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Notes: Shrimp aquaculture produces a large amount of waste, including nitrogen and phosphorus. To investigate the utilization of those elements as sources of nutrients for the growth of the red seaweed, Gracilaria sp. J. Agardh, an experiment in shrimp pond effluents was carried out over a period of 5 months. The biomass varied significantly (P 〈 0.01), reaching a maximum of 2540 g m−2 and a minimum of 380 g m−2. The mean was 1418 ± 708 g m−2. The higher biomass values occurred during the first 15 days and sometimes exceeded the initial inoculum by 190%. According to the results, production of 23.93 t ha−1 year−1 (dry weight) can be expected. anova showed significant differences in RGR (relative growth rate) values (P 〈 0.05). RGR varied from 8.8% per day to 1.8% per day. The fluctuation of nutrients was mainly influenced by pond fertilization frequency, with NH4 being the most abundant nutrient. Correlations between RGR and environmental parameters during the study period were not significant (P 〉 0.05). We conclude that Gracilaria sp. can be cultivated in shrimp ponds effluents. However, despite this relative success, it is necessary to perform some adjustments regarding the utilized cultivation technique.

Notes: A study was carried out on six subjects suffering from anaphylactic reactions including asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, contact urticaria and hypotension following contact with rubber gloves. All of them showed skin sensitivity and serum specific IgE to various preparations of natural latex, and not to other chemicals used in glove manufacturing. Immunoblotting techniques demonstrated that at least four soluble polypeptides from natural latex had the ability to bind specific human IgE. The results suggested that natural latex proteins present in rubber gloves can cause severe specific hypersensitivity reactions.

Notes: Background Allergy to both house dust and storage mites is well established, but information about other species of mites is seant.Objective One hundred and fifty patients directly exposed to an occupational environment were studied to assess whether spider mites (Tetranychidue) caused their allergic symptoms. We also studied a group of 50 patients from an urban environment, who were not occupationally exposed to spider mites, with a strong sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (RAST class 4).Methods Case history (including questions about work-related symptoms), skin tests, RAST and conjunctival provocation tests were performed in both groups using Tetranychus urticae and Panonychus citri extracts as allergens. Cross-reactivity between spider mites and D. Pteronyssinus was determined by RAST inhibition.Results Fifty-four of 150 rural workers were positive to Tetranychidae and in all cases there was an associated sensitization to D. pteronyssinus. All individuals belonging to the urban group were positive to spider mites. RAST inhibition demonstrated a significant cross-reactivity between Tetranychidae and D. pteronyssinus. Five of fifty-four rural workers sensitized to spider mites developed symptoms only when they handled plants or fruits infested with spider mites and they became asymptomatic when exposure ceased.Conclusion In the rural population studied. 36% of workers were found to be sensitized to spider mites and 10% had symptoms associated with occupational exposure. Since specific IgE antibodies to spider mites could not be detected in the absence of the specific IgE antibodies to D. pteronyssinus, and as all the affected workers were RAST positive to D. pteronyssinus, prior sensitization to house dust mites may be a risk factor for occupational allergy to spider miles.

Notes: A study was made of six patients with Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) to establish the aetiological role of foodstuffs and/or additives and the possible associated immunological alterations. In all cases Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) was diagnosed both clinically and histologically, excluding other causes of orofacial granulomatosis (OFG). A detailed study of possible triggering factors was performed in all patients. Blood analysis, x-rays and cultures, were always within normal limits, with the exception of the finding of circulating immune complexes (CICs) in three patients with facial palsy associated, and C-reactive protein positivity in two patients who presented persistent labial oedema. All patients were subjected to skin-prick tests with common inhalant allergens and with foods when sensitization to foods were suspected, and patch tests with European Standard Series and pastry components, organic dyes, perfumes and fragrances series. The results were negative in all cases. When asymptomatic, the patients were subjected to a double-blind oral challenge, under placebo control, with additives (monosodium glutamate, tartrazine, sulfites, erythrosine, paraoxybenzoate, sodium benzoate, lactose, aspirin, and annate), which was again negative. In no case did the patients refer the appearance of outbreaks with exposure to foods or contactants, and the course of the disease was unaffected by exclusion diets and the elimination of contactants. To conclude, we observed no sensitization to foods, additives or contactants in our patients. Likewise, there were no antecedents of atopy or hereditary predisposition related to the aetiopathogeny of MRS. The significance of the CIC encountered only in patients with facial paralysis remains to be established, due to the limited number of patients studied.

Notes: During hyposensitization therapy with aluminium-precipitated antigen solutions, a small % of patients develop persistent subcutaneous nodules at the injection site; the existence of delayed sensitivity to aluminium has been implicated in the pathogenesis of these nodules. We studied the prevalence of aluminium sensitivity (using patch, prick and intradermal tests) and common contact allergens (TRUE Test™) in 20 healthy subjects, and in 40 patients treated with aluminium-containing extracts, 20 of whom had persistent subcutaneous nodules that remained for more than 2 months, the other half having no nodular reactions or nodules that remained for less than 2 months. Aluminium sensitivity was found only in those patients of the treated group who had persistent nodular reactions, 4 cases of positivity to an aluminium chloride patch test being found. All 4 cases were women, nodules remained for more than 6 months, and intracutaneous tests were negative. 3 of them also had contact sensitivity to nickel. In 2 cases, nodules were removed for histological and histochemical examination, showing non-specific inflammatory granulomas, and aluminium crystals being found in only 1 case. It is concluded that delayed sensitivity to aluminium appears to be implicated in the pathogenesis of persistent nodular reactions, but sensitivity to aluminium was not found in patients treated with aluminium-precipitated extracts without persistent nodular reactions.

