BACKGROUND: Calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)-containing nerve fibers are widely distributed in the skin including the area around hair follicles. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of CGRP on normal hair growth in vitro. METHODS: CGRP was added to isolated anagen hair follicles in Williams' E media or keratinocyte growth media(KGM). Measuring the length of hair follicles and thymidine uptake were used for hair growth parameters. RESULTS: CGRP-treated groups generally showed no significant difference of hair follicle length and thymidine uptake in both media compared to the controls. However, hair follicle length was significantly increased at a high concentration of CGRP in KGM compared to the controls. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that CGRP may be a promoter of hair follicle growth in vitro.
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide* ; Calcitonin* ; Hair Follicle ; Hair* ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Keratinocytes ; Nerve Fibers ; Skin ; Thymidine

The chrome content of 8 Korean cements and 11 Korean bleaching detrgents was analyzed by the qualitative DPC method and the quantitative atomic absorption spectrophotometry and UV-visible spectrophotometry. In cements, there was no detectable chrome in 1 sample and the range of chrome content in other 7 samples was 1.32 5.29ppm. The qualitative result was welJ. correlated with the quantitative result. In bleaching detergents, there was no detectable chrome in 4 samples and the range of chrome content in other 7 samples was 0.0329 0.362ppm. However, the qualitative result was not correlated with the quantitative result.
Detergents* ; Spectrophotometry ; Spectrophotometry, Atomic

BACKGROUND: Transepidermal water loss(TEWL) measurement is widely used in monitoring the degree of skin irritation. There have been many reports of site variation of TEWL between different body sites. However, there have been no reports concerning site variation on the different parts of the hand, which is important for the evaluation of hand eczema. OBJECTIVE: This study was done to better understand site variation of TEWL on the hands. METHODS: TEWL measurement has been performed on the mid-forearm and seven different sites of the hands in 20 normal human volunteers using an evaporimeter. RESULTS: A marked site variation has been observed and high values observed on most parts of the hands compared to forearms. CONCLUSION: Site selection should be seriously considered in any kind of study concerning TEWL measurement of hands.
Eczema ; Forearm ; Hand* ; Healthy Volunteers* ; Humans* ; Skin* ; Water*

The study was undertaken to determine the most adequate tidal volume when used volume preset ventilator during anesthesia. The thirty patients were received controlled mechanical ventilation with constant inspiratory pressure of 10 cmH2O and respiratory frequency of 12/minute. The results were as follows: 1) The PH was 7.39±0.01 and it is within normal limit. 2) The PaCO2 was 34.0±0.6 mmHg and it is a slightly hyperventilatory state. 3) The PaO2 was 228.0±8.2 mmHg. 4) The Buffer base was 20.7±0.3 mEq/L and it is a slightly buffer base deficient state. From the above results. We concluded that if patients were fully relaxed during general anesthesia, it is desirable to maintain the inspiratory pressure of anesthetic mechanical ventilator to 10 cmH2O for adequate alveolar ventilation.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Respiration, Artificial ; Tidal Volume ; Ventilation ; Ventilators, Mechanical*

PURPOSE: Knee IVIR images were repeatedly obtained after intravenous administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine to evaluate the arthrographic effect and to determine the optimal scan timing and technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sagittal Tl-weighted (650/15) sequences were repeated before and after intravenous gadolinium enhancement in 26 patients who were divided into exercise (14/26) and nonexercise (12/26) groups. Fourteen patients in exercise group were allowed to move the affected knee joint actively for 10 minutes immediately after the first post-enhancement scan and before repeating scans. The signal intensities in central and peripheral portions of the joint were measured and compared between these two groups. RESULTS: In all cases, enhancement of joint fluid began at peripheral portion and progressed toward central portion. The diffusion rate in exercise group was far faster than that in nonexercise group and homogeneous arthrographic image was revealed within 10 minutes after completion of joint movement. The arthrographic effect continued and the rate of signal decrease was quite slow. CONCLUSION: MR arthrographic image of knee joint can be obtained within 10 minutes after completion of a few minute exercise following intravenous injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine. Intravenous MR arthrography is expected to become an useful method as a convenient alternative to direct MR arthrography.
Administration, Intravenous ; Arthrography* ; Diffusion ; Gadolinium ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Joints ; Knee Joint ; Knee*

BACKGROUND: Cyclosporin A (CsA), a potent immunosuppressant, has been reported to be effective in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and side-effects of CsA in Korean patients with severe AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 16 patients with recalcitrant AD took CsA for at least 6 weeks. Among them, 11 patients were followed up for more than 16 weeks. Initial dose was 5mg/kg/day (maximum 300 mg/day) and the dose was reduced according to their therapeutic responses. SCORAD (Scoring AD) was used to evaluate clinical efficacy of CsA. During the 1st month of therapy, the therapeutic efficacy and side-effects were evaluated every 2weeks and after 1 month, every month. We checked blood pressure and laboratory abnormalities including liver function test, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) and urinalysis at each visit in addition to observing clinical adverse effects. RESULTS: Significant reduction of SCORAD was noted in 15 patients after 6 weeks of CsA therapy. Only one patient stopped CsA therapy because of the elevation of blood pressure. Three patients showed albuminuria, which disappeared after CsA dose reduction. CONCLUSION: CsA can be used effectively and safely in severe Korean AD patients. Albuminuria seems to be a peculiar side-effect in Korean patients.
Albuminuria ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; Cyclosporine* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Humans ; Liver Function Tests ; Urinalysis

BACKGROUND: Solvents play an immense role in the industria sector. Irritant dermatitis which is more common than allergic contact dermatitis can be caused by solvents. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the skin irritancy of several solvents using human and guinea pig skin models. METHODS: The skin responses to short contact with etharol, acetone, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and xylene were measured by visual scoring of erythm, transepidermal water loss and laser doppler flowmetry. RESULTS: The results are summarized as follows . 1. Guinea pig and human skin responses to normal saline, ethanol, and acetone were nearly negligible. 2. Guinea pig skin responses to 99.9% DMSO under occlusion for 0.5 min were assessed by visual scoring system, TEWL, and LDF. They are measured 3+0.(0,1+21.70, 45+12.70 at 5 min after removal of 99.9% DMSQ, and 0.83+0.41, 10.5+3.83, 36+4.0, to 120 min after removal. 3. Guinea pig skin responses to 97% xylene under occlusion for 5 nin were assessed by visual scoring system, TEWL and LDF. They are measured 3+0.00, 1. 5.82, 77+11.7 at 5 min after removal of 97% xylene, and 1.83+0.75, 5.5+3.21, 39.17+11.53 at l2 min after removal. 4. Human skin responses to 75% DMSO under occlusion for 1 min were assessed by visual scoring system, TEWL and LDF. They are measured 2,5+0.5, 63+25.8, 51+13.7 at 5 min after removal of 75% DMSO, and 0.17+0.41, 14.67+15.87, 21.17-8. 1 at 120 min after removal. 5. Human skin responses to 97% xylene under occlusion for 12 min were assessed by visual scoring system, TEWL and LDF. They are measured 2.7+0.52+4.22, 76+14.30 at 5 min after removal of 97% xylene, and 0+0, 2.5+0.55, 3.17+0.98, 120 emOVBI. CONCLUSION: Short contact vrith DMSO and xylene cause visib erythema and an increase in TEWL and cutaneous blood flow. The reaction patterns in hurr an and guinea pig skin models were similar.
Acetone ; Animals ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Irritant* ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; Erythema ; Ethanol ; Guinea Pigs ; Humans ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Lichen Planus ; Skin ; Solvents* ; Xylenes

Benign hemangioma of the mediastinum is rare. This slowly growing tumor is described as well circumscribed, cystic, hemorrhagic tumor. Histologically it can be differentiated into capillary or cavernous form. We present a case of mediastinal hemangioma. A 20-year-old-man was presented with a slowly growing posterior mediastinal mass of 6 years duration, 8x6 cm in size. The mass was relatively well defined but focally invasive. Microscopically, it was differentiated into vessels of capillary, cavernous, and venous patterns. A solid cellular proliferation with inconspicuous capillary lumens was focally seen. The stroma between variable-sized vessels showed marked myxoid change associated with some smooth muscle bundles and adipose tissue. Ultrastructurally, areas of solid cellular proliferation showed formation of lumens. These lumens were lined by active endothelial cells showing plasmalemmal vesicles and Weibel-Palade bodies on the abluminal surface.
Adipose Tissue ; Capillaries ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells ; Hemangioma* ; Mediastinum ; Muscle, Smooth ; Weibel-Palade Bodies

BACKGROUND: Congenital hypotrichosis is a non-specific, descriptive term for structural abnormalities of hairs showing variable clinical features. We recently have encountered a group of eleven patients exhibiting abnormal hairs showing similar patterns. OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to clarify the entity of this structural hair disorder. METHODS: Dermatologic examination with routine histopathology, trichograms along with scanning electron-microscopic examination and laboratory studies were undertaken. RESULTS: All cases except one were female, and hair abnormalities had developed at birth or within a year. Diffuse distribution of thin, sparse, soft and hypopigmented hairs were noticed. On hair mounts, four patients showed tapering of roots. The majority of the patients exhibited cuticular changes, as well as pitting and longitudinal axial twisting by scanning electron-microscopic examination; one case demonstrated trichorrhexis nodosa, and another, trans-verse fracture. CONCLUSION: Although our cases bear some similar points with woolly hair, some differences were noted between this type of congenital hypotrichosis and other previously described syndromes.
Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Hypotrichosis* ; Parturition

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome is a genetic disease and divided into three differen types. Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type I is characterixed by alopecia, a bulbous pear-shaped nose and cone-shaped epiphyses in the hand. Diverse clinical manifestations can be observed such as short stature, mandibular abnormality, winged scapula, etc. It is inherited in an autosomal manner, and may cause grave joint abnormalities which should be corrected early in life. We describe a 23-year-old woman with diverse clinical manifestations of trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type I, including prognathism and a winged scapula, two features which have not been previously described in the Korean literature.
Alopecia ; Epiphyses ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Joints ; Nose ; Prognathism ; Scapula ; Young Adult