No abstract available.
Hyperkeratosis, Epidermolytic*

[Objective] To investigate the roles of Nrf2-Keap1 system in the protection of skin from ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced damage.[Methods] The dorsal surface of ears of 8 wild-type and 8 nrf2-null mutant 8-week-old female mice was exposed to a single dose of UVB irradiation (200 mJ/cm2) by using a FL120SE UV lamp source.Then,the morphology of ears was observed with the measurement of thickness before,as well as on day 1,2,4,7,9,11 and 14 after,the irradiation.Biopsy specimens were taken from the ears 36hours after the irradiation and subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining as well as terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay.The test Results were recorded and statistically analyzed by rank sum test and t test.[Results] A significant increase was observed in the thickness of mouse ears and number of sunburn cells per high-power field (400 ×) in nrf2-null mutant mice compared with wild-type mice ((0.49 ± 0.22) cm vs.(0.25 ± 0.03) cm,P＜ 0.01; 17.0 ± 3.9 vs.5.0 ± 1.7,t=13.8,P＜ 0.01).The number of TUNEL positive cells in the nrf2-null mutant mice was about 5 times that in the wild mice.The sunburn reaction appeared more intense and persistent in nrf2-null mutant mice than in the wild mice.[Conclusion] Nrf2-Keap1 pathway may protect skin against acute UVB damage,including cell apoptosis and oxidative damage.

We conducted an outpatient escort program as a part of our early exposure curriculum for first-year medical students. Each student escorted one patient at the University of Tsukuba Hospital throughout his or her first visit. This program enabled the students to experience and think about the system of a university hospital from a patient's point of view. We believe that this program is useful to motivate first-year medical students in their future studies.

We conduct an outpatient escort program as a part of our early exposure curriculum for first-year medical students. Each student escorts one patient at the University of Tsukuba Hospital throughout his or her first visit. We evaluated this program from the points of view of both students and patients.
1) A questionnaire was distributed to all participating patients and students in 2006.
2) In their questionnaires, many students commented on the long waiting time, the structural problems of the hospital, and the attitudes of physicians.
3) Results of the questionnaire showed that both students and patients rated this program highly.
4) No significant differences were noted between the comments of the students and those of the patients. The patients tended to rate this program more highly than did the students. One patient, however, commented that being constantly accompanied by a stranger was somewhat stressful.
5) We conclude that this program can be efficiently carried out without being too much of a burden to patients and is a valuable part of an early exposure program for first-year medical students.

Angiosarcoma is an uncommon malignancy, which spread out from the endothelial cells of vessels. Scalp angiosarcoma with cervical lymph node metastasis is particularly rare. This article describes a rare case of angiosarcoma of the scalp, presenting as neck inflammation. Imaging procedures such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance image (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) were not sufficient to diagnose this case. A needle biopsy provided an effective and accurate diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis. Additional observation and physical examination was required to diagnose the origin of the primary cancerous lesion. Once the angiosarcoma diagnosis was confirmed histologically, sequential weekly and monthly docetaxel (DTX) treatment was effective in preventing reoccurrence. Nonetheless, the optimization of angiosarcoma treatment remains a future goal. Although patients generally describe pain and swelling at the primary lesion site, this patient complained only of painful neck inflammation, without any indication of pain or swelling of the scalp. A revised diagnostic protocol should note that cervical lymph node metastasis of unknown primary origin may result from angiosarcoma of the scalp.
Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cranial Irradiation ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Hemangiosarcoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Neck ; pathology ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Radiography ; Scalp ; pathology ; Skin Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy ; Taxoids ; therapeutic use ; Ultrasonography