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o-Phthaldialdehyde (OPT) has been used as a reagent for the histochemical demonstration of histamine by fluorescence microscopy. OPT induces a blue fluorescence in gastric epithelial cells of the rat and, under the same conditions, a yellow fluorescence in mast cells. Microspectrofluorometric analysis of the histamine-OPT fluorophore in model systems (silica gel thin layer or dried albumin droplets) revealed a concentration-dependent shift of the emission maximum from blue (at low histamine concentrations) to yellow (at high concentrations). The characteristics of the fluorophores, which were very ultraviolet-labile, were not overtly affected by pH, but the red shift was more pronounced upon hydration. The blue fluorescence was maximally excited by the 365 mµ line of the mercury lamp; the excitation maximum for the yellow fluorescence was approximately 405 mµ. This strongly suggests that at least two different fluorophores are formed as a consequence of the condensation between histamine and OPT. This was confirmed by thin layer chromatography of the OPT-histamine fluorophore and by the finding that ultraviolet exposure converts the yellow fluorophore into a blue one. It is suggested that the blue and yellow OPT-induced fluorescence in cells reflect markedly different concentrations of histamine. The present observations may offer a new possibility for the histochemical quantitation of cellular histamine based on the concentration-dependent shift of the emission and/or excitation maxima.

Thirty patients with acne vulgaris were treated for 12 weeks with 0.025% vitamin A acid in a gel. The numbers of comedones, papules, and pustules were markedly reduced in 25 of the patients.

A compact light source has been developed. It consists of a high-pressure mercury lamp, a shutter, and water-cooled filters for selected wavelength regions. A mixing device permits simultaneous irradiation from two lamps of different wavelengths. The spectral distribution of the light for seven filter combinations and the construction of a power meter are also described. The application of the lamps to clinical investigations is illustrated by determination of minimal erythemal and blister doses, as well as pigmentation, for various groups of patients. The light intensities available are high enough to make pain threshold measurements possible in the UV and visible regions.

Details in the anatomy of sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis are described. Scanning electron microscopy is of help in illustrating this parasite which is commonly seen in clinical practice. The technique also provides the possibility to differentiate between various types of mite.

A second clinical trial of the compound Ro 6-0787, which is a specific monovalent penicilloyl hapten inhibitor of allergic reactions to penicillin has been conducted by investigators from 9 different European groups in 90 patients allergic to penicillin. The effect of a combined Ro 6-0787-penicillin therapy was considered as clinically successful in the large majority of cases, since treatment with penicillin could be pursued or resumed without allergic manifestation in 42 from 46 cases (91 percent). The effect of Ro 6-0787 alone on acute allergic manifestations after interruption of penicillin therapy was more difficult to evaluate but was nevertheless considered satisfactory in 17 from 26 patients (65 percent). A depression of skin hypersensitivity to PPL and/or penicillin and penicillin derivatives sometimes persisting for weeks and months was obvious in numerous allergic patients submitted to combined Ro 6-0787-penicillin treatment. A depressing effect on antipenicillin antibody titers detected by passive hemaglutination was also manifest in some patients. Failure to suppress allergic manifestations was reported in 11 cases, among which some may have been due to insufficient dosage of inhibiting hapten. The overall tolerance of Ro 6-0787 in allergic patients has been very good. Nevertheless, the major obstacle to a wider general use of Ro 6-0787 at the present time appears to be the occurrence of positive skin reactions to that compound in approximately 5 percent of patients allergic to penicillin. It is not yet ascertained whether the occasional positive skin reactions and urticaria to Ro 6-0787 may have been due to aggregation, or incomplete dissolution of the compound or whether it reflects hypersensitivity to another antigenic determinant. With the reservation that patients with positive skin test to Ro 6-0787 have for the time being to be excluded from combined treatment, this monovalent hapten certainly offers a new possibility to resume and/or pursue penicillin therapy in patients demonstrably allergic to that drug.

522 patients attending the Venereal Disease Clinic of the University Hospital in Uppsala Sweden between September 1967 and February 1968 were studied to determine the influence of the use of contraceptive gestogen pills on human sexual behavior and on the possible spread of gonorrhea. The patients were diagnosed for presence of gonorrhea and surveyed orally by a special interviewer. Mong the 250 women seen 28.4% were university students and 70.4% of these used oral contraceptives (OCs); 50.1% of the nonstudents used OCs. There was noted a considerable increase in OC use over the previous year when OC use was 48% and 18% respectively. Condom use remained constant at 30% for both periods. The number of sexual partners and frequency of intercourse was significantly higher among women taking pills (p less than .05) and highest in the 20-25 year age group (p less than .01). Sexual intercourse increased 25% among all women using OCs. This increased sexual activity probably increases the risk of gonococcal infection. 67% of the women were diagnosed with the disease and a diagnosis was made with equal frequency among pill users as nonpill users. Evidence indicating increased susceptibility of the mucosa to gonococcal infection with OC use was absent.(AUTHORS MODIFIED)