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Biomedical subjects

M Furue

Publications and source records attributed to M Furue.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Acanthosis nigricans with severe obesity, insulin resistance and hypothyroidism: improvement by diet control.

We report on a 27-year-old man with acanthosis nigricans (AN) associated with severe obesity, insulin resistance and hypothyroidism. A very low-calorie diet treatment decreased his weight and then ameliorated the insulin-resistant state. These effects were followed by remarkable improvement of the AN prior to the correction of the hypothyroidism. This confirms that AN may be mainly attributed to insulin resistance rather than hypothyroidism per se.

Acanthosis Nigricans↗
PubMed1999

A splicing mutation of the tyrosinase gene causes yellow oculocutaneous albinism in a Japanese patient with a pigmented phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Yellow oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) that is caused by tyrosinase gene mutations shows two characteristics: extreme hypopigmentation at birth and the eventual development of yellow or blond hair. OBJECTIVE: We studied a Japanese girl who had brown hair, a lighter skin color than her unaffected family and brown eyes at 9 months of age. METHODS: We performed direct sequencing analyses of the tyrosinase gene in her genomic DNA. RESULTS: The patient was a compound heterozygote for the +DeltaC310 mutation (known to result in absent melanogenic activity) and a second t-->a transition at the 3' end of intron 2. CONCLUSION: The t-->a transition has previously been reported as a splicing mutation in other Caucasian patients with a typical yellow OCA phenotype. However, this patient showed much more pigmentation than that reported in Caucasians. Therefore, we estimate that the mild phenotype results from her genetic pigment background.

Albinism, Oculocutaneous↗
PubMed1999

Multiple piloleiomyomas associated with solitary angioleiomyoma.

A 58 year-old male had reddish scattered papules strictly confined to the right side of his upper back and neck, right shoulder, and right upper arm. Additionally, he also noticed a subcutaneous nodule on his left thigh. Histopathological examinations revealed that the papules on the back, nape of the neck, shoulder, and arm were multiple piloleiomyomas, as shown by the proliferation of bundles of smooth muscles in the dermis. The subcutaneous nodule of the thigh was angioleiomyoma with a well-circumscribed lesion composed of smooth muscles and blood vessels. Ipsilaterality and segmentality of the distribution of the papules of piloleiomyomas and probable family history that his mother had similar papules with a similar distribution suggest the nevoid character of our case. Piloleiomyomas are often reported to be associated with leiomyoma of the uterus or other organs. This is the first reported case of multiple piloleiomyomas with solitary angioleiomyoma in the literature.

Angiomyoma↗
PubMed1999

[Evaluation of dermatological symptoms of Yusho patients in the annual examination in 1997-1998].

We analyzed the severity grades of the skin symptoms of Yusho patients who visited the annual examinations in 1997 and 1998. The severity grades of the skin symptoms clearly improved. The patients graded as 0 I-II increased and those graded as II III-III decreased as compared to the data in 1993 and 1994. The skin severity scores did not change much, although the patients who showed 0 or 1 reached more than 60% in both 1997 and 1998. The blood PCB concentration of Yusho patients also clearly decreased, especially in the patients who showed "A" pattern.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Increased numbers of CD68 antigen positive dendritic epidermal cells and upregulation of CLA (cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen) expression on these cells in various skin diseases.

CD68 is a myelomonocytic marker identified in human dermal macrophages. Although the existence of CD68 + dendritic epidermal cells has been reported, their characteristics have not been well elucidated. Cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA) is a homing receptor of cutaneous inflammatory T cells. Our recent report suggested that CLA was a homing molecule of CD1a+ Langerhans cells (LC) in the skin. In the present study we tested whether CD68 and CLA+ dendritic epidermal cells were present in skin specimens of normal skin and diseased skin such as lichen planus (LP), psoriasis vulgaris (PS), discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), basal cell epithelioma (BCE), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), irritated seborrheic keratosis (iSK), and Bowen's disease (BD). CD68+ dendritic epidermal cells were identified in normal skin and consisted of half the population of CD1a+ LC. These data indicate that CD68+ dendritic epidermal cells constitute a subpopulation of CD1a+ LC. CLA was expressed on a small percentage of CD68+ dendritic epidermal cells in normal skin. A remarkably increased number of CD68+ dendritic epidermal cells and upregulation of CLA on CD68+ dendritic epidermal cells were observed in diseased skin. The percentage of CLA+ cells among all CD68+ dendritic epidermal cells was less than that of CLA+ cells among all CD1a+ LC in diseased skin. The percentage of CLA+ cells among all CD68+ dendritic dermal cells was much less than that of CLA+ cells among all CD1a+ dendritic dermal cells. In normal skin, the epidermis showed minimal expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and TGF-beta2, and no expression of TGF-beta1. In diseased skin, the epidermis showed elevated, but still moderate immunoreactivity for MCP-1. Slightly enhanced immunoreactivity for TGF-beta2, but not for TGF-beta1, was observed in the epidermis of diseased skin. Increased epidermal MCP-1 immunohistochemical staining was associated with the increased number of CD68 dendritic epidermal cells. These data suggest the possibility that MCP-1 secretion from the epidermis can affect the migration of CD68; Cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen; Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; TAF-beta.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1998

