Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris. With reference to the cross-reactivity between tonsillar epithelium antigen and skin antigen

Though it is well known that pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP) is one of skin diseases caused by focal infection of the tonsils, its etiology remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of the tonsils in the pathogenesis of PPP, by using histological and immunological techniques. Our findings were as follows: The common histological findings in tonsillar lacunae of patients with PPP were pus plugs, pronounced infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells and mononuclear cells, desquamation of keratinized squamous cells, uneven thickness of the epithelium, and inflammation of the subepithelial area. By applying Arthur's method, skin extracts of sole (S) and epithelial extracts of tonsillar lacunae (T) were prepared as antigens for rabbit immunization. Cross-reactivity between skin extract of sole and epithelial extract of tonsils was tested using the Ouchterlony technique. Anti-T antisera reacted to both T and S. Anti-S antisera reacted similarly to T and S. Direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies using anti-T and anti-S antisera revealed positive staining either in the lacunal epithelium of tonsil or in the corneous, granular and papillary layers of sole. As regards the pathogenesis, it is suggested that the antigenic modification of tonsillar epithelium caused by various stimuli produces cells and/or antibodies so as to challenge against skins.

Tissue distribution of isoniazid and its metabolites in rats

Distribution of isoniazid and its metabolites was observed in the liver, kidney, lung and plasma after the subcutaneous administration of isoniazid to rats. The tissue levels of isoniazid, acetylisoniazid, acetylhydrazine, 1,2-diacetylhydrazine and hydrazine were determined by mass fragmentography using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer equipped with a multiple ion detector-peak matcher. Using the compounds labeled with a stable isotope as an internal standard, namely the isotope dilution method, made it possible to estimate trace amounts of these metabolites in the tissues. The amount of hydrazine was much less than the other hydrazines, but the metabolite which is well known as a mutagen, could be successfully detected in the tissues and plasma. The greater part of free hydrazine is formed through a direct hydrolysis of isoniazid. The isoniazid-hydrolyzing activity was found to be significantly higher in the liver homogenate. This suggested that hydrazine formation is mainly caused by hepatic hydrolysis.

Occlusion of full cast crown at the intercuspal position

The IP-Checker type MS capable of measuring the height of a crown at the intercuspal position (IP) was invented. The following observations were obtained. 1. The intercuspal position is stable within 5 micrometers. 2. The intercuspal positions shows a higher stability under slight biting than under heavy biting. Under this condition, the teeth show a displacement of about 20 micrometers by the distortion of the periodontal membrane. 3. The crown made by the ordinary procedure is about 30 micrometers higher at the intercuspal position. Therefore, an occlusal adjustment is always necessary. 4. With the current method of occlusal adjustment, adjustment of the crown to a definite height with the maximum error of 10 micrometers is possible in the oral cavity.

Metabolism of isoniazid and free hydrazine formation in isolated rat hepatocytes

Isoniazid (INH) was incubated with isolated rat hepatocytes, and the amounts of acetyl-INH, monoacetylhydrazine, diacetylhydrazine and hydrazine formed were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Subsequent analyses of kinetic parameters of metabolic pathways and enzymological study of rat liver homogenate revealed that hydrazine was formed preferentially from INH, catalyzed by soluble hydrolytic enzymes.

Papillary hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils

Papillary hypertrophy of the tonsils is one of the rare abnormalities of the palatine tonsils. Since the first reports of papillary hypertrophy of the tonsils by Ogino and Matsui, only 30 cases of this disease have been reported in Japan. The etiology of papillary hypertrophy remains a myster. A 5-year-old female visited our clinic with a complaint of obstructive feeling in the throat. Papillary surface of the palatine tonils were noticed. Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy were performed under general anesthesia on October 25, 1977. the histopathological examination of the tonsils revealed the lymphoid hyperplasia with poor subepithelial connective tissues. Only slight chronic inflammation was present. This papillary hypertrophy of the tonsils was found in 13 members (6 male, 7 female) of her family pedigree. Genetical analysis of the pedigree showed this disease is transmitted by an autosomal dominant gene.

Biocompatibility of apatite ceramics in mandibles

Apatite ceramics composed of synthetic hydroxyapatite, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 were implanted in mandibles of adults dogs. The histological observations indicated that the apatite ceramic was closely contacted with newly formed bone tissue without any rejection phenomenon up to 2 weeks. An electron micrograph of non-decalcified ultra-thin section at 8 weeks showed that the apatite ceramic was directly bonded to newly formed bone and the mineralized bone tissue was grown into the micro pores of the ceramics independent on the pore size. It seemed that the outer surface of the apatite was exchanged by bone tissue. From these results it was considered that the apatite ceramic was a successful implant material in dental and surgical fields.

A biomathematical study on implant design and stress distribution

Three types of implant were simulated by the two-dimensional finite element method using the mechanical properties of human mandible and implant material as input data. Type 1 was a blade implant, type 2 was blade implant with subperiosteal wings in buccolingual direction, and type 3 was subperiosteal implant with no blade. The effect of bucco-lingual subperiosteal wings in decreasing the stress concentration around the neck portion of the blade implant was investigated under three kinds of occlusal force. In conclusion, the greatest stress concentration was observed at the cortical bone around the neck portion of T-1 blade implant. It was effective in decreasing the stress concentration at this neck portion to change the implant design from T-1 to T-2 or T-3.

Localization of E and EAC binding lymphocytes in human tonsils

The localization of T and B lymphocytes in frozen sections of human tonsils was determined using E and EAC binding techniques. It was revealed that there were thymus-dependent areas with E binding lymphocytes in peri- and interfollicular zones. EAC binding lymphocytes were found mainly in the follicles. This suggests that B cells are produced in germinal centres. The present experiment confirmed that human tonsils contain two different kinds of lymphocytes demonstrating selective localizations in the tissues as similar to the lymph nodes.

Immunological function of human tonsil. Surface topology of human tonsil lymphocytes using the scanning electron microscope (SEM)

The surface topology of the lymphocytes in human tonsils was performed by means of the scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was revealed that human tonsils consist of both 40.7% villous and 26.6% smooth surface lymphocytes. In general, the percentage results agree with those of E and EAC binding lymphocytes of human tonsils, as previously reported. Our serial experiments using immunological techniques proved the existence of two lymphocytes (T and B cell) having immunological roles.