Cucumber anaphylaxis in a latex-sensitized patient.

We report the case of a 76-year-old woman who experienced dizziness, vomiting, dyspnea, thoracic erythema, and vaginal itching within 5 minutes of eating cucumber. She had been diagnosed 3 months earlier with papaya urticaria and latex sensitization. The results of skin prick tests were positive for cucumber, watermelon, papaya, and latex and negative for melon and profilin extracts. ImmunoCAP for latex-specific serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E was positive. Cucumber-specific serum IgE was negative. Immunoblot analysis using patient serum revealed a 30- to 32-kDa protein band in the cucumber (peel) and papaya extracts. Immunoblot inhibition with latex extract demonstrated inhibition of the band in both extracts. Immunoblot inhibition with cucumber-papaya and papaya-cucumber revealed inhibition of the same band in the cucumber and papaya extracts, respectively. We present a case of IgE-mediated allergy to cucumber and papaya. Our results strongly suggest that the allergen(s) implicated are associated with latex sensitization. To our knowledge, this is the first report of cucumber-latex and cucumber-papaya cross-reactivity.

Primary varices pathogenesis. The appealing unitary model.

Primary varices pathogenesis is still unclear about the trigger event and the disease progression. Throughout time, a lot of hypotheses were created, each with a certain degree of veracity, to explain the aforementioned dilemmas. Present day investigation technologies allowed the undeniable progress in deciphering venous mechanics and biochemistry. Objectifying venous hemodynamic and valvular-parietal changes, their dynamic progression as well, lead to important clarifications in primary varicose disease physiopathogenesis. The importance of establishing a complete, unitary pathogenic model implies the practical possibility of immediately applying the right therapy addressing the pathogenic mechanism of this disease (i.e. correcting the "pressure escape" gateway) correlated with the progression stage (reflux degree) and the type of primary varices (gravitational, non-gravitational, or "suspended" varices). Initially, our study produces a critical evaluation of the classic pathogenic hypotheses and, later on, based on our long time experience in this field, it presents a complete and unitary, evolutive and pathogenic model in primary varices. The proposed model details a pathogenesis and a progression far more nuanced in primary varices, based on solid evidence, having obvious therapeutic implications and predictable results.

Risk assessment of pollution with pesticides in food in the Eastern Romania area (1996-1997).

The extensive use of pesticides in agriculture can entail risks for environment and non-target organisms. Hence the need to assess the nature and degree of the risk and at the same time to take preventive measures aimed at minimizing possible damages. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pesticide residues in food and the human body (maternal, young) in the Eastern Romania area, between 1996 and 1997. The organochlorine pesticide residues were analyzed using gas-chromatographic method. DDT-total and HCH-total were determined in 'food' (milk, bread, diets, coffee) sampled in the Eastern Romania area; 'maternal body' (placenta, milk, urine) and 'young body' (serum, urine) from the Iassy district. These pollutants present in all analyzed products involve the necessity of the pollution reduction by a rational use of the pesticides and the continuation of the chemical pollutants determination in the environment elements for cancer prevention and the control of the exposure to environmental carcinogens and their effects.

The correlation between alcohol consumption, lipids, apolipoproteins and coronary heart disease.

UNLABELLED: Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease. Whether alcohol is truly protective or whether the amount, type, or pattern of intake is the most important is still under debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between effect of presence, rhythm, frequency of alcohol consumption on lipid and apo-lipoproteic profile, and indirectly of cardiovascular risk. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional transversal study on 105 patients free of coronary heart disease (men and women) aged 58.08 (10.43) years. Alcohol and dietary intakes were assessed by using validated questionnaires. The dosages of lipids were measured by the enzymatic method and the dosages of apolipoproteins were measured by immuno-turbidometric methods. RESULTS: Presence of chronic alcohol consumption independently correlated with HDL-Cholesterol (p < 0.5) and apoA-I levels (p < 0.05). Ethylic dose positively associated with HDL-C (r = 0.71, p = 0.003) and apoA-I levels (r = 0.65, p = 0.002). Mean HDL-C levels significantly increase from the <1 drink/day group (46.58 +/- 35.12) to >7 drinks/day group (55.54 +/- 49.12) (p < 0.05). apoA-I also had a higher mean level for the >7 drinks/day group (1.78 +/- 1.21) than the 1-6 drinks/day group (1.58 +/- 0.05) and than the <1 drink/day group (1.53 +/- 0.09). Differences were found to be significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Alcohol consumption interferes with lipids and lipoproteins balance and is one of the parameters that indirectly decrease the cardiovascular risk. A higher ethylic quantity and rhythm of consumption correlates with a higher protection offered by HDL-Cholesterol and apo A-I.

