Urticaria pigmentosa developed in twins at the age of 6 weeks. They have numerous round to oval shaped, discrete or confluent reddish brown colored macules over whole body surface and neither twin had vomiting, diarrhea, flushing or irritability. Their relatives are unaffected. Biopsy specimen of. back lesion showed. pooling of mast cells in the upper dermis, and electron microscopic examinattion revealed normal mast cells.
Biopsy ; Dermis ; Diarrhea ; Flushing ; Humans ; Mast Cells ; Twins* ; Urticaria Pigmentosa* ; Urticaria* ; Vomiting

Isolated ACTH deficiency is a uncommon disorder causing secondary adrenocortical insufficiency. Less than 200 cases have been reported in the world. The major clinical manifestations are hypoglycemia, weight loss, hypotension, anemia, weakness, nausea, inability to excrete water load, and hyponatremia. A 56-year-old male was admitted because of weakness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. He was pallor and not associated with hyperpigmentation. The basal plasma ACTH and cortisol levels were 8.30 pg/ml and 0.6 ug/dl. The serum cortisol did not response to rapid ACTH stimulation test. On combined pituitary stimulation test, the cortisol did not response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Other anterior pituitary hormones showed normal responses except elevated prolactin level. Six months after glucocorticoid replacement therapy, the elevated basal prolactin level returned to normal. Brain MRI did not show any anatomic abnormalities of the sellar and suprasella area. We report a case of isolated ACTH deficiency accompanied by hyperprolactineia, which respond to glucocorticoid replacement therapy.
Adrenal Insufficiency ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone* ; Anemia ; Brain ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hyperpigmentation ; Hyperprolactinemia* ; Hypoglycemia ; Hyponatremia ; Hypotension ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; Pallor ; Pituitary Hormones, Anterior ; Plasma ; Prolactin ; Vomiting ; Water ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND: We have used thiopental sodium as an induction agent traditionally, but a recently introduced induction agent, propofol, is gaining popularity among anesthesiologists. The purpose of this study was to compare the difference in induction time by measuring the hypnotic time. METHODS: Sixty adult patients (ASA class I or II) scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive 5 mg/kg of thiopental (Group I) or 2 mg/kg of propofol (Group II), respectively, as an induction agent. The induction time by using Eyelash reflex (from the start of administration of induction agent to the time of reflex loss) was measured after the administration of thiopental and propofol and compared between these two groups. RESULTS: The induction time using ER in Group II (52.2 +/- 12.0 s) was not significantly longer than Group I (50.4 +/-9.4 s). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that propofol had the same induction time as thiopental for induction of general anesthesia.
Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics ; Humans ; Propofol* ; Reflex ; Thiopental*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The success of Helicobacter pylori eradication is limited by antibiotic resistances, and the primary resistance to metranidazole seems to be high. In this study, the frequency af metronidazole resistance and the eradication rate in metronidazole-resistant H. pylori strain was evaluated. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients were tested for metronidazole resistance using microdilution broth, the E test and disk diffusion method. Twenty-two patients were treated for 14 days with amoxicilline 2000 mg, metronidazole 750 mg, and tripotassium dicitrate bismuth 1200 mg. RESULTS: Metronida-zole resistance was 46% (31/68). The eradication rates for H. pylori was 91.7% in patients with metronidazole-sensistive strains and 70% in patients with metronidazole-resistant strains. CONCLUSIONS: Metronidazole resistance was high (46%) in Korea, however, triple therapy was an efficient method of eradicating H. pylori in both metronidazole sensitive and resistant strains.
Amoxicillin ; Bismuth ; Diffusion ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Korea ; Metronidazole* ; Peptic Ulcer

