Search Results - (Author, Cooperation:M. Takigawa)

2018-07-06

Nature Publishing Group (NPG)

2041-1723

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

2018-09-05

American Physical Society (APS)

1098-0121

1095-3795

Physics

Magnetism

2014-09-12

Nature Publishing Group (NPG)

0028-0836

1476-4687

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

Air Pollutants/chemistry ; Atmosphere/*chemistry ; Chloroform/chemistry ; Computer Simulation ; Hydroxyl Radical/*chemistry ; *Models, Theoretical ; Nitrogen Oxides/chemistry

1365-2133

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Electronic Resource

1077-3118

AIP Digital Archive

Physics

We report the detection of pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance in a single 50 μm particle of platinum metal at 4 K and in an applied field of 60 G. The flux from the precessing spins is detected directly by an integrated dc SQUID minisusceptometer. The device can operate in applied fields of up to 100 G without degradation of noise performance. The particle contains ≈1015 spin-active nuclei while the signal intensity corresponds to flux from 2.5×1014 spins all located at the center of the pickup loop. This result represents a significant improvement in the sensitivity of NMR and may be useful in the characterization of materials with small spin populations.

Electronic Resource

1365-2133

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Electronic Resource

1365-2133

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Wells'syndrome, or eosinophilic cellulitis, is a rare dermatosis characterized histologically by a dermal infiltrate of eosinophils, lymphocytes and histiocytes between collagen bundles and amorphous or granular eosinophilic deposits on collagen, constituting flame figures. We report a 54-yearold woman with eosinophilic cellulitis whose peripheral blood showed a marked eosinophilia and a high proportion of CD4+CD7− cells before treatment. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed that CD4+CD7− cells, but neither CD4+CD7+ nor CD4−CD8+ cells, in the circulating mononuclear cells expressed mRNA for interleukin (IL)-5, the major cytokine involved in eosinophilla. The proportion of CD4+CD7− cells decreased, and expression of mRNA for IL-5 disappeared in the peripheral blood, when the disease was treated by the administration of intravenous recombinant interferon-γ. These findings suggest that circulating CD4+CD7− T cells play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic cellulitis by producing IL-5.

Electronic Resource

1600-0560

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

We studied in vivo binding sites of pemphigus foliaceus (PF) auto-antibodies by immuno-gold labelling technique, and compared them with those of pemphigus vulgaris (PV). In early acantholytic lesions of PF, the bound antibodies indicated by 5 nm protein A-colloiclal gold particles were observed on the surface of keratinocytes, with particular affinity for desmosomes and separated attachment plaques. Nondesmosomal cell surfaces were sparsely labeled with the gold particles. A similar binding pattern was seen in the epidermal sheets obtained from a PV patient utilizing the Nikolsky phenomenon. These findings indicate that both PF and PV antigen-antibody complexes are densely located on the desmosomal areas in early pemphigus lesions, suggesting the pathogenic importance of functional impairment of desmosomes by the autoantibodies.

Electronic Resource

1600-0560

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

A new follicular cyst was reported. The lower part of the cyst wall was composed of both basophilic and shadow cells as seen in pilomatricoma, whereas the upper part of the wall consisted of clear cells. Our case apparently derives from hair matrix and outer root sheath.

Electronic Resource

1600-0560

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Four dermatofibromas (DF), 2 dermatofibrosarcomata protuberans (DFSP), 2 atypical fibroxanthmas of the skin (AFX), and one malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) were studied by explant culture technique and scanning electron microscopy. Differences in the cellular atypism, phagocytic activity and motility were observed between histiocyte-like cells extending from a DF and DFSP group and an AFX and MFH group. Such cytological characteristics was maintained during in vitro transformation of the cells into fibroblastic cells. It was concluded that culture behaviors of the cells from each tumor group correlated well with in vivo growth and histologic features. We feel that examination of m vitro morphology of fibrous histiocytomas may prove useful in arriving at a correct diagnosis.

Electronic Resource

1600-0625

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

The role of adhesion molecules in the control of hair follicle (HF) morphogenesis, regression and cycling is still rather enigmatic. Since the adhesion molecules E- and P-cadherin (Ecad and Pcad) are functionally important, e.g. during embryonic pattern formation, we have studied their expression patterns during neonatal HF morphogenesis and cycling in C57/BL6 mice by immunohistology and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The expression of both cadherins was strikingly hair cycle-dependent and restricted to distinct anatomical HF compartments. During HF morphogenesis, hair bud keratinocytes displayed strong Ecad and Pcad immunoreactivity (IR). While neonatal epidermis showed Ecad IR in all epidermal layers, Pcad IR was restricted to the basal layer. During later stages of HF morphogenesis and during anagen IV-VI of the adolescent murine hair cycle, the outer root sheath showed strong E- and Pcad IR. Instead, the outermost portion of the hair matrix and the inner root sheath displayed isolated Ecad IR, while the innermost portion of the hair matrix exhibited isolated Pcad IR. During telogen, all epidermal and follicular keratinocytes showed strong Ecad IR. This is in contrast to Pcad, whose IR was stringently restricted to matrix and secondary hair germ keratinocytes which are in closest proximity to the dermal papilla. These findings suggest that isolated or combined E- and/or Pcad expression is involved in follicular pattern formation by segregating HF keratinocytes into functionally distinct subpopulations; most notably, isolated Pcad expression may segregate those hair matrix keratinocytes into one functional epithelial tissue unit, which is particularly susceptible to growth control by dermal papilla-derived morphogens. The next challenge is to define which secreted agents implicated in hair growth control modulate these follicular cadherin expression patterns, and to define how these basic parameters of HF topobiology are altered during common hair growth disorders.