Notes: A study of the influence of colchicine on milk secretory cells was coducted in rats and cows, to ascertain the role of microtubules in the process of exocytosis and fat globule secretion. It was demonstrated with the aid of light microscopy, transmission electronmicroscopy and scanning electronmicroscopy that colchicin treatment apparently interferes with the fusion of secretory vesicles to the surface membrane of secretory cells and therefore interupts exocytosis. The significance of these findings are discussed.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉SummaryA study of the influence of colchicine on the secretion of the milk fat globules and of the exocytosis process has been made. Besides, the effects of this drug on the ultrastructure of the lactating mammary cell was analyzed. Colchicine induced similar changes in both cow and rat mammary glands, characterized by a progressive accumulation of secretory vesicles and lipid droplets, the loss of the polarity of the endoplasmic reticulum and the translational movement of the secretory vesicles and of the milk fat globules. The interference on microtubles assembly appears to be the main cause of the inhibition of the milk fat globules secretionl. It is probable that the secretory vesicles lose their capacity to fuse with the apical membrance of the secretory cell in a characteristic exocytosis process.〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉ZusammenfassungDer Einfluß von Colchizin auf die laktierende Milchdrüse von Kuh und Ratte mit besonderer Beachtung der Exocytose und der Sekretion von MilchfettkügelchenUntersucht wurde der Einfluß von Colchizin auf die Sekretion von Milchfettkügelchen und auf den Prozeßder exocytose. Daneben wurde die Wirkung dieser Droge auf die Ultrastruktur der laktierenden Milchdrüsenzellen beachtet. Colchizin rief sowohl bei der Milchdrüse der Kuh als auch bei jener der RAtteähnliche Veränderungen hervor, die durch eine fortschreitende Ansammulung von sekretorischen Vesikeln und Fetttröpfchen, Verlust der polarität des endoplasmatischen Retikulums und Zerreißen der Mikrotubuli charakterisiert waren. Diese Untersuchungsergebnisse weisen darauf hin, daß Colchizin an den Übertragungsmechafnismen der sekretorischen Vesikel und der Milchfettkügelchen angreift. Die Störung der Gesamtheit der Mikrotubuli scheint der Hauptgrund fü die Behinderung der Sekretion von Milchfettkügelchen zu sein. Es ist wahrscheinlich, daß die sekretorischen Vesikel ihre Fáhigkeit verlieren, mit der apikalen Membran der sekretorischen Zelle in jenem Charakteristischen Vorgang der Expcytose zusammenzufließen.〈section xml:id="abs1-4"〉〈title type="main"〉RésuméInfluence de la colchicine sur la glande mammaire en lactation de la Vache et de la Ratte, avec référence particulière à l'exocyose et à la sécrétion des golbules gras du laitOn a étudié l'influence de la colchincine sur la sécrétion des globules gras du lait et sur le processus de l'exocytose; on a analysé, en outre, les effets de cette drogue sur l'ultrastructure de la cellule mammaire en lactation. La colchicine induit des cangements similaires dans les glands mammaires, ches la Vache comme chez la Ratte: ceux-ci se caractérisent par une accumulation progressive de vésicules de sécrétion et de gouttelettes lipidiques, par la pette de polarité du réticulum endoplasmique et par la urpture des microtubules. Ces résultats démontrent que la colchicine affecte le mécanisme de transport des vésicules de sécrétion et des globules gras du lait. La pertubation de l'appareil microtubulaire semble être la cause principale de l'inhibition de la sécrétion des globules gras du lait. Il est probable que les vésicules sécrétoires perdent leur capacitéà fusinner avec la membrane apicale des cellules séscétrices selon le processus caractéristique de l'exocytose.〈section xml:id="abs1-5"〉〈title type="main"〉ResumenLa influencia de la colquicina sobre la glándula mamaria lactante de la vaca y de la rata, con referencia especial a la exocitosis y la secreción de los golóbulos de grasa en la lecheSe investigó la influencia de la colquicina sobre la secreción delos fgloóulos de grasa en la leche y sobre la exocitosis. Además, se analizó el efecto de esta droga sobre la ultraestructura de la célula mamaria lactante. Los cambios inducidos por la colguicina en las glándulas mamarias fueron los mismos en la vaca y en la rata, caracterizados por una acumulactón progresiva de vesículas seretoras y gotitas de lípidos, la pérdida de la polaridad del retículo endoplésmico y la ruptura de los mocrotúbulos. Estos resltados indicaron que la colquicina afecta los movimientos de transporte de las vesículas secretoras y de los glóbulos grasos de la leche. La interferencia en la organización de los microtúbulos parece ser la causa pricipal para la inhibición de la secreción de los glóbulos de grasa de la leche. Por razones similares, probablemente también las vesículas fsecretoras pierden su capacided de fusionarse con la membrana apical de la célula secretora, como sucede en el proceso típico de la exocitosis.