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*

Bone marrow transplantation has become an accepted treatment for malignancy(particulary leukemia and lymphoma), aplastic anemia, and certain inborn errors of metabolism. In addition to the problem of severe, prolonged myelosuppression, bone marrow transplantation is associated with several unusual complications. Among the complications such as GVHD, graft rejection, interstitial pneumonia and veno-occlusive disease, involvement of the gastrointestinal tract by GVHD is associated with high graft failure and mortality. Intestinal GVHD is usually manifest clinically as voluminous secretory diarrhea accompanied by abdominal cramping, ileus, nutritional depletion, and, at times, hemorrhage. We experienced a case of severe intestinal GVHD after allogeneic marrow transplantation for treatment of severe aplastic anemia. He received bone marrow from his elder sister, HLA-matched multiparous woman and suffered from large amount of watery diarrhea with skin rash 34 days after transplantation. 1n spite of prednisolone therapy the symptom was progressed. After sigmoidoscopic mucosal biopsy, intestinal GVHD was confirmed and we tried methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Skin lesion was improved but the amount of diarrhea was increased with intermittent abdominal cramping. We tried ALG(anti-lymphocyte globulin) and conservative management but the patient did not respond the therapy. He succumbed to pneumonia and acute respiratory insufficiency complicated with GVHD, 70days after transplantation.
Anemia, Aplastic* ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow Transplantation* ; Bone Marrow* ; Colic ; Diarrhea ; Exanthema ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Graft Rejection ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Ileus ; Leukemia ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; Methylprednisolone ; Mortality ; Pneumonia ; Prednisolone ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Siblings ; Skin ; Transplants

The objectives of this study was to evaluate current visible light curing units regarding microhardness and microleakage. Fourty samples of composite resin(Z-250, 3M) were cured by different light curing units(Flipo, LOKKI; Credi II, 3M; XL 3000, 3M; Optilux 500,Demetron) in acrylic blocks. Microhardness was measured using a calibrated Vickers indenter on both top and bottom surfaces after 24 hours of storage in air at room temperature. Class V cavities were prepared on buccal and lingual surfaces of fourty extracted human molars. Each margin was on enamel and dentin/cementum. Composite resin(Z-250, 3M) was filled in cavities and cured by four different light curing units(Flipo, LOKKI; Credi II, 3M; XL 3000, 3M; Optilux 500, Demetron). The results of this syudy were as follows: Microhardness 1. Flipo showed low microhardness compared to Optilux 500, Credi II significantly in upper surface. Flipo didn't show a significant difference compared to XL 3000. 2. The microhardness resulting from curing with Flipo was lower than that of others on lower surfaces. Microleakage 1. Dentin margin showed significantly high dye penetration rate than enamel margin in all groups(p<0.05). 2. No significant differences were found on both enamel and dentin margin regarding curing units.
Dental Enamel ; Dentin ; Humans ; Light ; Molar