BACKGROUND: After the development of the Q-switched lasers, it was possible to remove tattoos without causing scarring. Currently, Q-switched ruby lasers, Q-switched Nd: YAG lasers and Q-switched alexandrite lasers are used selectively to treat tattoos. The objective of this study was to determine the difference of effectiveness aceording to color, site and duration in removing tattoo pigments by the alexandrite laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 tattoos were treated with a Q-switched alexandrite laser(model IL-l, Candela Laser Corporation. Wayland. U.S.A.). Pretreatment evaluation included a clinical desrviption of the site, color, duration and photographs were taken. The effects were examined by fether photo graphs and telephone follow-up. The response was expressed as the percentage area cleared of the tattoo. The clearance was graded as follows: clear, >95%; excellent, 76-95%; good, 51-75%; fair, 26-50%; poor < 25%. The occurence of adverse events were also examined. RESULTS: 1""he results are summarized as follows: 1. Treatment with fluences that ranged from 6.0-8.0J/cm2 was given on average 1.7 times and better results were achived than expected in 80% of all patients with tattoo. 2. The effectiveness of laser therapy correlated with the number of treatments. 3. After 1 laser session, tattoos of black and darkblue showed better results than light blue in terms of color. 4. After 1 laser session, the sites of tattoos on upper extremitise showed better results than those of the eyebmw, eyeline and face. 5. Differences in duration after 1 laser session were not seen. 6. Hyperpigmentation in 2 cases and bulla formation in 1 case occurred and all complications had ceased after a few months. CONCLUSION: The alexandrite laser is an effective treatment for cosmetic, general and traumatic tattoos with a low incidence of significant adverse effects and provides excellent cosmetic results.
Cicatrix ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Incidence ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers, Solid-State* ; Telephone

Cystic glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a rare disease. Its exact prevalence has not yet been reported. Also, the mechanism of cyst formation remains to be elucidated. We report a case of GBM with a large peripheral cyst. A 43-year-old woman visited our clinic with a 3-month history of severe headache, memory impairment and general weakness. T1-weighted gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) image revealed a midline enhanced solid mass and bilateral symmetric banana-shaped peripheral cysts. A centrally enhanced mass was measured 2x4 cm in size and both mass and cysts as 7x7 cm. Both the frontal lobe and the frontal horn were severely compressed inferiorly and posteriorly. We resected a midline solid tumor and cysts via the bilateral interhemispheric transcortical approach. Histopathologic examination revealed GBM. The patient was subsequently treated with fractionated conventional brain radiation therapy, followed by temozolomide chemotherapy. Eighteen months later, there was no tumor recurrence and no neurological deficits were noted. Our patient showed no tumor recurrence and a long survival at a long follow-up.
Adult ; Animals ; Brain ; Dacarbazine ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Frontal Lobe ; Glioblastoma ; Headache ; Horns ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Memory ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Rare Diseases ; Recurrence

NAG activity has been measured in the urine of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and renal disease subjects. Results have shown significantly higher levels of Urinary NAG in hypertension, diaetes and renal disease subjects compared to normal control Subjects group(P<0.001). Urinary NAG measurement is simple and accurate and it provides a valuable information in the early detection of renal dysfunction in hypertension and diabetes subjects and also in the follow up of these patients.
Acetylglucosaminidase* ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension*

PURPOSE: Not only regionalization of neonatal care for high risk newborn, but also safe neonatal transport system of newborn were not completely established in Korea. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of preterm infants less than 35 week gestational age with regard to inborn and outborn status, to understand the problems of regionalization of neonatal care and neonatal transport system and to provide the basis to solve the potential problems. METHODS: This retrospective study included 40 outborn and 40 inborn preterm infants less than 35 week gestational age admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Korea University Ansan Hospital during the period between January 2006 and June 2013. RESULTS: Compared with those in the inborn group, the incidences of hypoglycemia and respiratory distress were significantly more frequent in the outborn group at admission. The uses of surfactant, ventilator, and inotrope were significantly more frequent in the outborn during hospitalization. Mortality occurred only in the outborn group. Most of infants were transferred by a nurse alone, not a team with doctor. CONCLUSION: Transferred preterm infants may not be sufficiently stabilized before transport, according to the result of more frequent hypoglycemia and respiratory distress in the outborn group. In order to reduce mortality and morbidity of transferred newborn from level I, the national policy about neonatal intensive care unit level guideline (manpower, equipment, and facility), regionalization of neonatal intensive care, and neonatal transport system are needed in Korea.
Gestational Age ; Gyeonggi-do* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Korea ; Mortality ; Perinatal Care ; Regional Medical Programs ; Resuscitation ; Retrospective Studies ; Transportation of Patients ; Ventilators, Mechanical