The proliferative properties of tumor cells differentially correlate with the host immune responses in anogenital Bowen's disease.

Bowen's disease is a squamous cell carcinoma in situ that rarely invades into the underlying dermis. In order to evaluate the relationship between the cytological properties of the tumor cells and the host immune response, we have examined the expression of p53 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the number of mitotic cells, clumping cells, koilocytes, Langerhans cells (LCs) and dermal lymphoid cell infiltration in 18 cases of anogenital Bowen's disease. When compared with normal anogenital skins (n = 10), a statistically significant number of p53-positive cells, PCNA-positive cells, mitotic cells, clumping cells, koilocytes and dermal lymphoid cells was observed in the cases of Bowen's disease. Importantly, there existed a very strong correlation between the number of PCNA-positive tumor cells and the number of infiltrated dermal lymphoid cells. Moreover, the number of mitotic cells significantly correlated with the number of intratumoral LCs. The in situ hybridization technique for human papilloma virus (HPV) demonstrated that the HPV-infected Bowen's disease showed a similar histological and immunohistological pattern as the HPV-non-infected counterparts, except for increased koilocyte formation and decreased p53 positivity. The present data suggest that the proliferative activity of Bowen's disease significantly correlates with the host immune reaction, and that the host immune system may differentially recognize the different cytological properties of tumor cells in the Bowen's disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Fibromyxoma of the skin.

A patient presented with a solitary large subcutaneous tumor homogeneously composed of loose fibroblasts interspersed with abundant mucinous material. The literature was reviewed, and the origin, pathogenesis and clinical course of this rare neoplasm were briefly discussed.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1998

Ulcerative porokeratosis.

A 54-year-old man presented with multiple annular plaques since infancy. During the intake of nifedipine and nitroglycerin over a period of 6 years, reddish, eruptive and ulcerative changes were seen in the pre-existing skin lesions on the penis, scrotum and legs. In addition to a typical cornoid lamella, histological examination revealed a band-like infiltration beneath the epidermis, liquefaction degeneration of the basal cell layer and subsequent coagulative necrosis of the keratinocytes. We review similar ulcerative types of porokeratosis in the literature and discuss the significance of our unusual case.

Histocytochemistry↗
PubMed1998

Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a case report and review of the literature.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is not a difficult tumor to recognize because of its characteristic clinical appearance, although some unusual variants have been reported. We describe the atrophic variant of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in a 21-year-old female. The lesion was a smooth-surfaced, oval depression on the left subclavicular area, with a violaceous plaque at the center. The suspected clinical diagnosis did not include fibrous tumors, although histological examination showed the typical picture of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Positive CD34 staining was also helpful in the diagnosis. We review 14 cases of the atrophic variant of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in the literature. Dermatologists should be aware of this uncommon but characteristic appearance of atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Generalized melanosis in metastatic malignant melanoma: the possible role of DOPAquinone metabolites.

Generalized melanosis occurs very rarely as a complication of malignant melanoma, and the pathogenesis of this condition is still unclear. Histological examination of pigmented skin and measurements of the DOPAquinone metabolites 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD) and 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (6H5MI2C) in the patient's serum and urine were carried out. Histological examination revealed basal hyperpigmentation, discrete melanoma cells and melanophages around the blood vessels and an unusual melanin deposition within collagen bundles in the dermis. The levels of 5-S-CD and 6H5MI2C were dramatically increased both in the patient's serum and urine. The deposition of DOPAquinone metabolites secreted by the melanoma cells may contribute to the unusual melanin deposition within collagen bundles in the affected dermis.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Long-term efficacy and adverse event of nifedipine sustained-release tablets for cyclosporin A-induced hypertension in patients with psoriasis.

