No abstract available.
Doxycycline ; Humans ; Penicillin G Benzathine ; Syphilis

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions has recently increased according to extended life span, social and medical environment changes. However, a few clinical data have been reported on the survey of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions in Gangwon province. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and clinical patterns of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions in Gangwon province. METHODS: We reviewed 485 cases of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions from January 1999 to December 2008, at the Department of Dermatology at Wonju Christian Hospital. RESULTS: The average annual incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors among the total number of outpatients was 0.51% and that of premalignant lesions was 0.48%. Both incidences tended to increase with time in 10 year intervals. The most common cutaneous malignant tumor was basal cell carcinoma (47.98%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (24.19%), extramammary paget's disease (7.26%), metastatic cancer (5.65%), malignant melanoma (4.44%), and lastly, lymphoma (4.44%). Among premalignant lesions, actinic keratosis (74.68%) and Bowen's disease (25.32%) were common. The mean age of onset was 67.53 years in cutaneous malignant tumors and 70.51 years in premalignant lesioins. The most common site for both, the cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant tumors, was the face (63.97% and 81.43%, respectively). The ratio of men to women was 1.11:1 in cutaneous malignant tumors and 1:2.48 in premalignant lesions. CONCLUSION: The incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions has gradually increased in Gangwon province. This data will be made available for the study about the association of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions.
Age of Onset ; Bowen's Disease ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Dermatology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Keratosis, Actinic ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Melanoma ; Outpatients ; Paget Disease, Extramammary

No abstract available.
Hair ; Nevus ; Scalp

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a rare, chronic non-inflammatory bullous disease with a hereditary pattern of occurrence, and this disease easily produces bullae that heal with scarring and milium formation. A 13-month-old female baby was brought to the department of dermatology with multiple variable sized bullae and erythematous to dark brownish patches and crusts on both her feet. The histopathologic findings showed subepidermal non-inflammatory blisters and the electron microscopic findings showed vacuolization of the sublamina densa and broken anchoring fibrils. On the basis of the clinical and microscopic findings, she was diagnosed as having dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. We report here on a case of dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa with the clinical, histological and electron microscopic findings, as well as the family history of the patient.
Blister ; Cicatrix ; Dermatology ; Electrons ; Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica ; Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex ; Female ; Foot ; Humans ; Infant

BACKGROUND: Since 2005, the commercial patch test panel, the TRUE-test, has been available. However, there have been no reports regarding the results of the TRUE-test compared with previously used Korean Standard Series in Korea. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the contact allergy, causative allergens, and source of allergens in patients who were diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis, and to compare the findings with previously used Korean Standard Series. METHODS: We reviewed the results of the TRUE-test from 2005~2010 in Wonju Christian Hospital. We patch-tested 843 patients who were diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis. The patch test reading was performed on day 2 and days 3 or 4, according to the patients' needs. Epidemiologic findings of patients and the results of the patch tests were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 843 patch-tested cases were compiled and analyzed. Of 843 patch-tested patients (male, 309; female, 534), 65.8% had at least 1 positive reaction and 30.2% at least 2 positive reactions. The highest age distribution was the 5th decade in females. The face, with the exception of the eyelids, ears, and lips, was the most frequently affected site (comprising 50.3%). The highest sensitization rates were found with nickel (29.1%), thiomersal (10.9%), and cobalt dichloride (9.7%). The lowest positivity included caine mix (0.7%), mercaptobenzothiazole (1.2%), and quinolone mix (1.2%). Metal allergens displayed higher positive rates than any other standard allergens. The overall prevalence was similar with a recent report in Korea. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the overall prevalence of the most sensitized allergen compared with the reports about previously used Korean standard series.
Age Distribution ; Allergens ; Cobalt ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Ear ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Lip ; Nickel ; Patch Tests ; Prevalence ; Thimerosal

