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Biomedical subjects

K Danno

Publications and source records attributed to K Danno.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Infrared radiation suppresses ultraviolet B-induced sunburn-cell formation.

Sunburn cell (SC) formation, a quantifiable measure of epidermal cell injury induced in mouse ear skin by ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation (290-320 nm), was significantly decreased by pre-exposure to infrared radiation (IR), which elevated the surface temperature of ear lobes to 37-42 degrees C. An autoradiographic study demonstrated that the basal cell labelling indices were significantly reduced in a surface temperature-dependent manner by pre-exposure to IR. Taken together with our previous findings that SC formation depends upon the ratio of cycling to non-cycling cells, the present findings suggest that IR retards the cell cycle and, as a result, decreases SC formation. SC counts were not altered by post-UVB exposure to IR. The effect of IR or the IR-induced increase in surface temperature should be considered when studying cutaneous damage by UVB and sunlight.

Animals

The effects of non-interval PUVA treatment on Langerhans cells and contact hypersensitivity.

Although application of topical psoralen followed immediately by ultraviolet-A irradiation (non-interval PUVA) was reported to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis, its precise mechanisms of action have not yet been explored. Since regular topical PUVA therapy, consisting of the topical application of psoralen followed by UVA exposure 1-2 h later, can change the number and morphology of Langerhans cells (LCs) and inhibit contact hypersensitivity (CHS), we investigated whether these same effects may be induced by non-interval PUVA. Our results showed that no differences exist between these two types of PUVA treatment. Non-interval PUVA treatments of 3 J/cm2 produced no erythematous reactions and resulted in changes in the number and morphology of LCs. The non-interval regimen also inhibited CHS to dinitrofluorobenzene applied to the treated skin by inducing the suppressor lymphocytes. These results suggest that there might be a link between the observed changes of the LCs and the effectiveness of non-interval PUVA therapy in the treatment of psoriasis, through a mechanism other than the inhibition of DNA synthesis of psoriatic keratinocytes.

Animals

Extensive variant of cutaneous amyloidosis: report of a case with electron-microscopic and immunohistochemical studies of the basement membrane zone at sites of amyloid production.

A 60-year-old Japanese female developed widespread lichenoid eruptions with pigmentation, which initially appeared in preceding erythematous skin lesions due to dermatomyositis. Thioflavine T and Dylon stainings, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry revealed that thick amyloid deposits were present in the papillary dermis particularly beneath the epidermis. Autopsy showed no evidence of systemic amyloidosis. Electron microscopy of the lesional skin disclosed the disturbance of lamina densa formation in the epidermal basement membrane zone (BMZ). There was disruption and dissociation of the lamina densa from the basal cell, and a lamina-densa-like substance was found in the amyloid deposits. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy showed that type IV and VII collagens, LDA-1 antigen (a noncollagenous component of the BMZ) and laminin were distributed in irregular thick deposits along the BMZ and were also present within the amyloid itself. These findings indicate that morphological and immunohistochemical abnormalities of the lamina densa may be involved in amyloid production at the interface of the epidermis and dermis, at least in this case.

Amyloidosis

Successful treatment of adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura with factor XIII concentrate.

We report the cases of three adult patients with severe abdominal complications of Henoch-Schönlein purpura who had low activity of factor XIII during the acute phase of the disease. In all three cases, abdominal symptoms and purpura immediately responded to heat-treated, placenta-derived factor XIII concentrate. No adverse effects were experienced. Factor XIII concentrate replacement should be considered as the initial treatment for severe abdominal symptoms in adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura associated with a decreased level of factor XIII activity.

Acute Disease

Two cases of diaper area granuloma of the adult.

