Increased halogenated tyrosine levels are useful markers of human skin ageing, reflecting proteins denatured by past skin inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Photoageing of skin is thought to be caused by protein denaturation, which can be induced by ultraviolet radiation. Previous studies have also reported that inflammation is related to protein denaturation; however, the influence of inflammation on skin ageing has not been explored in detail. AIM: To investigate the possible connection between inflammation and protein denaturation, which might lead to skin ageing, we focused on halogenated tyrosine as a denatured substance produced during the inflammation process. METHODS: We measured halogenated tyrosine in aged human skin. Inflammatory cells and halogenated tyrosine were detected by immunohistochemistry using antibodies to mast-cell tryptase, neutrophilic myeloperoxidase and halogenated tyrosine. Finally, using elastic van Gieson (EVG) staining, we investigated whether the sites of halogenated tyrosine coincided with the sites at which proteins were denatured. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that both inflammatory cells and halogenated tyrosines increased with ageing in both photoexposed and photoprotected skin. EVG staining confirmed that the localization of halogenated tyrosine was close to the sites at which protein was denatured. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigations indicate a possible connection between skin ageing and inflammation, suggesting that halogenated tyrosine could be a useful marker of ageing skin.

[The relationship between visual field defects and clinical factors in normal-tension glaucoma].

We investigated the relationship between visual field defects and some clinical factors in 30 eyes of 30 normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients. The static central visual field by the Humphrey field analyzer, diurnal variation of intraocular pressure (diurnal IOP), blood flow velocity of the ophthalmic artery by color Doppler imaging, blood flow volume of digital tissue by laser flowmetry, and systemic blood pressure (BP) were measured after rinsing out the anti-glaucoma drug for one month. Mean deviation (MD) calculated by the Humphrey STATPAC program as an index of visual field defect, was correlated to the Pourcelot index (RI) of ophthalmic arterial blood flow and magnitude of diurnal IOP. In multiple regression analysis, the multiple correlation coefficient was 0.79 and the coefficient of determination was 0.62. RI, systolic BP, magnitude of diurnal IOP, and the refraction and mean of diurnal IOP were used in the multiple correlation model as factors significantly related to MD. These results suggest that both IOP and some clinical factors may contribute to the visual field defects of NTG.

Pathological findings of the facial nerve in a case of facial nerve palsy associated with benign parotid tumor.

The presence of facial nerve palsy associated with an ipsilateral parotid tumor is virtually pathognomonic for a malignant parotid tumor. However, several case reports have documented the occurrence of facial nerve palsy caused by benign parotid lesions. A case of Warthin's tumor causing facial nerve palsy is presented and discussed histologically. To our knowledge, histological examination of the nerve bundles has never before been reported. The histological findings suggest that ischemia of the nerve caused by external compression resulted in facial nerve palsy.

[Effect of leaves of Ginkgo biloba on hair regrowth in C3H strain mice].

Effects of 70% ethanolic extract from leaves of Ginkgo biloba (GBE) on the hair regrowth in normal and high butter diet-pretreated C3H strain mice which posterior hair we shaved were investigated. GBE showed a promoting effect on the hair regrowth. GBE had the inhibitory effects on blood platelet aggregation, thrombin activity and fibrinolysis. GBE inhibited the increase of serum the triglyceride level in high cholesterol diet-treated rats. These results suggested that GBE promotes the hair regrowth and could be used as a hair tonic.

[Two cases of anaphylactoid reactions after intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate administration].

We have experienced two cases of anaphylactoid reactions following intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate administration. They had neither asthmatic nor other allergic histories. The first case was a 45-yr-old man. In addition to the antigenicity of hydrocortisone itself, it is suggested that administration speed was so fast that its side effects were intensified. The second case was a 10-yr old girl. Succinate ester was thought to be the cause of her allergic reaction (urticaria). It is also possible that her hypersensitivity to steroids was dose-dependent.

Diffuse nerve fiber layer loss in normal tension glaucoma.

