On histological examination, an epidermolytic hyperkeratosis was observed adjacent to follicular papules on the back of a 53-year-old man. It has been reported that incidental epidermolytic hyperkeratosis occur either within various lesion (epidermal neoplasm, melanocytic neoplasm, scars, and inflammatory conditions) or in the normal skin adjacent to the lesion. This patient participated in the Vietnam War for 2 years, and had had contact with defoliants. He was treated for multiple peripheral neuropathies and cerebral infarcts. In keratinocytes, 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; Agent Orange) contained in defoliating agents is associated with altered patterns of keratinocyte differentiation. So, as a cause of incidental epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, defoliant contact could be suspected.
Cicatrix ; Humans ; Hyperkeratosis, Epidermolytic* ; Keratinocytes ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Skin* ; Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin ; Veterans* ; Vietnam*

In this animal study, comedones were induced by topical application of oleic acid onto the rabbit ear canal and the histopathologic and ultrastructural changes in response to topical application of HO and hexane extracts of red ginseng, and saponin were measured. No microscopical difference was observed between treatment groups. Nucle ir remnants were observed in the horny cell layer as well as the thinning of the granular cell layer. Scattered and decreased keratohyaline granules were also noted. Six weeks after initiation of treatment, we observed the thinning of epidermis and veappearance of granular cell layer with normal keratohyaline granules. After treatment, scanning electron microscopy showed a decrease in the size of comedones, and loosened and desquamating horny cells in the comedones. From the above results, it could be concluded that Panax ginseng extracts might have effects on the keratinization process of the skin.
Animals ; Ear Canal ; Epidermis ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Oleic Acid ; Panax* ; Saponins ; Skin

No abstract available.
Allografts* ; Animals ; Mice*

OBJECTIVE: This study was investigated on the relationship the degrees of proteinuria with the maternal characteristics, maternal and the neonatal outcomes. The correlation between the result of single urine protein- to-creatinine ratio and the amount of 24 hour urine protein was also investigated. METHODS: From December 1999 to June 2002, 63 patients were enrolled in this study. They were divided into two groups by the degree of proteinuria at 24 hour urine, single urine and dip stick test, respectively. Each two groups was compared with the maternal characteristics, gestational age, the maternal and the neonatal outcomes. The correlation between single urine protein-to-creatinine ratio and the amount of 24 hour urine protein was analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Each two groups of single urine and dip stick test had no differences in maternal characteristics, gestational age, maternal and the neonatal outcomes. However, in two of 24 hour urine, massive proteinuria group had poor maternal and neonatal outcomes compared with control group (p value 0.01). Single urine protein-to-creatine ratio and the amount 24 hour urine protein had borderline correlation (p value 0.064). CONCLUSION: The presence of proteinuria influences on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Moreover, the massive proteinuria group had more maternal and neonatal complication than control group. The result of single urine protein-to-creatine ratio had borderline correlation with the amount of protein in 24 hour urine collection.
Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy* ; Proteinuria* ; Urine Specimen Collection

Pulmonary sequestration is a relatively rare anomaly. Arterial supply is usually derived from the aorta or its major branches, or very rarely from the left gastric artery. We present a case of intralobar sequestration in which blood was supplied by the left gastric artery.
Angiography ; Aorta ; Arteries* ; Bronchopulmonary Sequestration*

To assess the relationship of pinprick sensory threshold with height and weight, Ninety seven healthy young (age 19 to 28) males were tested on their anatomical snuff box of both Hands. Their WPT was measured by device holding and moving weighted needle sensory threshold apparatus. Mean of the WPT was 0.43(+/-0.24) g in left and, 0.53( 0.30) g in right hand. Difference of WPT between the right and left hand appeared statistically significant (p<0.01) . Correlation coefficient of WPT with height was 0.26461 (p<0.01) in left and, 0.31856 (p<0.01) in right hand. Weight was statistically significantly correlated with WPT in left hand (r=0.24932, p<0.01) The study shows that the left-right difference and influence of height in pinprick sense may exist in normal healthy male adults.
Adult ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Needles* ; Sensory Thresholds* ; Tobacco, Smokeless

Cor triatriatum is a rare anomaly in old age. This is a case report of a 66 year-old man who had been preoperatively diagnosed as coronary artery disease and cor triatriatum. The operative findings revealed that the left atrium had an intra-atrial septum with one small opening 10mm in diameter, the upper compartment received both pulmonary veins, and there were no other anomalies like anormalous pulmonary venous connection or atrial septal defect. The patient successfully underwent open heart surgery ; the anomalous septum was resected, the mitral valve was reconstructed using French technique with Carpentier-Edwards ring, and coronary artery bypass grafting was performed.
Aged ; Cor Triatriatum* ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Heart Atria ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Pulmonary Veins ; Thoracic Surgery

