Some clinical studies suggest that a combination of an H1- and H2-antagonist may be effective in the prophylaxis of allergic reactions. OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of pretreatment with an H1/H2-antagonist combination, H1-antagonist alone, or placebo in the prophylaxis of local and systemic adverse reactions to specific immunotherapy with Hymenoptera venom was compared. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 121 patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy were treated with rush immunotherapy and pretreatment with one of the following: 120 mg of terfenadine plus 300 mg of ranitidine, 120 mg of terfenadine alone, or placebo. The incidence of unwanted systemic adverse and local reactions was recorded for up to 50 weeks. RESULTS: In seven patients (6%), six in the placebo group and one in the terfenadine group, systemic side effects required cessation of therapy (p = 0.005). Subjective symptoms occurred in four patients (10%) in the terfenadine plus ranitidine group and in three patients (7%) in the terfenadine group. Regarding local reactions, significantly fewer patients treated with a combination of terfenadine and ranitidine and with terfenadine alone as compared with placebo had severe local symptoms of erythema (29%, 29%, and 49%), edema (24%, 18%, and 41%), and pruritus (13%, 11%, and 31%) at week 1 (p < 0.05). This therapeutic benefit was limited to the first 4 weeks of treatment. Treatment with a combination of terfenadine and ranitidine was not superior to treatment with terfenadine alone. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with H1-antihistamines with or without H2-antihistamines significantly reduced local and systemic adverse reactions to immunotherapy with Hymenoptera venom and may therefore be helpful in the management of immunotherapy.

[Epicutaneous testing with gold salts. 2 multicenter studies of the German Contact Allergy Group]. / Epikutane Testung mit Goldsalzen. Zwei Multicenterstudien der Deutschen Kontaktallergiegruppe.

Between 1992 and 1994 two multicentre studies were performed in order to determine the frequency of sensitization to gold salts. In the first study (1992-1993), 872 patients were tested with gold sodium thiosulfate (NTS) 0.25% in Vaseline (V), 0.5% V. and with potassium dicyanoaurate (KDC) 0.002% aqueous solution. 44 patients (5.1%) had a positive patch test reaction to gold salts: 40 (4.6%) to NTS 0.5% V., 20 (2.3%) to NTS 0.25% V. and 5 (0.6%) to KDC. A higher number of positive patch tests to gold salts was noted in patients also sensitized to another metal salt (8.5%) as compared to those who showed no other sensitivities (3.6%). In a second multicentre study (1993-1994), 135 patients with associated sensitization to metal salts or intolerance to costume [correction of custom] jewelry were tested with the same test series as in the first study and with gold sodium thiomalate (ATM) 0.25% V.17 patients (12.6%) had a positive patch test reaction to gold salts: 16 (11.8%) to NTS 0.5% V., 10 (7.4%) to NTS 0.25% V. and 5 (3.7%) to ATM. The clinical relevance of the patch test reactions was considered as being "probable" in 5 cases; 1 in the first and 4 in the second study. Considering these results, NTS 0.5% V. seems to be the most reliable allergen for detecting gold allergy. However, a high proportion of probably false-positive reactions may occur. Further studies are therefore needed to analyze if the high frequency of positive patch tests to NTS 0.5% V. are due to irritant reactions or to a weak sensitization to gold without clinical symptoms.

Pancreatic glucagonoma with and without syndrome. Immunocytochemical study of 5 tumour cases and review of the literature.

In five patients single or multiple glucagonomas were characterized by immunocytochemistry. Two large single glucagonomas were associated with the glucagonoma syndrome, which completely dissappeared after removal of the tumours. The morphologic findings in these patients are compared with 48 others collected from literature. In the other three patients, the glucagonomas were not associated with a clinical syndrome and were detected by chance (one accompanying an insulinoma; the other in pancreases of patients suffering from multiple endocrine neoplasia I; MEN I). These tumours appeared by their histological, immunocytochemical and ultrastructural features better organized than the glucagonomas with syndrome. Glucagonomas not producing a syndrome can be classified into (a) solitary, often malignant endocrine pancreatic tumours, (b) glucagonomas associated with insulinomas and other tumours, (c) multiple glucagonomas in MEN I and (d) single microglucagonomas in elderly patients. It is emphasized that only immunohistology allows clear identification of these tumours as glucagonomas.

Multiple basal cell carcinomas and keratocysts - the Gorlin and Goltz syndrome.

This paper is based on our experience with the Gorlin-Goltz syndrome and on data from 14 patients of the Nordwestdeutsche Kieferklinik in whom this disorder was detected, treated and followed up. A clinical concept has been produced, with a diagnostic check list including a genetic and a dermatological routine work up as well as a radiological survey of the jaws and skeleton. Whenever multiple basal cell carcinomas plus the typical jaw lesions are found in a patient, the diagnosis is easy. A minimum diagnostic criterion is the combination of either the skin tumours or multiple odontogenic keratocysts plus a positive family history for this disorder, bifid ribs, lamellar calcification of the falx cerebri or any one of the skeletal abnormalities typical of this syndrome. All those in whom this disorder is diagnosed or suspected should be followed up for the rest of their lives. The family should be examined and genetic counselling should be offered.