Tricholroacetic acid (TCA) chemical peeling is an effective, versatle and safe therapeutic method for patients with pigmentary disorders, acne scars and aging skin. With an experienced and skilled operator, the associated complications are rare and tend to be mild. No. ystemic toxicity is known to be induced by TCA. We observed the effect of TCA chemical peeling, evaluated by 242 patients themselves with melasma, freckles, senile lentgines, pigmented nevi, seborrheic keratosis, skin tags or acne scars. The patients evaluated TCA peeling as excellent for the treatment of seboirheic keratosis, pigmented nevi, skin tags and acne scars, and as selectively recommendable for the treatment of melasma, freckles and senile lentigines.
Acne Vulgaris ; Aging ; Cicatrix ; Humans ; Keratosis ; Keratosis, Seborrheic ; Lentigo ; Melanosis ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Skin

This study was conducted to investigate food and meal preference of workers (435 male and 212 female) in the Chonnam Yeosu industrial area. The results of the survey were analyzed by principal components analysis. The results were obtained as follows: 19.3% of the subjects were twenties, 28.3% were thirties, 28.8% were forties and 23.7% were fifties. Females liked rice rolled in dried laver, rice cakes, janchi-noodle and breads, on the other hand males liked thick beef soup, loach soup, an eel stew and soju. The young liked instant noodles, fried chicken, sweet and sour pork, pork cutlet, pizza, hamburger, ham, sausage and fruit beverage, on the other hand the old liked a fish pot stew, loach soup, eel stew, fish boiled in soy with spices, panfried fish, sea slug, ascidian, bunder, green laver and boiled burdock-lotus root in soy. Females who are young liked hamburger and sweet and sour pork whereas males who are young liked instant noodles, pork cutlet, ham, sausage and fruit beverage. Aged females liked fish boiled in soy with spices, panfried fish, bunder, green laver, boiled burdock-lotus root in soy whereas aged males liked a fish pot stew, loach soup, eel stew, sea mussel and oysters. Boiled rice was located within the middle irrespective of age and sex, but noodles, wheat flour meal, fast foods and fruits were situated at the young female side. Aged males liked soup and pot stew. Young males liked meats and eggs whereas fish and shellfish and kimch were located at the aged people side. Aged females liked sea weeds and most people disliked vegetables but females liked some vegetables irrespective of age. Processed foods, salted foods, and alcohol were generally disliked foods by subjects but males liked those foods. Soybean curd was liked more males than females, and teas, except coffee, was liked by males.
Aged ; Beverages ; Bivalvia ; Bread ; Chickens ; Coffee ; Eels ; Eggs ; Fast Foods ; Female ; Flour ; Fruit ; Gastropoda ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Meals ; Meat ; Ostreidae ; Ovum ; Shellfish ; Soybeans ; Spices ; Tea ; Triticum ; Urochordata ; Vegetables

Several symptoms of dry eye in the patients who underwent cataract surgery are related to the stability of precorneal tear film layer. We studied the change of the lipid layer pattern in tear film after cataract surgery. Ninety-eight eyes of 87 patients were evaluated for the lipid layer patterns before operation and at two months after operation. Thirty-two eyes(32.7%) among 98 eyes had the change of the pattern of lipid layer. The change was more marked in the eyes of color fringe pattern preoperatively than others(p=0.000). The rate of change was not significantly different between the superior limbal incision group and temporal clear corneal incision group, and between the groups according to the number of sutures(p>0.05). The eyes which had had the dry eye symptoms developed more change of the lipid layer pattern(p=0.006). After cataract surgery, the change of the lipid layer pattern got more marked especially in the eyes which had had color fringe pattern before surgery. In the eyes which had had the dry eye symptoms, however, no difference was shown by the incisional site and by the number of sutures.
Cataract* ; Humans ; Sutures ; Tears*

No abstract available.

The goal of this study was to analyze the effects of genistein, a widely used tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on cloned Shaw-type K+ currents, Kv3.1 which were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, using the whole-cell configuration of patch-clamp techniques. In whole-cell recordings, genistein at external concentrations from 10 to 100 micrometer accelerated the rate of inactivation of Kv3.1 currents, thereby concentration-dependently reducing the current at the end of depolarizing pulse with an IC50 value of 15.71+/-0.67 micrometer and a Hill coefficient of 3.28+/-0.35 (n=5). The time constant of activation at a 300 ms depolarizing test pulses from -80 mV to +40 mV was 1.01+/-0.04 ms and 0.90+/-0.05 ms (n=9) under control conditions and in the presence of 20 micrometer genistein, respectively, indicating that the activation kinetics was not significantly modified by genistein. Genistein (20 micrometer) slowed the deactivation of the tail current elicited upon repolarization to -40 mV, thus inducing a crossover phenomenon. These results suggest that drug unbinding is required before Kv3.1 channels can close. Genistein-induced block was voltage-dependent, increasing in the voltage range (-20 mV~0 mV) for channel opening, suggesting an open channel interaction. Genistein (20 micrometer) produced use-dependent block of Kv3.1 at a stimulation frequency of 1 Hz. The voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation of Kv3.1 was not changed by 20 micrometer genistein. Our results indicate that genistein blocks directly Kv3.1 currents in concentration-, voltage-, time-dependent manners and the action of genistein on Kv3.1 is independent of tyrosine kinase inhibition.
Animals ; Clone Cells ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Female ; Genistein* ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Kinetics ; Ovary ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases* ; Tyrosine*

