OBJECTIVE: Angiogenesis is a critical factor in the progression of solid tumors. The mechanisms responsible for angiogenesis in cervical neoplasia, however, are not well defined. Our study was aimed to determine the expression of VEGF(Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), its receptor(KDR), and TGF-beta1(Transforming Growth Factor-beta1) in cervical neoplasia, to determine the role of these angiogenic factors in preinvasive(dysplastic) process and the progression of cervical cancer and to investigate the progression of angiogenesis in the transition from normal cervix to invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. METHODS: The cervical lesions of 76 patients were punch biopsied and paraffin embedded. Among these, 5 were normal cervix, 36 were cervical intraepithelial lesion I-III, and the other 35 were invasive squamous cell carcinomas. The tissues were immunostained with antiVEGF, antiKDR, and antiTGF-beta1 polyclonal antibody. RESULTS: The expression of VEGF, KDR, and TGF-beta1 in CIN III was stronger than those of CIN I(p<0.01). Their expression were not significantly different among the each staged cervical cancers(p>0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that VEGF, KDR, and TGF-beta1 are important angiogenic factors in cervical neoplasia, especially in an early event to neoplastic transformation of cervical tissues, but these angiogenic factors are not associated with the progression of cervical cancer.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Humans ; Paraffin ; Phosphotransferases* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

BACKGROUND: TSH stimulates both the adenyl cyclase and phospholipase C (PLC) pathways by binding to a single cell surface receptor that is coupled to G protein, and we examined crosstalk between these two signaling pathways. METHODS: FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells were grown in 6H medium, then incubated with 5H medium before the stimulation. Then cells were incubated for 24 hours with 5H mix containing 1 mCi/L myo-(2-N-3H) inositol. After pretreatment of 100 microM Rp-cAMP, 100 microM forskolin, 50 nM staurosporine, or 100 nM PMA (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate), TSH were added in different experiments. After 30 min at 37 degrees C, cells were disrupted and IP formation was determined. RESULTS: Stimulation with 100 microU/mL TSH resulted in a 1.65 fold increase in IP generation. In pursuing the possibility that the two post-receptor events might be linked in some way, we examined the effect of exogenously administrated Rp-cAMP, protein kinase A antagonist, and forskolin, a direct stimulant of protein kinase A, on IP generation achieved at a dose of 100 microU/mL TSH. The pretreatment of 100 M Rp-cAMP at a concentration sufficient to inhibit protein kinase A enhanced TSH-induced IP production. This effect of Rp-cAMP was dose-dependent. Forskolin attenuatedTSH-stimulated increases in phosphatidylinositide turnover. PMA, a protein kinase C (PKC) activator and staurosporine, a PKC inhibitor did not affect TSH-induced IP generation. CONCLUSION: These data suggested that activation of adenylate cyclase/cAMP post-receptor signalling casacde, which results in the protien kinase A activation, has an inhibitory effect on IP turnover activated by TSH.
Adenylyl Cyclases ; Animals ; Colforsin ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; Inositol ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinase C ; Rats ; Receptors, Thyrotropin* ; Signal Transduction* ; Staurosporine ; Thyroid Gland ; Type C Phospholipases

Pimecrolimus cream 1% has shown to be effective in patients with a variety of inflammatory cutaneous disorders. And it might be a useful modality in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. This prospective study was aimed at assessing the efficacy and tolerability of pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis. Twenty patients were instructed to apply pimecrolimus cream 1% for 4 consecutive weeks. Assessment of the disease severity was performed at baseline and at week 1, 2, and 4. Clinical assessments of erythema, scaling, and pruritus were measured using a 4-point scale (0-3). Global assessments of the disease severity by patients and investigators were performed at each visit. Mean clinical scores of erythema, scaling, and pruritus significantly improved by 87.4%, 91.9%, and 91.5% respectively at week 4 (p<0.001). Improvements in the global assessment of disease severity determined by patients and investigators also showed excellent results. No specific adverse events other than transient burning and tingling sensations were noted. The relapse of facial seborrheic dermatitis was mostly observed between 3 to 8 weeks after the discontinuation of pimecrolimus. We suggest that the topical application of pimecrolimus cream 1% can be an effective and safe alternative for treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis.
Adult ; Aged ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic/*drug therapy ; Erythema/drug therapy ; Face ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Severity of Illness Index ; Tacrolimus/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

