Phase-contrast microscopic studies using cinematographic techniques and scanning electron microscopy on IgE-mediated degranulation of cultured human mast cells.

Background: Isolating human mast cells is a laborious procedure. Recently, cultured human mast cells raised from umbilical cord blood cells have become available. It is necessary to investigate whether IgE-mediated activation of these cells is mediated by exocytosis.

Familial essential thrombocythemia associated with one-base deletion in the 5'-untranslated region of the thrombopoietin gene.

Familial essential thrombocythemia (ET) is inherited in an autosomal-dominant manner. This finding implies that familial ET may arise as a consequence of a mutation(s) that activates platelet production. In 1994, the thrombopoietin (TPO) gene was isolated and cloned.

[Effectiveness and feasibility of a strategy for increasing participation in the Japanese Stomach Cancer Examination programs by incorporating serum pepsinogen tests].

The number of people examined in "the Japanese Stomach Cancer Examination" programs under "Health Services Law for the Aged" has not increased, and a strategy is needed to increase participation in the programs. We have thought out a plan to persuade people to the programs by using serum pepsinogen tests without changing the framework of the programs. The plan is as follows: The subjects are those who undergo phlebotomy in "the General Health Examination" programs and who do not undergo the Stomach Examination programs.

Inhibition of substance P-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells by low doses of protoporphyrin plus long-wave ultraviolet light irradiation: decreased intracellular calcium as a possible mechanism.

Background: A considerable amount of recent interest has been devoted to the down-regulatory effects of photosensitizers plus long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA) irradiation on multiple biologic systems. However, these effects on mast cells are controversial.

Objective: We have investigated the effect of low doses of protoporphyrin (PP) plus UVA irradiation (PP/UVA) on substance P (SP)-induced histamine release from rat mast cells.

[Ethical issues regarding individual data collection and utilization in community health care programs].

To understand the nature of ethical issues in community-based health care programs, we conducted a mail survey of subjects who were public health nurses employed by municipal governments. The questionnaire consisted of questions about data collection, usage, disclosure, and educational experience. In 1996 we received 536 completed questionnaires which were then analyzed.

Dermal mast cells in scleroderma: their skin density, tryptase/chymase phenotypes and degranulation.

To determine the distribution, tryptase/chymase phenotypes and degranulation of mast cells (MCs) in the dermis of patients with scleroderma, we examined MC density in the skin of 22 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 11 with localized scleroderma (LSc). We used antitryptase and antichymase antibodies after Carnoy's fixation. Detailed reports of two representative patients with SSc and LSc are included.

Mast cells in clinical dermatology.

Recent advances in cutaneous mast cell biology are briefly reviewed with special reference to our own studies on cultured human mast cells. Of note are the heterogeneity of mastocytosis, the important participation of mast cells in allergic inflammation by releasing cytokines and the inhibitory effect of histamine release from mast cells by phototherapy. It is also stressed that mast cells play a major role in tissue remodelling.

Heterogeneity of mast cells in mastocytosis and inhibitory effect of ketotifen and ranitidine on indolent systemic mastocytosis.

Background: Mastocytosis is a disorder of mast cell proliferation that occurs in both cutaneous and systemic forms. The most frequent site is the skin.

Objective: The mast cell subtype of two patients with mastocytosis was investigated.

Inhibition of substance-P-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells by 8-methoxypsoralen plus long-wave ultraviolet light irradiation: decreased intracellular calcium as a possible mechanism.

Rat peritoneal mast cells purified on a Percoll gradient were activated by substance P (SP) and the effect of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) plus long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA) irradiation (8-MOP/UVA) on SP-induced histamine release from the cells was investigated. At a concentration of 10(-5) M SP caused a significant histamine release. 8-MOP or UVA irradiation alone at the doses used in the present study neither induced a histamine release nor had any significant effects on SP-induced histamine release from mast cells.

65-kilodalton protein phosphorylation in human peripheral blood eosinophils.

To evaluate the presence of protein phosphorylation in peripheral blood eosinophils, venous blood was drawn from normal healthy volunteers. Eosinophils were isolated on a Percoll gradient and were incubated with [gamma32P]ATP in the presence of Mg2+. After stopping the reaction, SDS-PAGE was performed and autoradiographs were prepared to determine the incorporation of 32P into proteins.

Inhibition of substance P-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells by ultraviolet light B irradiation: decreased intracellular calcium as a partial mechanism.

Background: Ultraviolet light irradiation has been shown to suppress immunological reactions of irradiated individuals, however, less attention has been paid to the effects on neurogenic inflammation.

Objective: We have investigated the effect of ultraviolet light B (UVB) irradiation on substance P (SP)-induced histamine release from rat mast cells.

Methods: Rat peritoneal mast cells were treated with UVB irradiation and challenged by SP.

Interleukin-1beta sensitizes the response of the gastric vagal afferent to cholecystokinin in rat.