Quantum dots (QDs) have received considerable attention due to their potential role in photosensitization during photodynamic therapy. Although QDS are attractive nanomaterials due to their novel and unique physicochemical properties, concerns about their toxicity remain. We suggest a combination strategy, CdSe/ZnS QDs together with curcumin, a natural yellow pigment from turmeric, to reduce QD-induced cytotoxicity. The aim of this study was to explore a potentially effective cancer treatment: co-exposure of HL-60 cells and human normal lymphocytes to CdSe/ZnS QDs and curcumin. Cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and DNA damage induced by QDs and/or curcumin with or without ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation were evaluated in both HL-60 cells and normal lymphocytes. In HL-60 cells, cell death, apoptosis, ROS generation, and single/double DNA strand breaks induced by QDs were enhanced by treatment with curcumin and UVA irradiation. The protective effects of curcumin on cell viability, apoptosis, and ROS generation were observed in normal lymphocytes, but not leukemia cells. These results demonstrated that treatment with QD combined with curcumin increased cell death in HL-60 cells, which was mediated by ROS generation. However, curcumin acted as an antioxidant in cultured human normal lymphocytes.
Apoptosis ; Cell Death ; Cell Survival ; Curcuma ; Curcumin ; Dermatitis, Phototoxic ; DNA ; DNA Damage ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Lymphocytes ; Nanostructures ; Photochemotherapy ; Photosensitivity Disorders ; Quantum Dots ; Reactive Oxygen Species

OBJECTIVE: An effective intervention has not yet been established for patients with acute occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). The aim of our study was to investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of emergent stent placement of carotid artery to improve neurologic symptoms and clinical outcome. METHODS: Of 84 consecutive patients with severe ICA stenosis who were admitted to our institution from March 2006 to May 2009, 10 patients with acute ICA occlusion (11.9%) underwent emergency carotid artery stent placement. We reviewed their records for neurologic outcome using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, before and at 7 days after stent placement; clinical outcome using the modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS); frequency of procedure-related complications; and recurrence rate of ipsilateral ischemic stroke within 90 days. RESULTS: Carotid lesions were dilated completely in all patients. Median NIHSS scores before emergency stent placement and at 7 days were 16.6 and 6, respectively, showing significant improvement. Eight patients (80%) had favorable outcomes (mRS score 0-2 and GOS 4-5). Complications occurred in two patients (20%): stent insertion failed in one and an intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in the other. Ipsilateral ischemic stroke did not recur within 3 months. CONCLUSION: Emergency carotid artery stent placement can improve the 7-day neurologic outcome and the 90-day clinical outcome in selected patients with acute cerebral infarction.
Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Carotid Stenosis ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cerebral Infarction ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Emergencies ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Humans ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Recurrence ; Stents ; Stroke

