No abstract available.
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*

The clinical efficacy of serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as clomipramine in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD) has fueled interest in the neurobiological basis of the illness. OCD is responsive exclucively to potent serotonin reuptake clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, and paroxetine and the point forms the important evidence supporting a cental role for serotonin in the pathogenesis of the disorder. Other serotonergic medications such as lithium, buspirone, trazodone, or fenfluramine may be useful as adjuvant treatments in treatment-refractory OCD and adjuvant antipsychotics are useful in tic disorder, personality disorders, and psychotic disorders. This paper reviews results of treatment studies, investigations of biological markers, and neuroendocrine challenges and implications for the role of serotonin in pathophysiology and treatment of OCD.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Biomarkers ; Buspirone ; Clomipramine ; Fenfluramine ; Fluoxetine ; Fluvoxamine ; Lithium ; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ; Paroxetine ; Personality Disorders ; Psychotic Disorders ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors ; Serotonin* ; Sertraline ; Tic Disorders ; Trazodone

Current concept of the pathogenesis of preeclampsia involves the generalized dysfunction of maternal vascular endothelial cells. Using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method, the fibronectin, as a marker of endothelial cell injury, was measured in the group of 35 cases of preeclampsia (mild; 15 and severe; 20 cases) and the control group of 21 cases of normal pregnancy. The clinical profiles, hematologic and renal function test results were compared and correlated with the levels of plasma fibronectin between two groups. The results obtained were as follows 1. The mean age between preeclampsia and control group was not different statistically, but gestational age, birth weight and maternal weight were different significantly between two groups. 2. Compared with normal control group, plasma levels of fibronectin were signifi- cantly elevated in preeclampsia group. As to the differential validity between two groups (control vs preeclampsia), using cutoff value of 380 mg/dl, sensitivity was 95.7 %, specificity was 90.5 %, predictive value was 93.8 %. As to the differential validity between mild and severe preeclampsia, using cutoff value of 742 mg/dl, sensitivity was 65.0 %, specificity was 73.3 %, predictive value was 76.5%. 3. As to the correlationship between plasma fibronectin levels and hematologic test results, uric acid and creatinine levels showed positive correlation in preeclampsia. Based upon these study results, plasma fibronectin could be a useful parameter for the differential diagnostic validity and grade of preeclampsia.
Birth Weight ; Creatinine ; Endothelial Cells ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibronectins* ; Gestational Age ; Hematologic Tests ; Plasma* ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnancy ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Uric Acid

The flexibility of surface layer of skin is largely dependent upon the layer's water content. This, in turn, depends primarily on the quantity of water soluble hygroscopic and surface active msterials within the straturn corneum, often known as the natural moisturizing fsctors(NMF). It consist of amino acid, lactic acid, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid and inorganic salts etc.. Some of these components are greatly influenced by hydrogen ion content and ionic form of them were found to be highly hygroscopic. In this experiment, sunburn exfoliated human stratum corneum and pig epidermis separated by 2N-NaBr were used as in vitro test. These tissues were so treated to hsve each pH value (3, 5, 7, 9) and their water holding capacity and hygroscopicity were measured by gravimetric method. The results are summarized as follows : 1, Water holding capactiy of sunburn exfoliated human skin showed significant increase at pH 5 (p<0.1), 7 (p<0.01), 9 (p<0.01) compared to pH 3, and increase in pH 7 (p<0.1), 9 (p<0.05) compared to pH 5 in lactic acid. In pig epidermis, there was significant increase at pH 5 (p<0.05), 7 (p<0.01), 9 (p<0.05) cornpared to pH 3 in lactic acid. 2. Hygroscopicity of pig epidermis showed significant increase at pH 5 (p<0.05), 7 (p<0.1), 9 (p<0.05) in lactic acid and at pH 5 Epidermis ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Lactic Acid ; Pliability ; Protons ; Salts ; Skin* ; Sunburn ; Water ; Wettability

We describe a patient with overlap syndrome in whom systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma were combined. The patient expired due to severe central nervous system involvernent and pneumonia. Pertinent neuropsychiatric signs of the patient included generalied seizure, impairment of recent, memory, dysarthria, mental deterioration, Balints syndrome, right sided hemiparesis and right sided central type facial weakness. Hrain MRI and cerebral angiogram slowed cerebral vasculopathy. We suggest that a long-term follow-up is necessary for the confirmation of ciagnosis of a connective tissue disease, because the evolution, transition and overlapping features among the group of connective tissue diseases may commonly occur over time.
Central Nervous System ; Connective Tissue Diseases ; Dysarthria ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Memory ; Paresis ; Pneumonia ; Seizures

We present a case of Kyrle's disease. The pstient was a 48-year-old male who had been undergoing hemodialysis for 6 years due to chronic renal failure caused by polycystic kidney. The lesions were hyperkeratotic papules on the lower legs and abdomen witb 3 months' duration. Histopathologically, the epidermis showed central invsgination filled with heavy keratotic, partly parakeratotic plug, basophilic debris and neutrophils. There were a few premature keratinized cells below the parakeratotic plugs and complete epidermal perforation was present.
Abdomen ; Basophils ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Leg ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neutrophils ; Polycystic Kidney Diseases ; Renal Dialysis

We present a case of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD) in a 57-year-old male who had suffered from fever and general weakness of one month's duration. He showed generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly and purpuric maculopapules on the whole body surface. Lahoratory findings show anemia, polyclonal gammaglobulinemia and thrombocytopenia. The lymph node biopsy specimens show morphologic triad of AILD except lack of interstitial deposits of eosinophilic materials and the skin biopsy specimen shows lymphohistiocytic vasculitis. Bone marrow biopsy specimen shows similar findings in lymph node, suggesting bone marrow involvement. He have been treated with COPP chemotherapy.
Anemia ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; Drug Therapy ; Eosinophils ; Fever ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy* ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin ; Thrombocytopenia ; Vasculitis

We have experienced a case of the more unusual form of supernumerary breast tissue which is characterized by the presence of aberrant gland tissue alone. The case was a 30-year-old female patient in puerperium with bilateral axillary masses of seven years duration. Gentle pressure over the right-sided one caused milk to exude from a skin pore. Histopathologic findings of the tumors revealed the lobules of the breast forming islands of glandular tissue.
Adult ; Breast* ; Female ; Humans ; Islands ; Milk ; Postpartum Period ; Skin

OBJECTIVE: In the development of squamous neoplasia of the uterine cervix, high risk HPV infection has been followed by CD44 variant expression and angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the sequential changes and relatianship of CD44 variant expression, microvessel density (MVD), and VEGF expression in CIN III, microinvasive (MI) and invasive (CA) squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: The materials were 17 cases of CIN III, 14 cases of MI and 15 cases of CA. In situ PCR for HPV 16/18 and immunohistochemical studies for CD44std, v6, v7/8, CD 31 for MVD, and VEGF were performed. RESULTS: CD44std expression was decreased in squarnous neoplasia compared to normal, and CD44v6 and v7/8 expressions were increased, however, there was no statistical significance. Accentuated staining of CD44v6 and v7/8 along the infiltrating borders was noted in 76.9% and 69.2% of MI and in 71.4% and 42.9% of CA, respectively. High MVD and VEGF 2+ expression were higher in the squamous neoplasia compared to narmal, however, there was no significant difference between the squamous neoplasia and no significant relationship between MVD and VEGF expression. The expression rates of CD44std and CD44v6 were higher in HPV 16/18 negative squamous neoplasia and that of CD44v7/8 was higher in HPV 16/18 pasitive squamous neoplasia, however, their differences were not significant. The incidences of high MVD and VEGF 2+ expression were higher in HPV 16/18 positive suqmaous neoplasia with no statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CD44 variants expression and angiogenesis are involved in the development of squamous neoplasia of the uterine cervix, however, HPV 16/18 might not be related to CD44 variant expression and angiogenesis.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Incidence ; Microvessels* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

The importance of vegetables as a allergen for the development of hand eczema has been a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations of hand eczema and to investigate the role of vegetables in the hand eczema of Korean housewives. In this study, clinical evaluatons and patch tests with Hollister-Stier standard allergens and 22 vegetable allergens wer performed in 32 patients with housewife's hand eczema. The results are summarized as follows : 1. The prevalence was highest in fourth(59.4%) and third(25.0%) decades of life and the peak age of onset was third(53.1%) and fourth(31.3%) decades. 2. Only 3 of 32 patients(9.4%) had past histories of atopic dermatitis ; however, childrens of 12 patients(37.5%) had atopic dermatitis. 3. The common skin signs were fissuring(90.6%), scaling(78.1%), erythema(75.0%), hyperkeratosis(71.9%), lichenification(62.5%), and vesicle(43.8%) in descending order. 4. The common aggravating factors were soap or detergent(93.8%), water(90.6%) and rubber glove(25.0%). 5. The most common involved areas of hand eczema were fingers including fingertips and fingertips only. 6. The results of patch test using vegetable allergens with 10 normal controls were all negative. Of the 32 patients with hand eczema, 13(37.5%) showed positive patch test with standard allergens and 5(15.6%) showed positive with vegetable allergens. 7. Among 30 standard allergens, cinnamic alcohol(9.4%). potassium dichromate(9.4%), nickel sulfate(6.3%), and wool wax alcohol(6.3%) were the common allergens which showed positive reactions. Of the 22 vegetable allergens, garlic, Chinese cabbage juice, Chinese cabbage extract, cucumber juice, spinach extract, potato juice showed weak positive reactions in only one patient(3.1%) respectively. From the above results contact sensitivity to vegetables is not significant in Korean housewives with hand eczema.
Age of Onset ; Allergens ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Brassica ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Eczema* ; Fingers ; Garlic ; Hand ; Humans ; Nickel ; Patch Tests* ; Potassium ; Prevalence ; Rubber ; Skin ; Soaps ; Solanum tuberosum ; Spinacia oleracea ; Vegetables* ; Wool