BACKGROUND: Neurofibroma, the hallmark of neurofibromatosis, is a cutaneous or subcutaneous lesion, with a variable clinical presentation. Histologically, neurofibroma consists of proliferation of nerve derived cellular elements, together with an abundant, collagenous extracellular matrix. Specifically, neurofibroma has been shown to contain 30-50% collagen in its matrix. Objective 5. METHODS: We examined the expression of extracellular matrix genes (collagen, fibronectin, laminin), TGF-b mRNA and Ha-ras oncogene mRNA by using Northern and slot-blot hybridization and immunoperoxidase stains. Result: In Northern blot analysis, Ha-ras and TGF-b genes revealed respectively, 8.8kb and 2. 5kb sized mRNA transcripts in neurofibroma. These parameters were normal in the control. The expression of these genes were 1.9, 2.0 fold increased in neurofibroma. In slot-blot analysis, expression of type I collagen showed fibronectin genes to be 2,401+210, 540+43, respectively, in neurofibroma. So there were 3.7 fold, 2.1 fold, differences respectively, compared to the normal control. However, there were no significant changes of type IV collagen and laminin Bl mRNA levels between neurofibroma and normal skin tissues. Irnmunoperoxidase staining by rnonoclonal anti type IV collagen antibody in neurofibroma showed type IV collagen to be diffusely and weakly stained in tissue. On staining by monoclonal anti-laminin antibody, laminin was stained in a matrix and around vessels. CONCLUSION: The increased expression of extracellular matrix genes may suggest that there is a subpopulation of fibroic cells in neurofibroma which are stimulated by TGF-b. Ha-ras genes which might have accumulated with the differentiation of neural tissue may be related to the pathogenesis of neurofibroma tissue formation. Further studies are needed to determine whether the other factors are related to the pathogenesis of neurofibroma.
Blotting, Northern ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type IV ; Coloring Agents ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Fibronectins ; Genes, ras* ; Laminin ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses* ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin

Cutaneous metastases from internal carcinornas are relatively rare. The frequency of metastases to the skin varies from 0.5-4.4%. We report a case of cutaneous metastasis suspected to originat from stomach cancer. A 44-year-old female, who had an episode of total gastrectony under diagnosis of stornach cancer three years ago, had multipe painless erythernatous nodules on the case and neck for one year. Histologic findings shows atypical anaplastic cell infiltration at the derr is and subcutaneous tissues. Cells with hyperchrornatic and erally displaced nuclei were recogniz d PAS staining shows positive reactions within the cells of glarid like structure. She died twelve month after the appearance of the cutaneous lesions.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Skin ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Stomach* ; Subcutaneous Tissue

The Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome consists of the associated of indings of facial nerve paralysis, facial swelling and scrotal tongue. We report a case of MRS where a 20 year old female had diffuse swelling on her face and lips for 10 years. This was also accompaiined with difficulty of facial expression and fissured tongue. The improved with intralesional injection: of triamcinolon acetonide 40mg for 3 consecutive weeks and 2 every other week.
Facial Expression ; Facial Nerve ; Facial Paralysis ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Intralesional ; Lip ; Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome ; Tongue, Fissured ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by high serum glucose levels and by disturbances of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. There are many cutaneous signs of this common endocrinopathy, such as nercobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, diabetic bullosis, shin spot, diabetic pruritus, etc. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated whether extracellular matrix gene expression in cultured skin fibroblast is influenced by insulin and Insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I). METHOD: Total RNA was isolated from insulin or IGF-I treated human skin fibroblasts. The Northern blot and slot-blot hybridization were then conducted. RESULTS: The mRNA levels of pro α1(I) collagen, pro α1(I11) collagen, fibronectin in insulin and IGF-I treated normal skin fibroblasts increased compared with untreated normal skin fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: Our results show that insulin and IGF-I stimulate collagen formation in normal skin fibroblast at physiological concentrations. Therefore, these demonstrate that insulin can modulate the expression of extracellular matrix gene.
Blood Glucose ; Blotting, Northern ; Collagen ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Fibroblasts* ; Fibronectins ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Insulin* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Lipid Metabolism ; Methods ; Pruritus ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin*

