Interactive Roles of Activin A in Epidermal Regeneration

No abstract available.

Decreased Galectin-3 and -7 Expressions in Old-Aged Skin and Their Differential Expression in Skin Equivalents

No abstract available.

A Case of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Presenting with Protein-Losing Enteropathy / 대한소화기학회지

Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a syndrome characterized by excessive gastrointestinal protein loss, resulting in hypoproteinemia and edema. A variety of benign and malignant conditions can be associated with PLE and acute leukemia is a very rare cause of PLE. We report a case of PLE associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A 27-year-old man was admitted due to watery diarrhea, epigastric pain and bilateral leg edema. Laboratory findings showed hypoproteinemia and polycythemia. The diagnosis of PLE and acute lymphoblastic leukemia were confirmed on the measurement of fecal alpha1-antitrypsin clearance and bone marrow examination. After systemic chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation, his clinical symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings were gradually improved.

A Simple Assay Method for Melanosome Transfer

Pigmentation is induced by production of melanin in specialized organelles termed melanosomes and by transfer of these organelles from melanocytes to surrounding keratinocytes. The chemical basis of melanogenesis is relatively well known but the mechanism of melanosome transfer is not well studied. Various pigmentary disorders and cosmetic applications require the use of depigmenting agents. Currently available topical agents used for the reduction of pigmentation mainly include tyrosinase inhibitors and/or melanocyte-cytotoxic agents. Recently, several agents have been introduced to inhibit melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes. However, an experimental model for melanosome transfer is not well established. In this study, a simple assay method using flow cytometry is described.

A Case of Childhood Lichen Aureus

Lichen aureus is a rare type of chronic pigmented purpuric dermatosis. The eruptions consist of discrete or confluent golden to brownish lichenoid macules and papules, and are usually asymptomatic. Lichen aureus commonly occurs in young adults, but less frequently in children. We report the first case of multiple lichen aureus occurring in a Korean child.

Two Cases of Traumatic Anserine Folliculosis / 대한피부과학회지

Traumatic anserine folliculosis is characterized by white-yellow or skin-colored papules, with or without slight erythema, on the chin or jaw that occurs after prolonged friction or pressure. It was first reported by Padilha-Goncalves in 1977, and named "traumatic anserine folliculosis" for the stressing etiologic factor, the goose skin appearance and the follicular lesion location. To date, fewer than 30 cases have been reported. In this presentation, we report 2 young patients who had traumatic anserine folliculosis.

A Case of Cutaneous Polyarteritis Nodosa Associated With Chronic Hepatitis B Infection / 대한피부과학회지

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is regarded as an immune-complex mediated vasculitis and can present as extrahepatic manifestation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. When treating HBV-associated PAN with immunosuppressive agent such as systemic steroid, the possibility of viral reactivation should be kept in mind and eagerly checked. Herein we report a case of HBV-associated cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa and its treatment outcome with combination therapy of steroid and antiviral agent, lamivudine for 6 weeks. Our experience suggests that more clinical data should be collected to determine the proper indication and end-point of antiviral therapy in chronic HBV carriers who receive immunosuppressant therapy.

The Efficacy of Cyclosporin in Patients with Severe Atopic Dermatitis

BACKGROUND: Cyclosporin A (CsA), a potent immunosuppressant, has been reported to be effective in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and side-effects of CsA in Korean patients with severe AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 16 patients with recalcitrant AD took CsA for at least 6 weeks. Among them, 11 patients were followed up for more than 16 weeks. Initial dose was 5mg/kg/day (maximum 300 mg/day) and the dose was reduced according to their therapeutic responses. SCORAD (Scoring AD) was used to evaluate clinical efficacy of CsA. During the 1st month of therapy, the therapeutic efficacy and side-effects were evaluated every 2weeks and after 1 month, every month. We checked blood pressure and laboratory abnormalities including liver function test, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) and urinalysis at each visit in addition to observing clinical adverse effects. RESULTS: Significant reduction of SCORAD was noted in 15 patients after 6 weeks of CsA therapy. Only one patient stopped CsA therapy because of the elevation of blood pressure. Three patients showed albuminuria, which disappeared after CsA dose reduction. CONCLUSION: CsA can be used effectively and safely in severe Korean AD patients. Albuminuria seems to be a peculiar side-effect in Korean patients.