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of bradykinin on secretion of catecholamines (CA) evoked by stimulation of cholinergic receptors and membrane depolarization from the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal glands, and to elucidate its mechanism of action. Bradykinin (3 X 10 (-8) M) alone produced a weak secretory response of the CA. however, the perfusion with bradykinin (3 X 10 (-8) M) into an adrenal vein of the rat adrenal gland for 90 min enhanced markedly the secretory responses of CA evoked by ACh (5.32 X 10 (-3) M), excess K+ (5.6 X 10 (-2) M, a membrane depolarizer), DMPP (10 (-4) M, a selective neuronal nicotinic agonist) and McN-A-343 (10 (-4) M, a selective M1-muscarinic agonist). Moreover, bradykinin (3 X 10 (-8) M) in to an adrenal vein for 90 min also augmented the CA release evoked by BAY-K-8644, an activator of the dihydropyridine L-type Ca2+ channels. However, in the presence of (N-Methyl-D-Phe7) -bradykinin trifluoroacetate salt (3 X 10 (-8) M), an antagonist of BK2-bradykinin receptor, bradykinin no longer enhanced the CA secretion evoked by Ach and high potassium whereas the pretreatment with Lys- (des-Arg9, Leu8) -bradykinin trifluoroacetate salt (3 X 10 (-8) M), an antagonist of BK1-bradykinin receptor did fail to affect them. Furthermore, the perfusion with bradykinin (3 X 10 (-6) M) into an adrenal vein of the rabbit adrenal gland for 90 min enhanced markedly the secretory responses of CA evoked by excess K+ (5.6 X 10 (-2) M). Collectively, these experimental results suggest that bradykinin enhances the CA secretion from the rat adrenal medulla evoked by cholinergic stimulation (both nicotininc and muscarinic receptors) and membrane depolarization through the activation of B2-bradykinin receptors, not through B1-bradykinin receptors. This facilitatory effect of bradykinin seems to be associated to the increased Ca2+ influx through the activation of the dihydropyridine L-type Ca2+ channels.
(4-(m-Chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyl)trimethylammonium Chloride ; 3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester ; Adrenal Glands ; Adrenal Medulla* ; Animals ; Bradykinin* ; Catecholamines ; Dimethylphenylpiperazinium Iodide ; Membranes ; Neurons ; Perfusion ; Potassium ; Rats* ; Receptors, Bradykinin ; Receptors, Cholinergic ; Trifluoroacetic Acid ; Veins

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common hair loss disease with genetic predisposition among men and women, and it may commence at any age after puberty. It may significantly affect a variety of psychological and social aspects of one's life and the individual's overall quality of life (QoL). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the QoL of AGA patients and discover the factors that can influence the QoL of AGA patients, including previous experience in non-medical hair care, reasons for hospital visits, age, duration, and the severity of AGA. METHODS: A total of 998 male patients with AGA were interviewed, using the Hair Specific Skindex-29 to evaluate the QoL of AGA patients. RESULTS: The results of the Hair Specific Skindex-29 on patients with AGA were as follows: symptom scale: 26.3+/-19.5, function scale: 24.0+/-20.1, emotion scale: 32.1+/-21.8, and global score: 27.3+/-19.1. According to this assessment, QoL was more damaged if the patient had severe alopecia, a longer duration of AGA, younger age, had received previous non-medical hair care, and visited the hospital for AGA treatment. CONCLUSION: This study showed that AGA could harmfully affect the patients' QoL. These findings indicate that dermatologists should address these QoL issues when treating patients with alopecia.
Alopecia ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Hair ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Puberty ; Quality of Life

Although advances in multi-detector computed tomography (CT) technique make it possible to evaluate peripheral subsegmental pulmonary arteries, several studies have reported that small peripheral embolisms may still be missed. Recently, some reports demonstrated that dual-energy CT improved the capability to detect peripheral pulmonary embolism. We report a case of lymphoma presenting as disseminated microvascular pulmonary tumor embolism, detected by perfusion images using dual energy CT.
Embolism ; Lymphoma ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Perfusion ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: The HSV1-tk reporter gene system is the most widely used system because of its advantage that direct monitoring is possible without the introduction of a separate reporter gene in case of HSV1-tk suicide gene therapy. In this study, we investigate the usefulness of the reporter probe (substrate), 9-(4-[18F]fluoro-3-hydroxymethylbutyl)guanine ([18F]FHBG) for non-invasive reporter gene imaging using PET in HSV1-tk expressing hepatoma model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiolabeled FHBG was prepared in 8 steps from a commercially available triester. The labeling reaction was carried out by NCA nucleophilic substitution with K[18F]/K2.2.2. in acetonitrile using N2-monomethoxytrityl-9-[4-(tosyl)-3-monomethoxytritylmethylbutyl]guanine as a precursor, followed by deprotection with 1 N HCl. Preliminary biological properties of the probe were evaluated with MCA cells and MCA-tk cells transduced with HSV1-tk reporter gene. In vitro uptake and release-out studies of [18F]FHBG were performed, and was analyzed correlation between [18F]FHBG uptake ratio according to increasing numeric count of MCA-tk cells and degree of gene expression. MicroPET scan image was obtained with MCA and MCA-tk tumor bearing Balb/c-nude mouse model. RESULTS: [18F]FHBG was purified by reverse phase semi-HPLC system and collected at around 16-18 min. Radiochemical yield was about 20-25% (corrected for decay), radiochemical purity was >95% and specific activity was around >55.5 GBq/micro mol. Specific accumulation of [18F]FHBG was observed in HSV1-tk gene transduced MCA-tk cells but not in MCA cells, and consecutive 1 hour release-out results showed more than 86% of uptaked [18F]FHBG was retained inside of cells. The uptake of [18F]FHBG was showed a highly significant linear correlation (R2=0.995) with increasing percentage of MCA-tk numeric cell count. In microPET scan images, remarkable difference of accumulation was observed for the two type of tumors. CONCLUSION: [18F]FHBG appears to be a useful as non-invasive PET imaging substrate in HSV1-tk expressing hepatoma model.
Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Cell Count ; Gene Expression ; Genes, Reporter ; Genetic Therapy ; Guanine* ; Mice ; Suicide ; Thymidine Kinase

BACKGROUND: Topical 5% minoxidil solution stimulates new hair growth and it helps stop the loss of hair on individuals with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). OBJECTIVE: We wanted to assess the efficacy and safety of topical 5% minoxidil solution for treating Korean men with AGA. METHODS: This was a 24-week, open label, clinical trial that was conducted at 14 university dermatologic centers nationwide throughout South Korea as a multicenter study of the Korean Hair Research Society. The eligible subjects for this study were 18- to 65 year-old men with androgenetic alopecia, as defined by the Norwood scale as type III vertex, IV and IVA. A total of 175 men (20~62 years old) with AGA applied topical 5% minoxidil solution twice daily. Efficacy was evaluated by 1) the total hair count per 1 cm2 and 2) the mean hair diameter and 3) the patient assessment and 4) the investigator assessment of the change in scalp coverage and the benefit of treatment. RESULTS: At week 24 as compared with baseline, there was a statistically significant increase in the total hair counts and the mean hair diameter (p<.0001). Topical 5% minoxidil solution helped improve the investigator and patient assessments. The topical 5% minoxidil solution was well tolerated over a 24-week period. CONCLUSION: We believe that topical 5% minoxidil solution is a safe and effective drug for Korean men with AGA.
Alopecia ; Hair ; Humans ; Male ; Minoxidil ; Republic of Korea ; Research Personnel ; Scalp

BACKGROUND: The prognostic outlook for multiple myeloma has markedly improved in recent decades, which is probably related to the introduction of chemotherapy and the development of supportive care for various complications. In the present work we analysed retrospectively the therapeutic outcomes of newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma treated at Korea Cancer Center Hospital (KCCH). And we studied to identify prognostic factors influencing the therapeutic outcome of the disease. METHODS: Between January 1987 and December 1998, eighty three patients were diagnosed as multiple myeloma by the criteria of Southwestern Oncology Group at KCCH. Of these patients, clinical analysis was performed retrospectively for sixty-one patients who were treated with combination chemotherapy. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 55 years of age, which was lower than that of western countries and 48% of patients were in their 4th decade. Male to female ratio was 1: 1.1. The main chief complaint at diagnosis was bone pain. Ninety-one percent of the patients were clinical stage III. Serum immuno-electrophoresis revealed M-protein as IgG in 41%. The ratio of micro to lambda light chain was 1.5:1. The response rate to initial chemotherapy was 75% (95% C. I.=63.4~86.6%) and median progression free interval was 20.9 months. The median overall survival of total 61 patients was 28.5 months. The patients' age at diagnosis and the response to initial chemotherapy were statistically significant prognostic factors influencing the overall survival of patients. CONCLUSION: This study showed that we could get relatively high response rate with conventional chemotherapy for the patients with multiple myeloma, but, that most patients eventually progressed and the cure was nearly impossible. To obtain cure or to have much longer survival time, we need more delicate strategies including more intensive chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients.
Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Korea ; Male ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Retrospective Studies* ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Treatment Outcome*