In order to clarify the cause of intracellular ATP dependency on Zn2+ blockade of KATP channels in pancreatic beta cells, we investigated the KATP channel activity during external Zn2+ application using voltage clamp technique. Cultured beta cells were used for patch-clamp experiment. When 3 mM glucose was applied in bath, KATP channel activity was increased transiently by externally applied Zn2+ in the cell-attached mode and was recoverable. The KATP channel activity was, however, consistently increased by Zn2+ application during the 0 mM glucose in bath. Inside-out mode, internally applied Zn2+ elicited no response on the KATP channels. Another divalent cation, Mn2+, didn't have any effect on the KATP channels. Therefore, This effect, so-called external glucose-dependency on Zn2+ blockade of the KATP channels, might be due to intracellular Zn2+ metabolism which induces ATP consumption. This appears to be a mechanism that the Zn2+ blockade of the KATP channels in the pancreatic beta cells depends on the intracellular ATP concentration.
Adenosine Triphosphate* ; Baths ; Glucose ; Insulin-Secreting Cells* ; KATP Channels* ; Metabolism

Basement membrane zone gene expression by fibroblast cultures was examined by molecular hybridizations with human sequence specific cDNAs corresponding to type 1V procollagen and laminin subunit polypeptides. Northern transfer analysis with total RNA revealed the presence of specific mRNA transcripts for al (IV) and a2 (1V) chains of type 1V procollagen as well as Bl and B2 chains of laminin. Laminin A chain mRNAs were not detected using the same RNA preparations. The molecular size of al (1V) and a2 (1V) procollagen mRNA revealed 6.8kb and 6.7kb, respectively. The molecular size of Bl chain of laminin revealed 5.6kb, and B2 chain revealed 8.2 and 5.5kb polymorphic transcripts. In slotblot analysis using densitometer, steady-state levels of type IV procollagen and laminin mRNAs indicated that they were in relatively low abunclance, as compaired with type I procollagen mRNA. Quantitative levels of al (IV) and laminin Bl chaii mRNAs were more abundant than those of a2 (IV) and laminin B2 mRNAs. The mRNA ratio of al (IV)/a2 (lV) and laminin Bl/B2 were 1.9 and 1.5, respectively. These results demonstrate evidence for differential regulation of the expression of different basement membrane zone molecules during the formation of basement membrane.
Basement Membrane ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type IV* ; DNA, Complementary ; Fibroblasts* ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Laminin* ; Peptides ; Procollagen ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin*

BACKGROUND: Recent clinial observations have suggested that colchicine, which is in frequent use in gout can affect the conneciive tissue metabolism in skin and other ti.ues. OBJECTIVE: This study suggest that further development of colchiine might provide a novel means of modulating collagen gen expression in patients with fibrotic disease. METHOD: We examed the effect of colchicine on the expres, on of collagen, fibronectin and collagenase gene by skin filroblast culture hy Nort.hern and dot-blot iybridization. Result : The rate of transcription of genomic DNA corresponding o type I collagen and libvonectin was reduced in colchicine-treated cultures but collagenase was not. reduced. Canclusion : The microti.ikile disruptive agent, colchicine, reduced the expression of type I collagen and fibronectin in a dose-(lependent manner. This st.udy suppor that colchicine is one of the promising antifibrogenic drugs curvently being tested as a treatment, of hun an fibrotic disease.
Colchicine* ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen* ; Collagenases ; DNA ; Fibroblasts ; Fibronectins ; Gene Expression* ; Gout ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Skin

We present a case of lymphangioma circumscriptum in a 17 year-old girl according to tihe clinical and histopathological findings. This case is unusual in that lesions developed on the vulva and thigh without preceding lymphedema. Our patient had a plaque of grouped vesicle-like papules resembling frog's apawn on The both labia majora of vulva and several scattered, skin tag like soft papules on the right upper thigh of theree years duration. Histopathologic findings showed variable sized, dilatated lymphatic channels lined by single layer of normal endothelial cells confined to the only upper dermis.
Adolescent ; Dermis ; Endothelial Cells ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphangioma* ; Lymphedema ; Skin ; Thigh ; Vulva*

Eccrine spiradenoma is clinically characterized by a solitary, movable, tender nodule occurring most frequently on the ventral surface of the upper body. A striking symptom is paroxysmal pain. Occasionally multiple lesions may be present and may occur in a linear or zosteriform pattern. A 48-year-old female was seen with painful or tender, nomal skin colored, firm nodules distributed in a zosteriform pattern on the right thigh for 10 years, which had been slowly growing. The histopathological features were quite a characteristic of eccrine spiradenoma. We report a rare case of zosteriform network of eccrine spwadenoma occurred on the right thigh.
Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Skin Pigmentation ; Strikes, Employee ; Thigh

Squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip can be developec by a number of underlying etiologic factors, the most outstanding of which is solar irracdiation, and is considerably more aggresive and has a much higher incidence of metastatic spread. Its early detection and effective treatment afford a high cure rate. Cryosurgery is a simple, efficient and effective method of treatment of skin cancer and is now a widely accepted modality for the treatment of these lesions. Two patients(67-year-old male and 57-year-old female) were presented with solitary or two masses on the lower lip without regional lymphadenopathy. These two cases showed clinical and histopathologic findings of squamous cell carcinoma. They were successfully treated by cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen without any significant side effects.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cryosurgery ; Cryotherapy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lip* ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitrogen* ; Skin Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Laminin, which is present in all basement membrane, is a multifunctional glycoprotein with diverse biological activities. Like fibronectin, it can influence cell adhesion, growth, morphology, differentiation, and migration as well as the assembly of the extracellular matrix. Laminin primarily affects cells of epithelial origin, and response varies depending on the cells. OBJECTIVE: Studies about the relationship of laminin and the pathogenesis or metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma(SCC). MEHTODS: In this study, we have examined the laminin B1 mRNA expression and localizing pattern of laminin in SCC, using Northern and slot-blot hybridization, in situ hybridization and immunoperoxidase stain. RESULTS: In Northern blot hybridization, 5.6Kb mRNA transcript was detected in control and SCC specimens. Slot-blot hybridization indicated theat amounts of laminin B1 mRNA expression in SCC was 677.0+/-268.5 densitometer absorbance unit, in control was 228.0+/-16.37 unit respectively. There is a 3-fold increase in SCC compared to control. In in situ hybridization, 35S-labeled laminin B1 cDNA-mRNA hybrid granules were detected along the basement membrane and adjacent cells of SCC. In immunoperoxidase stain, laminin has stained strongly and continuously along the basement membrane of the tumor nest in well differentiated SCC, and weakly and interrupted in poorly differentiated SCC. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that laminin might be related to the pathogenesisand metastasis of squamous cell carcinomas.
Basement Membrane ; Blotting, Northern ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Adhesion ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibronectins ; Glycoproteins ; In Situ Hybridization ; Laminin* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; RNA, Messenger* ; Skin*

Modified Mohs surgery is a procedure which eliminated chemical fixation step from Mohs chemosurgery. This technique is faster, less painful and more tissue conserving, allows for immediste repairs, yields higher quality histologic preparations and facilitates an interdisciplinary apporoach; it is the treatment of choice for recurrent or difficult skin cancers. A 58-year-old femele patient presented with a 2x 3cm sized dark brownish, ulcerated nodule on the left upper eyelid. Histopathologic findings revealed several small solid nest composed of basalioma cells in the dermis. We treated with modified Mohs surgery and obtained good result.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Dermis ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mohs Surgery* ; Skin Neoplasms ; Ulcer

Histoid leproma usually occur in pat.ients with lepromatous leproy who have had relapsed after being undcr treatment(usually sulfones) for a long time and who have shown variable improvement. A 56 year old female patient who had been suffering from lepromatous leprosy and had been treated which clapsone relatively regularly for approximately 28 years had a history of several shiny rice grain t.o peanut sized nodules on the face and right flank. Histopathologic examination of a specimen taken from a nodular lesian revealed a well circirmscrihed nodule composed mainly of spindle-shaped cells and epithe:ioi 1 cells on the upper and mid-levmis, and granuloma composed of epithelioid cells, multinucleated wait cells and foamy histiocytes on the lower dermis. In AFB stain, numerous acid-fast bacilli were scatt red dermis and epidermis, especially stratum corneum. This study opplied a polymease chain reaction(PCR) on sections of biopsy tissues and peripheral blood of pat.ient. Positive amplification of a 530 bp fragment was deteated not only in the lesion tissues but also in the per ipher al blood.
Biopsy ; Edible Grain ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Epithelioid Cells ; Female ; Granuloma ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Leprosy, Lepromatous ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium leprae* ; Mycobacterium* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

Leukemia cutis is defined as infiltration of the skin by malignant leukocytes that have originated from the bone marrow. The cutaneous eruption of leukcmia may be divided into the specific and non-specific lesion (leukemid). These may occur separately or in combination. True leukemia infiltrations of the skin consist of nodular, diffuse, or plaque-like infiltrations with swelling, macules, papules, ecchymoses, palpable purpura, erythroderma, and ulceration. A 55-year-old man presented with multiple as mptomatic dark-brown nodules on the whole body with recurrent gingival bleeding. The patient developed seoticemia and died 6 months after the onset of the disease.
Bone Marrow ; Dermatitis, Exfoliative ; Ecchymosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Leukemia* ; Leukocytes ; Middle Aged ; Purpura ; Skin ; Ulcer