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Summary Anamnestic and immunological data of workers of a platinum refinery (group A: workers with work‐related symptoms, n= 8; group B: workers with symptoms not clearly work‐related, n= 9; group C: asymptomatic workers, n= 13) and controls (group D: atopies, n= 10; group E: non‐atopics, n= 16) were compared. Exposure to platinum salt was higher in group A than in groups B or C. In group A, symptoms developed 4 months (median) after the onset of exposure. All subjects of group A and three workers of group B, but none of the workers of the other groups, showed a positive cutaneous reaction to (PtCl6)2−. Total serum IgE was higher in groups A and D than in groups B, C or E.(PtCl6)2−‐specific IgE was higher in group A, but there was non‐specific binding of (PtCl6)2− to IgE. Histamine release with (PtCl6)2− was found in all groups and was highest in atopic controls. Histamine release with (PtCl6)2− and histamine release with anti‐IgE showed an excellent correlation, suggesting a similar release mechanism of (PtCl6)2− and anti‐IgE. In skin‐test positive subjects, high cutaneous (PtCl6)2−‐sensitivity is linked to high histamine release with (PtCl6)2− or anti‐IgE, supporting the concept of a role of cell surface IgE or IgE‐Fc‐receptor in the release process with platinum salts. However, high specificity of cutaneous reactions contrasts with low specificity of in‐vitro tests with (PtCl6)2−. A different reaction of basophils and mast cells, when challenged with free platinum salts, is hypothesized. We conclude that neither histamine release from basophils with (PtCl6)2− nor RAST for the detection of (PtCl6)2− specific IgE are helpful in the diagnosis of platinum salt allergy.

This study reports on investigations of the thoracodorsal artery by injection studies.This artery has a long proximal extramuscular course before it enters the muscle. A consistent neurovascular hilum was found at a considerably constant location on the inferior muscle surface, 2–3 cm medial to its lateral edge and about 5 cm distal to the inferior scapular border. A constant branching pattern of the thoracodorsal artery into a lateral and a medial vessel stem was found. A high number of muscle-perforating arteries form a dense network in the cutaneous and subcutaneous layer. The thoracodorsal artery supplies the whole cutaneous area adjacent to the latissimus dorsi muscle plus a streak of about 2 cm at the medial and distal muscle borders. The presented anatomical landmarks are useful for locating the neurovascular hilum, and the intramuscular course of the thoracodorsal artery for exploration of the vessel by Doppler sonography or dissection. The length of the pedicle and the relatively big vessel gauge are good anatomical markers for the free transfer of a latissimus dorsi flap.

Abstract-This paper presents the development of a highperformance micromachined capacitive accelerometer for detection of sonar waves. The device is intended to replace existing hydrophones in towed array sonar systems, and thus, needs to meet stringent performance requirements on noise, bandwidth, and dynamic range, among others. The in-plane, single-axis accelerometer is designed based on a mode-tuning structural platform. A frame was used instead of a solid plate for the proof-mass of the device, allowing us to push undesired vibration modes beyond the operating bandwidth of the device while enabling us to employ a portion of the area for capacitive sensing elements. The designed accelerometer was fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator wafer with 100µm device layer with capacitive gaps of ~2.2µm. The sensitivity of the accelerometer is 4.0V/g with a noise spectral density of better than /√ . The fundamental resonant frequency of the device is 4.4kHz. The open loop dynamic range of the accelerometer, while operating at atmospheric pressure, is better than 135dB with a cross-axis sensitivity of less than 30dB.