Root Injury after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty in Compression Fracture: Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

The first image-guided percutaneous vertebroplasty was performed in France in 1984. Percutaneous vertebroplasty recently has been introduced as a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of pain associated with compression fracture. Several European reports have described excellent results for treatment of compression fracture, and complications were minor and infrequent. We experienced a case of root injury after percutaneous vertebroplasty in compression fracture, which was treated by posterior decompression and removal of the cement.

Identification of two novel frame shift mutations of the NF1 gene in Korean patients with neurofibromatosis type 1

Neurofibromatos is type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common inherited disorders and is characterized by abnormalities in multiple tissues derived from the neural crest. The NF-1 gene has been cloned and mapped to human chromosome 17q11.2. The NF-1 gene has an open reading frame that predicts a protein consisting of 2,818 amino acids, known as neurofibromin. Here, we report two kinds of novel frame shift mutations of the NF1 gene from 2 out of 56 unrelated Korean NF1 patients. These mutations were detected using polymerase chain reaction and single strand conformational polymorphism analysis. Sequencing analysis revealed four base pair insertion at codon 1270 of exon 22, and a base pair deletion at codon 1398 of exon 24. These mutations resulted in premature termination of the mutant alleles and may encode truncated forms of neurofibromin.

The Study of Tenascin Expression in Vitiligo / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Defective adhesion and migration of melanocyte may be involved in pathogenesis of vitiligo. Tenascin, a glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix, has a role in cell adhesion and migration. It has been reported that abundant expression of tenascin in vitiligo lesion may inhibit melanocyte adhesion and migration. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the tenascin expression in vitiligo skin lesions and to compare with clinical findings. METHODS: We studied 9 patients with vitiligo. The expressions of tenascin were studied by immunahistochemieal techniques.

Clinical Study of Vitiligo / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentary disorder of the skin and hair. The etiology is unknown, however an autoimmune hypothesis is favored. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to develop a better understanding of the clinical features of vitiligo patients. METHOD: We evaluated clinical manifestations of 1203 vitiligo patients(556 males and 647 females). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The mean age of onset and that of the first visits made by patients were 22.9+/-18 and 27.9+/-19 years, respectively. 2. The face(37.4%) was the most common site of initial involvement. In decreasing order of frequency, the common sites of involvement were the face and neck(65.9%), thorax and abdomen(42.9%), upper extremities(42.3%). 44.5% of the cases had the vulgaris type, 26.1% the focal type, and 21.1% the segmental type. During the three months before a visit, 44% of patients experienced progression of disease. Within one year, about 75% of patients reported that the disease had progressed. 3. Precipitating or aggravating factors such as trauma(13.1%), psychological stress(9.2%), sun light (2.8%) and pregnancy(2.5%), were found in 30.9% of patients. Thyroid disease was the most common associated disease.

The efficacy of thymopentin in the treatment of atopic dermatitis / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND: Thymopentin(TP-5) is an immunomodulatory agent which may be a promising new drug in the treatment of patients with severe atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of thymopentin for treatment of severe atopic dermatitis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifteen patients with severe atopic dermatitis received subcutaneous injections of 50mg thymopentin three times per week for 6 weeks. Clinical extent and severity parameters were assessed at baseline, at regular intervals during therapy and 4 weeks posttherapy. Use of antihistamine and topical steroid were permitted. RESULT: Significant reduction in severity scores and body surface area involvement was observed and no significant side effects were noted(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Thymopentin may be considered to be an effective adjunctive therapeutic agent in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis. Further studies will be needed to determine the action mechanism of thymopentin.

THE EFFECTS OF A THIN SHEET OF TYPE I COLLAGEN ON WOUND HEALING OF FULL THICKNESS SKIN DEFECTS

No abstract available.

The Effect of Diphenylcyclopropenone Immunotherapy on Molluscum Contagiosum

BACKGROUND: Contact immunotherapy using diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) has been used in the treatment of alopecia and warts. DPCP seemed to be a promising agent for viral disease including molluscum contagiosum (MCI). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of DPCP immunotherapy on MC in children. METHODS: Twenty three patients with multiple lesion of MC were treated with DPCP immunotherapy. RESULTS: Twelve patients (52.2%) showed cure, and eleven patients (47.8%) showed treatment failure. No severe side effects were seen. CONCLUSION: DPCP immunotherapy may be an effective treatment in children with MC without serious side effects.

