No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: The distribution of Malassezia yeasts on normal human skin was varied according to the age and race of the volunteers and the methodologies used. In Korea, most reports of Malassezia yeast distribution have relied on direct skin smears rather than culture methods. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to perform a comprehensive survey of the distribution of Malassezia yeasts on normal human skin to provide a base line for a companion study of Malassezia yeasts in patients with various dermatoses. METHODS: Malassezia yeasts were cultured using the swabbing technique from the scalp, forehead, chest, upper back, upper arm and upper thigh in 137 subjects, infancy to 80 years of age. RESULTS: Malassezia yeasts were present in the lowest incidence(0-30%) on six sites of infants and present in 60.0-66.7% on the sebum-rich sites (scalp, forehead, chest, upper back) of children aged 1-9. Malassezia yeasts were present in 80.0-86.7% on the sebum-rich sites of the elderly group(over 60 years of age), about the same frequency as in the middle-aged groups. The population density of these organisms was significantly higher on the upper back than on the forehead, chest, upper arm and upper thigh in all age groups except the infant group and the group aged 1 to 9 (p<0.05). There were no regular quantitative variations in the distribution of Malassezia yeasts on a given site between age groups. On Leeming and Notman media, besides three morphotypes of Malassezia yeasts reported by Cunningham et al(1990), one additional type was identified. CONCLUSION: The results showed regional variations in the distribution of Malassezia yeasts in all ages except infancy and no regular age variations on a given site. Additionally, four colony types of Malassezia yeasts were found. The findings of our study coold help to investigate the role of Malassezia yeasts in related disorders.
Aged ; Arm ; Child ; Continental Population Groups ; Forehead ; Friends ; Humans* ; Infant ; Korea ; Malassezia* ; Population Density ; Scalp ; Skin Diseases ; Skin* ; Thigh ; Thorax ; Volunteers ; Yeasts*

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous vasculitis associated with viral hepatitis seems to occur as a hypersensitivity reaction against the circulating viral antigens. Hepatitis B virus(HBV)-encoded X antigen(HBxAg) is known to participate in the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) by the inactivation of p53. However, HBxAg has been found in chronic infiammatory lesions without the overexpression of p53. Accordingly, not only EBsAg and HBcAg but also HBxAg may be involved in HCC-associated cutaneous vasculitis, regardless of the alteration of p53. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the expression of HBV-encoded antigens in cutaneous vasculitis accompanied by HBV hepatopathy. Additionally, we have compared the expression of 3 HBV antigens and p53 between vasculitic patients with HCC and in others showing HCC-non-associated vasculitis. METHODS: Immunohistochemically, we examined the expression of HBsAg, HBcAg, and HBxAg in the tissue specimens taken from the vasculitic lesions of the 33 HBsAg-positive enrolled patients with cutaneous vasculitis proven by skin biopsy. RESULTS: 1. The immunohistochemical positivity rate to HBsAg in vasculitic patients with HBV hepatopathy was 66.7% overall. It was 90% in HCC-associated vasculitic subjects and 56.5% in the vasculitic subjects without HCC, respectively. 2. We found the expression of HBxAg in 80% of the vasculitic subjects showing HCC. The vasculitic patients without HCC showed 17,3% of the positivity rate to HBxAg. 3. We could not find the overexpression of p53 in the vasculitic tissue specimens of the HCC patients without the cutaneous metastasis from primary HCC. CONCLUSION: HBsAg, HBcAg and HBxAg may participate in the pathogenesis of cutaneous vasculitis with HBV hepatopathy, regardless of tumorigenesis.
Antigens, Viral ; Biopsy ; Carcinogenesis ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Humans* ; Hypersensitivity ; Malassezia* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Skin* ; Vasculitis ; Yeasts*

Sixteen cases of congenital hemangiomata were treated with intralesional corticosteroid injectinn and followed up for 3 to 48 months. They consisted of 9 cases of strawberry hemangiomata with soft consistency, 4 cases of strawbery hemangiomata with firm consistency and 3 cases of cavernous hemangiomata. The results were as follows : 1) All the soft strawberry hemangiomata showed excellent response with marked shrinkage by single treatment. 2) The firm strawberry hemangiomata showed poor response with visible shrinkage after five times treatment, in average. 3) Among three cases of cavernous hemangiomata, one case with large palpable blood vessels in the lesion showed poor response, and two cases without palpable blood vessels in the lesion showed good response. 4) Temporary atrophy and pallor of the skin color were noticed in about half of the cases. Considering the concern of the patients parents, course of the hemangiomata., and the simplicity and effects of the treatment, this therapeutic method is regarded useful in the management of congenital hemangiomata, especially in soft st r awberry hemangiomata.
Atrophy ; Blood Vessels ; Fragaria ; Humans ; Pallor ; Parents ; Skin

