Fibrous hamartoma of infancy (FHI) is an uncommon, benign, solitary intradermal or subcutaneous tumor. It occurs typically in the axillary or shoulder region. The histopathologic examination of affected lesion shows the characteristic elements: dense fibrous tissue, adipose tissue, and primitive mesenchymal tissues. A 15 month-old girl had the multiple, asymptomatic, discrete, and skin-colored tumors that scattered on the scalp. These were present at birth. We report a rare case of FHI occurred on the scalp with multiple and congenital characteristics.
Adipose Tissue ; Female ; Hamartoma* ; Humans ; Parturition ; Scalp ; Shoulder

This study reports the protective of systemic nicardipine and intracisternal nicardipine administration in the three-hemorrhage canine model of chronic cerebral vasospasm. Twenty-one dogs were assigned to one of three groups : control, intravenous nicardipine, and intracisternal nicardipine. All animals received a total of 12ml of fresh unheparinized autologous blood via three cisternal injection. Selective vertebral angiograms were obtained before intravenous nicardipine for 7 days continuously, the other seven were treated by intracisternal nicardipine for 7 days, and the remaining were not treated. Animals were sacrificed at day 9. Comparisons were based on the percentage of reduction in basilar artery diameter(% RBAD). The ultrastructural changes were studied by transmission electron microscopy(TEM). There was a mean reduction(+/- standard deviation) of 54+/-6% in control dogs, 35+/-4% in dogs with intravenous nicardipine, 32+/-6% in dogs with intracisternal dicardipine(difference significant, t-test, P<0.05). The preventive effects of intracisternal nicardipine was superior to those of intravenous nicardipine. There was a strong trend toward reduction of medial necrosis in the basilar artery in dogs with intravenous and intracisternal group compared to control dogs. All basilar arteries showed structural changes with celectron microscopic examination ; these included medial necrosis, lysosome, initial changes, endothelial cell vacuoles, and adventitial erythrocytes, leukocytes. Intimal proliferation was unusual in all three groups, but reduction of intimal proliferation was found in dogs with treatment, and it was believed that vasospasm in this stage is due to long-standing smooth muscle contraction and not to arterial wall thickening. There was significant reduction of blood clot in intracisternal nicardipine group, which may be due to inhibitory action on platelet aggregation of nicardipine. These investigations support the hypothesis that the presence of clotted blood around the intracranial arteries is the cause of vasospasm.
Animals ; Arteries ; Basilar Artery ; Dogs ; Endothelial Cells ; Erythrocytes ; Leukocytes ; Lysosomes ; Muscle, Smooth ; Necrosis ; Nicardipine* ; Platelet Aggregation ; Vacuoles ; Vasospasm, Intracranial*

In central neurons, an excessive or sustained rise in the concentration of free cytoplasmic Ca2+ ions([Ca2+]i) after hypoxia may promote rapid neurodegeneration both in vitro and in vivo. Treating cells with Ca2+ chelating agents may prevent or delay a loss of cellular Ca2+ homeostasis after hypoxic injury and thus constitute an effective strategy for minimizing neuronal damage. Cell-permeant Ca2+ chelators such as 1,2-bis-(2-aminophenoxy) ethrane -N,N,N',N' -tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester(BAPTA-AM) have shown evidence of neuroprotective effect against hypoxic neuronal injury. This study was designed to examine dose response and to estimate therapeutic window of BAPTA-AM for the recovery from hypoxia in vitro. Electrophysiological studies were made in CA1 neurons in rat hippocampal slices which were superfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid(ASCF) in tissue chamber. Hypoxia was induced by replacement of 95% N2+5% CO2 from 95% O2+5% CO2 for 20min. Recovery from hypoxic injury was evaluated by using a percentage recovery of population spike. BAPTA-AM in concentration of 1, 10 and 50micrometer were administered to the artificial cerebrospinal fluid(ASCF) for 2 hours prior to hypoxia, simultaneous with hypoxia and after hypoxia. The experimental specimens were divided to seven groups and each group was compared to control ASCF group. Recovery of population spike after hypoxia was about 70% in control ASCF group, which was mild type hypoxic injury. BAPTA-AM in 10 micrometer concentration, when given just prior to hypoxia, enhanced recovery of poppulation spikes at 15 and 30min following reoxygenation(p<0.05), in comparison with control ASCF. BAPTA-AM had no neuroprotective acitvity when given after the onset of hypoxia. Also, BAPTA-AM in 1 and 50 micrometer concentration did not accentuate recovery of population spike after hypoxia. Dose response curve was inverted U-shape and the response was maximun in 10 micrometer concentration of BAPTA-AM.
Animals ; Anoxia ; Chelating Agents ; Cytoplasm ; Enflurane ; Homeostasis ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents* ; Rats

