Traction alopecia in two adolescent Sikh brothers-an underrecognized problem unmasked by migration.

Traction alopecia denotes an often permanent hair loss resulting from prolonged physical damage to the hair shaft. We report on two adolescent Sikh brothers who wore a turban since early childhood and developed a band-like scarring alopecia at the frontal hairline. Awareness of this condition may help in preventing irreversible hair loss by early modification of the daily hair care routine.

Orally administered rapamycin, dacarbazine or both for treatment of human melanoma evaluated in severe combined immunodeficiency mice.

OBJECTIVE: In this experimental study, the antineoplastic potential of orally administered rapamycin in human melanoma was evaluated and compared with dacarbazine (DTIC) as well as with the antineoplastic effect of the combination of both drugs. METHODS: The substances were tested using 2 human melanoma cell lines, 518A2, which is highly susceptible to DTIC, and 607B, which is moderately susceptible. A human melanoma severe combined immunodeficiency mouse xenotransplantation model was used. After development of palpable tumors, mice received oral rapamycin or saline over 18 days. Additionally, from treatment day 4 to 8, mice were randomly chosen to receive either DTIC or saline treatment. RESULTS: The oral rapamycin treatment (1.5, 7.5, 15 and 30 mg/kg body weight) had an antineoplastic effect, ranging from 35 to 78% tumor weight reduction compared with the saline group. In DTIC less sensitive 607B tumors, rapamycin treatment (15 and 30 mg/kg body weight) was superior to DTIC treatment (p < 0.05). DTIC monotreatment reduced tumor weight in 518A2 tumors by 85% on average, whereas in 607B xenografts, no significant tumor weight reduction was observed compared with the saline group (p > 0.05). The combination of rapamycin and DTIC was not superior to rapamycin monotreatment in any cell line. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that oral rapamycin exerts a relevant antineoplastic effect on human melanoma cells. This effect appeared to be more pronounced in DTIC less sensitive melanoma xenografts.

Photoallergic contact dermatitis to Heracleum giganteum.

Heracleum plants occur in numerous species worldwide and may cause phototoxic reactions due to its content of various furocoumarins. In this case report, a widespread photoallergic contact dermatitis after exposure to Heracleum giganteum (giant bear claw) is described. A photopatch test with extracts from the stem, leaves and seeds of the giant bear claw revealed a positive papulovesicular reaction that already appeared at 24 h and peaked at 72 h after irradiation with 5 J/cm(2) UVA. The unirradiated controls remained negative. We conclude that in rare cases Heracleum plants may cause severe photoallergic reactions that can be verified by photopatch testing.

Response of juvenile circumscribed pityriasis rubra pilaris to topical tazarotene treatment.

We report juvenile circumscribed pityriasis rubra pilaris (type IV) in a 12-year-old Afghani girl in whom local therapy with tazarotene led to rapid, sustained remission. Tazarotene might be considered a useful treatment for circumscribed pityriasis rubra pilaris.

Three-dimensional morphological characterization of optic nerve fibers by atomic force microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy.

A comparative study of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging of the healthy human optic nerve was carried out to determine the similarities and the differences. In this study we compared the fine optic nerve structures as observed by SEM and AFM. The fibers of the right optic nerve of a 61-year-old man show different arrangements in transverse sections taken from the same individual 5 mm central to the optic canal and 5 mm peripheral to the optic chiasma; this difference can be recognized by light microscopy (LM), SEM, and AFM. AFM revealed such typical optic nerve fibers (taken from a point 5 mm central to the optic canal) with annular and longitudinal orientations, which were not visible by SEM in this form. By contrast, LM and SEM visualized other structures, such as pia mater and optic nerve fibers loosely arranged in bundles, none of which was visualized by AFM. The images, however, taken 5 mm peripheral from the optic chiasma show shapeless nerve fibers having a wavy course. Our results reveal that more detailed information on optic nerve morphology is obtained by exploiting the advantages of both SEM and AFM. These are the first SEM and AFM images of healthy human optic nerve fibers, containing clear representations of the three dimensions of the optic nerve.

3-D morphological characterization of the liver parenchyma by atomic force microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy.

A comparative study of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of the healthy human liver parenchyma was carried out to determine the similarities and the differences. In this study, we compared the fine hepatic structures as observed by SEM and AFM. Although AFM revealed such typical hepatic structures as bile canaliculi and hepatocytes, it also showed the location of the nucleus and chromatin granules in rough relief structure, which was not visible by SEM. By contrast, SEM visualized other structures, such as microvilli, the central vein, and collagenous fibers, none of which was visualized by AFM. For better orientation and confirmation of most of the structures imaged by SEM and AFM, Congo Red-stained specimens were also examined. Amyloid deposits in the Disse's spaces were shown especially clearly in these images. The differences between the SEM and AFM images reflected the characteristics of the detection systems and methods used for sample preparation. Our results reveal that more detailed information on hepatic morphology is obtained by exploiting the advantages of both SEM and AFM.

Morphological study of the healthy human oculomotor nerve by atomic force microscopy.

This study concerns an investigation of oculomotor nerves via imaging semithin sections with an atomic force microscope (AFM). The study used 10 oculomotor nerves removed from individuals aged between 40 and 60 years old at time of death. We adopted semithin sections for our AFM studies to extract topographical data of the fibers of this nerve. Both light microscope and electron microscope images of the same samples were employed to augment our capabilities for orientation in the AFM analyses. Transverse sections of the oculomotor nerve, imaged via AFM, show clearly identifiable ring-like nerve fibers with the myelinated axons. The samples were simultaneously characterized by error signal mode and lateral force microscopy. These AFM-related techniques revealed no information concerning friction force and elasticity due to the presence of the embedding material (epoxy resin), but showed the myelinated nerve fibers with ring-like structures corresponding to the myelin sheaths. These are the first AFM images of physiological human oculomotor nerves, containing clear three-dimensional representations of these samples.

Under-reporting of direct and indirect obstetrical deaths in Austria, 1980-98.

BACKGROUND: Under-reporting and misclassification of maternal deaths are common, even in countries with a high quality of death statistics. The aims of this study were to determine to what extent maternal deaths are under-reported in Austria and to determine factors that might explain under-reporting. METHODS: Confidential enquiries on maternal deaths for the period 1980-98 were linked with the official mortality statistics from Statistics Austria. Maternal deaths were classified as direct and indirect obstetric deaths. RESULTS: Between 1980 and 1998 a total of 119 maternal deaths (112 direct and seven indirect obstetric deaths) were registered at Statistics Austria. Confidential inquiries into maternal deaths accumulated 191 maternal deaths (an additional 43 direct obstetric deaths and 29 indirect obstetric deaths). Total under-reporting was 38% (95% CI 31-45). Significantly more indirect obstetrical deaths were under-reported (81%; 95% CI 64-92) than direct obstetrical deaths (28%; 95% CI 21-36). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the shortcomings of official registration of maternal deaths. Thus, maternal mortality cannot be seen as a reliable basis for health policy decisions.

Allergy to Ficus benjamina.

The clinical history of 16 patients found to have specific IgE antibodies against Ficus benjamina was analyzed in terms of allergic symptoms, clinical and biological cross-sensitisation to other allergens and compared to the data found in the literature. Two different groups of patients were studied. Group A consisted of 13 patients who became sensitised through contact with ficus plants and experienced symptoms upon exposure. Their main symptoms where conjunctivitis, rhinitis, asthma, eyelid oedema or urticaria. Of these patients 11 had other atopic manifestations. Two persons had no other allergy. 10 patients experienced symptoms at home, 2 at the working place and 1 while being in a restaurant. One patient had a crossreactive food allergy to figs. Group B consisted of 3 highly atopic patients who had also a sensitization both to latex (Hevea brasiliensis) and to Ficus benjamina. They had no clinical history of allergic reactions provoked by ficus plants.