Efficacy of combined peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α ligand and glucocorticoid therapy in a murine model of atopic dermatitis.

Although topical glucocorticoids (GCs) show potent anti-inflammatory activity in inflamed skin, they can also exert numerous harmful effects on epidermal structure and function. In contrast, topical applications of ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) not only reduce inflammation but also improve cutaneous barrier homeostasis. Therefore, we examined whether sequential topical GCs followed by topical Wy14643 (a ligand of PPARα) might be more effective than either alone for atopic dermatitis (AD) in a hapten (oxazolone (Ox))-induced murine model with multiple features of AD (Ox-AD). Despite expected anti-inflammatory benefits, topical GC alone induced (i) epidermal thinning; (ii) reduced expression of involucrin, loricrin, and filaggrin; and (iii) allowed outside-to-inside penetration of an epicutaneous tracer. Although Wy14643 alone yielded significant therapeutic benefits in mice with mild or moderate Ox-AD, it was less effective in severe Ox-AD. Yet, topical application of Wy14643 after GC was not only significantly effective comparable with GC alone, but it also prevented GC-induced structural and functional abnormalities in permeability barrier homeostasis. Moreover, rebound flares were largely absent after sequential treatment with GC and Wy14643. Together, these results show that GC and PPARα ligand therapy together is not only effective but also prevents development of GC-induced side effects, including rebound flares, in murine AD

A Case of Orbital Xanthogranuloma Treated by Surgical Excision

Orbital xanthogranuloma is an uncommon tumor. It is usually associated with a systemic or hematological disease. This report presents a rare case of orbital xanthogranuloma associated with heart disease and thrombocytopenia. A 52-year-old female presented with a bilateral periorbital subcutaneous tumor that had existed for 3 years. Although immunoglobulin levels were within the normal limits, thrombocytopenia, slight anemia and increased levels of C-reactive protein and alkaline phosphatase were observed. The mass was excised successfully. The malar flap elevation technique made it easy to approach the periorbital subcutaneous mass. A histopathological study led to a diagnosis of xanthogranuloma based on the presence of infiltration of histiocytes and Touton-type giant cells

On the Mechanism of the Great Sagami Bay Earthquake on September 1, 1923

相模灘大地雲即関東大地震の原因に就ては諸説紛々たり、著者等は先づ是等諸説を列挙し、次に批判の材料となるべき事実を挙げ、自説の概要を述べて、之を事実に徴し、其毫も事実と矛盾するなきのみならず、土地の渦動的水平移動等は本説に依りてのみ説明し得る所以を明にしたり。次に進んで自説の根拠となるべき諸項目を吟味し、又他諸家の説との比較に於て根本的相違なきを縮めたり。次に更に事実の確実性の吟味をなし、相模湾方面に於ける渦巻的水平移動の実在せるを確かめ、之に依つて又房州瀧山断層の主貌を推諭し、之を事実に徴して推論の如くなるを縮かめたり。かくて関東大地震は北太平洋方面よりの一般的地流に原因を有し、相模湾及附近に於ける渦巻的逆地流の為に蓄積せられたる勢力の発露なるか推定したり