Study of the skin concentrations after administration of the various phototoxic drugs

The skin concentrations of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP), and 4, 5', 8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) were studied in the guinea pig following oral administration and bathing. The skin concentration of phototoxic drugs after oral administration peaked at 1.5 hours, and the concentration of 8-MOP was 3.5 times greater than that of 5-MOP. The skin concentration of TMP was not detected in our study (limit of sensitivity 5ng/ml). The skin concentrations of phototoxic drug after bathing decreased in the order of 5-MOP, TMP, and 8-MOP.

Photoreaction of 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen with adenosine

The near-UV induced photoreaction of 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) with adenosine was investigated in a dry film state. Four major photoadducts were isolated and purified by reverse-phase liquid chromatography. The structures of the photoproducts were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including UV, FT-IR, mass spectrometry (FAB and EI methods) and 1H-NMR analysis. These photoproducts were characterized to be TMP-adenosine 1:1 adducts, which resulted from the covalent bond formation between the carbon C(4) of TMP and ribose 1' or 5' carbon of adenosine. Of the photoadducts, one photoadduct (V) was the major product, reflecting some selectivity in the photoreaction of TMP with adenosine in the solid state.

Serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in pulmonary tuberculosis

It is well known that the activation of cell mediated immunity has an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis and the production of the protective immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. During the activation of T-cell by Interleukin-1 released from the macrophage, not only Interleukin-2 but also the soluble Interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) molecule is released into the extracellular fluid. In vitro study reveals that the level of this sIL-2R is well correlated with the degree of activation of the T-cell. We therefore carried out this study to evaluate the significance of the serum IL-2R level in determining the disease activity of pulmonary tuberculosis. The level of sIL-2R was measured by sandwich ELISA method. The level of sIL-2R in 42 patients with bacteriologically -proven active pulmonary tuberculosis (29 far and moderately advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, age: 30.3 +/- 10.3 yrs; 13 minimal pulmonary tuberculosis, age: 34.4 +/- 15.3 yrs) was 1111 +/- 424 mu/ml, which was significantly higher than the normal control group (age: 31.0 +/- 9.9 yrs) (365 +/- 143 mu/ml) and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis group (age: 37.3 +/- 16.9 yrs) (465 +/- 131 mu/ml). But there was no significant difference between 29 patients with advanced pulmonary tuberculosis (1138 +/- 405 mu/ml) and 13 patients with minimal pulmonary tuberculosis (1051 +/- 474 mu/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Behçet's disease with Sweet's syndrome-like presentation--a report of six cases

We describe six cases of Behcet's disease, which showed Sweet's syndrome-like features. The clinical findings in our patients closely resemble those of the cases described in previous reports on Sweet's syndrome. However, oral and genital mucosal involvement, non-tenderness of the lesions and a pustular eruption elsewhere made us consider Behçet's disease. Besides the clinical findings, vasculitis was clearly demonstrated in the skin biopsy specimens.

A case of leukemia-associated arthritis--identification of leukemic cells in synovial fluid by light microscopy

One case of arthritis complicating leukemia is described in which leukemic cells were identified in synovial fluid by light microscopy. Although arthritis is a well-known manifestation of leukemia with an incidence of 13.5%, the pathogenesis often is unclear, and the direct demonstration of leukemic cells in synovial fluid has been very uncommon. A 16 year-old male patient was admitted due to left elbow joint pain and swelling. Synovial fluid examination revealed blast cells and this finding has directed to a final diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

HLA and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Koreans

Specific allelic associations vary among ethnic groups. We studied the distribution of HLA-A, -B, -C and -DR antigens in 41 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 280 unaffected persons in Korea. HLA typing was performed by the standard microlymphocytotoxicity test using antisera supplied by the Third Asia-Oceania Histocompatibility Workshop Conference (3rd AOHWC, 1986). There was no association between HLA-A, -B, or -C and IDDM. However, the frequencies of HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR4 were increased in the patients as compared with the controls (19.5% vs 4.3%, RR 5.4, corrected p < 0.005 for DR3 and 61.0% vs 36.4%, RR 2.7, corrected p < 0.05 for DR4). Also a decreased frequency of HLA-DR2 was found in the patients with IDDM (9.8% vs 32.1%, RR 0.3, corrected p < 0.05). These results emphasize the differences in HLA-IDDM associations among different ethnic groups.

Calcinosis at the site of leakage from extravasation of calcium disodium edetate intravenous chelator therapy in a child with lead poisoning

Painful calcinosis appeared at the wrist of an eight-year-old girl with lead poisoning. Careful history revealed that calcification occurred at the site of previous extravasation of calcium disodium edetate (EDTA) used in chelation therapy. Light microscopic, ultrastructural, electron activation, and X-ray diffraction studies demonstrated apatites with some suggestion of an admixture of octacalcium phosphate.

Glucose, insulin and C-peptide kinetics during an oral glucose tolerance test in patients with chronic liver disease

To elucidate the mechanism of glucose intolerance in patients with chronic liver disease(CLD), we measured the levels of plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide during oral glucose tolerance test and urinary excretion of C-peptide per 24 hours during a weight maintenance diet in 20 patients with CLD who had fasting plasma glucose(FBS) of less than 100 mg/dl.