Detection of Human Papillomavirus DNA in Genital and Laryngeal Papilloma Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND: Compared to condyloma acuminatum, the cause of laryngeal papilloma has not been clearly established. Although mode of viral transmission is not known yet, laryngeal papilloma seems to be caused by same viruses as condyloma acuminatum. OBJECTIVE: This study was done to investigate the HPV types of condyloma acuminatum and laryngeal papilloma and the epidemiologic relationship between these two diseases. METHODS: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done in fifteen cases of condyloma acuminatum and ten cases of laryngeal papilloma. RESULTS: Same types of HPV DNA (HPV6,11) were detected in all cases of condyloma acuminatum and laryngeal papilloma. CONCLUSION: Laryngeal papilloma is considered a pure viral disease caused by HPV 6 or HPVll and closely related to condyloma acuminatum caused by HPV 6, 11.

Detection of Human Papillomavirus DNA in Genital and Laryngeal Papilloma Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND: Compared to condyloma acuminatum, the cause of laryngeal papilloma has not been clearly established. Although mode of viral transmission is not known yet, laryngeal papilloma seems to be caused by same viruses as condyloma acuminatum. OBJECTIVE: This study was done to investigate the HPV types of condyloma acuminatum and laryngeal papilloma and the epidemiologic relationship between these two diseases. METHODS: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done in fifteen cases of condyloma acuminatum and ten cases of laryngeal papilloma. RESULTS: Same types of HPV DNA (HPV6,11) were detected in all cases of condyloma acuminatum and laryngeal papilloma. CONCLUSION: Laryngeal papilloma is considered a pure viral disease caused by HPV 6 or HPVll and closely related to condyloma acuminatum caused by HPV 6, 11.

A histopathologic study of congential melanocytic nevi / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: since congenital nevi may not always be identified clirically, it remains a challange for histologists to separate an acquired from a congehital nevus. The camparative histologic feature of congenital and acquired lesions have been described by several authors. OBJECTIVE: In an attempt to establish reliable microscopic recognition of congenital nevi, the histologic features of 52 congenital melanocytic nevi were studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: By reviewing HMB slides, histologic paterns were observed depending on the extent of nevus cell infiltration. An immunohistochemical study wi h anti S-100 protein and HMB-45 antibody was also performed. RESULTS: Diffuse infiltratien of upper and lower dermis with nevu. cells was observed in 21 cases (40.0%). Nevus cell infiltration of appendages and neurovascular structures was observed in 29 cases (55.8%). Indian filing of dermal nevus cells was observed in 33 casesl(64.7%). Epidermis showed elongation of rete ridges in 36 ca.es(69.2%). Immunohistochemical staining with HMB 45 showed a positive raction in 9 cases out of 51 having dermal nevus cells, and epidemal melanocytes showed positive reaction in 20 cases. CONCLUSION: Congenital melanocytie nevi can be classified by histolcgic appearance into several patterns. Nevus cells had a trend to infiltrate into the deeper dermis as the clinieal size increrased. Nevus cell infiltration of appendages and neurovascular structure was a common finding in congenital melanocytic nevi.

Maffucci's Syndrome

A case of Maffucci's syndrome is reported in a 6-year-old girl. She had multiple enchondromas of the long bones and the phalangeal bones with hemangiomatous skin lesions. The hemangiomas were the capillary type and were not anatomically related to the bone lesions.

Herpes Zoster in Children with Malignancy / 대한피부과학회지

We described the clinical manifestation of herpes zoster in thirteen children with underlying malignancies. Among the associated malignancies, hematologic malignancy including acute lymphotytic leukemia was the commonest and CNS tumors were also frequently associated. Pain was mild, and some showed high fever and abnormal liver function test results. Recurrent attacks were observed in 3 cases(23%). Thoracic segment and trigeminal nerve were commonly affected. In most cases, herpes zoster developed within two years after the diagnosis of the malignancy.