Linear Childhood Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Following the Lines of Blaschko: Successfully Treated with Topical Tacrolimus

Abstract: The linear arrangement of discoid lupus erythematosus is uncommon. Here, we report a 6‐year‐old Japanese girl with linear discoid lupus erythematosus following the lines of Blaschko on her face and neck. Topical tacrolimus treatment improved the eruptions. The present case also indicated the important role of epidermal and dermal cells as well as immune cells in the pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus erythematodes.     

Probucol inhibits intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on cultured rat mesangial cells

SUMMARY: Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been reported to participate in the progression of glomerulonephritis by, in part, up-regulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in experimental glomerulonephritis. In the present study, we examined whether probucol, an antihyperlipidemic agent, inhibited IL-1-induced inflammatory processes in mesangial cells in culture. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that 200 U/mL IL-1 up-regulated ICAM-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression with its peak at 4-6 h after stimulation. Ten μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a stimulant to release IL-1 from mesangial cells, induced ICAM-1 mRNA expression by five-fold within 6 h and 10 μg/mL probucol notably reduced this induction. Immunoblotting also confirmed that LPS increased ICAM-1 protein by two-fold within 24 h and probucol inhibited this increase. IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra; 1–100 ng/mL) suppressed LPS-induced ICAM-1 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner and 100 ng/mL IL-1ra completely inhibited ICAM-1 induction, indicating that LPS increased ICAM-1 expression through the action of secreted IL-1. Interleukin-1 activity in culture media, measured by thymocyte proliferation assay, was significantly enhanced by LPS and inhibited by probucol. However, neither LPS nor probucol substantially affected IL-1 mRNA expression, suggesting that the IL-1 activity might be regulated at post-translational level. These results suggest that probucol may act as an anti-inflammatory drug by suppressing IL-1 activity from mesangial cells in the progression of glomerulonephritis.     

Coexistence of proguanylin (1–15) and somatostatin in the gastrointestinal tract

In order to identify proguanylin-secreting cells, we have raised an antiserum against the synthetic fragment of human proguanylin (1–15) and have examined the proguanylin-positive cells in the human and rat gastrointestinal tract by immunohistochemical methods. Numerous proguanylin (1–15)-immunoreactive cells were found in the gastrointestinal tract. They were either pyramidal or spindle shaped in the stomach. Spindle-shaped cells, frequently possessing long slender processes, were located at the base of the pyloric epithelium and did not extend to the lumen. In the duodenum and jejunum, these cells were mostly pyramidal in shape and often had a slender process towards the lumen. The immunostaining was completely blocked by the human proguanylin (1–15) fragment. Paneth and goblet cells were negative against this antiserum. The number of serotonin-positive cells was much larger than that of proguanylin-positive cells in all the segments tested. The number of proguanylin-positive cells decreased from the jejunum to the ileum and very few cells were observed in the colon. In contrast to serotonin-positive cells, most somatostatin-positive cells were also positive for proguanylin. Thus, proguanylin (1–15) or its related protein appears to coexist with somatostatin in intestinal endocrine D cells which may be a source of circulating proguanylin. Proguanylin, like somatostatin, may also regulate intestinal function as a local regulator.     

Effects of volitional lifestyle on sleep-life habits in the aged

Abstract This study investigates the relationship between a volitional lifestyle and sleep-life habits in the aged. High volitional group (HVG: n = 45, 26 men and 19 women, mean age 73.0 years) and low-volitional group (LVG: n = 45, 27 men and 18 women, mean age 72.2 years) were grouped using the scale of self-confidence. It was found that high volitional aged individuals had a relatively well structured sleep, and that most had become accustomed to taking an appetitive nap (an individual with a mean wake time shorter than the average) in the mid-afternoon without experiencing insomniac problems.