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Biomedical subjects

J Arata

Publications and source records attributed to J Arata.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 by interferon gamma and transforming growth factor alpha in normal human epidermal keratinocytes and squamous carcinoma cells. Role of mitogen-activated protein kinases.

Treatment of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) causes a 9-fold increase in the level of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA expression. Nuclear run-off assays indicate that this induction is at least partly due to increased transcription. Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway due to the enhanced transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) expression plays an important role in the induction of COX-2 by IFN-gamma. This is supported by the ability of TGFalpha to rapidly induce COX-2 and the inhibition of the IFN-gamma-mediated COX-2 mRNA induction by an EGFR antibody and EGFR-selective kinase inhibitors. Deletion and mutation analysis indicates the importance of the proximal cAMP-response element/ATF site in the transcriptional control of this gene by TGFalpha. The increase in COX-2 mRNA by TGFalpha requires activation of both the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Inhibition of p38 MAPK decreases the stability of COX-2 mRNA, while inhibition of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) does not. These results suggest that the p38 MAPK signaling pathway controls COX-2 at the level of mRNA stability, while the ERK signaling pathway regulates COX-2 at the level of transcription. In contrast to NHEK, IFN-gamma and TGFalpha are not very effective in inducing TGFalpha or COX-2 expression in several squamous carcinoma cell lines, indicating alterations in both IFN-gamma and TGFalpha response pathways.

Amphiregulin↗
PubMed1999

Correlation between expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta and squamous differentiation in epidermal and tracheobronchial epithelial cells.

Previously, several members of the nuclear receptor superfamily have been implicated in the regulation of epidermal differentiation. In this study, we analyze the expression of members of the PPAR nuclear receptor subfamily in relation to the process of squamous differentiation in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK), human tracheobronchial epithelial (HBE) cells and the epidermis in vivo. Our results demonstrate that induction of differentiation in NHEK by either treatment with the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), suspension culture or confluence greatly enhances the expression of PPARbeta mRNA. Likewise, topical treatment of mouse skin with PMA results in increased PPARbeta mRNA expression in the epidermis. In addition, the induction of squamous differentiation in HBE cells was also associated with an upregulation of PPARbeta mRNA expression. Finally, in situ hybridization analysis localized PPARbeta mRNA to the suprabasal layers of normal human skin. Our results demonstrate that the expression of PPARbeta is associated with squamous differentiation suggesting a regulatory role for this receptor in the control of specific genes during this differentiation process.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Nasal and nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma.

Nasal and nasal-type natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphomas follow an aggressive course and have a poor prognosis. Recent pathologic studies suggest that the disease is a malignant proliferation of NK cells, which often express CD56. An association with the Epstein-Barr virus has also been reported. Skin involvement occurred in each of the 3 patients studied. Radiation therapy provided some benefit to the patients in the early stages. Conventional chemotherapies were not effective. To overcome this multiple-drug resistance of the tumor cells, cyclosporine and high-dose chemotherapy was combined with peripheral-blood stem-cell transplantation. The average life span from the onset of the disease for our patients was 9.6 months. Further improvement in the management of nasal and nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphomas is necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Anti-epiligrin cicatricial pemphigoid with IgG autoantibodies to the beta and gamma subunits of laminin 5.

Anti-epiligrin cicatricial pemphigoid is an autoimmune subepithelial blistering disorder of mucous membranes and skin. By immunoblot analyses, sera of most patients with antiepiligrin cicatricial pemphigoid have been shown to react specifically with the alpha3 chain of laminin 5. We describe the first patient with anti-epiligrin cicatricial pemphigoid in whom circulating IgG autoantibodies directed against the beta3 and gamma2-chains of laminin 5 were detected. Treatment with oral prednisolone was beneficial in controlling the disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Streptococci isolated from various skin lesions: the interaction with Staphylococcus aureus strains.

We isolated 73 streptococcus strains (41 from infections, and 32 from colonization) from various skin diseases between March, 1994, and June, 1998. In 29 out of 41 cases of infective origin, Staphylococcus aureus strains were simultaneously isolated. Twenty-four out of 28 patients with impetigo were suffering from atopic dermatitis. We confirmed that impetigo lesions where Streptococcus pyogenes was dominant in number always showed thick-walled pustules on an erythematous base; these skin lesions were considered to be an early manifestation of streptococcal impetigo. We further confirmed that thick-crusted lesions in streptococcal impetigo, where S. aureus exceeded S. pyogenes in number, were a late manifestation. Antimicrobial agents such as minocycline, fusidic acid, ofloxacin and tosufloxacin, were more effective against S. aureus strains than against beta-hemolytic streptococcal strains. In contrast, ampicillin, cefdinir, imipenem, erythromycin and vancomycin were more effective against beta-hemolytic streptococcal strains.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1999

Characteristics in adherence of streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from various infective skin lesions: serum IgA decreases adherence of Streptococcus pyogenes but not Staphylococcus aureus.

