An immunoperoxdase technique in electron microscopy was used to investigate the ultrastructural site of keratinolytic proteinase (KPase) of M crosporum cans in sections of skin from guinea pigs infected with the same organism. Ultrastructurally, the KPase was present only in the cell walls of the invading dermatophytes as a continuous deposition of the electron-dense reaction product on the inner and outer aspects of the cell wall of the fungal hyphae without deposition in the keratin surrounding the invading hyphae. Our results suggest that the KPase may not play an absolute role in the invasion of dermatophytes into keratinized tissue in vivo.
Animals ; Arthrodermataceae ; Cell Wall ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Hyphae ; Immunoenzyme Techniques* ; Microscopy, Electron* ; Microsporum* ; Skin* ; Tinea

BACKGROUND: The VDRL is used as a screening test for syphilis worldwide. In addition, reactive rates of the VDRL test are used to estimate the incidence of syphilis. The prevalence of syphilis reported in Korea varies according to the study population, district and time. Reports on prevalence of syphilis indicate that reactive rates of the serologic test for syphilis showed an increasing tendency in the 1960s and has steadily decreased in the 1990s. We have already reported VDRL positive rates periodically since the late 1970s in similar areas with similar population groups and methods in order to standardize the results for accurate analysis of the prevalence of syphilis in Korea. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed utilizing the VDRL test in order to find out if the decreasing trend of syphilis prevalence is still continuing. METHODS: The ser ologic tests for syphilis were carried out on 13,426 apparently normal adults aged twenty-years-old or over(8,250 blood donors in the Seoul area, 2,461 physical examinees examined at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University and 2,715 pregnant women at delivery at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University ) from January to December 1995. We hve performed the VDRL quantitative test in VDRL-reactive persons among blood donors and pregnant women. RESULTS: The reactive rate of the serum VDRL test was 0.2% in 13,426 healthy adults(blood donors.0.2%, physical examinees:0,2%, pregnant women:0.3%). There was a statistically decreasing tendency compared to 0.4% in 1990(p<0.001). The VDRL quantitative test resulted in levels below the 1:2 titer in 92% of the VDRL-reactive physical exarninees and pregnant women. CONCLUSION: From the comparison of VDRL reactive rates for syphilis in an apparently normal Korean population obtained by the present author group since 1977, i.e., 2.5% in 1977, 1.1% in 1981, 0.6% in 1986, 0.4% in 1990 and 0.2% in 1995, it is clear that the prevalence of syphilis has been rapidly decreasing since the mid 1970s in Korea.
Adult ; Blood Donors ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Mass Screening ; Population Groups ; Pregnant Women ; Prevalence* ; Seoul ; Serologic Tests ; Syphilis*

A case of crotamiton resistant scabies is described in a 21-year-old male patient The scrapings using mineral oil from lesions on the wrist and finger webs showed mites and eggs, typical of scabies. Ten percent crotamitn cream was applied 10 times in one month without any effect. We could not find any source of reinfection in the patient. After above treatment the scrapings still showed mites. and eggs. Retreatment with 1% gamma benzene hexachloride cream was effective in clearing of the skin rashes and itching sensation.
Eggs ; Exanthema ; Fingers ; Humans ; Lindane ; Male ; Mineral Oil ; Mites ; Ovum ; Pruritus ; Retreatment ; Scabies* ; Sensation ; Wrist ; Young Adult

Isovolumic phase indices of right ventricular(RV) systolic function were evaluated in 9 normal control cases(Group I) and 9 patients with mitral stenosis(Group IIa) and 8 patients with mitral stenosis and aortic regurgitation(Group IIb). RV systolic pressures of all patients in Group II(n=17) were over 40mmHg RV dp/dt max, Vmax and Vpm were measured by digitizing method and V(CE10) were measured by manual tangent method. RV isovolumic contractile functional indices were greater in Group II(n=17) compared with those in Group I(n=9) : RV dp/dt max(mmHg. Sec(-1)) 347.8+/-104.4(mean+/-SD) VS 230.5+/-65.5(p<0.05), Vmax(Sec(-1)) 30.9+/-10 VS 20.1+/-5.18(p<0.05), Vpm(Sec(-1)) 22.96+/-9.63 VS 14.8+/-4.04(p<0.05) and V(CE10)(Sec(-1)) 20.4+/-7.11 VS 12.5+/-5.31(p<0.05). But no significant differences were noted between Group IIa(n=9) and Group IIb(n=8) in these indices. In all cases(n=26), significant correlations were noted between V(CE10) and Vmax(r=0.90), V(CE10) and Vpm(r=0.85). We summurized that RV contractile function is preserved in many cases with mitral stenosis and V(CE10) may be used as an convenient index for RV contractile function.
Humans ; Mitral Valve Stenosis*

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is an uncommon, locally aggressive fibroblastic tumor, characterized by infrequent metastasis and a marked tendency of local recurrence after excision. Histologically, it shows large uniformed spindle shaped cells arranged in a cartwheel or storiform pattern. We report a case of dermatoribrosarcoma protuberans on the lower abdomen of a man aged of thirty, treated with Mohs micrographic surgery and purse-string suture repair.
Abdomen ; Dermatofibrosarcoma* ; Fibroblasts ; Mohs Surgery* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Sutures*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The animal model of allergic rhinitis is important to study the pathophysiology of allergy and to design an effective therapy to ameliorate allergic diseases. Despite of numerous reported animal models of allergic rhinitis, there were few reports of murine model sensitized with house dust mite, which is one of the most common antigen that induce allergic rhinitis. The aim of this study was the establishment of the murine model for house dust mite allergy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were sensitized with Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) crude extract in complete Freund's adjuvant and repetitive intranasal instillation of Der f extract a total of 6 times at 1 week intervals (group A). In some mice, allergen was intranasally instilled at 1 week intervals without sensitization of allergen (group B). RESULTS: After allergen challenge, nasal symptoms were significantly increased in group A mice. Histopathologically, the number of eosinophil in nasal mucosa were also significantly increased in group A and B mice. High level of Der f-specific IgE antibody was observed in group A mice, whereas those of group B mice was low. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that house dust mite allergy can be developed by systemic sensitization of Der f extract with adjuvant and intranasal instillation of allergen. This is more effective method than local sensitization of allergen only.
Animals ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dust* ; Eosinophils ; Freund's Adjuvant ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Mice* ; Models, Animal ; Nasal Mucosa ; Pyroglyphidae* ; Rhinitis*

A 42 year-old male with a history of multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis suddenly developed massive hemoptysis. Embolization of a bronchial artery branch and the collateral systemic arteries did not resolve the recurrent bleeding. Spiral computerized tomography(spiral CT) of the chest showed contrast enhanced nodules within a large cavity at the left lower lobe in the arterial phase suggesting a Rasmussen aneurysm. A pulmonary angiogram showed abnormal vascular nodules at that site. Coils were deployed at both the proximal and distal vessels of this aneurysmal sac for embolization. Transcatheter arterial embolization is a safe and effective means of controlling bleeding from this pulmonary arterial pseudoaneurysm. Here we report a case of a Rasmussen aneurysm diagnosed by spiral CT, which was successfully treated by pulmonary arterial embolization with a coil.
Aneurysm* ; Aneurysm, False ; Arteries ; Bronchial Arteries ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Hemoptysis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Thorax ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

We report a case of Rasmussen aneurysm diagnosed by helical CT that well shows vascular imaging. Coil embolization of Rasmussen aneurysm stopped the bleeding successfully.
Aneurysm* ; Embolization, Therapeutic* ; Hemorrhage ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*

The purpose of the present study were to evaluate microleakage of a fourth generation dentin-bonding agent following a walking bleaching treatment, to determine the effect of temporary postbleaching dressing with calcium hydroxide on microleakage and to investigate the effect of delayed intracoronal restoration on microleakage. The results of this study were as follows: 1. Bleached groups showed more microleakage than unbleached group. 2. Immediately restored group following bleaching procedure showed the highest microleakage score. 3. One-week delayed restorations showed less microleakage but there were no statistically significant difference between group II and III. 4. Provisional dressing with calcium hydroxide had no influence on microleakage. It is necessary to know the time that has elapsed from the bleaching treatment to the restoration procedure to achieve optimal seal, as well as to reduce the risk of microleakage in adhesive restoration.
Adhesives ; Bandages ; Calcium Hydroxide ; Walking

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of EDTA and pulsed Nd:YAG laser on apical leakage of canal obturation. Forty-eight single-rooted teeth were used in this study. The teeth were instrumented up to a size 40 K-file and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl between each file size. And the teeth were divided into 4 groups. In group A, the root canals were irrigated with a final flush of 5ml 2.5% NaOCl as a control group. The teeth in group B were irrigated with a final flush of 5ml 17% EDTA. The teeth in group C and D were irradiated by pulsed Nd:YAG laser(laser parameters were set at 1W, 100mJ, 10Hz, and 2W, 100mJ, 20Hz respectively). The results were as follows: 1. Apical leakage was observed in 50% of samples in group A, 30% of samples in group B, 20% of samples in group C, and 10% of samples in group D. 2. The teeth in group B had less leakage than group A, but there was no statistically significant differences(p>0.05). 3. The teeth in group C, D had less leakage than group A, and there was statistically significant differences(p<0.05). 4. The teeth in group C, D had less leakage than group B, but there was no statistically significant differences(p>0.05). 5. There was no significant differences in apical leakage between group C and group D(p>0.05).
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Edetic Acid* ; Smear Layer ; Tooth