Green hair.

Green hair is an unusual dermatologic condition usually due to the deposition of copper from exogenous sources. We report the cases of two patients who presented to our clinic with green discoloration of their hair. This pigmentation of hair has generally been reported in patients with blond hair as a consequence of increased concentrations of copper in domestic or swimming pool water. Although an increased copper content of the affected hair seems to be a prerequisite, other predisposing factors have to be present for this situation to occur. These include previous hair damage (mechanical, sun exposure, bleaching, dyeing, waving), frequent contact with chlorinated water, or use of alkaline shampoos. Several options for treatment have been described for this problem, including application of hot vegetable oil, hydrogen peroxide, edetic acid- or D-penicillamine-containing shampoos, or hydroxyethyl diphosphonic acid.

Morphological study of gastric lesions developing in the rat under several damaging conditions: modifications induced by pretreatment with zinc acexamate.

Lesions developing in the gastric mucosa of the rat after exposure to different gastric damaging agents (100 mg/kg aspirin, and 70% or 100% ethanol) were assessed by scanning electron microscopy. The severity of the lesions was quantified according to morphological criteria. Modifications in the severity of these lesions induced by pretreatment with zinc acexamate were also analyzed. The scanning electron microscope revealed that with the exception of absolute ethanol, which caused distinctive morphological features, lesions found under the different experimental agents shared a common pattern of progression. Ultrastructural lesions on surface epithelial cells preceded further alterations of parietal cells. After the integrity of the epithelial cells was lost, detachment of the parietal cells occurred, probably, through peptic digestion of the connections between cells and their extracellular matrices. Pretreatment of animals with zinc acexamate increased the presence of mucus on the gastric surface and significantly prevented the progression of lesions towards the severest stages. Ultrastructural damage of surface epithelial cells was not influenced by this treatment, but detachment of damaged cells was clearly diminished. These data confirm the protective effect of zinc acexamate against gastric aggressions. Moreover, our studies confirm the notion that mucus secretion and maintenance of continuity on the gastric lumen by surface epithelial cells is of critical importance in preventing the gastric damage induced in these experimental models.

Effect of zinc acexamate on gastric lesions induced by aspirin: a morphological study.

The morphology of gastric lesions induced by aspirin in the rat and their modification by pretreatment with zinc acexamate (100 mg/kg) were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The influence of mucosal levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on the development of these lesions was also investigated. High (200 mg/kg) or low (50 mg/kg) doses of aspirin inhibited PGE2 production similarly, but the morphology of these lesions differed considerably. While gross exfoliation of extensive areas of gastric mucosa was observed after 200 mg/kg aspirin, only ultrastructural lesions of surface epithelial cells were present after 50 mg/kg aspirin. Regardless of the dose of aspirin administered, pretreatment with zinc acexamate raised PGE2 levels and increased the presence of mucus. Our results showed that after zinc acexamate, the development of deep erosions appearing with high doses of aspirin was prevented and the ultrastructural lesions induced by low doses of aspirin were not observed. The fact that zinc acexamate did not modify the anti-inflammatory action of aspirin in the carrageenin-induced oedema model suggests that the protective effect of zinc acexamate is exerted locally on the gastric mucosa.

Fatal poisoning by Rumex crispus (curled dock): pathological findings and application of scanning electron microscopy.

A case of fatal poisoning due to ingestion of the plant Rumex crispus (curled dock) is described. The patient, a 53-year-old male, presented with gastrointestinal symptoms, severe hypocalcemia, metabolic acidosis and acute hepatic insufficiency. Despite therapeutic measures, the patient died 72 h after ingestion of the plant material. Noteworthy among the pathological findings were centrolobular hepatic necrosis and birefringent crystals in the liver and kidneys that were identified by histochemical techniques and scanning electron microscopy. These observations are compared with other reports in the medical literature, with an emphasis on the risk involved in the use of these plants for culinary or medicinal purposes.

[Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome (Giedion)]. / Síndropme tricorrinofalángico (Giedion).

Three cases of the Tricho-rhyno-phalangeal syndrome (TRF) are described. Two cases were in the same family with some affected membres (Camacho et al., 1978). The third case, of sporadic presentation, showed radiological signs of Perthes' disease. All cases presented the main clinic and radiologic alterations of the TRF syndrome: hypotrichia, pear-shaped nose and cone shaped epiphyses. Some of them presented other characteristic features such as: darwism, prominent nose, elonged philtrum, thin upper lip, baldness of the external 1/2 eyebrows, prominent ears of low implantation, shortening of some fingers (of metacarpals and metatarsal), onicodystrophy, etc. The differential diagnosis must be stablished with: a) congenital processes which present facial abnormalities, specially of the nose, b) congenital atrichias o hypotrichias associated to osteoarticular troubles of the growth and c) congenital syndromes with epiphyses in cone (peripheric dysostosis). Finally, we find, by scanning electron microscope studies, an increase of the cuticular cells in detachment, an inespecific sign that denotes a special lability of these patients' hair to the action of the outside agents on it.

[Pili canaliculi (uncombable hair syndrome or spun glass hair syndrome). A scanning electron microscope study of ten new cases (author's transl)]. / Pilo canaliculi ("cheveux incoiffables" ou "cheveux en fibre de verre"). Dix nouveaux cas avec étude an microscope électronique à balayage.

"Uncombable hair" is the denomination applied to a new abnormality of the hair, being characterized by its arranged in bundles disposed in different directions and which are irreductible on combing. It may have a familial trait and starts at the age of 3 months onwards. It appears in children of both sexes, whose hair becomes dry, tightly curled, shiny, lighter and impossible to comb. There are no accompanying abnormalities in the development. Neither have any biological changes been registered. The clinical and ultrastructural aspects of 10 cases of children affected with "uncombable hair" are presented. At the scanning electron microscope we have observed longitudinally disposed canalicular formations on the cuticular surface of 50 p. 100 of hair taken from each patient. The canal is, in some zones, more excavated than in others, occasionaly has an irregular outline and sometimes is uniformly located nearly along the whole length of the hair. The transversal section shows triangular aspects, kidney-shaped or completely irregular. We agree with Dupré to use the term pili canaliculi for the defect shown by these patients.

[Structural lesions of human hair caused by permanents]. / Lesiones estructurales en cabello humano causadas por permanentes.

A study is carried out on the alterations produced in the cuticle of women's hair treated regularly for a period of more than 12 years with hair - lighteners, hair - dyes and perms. Assays have also been carried out "in vitro" on the effect of the perms on locks of hair. The scanning electron microscope has been used for observation of the samples.

[Uncombable hair syndrome]. / Síndrome de los cabellos "impeinables".

Two cases of new hair defect syndrome, recently described by French dermatologists, are reported. They are characterized by clinically dry, bright and uncombable hair. Pathologic and scanning electron microscope studies, show: -- Angulation of the hair bulb with adherence between the inner root sheath and the hair shaft. -- Canalicular formations longitudinally disposed on the cuticular surface with irregular stratification of the external sheath. A malformation of the hair bulb of unknown aetiology is postulated. This malformation, probably familial, is not associated with any other abnormalities. This defect would result in hair shaft surface abnormality.