We characterized adherence of streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from various infective skin lesions in terms of hydrophobicity, negative charge, tube adherence, slime production, and influence on adherence to coverslips by plasma and serum immunoglobulins. High hydrophobicity was more frequently observed in Streptococcus pyogenes strains than in Streptococcus agalactiae strains (P < 0.01) and S. aureus strains (P < 0.001) and slime production was more frequently observed in S. agalactiae strains than in S. pyogenes strains (P < 0.05). Serum IgA decreased adherence to coverslips of S. pyogenes strains but not that of S. aureus strains.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed1999

Calcium oxide and magnesium oxide inhibit plasma coagulation by Staphylococcus aureus cells at the lower concentration than zinc oxide.

We examined the effect of ceramic powder slurries on the coagulation of plasma by Staphylococcus aureus cells. Plasma coagulation by S. aureus strains or their cultured supernatant was inhibited in the plasma with 0.12% calcium oxide or 0.25% magnesium oxide after incubation for 24 h at 37 degrees C. Inhibition of plasma coagulation by calcium oxide and magnesium oxide was observed at the lower concentration than zinc oxide.

Antacids↗
PubMed1999

Possible influences of Staphylococcus aureus on atopic dermatitis-- the colonizing features and the effects of staphylococcal enterotoxins.

BACKGROUND: Heavy colonization of atopic dermatitis (AD) with Staphylococcus aureus is well documented. This phenomenon suggests that S. aureus in AD lesions influences the disease processes of AD. OBJECTIVE: We describe the importance of the presence of S. aureus and staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B (SEA, SEB) in AD lesions. METHODS: We investigated the colonizing features of S. aureus in AD lesions using electron microscopy, the distribution of SEB in the eczematous skin of AD using immunofluorescence, the effects of SEA and SEB on normal human epidermal keratinocytes in organ culture, and the presence of specific IgE antibodies to SEA and/or SEB in serum of AD patients by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: S. aureus in AD lesions colonized on and in the horny layers of the eczematous skin. SEB produced by S. aureus was distributed mainly on the dermal-infiltrated cells, especially on eosinophils. SEA and SEB stimulated expression of ICAM-1 and HLA-DR in normal human keratinocytes. More than half of the AD patients in the present study had specific IgE antibodies to SEA and/or SEB in their serum. CONCLUSION: S. aureus and SEs have important roles in the exacerbation and prolongation of AD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Acute myocardial infarction following toxic epidermal necrolysis?

We describe a 29-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis who suffered an acute myocardial infarction 70 days after an initial presentation with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The trigger for the TEN was probably an over-the-counter anti-influenza treatment containing tipepidine hibenzate. Although the patient had familial hypercholesterolemia, we believe that thrombocytosis, induced by the inflammatory response and metabolic stress resulting from the TEN, may also have played a significant role in the pathogenesis of the myocardial infarction. Although TEN manifests itself principally as a skin disease, the potential for systemic morbidity, including cardiovascular abnormalities, should also be remembered.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Detection of cryptdin in mouse skin.

Defensins are widely distributed and broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides with activities against bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses. Defensins have been isolated from granules of neutrophils from humans, rabbits, rats, and guinea pigs. They have also been found in lung macrophages as well as in Paneth cells of the human, rabbit, and mouse small intestine. The human beta-defensin-2 was recently isolated from human skin. In this study, we detected the expression of mRNA for the defensin cryptdin in BALB/c mouse skin by means of reverse transcriptase PCR amplification. Expression was also detected in dispase-separated epidermis and cultured keratinocytes, but expression was not detected in fibroblasts. The expression of cryptdin mRNA was found to begin on embryonic day 17.5. As determined with specific primers, the cDNA sequence cloned from the skin was found to be identical to that previously reported for cryptdin-5. cDNA derived from cultured keratinocytes demonstrated the sequences of the cryptdin-6 and cryptdin-1 isoforms. In situ hybridization analysis showed that the mRNA of cryptdin was expressed in the suprabasal keratinocytes of the skin in embryonic and neonatal days and then shifted to the hair bulbs in the skin of adult mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Hyperimmunoglobin E syndrome: a sign of TH1/TH2 imbalance?

