Gut permeability measured by polyethylene glycol absorption in abnormal gut fermentation as compared with food intolerance.

Gut permeability has been studied in patients with either food intolerance or abnormal gut fermentation as well as in normal subjects. Permeability was measured by polyethylene glycol absorption, and the reasons for this choice of probe are discussed. Results show that both symptomatic groups have statistically very highly significant deviations from the normal (P < 0.01), consisting of over-adsorption, significant at molecular weights 242, 286, 330 and 374. Whilst both study groups were different from the normal they were not different from each other. The implications for these findings in the diagnosis and management of food intolerance and abnormal gut fermentation are discussed.

Malignant epithelioid peripheral nerve sheath tumor arising in a benign schwannoma.

The case of a patient with malignant degeneration of a solitary abdominal schwannoma and endobronchial metastasis is presented. The patient presented clinically with dyspnea referable to her lung mass, anorexia, and night sweats. The lung mass, initially diagnosed as a large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma, was later found to be histologically identical to the malignant portion of the abdominal tumor. The light microscopic, electron microscopic, and immunoperoxidase staining characteristics of the tumor are reported, and previous reports in the literature are reviewed.

Storage mites culturing, sampling technique, identification and their role in housedust allergy in rural areas in the United Kingdom.

Patients with symptoms suggesting housedust mite allergy were tested to storage mites, housedust, and Dermatophagoides spp. Housedust was examined for mites. All patients responded to storage mites. Some were negative to Dermatophagoides. All houses proved to have storage mites in the dust as well as Dermatophagoides, mainly in food stores or pet beds. Storage mites, therefore, are involved in dust allergy.

Housedust mites (D. pteronyssinus) in pets' beds and their relation to dust allergy.

Houses were surveyed by dust sampling to examine the occurrence and significance of storage mites in rural areas in the U.K. As a part of this project pets' beds were sampled, and it was discovered that not only do they contain storage mites, but that in nearly all instances the classical housedust mite (D. pteronyssinus) was present in significant numbers.

Safety evaluation of thaumatin (Talin protein).

Thaumatin, the sweet proteinaceous extract of the arils of Thaumatococcus daniellii (Benth.) has been studied for its subacute toxicity in rats and dogs and its ability to produce anaphylactic antibodies following oral administration to rats and normal human subjects. Thaumatin was readily digested prior to absorption in rats and no adverse effects resulted from its continuous administration to rats and dogs at dietary concentrations of 0, 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0% for 13 wk. It was not teratogenic when administered orally to rats at 0, 200, 600 and 2000 mg/kg body weight/day from day 6 to 15 of gestation and was without effect on the incidence of dominant lethal mutations when administered on five consecutive days to male mice at 200 and 2000 mg/kg/day. The lack of mutagenic potential was confirmed in bacterial mutagenic assays with Salmonella typhimurium (strains TA1535, TA1537, TA1538, TA98 and TA100) and Escherichia coli WP2, at levels of addition of 0.05-50 mg/plate. In rats, thaumatin was found to be a weak sensitizer, comparable with egg albumen, when administered systemically but to be inactive when administered orally. Prick testing of laboratory personnel who had been intermittently exposed by inhalation to thaumatin for periods up to 7 yr showed that 9.3% (13/140) responded positively to commercial thaumatin, while 30.7% were positive to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (house dust mite). None of the subjects who gave a positive skin reaction to commercial thaumatin responded to the plant components remaining after removal of the specific sweet Thaumatin proteins. Challenge tests in man did not demonstrate any oral sensitization. The results indicate that thaumatin when used as a flavour modifier and extender, and partial sweetener, is unlikely to be hazardous at the anticipated level of consumption.

The incidence of allergy--has it changed?

A survey of the incidence of allergy in the entire population of a new-town general practice is reported, comparing the year 1974 with 1979. A rise in the incidence of allergic complaints is noted in both sexes. However, hay fever and asthma continue to show a male dominance.

Social workers and general practice.

Weekly case conferences have been found valuable in the management of problem families in a general practice in a new town. These are attended by health visitors, mental welfare and child care officers, welfare officers, and psychiatric social workers, as well as by the family doctors. The conferences are a quick and easy way of exchanging important information and leading to rapid decisions.