Two cases of diaper area granuloma are reported. Patient 1, a 34-year-old man, had multiple reddish-purple nodules over the diaper area of the right part of the genitocrural region. Candida albicans was not detected from the lesion. Histological examination of the nodule showed acanthosis and dense infiltrates. The granulomas became smaller and flatter after the control of urination. Patient 2, a 28-year-old man, had two large decubitus lesions and multiple nodules over the diaper area of the gluteal region. The decubitus became smaller and the granulomas disappeared after the lesion was kept clean. Because these granulomas resemble granuloma gluteale infantum, but occurred in adults rather than in the aged or infants, we propose to call this condition "granuloma gluteale adultorum." We suggest that these granulomas may represent an inflammatory reaction to the irritation of urine or feces. It is, therefore, of great importance to treat and prevent this condition by controlling the flow of urine and keeping the region clean.

Adult

Ultraviolet radiation suppresses mouse-ear edema induced by topical application of arachidonic acid.

The effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on arachidonic acid (AA) cascade was examined using an in vivo model. Mouse ear lobes were painted with 1 mg AA, and the maximum response of ear swelling was measured 1 h after challenge. Arachidonic-acid-induced ear swelling was significantly suppressed by preexposure to topical psoralen plus noninflammatory doses of long-wave UV radiation (PUVA) or middle-wave UV (UVB) radiation. Ultraviolet radiation may interfere with AA pathways to suppress ear swelling since AA-induced ear swelling is considered to be mediated by metabolites derived from exogenous AA. The results may relate to the therapeutic mechanisms of UV radiation in psoriasis in which the eicosanoid cascade is involved.

Administration, Topical

Aleukemic leukemia cutis.

A 39-year-old man had multiple nodules on the skin. The appearance of atypical monocytes in a skin biopsy specimen preceded the onset of overt acute monocytic leukemia by 14 months.

Adolescent

Another mechanism for the defect in type III collagen accumulation in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV: increased intracellular degradation of the procollagen.

The nature of type III collagen was examined in the skin and cultured skin fibroblasts from a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Although the culture medium contained a much lower amount of Type III collagen than the controls, the cells contained an apparently normal amount of Type III collagen. The patient's Type III procollagen showed no abnormalities in apparent molecular weight, the peptide length as examined by cyanogen bromide cleavage, the genomic DNA size including its C- and N-propeptide portion, mRNA size, or thermal stability; but a pulse-chase study revealed prolonged retention of the type III collagen in the cells. Degradation of Type III procollagen was induced by cell extracts but did not occur in the extracellular space and was inhibited in intact cells by the addition of ammonium chloride or leupeptin to the culture medium. Fluorescent staining showed a characteristic granular deposition of Type III procollagen in the peripheral region of the cytoplasm but no granular deposition of Type I procollagen. These results offer new insight into the mechanism of the decreased amount of Type III collagen in the tissue of patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV.

Ammonium Chloride

Erythroderma with generalized lymphadenopathy induced by phenytoin.

A 40-year-old man developed a generalized erythematous rash, fever, and systemic lymphadenopathy after treatment for two months with anticonvulsants including phenytoin. Laboratory examinations revealed increased white blood cell counts with eosinophilia, abnormal liver function, and increased gammaglobulin levels. A lymphocyte stimulation test showed a significant stimulation index for phenytoin. Skin biopsy findings were nonspecific cellular infiltrates in the upper dermis whereas in lymph nodes the normal architecture was replaced by massive cellular infiltrates consisting largely of lymphocytes, immunoblasts, and eosinophils suggesting a pattern of phenytoin lymphadenopathy. No malignant changes were noted. Phenytoin was discontinued and after a two-month treatment with oral corticosteroids, all manifestations had nearly subsided. However, the patient should be carefully followed up since phenytoin occasionally induces lymphoproliferative states including malignant lymphoma even after cessation of the medication.

Adult

Antithrombotic treatment in livedo vasculitis.

Two patients with livedo vasculitis were treated successfully with antiplatelet drugs including ticlopidine hydrochloride, dipyridamole, and low-dose aspirin. Increased platelet functions were restored 1 week after the beginning of the treatment, followed by dramatic improvement of painful leg ulcers within 1 month. Livedo status was unchanged. We claim that antiplatelet therapy should be the first choice of treatment in this disease.