We report on a patient with hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome, who developed pruritic vesiculopapules from the age of six months and also had recurrent episodes of skin abscesses and oral thrush. Serum IgE was extremely elevated at 59,514 IU/ml and specific IgE antibody to Staphylococcus aureus was positive. Histological examination from a vesiculopapule on the face revealed that eosinophil-rich infiltration involved hair follicles, similar to eosinophilic pustular folliculitis. We also examined cytokine profiles of circulating CD4+ T cells by intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry. The ratio of cells positive for interferon-gamma was significantly reduced compared with a control. Several reports have shown decreased interferon-gamma production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome. We think that this cytokine profile and the histological findings of our patient support the hypothesis that TH1/TH2 imbalance is involved in hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1999

Is the face and neck pattern of atopic dermatitis in Japan a special variant?

BACKGROUND: Adult atopic dermatitis (AD) with severe and refractory eruptions on the face, neck, and upper trunk, although quite rare in western countries, has increased in Japan. OBJECTIVE: We have tried to clarify the possible causative factors for this particular type of AD, predominantly seen in Japan. METHODS: Eighty-seven AD patients (37 men and 50 women) who had severe and refractory facial and neck lesions were patch tested with topical medicaments, cosmetics, and skin-management products. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (42. 5%) patients showed positive reactions to more than one of those products: 14 patients to shampoo, rinse, or soap; 11 to topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs); 7 to cosmetics; and 6 to corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: We believe that topical NSAIDs, (which are often prescribed for the treatment of AD in Japan and rarely used for the treatment of eczamatous skin disorders in western countries), as well as common detergents, play important roles in the increased prevalence of AD patients with severe and refractory lesions on the face, neck, and upper trunk in Japan.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

[Clinical evaluation of biapenem in various infectious diseases].

The clinical usefulness of injectable biapenem (BIPM) was examined for various infectious diseases in the fields of internal medicine, urology, surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, otorhinolaryngology, ophthalmology, dermatology, oral surgery, and plastic surgery. BIPM was administered by intravenous drip infusion at a dose of 150, 300, or 600 mg twice a day. The concentrations in various body fluid and tissues were also examined. 1. In the total enrollment of 256 cases, the numbers subjected to the analyses for clinical efficacy, bacteriological efficacy, side effects and abnormal laboratory findings were 214, 170, 252 and 251 cases, respectively. 2. The clinical efficacy rate was 85.5% (183/214 cases) as a whole, being 2/2 for sepsis, 6/8 for cellulitis and lymphangitis, 76.2% (16/21) for traumatic, operative wound and burn infections, 4/6 for osteomyelitis and arthritis, 92.9% (13/14) for peritonsillar abscess and peritonsillitis, 83.3% (15/18) for chronic lower respiratory tract infection, 7/7 for pneumonia, 83.3% (30/36) for complicated urinary tract infection, 100% (14/14) for cholecystitis and cholangitis, 88.2% (15/17) for peritonitis, 86.5% (32/37) for internal genital infection, 8/9 for pelvic peritonitis, 2/4 for corneal ulcer, orbital infection and panophthalmitis, 1/2 for otitis media, 4/4 for sinustitis, 93.3% (14/15) for osteitis of jaw and cellulitis of mouth floor. The efficacy rate in the poor responders to the pretreatment by other antibiotics was 86.4% (70/81). 3. 300 strains of causative organisms were isolated from 170 cases which contained polymicrobial infections. The elimination rate of causative organisms was 85.3% (256/300 strains), in terms of bacteriological efficacy. 4. Side effects were noted in 11 of 252 cases (4.4%) with 11 events. The signs and symptoms were the skin symptoms (5 cases), gastro-intestinal symptoms (3 cases), interstitial pneumonia (2 cases), and feeling bad (1 case), all of which disappeared during treatment or after the discontinuation of treatment. The abnormal laboratory findings were observed in 31 of 251 cases (12.4%) with 50 events, and major ones were an increase in eosinophils, and elevations of AST, ALT, gamma-GTP and Al-p. 5. The concentrations of BIPM in body fluid and tissues were determined in 46 cases (212 samples) most of which were administered 300 mg of BIPM by intravenous drip infusion for 60 minutes. The concentrations in the sputum within 6 hours after administration were 0.1-2.5 micrograms/g. The maximum concentrations in body fluid and tissues were 0.2-1.8 micrograms/g or ml in the bile, middle ear mucosa, tonsillar tissue, aqueous humor and bone tissues and were 2.0-5.7 micrograms/g or ml in the gallbladder, maxillary sinus mucous membrane, ethmoidal sinus mucous membrane, oral tissues, skin, woman genitals, synovia, joint tissue, and the eschar. The concentrations in the uterine arterial plasma and retroperitoneal fluid were almost similar to those in the cubitl vein plasma. From the above-mentioned results of clinical efficacy, bacteriological efficacy, and safety, injectable BIPM was confirmed to be useful in the treatment of moderate, severe and/or refractory infections in various fields.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effects of various salts and irradiation with UV light on the attachment of Staphylococcus aureus strains.

