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Biomedical subjects

H Tagami

Publications and source records attributed to H Tagami.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

Epidermal cell proliferation in guinea pigs with experimental dermatophytosis.

To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the self-healing process of experimental dermatophytosis produced in guinea pigs by an occlusive method with Trichophyton mentagrophytes, epidermal proliferative activity was evaluated by the in vivo tritiated thymidine-labeling technique performed at various intervals after the first and second infections. Determination of labeling indices disclosed that an increased epidermal proliferation correlated well with the severity of inflammatory changes, i.e., a peak activity was noted after 10 days in primary infection and at 2 days in reinfection, respectively, and was followed by subsequent spontaneous lesion clearance after 10 days. Application of a heat-killed spore suspension produced inflammatory changes with enhanced epidermopoiesis, similar to those induced by reinoculation of living spores, only in immune animals. The present results indicate that the dermatitic changes occurring in experimental dermatophytosis increase epidermopoiesis which facilitates elimination of the fungus from the stratum corneum and that host immune activity, particularly contact sensitivity to fungal antigen, exerts a crucial role to induce these changes.

Animals↗

Increased anaphylatoxins (C3a and C4a) in psoriatic sera.

We measured C3a and C4a anaphylatoxins in the serum of 56 psoriatic patients and 36 healthy control subjects by radioimmunoassay in order to clarify the mechanism of complement activation occurring in psoriatic lesions. Whereas a small amount of anaphylatoxins were demonstrable even in the sera of healthy adults, the serum concentrations of C3a and C4a anaphylatoxins were significantly higher in psoriatic patients than those in non-psoriatic controls. The increased serum anaphylatoxin levels did not correlate well with either the extent or the activity of the skin lesions, but a comparison of anaphylatoxin levels in 10 patients before and after successful treatment of skin lesions showed that the serum anaphylatoxin levels decreased with improvement of the skin lesions. Our results suggest that complement activation takes place in psoriatic patients chiefly via the classical pathway.

Adolescent↗

Alterations of surface receptors on intralesional neutrophils in pustular psoriasis and palmo-plantar pustulosis.

Alterations of binding capacity of surface IgG-Fc and complement receptors were demonstrated in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) obtained from the pustular lesions of psoriasis. A marked decrease of C3 receptors, but not of IgG-Fc, was found in PMNs from the lesions of palmo-plantar pustulosis (PPP) and bacterial pustules. PMNs from pustular lesions of psoriasis exhibited only a slight decrease in the number of C3 receptors. No significant decrease in membrane receptors was noted in circulating PMNs from psoriatic patients. We suggest that mechanisms of formation of aseptic subcorneal pustules, mediated by PMN membrane receptors for C3 fragments, are different in pustular psoriasis and PPP.

Bacterial Infections↗

Contact sensitivity to Candida albicans--comparative studies in man and animal (guinea-pig).

We studied the elicitation of contact sensitivity to Candida albicans antigen in guinea-pigs with experimental cutaneous candidiasis and in humans, using commercially available potent 1:100 C. albicans antigen (Torii) by patch testing on abraded skin. In guinea-pigs, non-immune animals became patch test-reactive 4-5 days after topical application of viable C. albicans, either under occlusion or without occlusive dressings, concurrently with the demonstrability of delayed responses to intradermally injected 1:10 000 Candida antigen. In humans, all healthy adults who showed delayed hypersensitivity reactions to intradermally injected 1:10 000 C. albicans antigen demonstrated positive patch-test reactions to 1:100 C. albicans antigen. There was a significant correlation between the magnitude of responses to these tests. In contrast, no positive patch test reactions were elicited to the 1:100 C. albicans antigen on neonatal skin, emphasizing the lack of irritability of this test agent. These results also indicate that in humans contact sensitivity to Candida antigen occurs during later life because C. albicans is a ubiquitous organism. The practical value of this Candida patch test for evaluation of patients' immune function was assessed by a prospective study in patients with various skin disorders. The results obtained suggested some potential value of the test for evaluation of cell-mediated immune function of patients with regard to ubiquitous recall antigens.