No abstract available.
Biopsy* ; Brain* ; Protons*

BACKGROUND: Pigmented basal cell carcinomas (PBCC) may be confused with melanoma and other benign pigmented skin lesions. Dermoscopy is a noninvasive technique that is known to increase the diagnostic accuracy of benign versus malignant pigmented skin lesions. Menzies et al recently proposed a simple dermoscopic model for the diagnosis of PBCCs. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate whether this criteria was adequate for Korean PBCC patients and seek other characteristic dermoscopic findings in Korean PBCCs. METHODS: Dermoscopic images of 50 biopsy-proven PBCCs were examined. RESULTS: Negative features such as a pigment network were not observed in all PBCCs. Positive features-ulceration, large blue-gray ovoid nests, multiple blue-gray globules, maple leaf-like areas, spoke wheel areas and arborizing (treelike) telangiectasia were present in 39 (78.0%), 41 (82.0%), 33 (66.0%), 21 (42.0%), 1 (2.0%) and 32 (64.0%) of 50 PBCCs respectively. All PBCCs satisfied the dermoscopic criteria for diagnosis of PBCC suggested by Menzies et al. Other dermoscopic features were as follows; multiple blue-gray dots (28.0%), milia-like cysts (8.0%), granules (6.0%), diffuse blue-white area (6.0%) and hairpin vessels (2%). Forty-four % of lesions had less than 50% pigmentation of the area and 38.0% of lesions had more than 75% pigmentation. CONCLUSION: The criteria of PBCC proposed by Menzies et al was useful for dermoscopic diagnosis of Korean PBCCs. Ulceration and pigmentary features such as large blue-gray ovoid nests, multiple blue-gray globules, maple leaf-like areas, multiple blue-gray dots, granules and larger pigmented areas were more frequently observed in Korean PBCCs. However, other specific dermoscopic findings for diagnosis of PBCC in Koreans were not present.
Acer ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Dermoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Melanoma ; Pigmentation ; Skin ; Telangiectasis ; Ulcer

Ectopic salivary tissue is an uncommon etiology of a neck mass in an infant. It is due to anomalous embryologic development of salivary tissue. We have experienced a case of cervical fistula due to ectopic salivary gland in 3-year-old male. The discharge is saliva-like and related to meals. Histopathologically, mucinous acini are located in lower dermis and subcutaneous fat. When a cystic neck mass or fistula is present on cervical area especially in children, an ectopic salivary gland should be considered as one of the causes.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dermis ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Meals ; Mucins ; Neck ; Salivary Glands* ; Subcutaneous Fat

Mycobacterium chelonae is a rapidly growing atypical mycobacterium found in soil and water. In a healthy person, it causes cutaneous infection after an invasive procedure or surgery. Herein, we present a case of a 52-year-old man with multiple erythematous plaques and nodules on the back and left arm, and these occurred at the site of bee sting therapy by a herbal medical doctor. The histologic findings showed a granulomatous infiltration composed of numerous neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells. Acid fast bacilli were detected by Ziehl-Neelsen stain and Mycobacterium chelonae infection was confirmed by an INNO-LiPA mycobacteria kit. The patient was treated with 1 g of clarithromycin and 200 mg of doxycycline for 6 months and his condition improved considerably.
Arm ; Bees ; Bites and Stings ; Clarithromycin ; Doxycycline ; Eosinophils ; Giant Cells ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium chelonae ; Neutrophils ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Soil

