BACKGROUND: Superoxide disrnutase(SOD) provides a protective defease mechanism against potential cytotoxicity of superoxide radical in the aerobic organism. Although human skin is constantly at risk for developing acute and chronic changes by ultraviolet radiation and phototoxic reactions with exogenous and endogenously procluced photosensitizing molecules, studies in SOD in the human skin are rare. OBJECTIVE: We measured the level of SOD activities in the scar tissues and the normal human skin specimens. This study was to investigate changes of SOD activity by age, sex, and regional differences of SOD activities in the scar issues and the normal skin. METHODS: Aut,hors assayed the level of SOD activit,ies in 32 scar tissues(male 8, female 24) and 11 normal human skin specimens(male 8, female 3), which were obtaine 3 from face/neck(17 and 3 specimens), forearm(only 4 scar tissues), trunk(10 and 8 specimens), and lower extremity(only 1 scar tissue). RESULTS: First, activities of total SOD, Cu, Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOL ere 18.93+5.49, 16.97+55.31, and 1.96+0.90 units/mg proteiii respectively in the scar tissues. Second activities of total SOD, Cu, Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOD were 17.27+7.09, 13.82+6.44, and 3.45+1.07 units/mg protein respectively in the normal skin. Third, the changes of total SOD, Cu, Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOD activities by age and sex were similar each other and three were no significant, differneces between age groups in total, Cu, Zn- SOD, and Mn-SOD activities. Fourth, in sun exposed area and unexposed area there were no significant differences in the scar tissues in SOD activities. But, SOD activite.(total, Cu, Zn, and Mn-SOD) in face/neck were higher than those in trunk and lower extremity in tae normal skin(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there are no differences in the intrinsic SOD activities by age and sex in the mature scar tissues and the normal skin. Differences between exposed and unexposed area in the normal skin are due to the induction of exogenous SOD activity by sun-light generation of superoxide radicals. In wound, increased production of leukocyte derived superoxide radicals is the main factor of increased level of SOD activity.
Cicatrix* ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Lower Extremity ; Skin ; Solar System ; Superoxide Dismutase* ; Superoxides* ; Wounds and Injuries

Focal nodular hyperplasia is a benign hepatic tumor mainly composed of nodules of hepatocytes and Kupffer cells separated by fibrous septa. In general, it is difficult to differentiate focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular carcinoma on ultrasonography, conventional CT(computerized tomography), and angiography. But IV bolus CT is of particular value in the diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia because it can divide enhanced CT into early and late phase and can characterize tumor vascularity and analyze any intratumoral elements. In our case, it was seen as a hypoechoic mass lesion on ultrasonograpl'hy and hyperdense mass lesion on early-phase IV bolus CF and isodense mass, lesion on late-phase IV bolus CT. On angiography, hypertrophy of the feeding artery and tumor staining were well visualized. The patient underwent operation and the mass was pathologically confirmed to a focal nodular hyperplasia. We report the first case of focal nodular hyperplasia on IV bolus CT in Korea.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Diagnosis ; Focal Nodular Hyperplasia ; Hepatocytes ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Korea ; Kupffer Cells ; Liver* ; Ultrasonography

Henoch-Schonlein purpura is a common pediatric disease presenting most frequently with skin, gastrointestinal, joint and renal manifestations. But in cases are infrequently only severe gastrointestinal manifestations. It is hard to diagnose promptly and exactly. Clinical manifestations and laboratory findings were observed and analyzed in 20 cases with Henoch-Schonlein purpura which were considered as acute abdomen, hospitalized at Kyung Hee university Hospital during the period from December, 1982 to September, 1992. The following results were obtained; 1) The age distribution of Henoch-Schonlein purpura had a peak incidence between 7 to 9 year old. And male preponderance was observed with male to female ratio of 2.33 to 1. 2) The most prevalent season for the initial presentation of Henoch-Schonlein purpura was in fall: in 10 cases (50%). 3) The frequency of each type of clinical manifestations showed 20 (100%), 20 (100%), 18 (90%), 8(40%) cases for skin, gastrointestinal, joint and renal manifestation respectively in order of frequency. 4) The common previous illness were URI, 40 cases (50%) and allergy, 2 cases (10%). 5) The onset time of skin manifestation from admission were 1 to 4 days (75%0, 5 to 8 days (15%), 9 to 12 days (10%) explolaparotomies were done the last 2 cases. 6) In all cases, X-ray study (100%), abdominal sono (50%), Meckels scan and colon study (5%) respectively were done. 7) Hematologically leukocytosis over 10,000/mm3 was observed in 80% of cases and increase in ESR over 20 mm/hr in 65% of cases. Coagulation studies, immunologic and complement level revealed the result within normal range in most of the cases. 8) Among 8 cases with renal involvement, all cases had both hematuria and proteinuria. 9) Most cases were recovered within 4 weeks but in 4 cases, renal biopsies were done because of relapse. The results were Meadow classification grade I (1 case), II (1 case), IVa (2 cases). After renal biopsy, steroid pulse therapy was started.
Abdomen, Acute* ; Age Distribution ; Biopsy ; Child ; Classification ; Colon ; Complement System Proteins ; Female ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Incidence ; Joints ; Leukocytosis ; Male ; Proteinuria ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch* ; Recurrence ; Reference Values ; Seasons ; Skin ; Skin Manifestations

No abstract available.
Audiometry*

No abstract available.
Fractures, Open* ; Tibia*

No abstract available.
Neurons*

No abstract available.
Hearing* ; Humans ; Tinnitus*

No abstract available.
Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

No abstract available.
Leptospira interrogans* ; Leptospira*

Perioperative surgical stress makes various metabolic and endocrinologic changes that may influence the postoperative outcome. These changes, so-called, "surgical stress responses" ar hyperglycemia, lipolysis, negative nitrogen balance due to proteolysis, and changes in the hormonal secretion, e.g. increased release of ACTH, prolactin, cortisol, catecholamine, and so on. To prevent these stress responses, many studies reported some kinds of effective methods. In these study we used general anesthesia combined with epidural blockade with local anesthetic(bupivacaine) and narcotic(fentanyl) mixture via epidural catheter for the total abdominal hysterectomy and the postoperative pain control(group II). We measured serum prolactin and cortisol concentrations by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay and glucose concentrations by routine glucose oxidase method and scored the degree of postoperative pain and compared the results with those of group I, given general anesthesia during surgery and nalbuphine intramuscular injection for postoperative pain control. The results were as follows. 1) Serum prolactin concentrations were increased during the operation in both groups. 2) Serum cortisol concentrations were increased during and after the operation in both groups but were normalized sooner in group II. 3) Serum glucose concentrations were increased during and after the operation but were normalized sooner in group IL 4) The three measurements showed significant differences between the two groups during and on the first postoperative day. 5) The pain scores were significantly lower in group II untill the third postoperative day. According to the results, we concluded that serum prolactin concentration could be as much valuable index to surgical stress response as serum cortisol concentration and that the method of epidural blockade combined with general anesthesia for the surgery and postoperative pain control via epidural route could prevent or alleviate the stress response more effectively.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Anesthesia, General* ; Blood Glucose* ; Catheters ; Fentanyl* ; Fluoroimmunoassay ; Glucose ; Glucose Oxidase ; Hydrocortisone* ; Hyperglycemia ; Hysterectomy ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Lipolysis ; Nalbuphine ; Nitrogen ; Pain, Postoperative ; Prolactin* ; Proteolysis