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and cholecystokinin (CCK) are important mediators in the development of anorexic response during disease. The role of IL-1beta and CCK in the peripheral mechanisms of anorexia was studied by recording the mass afferent activity of the gastric vagal nerve in anesthetized rats. The i.

Possible mechanisms of the concentration-dependent action of substance P to induce histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells and the effect of extracellular calcium on mast-cell activation.

Rat peritoneal mast cells purified on a Percoll gradient were loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2 and were challenged with different concentrations of substance P (SP), and intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) were measured by a spectrofluorometric assay. SP at 5 x 10(-6) mol/l and 10(-5) mol/l caused a significant histamine release with a significant increase in [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner. However, SP at 10(-8)-10(-6) mol/l did not induce either histamine release or increase in [Ca2+]i.

Interleukin-1 increases activity of the gastric vagal afferent nerve partly via stimulation of type A CCK receptor in anesthetized rats.

The response of mass activity of the gastric vagal afferent nerve to intravenous administration of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and the involvement of cholecystokinin (CCK) in the response were investigated in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. Intravenous administration of 2 micrograms.kg-1 of IL-1 beta caused an increase in the afferent activity, which reached 150% of control activity by 30 min after administration and persisted for more than 80 min.

Stroking of the abdomen causes decreased locomotor activity in conscious male rats.

The specific aim of the present study was to determine if stroking in conscious rats can influence spontaneous locomotor behavior in an open-field arena. For this purpose, conscious rats were held across the scapula and the ventral side of the abdomen was stroked at a pressure of 100-150 mm H2O and at a speed of approximately 20 cm/s. The stimulation frequency was approximately 40 strokes/min and the duration 2, 5, and 10 min.

[Transverse lesion of the spinal cord due to mucormycosis in an AML patient].

A 54 year old man complained exertional dyspnea and palpitation since November 1989. As he was diagnosed with marked anemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia by his work place doctor, he was admitted to our hospital. Acute myelogenous leukemia was diagnosed based on laboratory findings.

Nucleotide sequences of the hepatitis C virus core region in patients without anti-core antibody.

Second-generation assays for detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection that include reactivity of antibodies to core, NS3, NS4 are used because of their high sensitivity. Among these antibodies, anti-core antibody seems to be the most sensitive. However, there are some patients without anti-core antibodies, although HCV RNA is detectable by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and branched DNA assay.

Characteristics of histamine release from cultured human mast cells.

Background: The mast cell is one of the important cells in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. However, isolating human mast cells is a laborious procedure. Recently, cultured human mast cells raised from umbilical cord blood cells have become available.

Membranocystic changes in the panniculitis of dermatomyositis.

Clinically apparent panniculitis is rare in dermatomyositis. The common histopathological findings are infiltration of lymphocytes, epithelioid cells and plasma cells in the fat lobules, along with varying degrees of fat degeneration and fibrosis. We report a 65-year-old woman with dermatomyositis who developed panniculitis with a characteristic histological change known as a membranocystic lesion.

CV6209 inhibits airway wall thickening and airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine induced by intravenous administration of platelet-activating factor in guinea pigs.

We studied the effect of intravenous administration of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on airway responsiveness to histamine and airway wall thickening in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs were killed and the lungs were fixed in formalin. Slides from paraffin-embedded sections of the lungs were stained and the airways that were cut in transverse section were measured by tracing enlarged images using a digitizer.

Antipyretic effect of Lumbricus spencer in acetylsalicylic acid-induced asthma.

Lumbricus spencer, which has been used as an antipyretic in Chinese and Japanese folk medicine and whose antipyretic components are identified to be eicosatetraenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, was given orally in a single dose of 500 mg to febrile patients with acetylsalicylic acid-induced asthma (AIA) in placebo-controlled design. The antipyretic effect of Lumbricus spencer was observed with no exacerbation of asthmatic symptoms. Single oral administration of 500 mg of Lumbricus spencer did not affect the respiratory functions in the patients.

Reversal effect of itraconazole on adriamycin and etoposide resistance in human leukemia cells.

Itraconazole is a triazole antifungal agent that inhibits cell membrane serol biosynthesis. Currently, itraconazole is a potent candidate for in vivo use to revert multidrug resistance in acute leukemias, with the added benefit of its antifungal effect. As previously reported, itraconazole, as well as verapamil, reversed adriamycin-resistant K562 cells (K562/ADR) and HL60 cells (HL60/ADR) in dosages compatible to the plasma levels achieved by the therapeutic dosages used for the treatment of fungal infections.

Massage-like stroking of the abdomen lowers blood pressure in anesthetized rats: influence of oxytocin.

The aim of this study was to determine how massage-like stroking of the abdomen in rats influences arterial blood pressure. The participation of oxytocinergic mechanisms in this effect was also investigated. The ventral and/or lateral sides of the abdomen were stroked at a speed of 20 cm/s with a frequency of 0.