[Schizophrenia in half-sisters]

Little is known about identical schizophrenic disorders in half-siblings. In this study, we report on one family with six half-siblings (from 3 different marriages of the mother) three of whom developed schizophrenic disorders. Based on psychodynamic and psychosocial viewpoints, we studied the family environment and premorbid characteristics. We also investigated the conditions and psychoreactive factors leading up to the onset or relapse of the illness. We compared the mental developments, particularly the personal relationships of the schizophrenic half-siblings with those of the normal half-siblings. We also attempted to clarify the pathological conditions on the hand and the protective factors on the other hand.

Distribution of 2,4-dinitrophenyl groups on the epidermal Langerhans cells of guinea pigs following skin painting with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene

It has been postulated that epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) are essential for induction and elicitation of contact sensitivity (CS) to simple chemical allergens. Although the precise role of LC in CS has not been determined, recent reports have focused on a function for LC in the presentation of antigen to T lymphocytes. To investigate this possibility, the distribution of allergen on the epidermal LC of inbred strain 13 guinea pigs was observed by the immunofluorescent method using antibodies against Ia antigen and hapten. 2,4-Dinitrophenyl groups were found to be localized on/in Ia-positive epidermal LC of the animals following skin painting with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene. This finding is discussed in relation to the role of LC as antigen presenting cells in CS.

The distribution of 2,4-dinitrophenyl groups in guinea pigs following feeding of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene

An immunofluorescent technique using anti-DNP antibody was employed to investigate the distribution of 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) groups in various tissues following the feeding of 125 mg/kg 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-ethanol to guinea pigs that had been starved for 1 day. DNP groups were detected in the areas corresponding to the cytoplasm and the cell membrane of the epithelium in the upper gastrointestinal tract as well as on the cells of mesenteric lymph nodes, Payer's patches, the spleen, and peripheral blood. These results are discussed in relation to the mechanism of tolerance induction produced by the feeding of haptens.

The suppressive effect of tape-stripping treatment of guinea-pig skin on the induction of contact sensitivity by intradermal injection of haptenated epidermal cells

Contact sensitivity (CS) to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was produced in inbred JY1-strain guinea pigs by the intradermal injection of epidermal cells (ECs) prepared from DNCB-painted skin (DNP-ECs). When the site of DNP-EC-induced CS was pretreated by tape stripping, the rate and intensity of the challenge reactions to DNCB were diminished. The ability of DNP-ECs to induce CS returned to normal when normal peritoneal macrophages together with DNP-ECs were administered into the stripped skin. Normal ECs had a similar effect. Using either anti-Ia antiserum and complement or allogeneic ECs (strains 2 and 13), Ia-positive cells among the ECs (presumably Langerhans cells) were found to be essential for the recovery of CS. Tape-stripping treatment also resulted in the development of immunological tolerance, as assessed by subsequent painting with a sensitizing dose of DNCB. These findings suggest that the immunological function of the mononuclear-phagocyte system in the dermis may be impaired when the epidermal surface is markedly disturbed by tape-stripping treatment.

T-cell subsets in lesions of systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus

In 6 patients with untreated systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the progressive stage, and in 6 with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), an analysis of inflammatory infiltrates was performed in situ using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method with monoclonal antibodies. In all patients, over 75% of the infiltrates reacted with the pan T-cell antibody OKT3, but only sporadically with that of B-cell OKB7. In addition, a large number of the infiltrates were OKIal-positive, indicating that they were in an activated state. Many OKT8-positive cells were seen infiltrating the epidermis especially in the vicinity of basal keratinocytes. Staining for T-cell subsets revealed that the proportion of OKT8-positive cells (suppressor/cytotoxic) was from 2 to 3 fold higher than that of OKT4-positive cells (helper/inducer) in lesions of SLE. On the contrary, in DLE, a predominance of OKT4-positive cells (the OKT4/OKT8 ratio was from 1:1 to 3:1) was observed. Thus, our results provide further evidence that these 2 main types of LE show quite contrary findings on immunohistochemical analysis of T-cell subsets, and that besides the humoral immune mechanism, the cell-mediated immune mechanism may be involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders.