The impact of the metabolic syndrome on the patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The subjects with metabolic syndrome are an increased risk for the development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease as well as an increased mortality for cardiovascular disease in all causes. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome after acute coronary syndrome has not been studied yet. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and to evaluate its cardiovascular risk potential using the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria. METHODS: We performed a cross sectional study in 256 patients with acute coronary syndrome. The definition of the metabolic syndrome was based on NCEP-ATP III criteria. The cardiovascular risk factors that define the metabolic syndrome and their correlation with the cardiovascular risk were evaluated by descriptive and interferential statistical methods. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 47.26%, as assessed by criteria of the NCEP-ATP III. The presence of the metabolic syndrome has been positively correlated with the cardiovascular risk (OR 1.29; 95% CI, 1.05-1.54, p=0.047). The cardiovascular risk has significantly correlated with the increasing of the components number that defines the metabolic syndrome. Among the components of the metabolic syndrome, HDL-Cholesterol was the most significantly correlated with the cardiovascular risk in the patients with acute coronary syndrome (OR 3.60; 95% CI 2.14-5.06; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria was high, and positively correlated with the cardiovascular risk in the patients with acute coronary syndrome. The cardiovascular risk rises proportionally with the number of metabolic components.

Recurrent thrombembolic risk in patients with multiple thrombophilic disorders.

Genetic mutations of the coagulation factors II and V (G20210A and G1691A - factor V Leiden)--as well as the one for methylene tetrahydrofolat reductase's (MTHFT) gene C677T are diseases with dominant autosomal transmission characterized by thromboembolic events leading to deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism. The authors show the clinical observation of 2 cases of recurrent deep venous thrombosis evolving with pulmonary embolism in patients with genetic defects of the coagulating factors. The positive diagnostic was put on the paraclinical findings and the etiology was established from the homocysteine genetic modification of the G20210A prothrombin and factor V Leiden and MTHFT mutation. Publishing these cases will allow us to emphasize the importance of the genetic factors for thromboembolic episodes and especially for the consequences of the long-term anticoagulant therapy.

Lipoprotein (a) and lipid and non-lipid risk factors in coronaries risk assessment.

PURPOSE: Several studies showed that elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] represent a predictor for cardiovascular risk. Based on already existing literature data, we aim to study the relationship between Lp(a), lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with or without coronary heart disease. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional transversal study on 208 patients (100 men and 108 women) aged between 37-75, with or without old myocardial infarction. In all the patients were evaluated the cardiovascular risk factors, the plasma level of the lipid fractions and Lp(a). The relationship between Lp(a) and the lipid and non-lipid risk factors were evaluated by the logistic regression method. RESULTS: The myocardial infarction group had higher values of plasma levels of Lp(a) (0.37 +/- 0.28 vs. 0.29 +/- 0.23 g/L, p < 0.05), and LDL-C (125.66 +/- 41.21 vs. 113.44 +/- 46.64 mg/dL, p < 0.05), than the group without coronary heart disease, as well as higher values of plasmatic TC/HDL-C ratio (4.31 +/- 1.55 vs. 4.08 +/- 1.29, p < 0.05), with significantly decreased plasmatic levels of HDL-C (45.88 +/- 12.04 vs. 53.22 +/- 23.12 mg/dL, p < 0.05). The association between the high Lp(a) plasma levels and the severity of coronary vessels number involved was significant. Multivariate analysis performed with adjustments for cardiovascular risk factors showed that the Lp(a), LDL-C and CT/HDL-C ratio levels are significant and independent predictive markers of coronary heart disease. CONCLUSION: The results show that the high Lp(a) plasma levels represent an independent cardiovascular risk factor, with superior risk prediction than the conventional lipid fractions. Our results confirm the Lp(a) as a marker for cardiovascular risk assessment in clinical practice.