Electronic Resource

1600-0625

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Abstract: Specific immunotherapy and other immunomodulatory strategies have long been a stronghold in the management of allergic diseases. In particular, “immunodeviation-therapy” or “vaccination for allergies”, i.e. the redirection of Th2-type immune responses towards a Th1-response pattern, has become an ever more popular concept. The present feature of CONTROVERSIES complements our previous discussion of atopy (Röcken et al., Exp Dermatol 7: 97–104, 1998), and is dedicated to a critical analysis of the general problems and limitations one faces with the main immunomodulatory strategies traditionally considered in this context. We also explore alternative approaches that appear promising in order to achieve both a more effective and/or a more specific immunotherapy of allergic diseases. Given that the mast cell remains a key protagonist in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases finally, this feature examines how innovative, more selectively mast cell-targeted strategies may be developed for the management of allergic diseases.

Electronic Resource

1089-7550

AIP Digital Archive

Physics

The 63Cu NMR Knight shift K has been measured in oriented powder samples of normal-state Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7, x=0.2 and 0.4. At plane Cu sites K is found to decrease with Pr doping, and a temperature dependence (dK/dT〉0) develops. The variation of K with bulk susceptibility χ is considerably greater than can be explained using RKKY coupling between Pr spins and Cu nuclei, and the temperature variation of K resembles that of χ in high-Tc systems with reduced conduction-hole concentration. These results are consistent with the view that Pr impurities significantly modify conduction-band properties, rather than acting as a "conventional'' pair-breaking mechanism.

Electronic Resource

1365-2133

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Summary Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is characterized clinically by pruritic grouped follicular papules and pustules on the trunk, limbs, and face, and. Histologically by follicular infiltration with eoslnophils. The blood eosinophil count is elevated in most patients. Oral minocycline. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diamino diphenyl sulphone and corticosteroids may induce remission. We report two Japanese men with EPF who responded poorly to the usual therapy. Intravenous injections of recombinant interferon-γ (riFN-γ). 5 × 105 to 2 × 106 Japan Reference Unit (JRU) (1 JRU roughly corresponds to 4 NIH units) daily for 7 days, cleared the skin lesions and returned the peripheral eosinophil counts to normal in both patients. However, the lesions recurred 2–3 days after rIFN-γ was stopped. Both patients have received intravenous rIFN-γ once or twice a week for nearly 1 year without systemic side-effects. Reverse transcripta sepolymerase chain reaction revealed a decreased expression of interleukin 5 (IL-S) mRNA in peripheral mononuclear cells after the rIFN-γ therapy. rIFN-γ may become the treatment of choice in recalcitrant EPF, although further studies are needed. It may work by interfering with the immunological function of type 2 T-helper cells, including IL-5 production responsible for the growth and differentiation of eosinophils.

Electronic Resource

1365-2133

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

It has previously been shown that circulating Sézary cells respond in vitro to superantigenic staphylococcal exotoxins in a manner that is restricted by their Vß usage. This study was conducted to examine whether cutaneous colonization with Staphylococcus aureus influences the activity of the skin lesions of Sézary syndrome, and whether S. aureus isolated from patients with Sézary syndrome stimulates circulating Sézary cells in vitro. Two patients with Sézary syndrome, whose skin was colonized with S. aureus, were treated with antibacterial agents, and the relation between the severity of the skin disease and the degree of S. aureus colonization was assessed. In addition, the patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured in the presence of mitomycin C-treated S. aureus or superantigenic staphylococcal toxins. The antibacterial treatment improved the skin disease, and eliminated S. aureus in both patients. In one patient, 98% of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells bore Vα2Vß17 of the T-cell receptor, indicative of the presence of an extremely high percentage of circulating Sézary cells. The peripheral blood lymphocytes from this patient responded well in vitro to superantigenic staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE), but not to SEA or toxic shock syndrome toxin-1, or to mitomycin-treated S. aureus isolated from the same patient. Cutaneous colonization by S. aureus influences the disease activity of CTCL, possibly by activation of Sézary cells by bacterial superantigenic exoproteins.