Adult↗

Bullous pemphigoid, figurate erythema and generalized pigmentation with skin thickening in a patient with adenocarcinoma of the stomach.

A 52-year-old woman with bullous pemphigoid developed a bizarre figurate erythematous eruption and generalized pigmentation and velvety skin thickening. Later on, these cutaneous signs were found to be associated with an underlying adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Double-diffusion precipitation and indirect immunofluorescence, however, failed to demonstrate circulating antibodies against the tumor tissue in our patient.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Effects of 2-benzyloxycarbonylphenyl trans-4-guanidinomethylcyclohexanecarboxylate hydrochloride monohydrate (TKG01) and its clathrate compound with beta-cyclodextrin (TA903) on experimental gastric ulcers and gastric secretion in rats].

Effects of TKG01 on gastric ulcers and gastric secretion in rats were investigated in comparison with those of TA903, which is the equimolar clathrate compound of TKG01 anhydride with beta-cyclodextrin. The doses were adjusted on a molecular weight basis to include the same amount of TKG01 anhydride. Water-immersion stress ulcers were dose-dependently (100, 300 mg/kg) inhibited by TA903 given orally, but only significantly inhibited by TKG01 (300 mg/kg). TA903, given orally, even in low doses (30, 100 mg/kg) potently inhibited HCl-ethanol ulcers, whereas TKG01 did not inhibit these ulcers. Both TA903 and TKG01, given orally (100, 300 mg/kg), showed similar inhibition of indomethacin ulcers. TA903, given intraduodenally (100, 300 mg/kg), dose-dependently inhibited gastric secretion (volume, acid output and pepsin output) in pylorus-ligated rats, but TKG01 only inhibited pepsin output (100, 300 mg/kg). These results showed that TA903 had a broader spectrum of anti-ulcer effects than TKG01 and the mechanism of TA903 could involve both its cytoprotective activity and its anti-secretory effect.

Animals↗

Efficient culturing of human melanocytes from suction blisters.

The culturing of normal human melanocytes from the roof of suction blisters of adult oriental volunteers was carried out. Since the epidermal roofs of blisters did not contain any fibroblasts, and since keratinocytes did not attach to the culture dishes in the presence of PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate), many melanocytes were obtained which grew well in the presence of PMA. This method is a very simple and easy way to establish pure melanocyte cultures.

Adult↗

Functional and morphological analysis of the horny layer of pityriasis alba.

The affected skin of pityriasis alba showed functional defects in both hygroscopicity and water-holding capacity detectable by water sorption-desorption test. Furthermore using skin surface biopsy technique in 5 patients, we noted that the mean area of corneocyte obtained from the affected skin of pityriasis alba was smaller and that the surface of that area showed a more prominent villous pattern than the adjacent normal skin in scanning electron microscopical observation. In this study we demonstrated the abnormalities of the horny layer in pityriasis alba, which suggest that the condition is similar to a dermatitic change and that its hypopigmentation may be due to postinflammatory mechanisms.

Adolescent↗

[Clinical and bacteriological evaluation of TMS-19-Q in superficial suppurative skin and soft tissue infection].

Clinical effectiveness of TMS-19-Q, a new macrolide antibiotic, was evaluated in superficial infectious diseases classified into 6 groups at 13 departments of dermatology. The results obtained were as follows: Final global improvement rating in 311 cases were excellent in 91, good in 158, fair in 45 and poor in 17 and the effective rate was 80.1%. Effective rates in each group were 71.1% in 1st group (folliculitis and acne pustulosa), 78.6% in 2nd group (furuncle, furunculosis and carbuncle), 100% in 3rd group (impetigo), 76.9% in 4th group (phlegmone, superficial lymphangitis, erysipelas and infectious paronychia), 88.7% in 5th group (inflammatory atheroma, subcutaneous abscess, hidradenitis suppurative and acne conglobata) and 77.3% in 6th group (secondary infection). Dominant strains isolated were S. aureus (40.7%), S. epidermidis (26.9%) and anaerobic bacteria (20.8%). S. aureus was frequently isolated from most of all disease. On the other hand, S. epidermidis and anaerobic bacteria were isolated mainly from 1st and 5th group. Optimum daily doses would be over 600 mg. Slight adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal disorders, eruption and malaise were observed in 12 cases.