Solitary cutaneous reticulohistiocytoma is a type of reticulohistiocytosis. The cytoplasm of tumo cells characteristically shows abundant eosinophilic "ground-glass" appearance. We report a case of this rare cutaneous tumor in a 54-year-old woman. It was present as a single nodule on the right index finger of the patient for seven years.
Cytoplasm ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Fingers ; Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell* ; Humans ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether pH and time has any influence on the degradation behavior of composite restoration by analyzing the leached monomers of dental composites qualitatively and quantitatively after storage in acetate buffer solution as a function of time using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) / mass spectrometer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three commercial composite restorative resin materials (Z-250, Heliomolar and Aeliteflo) with different matrix structure and filler composition were studied. Thirty specimens (7mm diameterx2mm thick) of each material were prepared. The cured materials were stored in acetate buffer solution at different pH (4, 7) for 1, 7 and 45days. As a reference, samples of unpolymerized composite materials of each product were treated with methanol (10 mg/ml). Identification of the various compounds was achieved by comparison of their mass spectra with those of reference compound, with literature data, and by their fragmentation patterns. Data were analysed statistically using ANOVA and Duncan's test. RESULTS: 1. Amounts of leached TEGDMA in Aeliteflo were significantly larger than those of UDMA in Z-250 and Heliomolar at experimental conditions of different storage time and pH variation (p < 0.001). 2. As to comparison of the amounts of leached monomers per sorage time, amounts of leached TEGDMA in Aeliteflo and UDMA in Z-250 and Heliomolar were increased in the pH 4 solution more significantly than in the pH 7 solution after 1day, 7days and 45days, respectively (p < 0.001). 3. In total amounts of all the leached monomers with storage times, the overall amounts of pH 4 extracts were larger than those of pH 7 extracts for all resin groups, but there was no significant difference (p > 0.05).
Chromatography, Liquid ; Composite Resins* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Methanol ; Polymers*

The aim of our study is to achieve complete periodontal tissue regeneration by the application of BMP and resorbable membrane. Three beagle dogs aged over one and half years and weighed 14 to 16 kg were used in this study. Mandibular 1st, 2nd premolars were extracted bilaterally. Horizontal furcation defects were induced around 3rd, 4th premolars bilaterally. BMP-4 were applied in the right side with resorbable membranes and only resorbable membranes were applied in the left side respectively. Each animal was sacrificed at 2, 4, and 8weeks, after regenerative surgery. Specimens were prepared with Hematoxylin-Eosin stain and Goldner's modified Masson Trichrome stain for light microscopic evaluation. The results were as follows: 1. At 2 weeks after regenerative surgery, downgrowth of junctional epithelium was observed both in the membrane-applied site and BMP-4-and-membrane-applied site. 2. At 4 weeks after regenerative surgery, resorbable membranes were completely resolved, therefore would not prevent downgrowth of junctional epithelium. New bone formation, new cementum formation and Sharpey's fiber were observed in BMP-4-and-membrane-applied site. 3. At 8 weeks after regenerative surgery, downgrowth of junctional epithelium was observed in the membrane-applied site. But, new cementum formation was observed in the same site. The extensive regeneration of new bone, new cementum and remarkable formation of Shapey's fiber were showed in BMP-4-and-membrane-applied site. 4. Resorbable membranes were resolved via the cell-mediated processes. 5. Periodontal tissue regeneration were better achieved in the BMP-4-and-membrane-applied site than in the membrane-applied site. Within the above results, BMP-4 may have the strong capability to form the new bone and resorbable membrane may be able to prevent the bony ankylosis. However, resolution rate of resorbable membrane may not be enough to protect rapid epithelial downgrowth for ideal periodontal regeneration. In conclusion, I suggest BMP-4 may have the strong possibility to be utilized in the clinical periodontal treatments.
Animals ; Ankylosis ; Bicuspid ; Dental Cementum ; Dogs ; Epithelial Attachment ; Furcation Defects ; Membranes* ; Osteogenesis ; Regeneration*

Proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO) is the rarest form of onychomycosis and most commonly due to Trichophyton rubrum, The fungus initially penetrates the horny layer of the proximal nail fold and subsequently invades the under-surface of the nail plate. PSO has been mainly reported in patients with AIDS and AIDS related complex and may serve as an early clue for the presence of imrnunodeficiency. We report a case of PSO in a 45-year-old woman with reumatoid arthritis who received oral steroid.
AIDS-Related Complex ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Female ; Fungi ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Onychomycosis* ; Trichophyton

This study was performed to evaluate the relation between the interval of supportive periodontal therapy and the prevalence of the subgingival microflora. The subgingival plaques from 108 patients were used in the study. Control group were the patients with no periodontal treatment and test groups were assigned into 3 groups according to the period of recall check : group 1; 1-2 months, group 2; 3-4 months, group 3; 6months or more. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) used for direct identification of periodontal pathogens (P. gingivalis, T. forsythensis, T. denticola) in subgingival plaque. The results of this study were as follows. 1. The prevalence of P. gingivalis, T. forsythensis, T. denticola in control group were 100%, 87%, 90%. 2. In clinical parameters such as plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, control group was not significant different with group 1 but significant different with group 2, group 3. 3. In group 1, the majority of P. gingivalis had type II fimA. 4. When group 3 were compared with group 1, the prevalence of P. gingivalis increased. But the prevalence of P. gingivalis with type II fimA, which have the virulence factor, decreased. 5. We were unable to find the correlation between P. gingivalis with type IV fimA and periodontal disease. 6. The prevalence of T. forsythensis, T. denticola in test group were 85%, 93% or more. From the above results, we were able to find the relation between the interval of supportive periodontal therapy and the prevalence of the subgingival microflora and the need of the strict supportive periodontal therapy to prevent recurrence of periodontal disease, because there were high prevalence of periodontal pathogens.
Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontal Index ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence* ; Recurrence ; Virulence

Acrochordons are commonly found in middle aged rnan. They are mostly a few millimeters in size. The authors report an exceptionally large(10x5cm) one with a 3cm pedicle, which is thought to be the largest one in the Korean literature.
Humans ; Middle Aged