A 28-year-old woman had a 13-month history of skin-colored, well-circumscribed, hyperkeratotic plaques on both heels. Histological examination showed hyperkeratosis and acanthosis in the epidermis. Special stain for elastic tissue revealed marked fragmentation, diminution and thickening of elastic fibers in the dermis. We report a rare case with the lesions of acrokeratoelastoidosis on both heels.
Adult ; Dermis ; Elastic Tissue ; Epidermis ; Female ; Heel ; Humans

No abstract available.
Ankle* ; Dislocations* ; Tendons*

A healthy 18-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic tiny papular eruption on the hands, forearms, legs and trunk. A skin biopsy from the left forearm revealed a typical lichen nitidus lesion associated with an adjacent transepidermal perforating lesion. We report a case of perforating lichen nitidus, and briefly review the relevant literature of perforating lichen nitidus.
Adolescent ; Biopsy ; Female ; Forearm ; Hand ; Humans ; Leg ; Lichen Nitidus* ; Lichens* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) on sun-damaged skin is a malignant neoplasm that evolves from its inception as squamous cell carcinoma in situ, which is commonly referred to as an actinic keratosis(AK) or Bowen's disease(BD). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a significant association between cutaneous SCC on sun-damaged skin and AK or BD in Korean. METHODS: A total of 50 Korean patients with SCC on sun-damaged skin was enrolled in this study. The hospital charts and histopathological slides of the patients with SCC on sun-damaged skin diagnosed at Chungbuk National University Hospital from July 1, 1991 to March 1, 2001 were reviewed. We investigated the incidence of actinic keratosis and Bowen's disease and histopathological characteristics of actinic keratosis at the periphery or within the confines of cutaneous SCC. RESULTS: Of the 50 cutaneous SCC cases on sun-damaged skin reviewed, 96.0% (48 out of 50) were found to have concomitant AK or BD at the periphery or within the confines of cutaneous SCC. The most common histopathological subtype of accompanying AK in the cutaneous SCC was the hypertrophic type. CONCLUSION: The 96.0% prevalence of concomitant AK or BD and SCC in our biopsy population suggests a strong correlation between these lesions.
Actins* ; Biopsy ; Bowen's Disease* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Humans ; Incidence ; Keratosis, Actinic* ; Prevalence ; Skin

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) Ila is an inherited disease characterized by the development of medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism. It has been shown to be associated with germ-line mutatians in the RET proto-oncogene. Presymptomatic screening of medullary thyroid carcinoma in MEN IIa families enables the early diagnosis of this tumor with its significant morbidity, We describe a 19-year-old woman fmm a MEN IIa family who was founded by DNA analysis to be a gene carrier of MEN IIa and then was diagnosed, using a pentagastrin stimulation test, as having presymptomatie medullary thyroid carcinoma She underwent thyroidectomy and histologic examination confirmed medullary thyroid carcinoma. It is cancluded that direct genetic analysis for mutations in the RET proto-oncogene should be the diagnstlc test of choice for identifying family members at risk for MEN IIa and thyroidectomy on the basis of genetic analysis is a rational course of action.
DNA ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Genes, vif ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism ; Male ; Mass Screening* ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a* ; Pentagastrin ; Pheochromocytoma ; Proto-Oncogenes ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of ovat hyperthyroidism ar hypothyroidism has been estimated up to 5% in the general populatian. Subclinical hyperthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism have pevalences of approximately 1% and 6%, ectively. The prevalence of hypothyroidism may be associated with excessive intake of iodine in iodine sufficient areas. Therefore, we assumed the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in Karea might be different from those af Western cauntries. However, thete have been no surveys to examine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in Karea. We performed the study to investigate the prevalence of thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism in Korean adults. METHODS: This study was performed in 15019 subjects (8275 men, 6744 women; between 17 and 87 years of age) visited in health promotion center of Samsung Medical Center for 12 months in 1996. Serum T3, T4, and TSH concentrations were measured with RIA or IRMA using commercial kits. History of thyroid dysfunction and current medication were obtained from medical records. The criteria for thyrotoxicosis were TSH level below than 0.30 mU/L and increased T3 or T4 levels (T3 > 3.1 nmol/L or T4 > 152 nmol/L). Patients who had TSH level above than 5.0 mU/L and T4 level below than 77 nmol/L met the criteria for hypothyroidism. RESULTS: The prevalence of thyrotoxicosis was 5.5/1000 population (men 3.6/1000, women 7.7/1000) with peak prevalence in fifth decade. The prevalence of previously undiagnosed thyrotoxicosis was 4.0/1000 (men 2.9/1000, women 5.3/1000). The prevalence of hypothyroidism was 2.8/1000 population (men 1.1/1000, women 4.9/1000) with peak prevalence in seventh decade. The prevalence of previously undiagnosed hypothyroidism was 1.6/1000 (men 0.6/1000, women 2.S/1000). The prevalence of subclinical thyrotoxicosis was 12.4/1000 population (men 11.8/1000, women 13.0/1000). The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 18.2/1000 population (men 11.2/1000, women 26.7/1000) which frequency was increased with age. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism was not significantly different from those of other countries, it was lower than expected and female preponderance is not significant. The prevalence of subclinical thyrotoxicosis and subclinical hypothyroidism was lower than those of other countries. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was higher in women and old ages. (J Kor Soc Endecrinol 14:301~313, 1999)
Adult ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Hypothyroidism* ; Iodine ; Male ; Medical Records ; Prevalence* ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotoxicosis*

