Some endocrine responses to sauna, shower and ice water immersion.

Nine winter swimmer men were exposed to: (A) sauna and ice water immersion; (B) sauna and 15 degrees C shower; (C) sauna and room temperature; (D) head-out ice-water immersion and room temperature. The exposures were repeated and ended with a recumbent recovery. The initial, post-exposure and post-recovery concentrations of plasma ACTH, serum cortisol, serum melatonin, plasma norepinephrine and plasma epinephrine were determined. ACTH and cortisol indicated a slightly increased post-exposure level. Melatonin concentration did not change. Post-exposure norepinephrine levels increased (P less than 0.05) from the initial. Post-exposure epinephrine indicated a tendency to elevated levels with a nearly doubled (P less than 0.05) concentration in experiment A. The tendency toward enhanced ACTH and cortisol secretion and sympathetic activity shown by increased catecholamine secretion suggest that the winter swimming practice may raise the pain threshold and develop a potential for improved cold tolerance, possibly by nonshivering thermogenesis.

Transport of leucine, lysine, glycine and aspartate in neuroblastoma C1300 and glioma C6 cells.

Non-saturable penetration and the V and Km constants of saturable influx of leucine, lysine and glycine were always greater in cultured neuroblastoma (C1300) than in glioma (C6) cells. Aspartate uptake was detected only in glioma cells. Unstimulated efflux of the amino acids was initially fast in both cell types but soon slowed down. The efflux of glycine and aspartate exhibited no heteroexchange, the efflux of lysine was stimulated by extracellular leucine and that of leucine slightly by lysine and glycine but only in glioma cells.

Evaluation of an immunoturbidimetric microalbuminuria assay.

We have evaluated an immunoturbidimetric method for the estimation of urinary albumin. The method, besides being easy to perform and cost-effective, was sensitive enough to detect an even slightly increased albumin excretion (detection limit 5 mg/l). Within-run reproducibility was 1.8 and 2.1%, and between-run reproducibility 2.9 and 4.3% in samples containing 16.1-17.8 mg/l and 50.6-54.0 mg/l of albumin, respectively. The recovery of albumin added to the samples was 98.6-106.6%. Results obtained by this method correlated well with the results obtained by radial immunodiffusion (r = 0.980, n = 44) and radioimmunoassay (r = 0.982, n = 41). The immunoturbidimetric method can be easily adapted for several clinical chemistry analysers.

Occupational IgE-mediated asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and contact urticaria caused by Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) and tulip.

BACKGROUND: We report on IgE-mediated asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and contact urticaria to two Liliaceae plants, tulip and Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum), diagnosed in a floral shop worker. METHODS: Occupational asthma was diagnosed according to patient history, PEF monitoring, and a work-simulating provocation test. Flower-specific IgE was studied, and RAST inhibition tests were performed. RESULTS: Skin prick testing showed positive reactions to tulip, Easter lily, and chrysanthemum. Total IgE was 180 kU/I, and specific IgE to tulip was 2.6 and to Easter lily 6.5 kU/I. In the RAST-inhibition test, no cross-reactivity was found. Occupational asthma was diagnosed by peak flow monitoring at work and at home, as well as specific inhalation challenge with Easter lily, with an immediate 18% reduction in PEF. In addition, contact urticaria and conjunctivitis were diagnosed. After a 9-year follow-up without exposure to lilies, the skin prick tests to L. longiflorum and tulip were still positive, but the specific IgE had disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: A case of IgE-mediated occupational asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and contact urticaria caused by L. longiflorum and tulip is presented. RAST inhibition tests indicated concomitant sensitization to the two Liliaceae plants.

Occupational IgE-mediated allergy to Tribolium confusum (confused flour beetle).

BACKGROUND: We report on IgE-mediated allergy in a worker caused by Tribolium confusum (confused flour beetle). These beetles lived in the "old" flour to which he was exposed in his work. CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old, nonatopic mechanic in a rye crispbread factory developed rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthmatic symptoms, as well as urticaria on his wrists, lower arms, hands, neck, and face, during the maintenance and repair of machines contaminated by flour. This flour had been in and on the machines for a long time, and it contained small beetles. The patient did not suffer any symptoms when handling fresh, clean flour. RESULTS: Skin prick tests with standard environmental allergens, storage mites, enzymes, flours, and molds were negative. A prick test with flour from the machines gave a 10-mm reaction. An open application of the same flour caused urticarial whealing on the exposed skin. Prick tests with fresh flour from the factory were negative. A prick test with minced T. confusum from the flour in the machines gave a 7-mm reaction. Histamine hydrochloride 10 mg/ml gave a 7-mm reaction. Specific serum IgE antibodies to T. confusum were elevated at 17.2 kU/l. Prick tests with the flour from the machines were negative in five control patients. CONCLUSIONS: The patient had occupational contact urticaria, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthmatic symptoms from exposure to flour. His symptoms were caused by immediate allergy to the beetle T. confusum. Immediate allergy to this beetle has rarely been reported in connection with respiratory symptoms, but it may be more common. Contact urticaria from this source has not been reported before.