Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) is a rare variant of lichen planus, and it is characterized by hyperpigmented, dark brown to violaceous colored macules or patches on the sun exposed areas of the skin. The term of LPP-inversus was proposed to describe some cases with LPP arising on the intertriginous areas. Clinically, LPP-inversus is characterized by well defined dark brown to violaceous macules or patches with minimal symptoms and it is predominantly confined on the flexural areas. The histological characteristics are a lichenoid inflammatory infiltrate on the upper dermis, melanophages and pigmentary incontinence. The clinical course can vary. We present here an additional case of LPP-inversus that developed on the both inguinal folds and we review the relevant literature.
Dermis ; Lichen Planus ; Lichens ; Skin ; Solar System

BACKGROUND: The elastic fiber network undergoes profound alterations during the ageing process. OBJECTIVE: Our study compared two type ageing process of elastic fiber; the first, age associated, is found in skin from a nonexposed area; the second, related to sun exposure, is found in an exposed area. METHODS: In order to differentiate these two forms of ageing process, the author tried to compare length, breadth, perimeter, shape factor and amount of elastic fiber between the exposed and nonexposed skin of 240 Korean men using computerized digital image analysis system. RESULTS: Amount and breadth of elastic fibers are significantly different between exposed and nonexposed area in the same age group. After the fifties, the length of each elastic fiber in exposed areas are significantly longer than those of nonexposed area. Breadth is more sensitive than length to photoageing. The amount of elastic fiber is variable in nonexposed areas but increased steadily according to age in exposed areas. CONCLUSION: The amount and four morphological factors of elastic fiber show there are significant differences between photoageing and chronological ageing process.
Elastic Tissue* ; Humans* ; Male ; Skin* ; Solar System

BACKGROUND: UVB is responsible for most of the carcinogenic effects of sun exposure. OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to investigate the regulation and intracellular redistribution of p53 protein after UVB irradiation. METHODS: Cultured normal human melanocytes and G361 melanoma cells were used for west-ern blotting and confocal microscopic examination for determining expression and distribution of p53. RESULTS: UVB irradiation increased p53 expression in cultured normal human melanocytes and G361 malignant melanoma cells according to increasing doses of UVB. Furthermore, p53 moved from cytosol to nucleus after UVB irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: UVB irradiation induced overexpression and redistribution of p53 in cultured normal human melanocytes and G361 malignant melanoma cells.
Cytosol ; Humans ; Melanocytes* ; Melanoma* ; Solar System

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the skin and usually seen on hair-bearing skin that is frequently exposed to the sun, especially on the face. Polypoid BCC, which is thought to be a new variant, is distinguished from other histologic types by having a stalk and by restriction of the tumor aggregation to the pedunculated zone. We report a case of polypoid BCC in a 73-year old man who had a skin-colored pedunculated papule in the perianal area mimicking soft fibroma.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Fibroma ; Skin ; Solar System

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to compare the shear bond strengths of ceramic brackets bonded to zirconia surfaces using different zirconia primers and universal adhesive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty zirconia blocks (15 × 15 × 10 mm, Zpex, Tosoh Corporation) were polished with 1,000 grit sand paper and air-abraded with 50 µm Al2O3 for 10 seconds (40 psi). They were divided into 5 groups: control (CO), Metal/Zirconia primer (MZ, Ivoclar Vivadent), Z-PRIME Plus (ZP, Bisco), Zirconia Liner (ZL, Sun Medical), and Scotchbond Universal adhesive (SU, 3M ESPE). Transbond XT Primer (used for CO, MZ, ZP, and ZL) and Transbond XT Paste was used for bracket bonding (Gemini clear ceramic brackets, 3M Unitek). After 24 hours at 37°C storage, specimens underwent 2,000 thermocycles, and then, shear bond strengths were measured (1 mm/min). An adhesive remnant index (ARI) score was calculated. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and the Bonferroni test (p = 0.05). RESULTS: Surface treatment with primers resulted in increased shear bond strength. The SU group showed the highest shear bond strength followed by the ZP, ZL, MZ, and CO groups, in that order. The median ARI scores were as follows: CO = 0, MZ = 0, ZP = 0, ZL = 0, and SU = 3 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within this experiment, zirconia primer can increase the shear bond strength of bracket bonding. The highest shear bond strength is observed in SU group, even when no primer is used.
Adhesives ; Ceramics ; Orthodontic Brackets ; Solar System

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tooth color changes of resin bonding sites and their adjacent sites on orthodontic bracket bonding. Sixty extracted sound premolars were used and the tooth color was recorded according to the CIE L(*)a(*)b(*) color system using a spectrophotometer. The tooth colors of the twenty premolars were measured and compared before bracket bonding and after removal. On a further twenty premolars, the tooth color was measured before and after only primer application. In the change of L(*) values, according to the bracket bonding and primer application, the lightness was decreased, and in the change of a(*) and b(*) values, the color was changed into a more yellowish color. The color differences (delta E(*)) were calculated from the L(*)a(*)b(*) values and compared with the standard value of clinical detection (delta E(*)=3.7). The color differences between before the bracket bonding and after removal noted exceeded the standard value and those of between before and after the primer application were not larger than the standard value. Toothbrushing was performed after application of the primer to evaluate the color changes according to the primer abrasion. As a control, toothbrushing was performed on the last twenty premolars. The color differences noted were larger than the standard value after toothbrushing. Also, to evaluate the color changes of the tooth which is exposed to sun irradiation after bracket removal, additional photoaging was performed and the color was measured for all teeth. The additional color differences after photoaging were smaller than the standard value. The above results suggest that the tooth color changes after fixed orthodontic treatment.
Bicuspid ; Orthodontic Brackets ; Solar System ; Tooth* ; Toothbrushing

No abstract available.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Catheter Ablation ; Catheters ; Mars ; Venus

BACKGROUND: Although sunscreen is used as a primary strategy for the prevention of sunburn, photoaging, and skin cancer, few people regularly use sunscreen. OBJECTIVE: To investigate awareness regarding the effects of sunlight, the extent of sun exposure, and sunscreen use behaviors in Korean subjects. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to 467 adult patients who visited the Dermatology Department at Seoul National University Boramae Hospital. The questionnaire covered demographic characteristics, causes of wrinkles, sunspots, and skin cancer, awareness of the harmful effects of sun exposure, perceived and actual extent of sun exposure, and the use of sun-protective methods including sunscreen. RESULTS: Sun exposure was selected as the major cause of age spots (60.6%), skin cancer (60.9%), and wrinkles (25.9%). Respondents were likely to underestimate the extent of sun exposure. On average, quite a few respondents stated that they were exposed to sunlight for more than one hour per day (22.7% on weekdays, 52.4% on weekends). However, only 9.4% of respondents thought that their sun exposure was problematic and 62.7% of respondents considered moderate sunlight exposure healthy. Respondents' sun-protective behaviors were inadequate: only 29.8% used sunscreen regularly, and 16.5% have never used sunscreen. SPF was the most important factor in choosing sunscreen, and 83.3% used a sunscreen with a labeled SPF over 30. By contrast, only 34.6% of respondents used PA+++ sunscreen. CONCLUSION: Despite fairly good knowledge regarding the harmful effects of sunlight, subjects underestimated the risks of their sun exposure and sun-protective behaviors were suboptimal. Education on the risk of UV exposure and effects of sunscreen is still needed.
Adult ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Dermatology ; Education ; Humans ; Korea ; Seoul ; Skin Neoplasms ; Solar Activity ; Solar System* ; Sunburn ; Sunlight

BACKGROUND: Although rosacea is a chronic cutaneous inflammatory disorder that's commonly seen in adults, the etiology and pathogenesis of the illness remain unclear. A well established diagnostic classification and grading system may play a critical role in performing research and it would serve as a diagnostic reference in the clinical field. OBJECTIVE: We sought to classify the patients with the new standard classification and grading system and we wanted determine the peculiar features and relationships of each subtype. We also analyzed the relationships between the degree of sun exposure and each subtype. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and clinical photos of 168 patients who were diagnosed with rosacea from 2002 to 2007 at our hospital. The standard classification and grading system suggested by the National Rosacea Society (NRS) Expert Committee was adopted to evaluate each patient's subtype and the severity. RESULTS: The male:female ratio was 1:2.29. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 47.8 years. The mean duration of disease was 3.5 years. Sun exposure and hot baths/exercise were the two most common precipitating factors, while the majority of patients did not have any specific factor that relieved their symptoms. According to the NRS classification and grading system, the patients were classified into four subtypes. One hundred sixty two (96.4%) patients were diagnosed with the erythematotelangiectatic subtype irrespective of severity. Eighty five (50.6%) patients had the papulopustular subtype and 24 (14.3%) patients had ocular rosacea. Eight (4.8%) patients displayed mild phymatous change. The degree of sun exposure had significant correlation with the development and severity of the erythematotelangiectatic subtype (p<005), while it had no correlation with the papulopustular, ocular and phymatous subtypes. CONCLUSION: Although the erythematotelangiectatic subtype was the most common subtype of rosacea, many patients also had other subtypes of rosacea simultaneously. Based on our results, we proved that ocular rosacea is an extension of the clinical spectrum of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. In addition, the results of our study particularly suggest that sun exposure has a different influence on each subtype of rosacea.
Adult ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Precipitating Factors ; Rosacea ; Solar System

Chronic actinic dermatitis is an uncommon disabling ecxematous photosensitive eruption. The skin lesion is characterized by persistent eczematous eruptions on sun exposed skin with possible extension into nonexposed areas. The phototest shows decreased minimal erythema doses (MED) to UVB and possibly UVA. Histological features demonstrate chronic eczema with or without the presence of lymphoma like changes. The present cases showed pruritic erythematous patches and plaques on sun exposed areas and showed decreased minimal erythema doses to both UVB and UVA. We herein report three cases of chronic actinic dermatitis treated with systemic PUVA therapy.
Eczema ; Erythema ; Lymphoma ; Photosensitivity Disorders* ; PUVA Therapy* ; Skin ; Solar System