A. B. Ulhôa Cintra

BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE SNAIL STROPHOCHEILUS OBLONGUS MUSCULUS (BECQUAERT).

Abstract 1. 1. The sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, inorganic and total phosphorus, sulfur, copper, bicarbonate, protein, urea, uric acid, glucose, alkaline phosphatase activity and ceruloplasmin contents of the blood of the snail Strophocheilus oblongus musculus (Bequaert) were determined. 2. 2. The osmolarity of the blood was 156 mOsm and the pH was 7·64. 3. 3. In the blood there is no cholesterol or total lipids. 4. 4. The values for dialyzed blood and the penis retractor muscle are also given.

Biochemical studies on the giant earthworm Glossoscolex giganteus (Leuckart).

Abstract 1. 1. The sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, sulphur, copper, bicarbonate, protein, urea, glucose, total lipids, copper oxidase activity, total iodine and protein-bound iodine contents of the blood of the giant earthworm Glossoscolex giganteus (Leuckart) were determined. 2. 2. The osmolarity of the blood was 181 mOsm/l. and the pH was 7·43. 3. 3. No alkaline phosphatase activity was detected in the blood, the uric acid contents being very low. 4. 4. The values for inorganic constituents in septal muscles, parietal muscles with cuticle, pseudo-hearts and faeces are given.

Collective asthma, simulating an epidemic, provoked by castor-bean dust.

Abstract In August, 1952, in Bauru, a city of 60,000 inhabitants, in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Public Health Service was notified within a few days of 150 cases of a particular type of bronchial asthma, and nine deaths were attributed to it. The illness simulated an epidemic. Allergic studies in 30 cases revealed that they were cases of bronchial asthma and other allergic manifestations of the upper respiratory tract brought about by allergy to castor-bean (Ricinus communis) dust. The etiologic proof was made by history; strongly positive cutaneous tests; passive transfer of the skin-sensitizing antibodies, and by experimental provocation of symptoms. The experimental reproduction of the symptoms was possible by placing 4 patients in a room in which had been nebulized for an hour a 1:10 solution of the allergen. The four patients had extremely severe attacks of asthma, one to three minutes after they went into the room. The cases of collective asthma coincided with the changes made in the method of extraction of castor-bean oil by hexane, which occurred one day before at the large mill operating for some years in the city of Bauru. A new outbreak of collective asthma identical with the first one was observed about a month later when the mill resumed work after a period of inactivity and observation demanded by the physicians of the Public Health Service. With the closing down of the mill for a year no new cases of asthma of a collective nature were observed. The mill is now working again using a method of catching the dusts in a water reservoir, based on the fact that the allergen is soluble in water and precipitated by alcohol.

Bone histomorphometry in Cushing's syndrome

Bone involvement is a common finding in Cushing’s syndrome. The actions of corticosteroids on bone have been studied quite intensively but only a few studies of bone histomorphometry in this syndrome have been published. In this paper we present histomorphometric measurements of bone activity in 7 patients with a postoperative reevaluation in two. The results show irregular alterations on histomorphometric parameters with an increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation rate. After surgery the abnormalities changed towards normal.

Immunochemical studies of the asthmatic sputum.

Chemical studies of bronchial sputum by Werner ( 1953 ) , Springer et al. (1954) , Baer (1955) , Bttkantz & Berns (1958) demonstrated the presence of hexosamin, N-acetilhexosamin, uronic and sialic acid, fucose and mucopolysaccharides which exhibit blood group activity. Immunological relationship between bronchial sputum and other human secretions and organ antigens was demonstrated by Mendes et al. (1961), suggesting chemical relations among some components from different sources. The present report is concerned with the results obtained by gel double diffusion and immoelectrophoresis for the identification of protein components of bronchial sputum and their relationship with sertim proteins.

Allergy to snake venoms

Abstract 1.1. Six cases of allergic reactions to inhalation of snake venom, characterized by ocular and respiratory symptoms (conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and asthma), have been studied. 2.2. The patients worked mainly with venoms of the Bothrops and Crotalus genera, in powdered or vapor form, and the outbreak of symptoms occurred from six months to five years after the contact. 3.3. The presence of skin-sensitizing antibodies was demonstrated by means of unquestionably positive intradermal reactions and passive transfer tests. 4.4. It seems that there is a common allergen to all venoms studied (Bothrops, Crotalus, Lachesis, Vipera and Micrurus), since some patients presented positive reactions to intracutaneous or passive transfer tests with venoms with which they had not had any previous contact. 5.5. Snake venom allergens seem to be extremely potent, inasmuch as five of the six patients studied did not present any personal or family record of allergy.

5‐HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE IN THE BRONCHIAL SPUTUM OF ASTHMATIC PATIENTS

The role played by serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) in asthma has not yet been sufficiently clarified and concerning this problem there are different opinions. Serotonin is released in the course of certain pathological reactions, mainly after anaphylactic reactions in certain animals. Discussions have been made by Weisshach et al. on the role of serotonin in the pulmonary aspects of hypersensitivity. Humphrey & Jaqttes after in vitro studies found that in the rabbit serotonin takes an active part in anaphylactic phenomena. Identical verifications were made by JVaalkes & Coburn in vivo. Lecomte & Fisher showed that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5—HT) is thereafter catabolized and an excessive amount of 5-hydroxyindol-acetic acid (5-HIAA) is excreted in the urine. According to Herxheimer, guinea-pigs submitted to aerosols of serotonin produced bronchospasm and similar findings might occur in human asthma. Indeed, human beings submitted to aerosols of serotonin showed decrease of vital capacity and respiratory flux, according to Michelson et al. Serotonin is a broncho-constrictor and it is generally admitted that this is the cause of the asthmatiform symptoms in patients with malignant carcinoid.

ALLERGIC STUDY OF SEVEN CASES OF SUDDEN DEATH ASCRIBED TO PENICILLIN

Notwithstanding the fact that fatal shocks provoked hy penicillin are not infrequent, the immunological study of these cases has not aroused great interest. Necropsy findings are usually reported, and only occasional investigations ahout possihle antihodies against penicillin are descrihed. We have heen concerned with this prohlem since 1955 and so far we managed to collect seven deaths attributed hy pathologists to anaphylactic shock caused hy penicillin. Skin sensitizing antihodies and precipitins have been assayed in the serum of these patients.