Thirteen psoriatic patients with hypertension during the course of cyclosporin A therapy were treated for 25 months with a calcium channel blocker, sustained-release nifedipine, to study the clinical antihypertensive effects and adverse events during treatment with both drugs. Seven of the 13 patients had exhibited a subclinical hypertensive state before cyclosporin A therapy. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures of these 13 patients were decreased significantly after 4 weeks of nifedipine therapy, and blood pressure was maintained within the normal range thereafter for 25 months. The adverse events during combined therapy with cyclosporin A and nifedipine included an increase in blood urea nitrogen levels in 9 of the 13 patients and development of gingival hyperplasia in 2 of the 13 patients. Our findings indicate that sustained-release nifedipine is useful for hypertensive psoriatic patients under long-term treatment with cyclosporin A, but that these patients should be monitored for gingival hyperplasia.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Dysregulated expression of transforming growth factor beta and its type-I and type-II receptors in basal-cell carcinoma.

In mammals, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is found in 3 highly homologous isoforms that exert their effects via heteromeric complexes of type-I and type-II receptors (TbetaR-I and TbetaR-II). TGF-beta regulates the growth and metabolism of various cell types, including keratinocytes. We have investigated the immunohistological localization of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, TbetaR-I and TbetaR-II in normal human skin, basal-cell carcinoma (BCC), Bowen's disease, seborrheic keratosis, eccrine poroma and eccrine spiradenoma using frozen tissue specimens. In normal human skin, the immunoreactive TGF-beta2, but not TGF-beta1, was detected predominantly in the epidermis, follicles and sebaceous glands. The epidermal expression of TbetaR-I and TbetaR-II was very weak in the majority of normal skins. In BCC, TGF-beta2 expression was markedly reduced or completely negative. In addition, TbetaR-I- and TbetaR-II-positive stromal cells were accumulated in the fibrotic stroma in some BCCs. These stromal cells were partly but moderately positive for TGF-beta1. Decreased expression of TGF-beta2 was likely to be associated with the differentiation state of BCC cells, since TGF-beta2 expression was clearly observed in the squamoid foci of BCC. In addition, no expression of TGF-beta2 was detected in the eccrine secretory portion or in eccrine spiradenoma, but it was detected in the upper eccrine ducts and in eccrine poroma.

Acrospiroma↗
PubMed1997

Soluble E-selectin as a marker of disease activity in atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Augmentation in the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells can regulate leukocyte migration. These molecules are also shed into the circulation. The level of soluble adhesion molecules in the serum is known to reflect the degree of systemic inflammation, and this level can therefore be used as a marker of inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate whether soluble adhesion molecules can be used as the marker of disease severity in atopic dermatitis, we examined the levels of soluble E-selectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and compared these levels with the patients' symptom scores and their total serum IgE levels. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with atopic dermatitis were studied. Soluble adhesion molecules were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The level of soluble E-selectin was higher in patients with atopic dermatitis than in healthy control subjects (p < 0.01). Moreover, soluble E-selectin is correlated with disease severity (p < 0.01). Soluble E-selectin also reflected the changes in symptom scores. In contrast, there were no differences in soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 between the patients and control subjects. CONCLUSION: Soluble E-selectin is a good marker of disease severity and of its activity in atopic dermatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) may be an autocrine growth factor in scleroderma fibroblasts.

In scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc), an autoimmune disorder in which excessive extracellular matrix is deposited in skin and internal organs, one of the suggested contributory factors to the development of fibrosis is a decrease in collagenase activity that may be related to levels of serum tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1). We recently reported that the serum TIMP-1 levels in SSc patients were elevated compared with normal controls. To determine the biologic significance of TIMP-1 in SSc, we compared the proliferative effects of TIMP-1 between normal and SSc fibroblasts. TIMP-1 showed significant mitogenic activity for both normal and SSc fibroblasts. The mitogenic responses to TIMP-1 (33-100 ng/ml) in SSc fibroblasts, however, were significantly greater than those in normal controls and were completely neutralized in the presence of anti-TIMP-1 IgG. Moreover, anti-TIMP-1 IgG partially but significantly blocked the basal mitogenic activities of SSc fibroblasts. SSc fibroblasts produced increased amounts of TIMP-1 relative to normal fibroblasts, as confirmed by western blotting, ELISA, and RT-PCR techniques. In contrast, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) upregulated TIMP-1 production in normal fibroblasts but not in SSc fibroblasts with elevated spontaneous secretion of TIMP-1. These observations suggest that TIMP-1 may play an important role as an autocrine growth factor in the fibrotic process in SSc.

Female↗