Adult

Effects of substance P and substance K on the growth of cultured keratinocytes.

The effects of substance P and substance K, which are coexpressed in the same mRNA as a beta-preprotachykinin in peripheral tissues and released in the inflammatory lesion of the skin, were examined on epidermal proliferation using spontaneously transformed mouse epidermal cell line (Pam 212 cells). Substance P stimulated the synthesis of DNA of Pam 212 cells in the medium containing 2%-10% fetal calf serum (FCS). Stimulation of DNA synthesis was dose dependent if the cells were cultured in the medium containing 2% FCS (quiescent condition). This effect was inhibited by spantide. In a serum-free medium, substance P had no effect on keratinocyte proliferation. In contrast, substance K, which shares a common amino acid sequence with substance P on its C-terminal, did not affect DNA synthesis of Pam 212 cells in either medium condition. Substance P released in inflammation may stimulate epidermal proliferation.

Animals

Suppressed histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells by ultraviolet B irradiation: decreased diacylglycerol formation as a possible mechanism.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation on mast cell functions. Purified mast cells obtained from rat peritoneal cavity were irradiated with UVB and subsequently exposed to a degranulator, compound 48/80, or the calcium ionophore A-23187. The amount of histamine released from mast cells measured by the enzyme isotopic assay was significantly decreased by UVB irradiation (100-400 mJ/cm2). Within this dose range, UVB alone was not cytotoxic to the cells because it did not induce histamine release. The suppression was observed when mast cells were subjected to degranulation without intervals after UVB irradiation, and even after 5 h postirradiation. The wavelength of 300 nm from a monochromatic light source showed the maximum effect. When mast cells prelabeled with [3H]arachidonate were irradiated and challenged by compound 48/80, label accumulation in diacylglycerol produced by the phosphatidylinositol cycle was considerably decreased by UVB irradiation. From these results, we hypothesize that, within an adequate irradiation dose, UVB irradiation suppresses histamine release from mast cells, probably by causing noncytotoxic damage to the membrane phospholipid metabolism, which is tied to the degranulation mechanisms.

Animals

Increased serum levels of squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen in pemphigus.

Serum levels of squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen (SCC-RAG) were measured in five cases of pemphigus, five cases of bullous pemphigoid and 18 cases of benign and malignant dermatoses other than SCC. The SCC-RAG titres were significantly raised in four of five patients with pemphigus, while they remained within the normal range in the other dermatoses except in one case. In three pemphigus cases in whom serial measurements were made, SCC-RAG levels seemed to be related to disease activity. The SCC-RAG levels in blister fluids were much higher than those in serum, suggesting that the skin is a major source of serum SCC-RAG. These results show that SCC-RAG is increased not only in SCC, but also in some cases of pemphigus, and suggest that pemphigus antibodies may cause the production or release of SCC-RAG.

Antigens, Neoplasm

Epidermolytic hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma. Histologic, ultrastructural, protein-chemical, and DNA analyses in two patients.

Two cases of epidermolytic hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma were studied by histologic, ultrastructural, protein-chemical, and genetic methods. Histologically, epidermolytic hyperkeratosis was seen at the spinous and granular layers. Electron microscopy showed the aggregation of tonofibrils and an early appearance of keratohyaline granules as well as vacuolar formation in the epidermal cells. Some of these morphologic abnormalities were detected even in the basal cells. The decrease of 67-kilodalton (kd) keratin and the appearance of 48-kd keratin were noted by using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Genetic analysis of the keratin gene family using 67-kd keratin complementary DNA by Southern blot analysis revealed the conserved gene organization of the 67-kd keratin gene. These findings suggest that undetermined regulatory abnormalities of keratinization, but not the gene structure itself, may be causative factors of this rare disease.

Adult