No abstract available.
Lymphocytes* ; Macrophages* ; Nitric Oxide*

It is well established that mast cell proliferation and maturation are regulated by two principle cytokines, IL-3 and the c-kit ligand stem cell factor (SCF). Previous reports have demonstrated that bone marrow-derived IL-3-dependent mast cells exhibit the characteristic apoptosis on removal of IL-3. To know how the number of mast cells is controlled, we observed the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on the murine bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMCMC). Apoptosis was measured by the analysis of flow cytometric data and electrophoretic evidence of DNA fragmentation. Our data showed that sodiurn nitroprusside (SNP)-a NO releasing substance- induced apoptosis in BMCMC. Cell cycle analysis showed that the number of the G,/G, and S phase decreased markedly, while the percentage of cell in G,/M phase was increased. Also, SNP alone induced cell death, whereas SNP in combination with SCF markedly decreased cell death of BMCMC. SNP-induced apoptosis was partially inhibited by the treatment of BMCMC with SCF. Our results suggest that NO might have sorne role in the regulation of the number of mast cells.
Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow* ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Death ; Cytokines ; DNA Fragmentation ; Interleukin-3 ; Mast Cells* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Nitroprusside ; S Phase ; Stem Cell Factor

In 2008, Korea has enacted new ordinances about the role of estheticians, but this law can be interpreted ambiguously, restricting hiring of estheticians in medical clinics. The purpose of the study is to obtain information about medical-esthetic systems in other countries. We have taken a survey of this object from 30 OECD & Asian countries, and the questionnaires returned from a total of 22 countries (Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Israel, and Thailand), were used for the final analysis. The results are summarized as follows. In most countries, estheticians working independently deal with only healthy, normal skin. In most countries, estheticians working independently have no right to operate any medical instruments. In all 17 countries that returned the questionnaires medical clinics can employ estheticians, and only theses estheticians who belong to the medical clinics can handle the non-invasive medical instruments under the supervision of doctors. In 17 countries that have related legal regulations, nurses, under the control of doctors, can perform wider range of duties in various settings than estheticians. The survey concludes that the duties of estheticians are closely related with medical skin care services and estheticians can perform various non-invasive medical procedures only under the control of doctors. From consulting a variety of medical-esthetic systems in other countries, we propose that the estheticians be allowed to work in medical clinics to provide better medical services for the patients and to make more chances of employment for themselves.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Austria ; Canada ; Denmark ; Employment ; Finland ; France ; Germany ; Great Britain ; Humans ; Hungary ; Israel ; Japan ; Jurisprudence ; Korea ; Netherlands ; New Zealand ; Norway ; Organization and Administration ; Portugal ; Questionnaires ; Singapore ; Skin ; Skin Care ; Slovakia ; Social Control, Formal ; Spain ; Switzerland ; Turkey ; United States

Of the 11 advanced bladder cancer patients who received M-VAC (Methotrexate, Vinblastine, Doxorubicin and Cisplatin) combination chemotherapy, complete and partial remission were observed in 63.6%. Of the 17 advanced bladder cancer patients who received MAC (Methotrexate, Doxorubicin and Cisplatin) combination chemotherapy, complete and partial remissions were observed in 17%. Complete remission was achieved in 18.2% of the patients clinically, pathologically in M-VAC group and 5.9% in MAC group. Partial remission was occurred in 46.5% of the patients in M-VAC group and 41.2% in MAC group. All metastatic sites including the bone and liver, lung were well responded in M-VAC group, but poorly responded in MAC group. Toxicity was significant but tolerable.
Doxorubicin ; Drug Therapy, Combination* ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder* ; Vinblastine

Pretibial myxedema, which consists of localized cutaneous accumulations of acid mucopolysaccharides, oceurs in a few patients with hyperthyroidi';m after its correction by surgery or radioactive iodine therapy. We report a case of pretibial myxedema with exophthalmos in a 36 year old male. He has suffered from hyperthyroidism with bilateral pretibial myxedema for a period of 4 years. He was treated with a subtotal thyroidectomy and excision of both pletibia lesions 1 year ago. The lesions recurred on t,he left pretibial area, as a 11 X 16cm sized, non pitting, non tender, swollen, brownish plaque. The histopathologic findings showed epidermal hyperkeratosis and a considerable arnount of mucin in the mid-dermis. We treat.ed him with intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide with marked improvement.
Adult ; Exophthalmos ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Injections, Intralesional ; Iodine ; Male ; Mucins ; Myxedema* ; Thyroidectomy ; Triamcinolone Acetonide