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was aimed to evaluate BOLD(blood oxygen level dependent) contrast fMRI(function MR imaging) in the occipital lobe and to compare with the metabolic changes based on 1H MRS(MR spectroscopy) and MRSI(MR spectroscopic imaging) before and after visual stimulation MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy human volunteers(eight males and two females with 24-30 year age) participated in this study. All of the BOLD fMRI were acquired on a 1.5T MR with EPI during supervised visual stimulation in the occipital lobe. The red flicker with 8Hz was used for visual stimulation. After imaging acquisition, the MR images were transferred into unix workstation and processed with home made analysis software based on the correlation coefficient method. Proton MRS data sets were acquired from the same location based on the activation map. MRSI(magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging) was also acquired to analyze the lactate changes before and after stimulation. RESULTS: The activation maps were successfully produced by BOLD effect due to visual stimulation. NAA(N-acetyle aspartate)/Cr(creatine) ratio varied only from 1.790.28 to 1.880.20 in activation area before and after stimulation. However, the signal intensity of lactate was elevated 9.484.38times higher than before activation. Lactate metabolite images were consistent with the activation maps. CONCLUSION: The BOLD contrast fMRI is enough sensitive to detect the activated area in human brain during the visual stimulation. Lactate metabolite map presents the evidence of lactate elevation on the same area of activation.
Brain ; Dataset ; Female ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Occipital Lobe ; Oxygen ; Photic Stimulation* ; Protons ; Spectrum Analysis*

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobials have been a mainstay of inflammatory acne treatment for more than 30 years. However, antibiotic-resistant propionibacteria had been isolated with increased frequency, and associated with failure to respond to antibiotic therapy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and tolerance of 1% nadifloxacin cream. METHODS: In the final analysis, 197 patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris were enrolled. The patients were instructed to apply 1% nadifloxacin cream twice daily to the affected skin after washing the face. Following 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, patients were observed for clinical response: number of the acne lesions, Korea acne grading system (KAGS), global improvement, and occurrence of adverse reactions. RESULTS: During 4 weeks of treatment, nadifloxacin caused significant reduction in the number of inflamed papulo-pustular lesions and open/closed comedones. In addition, significant reduction of KAGS was observed. About 96% of patients showed clinical improvement in the overall evaluation of the therapeutic effect by physicians. All reported adverse events were mild. CONCLUSION: This study shows that 1% nadifloxacin cream can be an effective and safe treatment for mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Acne Vulgaris ; Fluoroquinolones ; Humans ; Korea ; Quinolizines ; Republic of Korea ; Skin

Heart transplantation was planned for a 10-year old boy who had dilated cardiomyopathy with severe congestive heart failure and had been on dopamine for 1month. However, partial left ventriculectomy and mitral annuloplasty were performed instead, because there was no donor heart of the adequate size and the symptoms were aggravated. The clinical symptoms were markedly improved after the surgery. Comparing the postoperative echocardiographic results with the preoperative results, there were remarkable changes in the left ventricular ejection fraction(preoperative LV EF 17% to postoperative 3 months 29%, 6 months 35%, 1 year 36%) and the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension(preoperative 72 mm to postoperative 3 months 59 mm, 6 months 61 mm, 1 year 61 mm). Partial left ventriculectomy and mitral annuloplasty reduced the cardiac loading in the dilated cardiomyopathy. Partial left ventriculectomy and mitral annuloplasty may be considered as one of the alternative surgical metho s to carry over until a heart transplantation can be performed, especially for children.
Cardiomyopathy, Dilated* ; Child ; Dopamine ; Echocardiography ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Heart Transplantation ; Humans ; Male ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Annuloplasty ; Tissue Donors