14 eyes of 14 normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients with the maximum intraocular pressure (IOP) > or = 19 mmHg and 16 eyes of 16 NTG patients with the maximum IOP < 19 mmHg were examined. All patients had a scotoma confined to the upper or lower hemifield. Eyes with the maximum IOP > or = 19 mmHg showed significantly diffuse retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) loss in the RNFL area corresponded to the spared visual hemifield as compared to those with the maximum IOP < 19 mmHg. The results suggests that, even in NTG, IOP may be an important factor causing optic nerve damage.

Mercury deposition and its relationship to inner ear function in methylmercury-poisoned rats. A histological and immunohistochemical study.

Mercury deposition and its relationship to the inner ear function in methylmercury-poisoned rats were examined. Rats were poisoned with methylmercury chloride. After the appearance of signs of poisoning, the cerebellar and inner ear tissues were examined histochemically using an autoradiographic procedure. Mercury deposits were typically found in the cerebellum and appeared in parts of the vestibular nerves, cochlear nerves, spiral ganglion and stria vascularis. In the vestibule, a slight mercury deposition was observed in the acoustic maculae and in the cochlea; only one instance of mercury deposit in the organ of Corti was detected. The effect of mercury on the inner ear function was also assessed on the basis of immunohistochemical localization of substance P which is believed to be a neurotransmitter in the inner ear. However, no pathological changes were detected. These findings suggest that methylmercury deposition has little effect on the inner ear function.

[Inverted caloric nystagmus of perforated ears upon air caloric stimulation].

It is well known that inverted caloric nystagmus is seen during air caloric testing in cases of chronic otitis media. The mechanism of inversion and its clinical significance are discussed here. Temperature changes in the tympanic cavity and external ear canal were measured with a microthermister and a digital tester in seventeen ears with tympanic membrane perforation, during bithermal air caloric testing. The tympanic cavity mucosa was cooled by hot stimulation because of the evaporation of heat. When the perforation was closed or humidified air was used, the tympanic cavity mucosa was not cooled by hot stimulation and the inverted caloric nystagmus changed to a normal response. Inverted caloric nystagmus occurred in 30.4% of 335 ears affected by chronic otitis media with perforation. Inverted caloric nystagmus occurred in 90 ears with hot stimulation and in 12 ears with cold stimulation. Inverted caloric nystagmus turned to normal response after myringoplasty in all of 10 ears. The cooling effect caused by evaporation of water from the moist middle ear mucosa during dry air blowing and direct thermal conduction to the vestibulum through a perforation of the ear drum and inversion of the endolymphatic convection seemed to cause the inversion.

Comparison of retinal nerve-fiber layer in high- and normal-tension glaucoma.

In all, 20 eyes of 20 normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients and 20 eyes of high-tension glaucoma (HTG) patients matched for similar visual field defects underwent retinal nerve-fiber-layer (RNFL) analysis using a computerized digital-image analysis system. Subjects with NTG showed more localized RNFL loss than diffuse loss as compared with HTG patients. The results support the hypothesis that there may be different mechanisms of damage in glaucoma.

Neurotological follow-up studies upon Minamata disease.

During 1986-87, 35 patients with organic mercury intoxication, who had been recognized as having Minamata disease by the Arbitration Committee in Niigata during 1968-78, were followed up neurotologically in Kido Hospital, Niigata, Japan. Characteristic follow-up features were served, as follows. 1. In 6 cases, spontaneous nystagmus had disappeared, but had newly appeared in 9 cases. However, positional nystagmus was markedly improved in 15 cases. 2. In OKN tests, especially in the vertical OKN test, relatively significant deterioration was observed at the follow-up examinations. 3. There was little significant change in the caloric nystagmus test and body-equilibrium tests. 4. In pure-tone audiometry, 16 out of 58 ears showed deterioration of hearing (28%), while 4 ears showed improvement (7%). In the neurotological findings there was much variation among the patients themselves. Therefore, these variable findings should be considered as being caused not by duration of the intoxication alone, but also by ageing factors in the patients.