[A relationship between birch pollen and meteorological factors during the past four years and pollen survey in Sapporo in 1997].

It is well known that grass pollinosis has been the most representative pollinosis in Hokkaido prefecture, Japan, However, it is also well known that birch (Japanese white birch, Betula platyphylla var. japonica) pollinosis is gradually increasing, which is marked especially in Sapporo and its neighborhood. We analyzed a relationship between the birch pollen count and meteorological factors statistically. Moreover, the principal airborne pollen counts in Sapporo in 1997 were assessed and compared with the previous pollen data. As a results of this study, it was showed a close relationship between the annual amounts of birch pollen and meterological factors of the year before, especially in May and June might be important. Moreover, there is a strong negative correlation between the birch pollen count and humidity, which seems to affect bringing up flower buds. As for the principal airborne pollen counts, some kinds of tree pollen, including birch pollen, were observed from the end of March, followed by grass (Gramineae) pollen in June and mugwort (Artemisia) pollen from the end of August, respectively. The annual amounts of grass pollen showed a decreasing trend.

[Relationship between birch pollen allergy and oral and pharyngeal hypersensitivity to fruit].

We evaluated the relationship between birch pollen allergy and oral and pharyngeal hypersensitivities to certain fruits. 1. Of 171 birch pollen CAP positive (score > or = 2) patients, twenty two (13%) were revealed to be hypersensitive to apples, eleven (6%) to be hypersensitive to peaches, both rates being higher than those found in patients with other CAP positive reactions (orchard grass pollen CAP, mugwort pollen CAP or Dermatophagoides pteronyssius CAP positive). 2. Among the birch pollen CAP positive patients, the higher the CAP score for birch pollen, the higher the prevalences of hypersensitivity to apples and peaches were found to be. 3. Of 171 birch pollen CAP positive patients, six (3.5%) were revealed to be hypersensitive to kiwi fruit. Of 253 patients with other CAP positive reactions, three (1%) were revealed to be hypersensitive to kiwi fruit.

[Hypersensitivity to apple pulp among patients with birch pollinosis in Hokkaido].

We evaluated the relationships between hypersensitivity to apple pulp and birch pollinosis in Hokkaido. 1. Seventeen (20%) of 83 patients with birch pollinosis (symptom and CAP positive) were revealed to be hypersensitive to apple pulp, which was a higher rate than that found in patients with other pollinoses. 2. Among the patients with birch pollinosis, the higher was the CAP score of birch pollen, the higher was the incidence of hypersensitivity to apple pulp.

Temporal bone histopathology over 15 years post-stapedectomy.

Twenty-three temporal bones from 14 patients who had undergone stapedectomy more than 15 years (the longest, 28 years) preceding death were studied microscopically. Although a foreign body reaction was still found in the ears with a polyethylene prosthesis, it was seldom found in the ears with a wire or Teflon prosthesis. As the resorption of the incus was not severe, it was suggested that it occurred in the early stage of post-stapedectomy and the structural condition of the incus and prosthesis was stable for a long time (even over 15 years) after stapedectomy. In all ears, the grafts on the oval window continued to be the adequate barrier between the middle ear and inner ear. Even though cupping of the graft membrane was frequently found, it seemed not to disturb the sound conduction. The depth of the cupping was correlated somewhat with the thickness of the graft.