Fibronectin. Localization in normal human skin, granulation tissue, hypertrophic scar, mature scar, progressive systemic sclerotic skin, and other fibrosing dermatoses

The histologic localization of fibronectin (FN) in normal human skin, granulation tissue, hypertrophic scar, mature scar, progressive systemic sclerotic skin, and tissue of other fibrotic disorders was investigated by an indirect immunofluorescence technique using specific antiserum prepared in rabbits against purified human plasma FN. In granulation tissue that developed just after traumatic wounding, FN seemed to increase remarkably in the wound as a fibrillar network. In the hypertrophic scar, one to five years after wounding, FN was detected in a linear or curling arrangement throughout the dermis. On the contrary, FN gradually decreased in the wound of the mature scar five to 20 years after wounding. There were some interesting observations among other diseases. In the skin of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and morphea, FN was found to be localized faintly on the dermoepidermal junction and papillary dermis. In the involved skin of dermatofibroma, FN was observed in a curling arrangement throughout the dermis.

[Evaluation of the malignancy of breast carcinoma using flow cytometry]

Flow cytometric DNA analyses of single cell nuclei were performed on nuclear suspensions prepared from tumors of primary breast carcinomas in 40 patients operated on in our hospital. Fluorescence intensities of propidium-iodide stained cell nuclei were analyzed in a SHOWA DENKO SC-20 cell sorter. The DNA index and the percentage of S-phase cells and DNA aneuploidy were calculated from each DNA histogram. There was a tendency for more advanced nodal tumor involvement to have a higher DNA index, increasing DNA aneuploidy proportions and significantly larger percent of S-phase cells.

Effect of an N-succinyl-L-trialanine p-nitroanilide-hydrolyzing protease from pronase on glucose metabolism in mice

Effect of an N-succinyl-L-trialanine p-nitroanilide-hydrolyzing protease (STA-protease) purified from Pronase on glucose metabolism was investigated by an intravenous injection into fasted mice. The maximum decrease in blood sugar level by STA-protease was observed 2 h after the injection of a dose of 5.0 mg/kg. The hypoglycemic activity was observed with other microbial proteases, such as Pronase E and subtilisin BPN', whereas no activity was found with the modified enzymes which almost wholly lost their proteolytic activities by the treatment with diisopropyl fluorophosphate or guanidine HCl. The increase in blood sugar level by epinephrine and the conversion of [1-14C] pyruvate into blood glucose were distinctly suppressed with STA-protease as well as 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (MICA), an inhibitor of gluconeogenesis. A slight increase in glycogen content in diaphragm of mice was observed during 2-4 h after the injection of STA-protease, though it was markedly increased by insulin. In test of glucose tolerance, the increase in blood sugar was distinctly suppressed by insulin but not by STA-protease. Blood lactate level was not subjected to change by STA-protease, in Therefore, STA-protease may affect the in vivo metabolism of glucose in a different way from the in vitro action which has been reported to react with cell surface and consequently to mimic the actions of insulin.

Simple and rapid identification of phosphorylated peptides from bovine brain myelin basic protein by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

The phosphorylation sites of the myelin basic protein from bovine brain were determined after phosphorylation with a cyclic 3':5'-phosphate-dependent protein kinase from the same source. Three phosphorylated peptides were selectively and rapidly separated, before and after dephosphorylation, by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a styrene 250 column under alkaline conditions. Partial sequencing of the peptides by automated Edman degradation revealed that the serine-115 residue located in the main encephalitogenic determinant of the protein was a phosphorylation site, in addition to the two phosphorylation sites established (threonine-34 and serine-55).

[Pure sensory stroke due to midbrain hemorrhage--case report]

We had a case of patient with pure sensory stroke which was caused by the rapture of a cryptic angioma located on the mesencephalon. The patient was a 41-year-old woman. She visited our clinic with sudden onset of numbness in the left hand, arm, trunk, leg, and face, and of hyposmia of the left side on arising. CT scans revealed a small hematoma with calcification located on the right dorsal mesencephalon, which diminished in size correlating with her recovery of the sensation. Her symptoms were considered to be caused by this hematoma which destroyed only the trigeminothalamic and the spinothalamic tracts excluding the superior colliculi, oculomotor nucleus, and the medial leminiscus. By angiography we failed to demonstrate a cause of the hemorrhage, but the presence of a cryptic angioma was suggested, because the post angiographic CT scan exhibited enhancement of the lesion. Her olfactory sensation was also restored accompanied with the recovery of the superficial sensation, therefore the hyposmia seemed to be due to the damage of the trigeminothalamic tract.

