Pretibial myxedema is a condition in which there is loeal thickening of the skin by a mucin-like deposit; it is nearly always asosciated with ophthalmopathy and thyrotoxicosis, not infrequently becomes more pronounced after treatrnent of thyrotoxicosis. The precise cause of pretibial myxedema is not known, but it appears that IgG LATS represents an autoantibody against a thyroid antigen, retroorbital tiesue and tbe skin, so, pretibial myxedema is presumed to be the result of a local antigen-antibody tissue reaction. A 57-year-old man had the history of diabetes since 1964 and Graves disease since May 1980, he was treated with metimazole for 1 month, with improving thyrotoxicosis but developed the pretibial myxedema. The histologic findings showed considerable amount of mucin, especially hyaluronic acid with toluidin blue stain at PH 3.0. The lesions were improved by local application of 0.01 x fluocinolone acetonide ointment with occlusive dressing technique.
Fluocinolone Acetonide ; Graves Disease ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Immunoglobulin G ; Long-Acting Thyroid Stimulator ; Middle Aged ; Mucins ; Myxedema* ; Occlusive Dressings ; Skin ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotoxicosis

Surgical excision of the subcutaneous tissues, with or without skin excision in the axillary hair-bearing area, has been the treatment of choice for Treating axillary a osmidrosis for the several decades. However, long periods of postoperative immobilization of a shoulder joint, partial necrosis of skin flaps or hematoma and the possibility of unsightly scars are frequent complications. For the purpose of reducing these complications, we performed ultrasonic aspiration of subcutaneous fat of the axilla, including the apocrine gland, using ultrasonic liposuction technique under confirmation of endoscopy via one small skin incision. From November 1997 to December 1998, a total of 134 patients (93 women and 41 men) received surgery for bilateral axillary osmidrosis on an outpatient basis. Sixty patients were evaluated more than 6 months after surgery. Among these patients, 6patients complained of a persistent foul odor(10%). Five patients received secondary ultrasonic aspiration for persistent foul odor and were then cured. We concluded that our method has several advantages such as 1) preservation of skin flap vascularity for the prevention of flap necrosis and axillary hair, 2) minimal scarring and bleeding, 3) shorter operation time and postoperative immobilization of the shoulder joint, 4) increased patient comfort, and 5) a safer operative method for recurred cases as a secondary method.
Apocrine Glands ; Axilla ; Cicatrix ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Hair ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Lipectomy ; Necrosis ; Odors ; Outpatients ; Shoulder Joint ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Ultrasonics*

Herpes zoster oticus (Ramsay Hunt syndrome) is characterized by facial nerve paralysis associated with vesticular eruptions and cochleovestibular symptoms. Many evidences have supported that it is caused by the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus in the geniculate ganglion. Recently we experienced a case 49-year-old man presented severe vertigo and a vesicular eruptions of auricle and external ear canal. It is an unusual variant of herpes zoster oticus that involves only vestibular nerve without facial nerve palsy and hearing loss. We believe this case results from reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus in the vestibular ganglion and report with a review of literatures.
Dizziness ; Ear Canal ; Facial Nerve* ; Ganglion Cysts ; Geniculate Ganglion ; Hearing Loss ; Herpes Zoster Oticus* ; Herpes Zoster* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Paralysis* ; Vertigo ; Vestibular Nerve*

Since the first report by Tansini in 1896, the latissimus dorsi muscle free flap has been widely used for various types of soft tissue defect due to reliable anatomy with a sufficient diameter of neurovascular pedicle and a sizable muscle. However, for relatively small soft tissue defect, latissimus dorsi free flap offers several distinct disadvantages of donor site including loss of the posterior axillary fold and flattening of the posterolateral chest wall, weakness of upper arm strength in extension, adduction and internal rotation. We treated three patients having various types of soft tissue defect using segmental latissimus dorsi muscular free flap depending on its descending branch of thoracodorsal neurovascular pedicles. There were no serious complications during 18 months of mean follow-up. We concluded that this method has some advantages such as no weakness of strength of the upper arm including walking on crutches, preserving the posterior axillary fold, preventing winging of the scapula and increased chance of using a flow-through technique. Here we present our cases of reconstruction of soft tissue defect using segmental latissimus dorsi free flap with a review of the literature.
Arm ; Crutches ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Humans ; Scapula ; Superficial Back Muscles* ; Thoracic Wall ; Tissue Donors ; Walking

Periodontal supporting tissue goes through destruction by chronic inflammatory periodontal disease as two aspect. One is qualitive aspect such as alteration of periodontium, the other is quantitative aspect such as alveolar bone loss. According to many authors, PDL is responsible for biting force, and there are two means for measuring PDL's function - mobility test and biting force test. This study was conducted to compare the biting force with remaining bone level, that is, quantitative aspect of periodontium, in anterior and premolar teeth at periodontal maintenance phase. 17 patients on periodontal maintenance phase during 6 months at minimum were selected for this study. For the same condition, 4 anterior, canine, premolar teeth were tested by MPM-3000 bite-force register at the same time(a.m.10-12), the same position, the same posture, by the same examiner. Patients of TMD, ill-fitting prosthesis, general disease, malocclusion and the teeth of TFO, absence of opposing teeth, malposition were excluded. Remaining bone level was measured on the panorama X-ray film through 5 level from 1mm below CEJ to root apex. Teeth were examined twice, and bigger one was selected. If the values showed large difference, examinatin was re-done and the mean was selected. The results were as follows ; 1. In the 4 anterior group, as the remaining bone is decreased, the average of maximal biting force is decreased. Especially, at 3/5 bone level, maximal biting force is decreased significantly(p<0.01). 2. In the canine group, as the remaining bone is decreased, the average of maximal biting force is decreased. Especially, at 2/5 bone level, maximal biting force is decreased significantly(p<0.01). 3. In the premolar group, as the remaining bone is decreased, the average of maximal biting force is decreased. Especially, at 3/5 bone level, maximal biting force is decreased significantly(p<0.05). From the results of this study, clinicians could utilize these efficiently when they have to determine the proper restorative materials, time for tooth extraction. treatment plan, prognosis.
Alveolar Bone Loss ; Bicuspid* ; Bite Force* ; Humans ; Malocclusion ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontium ; Posture ; Prognosis ; Prostheses and Implants ; Tooth Cervix ; Tooth Extraction ; Tooth* ; X-Ray Film

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to compare the suitability of repetitive-PCR genomic fingerprinting procedures to investigate genetic relatedness of the genus Vibrio and its applicability for the molecular identification of Vibrio vulnificus. METHODS: Forty-eight Vibrio strains were included for this study. REP-, ERIC-, BOX- and SERE-PCR were compared with 13 members of the genus Vibrio. RESULTS: REP-, BOX- and SERE-PCR showed V. vulnificus strains could not be separated well from other Vibrio species. However, approximately 320 bp of highly discriminatory specific fragments was recovered from V. vulnificus strains by ERIC-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: ERIC-PCR could be used as rapid classification and identification methods of V. vulnificus from other members of the genus Vibrio.
Classification* ; Dermatoglyphics* ; Vibrio vulnificus ; Vibrio*

Calcineurin inhibitors, such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus (FK506) are broadly used in organ transplantations as immune suppressants. As the calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway has been identified as critical pathway in the interleukin-2 (IL-2) production of T cells, inhibition of T-cell derived IL-2 has been considered the major mechanism of calcineurin inhibitors. However, there is increasing evidence that NFAT transcription factor is involved in multiple functions of dendritic cells and innate immune cells as well. NFAT expression is not restricted to T cells, and IL-2 can be produced in dendritic cells and macrophages through the calcineurin/NFAT pathway. Furthermore, it has been discovered that NFAT regulates expressions of several inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α and cyclooxygenase-2 in innate immune cells. Therefore, calcineurin inhibitors may have much broader effects in the transplant recipients than previously being considered. In this review, we reviewed recently discovered roles of NFAT pathway in dendritic cells and innate immune cells, and discussed positive and negative implications of calcineurin inhibitors' broader effects with a focus on islet xenotransplantation.
Calcineurin ; Critical Pathways ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cyclosporine ; Dendritic Cells* ; Immunity, Innate ; Interleukin-2 ; Islets of Langerhans Transplantation ; Macrophages ; Organ Transplantation ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tacrolimus ; Transcription Factors ; Transplantation ; Transplantation, Heterologous* ; Transplants

A case of chronic granulomatous infection of Fsarium solani had decreased response to recalled antigens and lacked of dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB) sensitization in vivo. He has had frequent attacks of common cold-like symptoms and same attacks were very suggestive of pneumonia but he relatively healthy until he developed cutaneous Fusarium infection. Recently he also developed herpes zoster.
Fusariosis ; Fusarium* ; Herpes Zoster ; Pneumonia

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) isolated from Korean patients is different in the antigenic and genomic structure of gB from the laboratory-adapted strain. To dissect the reactivity to HCMV glycoprotein B (gB) domains, each domain gene of gB of HCMV SNUCH1, Korean isolate, was amplified from the extracted DNA of the virus-infected fibroblasts with the specific primers by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplified DNA was cloned into pcDNA3. Immunofluorescent staining and western blot analysis revealed that the expressed gB in mammalian cells was immunoreactive and equivalent to the naturally expressed gB in virus-infected fibroblasts. The antigenic component reactive with monoclonal antibodies, MCMVA 57, 88, and 98 appeared at the D3 domain of gB molecule, and that with MCMVA 66 and 135 at the D2b domain. Antibody titer was measured with HCMV-infected fibroblasts and the domains of gB expressed in mammalian cells. There was no correlation between the antibody titer to the whole HCMV and neutralizing antibody titer, and between the antibody titer to whole HCMV and whole gB. It was more reasonable to use whole gB than whole HCMV in the comparison with the neutralizing antibody titer. D3 was representative domain in gB molecule in the anti-gB reactivity. Conclusively it is highly recommendable to use the representing isolates in Korea and its domains for the detection of antibody or the analysis of antigen in the aspect of immunological properties and molecular structures.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antibodies, Neutralizing* ; Blotting, Western ; Clone Cells ; Cytomegalovirus* ; DNA ; Epitopes* ; Fibroblasts ; Glycoproteins ; Humans* ; Korea* ; Molecular Structure ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

No abstract available.
Humans ; Thoracic Injuries* ; Thoracotomy*