Electronic Resource

1600-0560

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

The histological features of accessory tragi from 13 patients were analyzed. All the lesions showed numerous tiny mature hair follicles in various phases, while the presence of cartilage was not essential. Of importance was the prominent connective tissue framework in the subcutaneous fat that seemed to be one of the diagnostic criteria for accessory tragi.

Electronic Resource

1600-0625

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Abstract: Treatment of cells with psoralen and ultraviolet A light (UVA) modulates their cytokine production. As extracorporeal photochemotherapy has been reported to induce cytokine production by monocytes, we quantified interleukin-8 (IL-8), a representative chemokine produced by monocytes, in culture supernatants from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) treated with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and UVA. Lipopolysaccharide stimulated IL-8 production in 8-MOP-phototreated PBMC more efficiently than those untreated or treated with 8-MOP or UVA. More interestingly, when cultured with T-cell-stimulating anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies, 8-MOP/UVA-treated PBMC produced enhanced amounts of IL-8 with an increased level of IL-8 mRNA expression. Depletion of CD4 but not CD8 T cells from PBMC abrogated this augmented IL-8 elaboration, and CD4 T cells per se secreted no substantial amount of IL-8 even upon CD3/CD28 stimulation. Thus, 8-MOP/UVA-treated CD4 T cells stimulated monocytes to secrete IL-8. The IL-8 overproduction was induced by direct contact of monocytes with 8-MOP/UVA-treated CD4 T cells but not by cytokines from the treated CD4 T cells. These findings imply that in extracorporeal photochemotherapy, monocytes effectively produce IL-8 by cell-to-cell contact with 8-MOP/UVA-treated malignant CD4 T cells. The augmentation of monocyte cytokine/chemokine production by 8-MOP/UVA may be one of the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of extracorporeal photochemotherapy.

Electronic Resource

1600-0560

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

The histogenesis of hidrocystomas was examined by the use of immunostaining for S–100 protein. In normal sweat glands, S–100 protein was found exclusively in the secretory cells of eccrine glands, whereas this protein was not present in the other parts of eccrine glands or at any levels of the structure of apocrine glands. On the bases of this immunostaining pattern in normal sweat glands, we attempted to correlate the origin of 8 cases of hidrocystoma to the presence of S–100 protein-positive cells. S–100 protein was detected in the cells of one solitary eccrine hidrocystoma, but not in those of 2 cases of “classic”, multiple-lesion type of eccrine hidrocystoma. This indicated that the former arose from the secretory portion of the eccrine gland and the latter from the eccrine ductal cells. Two of the 5 cases of apocrine hidrocystoma showed positive staining in a part of the lining cells of the cyst wall, while the other 3 cases were negative to this protein. This finding suggests that some of the tumors diagnosed morphologically as apocrine hidrocystoma differentiate in the direction of eccrine secretory cells. In addition to S–100 protein, we also surveyed for the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and all cases examined were consistently positive to this substance. The detection of S–100 protein was considered to be more helpful in classifying hidrocystomas than that of CEA.

Electronic Resource

1600-0765

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

The effects of various prostaglandins (PGs) on the functions of human gingival fibroblasts (Gin-1 cells; ATCC CRL 1292) were examined by phase-contrast microscopy, cell-counting and radioautographic experiments. Tested PGs were PGA1, PGA2, PGB1, PGB2, PGD2, PGE1, PGE2, PGF1α, PGF2α, PGI2, 6-keto-PGF1α, 9α-11α-methanoepoxy-PGF2α, and thromboxane (TX) B2. PGA1, and PGD2 at 30 μM caused morphological deformation of Gin-1 cells. All the PGs tested at 30 μM suppressed the proliferation of Gin-1 cells in the logarithmic growth phase. Furthermore, all the PGs tested at 10 μM suppressed DNA synthesis, collagen synthesis, and noncollagenous protein synthesis in confluent Gin-1 cells, while exerting no effect on GAG synthesis. The concentrations of PGs used are beyond those found in healthy gingiva. However, in periodontitis the local concentrations of some PGs within the gingiva are expected to be extremely elevated beyond the physiological level. These results suggest that PGs may play an important role as a negative regulator in metabolism and some pathologic gingival conditions by suppressing the functions of gingival fibroblasts.

Electronic Resource

1365-4632

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

: Comparative studies were performed on clinical and laboratory features of four patients with different types of T-cell lymphoma of the skin; adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), Sézary syndrome, mycosis fungoides, and Ki-1-positive lymphoma. All neoplastic cells studied showed a helper-inducer T-cell phenotype. A Ki-1-positive lymphoma is distinct from other types of cutaneous lymphomas because of unique morphologic and phenotypic features. Clonal proliferation of lymphocytes infected by human T-cell lymphotrophic virus (HTLV)-l distinguishes ATLL from other T-cell lymphomas of the skin, especially in the endemic area of ATLL. From the pathogeneic point of view, ATLL should not be included in a group with mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome.

Electronic Resource