BACKGROUND: Diphenylcycloprophenone (DPCP) topical immunotherapy is usually safe and well-tolerated in the treatment of extensive alopecia areata, but some side effects can be problematic to both the physician and the patient. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the type and frequency of side effects to DPCP and theirrelation with therapeutic response during DPCP immunotherapy. METHODS: Eighty patients with alopeica areata (>25% of scalp hair), alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis were treated with DPCP immunotherapy. After sensitization with 2% DPCP, progressively higher concentrations beginning at 0.00001% were applied with an interval of 1 to 2 weeks. During the follow-up period, the onset time and types of side effect and therapeutic response were recorded. RESULTS: Clinically, side effects were experienced by 58.8% of patients and were as follows; dermatitis at the application site (30.0%), dermatitis on a remote site (23.8%), generalized pruritus (13.8%), lymphadenopathy (11.3%), urticaria (8.8%), hyperpigmentation (6.3%), dermographism (2.5%) and vitiligo-like hypopigmentation (1.3%), in order of frequency. There were no serious adverse effects in any of the patients. The patients with better therapeutic response had more side effects than the ones with poor response. Of the many side effects, only lymphadenopathy had any statistical significance with regards to correlation of therapeutic effects and side effects of DPCP. CONCLUSION: DPCP topical immunotherapy in extensive alopecia areata appears to be safe without significant side effects. By noting the common side effects during each treatment period and the side effects which may be sign of better therapeutic response, we think that the patients' compliance and the therapeutic response can be increased.
Alopecia Areata* ; Alopecia* ; Compliance ; Dermatitis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Hypopigmentation ; Immunotherapy* ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Pruritus ; Scalp ; Urticaria

BACKGROUND: Imiquimod is an immune response modifier which works as a Toll-like receptor 7 agonist which induces interferon and other cytokines through the innate immune system and stimulates cell-mediated immunity through T cells. Imiquimod has been shown to be efficacious as a topical treatment for variable cutaneous neoplasms including Bowen's disease. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5% imiquimod cream for the treatment of Bowen's disease. METHODS: Thirty one lesions from 13 patients with Bowen's disease were treated with 5% imiquimod cream, 3 times per week at night, until complete clearance of lesions had occurred. During the follow-up period, the duration of therapeutic response, clearance rate, side effects and recurrence were recorded. Biopsy specimens from five patients after treatment completion were obtained to confirm tumor clearance. RESULTS: Complete clinical response was obtained in 30 lesions (96.8%) from 12 patients, and a partial clinical response was observed in a palmar lesion of 1 patient. The duration of complete response ranged from 4 to 24 weeks, and mean duration was 11.8 weeks. All patients showed mild to moderate local skin reactions such as erythema, erosion, crusting, itching, burning, and pain. No-one experienced systemic adverse effects during topical application. After 3 to 26 months follow-up of the patients who had shown complete clearance, no-one encountered recurrence. CONCLUSION: 5% imiquimod cream appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of Bowen's disease, and so therefore may be promising future treatment for this condition.
Biopsy ; Bowen's Disease* ; Burns ; Cytokines ; Erythema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immune System ; Immunity, Cellular ; Interferons ; Pruritus ; Recurrence ; Skin ; T-Lymphocytes ; Toll-Like Receptor 7

Eosinophilic, polymorphic, and pruritic eruption associated with radiotherapy (EPPER) is a disorder characterized by polymorphic papules, vesicles, and excoriations accompanied by a local or general itching sensation which can occur in cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. Histopathologic findings include a superficial and deep perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltration with eosinophils. Most cases have occurred in patients with cervical cancer. To date, only one case of EPPER associated with breast cancer has been reported. We report a case of EPPER in a patient with breast cancer, who presented with eosinophilic, polymorphic, pruritic skin lesions in and around the irradiated left breast.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Eosinophils* ; Humans ; Pruritus ; Radiotherapy* ; Sensation ; Skin ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms