No abstract available.

Abdominal pregnancies are classified as primary and secondary. The incidence varies from one in 372 to one in 9714 live birth. When this occurs, perinatal morbidity and mort-ality are high, usually as a result of growth restriction and congenital anomalies such as fetal pulmonary hypoplasia, pressure deformities, facial and limb asymmetry. Omental pregnancy is an extremely rare form of abdominal pregnancy that may cause life-threatening massive hemorrhage in case of rupture. A case of this rare entity is prese- nted after dilatation and curettage in which gestational tissue was found to arise from the edge of greater omentum, requiring partial omentectomy. The diagnosis of omental pregnancy is hardly ever made prior to laparotomy. This case of omental pregnancy, believed to be secondary, was recently experienced and it is reported here with a brief review of the literature.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation and Curettage* ; Dilatation* ; Extremities ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Incidence ; Laparotomy ; Live Birth ; Omentum ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Abdominal ; Rupture

No abstract available.
Collagen Type I* ; Skin* ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Angiogenesis is important both in normal and pathologic processes, including wound healing and inflammation. Because proliferating tissues require an enhanced blood supply, angiogenesis appears to be a prerequisite for expansion of cholesteatoma. This study was aimed to investigate mRNA and protein expression of angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and platelet derived-endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) in middle ear cholesteatoma. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Cholesteatoma tissues and retroauricular skins were obtained from 12 patients during operation. The mRNA expression was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the degree of expression was measured by comparing density ratio of beta-actin by NIH imaging analysis system. The protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and the degrees of expression in epithelial, endothelial, inflammatory cells of cholesteatoma and retroauricular skin were judged by two pathologists and then converted on a 5-grade rating scale according to intensity of expression. RESULTS: The expression rate of mRNA in cholesteatoma and retroauricular skin was 67.7 and 33.3% in VEGF, 75.0 and 50.0% in bFGF, 53.8 and 8.3% in TGF-alpha, 67.7 and 75% in PD-ECGF. There was statistically significant difference only in TGF-alpha (p<0.05). The degrees of VEGF, bFGF, and TGF-alpha mRNA expression were about 2.6, 2.1 and 5.2 times significantly higher than retroauricular skin (p<0.05). And the degree of mRNA of PD-ECGF expression was about 1.4 times higher than retroauricular skin, although there was no statistical significance (p>0.05). The degrees of VEGF, bFGF and PD-ECGF protein expression in cholesteatoma tissue were more intense at the inflammatory (p<0.05), endothelial (p<0.05) and epithelial cell (p>0.05) than in retroauricular skin. And the degree of TGF-alpha protein expression in cholesteatoma tissue was more intense at all three cells (p<0.05) than in the retroauricular skin. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that angiogenesis processes in cholesteatoma perimatrix and the expression of angiogenic growth factors are upregulated by mRNA. Further studies for evaluating the factors that can affect the expression of mRNA and also for disclosing the roles and control mechanisms of these factors in cholesteatoma angiogenesis must be followed.
Actins ; Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Blood Platelets ; Cholesteatoma ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear* ; Ear, Middle* ; Epithelial Cells ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Pathologic Processes ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin ; Thymidine Phosphorylase ; Transforming Growth Factor alpha ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Wound Healing

Rabies is a uniformly fatal encephalitis and cannot be treated, therefore efforts must be focused on preventing the disease. The incidence of rabies in humans and animals has decreased with the introduction of rabies vaccination for animals since the early 1950s in Korea. There was no rabies occurrence either in human or animal for 8 years from 1985 to 1992. However, a case of animal rabies recurred in 1993. Since then, rabies endemic areas were expanded into 17 counties near the demilitarized zone, and 6 human cases were reported from the endemic areas of animal rabies. According to epidemic studies, wild raccoon dogs were suspected to be the transmission source of rabies in dogs, domestic animals, and other wild animals, which resulted in human rabies. Rabies prevention strategies were aimed at the animals capable of transmitting rabies or vaccination for the high risk group and postexposure prophylaxis for the bitten patients. Unfortunately, these activities were not conducted appropriately and substantially. All rabies victims were either not treated or did not receive timely and appropriate postexposure treatment. Prevention of rabies can only be achieved by securing political and financial support for an effective rabies program. Key activities for rabies prevention should include changing current public perception regarding rabies, strengthening surveillance for the exposed person to suspected rabid animals, and laboratory-based rabies surveillance.
Animals ; Animals, Domestic ; Animals, Wild ; Dogs ; Encephalitis ; Epidemiology* ; Financial Support ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Rabies* ; Raccoon Dogs ; Vaccination

