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*

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of high glucose on prostaglandin E2 production in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells in vitro. In control group, the cells(5x10(4) cells/ml) were cultured with Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium contained with 10% fetal bovine serum, 45mg/dl glucose. In experimental groups, glucose was added to the above culture condition at the final glucose concentrations of 100mg/dl(Test group 1), 200mg/dl (Test group 2) and 400mg/dl(Test group 3). Then each group was tested for the cell proliferation rate, protein levels, and prostaglandin E2 production at 1/2, 1, 2, 5 days. The results were as follows ; 1. As glucose concentration increased, cell proliferation rate decreased significantly at 1, 2, 5 days in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells(P<0.01). 2. In human gingival fibroblasts, test group 2 and 3 showed significantly decreased protein levels as compared to control group at 5 days(P<0.01). 3. In human periodontal ligament cells, as glucose concentration increased, protein levels decreased significantly at 2 days and 5 days(P<0.01). 4. Prostaglandin E2 production in human gingival fibroblasts and human periodontal ligament cells significantly increased as glucose concentration increased(P<0.01). The results at 5 days showed obvious difference as compared to those at 2 days. From the above results, high glucose appeared to affect cellular activities including cell proliferation rate, protein levels and enhance prostaglandin E2 production. It was assumed that prostaglandin E2 production by high glucose enhances inflammatory reaction and has a toxic effect on human gingival fibroblasts and human periodontal ligament cells. This study suggests that periodontal disease in diabetic patient is related to prostaglandin E2 production.
Cell Proliferation ; Dinoprostone* ; Fibroblasts* ; Glucose* ; Humans* ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontal Ligament*

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical and angiographic outcomes after primary balloon angioplasty in patients with symptomatic middle cerebral artery (MCA, M1 segment) stenosis refractory to medical therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with intracranial stenosis were treated with primary balloon angioplasty. All patients had MCA stenosis with recurrent transient ischemic attack (TIA). The indication for balloon angioplasty was patients with significant MCA stenosis: 1) age older than 18 years with recurrent or progressive TIA or infarction despite optimal medical therapy, including anti-coagulation, dual anti-platelet, and anti-lipid medication; 2) previous ischemic events or asymptomatic severe stenosis (more than 50%) with poor collateral cerebral circulation, or diminished cerebral perfusion on single photon emission computed tomography before and after administration of the intravenous dosage of acetazolamide. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 53 years (range 44-79). The technical success rate was 100%. Mean pretreatment stenosis degree was 83.63 +/- 9.53% and 29.1 +/- 15.4% before and after angioplasty, respectively. Procedural-related complications occurred in four of 11 patients (36%), but none of the patients had permanent neurological deficit. All patients were available for an average follow-up period of 19.4 +/- 5.1 months. One patient had a stroke in the territory of angioplasty at two months after angioplasty. The stroke free survival rate at 30 days and 12 months was 100% and 91%, respectively. Restenosis over 50% was observed in three of 11 patients (27%); all were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Intracranial angioplasty for symptomatic MCA stenosis refractory to medical therapy can be a treatment option to reduce the risk of further TIA or stroke.
Acetazolamide ; Angioplasty* ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Atherosclerosis ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infarction ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Perfusion ; Stroke ; Survival Rate ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Intussusception is an interesting condition and is one of the most common causes of intestinal obstruction in the infant. We experienced a case of neonatal intussusception in a two-day-old male. The patient developed bloody stool, without a history of vomiting-after passing meconium, on the second day of life. Diagnosis of ileo-cecal type intussusception, which was induced by congenital polyp, was confirmed by exploratory laparatomy performed on the 4th day of life. The polyp was found at the proximal portion of the ileum, 45 cm from the ileo-cecal valve. In Korea a 40 day old patient was the youngest previously reported. We have presented this case with a review of the literature.
Human ; Ileum* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn, Diseases/etiology* ; Intestinal Polyps/complications ; Intestinal Polyps/congenital* ; Intussusception/etiology* ; Male

No abstract available.
Humans ; Microsporum* ; Siblings* ; Tinea Capitis* ; Tinea*