OBJECTIVE: The study aims were to demonstrate apoptosis in the placenta of normal pregnancy, and to identify its change and quantify its incidence by gestational age. METHODS: Placenta samples were collected from 25 normal full-term pregnancies and 20 second trimester pregnancies undergoing termination due to medical and social reasons. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling) staining were used to quantify the incidence of apoptosis and the electron microscopy was used to confirm it. Mann-Whitney U test and ANOVA test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 1. Apoptosis was demonstrated by variable cytopathologic methods, and especially TUNEL staining and electron microscopy are found to be confirmatory methods. 2. In TUNEL staining, quantification of apoptosis was as follows: 2nd trimester (n=20) 1.05+/-0.69, full- term (n=25) 1.92+/-1.00. The incidence of apoptosis was significantly higher in full-term than in 2nd trimester (p<0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). 3. In hematoxylin and eosin staining, quantification of apoptosis was as follows: 2nd trimester (n=20) 0.40+/-0.50, full-term trimester (n=25) 0.72+/-0.61. The incidence of apoptosis was not significantly higher in full- term trimester than in 2nd trimester (p>0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). 4. There was no statistical significance in the incidence of apoptosis by maternal age, parity, cause of termination during 2nd trimester, and mode of delivery in each group. 5. In the electron microscopy, apoptotic cells were observed to have membrane blebbing, loss of microvilli, chromatin condensation and localization in the border of nuclear membrane, and cell shrinkage and increase in granularity. This method was conformatory in identifying apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Placental apoptosis increased significantly with increased gestational age, and this result suggests that it may play a role in the normal development and aging of the placenta.
Aging ; Apoptosis ; Blister ; Chromatin ; Deoxyuridine ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hematoxylin ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Incidence ; Maternal Age ; Membranes ; Microscopy, Electron ; Microvilli ; Nuclear Envelope ; Parity ; Placenta ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the involvement of several organs patients with Marfan syndrome in Korea. Also the clinical features in childhood patients with Marfan syndrome were assessed. METHODS: Thirty-eight cases of Marfan syndrome were enrolled in this study. Clinical evaluations of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and occular system were performed in all cases. RESULTS: The musculoskeletal system was involved in 32 cases (84.2%) and occular system in 24 cases (63.1%). Cardiovascular abnormalities were found in 19 cases (50.0%) at initial evaluation. Family history was involved in 21 cases (55.2%). Ectopia lentis was found in 17 cases (70.8%). Severe myopia and iris abnormalities were also present in 14 cases (58.2%). The ascending aorta was dilated in 13 cases (34.2%). Emergency operation was performed in 3 cases (7.9%) because of a dissecting aorta. Mitral regurgitation and prolapse were found in 29 cases (76.4%) and other valve insufficiency was accompainied in 5 cases (13.1%). Of the 38 cases, 29 patients (79.3%) were less than 15 years of age and their major manifestations were occular problems in 23 cases (79.3%), and family history in 17 cases (58.6%). In one infant, severe heart failure was the predominant clinical feature. CONCLUSION: The clinical features of Korean patients with Marfan syndrome were summarized in this report. Heart failure was the main manifestaton in infantile Marfan syndrome. Early treatment with beta-blocker and valvular replacement can prevent fatality, i.e. aortic dissection, in this disease, concern and management should be advocated in the early detection of Marfan syndrome.
Aorta ; Cardiovascular Abnormalities ; Ectopia Lentis ; Emergencies ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Infant ; Iris ; Korea ; Marfan Syndrome* ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Musculoskeletal System ; Myopia ; Prolapse

We report here the results of the external quality assessment scheme (EQA) of blood bank tests in Korea carried out in 2015. The proficiency testing specimens used in the survey were prepared at Ajou University Hospital. The response rates from participating laboratories for the first and second trials were 98.7% (542/549) and 98.2% (544/554), respectively. No answers to tests were considered incorrect, and the average accuracy rates for six different test items on the standard survey were as follows: ABO grouping, 99.4% to 100.0%; RhD typing, 99.4% to 100.0%; crossmatching, 93.6% to 99.0%; direct antiglobulin test (DAT) using a polyspecific reagent, 92.9% to 98.3%; DAT using an IgG monospecific reagent, 94.6% to 100.0%; DAT using a C3d monospecific reagent, 84.2% to 98.6%; unexpected antibody screening test, 94.5% to 100.0%; and antibody identification test, 93.8% to 100.0%. We performed a pilot survey on reactivities to A1 (54 responses) and H (50 responses); Rh C, c, E, and e antigen testing (47 responses); and ABO antibody titration (10-34 responses). We obtained excellent results for this EQA, and these results will be helpful for improving or maintaining the quality of the participating laboratories.
Blood Banks* ; Coombs Test ; Immunoglobulin G ; Korea* ; Laboratory Proficiency Testing ; Mass Screening

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the gene expression profiles using GeneFishing(TM) DEG kit in Korean women with cervical squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Cervical cancer biopsies were obtained from patients at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Mary's hodpital. In this study, we used a common reference that was mixed with an equal amount of RNA extracted from non-cervical cancer patients. The profiles of expression genes between cervical normal and squamous cell carcinoma tissue were identified using GeneFishing(TM) DEG Kit and screened by BLAST search. RESULTS: Almost 100 differential expressed genes were identified in universal control and cervical squamous cell carcinoma, 53 of differential expressed genes, up-regulated expression of 32 and 21 down-regulated expression was sequenced. Up-regulated genes were calcylin, calgranulin A, TRK oncogene, HLC5, fibrillarin, collagene type I alpha1 etc. and down-regulated genes were galectin 1, PRP8 pre-mRNA precessing factor 8 homology, clusterin etc. CONCLUSION: We identified gene expression profile in cervical squamous cell carcinoma using GeneFishing(TM) Kit in Korean women. The functional genomics of these genes should be further studied.
Biopsy ; Calgranulin A ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Clusterin ; Collagen ; Female ; Galectin 1 ; Gene Expression* ; Genomics ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Obstetrics ; Oncogenes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; RNA ; RNA Precursors ; Transcriptome ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms