BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet B(UVB) light, which can cause severe damage like induction and promotion of cancer, cutaneous inflammation and immunosuppression, represents one of the most important environmental impacts for humans. Keratinocytes are natural target cells of UVB in humans. NF-kB plays a role in the cell of the immune system, where it controls the expression of various cytokines and the major histocompatibility complex gene. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of UVB on the NF-kB and AP-1 activity in cultured human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. METHODS: Keratinocyte and fibroblast cultures were produced with DMEM medium. Cells were irradiated for 100J/m, 200J/m, 300 J/m. and Nuclear proteins were extracted. AP-1 and NF-kB activities were measured by the gel shift mobility assay. RESULTS: Gel shift mobility assay. 1. The NFkB activity was increased upon UVB in a dose dependent manner in the keratinocyte. 2. Enhanced levels of AP-1 binding activity in the radiated extracts frorn human skin keratinocytes were detected. 3. The levels of GRE (glucocorticoid responsive element) binding activity were similar in both radiated and unradiated extracts from fibroblasts and keratinocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The activities of NF-aB and AP-1 are increased following stimulation of a cell with UVB irradiation. Therefore, UV induced skin tumors, abnormal cell proliferation, cutaneous inflammation and immunosuppression, may be due to these transcriptional factors.
Cell Proliferation ; Cytokines ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans* ; Immune System ; Immunosuppression ; Inflammation ; Keratinocytes* ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; NF-kappa B* ; Nuclear Proteins ; Skin ; Transcription Factor AP-1*

Ota's nevus is a mongolian spot-like macular blue-black or gray-brown patchy pigmentation that most commonly occurs unilaterally in areas innervated by the first and second division of the trigeminal nerve. We report a case of Ota's nevus treated by combination therapy with cryosurgery and a Q-switched Alexandrite laser. A 48-year-old female had had a type III Ota's nevus from birth. Cryosurgery was tried at first using hard chalk dry ice on the lesion of the forehead and cheek. After that, The Q-switched Alexandrite laser was used three times at twelve week intervals at the site of the eyelid. Good therapeutic effects were gained and our patient was very satisfied. There were no complications or scarring. A Biopsy of the area treated revealed a similar histological pattern with significantly less melanin indicating melanin removal. Combination therapy with cryosurgery and an Alexandrite laser on the Ota's nevus may be cheaper, more effective and a safer method. It may also reduce the limitation of the two methods when used individually.
Biopsy ; Calcium Carbonate ; Cheek ; Cicatrix ; Cryosurgery* ; Dry Ice ; Eyelids ; Female ; Forehead ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Melanins ; Middle Aged ; Nevus of Ota* ; Parturition ; Pigmentation ; Trigeminal Nerve

BACKGROUND: A clinical study of rosacea has never been reported in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinical observations of rosncea. METHODS: During a 5-year-period from Jan. 1990 to Dec. 1994, 133 patients were evaluated with regard to age, sex, location of skin lesions, clinical type, duration, and precipitating factors. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Of the 7,787 cases amongst outpatients, 133 cases(1.7% ) were dignosed with rosacea. Of there 46 were male patients and 87 females, giving a sex ratio of 1:1.9 in favor of females. 2. The most common type of rosacea was vascular rosacea(60.2%) 3. The average duration of rosacea was 3.4 years. 4. Rosacea afflict persons aged 40-49 most frequently. 5. The predilection sites of the rosacea were : cheek(42.9%), nose(23.3%), entire face(11.3%), cheek & nose(9%), zygomatic area(6.8%), extra-facial area(3.8%), forehead(2.9%). 6, The aggravating factors of rosacea were : unknown cause(32.3%), coffee & tea(18%), alcohol(13.5%), emotional stress(10.5%), sun exposure(9.8%), multi-factoral(7.5%), drugs(steroids)4.6%).
Cheek ; Coffee ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Outpatients ; Precipitating Factors ; Rosacea* ; Sex Ratio ; Skin ; Solar System

Iatrogenic Cushings syndrome is caused by administration of systemic steroids for some disorders, and is clinically characterized by truncal obesity, hypertension, fatigability, amenorrhea, hirsutism, abdominal striae, edema, glucosuria and osteoporosis. We report herein a case of iatrogenic Cushings syndrome in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. The patient, a 32-year-old male, had been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and was intermittently treated with topical and systemic steroids for 12 years. He revealed facial edema, truncal obesity and striae distensae in both the axilla and abdomen. Steroids are one of the important agents in the treatment of atopic dermatitis but care must be taken in their administration.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Amenorrhea ; Axilla ; Cushing Syndrome* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Edema ; Female ; Hirsutism ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Obesity ; Osteoporosis ; Steroids ; Striae Distensae

We observed a 55-year-old man who had granuloma pyogenicum on the medial border of the right fifth toe which developed after scratching of the wound. Histopathological findings showed many newly formed capillaries that had prominant endothelial cells and showed varying degrees of dilation without appearance of epidermal collarette signs. We tried intralesional treatment with triamcinolone acetonide (10mg%, 1/week*3). After 3 sessions of treatment, the lesion dramatically regressed nearly to normal size.
Capillaries ; Endothelial Cells ; Granuloma* ; Granuloma, Pyogenic* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Toes ; Triamcinolone Acetonide* ; Triamcinolone* ; Wounds and Injuries