Cutaneous horns of the penis are rare. We report a case associated with squamous cell carcinoma in a 56-year-old male. A gradually enlarging nodule had been on the glans penis for four years. He had suffered from an erythematous crusted tumor mass and horny excrescence on the glans penis which recurred and was aggravated after excision of the nodule seven months ago. Histopathologic findings of the lesions showed characteristic findings of squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous horn. In situ DNA hybridization for human papillomavirus types 6, 11, 16, 18, 32, and 33 were all negative. The tumor mass were surgically excised and we have not found any sign of recurrence since then.
Animals ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; DNA ; Epithelial Cells* ; Horns* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis* ; Recurrence

No abstract available.
Fetal Blood* ; Humans* ; Oxygen* ; Phagocytes*

PURPOSE: To report the clinical findings and the results of treatment on hematogenous pyogenic arthritis after major burn injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of 11, 797 major burn injury patients from January 1996 to June 2004. Severity of burn by involved body surface area, time of diagnosis, and laboratory findings were analyzed. Direct spread of infection from injured skin to superficial joint was excluded. RESULTS: Hematogenous infection was complicated in 26 joints of 22 patients (0.19% of overall cases). The mean age was 43.6 years, and mean follow-up was 46 months. The body surface area of burn injury was averaged 34.7%. The common involved area was hip in 10 patients, spine and shoulder in five patients, respectively. From the time of injury, average interval to development of symptom was 4.1 weeks, and to establish the diagnosis was 6.3 weeks. The most common isolated pathogen was Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. A total of 22 joints underwent surgical treatment. The clinical results of the patients were poor in 72% due to recurrent infection and persistent pain. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that major burn injury may be an important risk factor of hematogenous pyogenic arthritis. Careful clinical suspicion should be important for early diagnosis and treatment.
Arthritis ; Body Surface Area ; Burns* ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Joints* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Shoulder ; Skin ; Spine

PURPOSE: Some of epileptic children are known to have behavioral problems. But some experts deny frequent association of behavioral problems in epileptic children, compared to non epileptic children. The purpose of this study is to know the relations between the clinical characteristics and behavioral problems in epileptic children. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients were grouped according to underlying disease causing epilepy, seizure type, occurrence of seizure within recent 1 year and duration of treatment. CBCL(Child Behavior Chencklist), which were modified by Oh et al., was used as a tool for psychosocial assessment. RESULTS: 1) Symptomatic group had higher risk than cryptogenic group on school in social competence scale. In behavioral problem scale. Symptomatic group showed none of social problems or thought problems. 2) Partial seizure group has higher risk than generalized seizure group on social problems in behavioral problem scale. 3) Patients with recent seizure experience had higher risk on social, school in social competence scale, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, total behavioral problems in behavioral scale. 4) There was no correlation between duration of treatment and psychosocial parameters. CONCLUSION: In epileptic children, behavioral problem was not significantly outstanding compared with non epileptic children. It appears that some of their behavior problems have been originated mainly from problems in social adaptation, which might have not been caused by disease itself, but by social prejudice and social misunderstanding.
Child* ; Epilepsy* ; Humans ; Mental Competency ; Prejudice ; Seizures ; Social Problems

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of prognosis of the preterm infants delivered in Chosun University Hospital. METHODS: A study was conducted for 236 newborns who were born at Chosun University hospital from January 1. 2000 to December 31, 2002. The data were collected by review of the hospital record. RESULTS: 1) The survival rate of the preterm infants who weigh below 999 gm was 2% and 68.4% in 1,000-1,499 gm of infants 90.9% in 1,500-1,999 gm of infants and 92.7% in 2,000-2,499 gm of infants respectively. 2) The survival rate of the preterm infants who born 25% at 25-26 weeks, 50% at 27-28 weeks, 80% at 29-30 weeks, 88.2% at 31-32 weeks, 94.4% at 33-34 weeks and 95% after 35 wks respectively. 3) The cause of preterm delivery were premature rupture of membranes (41.7%), preterm labor (23.7%), pregnancy induced hypertension (10.9%), multiple pregnancy (8.3%) etc. 4) The perinatal complications of the preterm infants were hyperbilirubinemia (27.5%), respiratory distress syndrome (24.2%), sepsis (11.4%) etc. CONCLUSION: To increase the survival rates of preterm infants, the preterm labor should be controlled by 27 week's gestation and the birth weight of 1,000 gm minimally.
Birth Weight ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Female ; Hospital Records ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Membranes ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Premature Birth* ; Prognosis ; Rupture ; Sepsis ; Survival Rate