One hundred sixty three patients were hysteroscoped for various reasons at our department over 10 year period. Ninety eight patients out of 163 who were diagnosed and treated for their intrauterine adhesions(IUAs) by hysteroscopy were analysed retrospectively. Patients were classified as having mild, moderate or severe stage of IUAs according to American Fertility Society classification. Twenty nine patients(29.6%) had mild IUAs, 43 patients (43.9%) had moderate IUAs, and 26 patients(26.5%) were classified as having severe stage IUAs. The predisposing causal factors of IUAs were abortion, full-term delivery, H. mole, pelvic tuberculosis and myomectomy in order of frequency but in eight cases no cause was identified. After hysteroscopic surgery, although high rate(83.9%) of restoration of normal menstruation was attained but term pregnancy rate was only 53.3% and rather high rate (32%) of preterm or abortion were identified and those pregnancy outcomes were correlated with the stage of IUAs. Complications of surgery consisted of uterine or bladder perforation, pulmonary edema and hemorrhage.
Classification ; Female ; Fertility ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hysteroscopy ; Menstruation ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Pulmonary Edema ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND: Acetone disrupts the cutaneous permeability barrier through the removal of stratum corneum lipids. This pertubation of barrier integrity stimulates a variety of homeostatic repair that ultimately results in the normalization of barrier function. OBJECT: To measure the effect of steroid on the barrier recovery of acetone applied skin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The flank skin of 8~10 week old hairless mice was treated with acetone and then topical and systemic steroids were applied. Transepidermal water loss(TEWL) was checked after 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours. Electron and light microscopic examination and ion capture cytochemistry were performed after 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after systemic and topical steroids had been applied. RESULTS: The results were as follows ; 1) During 3~6 hours after experiment, the recovery rate of TEWL was most prominent in the group of acetone applied animal than other groups. 2) After 12 hours after acetone applied, formation of new stratum corneum was found in the groups of acetone applied or acetone applied skin with topical steroid application. But loss of stratum corneum was observed in the groups of high or low dose steroid injection. 3) Ruthenium tetroxide staining of acetone alone or topical steroid treated specimens after 12 hours experiment revealed that the lipid bilayer was partly impaired and fragmented. Intercellular spaces were widening and the lipid bilayer disappeared or was damaged in the groups of high or low dose steroid injection. 4) Six hours after acetone application, pattern of calcium distribution had been partially reestabilished in the group of acetone alone or topical steroid treated animals. But calcium content was still sparse and decreased from the stratum granulosum to basale in the groups of high or low dose steroid injection. CONCLUSION: In summary the present study demonstrates that steroid treatment acutely delays recovery rate of TEWL, inhibits normalization of calcium gradient or epidermal lipid synthesis that leads to abnormalities in permeability barrier homeostasis.
Acetone ; Animals ; Calcium ; Extracellular Space ; Histocytochemistry ; Homeostasis ; Lipid Bilayers ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless* ; Permeability ; Ruthenium ; Skin ; Steroids

BACKGROUND: Inverted follicular keratosis has distinctive histopathological features and is infrequently encountered by dermatologists. To date, the pathogenesis of inverted follicular keratosis has not been elucidated. Many authors have suggested several theories for the nature of inverted follicular keratosis including verruca vulgaris with squamous eddies, irritated seborrheic keratosis and distinctive follicular tumors. There are no comprehensive studies about the clinical and histopathological features of inverted follicular keratosis in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical features and histopathological findings of inverted follicular keratosis with literature review. METHODS: We studied 14 patients with inverted follicular keratosis for clinical features including the duration of the disease, the location and size of the lesions, the clinical impressions at the first visit and we made a record of the patients' age and sex, histopathological findings. RESULTS: Eight of the 14 patients were male and the ages ranged from 40 to 83 years(mean 59.3 years). The lesions were situated on the face(5/14), scalp(3/14), abdomen(2/14), hand(2/14), buttocks(1/14), shin(1/14). The average size of the lesions was 1.38cm. Seborrheic keratosis was the most common clinical diagnosis(6/14), followed by verruca vulgaris(4/14), cutaneous horn(1/14), melanoma(1/14), soft fibroma(1/14) and pigmented nevus(l/14). Solid and nodular types were the most common histopathological type(7/14), followed by keratoacanthoma-like type(5/14), filiform or wart like type(2/14). CONCLUSION: Inverted follicular keratosis have unusual clinical and histopathological features. We recommend that verrucous plaque lesions should be diagnosed correctly by histopathologic examination and it may be helpful to avoid inappropriate therapeutic approach.
Humans ; Keratosis* ; Keratosis, Seborrheic ; Korea ; Male ; Warts