Stress and deformation analysis induced by dental implants in mandible.

The paper presents the human implanted mandible behavior under the action of muscle forces creating different stress distributions depending on the kind of motion performed. The mandible is treated in accordance to the classical mechanics methods. The model is based on the mandible actual shape, taking into account the correct geometric parameters. By imposing the motion conditions during mastication and by considering the real forces developed by muscles during this motion, the reaction forces acting in the temporal-mandible joint and on each tooth have been computed. The aim of the paper is to establish a connection between the implant number and the jaw mechanical behavior.

Differential cytology in the diagnosis of astrocytary gliomas. A statistical study using the "t" Students-Fisher test.

The authors have used the "t" Student-Fisher test in order to verify the differences between two compared average values. The results show the anatomo-clinical individuality of four main types of astrocytary gliomas; multiform glioblastoma, malignant astrocytoma, protoplasmatic astrocytoma, and fibrillary astrocytoma. The occurrence of significant quantitative differences between these four astrocytary gliomas indicates that the histological diagnosis must be differentially made, because these astrocytary neoplasias represent individualized anatomo-clinical entities.

[Active-evolutive pulmonary tuberculosis with negative tuberculin reaction]. / Tuberculoze pulmonare activ-evolutive cu reactie negativa la tuberculina

In a lot of 452 patients with various forms of tuberculosis, in various locations, the authors have investigated the efficiency of tests currently employed in detecting tuberculin sensitivity (intradermoreaction to PPD, the test to sensitines and the Ustvedt test), in relation with several immunologic tests performed in vitro (index of lymphoblastogenesis to PPD and/or phytohaemagglutinin, leucocyte migration inhibition test, and the rosette test). It was noted that the two groups of investigations give similar results when tuberculin reactions are positive and intense. Under the conventionally admitted threshold of tuberculinic allergy the test of blastic transformation of lymphocytes, and especially the leucocyte migration inhibition tests are still positive and may be considered as a valuable means for measuring infra-tuberculinic allergy, as well as for the diagnosis of latent tuberculous infections.

[The relationship between zinc, copper and lipid metabolic indicators in adults]. / Studiul relatiei dintre zinc, cupru si indicatorii metabolismului lipidic la adulti.

The variation of the levels of serum zinc and copper was determined comparing with the variation of the lipidic indicators in a group of 169 adults from the general population. The subjects were divided by age and sex. Serum zinc declined with ageing, while serum copper increased. The lipidic indicators varied in direct correlation with serum copper and in indirect correlation with serum zinc excepting two cases: HDL-cholesterol values decreased in man 60 years older, and triglycerides values decreased lightly in men 41-60 years old.

[Non-culturable Koch bacilli during antitubercular chemotherapy]. / Bacili Koch necultivabili in cursul chimioterapiei antibuerculoase.

The authors have performed 58435 microscopic examinations, of which 3813 were positive, and found 209 (5,48%) cases of non-cultivable Koch bacilli. The major bacteriological, clinico-evolutive and therapeutical aspects are examined. Most of the cases showing a syndrome of positive homogenate with a negative culture were rather recent ones (an evolution of less than 2 years in 73,68% of the total) and the highest frequency was found in those in which the treatment was in its first year. No direct relationship could be demonstrated between the number of germs (the Gaffky scale) and the frequency of the syndrome. The factors influencing the occurrence and the development of the syndrome are: the structure of the lesions, the method of bacteriologic examination, the therapy applied, and a certain immunologic reactivity. According to the authors the significance of this syndrome is positive in most of the cases, indicating a regression that has not been completed. The most reasonable attitude is a differentiated one, depending on each case, integrating the data obtained by the bacteriological examination in the therapeutic and evolutive clinico-radiologic context.