A case of infectious eccrine hidradenitis

We report a case of "infectious" neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis who developed papules on the upper arm and trunk. Histological findings revealed vacuolar degeneration and necrosis of epithelial cells in the eccrine sweat ducts and neutrophils that had migrated through ductal epithelium to the lumen. A microabscess was also seen in the eccrine sweat gland coil. Our patient had received no chemotherapy such as cytarabine. Gram-positive cocci were present in the lesional eccrine duct indicating an infective origin of the disease. Human beta defensin-2, one of epithelial antimicrobial peptides, was present in the lesional epidermis and eccrine duct.     

New sensitivity test using flow cytometry

Summary Flow cytometry (FCM) has been used to evaluate not only the malignancy of tumor cells but also the effects of chemotherapy. Here a new application of FCM for selecting the best antineoplastic agent in the chemotherapy for brain tumors is reported.Through our preliminary study using established brain tumor cell lines, the system for this sensitivity test was developed. Antineoplastic agents were placed in contact with monolayer-cultured cells; then cell viability and changes in the DNA histogram were analyzed by FCM. Cell viabilities were measured with the fluorescein diacetate (FDA) staining method, and the DNA histogram was analyzed by the propidium iodide (PI) staining method. The best antineoplastic agent was determined based on changes in cell viability and cell cycle. In other words, when markedly decreased viability as compared with that of the control, is measured by FCM, then the agents can be considered to have had a cytocydal effect on the tumor cells, and thus the sensitivity of the agents is able to be evaluated. If the viability of the tumor cell is observed to be similar to that of the control, the cytostatic effects of the agents are able to be evaluated only if a marked change is observed in the DNA histogram.After the preliminary study, this system was applied clinically to malignant brain tumor cases, resulting in success in selecting the best antineoplastic agent for each individual case. Our sensitivity test using this FCM established in vitro system has much potential value for clinical use.     

Studies on immunoglobulin and immunoglobulin-forming cells in , a cartilaginous fish

Immunoglobulin (Ig), lymphoid tissues and Ig-forming cells of the Japanese bullhead shark, Heterodontus japonicus were analyzed biochemically, histologically and immunocytochemically. The serum of Heterodontus contains two Igs with different molecular weights one with 900 K and the other with 180 K daltons. Heavy chains of the two Igs showed an identical molecular weight of 68 K and the same antigenicity, indicating that the two Igs belong to the same class with different molecular structure. Light chains of Heterodontus Igs showed two distinct bands using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. one with the molecular weight of 25 K and the other with 22 K daltons. The latter finding indicates the possible existence of two light chain types in the Heterodontus Igs. White pulp of the spleen appeared as a well-developed lymphoid tissue acompanied large number of Ig-forming cells especially around blood vessels. Massive lymphocytic aggregations were found in the central area of the intestinal valves and certain lymphoid cells were demonstrated to be Ig-forming cells. Ig-forming cells were also observed in the epigonal organ, although the frequency was much less than in the former two tissues. Although the spleen is the major Ig-forming organ in Heterodontus japonicus, the valvular intestine and the epigonal organ also appear to share the function of Ig production.     

Ultrastructure of the ectopic endometrial glandular epithelium in five cases of adenomyosis--with particular reference to the normal proliferative endometrium and endometrial adenocarcinoma

Although we encounter endometriosis not infrequently, the exact nature of this entity has not yet been determined. In order to study the morphogenesis of this disease, we chose the adenomyotic glandular epithelium as distinct ectopic glands and examined them in the electronmicroscope, comparing them with the proliferative phase of the endometrium and the uterine body adenocarcinoma. Five cases were selected from 76 histologically proven cases of adenomyosis at our University. Epon blocks were ultrasectioned with a Porter MT II microtome, stained with uranium acetate and lead, and observed in a JEM 100 C electronmicroscope. The characteristics of adenomyotic glandular epithelium compared to the normal proliferative endometrium were: 1) expanded smooth nuclear membrane with scattered fine chromatin and zero to one irregularly surfaced nucleoli, 2) in cytoplasm, rough ER and free ribosomes are distinct, mitochondria are round to oval in shape with moderate irregularity, and microfibrillar structures and interdigitations are present in moderate amounts. Although there are few similarities to endometrial cancer, these findings would suggest that adenomyosis may be an intermediate between the normal proliferative endometrium and endometrial cancer.     

Antral Red Streaking is a Negative Endoscopic Sign for Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Background: One of the most important endoscopic findings for the diagnosis of chronic gastritis is erythema. Erythema is classified into two groups: spotted or scattered erythema and linear erythema. We feel that red streaking has a tendency to be found on the apparently normal gastric mucosa without inflammation. Methods: To evaluate this association prospectively, we conducted the present study in 1513 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopy. Helicobacter pylori infection was assessed by rapid urease test, culture, pathological test, serological test and urea breath test using ¹³C. Results: Of these patients, red streaking was recognized in 94 patients (6.2%). All of the tests showed very low prevalence (0–3.5%) of H. pylori infection in patients with red streaking whereas positive results were obtained recognized in 42–49% of 94 age‐sex‐matched patients without red streaking. Additionally, no peptic‐ulcer diseases, such as gastric ulcer/ulcer scar and duodenal ulcer/ulcer scar, were found in the patients with red streaks. In conclusion, red streaking is a negative sign for H. pylori infection and peptic‐ulcer diseases. Conclusions: The understanding of these results might also improve the effort and cost‐effectiveness of endoscopic examinations by avoiding unnecessary further testing.     

Isolation and characterization of plasmid DMA from Bacteroides strains isolated from the human oral cavity

A total of 134 Bacteroides strains isolated from the human oral cavity were examined for plasmid content. Plasmid DNA was isolated from 7 strains of black-pigmented Bacteroides , including Bacteroides levii strains ATCC 29147 and JP2. All isolated Bacteroides plasmid DNA had a molecular mass of 5.9 M daltons and showed the same electrophoretic pattern when treated with restriction endonuclease. No positive correlation was found between plasmid DNA content and antibiotic resistance, bacteroiocinogenic activity or hemagglutinating activity.     

Correction of asymmetric physeal closure: Rotatory distraction in 3 cases

Three cases of asymmetric physeal closure with angular deformities of the ankle, knee, and wrist, respectively, were corrected by rotatory physeal distraction. Osteotomy of the bony bridges was unnecessary.