We have previously presented evidence that two human kallikrein-related peptidases, KLK5 (hK5, stratum corneum tryptic enzyme, SCTE) and KLK7 (hK7, stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme, SCCE), which are abundant in the stratum corneum, may be involved in desquamation. Since we had noted that not all trypsin-like activity in the plantar stratum corneum could be ascribed to KLK5, we set out to identify other skin proteases with similar primary substrate specificity. Here we describe purification of a protease identified as KLK14 from plantar stratum corneum, and show that this enzyme may be responsible for as much as 50% of the total trypsin-like activity in this tissue, measured as activity towards a chromogenic substrate cleaved by a wide variety of enzymes with trypsin-like specificity. This was in spite of very low levels of KLK14 protein compared to KLK5 and KLK7. KLK14 could be detected by immunoblotting in normal superficial stratum corneum of all individuals examined. The majority of KLK14 in the plantar stratum corneum is present in its catalytically active form. KLK14 could be immunohistochemically detected in sweat ducts, preferentially in the intraepidermal parts (the acrosyringium), and in sweat glands. The role played by this very efficient protease under normal and disease conditions in the skin remains to be elucidated.

This study focuses on the variability in chemical exposures for individuals working in office buildings. The study involved eight office buildings with 79 participants, and exposures were measured using personal samplers for volatile organic compounds, aldehydes, amines, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particles. Ventilation was assessed in each individual office. ''Variability among buildings'' and ''variability among individuals'' were evaluated for any component (of the 123) measured in samples from at least 20 persons, using variance component analysis and principal component analysis. Interpersonal differences explained the major part of the variance for 78% of the compounds versus between-buildings differences for 14% of the compounds. For 8% of compounds, the variation was explained in equal amounts by the differences among individuals and among buildings. This study illustrates the necessity for individualised measurements (versus stationary measurements in building) to estimate personal exposures. These results also support the conculsion that in case-referent studies of ''sick building syndrome'' (SBS), referents to SBS cases can be randomised for building location.

Chlorophenols are transformed in vitro to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) by peroxidase-catalyzed oxidations. This is demonstrated with bovine lactoperoxidase as well as horseradish peroxidase, and with 3,4,5- and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TrCP). The yield of total PCDD/Fs with lactoperoxidase was 11 micrograms per g 345-TrCP and 10 micrograms per g 245-TrCP, of which 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/Fs constituted 8.5 and 2.2 micrograms/g, respectively, corresponding to 0.85 and 1.2 micrograms/g of Nordic TCDD-equivalents.

Background Allergic contact dermatitis has considerable public health impact and causative haptens vary over time. Objectives To report the prevalence of contact allergy to allergens in the Swedish baseline series 2010 to 2017, as registered in the Swedish Patch Test Register. Methods Results and demographic information for patients tested with the Swedish baseline series in 2010 to 2017 were analysed. Results Data for 21 663 individuals (females 69%) were included. Females had significantly more positive patch tests (54% vs 40%). The reaction prevalence rates were highest for nickel sulfate (20.7%), fragrance mix I (7.1%), Myroxylon pereirae (6.9%), potassium dichromate (6.9%), cobalt chloride (6.8%), methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI; 6.4%), MI (3.7%), colophonium (3.5%), fragrance mix II (3.2%), and formaldehyde (3.2%). Myroxylon pereirae reaction prevalence increased from 5% in 2010 to 9% in 2017 and that for methyldibromo glutaronitrile from 3.1% to 4.6%. MCI/MI and MI reactions decreased in prevalence after 2014. Nickel reaction prevalence decreased among females aged 10 to 19 years. Conclusions Nickel remains the most common sensitizing agent, with reaction prevalence decreasing among females younger than 20 years. The changes in MCI/MI and MI reaction prevalence mirrored those in Europe. The register can reveal changes in contact allergy prevalence over time among patients patch tested in Sweden.

No abstract