BACKGROUND: The proportion of patients with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus(SCLE) is considered to be 10% among the total LE population in western countries. The morphology of LE-specific skin lesions in SCLE : appear as papulosquamous erythema or annular erythema developing mostly on the exposed areas. Among Korean patients with LE the prevalence and the pattern of cutaneous eruption of SCLE may be different from those patients of western countries. OBJECTIVE: To obtain the prevalence and the morphological characteristics of cutaneous lesions in Korean patients with SCI E v;ere the main objectives. METHODS: With 7 cases of SCLE, clinical dermatologic examinations for the character, the distribution, and the clinical course of those cutaneous lesions, and for the extent of systemic symptoms and LE-related laboratory abnormalities in each patient were performed. Results/Coeclusion. The prevalence of SCLE among Korean patients with LE or latent LE was much lower than those seen in Caucasians. The pattern of cutaneous lesions were papular/ papulosquamous erythemas with no (or rare) cases of annular erytherna among those patients diagnosed as SCLE. ~Other cl~inica! features were similar to Caucasian patients. It seems that there are some racial differences in the cutaneous manifestat.ions of LE, which may be relevant to the dissimilarities in immunogenetic backgrounds between different racial groups.
Erythema ; Humans ; Immunogenetics ; Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous* ; Prevalence ; Skin

PURPOSE: Platinum coordination complex (cisplatin) has been currently used as one of the most effective compound in the treatment of various solid tumors. However, its use has been limited by severe side effects such as renal toxicity. Our platinum-based drug discovery program has been aimed at developing drugs capable of diminishing toxicity and selective cytotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A new series of highly water soluble platinum (II) complexes Pt (II) [1,3-Bis (phenylthio) propane) (trans-l-1,2-diaminocyclohexane) (PC-1) and Pt (II) [1,3-Bis-(phenylthio) (propane)]-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (PC-2) were synthesized and characterized by their elemental analysis and by various spectroscopic techniques [infrared (.IR), ""C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)]. In vitro antitumor activity and nephrotoxi -cities of new Pt (II) complexes were tested against MKN-45 human gastric cancer cell- lines and normal kidney cells using colorimetric MTT[3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay for cell survival and proliferation. RESULTS: PC-1 showed activity against MKN-45/P and MKN-45/CDDP human gastric adenocarcinoma cells, and the antitumor activity of this compound was comparable or superior to that of PC-2 and cisplatin. The nephrotoxicity of PC-1 and PC-2 were found quite less than that of cisplatin using MTT, [H] thymidine uptake and glucose consumption tests in rabbit proximal tubule cells, human kidney cortical cells and human renal cortical tissues. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, this novel platinum (II) complex compound (PC-1) represent a valuable lead in the development of a new anticancer chemotherapeutic agent capable of improving antitumor activity and low nephrotoxicity.
Adenocarcinoma ; Cell Survival ; Cisplatin ; Drug Discovery ; Glucose ; Humans* ; Kidney* ; Platinum ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Thymidine

The pedicled fillet flap concept has been successfully applied in both the upper and lower extremities for the treatment of difficult wound. In cases of inevitable extremity amputation, the transfer of pedicled flap from the amputed part is possible. In such substance, it is possible to obtain the pedicled fillet flap from the amputed limb to provide stump coverage. We experienced two cases of below-knee amputation due to severe flame burn which the stump was covered with island pedicled sole-fillet flap.
Amputation Stumps* ; Amputation* ; Burns ; Extremities ; Knee* ; Lower Extremity ; Surgical Flaps ; Wounds and Injuries

Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome is an X-linked disorder characterized by recurrent infection, thrombocypenia and eczema. Various defects in cell-mediated immunity and deficient antibody reponse to carbohydrate antigens have been described. We experienced a case of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome of 28 months old male patient. He has been suffered from multiple petechiae with bleeding, recurrent pyogenic infections and generalized eczema since 3 months of age. Immunological abnormalities are as follows: 1) Serum IgM was gradually decreased, while IgA and IgE were increased. 2) Antibody response against polysaccharide antigen (PRP) was not observed after 3 times of PRPT immunization. 3) CD4/CD8 ratio was reversed (0.6). 4) Proliferative response of mononuclear cells was significantly reduced, and CMI skin test also showed negative results. A brief review of literature was made.
Antibody Formation ; Child, Preschool ; Eczema ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunization ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin M ; Male ; Purpura ; Skin Tests ; Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome*

No abstract available.
Immunoglobulin G* ; Influenza, Human*

Angiogenesis is essential for the growth of solid tumors. Microvessel counts, which represent a measure of tumor angiogenesis, have been correlated with the overall survival of patients with a variety of malignancies. However, the significance of angiogenesis in renal cell carcinoma remains controversial. To determine whether angiogenesis correlates with prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma, we counted the microvessels within the primary tumors and compared their numbers with patients' prognosis. Tumor specimens from 42 patients were investigated. Microvessels were stained with anti-CD34 and anti-factor VIII-related antigen monoclonal antibodies. Significant correlation between microvessel counts for two antibodies was observed (r=0.875, p<0.01), although microvessel counts for CD34 were approximately two times higher. Microvessel counts were higher in clear cell than in non-clear cell carcinoma (p<0.05). These results suggest that immunostaining with anti-CD34 antibody may provide a more sensitive and accurate measure of tumor angiogenesis. There was no correlation between microvessel counts and nuclear grade, or TNM stage. In univariate analyses, nuclear grade and TNM stage were significantly associated with patient survival (p<0.01). But further studies on tumor angiogenesis of renal cell carcinoma are needed before it can be adopted as a prognostic marker.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Humans ; Microvessels ; Prognosis ; von Willebrand Factor

Angiogenesis is essential for the growth of solid tumors. Microvessel counts, which represent a measure of tumor angiogenesis, have been correlated with the overall survival of patients with a variety of malignancies. However, the significance of angiogenesis in renal cell carcinoma remains controversial. To determine whether angiogenesis correlates with prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma, we counted the microvessels within the primary tumors and compared their numbers with patients' prognosis. Tumor specimens from 42 patients were investigated. Microvessels were stained with anti-CD34 and anti-factor VIII-related antigen monoclonal antibodies. Significant correlation between microvessel counts for two antibodies was observed (r=0.875, p<0.01), although microvessel counts for CD34 were approximately two times higher. Microvessel counts were higher in clear cell than in non-clear cell carcinoma (p<0.05). These results suggest that immunostaining with anti-CD34 antibody may provide a more sensitive and accurate measure of tumor angiogenesis. There was no correlation between microvessel counts and nuclear grade, or TNM stage. In univariate analyses, nuclear grade and TNM stage were significantly associated with patient survival (p<0.01). But further studies on tumor angiogenesis of renal cell carcinoma are needed before it can be adopted as a prognostic marker.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Humans ; Microvessels ; Prognosis ; von Willebrand Factor

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans

p53 gene mutation is commonly accepted to be associated with loss of negative cell cycle control and progression of tumors. The proliferative activity of tumor cells is considered to be a valuable indicator of tumor aggressiveness. This study is intended to compare p53 protein expression with cell proliferation rates in the ovarian epithelial tumors according to the various clinicopathological parameters. Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal p53 antibody (DO-1) and PCNA antibody (PC10) was applied to 56 cases of ovarian epithelial tumors including 17 cases of borderline tumor. The results were as follows. Both immunohistochemical staining of PCNA and p53 protein showed positive reactions confined to the nuclei of tumor cells. There were significant differences of p53 protein expression rates between borderline malignancies (11.8%) and cystadenocarcinomas (56.4%) of ovary. The expression rate of p53 protein was not significantly different according to the differentiation and the stage, but the cases of strong positive reaction to p53 protein were more frequently noted in the poorly differentiated and advanced staged tumors. The PCNA indices of p53 strong positive cases were higher than those of p53 weak positive cases. In summary, p53 protein and PCNA expression may be used as an adjuvant in differentiating borderline lesions from carcinomas of ovary and predicting their biological behaviors.
Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Proliferation ; Cystadenocarcinoma ; Female ; Genes, p53 ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ovary ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen*

The authors present a case of spontaneous discitis in a 1-year-old female who presented with fever and limping gait. The erythrocyte sediment rate was increased. The roentgenograms revealed normal appearnce, and radioactive bne scan showed increased uptake at the affected level. Discitis should be considered in any child with limping gait or leg pain, refusal to walk, or abdominal pain. Early recognition may avoid unnecessary diagnotic and treatment procedures.
Abdominal Pain ; Child* ; Discitis* ; Disulfiram ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Fever ; Gait ; Humans ; Leg