We investigated the attachment of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from atopic dermatitis lesions to plastic tissue-culture coverslips. We found that attachment was weaker in (rabbit) plasma with 5 or 10% NaCl and in plasma with 5 or 10% sea salts than in the control plasma after incubation for 2 h (P < 0.01). The attachment was weaker still in plasma with 10% NaCl or 10% sea salts than in the control plasma after incubation for 24 h (P < 0.01). Plasma coagulation of four S. aureus strains isolated from atopic dermatitis lesions was not detected in plasma with 10% NaCl (pH 5.6) or 10% sea salts (containing 0.372% Mg2+) after incubation for 12, 24, 36 and 60 h. The attachment of S. aureus strain cells to the coverslip in plasma was weaker after irradiation with UVA at 25 or 50 J/cm2 (P < 0.01) and UVB at 0.5 J/cm2 (P < 0.05) both of which are covered by a black cloth, than without irradiation after incubation for 24 h. Plasma coagulation was not detected after irradiation with UVA at 25 or 50 J/cm2 with a black cloth cover (temperature reached 50 degrees C), but was detected after UVA irradiation at the same doses combined with cooling (temperature reached 22 degrees C), after incubation for 24 h. The results suggest that the attachment of S. aureus cells isolated from atopic dermatitis lesions to the coverslip is suppressed in the presence of 10% salts and irradiation with UVA and UVB, and that plasma coagulation of S. aureus cells isolated from atopic dermatitis lesions is suppressed in the presence of 10% salts, irradiation with UVA, and heating.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed1998

Effects of zinc oxide on the attachment of Staphylococcus aureus strains.

We examined the attachment of Staphylococcus aureus to plastic tissue-culture coverslips after incubation for 24 h. The attachment to coverslips was weaker in rabbit plasma with 5% zinc oxide (ZnO) than in the control rabbit plasma without ZnO (P < 0.01). Plasma coagulation by S. aureus strains was not detected in plasma with 5% ZnO after incubation for 24 h. The membranous structure (an immature biofilm) was formed on the coverslips by S. aureus cells in plasma after incubation for 24 h. The colony counts of S. aureus cells on the membranous structures were lower in plasma with 5% ZnO, plasma with 0.2% hinokitiol, plasma with 5% ZnO + 0.2% hinokitiol, plasma with cefdinir at 4 minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and plasma with levofloxacin at 4 MIC, than in the control plasma after incubation for 24 h (P < 0.01). The colonies on the membranous structures completely disappeared in the case of plasma with 5% ZnO and 0.2% hinokitiol. The colony counts on membranous structures were lower in plasma with cefdinir at 4 MIC or levofloxacin at 4 MIC containing 5% ZnO than in plasma with cefdinir at 4 MIC or levofloxacin at 4 MIC only, (P < 0.05). The MICs of hinokitiol against S. aureus strains peaked at an MIC distribution of 16-32 micrograms/ml. The peak shifted to below 1 microgram/ml by adding 5% ZnO in agar plate method. The results suggest that the attachment of S. aureus cells to the coverslips is suppressed in the presence of 5% ZnO and that antistaphylococcal activities of cefdinir, levofloxacin and hinokitiol increase in the presence of 5% ZnO.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Adherence characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from various skin lesions.

We investigated the adherence characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolated from various skin lesions by examining hydrophobicity, negative charge, tube adherence, slime production, and promotion of adherence to coverslips by blood proteins. Our results in the present study indicate that high hydrophobicity and high capacity for adhesion to tubes with slime production are much more detected in CNS from infective origin than in those from colonization origin. The results also indicate that host plasma tends to enhance adherence of S. aureus to coverslips, but it does not enhance adherence of most coagulase-negative staphylococci to coverslips.

Bacterial Adhesion↗