[Lichen planus pemphigoides--report of a case and binding sites of circulating anti-basement membrane zone antibodies]

In this paper, we initially report a case which had clinical, histological and immuno-histochemical features consistent with the diagnosis of lichen planus pemphigoides (LPP). We then examined in vitro binding sites of circulating anti-basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies (Ab) from the patient using skin substrate separated through the lamina lucida by incubation in 1.0 M NaCl in order to study the localization of the LPP antigen. In indirect immunofluorescence examination, binding of anti-BMZ Ab from this patient was observed along the epidermal side of the separated skin in a linear pattern. When an indirect immunoelectron microscopy was performed on the separated skin, immune-reaction products were localized at basal cells from cytomembrane to hemidesmosomes in a massive and discontinuous fashion. These findings suggest that the binding sites of anti-BMZ Ab in LPP (localization of LPP antigen) are quite different from those of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita Ab, and show an intracellular association with hemidesmosomes in a fashion similar to those of bullous pemphigoid Ab.

[Natural killer (NK) activity of the peripheral blood lymphocytes in cancer patients]

In this paper, the NK activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes from tumor patients by 125I-UdR release test was reported. The results showed significantly lower NK activity in patients with advanced malignant tumor than that in normal controls, and that the impaired NK activity was back to normal level several years after radical operation. In patients with liver cancer, the NK activity could be increased by treatment with specific iRNA. The data suggest that the evaluation NK activity might be valuable for predicting the prognosis of cancer patients.

[Histamine and lung cancer. II. Human lung cancer cell line and histamine]

Using tissue culture and biochemical technique, the effects of autacoid-histamine and histamine H-2 receptor's antagonist-cimetidine on human lung cancer cell line were studied. It was shown that histamine at the concentration of 1.8 x 10(-7) M stimulated proliferation of the lung cancer cells, but histamine at the concentration of 1.8 x 10(-4) M or cimetidine at 1.76 x 10(-7) M inhibited growth of the lung cancer cells. Relation between histamine, histidine decarboxylase, histamine formation capacity and tumor proliferation is discussed.

Beneficial effects of ibuprofen on experimental microvascular free flaps: pharmacologic alteration of the no-reflow phenomenon

Pharmacologic alteration of the no-reflow phenomenon was determined based on increased tolerance to ischemia in ibuprofen-treated free flaps. Sprague-Dawley rats (N = 60) were divided into control (lactated Ringer's) and treated (ibuprofen) groups and subdivided into six groups of ischemia: 1 hour, 6 hours, 8 hours, 10 hours, 12 hours, and 14 hours of ischemia. Fluorescein uptake was measured after 10, 30, and 60 minutes following microrevascularization. Dye elimination studies were done for each ischemia group that demonstrated good fluorescein uptake. All free flaps in the 1-, 6-, and 8-hour groups survived. The ibuprofen-treated 10- and 12-hour flaps all survived, whereas the 10-hour control and 14-hour ibuprofen-treated free flaps failed to survive. Despite high fluorescein uptake, the 14-hour ibuprofen-treated flaps did not eliminate the fluorescein, whereas all surviving free flaps adequately eliminated the fluorescein. Failure to eliminate dye despite adequate uptake suggested a deranged microcirculation with increasing ischemia time. By inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen may block the untoward effects mediated by thromboxane A2, such as vasoconstriction, microvasculature thrombus formation, and intravascular sludging. These effects are theorized in part to be responsible for the failure of a free flap to survive despite revascularization.

Comparative cytogenetics of Chinese and Japanese raccoon dogs, Nyctereutes procyonoides

We investigated the relationships between subspecies of Nyctereutes procyonoides from China (2n = 54 + B chromosomes) and Japan (2n = 38 + B chromosomes). The chromosomes of Chinese and Japanese raccoon dogs were compared by means of conventional staining, G- and C-banding, and silver nitrate staining of NORs. Extensive G-banding homologies revealed karyotype evolution through chromosomal fusion. We believe the reduced diploid number in the Japanese raccoon dogs was achieved by fusion of 16 acrocentrics to form eight metacentric and submetacentric elements. Ten pairs of autosomes appeared to be identical in these subspecies and were presumed to have occurred as such in a common ancestor. G-band patterns of the sex chromosomes were similar in the two subspecies, but differences were noted with other banding and staining techniques. B chromosomes were present in varying numbers and sizes in all animals examined, but the morphology of the B chromosomes differed in the two subspecies. It was concluded from chromosomal and paleontological evidence that the two subspecies were derived from a common mainland ancestor and that the Japanese raccoon dogs is a relatively recent form.