BACKGROUND: The relationship and differentiation among various dendritic cells of the dermis are unclear. Recently it has hecome possible to identify different subpopulat,ions of dermal dendritic cells using anti-CD34 and anti-factor XIIIa antibodies. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate which cell types the fibrous dermal turnors consist of we compared the staining patterns of these antibodies as well as of anti-Mac 387 antibody which are labeled as inflammatory cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage. METHODS: Tumors studied included dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans(DFSP, n=2), dermato-fibroma(n=22), neurofibroma, n=27), acrochordon(n=15), keloid, hypertrophic scar(n=10), juvenile xanthogranuloma(n=1, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH, n=1). We performed immunoperoxidase staining(AUSC technique) with polyclonal anti FXIIIa antibody, monoclonal anti-CD34 antibody, and monoclonal anti-Mac 387 antibody on the formalin-fixed-paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of these fibrous tumors. The intensity of staining was graded as negative, weakly staining, or strongly stainiring. RESULTS: FXIIIa reactivity was strongly present in dendritic and spindle-shaped cells of all dermatofibromas and some nurofibromas(11 of 27 specimens), but absent from the other fibrous tumors. Among these tumors, one of the two DFSPs was uniquely expressed CD34. Dendritic and spindle-shaped cells within tiese tumors were MAC 387 negative. In inflammatory conditions, variable numbers of MAC 38 positive cells were observed, corresponding to histiocytes and mac-rophages, but the labeling of ipithelioid cells and multinucleated foreign body giant cells were variable. CONCLUSION: The findings of significant numbers of FXIIIa positive cells in dermal fibrous tumors studied suggest that thet may be diagnostic utility associated with the use of this antit)ody. In addition, CD 34 expression by the tumor cells can be an extremely useful marker in establishing a definitive diagnosis of IFSP.
Antibodies ; Dendritic Cells ; Dermatofibrosarcoma ; Dermis ; Diagnosis ; Factor XIIIa* ; Giant Cells, Foreign-Body ; Histiocytes ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; Keloid ; Langerhans Cells ; Neurofibroma

In 1921, Dandy discussed the clinical diagnosis and treatment of hydrocephalus secondary to occlusion of the foramina of Magendie and Luschka. In 194, Walker reported a case of congenital atresia of the outlets of the fourth ventricle treated surgically. Since a detailed study of this disease entity by Benda in 1954, the condition has commonly been known by the term, the Dandy-Walker syndrome. In 1968, Raimondi and et al refered this condition as the Dandy-Walker cyst. There is considerable discussion as to the nature of the fundamental embryologic error in this condition, but Denda suggested that atresia of developing fourth ventricular foramina was only a part of the syndrome and not its cause, because in some cases reported, the foramina were found to be patent. These patients. Show characteristic clinical symptoms, signs and radiological findings and should suggest the correct diagnosis. This syndrome was one of the first cause of hydrocephalus to be treated successfully by surgery. We are reporting one case of this cyst encountered recently at Yonsei University Medical Center.
Academic Medical Centers ; Dandy-Walker Syndrome* ; Diagnosis ; Fourth Ventricle ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus

In 1921, Dandy discussed the clinical diagnosis and treatment of hydrocephalus secondary to occlusion of the foramina of Magendie and Luschka. In 194, Walker reported a case of congenital atresia of the outlets of the fourth ventricle treated surgically. Since a detailed study of this disease entity by Benda in 1954, the condition has commonly been known by the term, the Dandy-Walker syndrome. In 1968, Raimondi and et al refered this condition as the Dandy-Walker cyst. There is considerable discussion as to the nature of the fundamental embryologic error in this condition, but Denda suggested that atresia of developing fourth ventricular foramina was only a part of the syndrome and not its cause, because in some cases reported, the foramina were found to be patent. These patients. Show characteristic clinical symptoms, signs and radiological findings and should suggest the correct diagnosis. This syndrome was one of the first cause of hydrocephalus to be treated successfully by surgery. We are reporting one case of this cyst encountered recently at Yonsei University Medical Center.
Academic Medical Centers ; Dandy-Walker Syndrome* ; Diagnosis ; Fourth Ventricle ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus

No abstract available.
Facial Nerve* ; Paralysis*

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to control an outbreak of Shigella infection, because of the ease of transmission and the resistance to multiple antibiotics. Recently, there were outbreaks of Shigella infection in Chinju area. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiology of the outbreaks using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE). METHOD: Thirteen S. flexneri strains, 25 S. sonnei strains from Chinju and 15 S. sonnei strains from Pusan were studied. All strains were isolated from stool cultures of diarrheal patients. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility test those were tested by Vitek GNI and GNS-LH. Chromosomal DNA restricted with Xbal was resolved by PFGE. RESULT: All the S. flexneri strains and 23(92%)S. sonnei strains from Chinju were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents. All the clinical isolates of S. flexneri showed the same PFGE pattern which was different from type strains(KTCC 2517). PFGE patterns of 25 (100%) S. sonnei strains from Chinju and 12 (80%) S. sonnei strains from Pusan were identical to those of type strain (KTCC 2009). Three S. sonnei strains from Pusan showed distinct PFGE patterns, respectively. CONCLUSION: PFGF demonstrated identical restriction pattern among most of Shigella isolates from Chinju and Pusan, indicating that an outbreak with genetically related strains had occurred. PFGE was useful in molecular epidemiology of Shigella outbreaks
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Busan ; Disease Outbreaks ; DNA* ; Gyeongsangnam-do ; Humans ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Shigella

No abstract available.
Burns* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2) is expressed and released predominantly activated T lymphocyte. Increased serum levels of soluble IL-2R have been noted in a variety of autoimmune diseases and in conditions associated with T lymphocyte activation. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine whether the T lymphocyte activation has any association with the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease. METHOD: We have measured the serum level of soluble IL-2R in serum samples obtained from 67 patients with Behçet's disease and 30 healthy people as a control group, using a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. RESULTS: Serum soluble IL-2R levels were found to be significantly elevated in the group of Behçet's disease as compared with the control group. No significant differences were found within clinical subtypes of Behçet's disease. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the presence of an ongoing T lymphocyte activation in this disease process.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Interleukin-2* ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Lymphocytes ; Methods ; Receptors, Interleukin-2*

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2) is expressed and released predominantly activated T lymphocyte. Increased serum levels of soluble IL-2R have been noted in a variety of autoimmune diseases and in conditions associated with T lymphocyte activation. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine whether the T lymphocyte activation has any association with the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease. METHOD: We have measured the serum level of soluble IL-2R in serum samples obtained from 67 patients with Behçet's disease and 30 healthy people as a control group, using a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. RESULTS: Serum soluble IL-2R levels were found to be significantly elevated in the group of Behçet's disease as compared with the control group. No significant differences were found within clinical subtypes of Behçet's disease. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the presence of an ongoing T lymphocyte activation in this disease process.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Interleukin-2* ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Lymphocytes ; Methods ; Receptors, Interleukin-2*

PURPOSE: Recently developed BMS(TM) (Zassi Bowel Management System(TM): Hollister Inc., Illinois, USA) can provide effective nonsurgical fecal diversion without the risks associated with colostomy creation and subsequent closure. Our aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of the BMS in diverting feces from the perianal wide surgical wound in patients with Fournier's gangrene. METHODS: BMS(TM) was applied in five patients (male: 2, median age; 44) with Fournier's gangrene from January 2000 to September 2001. The treatments consist of three times a day wound dressing after wide surgical debridement and intravenous antibiotic therapy. For evacuation of feces, twice daily warm saline irrigation was administered via BMS(TM) or low daily doses of polyethylene glycol solutions were orally taken in. An endoscopic and anorectal manometric study was done to evaluate possible mucosal complications and anorectal functional changes. RESULTS: The average duration of the BMS application was 41 (range, 22~63) days. The result of a manometric study after immediate removal of the BMS(TM) showed a decreased mean resting pressure (range: 22~36 mmHg) and a decreased mean squeezing pressure (range: 32~39 mmHg). After 3 days, the sphincter pressure had improved markedly: mean resting pressures of 38, 45, 60, and 63 mmHg and mean squeezing pressure of 78, 89, 91, and 101 mmHg respectively. Fecal incontience was not noted in any patient. Other possible mucosal complications were not noted. There were no mortalit. CONCLUSIONS: BMS(TM) application in Fournier's gangrene patients after surgery successfully avoids a defunctioning colostomy. Furthermore, no significant complications were noted over a prolonged period up to 63 days.
Bandages ; Colostomy ; Debridement ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing ; Feces ; Fournier Gangrene ; Humans ; Illinois ; Polyethylene Glycols

BACKGROUND: Neopterin is released from monocytes/macrophages specifically by stimulation with interferon-γ. Therefore the increase refers to the activation of T lymphocytes. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to examine the potential role of neopterin in the cell mediated immune response to Behçet's disease. METHODS: We studied 67 patients of Behçet's disease classified by Shimizu and a control group of 30 normal healthy people. Serum neopterin was detected by radioimmunoassay technique. RESULTS: The serum neopterin concentration of the group with Behçet's disease was significantly elevated, compared with the control group (6.36 nmol/ml vs 3.63 nmol/ml). The increase of neopterin concentration was well correlated to the clinical severity of the diseases in increasing order. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the T lymphocyte derived IFN-γ which stimulates the production of neopterin has some role in the pathogenesis and clinical severity of Behçet's disease.
Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; Lymphocytes ; Neopterin* ; Radioimmunoassay ; T-Lymphocytes