Adolescent↗

[Clinical evaluation of the TMS-19-Q.GC tablet on superficial suppurative disease. A comparative double blind study with midecamycin].

Clinical efficacy and safety of TMS-19-Q.GC tablet (TMS), a new macrolide preparation, were compared with those of midecamycin (MDM) in superficial suppurative skin and soft tissue infections. The study was made by the double-blind controlled trial at the dosage of daily 600 mg in TMS group and 1,200 mg in MDM group. Total 218 cases (106 in TMS, 112 in MDM) were analyzed and the final global improvement rating were 82.1% in TMS and 83.9% in MDM. The clinical effectiveness of TMS was favorable and significantly different from MDM in the aged patients (greater than or equal to 60 years old) and the patients infected with susceptible strains (MIC less than or equal to 3.13) of Staphylococcus aureus. TMS is prepared with a specific formulation to make the absorption easier in the patients with lower acidity of gastric juice, and the favorable effect of TMS is considered to be a contribution of the devise in older patients. Slight adverse reactions were observed at 5.0% (6 cases) in TMS and 2.4% (3 cases) in MDM. In conclusion, TMS at the daily half dose of MDM is as effective as MDM in superficial suppurative skin and soft tissue infections.

Age Factors↗

Dermatomyositis with prominent mucinous skin change. Histochemical and biochemical aspects of glycosaminoglycans.

Although there is occasionally remarkable accumulation of mucin in the skin lesion of dermatomyositis, no special attention has been paid in regard to mechanisms underlying it. We carried out histochemical and biochemical studies on materials obtained from one case of dermatomyositis, who showed the presence of abundant mucinous material stainable with alcian blue between the collagen bundles throughout the lesional dermis. The major component of the ground substance was identified to be hyaluronic acid. The activity of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, exoglycosidase that degrades hyaluronic acid in serum of the patient, was equivalent to that of controls. However, heparan sulfate was greatly increased in the urine of the patient in comparison with that of the normal controls in which the major components were chondroitin 4-sulfate and chondroitin 6-sulfate. We think that the increase of hyaluronic acid in the lesional dermis is due to an excess production by the fibroblasts under some immunological stimulation, although its relation to the increased heparan sulfate excretion into the urine of the patient is obscure.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Interrelationship between water-barrier and reservoir functions of pathologic stratum corneum.

Scaly skin lesions are caused by decreased water content of the stratum corneum, despite the well-known fact that they usually show increased water passage. By performing simultaneous measurements of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) to check the water-barrier function of the stratum corneum and cutaneous conductance to the high-frequency electric current of 3.5 MHz, which is an indicator of skin-surface hydration state, in patients with psoriasis who had lesions of various grades of severity, we obtained data indicating that there is an inverse relationship between these functions of the stratum corneum. Furthermore, a time course study of TEWL and functional analysis of stratum corneum by an in vivo water sorption-desorption test performed on the experimentally induced scaly lesions after adhesive-tape stripping demonstrated that such pathologic stratum corneum is characterized by a water-holding defect that is associated with increased TEWL.

Adult↗

Blue macules of localized argyria caused by implanted acupuncture needles. Electron microscopy and roentgenographic microanalysis of deposited metal.

Acupuncture needles implanted in the skin for more than ten years caused peculiar bluish macules, each of which clinically resembled a blue nevus in the extremities of a 63-year-old Japanese woman. Histologically, the involved skin showed deposition of fine brownish granules in the basement membrane of the eccrine sweat glands, on the inner surface of the blood vessel walls, and along elastic fibers of the superficial dermis in addition to sparse deposits noted throughout the dermis. Electron microscopy revealed deposits of electron-dense particles on the basal lamina of the secretory coils of the eccrine sweat glands, below the basal lamina of the dermoepidermal junction, and on elastic fibers. Roentgenographic microanalysis of the involved skin demonstrated that most of the granules consisted of silver and chloride; silver was a major component in the removed needles.

Acupuncture Therapy↗