PURPOSE: Following up the cases of cow's milk-sensitive enteropathy (CMSE), We observed the development of clinical tolerance with cow's milk and other foods. We investigated the clinical outcome of CMSE. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of patients who had been admitted and diagnosed as CMSE by responses to cow's milk challenge and elimination test and the findings of small intestinal biopsy at Department of Pediatrics, Taegu Catholic University Hospital from March 1992 to March 1997. All of them were being fed with protein hydrolysate before 6 months old, and tried cow's milk and other foods challenge test at following each two month. Twenty-one cases of them returned to be followed. The age at admission was 30.7+/-8.8 (18~47) days old and at survey was 43.4+/-23.7 (16~84) months old. RESULTS: 1) Although the body weight at birth of the patients was 25~75 percentile, all on admission was below 3 percentile. The body weight on interview was 25~75 percentile. 2) The development of clinical tolerance in cow's milk was observed at 16~24 months of age and the tolerance rate was 61% at 12 months of age, 90% at 16 months of age. The development of clinical tolerance in other foods was observed at 10~24 months of age and the tolerance rate was 33% at 12 months of age, 80% at 18 months of age. 3) Adverse reactions after challenge test with cow's milk were observed at 19 cases, manifestated as vomiting (31%), diarrhea (31%), irritability or lethargy (21%), skin rash (10%), and abdominal distention (5%). 4) Comparing serum IgE and milk RAST positive group on admission (5 cases) and negative group on admission (16 cases), there was no significant difference at the age of tolerance in cow's milk (p>0.05), the age of tolerance in other foods (p>0.05), allergy history in family, and the incidence of other allergic diseases. 5) The history of family allergy was observed in 3 cases (14%) in 21 patients and 3 cases (14%) showed rhinitis, urticaria or asthma through a follow-up interview. CONCLUSION: The development of clinical tolerance in cow's and other foods was sharply increased at 12 months of age and most of all tolerated within 24 months of age. CMSE is a temporary disorder of infancy.
Asthma ; Biopsy ; Body Weight ; Daegu ; Diarrhea ; Exanthema ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Incidence ; Infant ; Lethargy ; Milk ; Parturition ; Pediatrics ; Rhinitis ; Urticaria ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to predict the mortality rate for gastric cancer up to 2020 in Korea with forecasting model. METHODS: The trends of the age-adjusted mortality rate was calculated from 1983 to 2003 using the mortality data of the past 20 years in Korea, and projected up to the year of 2020 with log-linear models for each gender. The number of deaths from gastric cancer was calculated from the predicted mortality rate. RESULTS: Age-adjusted mortality rates for gastric cancer per 100,000 persons were 32.13 in 1983, 23.95 in 1990, and 15.99 in 2003 for women, and 70.37, 58.74, 41.04 for men, respectively. The expected age-adjusted mortality rates for gastric cancer were 16.50 in 2005, 14.27 in 2010, and 10.66 in 2020 for women, and 39.14, 33.83, 25.28 for men, respectively. In contrast to this decreasing trend, it is predicted that mortality rates for those aged 75 or over would increase steadily. The predicted number of deaths from gastric cancer was 6,519 for women and 13,743 for men in 2020. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that gastric cancer mortality rate would decrease continuously except for some aged groups. The declining trends in gastric cancer mortality are regarded as a result of lifestyle changes, improvements in screening methods and treatments. Strategies for aged groups should be developed in order to control increasing mortality rates.
Female ; Forecasting ; Humans ; Korea* ; Life Style ; Linear Models ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Mortality* ; Stomach Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVE: With improvement in the social and economic states of Korea, most of the pregnancies have been appropriately examined but there are a few mothers and newborns who have not received proper prenatal care. The aim of this study was to investigate obstetrical and neonatal complications resulting from inadequate prenatal care. METHODS: The medical records of 107 neonates who had received prenatal care lesser than 3 visits and admitted to the neonatal intensive care units of Korea University Ansan Hospital from January 2004 to December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Obstetrical complications, neonatal gestational age, birth weight, neonatal complications were analyzed. We compared neonatal complications of the inadequate prenatal care group and those of the adequate prenatal care group lesser than 34 weeks' gestational age neonates. RESULTS: In obstetrical complications, there were twenty women with anemia, fifteen cases with premature rupture of membranes, and fourteen chorioamnionitis. In neonatal complications, there were forth-four premature infants, and forty-four low birth weight infants. Respiratory distress syndrome, small for gestational age, severe intraventricular hemorrhage were more common in the inadequate prenatal care group than the adequate prenatal care group. Thirty-seven infants (34.5%) were sent to the adoption agency. Fifty infants (46.6%) received medical expense support by the social service. CONCLUSIONS: Obstetrical and neonatal complications and social burden were increasing when the pregnancies had not received adequate prenatal care. To reduce perinatal complications of mothers and neonates in low socioeconomic classes, practical nation's policies and social supports for adequate prenatal care should be provided.
Adoption ; Anemia ; Birth Weight ; Chorioamnionitis ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Membranes ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is one of the psychosomatic disorders that have been reported to have profound effect on the development of characteristics and interpersonal relationships. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to identify the relationship between childhood and adolescent atopic dermatitis, attachment and the quality of parental life. METHODS: Sixty-eight atopic dermatitis patients and thirty nine healthy control subjects were included in our study. Eczema area and severity index (EASI) were examined for evaluating the severity of atopic dermatitis, Revised Adult Attachment Scale for the evaluation of parent-child attachment, and Parents' Index of Quality of Life in Atopic Dermatitis for evaluating the quality of parental life were used in this study. RESULTS: The rate of unstable attachment was higher for the subjects with atopic dermatitis, as compared to that for the healthy controls (chi-square=6.07, p=0.02). The unstable attachment group in the atopic dermatitis group showed more severe AD on the face, upper extremity and lower extremity, and their total EASI score was higher than that for the stable attachment group of the patient group. The score of the quality of parental life for atopic dermatitis was lower than that for the healthy controls (t=7.09, p<0.01). Among the severity of atopic dermatitis and the child-parental attachment, the former more affected the quality of parental life (r=0.798, p<0.0). CONCLUSION: Although childhood and adolescent atopic dermatitis was related with psychologic factors of the parent-child relationship, the state of atopic dermatitis more directly impacted on the quality of parental life.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Eczema ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Parent-Child Relations ; Parents ; Psychophysiologic Disorders ; Quality of Life ; Upper Extremity