A 75-year-old female presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Angiography revealed a partial duplication (fenestration) in the proximal A1 segment and a ruptured aneurysm at the distal end of A1 fenestration. This congenital anomaly accompanying an aneurysm was associated with duplicated ipsilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA). Congenital defect of the arterial wall and hemodynamic factors at the fenestrated A1 are considered to play a significant role in the development of this aneurysm. The present case is peculiar because not only the ruptured A1 aneurysm was related with the anterior and middle cerebral artery duplication but also the location of A1 fenestration and the origin of A1 aneurysm in a fenestration are quite unusual.
Aged ; Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Ruptured ; Angiography ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is belived to be a disorder of keratinocyte hyperproliferation mediated by T helper cells. Cyclosproine is one of the immunosuppressants and there have been several studies showing the benefcial effects of cyclosporine on psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy, tolerability, and adverse effects of cyclosporine, a randomized open uncontrolled multicenter study was conducted in 15 university hospitals in Korea. METHOD: There were 68 total trial cases and among them 16 patients dropped out from the study. The reported reasons for stopping the use of the medication under study prematurely were lack of cooperation(seven cases), adverse effects(six cases), the ineffectiveness of the medication(two cases), and another(one case). The drug was administered for 18 weeks to 52 patients. The initial dosage of the drug was 2.5mg/kg/day which was maintained or increased to 4mg/kg/day or 5mg/kg/day according to the PASI score reduction rate at the 6th and 12th week. The PASI score was measured and Iaboratory tests and observation of adverse events were done. RESULTS: At the end of therapy PASI score reduction rate of more than 66% occured in 40 patients (76.9%). The PASI score was significantly reduced from 20.0 to 5.4 after treatment for 18 weeks. The social disability score was significantly decreased. Pruritus and nail involvement were also significantly decreased. The change of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were statistically not significant. The 30% increase of serum creatinine level compared to the baseline was observed in six patients(11.5%) at the 6th week, three patients(5.8%) at the 12th week, five patients(9.6%) at the 18th week, but no patients showed an increase above the normal range.The increase of serum total bilirubin and SGOT was observed in six patients(11.5%) and one patient(1.9%0, respectively. The clinical adverse events reported during the study were gastrointestinal trouble(seven cases, 13.5%), hypertrichosis(two cases, 3.8%), generalized weakness(two cases, 3.8%0, paresthesia(one case, 1.9%), hypertension(one case, 1.9%), disturbance of erection(one case, 1.9%). The overall assessment of efficacy and tolerability by investigator and patients were mostly good or very good. CONCLUSION: Generally cyclosporine was well accepted and tolerated and low dose cyclosporine therapy-2.5mg/kg/day to 5mg/kg/day-is an effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of psoriasis.
Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bilirubin ; Blood Pressure ; Creatinine ; Cyclosporine* ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Keratinocytes ; Korea ; Pruritus ; Psoriasis* ; Research Personnel ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

Frontometaphyseal dysplasia is a rare genetic syndrome first described by Gorlin and Cohen in 1969. This disease affects the skeletal system and connective tissue, and could be characterized by hyperostosis of the skull, prominence of supraorbital ridges, additional skeletal and extraskeletal abnormalities. It is believed that the condition is an X-linked dominant trait with severe manifextations in males and extreme variability in females. We described a case of 15-year-old boy manifested a pronounced supraorbital ridge associated with exorbitism. He also had bilateral progressive hearing deficit, thoracic spine scoliosis, chest wall deformity, bilateral maxillary sinusitis and both 5th finger arachnodactyly. The patient underwent a fronto-temporo-orbital cranioplasty through a coronal incision. The frontal bone including supraorbital region, orbital lateral rim and temporal bone were extensively contoured with burr. And then, burring of the medial aspect of lateral orbital wall was made to increase both orbital volume for correction of exorbitism. Postoperative results show well corrected prominent supraorbital ridge, hyperostosis of frontotemporal bone and exorbitism. The patient was satisfied with the improved appearance. No recurrence occurred during the 6 months of follow-up period. We report this case as it shows esthetically good result without any complication.
Adolescent ; Arachnodactyly ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Connective Tissue ; Female ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Frontal Bone ; Hearing ; Humans ; Hyperostosis ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus ; Maxillary Sinusitis ; Orbit ; Recurrence ; Scoliosis ; Skull ; Spine ; Temporal Bone ; Thoracic Wall

BACKGROUND: Four platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) family members have been identified; the classical PDGFs, PDGF-A and PDGF-B, and the novel PDGFs, PDGF-C and PDGF-D, which were only recently discovered. METHODS: The present study was designed to determine the changes of the platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) subtypes (C & D) and their receptors (PDGFR)-alpha & beta expression in kidneys during pre- and postnatal development. RESULTS: All the protein levels of PDGFR-alpha and -beta and the mRNA levels of PDGF-C and D were high in kidneys during the prenatal period and decreased differently during the postnatal period. PDGFR-alpha was expressed in the interstitial space at embryo day 18. PDGFR-beta protein were expressed in metanephric blastema at embryo day 18. PDGF-C mRNA was expressed in metanephric blastema, developing glomerulus at embryo 18 day and in collecting duct at postnatal day 7. PDGF-D mRNA was expressed in the parietal and vesceral epithelial cells during pre and postnatal period. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the PDGF subtypes (C & D) and their receptors (PDGFR-alpha & -beta) are differently expressed in the kidney during the prenatal and postnatal period.
Embryonic Structures ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Kidney ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; Rabeprazole ; Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor* ; RNA, Messenger

A nipple can be reconstructed either by nipple sharing or local flap. But donor site scar is inevitable when nipple is reconstructed with local flap method. The scar which remains inside the nipple areolar complex can be hidden by medical tattooing, but elongated scar, which cross over the areolar border leads to poor esthetic result. So as to solve this problem, we used purse string suture method. We reconstructed nipple with C-V flap for 9 patients who previously reconstructed breast with extended latissimus dorsi flap. Purse string suture with 3-0 nylon was used for donor site closure. We minimize 10.7% of the scar length with this method. Enhancement of nipple projection due to the flattening of V limb was attained in addition. We expect the reduction of V-limb of C-V flap and amount of absorption of the reconstructed nipple with purse string suture method.
Absorption ; Breast ; Cicatrix ; Extremities ; Humans ; Nipples* ; Nylons ; Superficial Back Muscles ; Sutures ; Tattooing ; Tissue Donors