The patients with CLD who had normal FBS(FBS less than 100 mg/dl) were divided into two groups by the National Diabetes Data Group Criteria: one with abnormal glucose tolerance (abnormal GTT, Group 1) and the other with normal glucose tolerance (normal GTT. Group 2). Group 1 patients showed significantly higher plasma insulin (p<0.02 and p<0.01, respectively) and C-peptide concentrations (p<0.01) in the fasting state and 2 hours after a 75gram oral glucose loading (PP2) than group 2 patients. Urinary excretion of C-peptide per 24 hours was also higher in group 1 patients than in group 2 patients (p<0.01). Group 2 patients demonstrated similar plasma insulin, C-peptide and urinary excretion of C-peptide per 24 hours to normal subjects (p>0.05).

These results suggest that patients with CLD who had normal FBS can be divided into two groups by oral glucose tolerance test(GTT) and those with abnormal GTT have hyperinsulinemia the mechanism of which is insulin hypersecretion from pancreatic B-cell.

Experimental haemarthrosis produces mild inflammation associated with intracellular Maltese crosses

Injection of autologous blood into rabbit joints induces an inflammatory reaction with Maltese cross-like birefringent spherulites. Similar microspherules seen in human joint fluids may be formed by lipids derived from breakdown of erythrocytes and other cells.

Liposome-induced synovitis in rabbits. Light and electron microscopic studies

A solution containing synthetic liposomes was injected into rabbit knee joints. This induced light and electron microscopic findings very similar to those seen in acute or chronic arthritis, not attributable to any mechanism other than to spherulites, in humans. Synovial fluid studies revealed leukocytosis and abundant extracellular, and/or intracellular positively birefringent spherulites, which appeared as Maltese crosses. Histologic studies of synovial membranes showed infiltration with polymorphonuclear neutrophils or mononuclear cells. Examination of the synovial fluids and synovial membranes by electron microscopy revealed intracellular multilayered membranous arrays of varying shapes. These observations suggest that further consideration should be given to a phlogistic role for similar spherulites found in some patients.

Deficiency of androgen receptors in male pseudohermaphroditism

A diagnosis of androgen receptor deficiency was made in a male with ambiguous genitalia during the neonatal period. Since the neonate had a small hypospadiac phallus with laboratory evidence of a receptor deficiency and clinical unresponsiveness to high levels of androgen, it was decided to assign a female gender. Bilateral orchiectomy and phallic recession were performed.

Bipolar affective disorder, lithium carbonate and Ca++ ATPase

Erythrocyte membrane Ca++ ATPase levels were investigated in 10 men treated with lithium carbonate for bipolar affective disorder. With regard to Ca++ ATPase activity, which is intimately associated with the active Ca++ transport mechanism of the red cell membrane, it is interesting to note that the Ca++ ATPase activities of bipolar disorder patients were found to be depressed at 2 hours after the administration of lithium. These data are discussed in terms of the physiology of bipolar affective disorder and lithium carbonate.

The SC phocomelia syndrome: report of two cases with cytogenetic abnormality

We report two sibs with the SC phocomelia syndrome with typical facial appearance and bilateral absence or extreme hypoplasia of the fibula, radius, and thumb. One sib had bilateral humero-ulnar and femoro-tibial synostosis (absence of the elbow and knee joints). Application of the nosologic criteria of Herrmann and Opitz showed that there was no significant intrafamilial variation in phenotype. Chromosome analyses in both patients showed heterochromatic puffing and centromere separation involving many chromosomes, an observation that has previously been reported in patients with SC phocomelia and Roberts syndromes. More important, this finding will have significance in prenatal detection of a certain proportion of cases with these syndromes without resorting to the use of radiographic examinations.

Studies on the in vitro interaction of electrical stimulation and Ca++ movement in sarcoplasmic reticulum

Sarcoplasmic reticulum fragments (S.R.F.) were isolated from skeletal and heart muscles. These fragments were found to take up Ca(++) very actively from media. When monophasic square waves were passed through the S.R.F. suspension, the Ca(++) uptake by S.R.F. was decreased. When the suspension was stimulated electrically after the Ca(++) was taken up by S.R.F., the initiation and the cessation of the stimulation were followed by the release and re-uptake of Ca(++) by S.R.F., respectively. The degree of inhibition of the Ca(++) uptake as well as of the Ca(++) release by electrical stimulation was dependent on the voltage and the frequency of stimulation. The presence of inorganic phosphate or oxalate modified the influence of electrical stimulation on the release and the uptake of Ca(++) by S.R.F. Attempts were made to observe the release of Ca(++) by electrical stimulation from unfractionated sarcoplasmic reticulum remaining in myofibers, and the interaction of the released Ca(++) with myofibrils in vitro. For this purpose, the glycerol-extracted fiber was selected as a muscle model, since it contains both sarcoplasmic reticulum and myofibrils. It was found that electrical stimulation of skeletal and heart glycerol-extracted fibers resulted in the contraction of fibers. It appeared that the contraction of glycerol fibers by electrical stimulation was caused by the Ca(++) release from sarcoplasmic reticulum by stimulation.