BACKGROUND: Waist circumference is one of the key components of metabolic syndrome. Recent studies demonstrated that the reproductive profile was associated with metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women. This study focused on the association between central obesity and age at first childbirth. It also considered other factors associated with central obesity in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This study was based on the 2013–2015 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and involved 3,143 naturally postmenopausal women. These women were divided into three groups according to their age at first childbirth: 19 years or younger (n=252), 20–29 years (n=2,695), and 30 years or older (n=196). Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was performed to evaluate the effects of various reproductive factors, including other confounding factors. RESULTS: During adjustment for confounding factors, in the early age at first childbirth group, odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for central obesity decreased. In the final model, younger age at first childbirth was not significantly related to central obesity (waist circumference more than 85 cm) in naturally postmenopausal women after adjusting for other confounding factors. CONCLUSION: Younger age at first childbirth was not significantly associated with central obesity after adjustment for confounding factors.
Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Menopause ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Obesity, Abdominal* ; Odds Ratio ; Parturition* ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was investigated whether changes of superoxide dismutase isozymes in the placenta of patients with preeclampsia contribute to radical-induced tissue injury. METHODS: The activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx)) and the contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in the erythrocytes and in the placenta were assayed from 35 women with preclampsia and 35 normotensive pregnant women. RESULTS: The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly reduced in the erhtyrocytes and the placenta of patients with pre-eclampsia compared with normotensive pregnant women. The activity of catalase was increased in the erythrocytes of patients with preeclampsia but the statistically significant difference of catalase activity in the placenta and GSHPx activity in both erythrocytes and placenta were not observed. The contents of TBARS were increased significantly in the erythrocytes and placenta of patients with preeclampsia. In preeclamptic placenta, copper and zinc containing superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) was decreased (3.9+/-0.5 vs 5.1+/-0.6 U/mg protein) whereas manganeus containing superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) was increased (2.0+/-0.3 vs 2.7+/-0.4 U/mg protein). CONCLUSION: In these results, the decreased CuZn-SOD activity may some roles in increment of TBARS contents in pre-eclamptic placenta and decreased CuZn-SOD activity may be more prone to oxidative stress in the placenta.
Catalase ; Copper ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Humans ; Isoenzymes* ; Oxidative Stress ; Placenta* ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnant Women ; Superoxide Dismutase* ; Superoxides* ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; Zinc

OBJECTIVE: Green tea polyphenol (GTP) has been shown to have anti-tumor properties in a wide variety of experimental systems. In this study, we evaluated the effects of GTP on the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin in cultured HeLa and SiHa cells. METHODS: The cell lines from Korean Cell Culture Bank were cultured in a RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with a 10% fetal bovine serum, antibiotics streptomycin and penicillin. GTP was extracted from tea leaves (Camellia scinensis) by water extraction and organic solvent fractionation. Cells were seeded at 1 x 10(4) cells/well in RPMI1640 media in triplicate wells on a Nunc Labware 96 well flat bottom microculture plate, with and without GTP (100 microgram/mL) and at different concentrations of cisplatin (0-1000 microgram/mL). After incubating the plates at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2 for 2 days, cell viability was determined using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; thiazolyl blue] assay. RESULTS: The viability of the HeLa cells was decreased to 14% at a 600 microgram/mL concentration of cisplatin, and to 16% at 600 microgram/mL in the SiHa cells as measured by the MTT assay. However, in the HeLa cell, co-cultured with GTP (100 microgram/mL), the cell viability decreased to 68% at 200 microgram/mL of cisplatin and to 17% at 400 microgram/mL of cisplatin. And in the SiHa cell, co-cultured with GTP (100 microgram/mL), the cell viability decreased to 48% at 200 microgram/mL of cisplatin and to 17% at 400 microgram/mL of cisplatin. CONCLUSION: This study showed that cisplatin with GTP seems to have a potentiating effect on Cisplatin cytotoxicity than cisplatin alone.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line* ; Cell Survival ; Cisplatin* ; Guanosine Triphosphate ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Penicillins ; Streptomycin ; Tea* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* ; Water

Mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction which may lead to heart failure or shock include ruptute of left ventricular free wall, ventricular septum and papillary muscle. The clinical characteristics of these lesions vary conservative management alone has high mortality rate, for which reason surgical repair of these defects are essential. Structural defects including rupture of the left ventricular free wall, ventricular septum, and papillary muscle, accout for 5% to 20% of all deaths from acute myocardial infarction. Among these, ventricular septal defects occur in approximately 1% of all myocardial infarction, and account for up to 2% of deaths subsequent to myocardial infarction. Rupture of the ventricular septum following acute myocardial infarction(AMI) is associated with high mortality rate, as 54% of the patients succumb within two weeks, 87% within two months and 92.5% during the first year. We experienced two cases of postinfarct ventricular septal defects(VSD) which had been repaired within 1 week after AMI due to progressive deterioration of patients` conditions, and were to be reoperated because of repeated septal ruptures in postoperation period and development of cardiogenic shock.
Heart Failure ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction ; Papillary Muscles ; Rupture ; Shock ; Shock, Cardiogenic ; Ventricular Septum