This is to report the figures of the second survey of causes of blindness on 94,799 eye patiens from various hospitals (total 17 in number) in Korea during 1971 and 1972. Blindness is defind as visual acuity for distance of 0.1 (20/200) or less in the better eye with best correction. Representation of diagnosis of ocular affection is based on examination of ophthalmologists, and the Standard Classification of Causes of Blindness recommended by the International Association for the Prevention of Blindness (revised) is applied. Estimated number of blindness is 1.763(1.9%). Proportion of blindness by causes indicates: Senile cataract (30.26%), Systemic diseases(15.02%), Other diseases (13.64%), Glaucoma(9.58%). Injury and poisoning(9.13%), Refractive errors (8.22%). Congenital diseases(5.64%), and Infectious diseases (5.14%), etc. Rate of blindness by site and type of affection is shown as: Lens disorders (cataract), (36.10%), Retinal diseases(13.18%), Optic nerve diseases(9.33%), Corneal diseases(8.70%), Refractive errors (8.16%), Glaucoma (7.87%), and Other diseases (6.24%), etc. Comparisons with other statistics on causes of blindness of the inland and the foreign countries are attempted. Evaluation of results and problems establishing a more detailed and nationwide survey in future are briefly discussed in comment. (This survey and report are supported by a Grant from the Research Institute of Medical Science of Korea, Inc.)
Academies and Institutes ; Blindness* ; Cataract ; Classification ; Communicable Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Financing, Organized ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Korea* ; Optic Nerve ; Refractive Errors ; Retinaldehyde ; Visual Acuity

Vesiculobullous eruptions are a rare cutaneous manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They are related to intense inflammation within the cutaneous lesions and subsequent blister formation. We report a case of vesiculobullous eruption of SLE in a 23-year-old male. The bullous eruptions were present ori the lip, forehead, both feet and hands. He met ARA(American Rheumatism Association) is criteria for a diagnosis of SLE and the eruptions developed during a systemic attack of the disease. Routine histology of the lesion showed subepidermal blisters with intact epidermis and dense neutrophilic infiltration in the upper dermis. Direct immunofluorescence of lesional skin showed a linear-granular pattern of immune deposits at the dermoepidermal junction. Electronmicroscopy of the lesional skin showing subepidermal bullae are located beneath the lamina densa. Combination therapy of prednisolone and hydrochloroquine showed complete clearing of the lesions within several weeks. We observed a good response without evidence of recurrence.
Blister ; Dermis ; Diagnosis ; Epidermis ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct ; Foot ; Forehead ; Hand ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lip ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Male ; Neutrophils ; Prednisolone ; Recurrence ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Skin ; Young Adult

Ecthyma Gangrenosum is a rapidly progressing skin infection charact,erized by edema, hemorragic bullae and necrosis. Ecthyma Gangrenosum occurs almost exclusively in severely imrnunocompromised patients during the course of pseudomanas aeruginosa septisemia. A 5 month-old boy was transferred to our department because of multiple well defined central necrotic black-colored large erythematous bullae. In the bacterial cultures of skin, stool and liver aspiration fluid, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was grown. In the abdominal ultrasonogram and computed tomogram, the multiple liver abscess, hepatomegaly and ascites were shown on both hepatic lobes. Herein we report a case of ecthyma gangrenosum associated with liver abscess.
Ascites ; Ecthyma* ; Edema ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver* ; Male ; Necrosis ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Skin ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: We report four cases of strabismus presenting after cataract surgery and review the previous reports. METHODS: We examined four cases with diplopia for three months or more following cataract surgery between March 2001 and February 2002 in our hospital. We reviewed our records to inquire the preoperative systemic and ophthalmologic exam included past and present medical history. Also, we performed the strabismus test such as prism and cover test, forced duction test, force generation test included CT scan, if necessary. RESULTS: Case 1, 2, 3 were performed by retrobulbar anesthesia. Case 1 showed left superior rectus muscle overaction, case 2 showed left inferior rectus muscle palsy, case 3 showed left inferior rectus muscle palsy and superior rectus muscle overaction. Case 4 showed irregular pattern of strabismus. In case 1, 2, 3, diplopia in primary position was improved after strabismus surgery. We have observed case 4 until the pattern of strabismus would be stable. CONCLUSIONS: After uneventful cataract surgery, persistent strabismus may be occurred. So the operator must explain the occurrence of strabismus to patient before surgery, and carefully perform pre and post operative strabismus test and retrobulbar anesthesia.
Anesthesia ; Cataract* ; Diplopia ; Humans ; Paralysis ; Strabismus* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: Since a recent study that the use of dopamine therapy for the hypotension of premature infants was a risk factor on the development of retinopathy of prematurity was reported, this study was intended to access whether treatment of premature infants with dopamine acts as a risk factor for development of retinopathy of prematurity. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 123 premature infants who had been admitted in our Neonate Intensive Care Unit, and were alive and born under 36 weeks of gestational age, between January 1995 and December 1999. In comparing dopamine treated group (91) and non-treated group (31), we performed univariate and multivariate statiscal analysis for the comparisons of two groups. RESULTS: Although in the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity, dopamine treated group (51 of 91,55.4%) was higher than non-treated group (15 of 31,48.4%), statistically, it was not significantly different(P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of dopamine therapy was not risk factor for the development of retinopathy of prematurity.
Dopamine* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care Units ; Medical Records ; Retinopathy of Prematurity* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors