We have performed the prick test on 70 patients with atopic lermatitis and at the same time measured the levels of serum IgE and peripheral eosinophil counts. The following results were obtained: 1. Patients with atopic dermatitis showed higher rates of positivty in the prick tests, espe cially to inhalant, allergens. 2. The levels of IgE were increased in these patients and those who were positive to at least one allergen in the prick tests showed higher levels of IgE ha those who were negative in the prick tests. 3. The patients with atopic dermatitis with a past history of allergic rhinitis demonstrated higher rates of skin test positivity. 4. There was no correlation between the levels of serum IgE and the peripheral eosinophil counts in these patients with atopic dermatitis,
Allergens ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Rhinitis ; Skin Tests

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of IL-10 on development of collagen-induced arthritis, on humoral and cellular immunity and on the endogenous production of IL-10 in DBA/1J mice. METHODS: DBA/1J mice were immunized with chicken type II collagen in Freund s complete adjuvant. Murine recombinant IL-10 was given intraperitoneally twice a week from the day of second immunization (week 3) in doses of 0.002ug, 0. 02ug and 0. 2ug for 3 different groups, respectively. Dexamethasone was injected in one group to suppress the arthritis development and this group was used as negative control group. Levels of anti-collagen antibodies, serum IL-10 and stimulation indices of splenic monocytes to collagen were measured at the end of study. RESULTS: The 0. 02ug IL-10 and 0. 2ug IL-10 treated groups developed earlier and more severe arthritis (week 6 and 8) compared to that of the control group while the 0. 002ug IL-10 group has shown similar course to the control group in terms of incidence and severity of arthritis, At week 10, all groups with or without IL-10 injections developed arthritis with similar degree of severity while dexamethasone group showed far less incidence and severity of arthritis. The serum levels of anti-collagen antibody, IL-10 and spleen monocyte stimulation indices to collagen antigen showed no difference among control group, IL-10 injected groups and dexamethasone injected group. CONCLUSION: This study shows IL-10 could worsen the arthritis in CIA with the dosage used in this study without significant influence on the level of anti-collagen antibodies or stimulation indices of spenic monocyte to collagen.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Experimental* ; Chickens ; Collagen ; Collagen Type II ; Dexamethasone ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunization ; Incidence ; Interleukin-10* ; Mice ; Monocytes ; Spleen

Epidermal keratinocytes are important sources of a wide variety of cytokines that include the endothelin-1 (ET-1). Glucocorticoids have been shown to inhibit the production of several cytokines. However, their effect on ET-1 synthesis by keratinocytes is still unknown. It has been reported that ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation stimulates both the synthesis and release of ET-1 and it was observed that ET-1 secretion by HaCat cells increased with increasing UVB exposure. In this study, the effects of glucocorticoid on ET-1 production were evaluated using cultured HaCat keratinocytes. The results showed that dexamethasone suppressed basal re-lease of ET-1. In addition, it strongly inhibited the UVB-mediated augmentation of ET-1 production. Furthermore, lincomycin slightly enhanced the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on ET-1 synthesis.
Cytokines ; Dexamethasone* ; Endothelin-1 ; Glucocorticoids ; Keratinocytes* ; Lincomycin

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that regular exercise may increase bone mineral density. However, the effects on bone mineral density are different depending on the types of exercises and recent studies on the effects of different exercises on bone mineral density are insufficient. This study was conducted to assess the effects of 2 different exercises(Judo, Taekwondo) and physical fitness(back muscle strength, grip strength, broad jump, vertical jump, flexibility, sit ups) on regional BMD. METHODS: Subjects were healthy adults female volunteers aged 19 to 22 years and consisted of eight Judo athletes, twelve Taekwondo athletes, and eight nonathletic controls. We measured their bone mineral density of lumbar spine, femoral neck, femoral greater trochanter, Wards triangle, femoral shaft and distal radius using dual energy X ray absorptiometry and assessed their physical fitness. We investigated the mean differences of regional bone mineral density between the groups and the relationships between physical fitness and regional bone mineral density. RESULTS: ANCOVA revealed that there were significant differences in the regional bone mineral density between the groups. The Judo athletes group had significantly higher bone density of greater trochanter, femoral shaft, distal radius, femoral neck and lumbar spine than the control group and had significantly higher bone density of greater trochanter, femoral shaft and distal radius.than the Taekwondo atheletes group. There were no significant differences of bone density in all the regions between the Taekwondo atheletes and the control groups. Partial correlation coefficients between the back muscle strength and the bone density of Wards triangle, greater trochanter, distal radius, femoral neck, femoral shaft, and lumbar were 0.581, 0.570, 0.526, 0.502, 0.424, and 0.418, Respectively (P<0.05). Correlation coefficients between the broad jump and the bone density of femoral neck, greater trochanter, and femoral shaft were 0.577, 0.539, and 0.457, respectively(P<0.05). Correlations of the grip strength, flexibility, sit ups and vertical jump with bone density of all regions were not high(r< or=0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Different types of exercises showed different effects of bone density. The back muscle strength among the physical fitness factors was considered to be the most important predictor of bone density. In the future, further studies are necessary for the effects of other exercises on bone density.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adult ; Athletes* ; Back Muscles ; Bone Density* ; Exercise* ; Female* ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Martial Arts ; Muscle Strength ; Physical Fitness ; Pliability ; Radius ; Spine ; Volunteers ; Young Adult*

No abstract available.
Osteomalacia*

No abstract available.
DNA* ; Humans* ; Papilloma* ; Respiratory System*

There has been controversy between compression of the facial nerve in the cerebellopontine recess and focal demyelination of the facial nerve on the pathogenesis of hemifacial spasm(HFS). To know the pathophysiology of HFS, we performed the facial nerve stimulation test and blink reflex test in 15 patients with HFS. And then we analyzed change of electrophysiologic findings after botulinum toxin in jection. We could not find any differences of latency between affected and unaffected side in facial nerve stimulation test(p>0.05). In the blink reflex test, there were prolonged R1 latency(p<0.01) and occurance of late response on the affected side. There has no change after botulinum toxin injection. These results suggest that there is no facial neuropathy and no electrophysiological evidence of dysfunction in the blink reflex system. Also, there may be two pathophysiologic lesions in HFS. compression and focal demyelination of the facial nerve. And we think that the botulinum toxin is no effect on facial nerve conduction itself.
Blinking ; Botulinum Toxins ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Facial Nerve ; Facial Nerve Diseases ; Hemifacial Spasm* ; Humans

Wegener's granulomatosis is characterized by necrotizing vasculitis and granuloma formation in both upper and lower respiratory tracts and in kidney. Other organs are also involved frequently. Ocular manifestations are Ehown in about 50% of patients with it. We experienced a case of Wegener's granulomatcsis developed prcgressive paranasal sinusitis and rhinitis combined with orbital and ocular involvement shown proptosis of both eyes, necrotic change of cornea and anterior portion of sclera in left eye and so forth. The diagnosis was confirmed by clinical findings and histopathologic features of tissue biopsy. The histopathology from periccular area of left eye had the typical findings of Wegener's granulomatosis with necrotizing vasculitis and granuloma formation. We had treated with oral cyclophosphamide(30~120mg/day) and corticosteroid(betamethaEcne 3mg 1M) and performed the enucleation of left eye due to widespread necrosis. The general condition and ocular findings were moderately improved with medical treatment but the eventual visual acuity was zero in right eye.
Biopsy ; Cornea ; Diagnosis ; Exophthalmos ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Kidney ; Necrosis ; Orbit ; Respiratory System ; Rhinitis ; Sclera ; Sinusitis ; Vasculitis ; Visual Acuity ; Wegener Granulomatosis*

Wegener's granulomatosis is characterized by necrotizing vasculitis and granuloma formation in both upper and lower respiratory tracts and in kidney. Other organs are also involved frequently. Ocular manifestations are Ehown in about 50% of patients with it. We experienced a case of Wegener's granulomatcsis developed prcgressive paranasal sinusitis and rhinitis combined with orbital and ocular involvement shown proptosis of both eyes, necrotic change of cornea and anterior portion of sclera in left eye and so forth. The diagnosis was confirmed by clinical findings and histopathologic features of tissue biopsy. The histopathology from periccular area of left eye had the typical findings of Wegener's granulomatosis with necrotizing vasculitis and granuloma formation. We had treated with oral cyclophosphamide(30~120mg/day) and corticosteroid(betamethaEcne 3mg 1M) and performed the enucleation of left eye due to widespread necrosis. The general condition and ocular findings were moderately improved with medical treatment but the eventual visual acuity was zero in right eye.
Biopsy ; Cornea ; Diagnosis ; Exophthalmos ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Kidney ; Necrosis ; Orbit ; Respiratory System ; Rhinitis ; Sclera ; Sinusitis ; Vasculitis ; Visual Acuity ; Wegener Granulomatosis*

PURPOSE: To assess changes in MR signal intensity in the pars interarticularis and adjacent structures in pa-tients with lumbar spondylolysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MR images of 36 patients with lumbar spondylolysis, confirmed by plain radiographs, were retrospectively analyzed. Using a 1.0T unit, we evaluated the signal intensity of a total of 216 parts interarticulares and adjacent structures from L3 to L5, as seen on sagittal images, and differences between areas with and without spondylolysis. The signal intensity of T1-and T2-weighted images was graded 0 (more hypointense than spinal body), 1(as isointense as spinal body), 2(more hyperintense than spinal body and more hypointense than epidural fat), or 3(as isointense as epidural fat). Signal intensity change in end-plates and degree of spondylolisthesis were analyzed, and the relationship between these factors was deter-mined. RESULTS: Spondylolysis was noted at L5 in 61 cases, at L4 in 22, and of L3 in no case. In three cases spondylolysis was unilateral, and in the remainder it was bilateral. The degree of signal intensity was the same on T1- and T2-weighted images, and no case was grade 0. Eighty-six of 133 areas without spondylolysis were grade 1, 43 were grade 2, and four were grade 3. In 42 of 47 cases, signal intensity change was localized at pedicles. Among 83 areas with spondylolysis, on the other hand, nine were grade 1, 48 were grade 2, and 26 were grade 3. Signal intensity change was most commonly observed at the pars interarticularis, pedicle, and lamina (50/74) (p<0.001). Signal intensity change at the pars interarticularis and adjacent structures was accompanied in most cases by degenerative endplate change(10/11) and spondylolisthesis(11/13) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with spondylolysis, signal intensity was frequently higher at the pars interarticularis and adjacent structures, and is thought to have a close relationship with degenerative endplate change and spondylolisthesis. Increases in signal intensity at the pars interarticularis and adjacent structures can help diagnose spondylolysis in patients without spondylolisthesis.
Hand ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spondylolisthesis ; Spondylolysis*