Increased number of OKT6-positive dendritic cells in the hair follicles of patients with alopecia areata

In 6 patients with untreated alopecia areata in the progressive stage, 6 in the stationary stage, and 6 normal individuals as controls, an in situ analysis of OKT6-positive dendritic cells in hair follicles, and peribulbar and intrabulbar infiltrates was performed using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method with monoclonal antibodies. In controls, OKT6-positive dendritic cells were distributed only in the upper portions of hair follicles and were not observed in the bulbar area, and the percentage of these cells among all epithelial cells of the hair follicles was 1.0 +/- 0.1% (mean +/- SE). In stationary-stage patients, the distribution and the percentage of positive cells were the same as those for the controls (1.1 +/- 0.1%). In the progressive stage, however, positive cells were distributed in both the upper portions of the hair follicles and the bulbar area, and the percentage of positive cells (4.9 +/- 0.3%) was significantly higher than that of controls. Staining for T, B lymphocytes and T cell subsets in the peribulbar infiltrates revealed a predominance of OKT4-positive cells (the OKT4/OKT8 ratio was from 3:1 to 4:1). This indicates that the number of OKT6-positive dendritic cells increases in the hair follicles of progressive alopecia areata and that these cells may play an important role in cooperation with T cells in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata.

Effects of histamine on collagen synthesis by cultured fibroblasts derived from guinea pig skin

Fibroblast-like cells derived from guinea-pig skin were cultured for 3 h in the presence of various concentrations of histamine. The total protein synthesized was determined by the incorporation of radioactive proline, and the collagenous protein synthesized was measured by the incorporation of labeled hydroxyproline in the cell layer and medium. Synthesis of both total and collagenous protein increased in the presence of histamine in the concentration range of 10(1)-10(3) micrograms/ml. The ratio of collagen to total protein synthesized also increased at these concentrations. However, in no case was an increase found when H1 antagonist (chlorpheniramine) and H2 antagonist (cimetidine) were added with the histamine. DNA synthesis was not affected by histamine at the concentrations used. These results suggest that histamine increases the synthesis of collagen by fibroblast-like cells through H1 and H2-receptors.

Effect of elastase on glucose and lipid metabolism in rat fat cells

We examined the effects of elastase [EC 3.4.21.11] on lipogenesis, antilipolysis, and pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in rat epididymal adipose tissue in comparison with those of insulin and trypsin [EC 3.4.21.4]. The rate of conversion of [3-3H]-glucose into lipid in fat cells was stimulated by elastase, trypsin, and insulin. When fat pads were incubated with elastase, trypsin, or insulin in the presence of glucose, pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in the homogenate of the incubated fat pads was markedly increased. In the absence of glucose, elastase did not increase pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, though trypsin and insulin showed a slight but significant increase. Further, the increasing effect of elastase in the presence of glucose was inhibited by the addition of 3-O-methylglucose or phlorizin to the incubation mixture of the fat pads. Trypsin and insulin still showed a significant increase under similar conditions. When the homogenate of intact fat pads was incubated with elastase, the pyruvate dehydrogenase activity was progressively decreased with increase in the concentration of elastase. Concanavalin A showed an additive effect on the pyruvate dehydrogenase activity increase caused by elastase, whereas such an effect was not observed with insulin or H2O2. The stimulation of lipolysis by epinephrine in the fat cells was not suppressed by elastase, in contrast to trypsin and insulin. These results suggest that elastase reacts with the cell surface, facilitates glucose transport into the fat cells, and consequently affects glucose and lipid metabolism by somewhat different mechanisms from those of insulin and trypsin.

[Prevention of 5-FU induced toxicity in C3 H/HE mice with interferon or with interferon inducers (poly 1: C, OK-432, Lentinan)]

It is well known that all cell lines, normal as well as malignant, have a sensitivity to the growth-inhibitory effect of Interferon, or Interferon inducers. 5-FU is a widely used anticancer drug considered to be a cell cycle-specific agent. We speculated that the antiproliferative effect of Interferon or Interferon inducers might affect the activity of 5-FU and diminish the uncomfortable side-effects of this agent. Initially this experiment, we observed the mortality rate in mice after administration of 5-FU alone, or 5-FU plus Interferon (alpha inducers). We then carried out cytofluorometric observation of bone marrow cells, and finally studied the influence of Interferon (or inducers) on the anticancer effects of 5-FU against MM48 tumors in C3/He mice. Findings were as follow: 1) Administration of beta-type Interferon for 2 days, following the administration of a toxic dose (140 mg/kg/w) of 5-FU, revealed significant protection from mortality in C3H/He mice. This effect was also observed when Interferon inducers (Poly I: C, OK-432, Lentinan) were administered with 5-FU. Body weight loss was 10.4% at nadir in mice treated with 5-FU alone, while there was a body weight gain of 36.3% in mice treated with 5-FU plus Interferon. 2) Cytofluorometry of bone marrow cells obtained from mice femur at timed intervals after the administration of OK-432, or Lentinan indicated that these drugs inhibited the entry of cells into the S-phase, causing then to accumulated in the G0.G1-phase during the first 48 hours. 3) Histological findings of intestinal mucosa in mice showed prominent destruction after bolus injection of 350 mg/kg of 5-FU alone, while these findings were not observed in mice after the bolus injection of 350 mg/kg of 5-FU combined with Interferon. 4) The tumor volume ratio (T/C) was significantly reduced in the group treated with 5-FU alone as well as that treated with 5-FU combined with Interferon (or inducers) in C3H/He mice bearing MM48 tumors. All mice were dead about 2 weeks after administration of 5-FU alone, while all mice treated with 5-FU plus Interferon (or inducers) were alive in the same period. From these results, we speculate that Interferon, or Interferon inducers play an important role in the prevention of side effects of cell cycle-specific cytotoxic drugs like 5-FU, without decreasing their anticancer activity.

