Effects of winter sea bathing on psychoneuroendocrinoimmunological parameters.

CONTEXT: Many people claim winter sea bathing gives them energy and health. According to the psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology (PNEI) paradigm, the stress response elicited by cold water immersion could indeed induce several beneficial psychophysical alterations. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of winter sea bathing on psychological wellbeing, stress and immune markers. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: 228 people, between 19 and 88 years, including 107 winter sea bathers and 121 controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A battery of questionnaires was administered to assess sociodemographic characteristics, self-perception of mental and physical heath, the number, duration and intensity of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) in the last year, and Big Five personality traits. 17 winter sea bathers and 15 controls (mean age 67 years) were further examined to evaluate physiological health, underwent one ear-nose-throat (ENT) examination, and provided saliva samples for measurements of biological markers (cortisol, sIgA, IL-1ß, IL-6). RESULTS: Winter sea bathing was associated with lower levels of self-reported stress and higher wellbeing. The ENT examinations did not reveal signs of URTIs in winter sea bathers, who exhibited significantly higher levels of salivary sIgA compared to controls. Neither salivary IL-1ß nor cortisol levels were significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Winter sea bathers (even the elderly) had a perception of higher wellbeing and reported better health: thus, they appeared to take advantage of potential distress (cold water exposure) to improve their health.

Prevalence of stratified epithelium-specific antinuclear antibodies in 138 patients with lichen planus.

BACKGROUND: Antibodies to stratified epithelia characterize chronic ulcerative stomatitis, an entity that very closely resembles erosive lichen planus both clinically and histologically. These antibodies are directed against a 70-kd antigen. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to verify whether antibodies to stratified epithelia are present in patients with common lichen planus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-eight patients with various forms of lichen planus were studied. Indirect immunofluorescence was performed on both monkey esophagus and HEp2-2000 cells. Immunoblotting was done with cultured keratinocytes used as the source antigen. RESULTS: Nineteen patients had antibodies to stratified epithelia (in 9 directed against an antigen of 70 kd). Forty-eight patients had circulating antibodies detected by indirect immunofluorescence on both monkey esophagus and HEp2-2000 cells (in 7 directed against an antigen of 70 kd). Indirect immunofluorescence was positive only on HEp2-2000 cells in 21 patients. Indirect immunofluorescence was negative in 50 patients on both HEp2-2000 cells and monkey esophagus. None of the last 71 patients had antibodies directed to an antigen of 70 kd. LIMITATIONS: This is a serological study; results from direct immunofluorescence studies would be interesting. CONCLUSION: Antibodies to stratified epithelia directed to an antigen of 70 kd are not exclusive to chronic ulcerative stomatitis, but are also present in some patients with lichen planus.

Efficacy of cefpodoxime in the prophylaxis of recurrent pharyngotonsillitis.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent acute pharyngotonsillitis remains a common illness in children and young adults and can lead to serious complications if not treated. cefpodoxime proxetil is a second-generation oral cephalosporin, which shows potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and high stability in the presence of beta-lactamases. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of second-generation cephalosporins in the prophylaxis of recurrent pharyngotonsillitis in children. METHODS: A total of 180 children aged between 4 and 14 years with recurrent pharyngotonsillitis were randomized to receive either cefpodoxime proxetil (100 mg twice a day, 6 days a month for 6 months) or placebo (at the same dosage). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that treatment with cefpodoxime proxetil may be effective in reducing symptoms of recurrent pharyngotonsillitis and preventing recurrences without causing side effects or developing bacterial resistance.

Short ribosomal prophylaxis in the prevention of clinical recurrences of chronic otitis media in children.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and the safety of a short oral ribosomal immunotherapy (Immucytal) in the prevention of chronic otitis media in children. Seventy-two patients were enrolled in this study, 41 males and 31 females, aged between 6 and 14 years, with an history of recurrent otitis media. Patients were randomised to receive Immucytal (group A) or placebo (group B) according to the following protocol: one tablet daily in the morning 8 days per month for three consecutive months. Immucytal and placebo were identical in shape and size, in order to maintain double-blind conditions. The efficacy parameters were (evaluated before, at the end and 6 months after the beginning of the therapy): clinical score; changes in immunological parameters; patient's parents assessment of symptoms on a scale from 0 (much worse) to 4 (much improved) and hearing tests. Patients of group A, had an improvement of clinical items measured, serum concentrations of immunoglobulins, subjective patient's parents assessment of symptoms and hearing tests. For all evaluations, a significant difference between treatment groups was found. Using this dosage and posology (shorter than others) the beneficial effects of Immucytal were maintained until the end of the 6-month study period.