Accumulation of eosinophils and T-lymphocytes in the lungs after exposure to pinewood dust.

Exposure to wood dust within the woodworking industry has been shown to cause a variety of respiratory disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the cellular effects in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and peripheral blood from healthy individuals exposed to pinewood dust. Eleven healthy volunteers were exposed to pinewood dust for 1 h in a whole-body exposure chamber. BAL fluid and blood cells were differentially counted and the expression of activation, adhesion and subset markers on alveolar macrophages and T-lymphocytes was determined 2-6 weeks before and 20 h after the exposure. Following pinewood dust exposure, the total BAL fluid cell concentration increased from 81.4 (64.1-97.5) x 10(6) cells x L(-1) (median (interquartile range)) to 195.3 (154.6-341.2) x 10(6) cells x L(-1). The BAL fluid T-lymphocyte concentration increased from 3.8% (3.5-6.5%) to 7.6% (4.9-11.2%), and BAL fluid eosinophil concentration from 0.0% (0.0-0.2%) to 1.8% (0.6-3.5%). Inhalation of pinewood dust leads to the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the airways of healthy individuals. The increase in numbers of eosinophils, T-lymphocytes and mast cells, i.e. cells of crucial importance to airway inflammation, in the lungs may be related to the increased risk of developing respiratory disorders among woodworkers.

Lung accumulations of eosinophil granulocytes after exposure to cornstarch glove powder.

Starch is a main component of wheat flour, which, besides being an occupational allergen can also induce irritative symptoms in the airways. A purified starch product (cornstarch glove powder) was used to investigate whether starch alone could induce airway inflammation. The aim of the study was to investigate a role for starch in wheat flour-induced airway inflammation. Ten healthy individuals were exposed to cornstarch glove powder in a whole-body exposure chamber. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed 2-3 weeks before and 1 day after exposure, and the BAL cells were counted differentially. In addition, the expression of activation, adhesion and subset markers on alveolar macrophages and BAL T-cells were investigated using flow cytometry. A three-fold increase in BAL cell concentrations was found, with a selective accumulation and activation of eosinophilic granulocytes, as well as an influx of nonactivated monocytes and polyclonal CD4+ T-cells into the airways. The results show that inhalation of cornstarch glove powder leads to the development of a subclinical inflammation in the airways, with an accumulation of eosinophilic granulocytes. The authors suggest that such exposure may be an interesting model for studying factors contributing to lung accumulations of eosinophil granulocytes in humans.

A new whole-body exposure chamber for human skin and lung challenge experiments--the generation of wheat flour aerosols.

A new whole-body exposure chamber for human skin and lung challenge offers possibilities for experimental exposure challenges carried out in clinical practice, for exposure of patients, in research and for investigations of the effects of exposure on the skin and in the respiratory tract. The chamber system can be used for both aerosols and gases. Dynamically controlled, the chamber is relatively easy to operate and to clean. Air exchange rates can be varied between 6-12/h. Initial studies with wheat flour have been carried out. The homogeneity and stability of the wheat flour aerosol concentration (the spatial and the temporal variation) inside the chamber can be kept at acceptable levels.

Nickel release from tools on the Swedish market.

Nickel allergy in women has been thoroughly studied: its prevalence, the most important sources of sensitization, and risk factors for elicitation of dermatitis. Preventive measures have also been introduced. Nickel allergy in men has not, however, been equally focused on. Based on clinical experience, some publications indicating that tools may be a risk factor for nickel allergy and hand eczema in men, and the fact that large occupational groups regularly use tools, we decided to carry out a study, of the prevalence on the market of tools that release nickel. 27% of 565 hand-held tools with metal parts that come into contact with the skin were found to be dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test positive. Release of nickel and other metals into artificial sweat and composition of metals on the surface and in the base alloy were also studied. It is suggested that tool producers should consider nickel allergy and avoid nickel-releasing materials, and that analytical methods, relevant for nickel release from tools, should be further developed.

A method for quantification of formaldehyde in the presence of formaldehyde donors in skin-care products.

Reliable and uncomplicated methods for detection of free formaldehyde in products preserved with formaldehyde donors are desirable to decrease the risk of allergic contact dermatitis. The aim of this study was to develop a method that could be used in clinics and workplaces for quantification of free formaldehyde in products preserved with formaldehyde donors. The method developed is named the closed container diffusion (CCD) method. Formaldehyde in a sample is allowed to evaporate in a closed container and react with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine coated on a glass fibre filter. The hydrazone formed is analyzed with HPLC. The method was tested on 3 different formaldehyde donors, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea and 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, using 4 different cream bases. The results obtained with this method accord, with those obtained with the official method within the European Union (EU). The method is sensitive enough for analysis of patients' products and for control of labelled amounts of formaldehyde in technical products without solvent extraction. As a result of our studies, we observed a risk of exceeding the labelling limit for free formaldehyde in cosmetic products when using the highest amount of diazolidinyl urea allowed within the EU.

Metal release from gold-containing jewelry materials: no gold release detected.

Metal release from 13 different gold-containing jewelry alloys stored for 1 and 3 weeks in artificial sweat was analysed. For chemical analysis, inductively-coupled plasma detection (ICP) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA), with flame and with furnace, were used. No release of gold was detected. It is unlikely that skin contact with gold-containing metallic items such as jewelry is responsible for inducing contact allergy to gold or allergic contact dermatitis due to the gold. The patch-test reactivity to gold sodium thiosulfate needs to be explained by some other mechanism(s).

[Parameters significant for the prognosis of chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase]. / Istrazivanje parametara znacajnih za prognozu kronicne mijeloicne leukemije u kronicnoj fazi.

A total of 46 patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia and their clinical and laboratory findings as parameters which might have an influence on survival were investigated. There was 28 (61%) males and 18 (39%) females. The mean age was 52 years. The patients were treated by busulfan with daily doses of 6 to 10 mg during one to two months, following the treatment by the lower doses of busulfan. A complete remission was achieved in 40 (87%) patients, in 4 (9%) there was a partial remission, and in 2 (4%) no remission at all. The median duration of chronic phase was 36 months, and the median survival for all patients was 43 months. The females survived longer than the males, but there was no significant difference in the survival time (median 46:38 months). The patient's age did not appear to influence prognosis. No differences in survival was noted between the patients with the haemoglobin level higher or lower than 110 g/L (chi 2 = 1.64). The size of the spleen was not a factor of statistical significance for the patients analysed. In patients with leukocytosis higher than 100 x 10(9)/L and those with more than 6% basophils in the bone-marrow smears, the survival was worse than in patients with the finding below this value (chi 2 = 3.55; 3.87). In the group of patients with platelet count higher than 350 x 10(9)/L, the survival was significantly worse than in patients with the finding below this value (chi 2 = 4.67; p less than 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)