Ligament and tendon prostheses have all suffered because of failure of the particular material that has used in the past. Various materials, including, silk, nylon, Dacron, and combinstions of other synthetic substances, have all enjoyed temporary vogues and have vogues and have all passed out of habitual use because of collapse of the material employed. In an attempt to find an alternative material for use as a tendon or ligament prosthesis, a fundamentally new approach to the problem has been used, namely, that of tendon ligament induction. Carbon fiber has an attraction as a biologic implant because of its inherently inert nature when used in the pure form. Within recent years, it has been possible to manufacture filamentous carbon fiber of high purity and constant filament size, and this material has been examined as a tendon and ligament prosthesis. Both achilles tendons of 14 adult Korean rabbits were replsced with carbon fiber reinforced epoxies(CFRE, it was developed in department of chemical engineering, Chungnam national university, Daejeon, Korea) after artificially rupture, and serial histologic examination of neotendon formations and biologic responces in vivo were done during 8 weeks. The results obtained were as followings ;1. Hemorrhage and inflammatory reactions were observed at 2–3 weeks after operations. 2. Foreign body reactions were developed at 4 weeks after operation, also observed proliferations of foreign body giant cells and histiocytes. 3. Fibroblasts were increased at 4 weeks after operation, and most severe poliferations at 5–6 weeks. 4. Foreign body reactions and fibroblasts were markedly decreased at 7–8 weeks after operation, and examination of the collagen itself showed it to be closely similar to that found on the normsl side.5. Thus, it appeared that the carbon fiber initially acted as a tendon prosthesis.
Achilles Tendon ; Adult ; Carbon ; Chemical Engineering ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Collagen ; Fibroblasts ; Foreign Bodies ; Giant Cells, Foreign-Body ; Hemorrhage ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Nylons ; Polyethylene Terephthalates ; Prostheses and Implants ; Rabbits ; Rupture ; Silk ; Tendons

Many authers insisted that the fracture-dislocation of the vertebral column with locked facet, bilateral dislocation of articular facets which resistant to closed reduction, were necessary to posterior stabilization with anterior decompression. But using Harrington-Distraction rod, we experienced that the acceptable reduction of locked facet and posterior impinged bony fragments without anterior decompression, were obtained.
Decompression ; Dislocations ; Spine

No abstract available.

We analyzed the mRNA expression patterns of major potassium channel genes to determine the mechanism of hypokalemia in familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis. We used quantitative RT-PCR to examine the mRNA levels of both inward (KCNJ2, KCNJ6, and KCNJ14) and delayed rectifi er (KCNQ1 and KCNA2) potassium channel genes in skeletal muscle cells from both normal and patient groups, prior to and after exposure to 4 mM and 50 mM potassium buffers. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed no changes in the mRNA levels of these genes in normal and patient cells on exposure to 4 mM potassium buffer. However, after exposure to 50 mM potassium buffer, which was used to induce depolarization, normal cells showed a signifi cant decrease in KCNJ2, KCNJ6, and KCNJ14 expression, but no change in KCNQ1 and KCNA2 expression. In contrast, patient cells showed no change in KCNJ2 and KCNJ6 expression, but an increase in KCNJ14 expression. Furthermore, KCNQ1 and KCNA2 showed decreased expression. We found that the expression levels of both inward and delayed rectifi er potassium channel genes in patient cells differ from those in normal cells. Altered potassium channel gene expression in patient cells may suggest a possible mechanism for hypokalemia in familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis.

Supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children is the most common fracture of the elbow in contrast with infant or adult, and there are also many problem in treatment and accompanying complication. These injuries are difficult to manage in case of a delayed initial treatment or repeated close manipulation. We analysed 32 cases which failed and delayed initial management, at department of orthopedic surgery, Chung Nam University Hospital from Jan. 1977 to Dec. 1981. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The cases admitted after unsatisfactory treatment at other hospital among all cases are most common (59.4%). 2. The average duration after trauma are 5.3 days. The average duration until successful reduction after initial trauma are 7.3 days, 3. In types of fracture, there are all displaced supracondylar fracture (Type II, III, IV). 4. In treatments, initial sucessful close reduction are 5 cases (15.6%). The others require other managements, ie, final successful tractions are 5 cases, final sucessful percutaneous pinnings are 5 cases and final open reductions are 16 cases. 5. Cubitus varus deformity was more common in manual reduction and traction groups than in open reduction and percutaneous pinning groups, but limitation of elbow motion was more common in open reduction and percutaneous pinning groups. 6. In complications, there were 5 nerve palsies (4 radial nerves, 1 median nerve), 3 pin tract infections, 1 myositis ossificans, 9 severe cubitus varus and 5 severe limitation of motion.
Adult ; Child ; Clinical Study ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Elbow ; Humans ; Humerus ; Infant ; Myositis Ossificans ; Orthopedics ; Paralysis ; Radial Nerve ; Traction

No abstract available.
Actins* ; Humans ; Keratosis, Actinic* ; Phototherapy*