Mayumi Matsuta

Detection of numerical chromosomal aberrations in malignant melanomas using fluorescence in situ hybridization

To evaluate the numerical chromosomal aberration i malignant melanoma, we have applied fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with repetitive DNA probes specific for chromosomes 1, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 17 on 24 fresh malignant melanomas (primary: 14, metastatic: 8).

Immunohistochemical detection of Ki-67 in epithelial skin tumors in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections using a new monoclonal antibody (MIB-1).

The expression of the Ki‐67 antigen was investigated in 44 epithelial skin tumors using an immunohistochemical technique on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue sections. Microwave oven heating was employed for retrieval of the antigen in these tissue sections.

Cutaneous Mixed Tumor Containing Ossification, Hair Matrix, and Sebaceous Ductal Differentiation

A 58‐year‐old Japanese male presented with a cutaneous mixed tumor containing ossification and hair matrix differentiation on the left side of the chin.

Two cases of multiple eccrine spiradenoma with linear or localized formation.

We report two rare cases of recurrent, multiple eccrine spiradenoma. Both cases presented with extensive lesions comprised of multiple red papules of various sizes and a soft blue‐red nodule. The first case was a 30‐year‐old woman. Her lesions followed a linear arrangement on her chin, and extended down the right side of the neck with spontaneous pain. The second case was a 57‐year‐old woman with tumors in a localized group on the left occipital region without pain. A search of the literature revealed only 15 reported cases of linear/zosteriform/nevoid multiple eccrine spiradenoma. Both cases were treated by surgical excision. Most of the red papules displayed typical histological features including two cell types: large clear cells with low‐density cytoplasm; and small dark cells with high‐density cytoplasm. The large soft tumors exhibited a variable histological appearance. In the first case, the cystic tumors displayed an homogeneous structure comprised of eosinophilic material. In the second case, the cystic tumors included abundant interstitial tissue.

Immunohistochemical detection of p21WAF1/CIP1 and p53 proteins in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

Thirty-two cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin were investigated as to the expression of p53 and p21 (WAF1/CIP1) using an immunohistochemical method. These cases were surgically resected or biopsied, tissue samples were then fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin in the conventional way. Microwave heating was used for antigen retrieval. The primary monoclonal anti-p21 antibody and the monoclonal antibody against p53 were employed. The labeled-streptoavidin-biotin-peroxidase method was used for immunohistochemical staining. Of these, 30 cases showed overexpression of p53 staining, but normal epidermal cells were free of stain. p21 positive cells were detected faintly in the middle layer cells of normal epidermis. Of these, 30 cases showed overexpression of p21 staining. The staining pattern of p53 and p21 showed intratumoral heterogeneity in SCC. In general, there was the inverse relationship between p21 and p53 staining in tumors, namely p53 positive cells were p21 negative and vice versa. However, some of the tumor cells expressed both genes simultaneously. This study supports a hypothesis that p21 expression is regulated by p53, and that it is also regulated by an additional pathway(s) in SCC.

Light and Electron Microscopic Immunohistochemistry of Solar Elastosis: A Study with Cutis Rhomboidalis Nuchae

Biopsied skin specimens from 10 males with cutis rhomboidalis nuchae, 50–83 years in age, as well as age‐matched non‐sun‐exposed skin and young normal skin specimens were subjected to a light and electron microscopic immunohistochemical study using anti‐elastin polyclonal antibody and anti‐microfibril HB‐8 monoclonal antibody. Conventional histochemical and electron microscopic techniques were also used.

Electron Microscopic Study of the Colloid‐like Substance in Solar Elastosis

We have made electron microscopic studies on the elastotic material of solar elastosis which developed in cutis rhomboidalis nuchae taken from 10 males, 50–83 years of age. It was revealed that this material of the cutis rhomboidalis nuchae contained a colloid‐like substance consisting of both a fine granular and an amorphous component. The colloid‐like substance closely resembled that which is seen in the adult‐type colloid milium, and could not be distinguished from it under light microscopy.

A Case of Systemic Sclerosis Associated with Gastric Cancer

We report the case of a 47‐year‐old woman who began to experience stiffness and Raynauds phenomenon of her fingers and toes as well as easy fatigability approximately one year before initial evaluation. Histopathologic examination revealed dense fibrosis and perivascular lymphoid cell infiltration in the dermis. The patients diagnosis was systemic sclerosis (SSc). Esophageal sclerosis was not revealed, but an early type IIb carcinoma of the gastric antrum was noted by endoscopic examination. Other recent reports have discussed the association of SSc with various malignant carcinomas. We also reviewed the literature for associations between SSc and gastric cancer in Japanese patients.

Applications of DNA Flow Cytometry and Fluorescence In situ Hybridization Using a Chromosome‐specific DNA Probe on Paraffin‐embedded Tissue Sections of Primary Malignant Melanomas

We have applied DNA flow cytometric analysis to paraffin‐embedded tissue sections of primary malignant melanomas. Conventionally, flow cytometric analysis of paraffin‐embedded tissue sections has been done by the method of Hedley et al. We added ultrasound treatment to the method of Hedley et al. and a lower value of coefficient of variation was shown. Furthermore, a new technique, fluorescence in situ hybridization with a chromosome‐specific repetitive DNA probe, was used for the analysis of chromosomal numerical aberrations in the same paraffin‐embedded tissue sections. The DNA flow cytometric analysis showed that in 8 cases six primary malignant melanomas were of the aneuploid pattern and two cases of lentigo maligna (melamona in situ) were of the diploid pattern. By fluorescence in situ hybridization, the two cases with the diploid pattern had spots/nucleus of 1.28 and 1.12, and those with the aneuploid pattern had spots/nucleus from 2.01 to 2.27. Only one nodular melanoma in an aneuploid case showed spots/nucleus of 1.71. These data indicate that fluorescence in situ hybridization with chromosome‐specific repetitive DNA probes can serve as a cytogenetic tool for the analysis of interphase nuclei of solid human tumors and may be useful for the study of tumor cell heterogeneity.

An X-Ray Exposure Accident in a High School Student

Background of the Radiation Accident at School. The radiologic device which was used for an experiment at school was a SoftexType LN, an ultrasoft X-ray radiation device (1966–5x/n 5631, made by Shimazu Rikakiki Co., Koizumi X-ray Co. in 1967) for fl uoroscopy of grass, fl owers and insects placed in it as samples. Using it for the human body is prohibited. It is so designed that an object is put on a pedestal and observations are made through a small window ( fi g. 1 ). Situation Leading to Exposure. The apparatus was handled by untrained people. At fi rst, an experiment to examine a coin put in a brown envelope by fl uoroscopy was being conducted. The picture was projected on a screen via video. To attract attention, the teacher performed fl uoroscopy by applying X-ray to the fi ngers of the students. While the teacher was making adjustments because of the picture being out of focus, the student in this case was exposed to radiation for about 40 s. Besides, 25 classmates put their hands in the device in turn for X-ray fl uoroscopy and were exposed to radiation for about 5 s. The student did not have any other remarkable history concerning his hands. Then, he noticed a well-defi ned erythema on the dorsal side of the forefi nger, middle fi nger and ring fi nger of the right hand on December 18, about 3 weeks after radiation. He was referred to us because of swelling and a painful lesion on the right hand on December 21, 2001. On initial examination, the dorsal sides of the forefi nger, middle fi nger and ring fi nger of the right hand showed a well-defi ned brown pigmentation with swelling corresponding to the irradiated part ( fi g. 2 a). No adhesion with tendon and bone was found. SpontaneDermatology 2005;211:293–295 DOI: 10.1159/000087028