No abstract available.
Dermatitis* ; Sunlight*

BACKGROUND: Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RV) has traditionally been used in Korea as an indigenous food (Rhus chicken soup) and as an herbal medicinal plant. While the anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties of RV have been actively studied in the medical field, its antioxidant effects in the skin that resist the reactive oxygen species in keratinocytes and fibroblasts is less understood. OBJECTIVE: We designed to evaluate the effects of R. verniciflua Stokes extract (RVE) on the photo-aged skin by an in vitro experiment using human fibroblasts and an in vivo experiment using a photo-aged murine model. METHODS: For the in vitro experiments, human fibroblasts irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) B were treated with RVE or vehicle, and the growth levels and the expression level of type 1 procollagen were compared. For the in vivo experiment, photo-aged mice irradiated with UVB and UVA were administered drinking water with or without RVE, and histological changes and the expression level of type 1 procollagen and matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-13 were compared. RESULTS: In vitro experiments using fibroblasts irradiated with UVB showed that RVE promoted growth and significantly increased the expression of type 1 procollagen as compared to the control group. In the photo-aged mice, RVE increased collagen content in the dermis and promoted the synthesis of type 1 procollagen without any visible decrease in MMP-13 as compared to control group. CONCLUSION: In addition to the previously reported antioxidant effects of RVE, oral intake of RVE effectively inhibited photo-aging in hairless mice by enhancing collagen synthesis.
Aging ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Chickens ; Collagen ; Dermis ; Drinking Water ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Keratinocytes ; Korea ; Mice* ; Mice, Hairless ; Plants, Medicinal ; Procollagen ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Rhus* ; Skin*

A cholesterol embolism is a systemic disease resulting from the occlusion of arteries by cholesterol crystals released from atheromatous plaques. It has been associated with inflammation, sheering forces from blood flow due to hypertension, aneurysm formation, infection, mechanical manipulation during surgery or vascular procedures, and anticoagulation. We report a case of a cutaneous cholesterol embolism in a 66-year old man who had purpuric skin lesions on both feet associated with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and anticoagulation for a cerebral infarction.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Cerebral Infarction ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Embolism, Cholesterol ; Foot ; Hypertension ; Inflammation ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Skin

Milia are small, white to yellow, benign, superficial keratinous cysts. They are divided into primary or secondary cysts. Secondary milia are associated with disease, medication, and trauma. We report a case of a 45 year-old woman with grouped yellowish papules and brownish patches on her left ankle after bullous cellulitis. This case shows that bullous cellulitis may be one of the causes of secondary milia.
Animals ; Ankle ; Cellulitis ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins

This study analyzes the role of the Sorting Hat in structuring the identity of the characters in the Harry Potter series written by J. K. Rowling. In the different stages of adolescence, one explores and re-establishes one's identity. One's sense of identity is determined by the commitments made regarding personal and social traits. However, it is difficult to establish a concrete identity formation process theory that is communicable to adolescents. In Harry Potter, the characters' identities are reflected upon the Sorting Hat and are continuously molded throughout the book. The Sorting Hat provides nurturing experiences based on temperament. Based primarily on their temperament, it sorts the students into four houses, each with their own distinct characteristics. Once sorted, the houses become the living and learning communities in which the students share the same dormitory and classes until their graduation. Within the community, the students seek connections, supportive relationships, and understanding within the group. The taking on of the group identity is an explanatory variable in the formation of individual identity. The Sorting Hat provides the students with stability and a safe boundary. After being sorted based on their temperament, the inexperienced and immature adolescents can explore different options under the guidance of the Hat before making a definite commitment. By presenting them with an appropriate environment (such as a mentor, friend, or family member), the Hat further shapes their identity and integrates the identity elements ascribed in the beginning. By providing experiences and interactions based on their unique temperament and environment, the Sorting Hat plays a crucial role in establishing the students' identities. The Sorting Hat can be an ideal model for finding one's identity during adolescence.
Adolescent* ; Friends ; Fungi ; Humans ; Learning ; Mentors ; Sociological Factors ; Temperament