Our observations on the pathogenesis of xanthoma were reported. Direct immunofluorescence using anti-human β-lipoprotein antibody indicated that human β-lipoprotein was incorporated into foam cells of human xanthomas and an experimental rabbit xanthoma which was induced by human β-lipoprotein immune complexes in the blood stream. Foam cells originate from scavenger cells, such as dermal histiocytes and not from fibroblasts. Histiocytes incorporate more readily denatured lipoproteins than lipoproteins of native form. Cholesterol metabolism was investigated in experimental xanthoma tissues which were induced by intradermal dextran sulfate injection. Cholesterol synthesis was suppressed and cholesterol esterification was increased in the cholesterol-rich xanthoma tissues. Cholesterol was esterified more selectively with oleic acid than with palmitic acid. Therefore, cholesterol oleate increases in the tissues concomitantly with the accumulation of cholesteryl esters. The more important role in the esterification was played by the fatty acids of serum origin rather than those synthesized in situ. These findings suggest that the cholesterol esterification was mediated by acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase and that lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase had contributed little to the esterification.

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Biosynthesis of collagen and congenital disorders related to abnormalities of biosynthetic passways of collagen molecules are reviewed. Methods for detecting abnormalities in the collagen molecule. typing, and precursor forms using cell cultures are also described.

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1) Comparison of skin lesions in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) showed that acute symptoms of photosensitivity, e.g., burning sensation, swelling and erythema were more severe in EPP than PCT, but chronic skin changes, such as pigmentation, atrophy of the skin and hypertrichosis, were more prominent in PCT. Vesicles were often induced by light exposure in EPP, but in PCT, these were commonly induced by slight trauma. Scar formation in exposed areas, which is a very specific finding in both types, tended to have ill-defined margins in PCT as compared with EPP.
2) The histopathological feature of exposed skin in both types of porphyria was the deposition of a PAS positive material surrounding the small blood vessels in the upper dermis. An immunofluorescent study demonstrated deposition of immunoglobulins, notably IgG, in the same perivascular areas, although some differences were observed between EPP and PCT in the distribution and degree of the deposition. These findings are most pertinent for a diagnosis of porphyria.
3) The skin changes could be induced by sun light exposure in mice with experimentally-induced porphyria, and the deposition of immunoglobulins was observed in these lesions. On the other hand, the deposition of these materials was not observed in skin lesions caused by topical 8-methoxypsoralen and ultraviolet A.
4) A bibliographic investigation was made of skin changes in porphyria.

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A case of generalized connective tissue nevus was reported, and a review was made of the Japanese literature on cases of generalized connective tissue nevus. It is to be emphasized that patients with generalized connective tissue nevus may have defects in other organs.

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A case of 60-year-old woman with multiple cutaneous plasmacytoma associated with multiple myeloma was reported. She complained of cutaneous tumors located on the scalp. Histopathologically, the tumor consisted of plasma cells, most of which were atypical. The tumor presented apart from the lesion of the osseous plasmacytoma. In addition, the clinical aspects of 33 cases of cutaneous plasmacytoma reported in Japan were discussed.

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A case of 22-year-old woman with bullous pemphigoid was reported. Although the clinical picture resembled that of dermatitis herpetiformis, the results of the immunopathological examinations were compatible with bullous pemphigoid. Histopathological examination of the skin biopsy disclosed a subepidermal blister without acantholysis or papillary microabscess. The immunofluorescence studies revealed linear IgG and C₃ deposition at the basement membrane zone and IgG pemphigoid antibody in the sera. The IgE levels in the sera were significantly elevated, and correlated with the severity of the disease. A combined therapy with dapson (100 mg/day) and betamethazone (3 mg/day) was unsuccessful. The patient finally improved with a daily dose of 6mg of betamethazone.

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An eighty-two years old man with a locally recurring lentigo maligna melanoma on the right cheek was given a direct injection of OK-432 (Picibanil) into the tumor. The size of the tumor decreased gradually and disappeared about 3 months after the injection. The patient has been free of a recurrence and/or metastasis for 18 months. OK-432 may have a direct cytocidal action rather than a host-mediated anti-tumor activity.

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A clinical study was done on methods available for estimating the antitumor resistance in patients with malignant skin tumors. Fifteen parameters were used to assess 55 cases. As the immunological parameters, the counts of lymphocyte and T-cell, PHA stimulated lymphoblastgenetic index and delayed skin reactions of PPD, PHA, candida and SK/SD were used. As for the general conditions, RBC, hemoglobin, albumin, choline esterase. WBC, IgG, weight loss and extent of bed rest were used and followed-up every two weeks after the initiation of the chemotherapy. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The two kinds of parameters showed significantly lower values in the last stage of dead group in comparison with those in the remission stage of survival group, except for the counts of leucocytes and IgG. 2) The total scores, as well as those concerning immunological and general conditions devised for evaluation of the parameters, showed fairly good correlations with the clinical courses in the dead and the survival groups. Thus, these scorings may be used to indicate of cessation or recommencement of chemotherapy in the late stages.

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Zinc pyridineum thiol N-oxide (Zpt) is one of the widely used dandruff prohibiting agents in hair shampoo. To determine the effectiveness of this agent, n-hexane-induced hyperkeratotic epidermis of guinea pigs was used as material of dandruff-producing epidermis. The alteration of free nucleotides in the epidermis served as an index of hyperkeratosis, and a high pressure liquid chromatographic analysis was done. The topical application of Zpt inhibited the elevation of free nucleotide content induced by application of n-hexadecane. It was suggested that the application of 1% Zpt in shampoo is effective in reducing a pathological hyperkeratotic epidermis and thus in acting as dandruff inhibiting agent.

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91 patients with keratinous cysts were studied statistically with regard to sex and age, anatomic distribution, histological diagnoses etc. Keratinous cysts occurred predominantly in post-adolescent males. The anatomic distribution showed that the keratinous cysts were frequent on face, ear lobe, neck-nape, back and lumbar region-buttock. Epidermal cysts occupied 97.8% of the keratinous cysts, and trichilemmal cysts were seen at a rate of 2.2%. The trichilemmal cysts developed only on the scalp while the epidermal cysts were distributed widely over other areas other than scalp.

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A statistical survey of 1877 cases of impetigo contagiosa so diagnosed from January, 1976 to December, 1980 is reported. These studies covered factors such as frequency, age, distribution among the sexes seasonal occurrence and anatomical locations of the eruptions.

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