No abstract available.
Humans ; Urolithiasis*

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

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*

Transforming growth factor beta(TGF-p), initially identified in vlatelet extracts by virtue of its ability to confer anchorage of independent growth and a necplastic phenotype on mesenchymal cells, has subsequently been identified as a potent inh bit or of proliferation in most cells of epithelial origin. The family of TGF-p peptides is currenly onsisted of four subtypes (TGF-pl, p2, p3, p4). Tkiey are initially translated very larged are urssors of approximately 390 amino acids and produced by a wide variety of cell type. iricluding normal cells and tumor cells. TGF-ps promote deposition of extracellular matrix compcineits, facilitate remodeling events during embryonic development, and suppress immune ce 1 fimetion during the inflammatory process. Several nutaneous diseases are characterized typxcessive and progressive fibrosis of the dermis anil subcutaneous tissues. Prominent amon these disorders are progressive systemic sclerosi(PSS) and generalized morphea(GM), is well as the recently described syndrome of diffuse fasciitis eosinophilia(DF), also known; Shulmans syndrome. The hallmark of the pathologic alteration in these disorders is the excessive deposition of collagen and other connenctive iissues. Macromoleculse in the aerriis and/or the subcutaneous and fascial strutures often accompanied by variable degress of hronic inflammatory cell infiltrates. Now we have examined the expression of TGF-b1 mRNA using of northern blot hybridization with specific sequenced cDNA probe in the normal curltured fibroblasts, placental tissues, and fibrosarcorna derived tumor cell line(HT1080). We found that the size of TGF-b mRNA of each specimen was 2.5kb and theres no alteration of its quality.
Amino Acids ; Blotting, Northern ; Collagen ; Dermis ; DNA, Complementary ; Embryonic Development ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fasciitis ; Female ; Fibroblasts* ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Peptides ; Phenotype ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger* ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Transforming Growth Factor beta* ; Transforming Growth Factors ; Virtues

A 19-month old male patient developed mutiple, firm, plum-colored, finger tip to chestnut sized nodules on the left cheek, right preauricular area, both elbow joints, and right wrist. On physical examination, a right cervical lymph node was palpable. Histology from one of the nodules revealed a diffuse infiltration of atypical, hyperchromatic, polymorphous lymphocytes in the dermis and subrutaneous fat. Bone marow aspiration, chest X-ray, ultrasonogram, and computerized tomogram were performed revealing bone marrow and lymph node involvement. The patient was treated with a POG @8617 schedule. Skin lesions markedly improved after one cycle regimen. We present a case of diffuse, ponrly differentiated, malignant lymphocytic lymphoma in the early childhood.
Appointments and Schedules ; Bone Marrow ; Cheek ; Dermis ; Elbow Joint ; Fingers ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma* ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Skin ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography ; Wrist ; Prunus domestica

In orper to measure the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol in psoriasis, 60 psoriatic patients and 30 healthy subjects were included in this study. Lopez-Virells methos was applied for measuring the serum level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol. The results were obtained as follows. The level of serurn HDL cholesterol was 58. 39+17. 40 mg/dl in psoratcs and 50.3+0.31 mg/dl in healthy subjects and 50. 43+ 10. 31 mg/dl in healthy subjects. No significant differences were noted between psoriatics & healthy subjects. 2. The level of serum HDL cholesterol was 56. 40+19. 10 mg/dl in male group of psoriatics and 60. 00+15.47 mg/dl in female group of psoriatics and 48.3+9. 50 mg/dl in healthy male group and 52.60 -10.59 mg/dl in healthy female group. No significant differences of serum HDL cholesteol levels were noted in both sexes.3. The mean value of serum HDL cholesterol by age groups of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 years old with psoriasis were 50. 70 mg/dl, 61. 97 mg/dl, 57. 44 mg/dl, 49. 11 mg/dl and 70. 36 mg/dl, respectively and those of healthy groups were 57. 25 mg/ dl, 45. 17 rng/dl, 50. 97 rng/dl, 48. 07 mg/dl and 46. 98 mg/dl, respectively.
Cholesterol, HDL* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psoriasis*

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*

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

OBJECTIVES: Some emotional components, such as self-esteem, depression and anxiety, have been reported to be associated with paranoia in non-clinical population and schizophrenia patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between self-esteem and paranoia in healthy controls, in ultra-high risk for psychosis and schizophrenia patients. METHODS: 34 subjects with recent onset schizophrenia, 36 subjects with ultra-high risk for psychosis, and 44 healthy volunteers participated in this study. A detailed assessment was made of the paranoia, self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. RESULTS: In all three groups, there were a negative correlation between paranoia and self-esteem, and positive correlations between paranoia and depression and anxiety. In healthy control, lower self-esteem showed a trend to predict higher paranoia, and in ultra-high risk for psychosis, this trend tern on statistically significant level, and in recent onset schizophrenia group, this correlation was disappeared. CONCLUSION: The individual who have lower self-esteem showed higher paranoia tendency under delusional level, but after formation of persecutory delusion, the tendency was disappeared. This result supports the hypothesis that persecutory delusions are a defense against negative affective process.
Animals ; Anxiety ; Charadriiformes ; Delusions ; Depression ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Paranoid Disorders* ; Psychotic Disorders* ; Schizophrenia*