Heat-separation was introduced as a simple, reliable method of obtaining pure epidermis and dermis for prostaglandin (PG) analysis. Heating of normal human skin at 60 degrees C for 1 min resulted in a distinct separation of the epidermis from the dermis. After heat-separation the mean concentration +/- SEM of PGE1 activity in normal epidermal tissue was 2906 +/- 281 pg/mg dry weight. The PGE1 level in the corresponding dermal samples was 30 +/- 4 pg/mg dry weight and the mean leakage of PGE1 from the tissue into the buffer used during heating was 426 +/- 54 pg/ml.

2 cases of contact dermatitis to methyl methacrylate monomer are presented. The patients are nurses who mixed bone cement at orthopedic operations. During the procedure, they used 2 pairs of gloves (latex). Butyl rubber gloves are recommended for methyl methacrylate monomer to avoid sensitization and/or cumulative irritant contact dermatitis on the hands.

20 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were treated for 12 weeks with the prostaglandin E1 precursors cis-linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid in the form of primrose evening oil (Efamol) and the co-factors zinc, ascorbic acid, niacin, and pyridoxin (Efavit). There was a slight fall in skin reactivity to UV light during the treatment, but no effect on plasma or urine concentrations of PGE1, cAMP or cGMP. There was no effect of the treatment on ESR, P-fibrinogen, number of tender joints, number of swollen joints, the duration of morning stiffness, or on the patient's estimation of pain.