Epidermal cell proliferation following an active arthus reaction in the guinea pig

Active Arthus reactions were provoked by injections of 100 micrograms horseradish peroxidase (HRP), 10 micrograms HRP and 100 micrograms bovine serum albumin (BSA) into the skin of sensitized guinea pigs. Labeling indices (LI) of epidermal basal cells were measured 1, 4, 8, 24, 48 and 72 h later by the in vivo 3H-thymidine labeling technique, and compared with those obtained with injections of antigens into the skin of non-sensitized guinea pigs. From 1-8 h after the induction of an active Arthus reaction, the LI of epidermal basal cells of the skin injected with 100 micrograms HRP decreased to a remarkably low value. On the other hand, those obtained with the reaction against 10 micrograms HRP were significantly high. At 24 h after the reaction, LI were as high as those obtained in non-sensitized guinea pigs with control intradermal injections, though the former persisted high until 48 h after the injection. In addition, decreased LI of the epidermal basal cells were observed in the skin 4 h after intradermal injections of immune complexes. It was suggested that DNA synthetic activity of the epidermis increases in a mild active Arthus reaction, while the activity may be suppressed in a severe active Arthus reaction up to 8 h after provocation.

Decreased level of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer type

beta-Endorphin-like immunoreactivity in cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) was observed to decrease in patients with Huntington's disease and dementia due to brain vascular disease. The greatest decrease was seen in patients with presenile and senile dementia of Alzheimer type(SDAT). The immunoreactivity significantly correlated with psychological functions when examined using a dementia rating scale (r=0.51, p less than 0.01, for all dementia, r=0.65, p less than 0.02, for only SDAT). These results suggest that a B-endorphin-like substance may be related in the pathophysiology of dementia.

[Immune complexes in dermatology today. A critical inventory]

The kinetics and various localizations of immune complex deposits in the skin are briefly described with special reference to clinical and experimental immune complex dermatoses. The complexes can localize in various areas of the skin of dermatoses and of experimentally induced lesions. The difference between transient and persistent immune complex dermatoses might provide an immune clue for the study of the kinetics and the biologic activity of immune complexes in the skin. Future research will focus on the detection of antigen, the enhanced elimination of immune complexes from skin or other organs and the regulation of inflammatory reactions.

Diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma with deafness

Two brothers with diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma (Thost-Unna type) also were deaf. Of the 38 members of the patients' family, five had a similar disorder and ten had only hearing loss. The mode of inheritance of the dermatosis is regarded as autosomal dominant and is diagnostically distinguished from the other dermatoses associated with the disturbance of keratinization and deafness. To our knowledge, this is the second report of diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma (Thost-Unna type) with deafness, which is considered to be a new variant of the keratodermatoses.

In vivo effect of methylmercury on protein synthesis in peripheral nervous tissues of the rat

The in vivo rates of protein synthesis in the peripheral nervous tissues of methylmercury-treated rats (10 mg/kg/day, for 7 days) have been estimated with improved methods by the injection of a large amount of [1-14C]valine of low specific activity. Protein synthesis activity in the dorsal root ganglia was inhibited to the extent of 60% of the control as early as day 5 and this continued to the symptomatic period (day 15) on which crossing of hind limbs, a typical sign of organomercurial poisoning, was observed in the animals. The sciatic nerves and dorsal roots increased protein synthesis by 56% at the symptomatic period. These increases in protein synthesis may be due to the stimulation of reactivity of Schwann's cells. On the contrary, the protein synthesis in the ventral roots showed a gradual decrease as the intoxication proceeded and decreased to 73% of the control at the symptomatic period, being similar to the case of brain. The double-labeling studies with sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis exhibited that methylmercury inhibited the synthesis of the dorsal root ganglion proteins non-uniformly in various apparent molecular sizes, especially on day 10.

The localization of immune complexes in epidermis and upper dermis: electron microscopic studies on reversed passive Arthus reaction

A reversed passive Arthus reaction was induced in guinea pigs using horseradish peroxidase as antigen. An electron microscopic study on the cutaneous localization of the immune complexes was performed applying a peroxidase reaction. Precipitates of immune complexes were found within the walls of small blood vessels and among the collagen bundles in the dermis. The adherence of immune complexes to numerous eosinophils was observed and some of immune complexes were phagocytosed by neutrophils. The adherence of immune complexes to fibroblasts and the deposits of immune complexes in some areas of the basement membrane zone, especially in the zona diffusa, were found in the upper dermis and in the papillae. In the lower layers of the epidermis, we observed immune complexes adhering to the cell membranes of keratinocytes.

[Use of cefroxadine dry syrup in the management of acute skin infections in children (author's transl)]

1. Cefroxadine dry syrup was in principle administered at the dosage of 10 mg per kilogram of body weight 3 times a day. 2. Evaluation was done in 4 grades, i.e. excellent, good, fair and poor. 3. According to subjective judgement by attending doctors, 'excellent' or 'good' was recorded in 90.7%. 4. If the evaluation was partially standardized, 'excellent' or 'good' was obtained in 74.8% of total 163 cases and in 78.7% of 108 impetigo cases. 5. Side effects were observed in 3 cases (diarrhea 1, fever 2). No direct correlation of these complaints with the administration of the present drug was confirmed.

[Erythema rheumaticum]

A case of typical erythema rheumaticum is presented with emphasis on clinical, histological, immunopathological and immunological findings. Pathogenesis and therapy are shortly discussed.

Insulin-like activity of proteases. IV. Effect of partial digestion by an alkaline protease obtained from pronase on glucogen content in isolated mouse diaphragm

When an isolated mouse diaphragm was incubated with an insulin-like activity-possessing protease (ILAPP), the amount of Folin-positive materials released into medium increased as the incubation proceeded. However, the digestion by ILAPP did not affect the action of epinephrine on the glycogen content in diaphragm. Comparative studies on the effects of ILAPP and insulin on the glycogen content in diaphragm incubated in the presence or absence of ouabain at different concentrations of K+ increased in the incubation medium, that the glycogen-increasing effect of ILAPP or insulin was observed in each buffer containing K+ at a concentration of 0, 0.59, or 5.9 mM, and that the additive effect of ouabain used together with ILAPP or insulin was distinctly observed in the 5.9 mM K+-buffer but not in the 0.59 mM-buffer or K+-buffer. Thus, the effects of ILAPP resembled those of insulin. ILAPP probably digests the surface of diaphragm at a limited portion other than an epinephrine receptor to exhibit insulin-like activity.

Transient immune deposits in the papillary dermis and in the epidermis. A light-microscopical study on the experimental Arthus reaction

To have as further insight into the localizations of immune deposits in the skin the reversed passive and the passive Arthus reactions were carried out in the foot-pads skin of guinea-pigs using horseradish peroxidase as antigen. The transient localizations of immune deposits in the papillary dermis and in the epidermal cell layer were observed in the skin of the reversed passive Arthus reaction, but not in the skin of the passive Arthus reaction. Following the immune deposits in the papillae including the capillary walls and the dermoepidermal junction, the papillary dermis became widened, swollen, and edematous, being infiltrated by PMN's. In the epidermal layer, the immune deposits were found as fine granular aggregates adhering to the epidermal cells or to the dendritic cells. Although the immune deposits disappeared promptly from the papillae and the inflammatory reactions were slightly and transient, the epidermal cell layer became thickened, and several mitotic figures of the epidermal cells were observed.

Cutaneous calcinosis in localized discoid lupus erythematosus

Cutaneous calcinosis is reported in the lesions of a woman with long-standing discoid lupus erythematosus. Calcium deposits were found in the middle and deep parts of the dermis surrounded by homogeneous collagen staining positively with Alcian blue solution. In contrast to the relative frequency of this event in patients with scleroderma or dermatomyositis, calcinosis cutis occurs very rarely in lupus erythematosus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of calcinosis cutis in discoid lupus erythematosus.

Induction of contact sensitivity to DNCB with in vitro dinitrophenylated lymph node cells

Contact sensitization was achieved with dinitrophenylated autologous lymph node cells killed by hypotonic lysis or sonication as well as live cells. The sensitizing ability of the sonicated cells disappeared after freeze-thawing or heating. The significance of these findings is discussed.

[Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei]

Three typical cases of lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei are presented with emphasis on clinical and histological data. Pathogenesis, differential diagnosis and therapy are shortly discussed.