Lipocortin I (Annexin I) Is Preferentially Localized on the Plasma Membrane in Keratinocytes of Psoriatic Lesional Epidermis as Shown by Immunofluorescence Microscopy

Lopocortin I (LPC-I, also called annexin I) is a 35-kD protein that binds phospholidpids and actin ina a Ca++-dependetn manner. It is also a major substrate for EGF recepto/kinase and rotein kinase C,. and a putative inhibito of phospholipase A2, which produces chemical mediators to cause inflammation. Psoriasos (PS) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by a rapid turnover of keratinocytes and a defect in keratinization with increased activities of phospholipase C and A2, and EGF receptor. To understand the mechanism of the PS lesion formation and the function of LPC-I, its didtribution was studied in the epiedermis of PS, subacure eczema and normal skin, and in tumor, cells of seborheic keratosis and Bowen's disease. This study involved immunofluorescence and immunoblotting using affinity-purified polyclonal and monclonal antibodies specific to LPC-I and to its Ca++- bound form. In normal, nonlesional PS and subacute eczema epidermis, LPC-I was detected , mainly in the cytoplasm of the suprabasal cells, although it was on the inner aspects of the plasma membrane in some parts of the granular layer. In lesional epidermis of PS it was localized mainly on the inner aspects of the plasma membrane, but not in the cytoplasm of the whole suprabasal cells as the Ca++-bond form, indicating a preferential localization of the plasma membrane. This membrane-binding of LPC-I was also observed in seborrheic keratosis, but not in Bowen's disease. These results suggest that the binding of LPC-I to the plasma membrane occurs actually in living cells, plays a role not necessarily disease specific, in the PS lesion formation, and has some relevance to normal or abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes

Durability of concrete with Belite-Gehlenite clinker as fine aggregate

The Japanese cement industry uses large quantities of industrial waste and by-products as raw materials in the production of cement clinker. Although the amount of industrial waste generated annually has remained almost constant, domestic demand for cement has been falling. In order to maintain the amount of waste re-used by the cement industry, there is a need to explore new ways of utilizing clinker besides in cement production. The proportion of waste used in the production of Belite-Gehlenite clinker featured in this study is about twice as much as in normal clinker. Previous studies have shown that when clinker is used as aggregate in mortar and concrete, clinker hydration products fill cracks as they occur for added self-healing performance. In this study, in addition to the basic characteristics of concrete containing Belite-Gehlenite clinker as fine aggregate, the resistance to cracking of specimens made with the concrete is investigated. Compared with concrete using natural sand, it is confirmed that compressive strength is improved, drying shrinkage is reduced, carbonation is suppressed, and freeze-thaw resistance is maintained. It is also demonstrated that resistance to cracking is improved