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is correlation between serum concentrations of lipoproteins (VLDL, HDL, LDL) and development of preedampsia. METHODS: The authors measured serum concentrations of lipoproteins(VLDL, HDL, LDL) and lipids(which are major components of lipoproteins) in 12 preeclamptic women admitted to Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University from March 1999 to August 1999 and 12 normal pregnant women matched in age, weight, parity and gestational age. RESULTS: The first, the values of median and range of VLDL are higher in preeclamptic women than in normal pregnant women(preeclamptic women : 244mg/dL & 124-521mg/dL, normal pregnant women : 149mg/dL & 68-308mg/dL, p=0.0005). But there are no difierences in serum concentrations of HDL(high-density lipoprotein) and LDL(low-density lipoprotein) between two groups. The second, the values of median and range of triglyceride and free fatty acids are higher in preedamptic women than in normal pregnant women(preeclamptic women : triglycerides : 305.5mg/dL & 231-545mg/dL, free fatty acids : 1,333mmol/L & 842- 1523mmol/L, normal pregnant women,: triglycerides : 239mg/dL & 151-414mg/dL, free fatty acids : 806.5mmol/L & 314-1517mmol/L, p=0.019 in triglycerides and p=0.033 in free Fatty acids). But the serum concentrations of cholesterol are similar in two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results of this study showed the serum concentrations of VLDL, triglycerides and free fatty acids are significantly higher in preeclamptic women than in normal pregnant women. So, the high serum concentration of VLDL is thought to be important in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. In the next study, the prospective analysis will be necessary to identify whether serum concentration of VLDL is abnormaUy high in early gestational pregnant women who are destined to preeclamsia. Also, the measurement of pI 5.6 isoelectric form of albumin which is suggested to prevent VLDL toxicity will be necessary.
Cholesterol ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Lipoproteins* ; Parity ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnant Women ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia has been known as an independent risk factor in the develop-ment of coronary artery disease. This study was carried out to compare nutrient intakes, smo-king status, antioxidant vitamins, and plasma lipids in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and in normal healthy subjects among Korean population in Taegu. Possible causes of this dis-ease in patients are discussed. METHODS: Anthropometric assessments included mean intakes of nutrients, and the levels of plasma lipids (apolipoprotein [Apo] A - I, Lipoprotein [Lp] [a]), and antioxidant vitamins (such as vitamins A and E) were measured in female and male subjects with CHD against healthy con-trols. RESULTS: Dietary cholesterol and fat intakes were significantly higher in CHD groups in men and women. Total plasma cholesterol, LDL-C, triglyceride, thiobarbituric acid reactive subst-ance (TBARS), atherogenic index and Lp (a) levels were significantly higher in CHD patients than in the normal group in both men and women. Apo A-I, HDL-C and vitamin E levels were lower in CHD patients than in the normal group. The number of smokers was higher in CHD patients than in the normal group in both sexes of subjects. CONCLUSION: High fat and high cholesterol intakes seemed to be a major factor for the hyperlipidemia in the CHD patients. Their abnormal lipoprotein profile, which appeared in pati-ent plasma, corresponded well to dietary intake patterns. However, long term studies are need-ed to investigate the effects of smoking on lipid metabolism in CHD patients among the Korean population.
Apolipoprotein A-I ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, Dietary ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Disease* ; Daegu ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Lipoprotein(a)* ; Lipoproteins* ; Male ; Plasma* ; Risk Factors ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Triglycerides ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether there is correlation between serum concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and development of preeclampsia. METHODS: The authors measured serum concentrations of VEGF in 18 preeclamptic women admitted to Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University from February 1999 to September 1999 and in 18 normotensive pregnant women matched in maternal age, maternal body weight, parity and gestational age. VEGF was measured with a sensitive and specific enzyme immunoassays. RESULTS: VEGF was detected in all pregnant women. The results of this study showed that the serum concentrations of VEGF are significantly higher in the preeclamptic women than in the normotensive pregnant women. The values of median and range of VEGF are 7.74 ng/ml and 0.5-35.94 ng/ml in the preeclamptic women, and 0.5 ng/ml and 0.5-2.16 ng/ml in the normotensive pregnant women, respectively. There is significant difference in serum concentrations of VEGF between two groups(p<0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). Positive correlations were noted between VEGF concentraions and the systolic and diastolic blood pressure(Systolic BP: r2=0.688, Diastolic BP: r2=0.722, Spearman rank test). CONCLUSION: The high serum concentration of VEGF is thought to be important in the development or pathophysiologic mechanism of preeclampsia. In the next study, the prospective analysis will be necessary to identify whether serum concentration of VEGF is abnormally high in early gestational pregnant women who are destined to preeclampsia.
Body Weight ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Maternal Age ; Parity ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnant Women ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in Asian countries. Nevertheless, few reports of sICH in young people have been published. This study investigates the clinical features of sICH in young people. METHODS: Between February 1999 and December 2007, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients aged 45 years diagnosed with sICH at our institute. We analyzed the causes, locations, risk factors, and final outcomes of sICH in these patients. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (14.5%) were younger than 25 years, while 27 patients (18.6%) were 25~34 years old. Ninety-seven patients (66.9%) were between the ages of 35~45. The most common cause of sICH was hypertension (57.9%). The most common location of sICH was in the lobar region (35.2%). Vascular anomaly was the main cause in both the <25 age group (76.2%) and the 25~34 age group (70.4%). The diagnostic rate of angiography was 75% for the under 25 age group and 80% in the 25~34 age group. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension is the most common cause of sICH in people between 35 and 45, and vascular anomaly is the main cause in people under 35 years of age. Thus, angiography should be mandatory for people under 35 with sICH, and for people with lobar hemorrhage. For young people, early diagnosis of hypertension and strict blood pressure control is recommended.
Aged ; Angiography ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Pressure ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Early Diagnosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Ligamentum flavum hematoma is a rare condition. Twenty cases including present case have been reported in English-language literature. Among them, only one case reported in pure thoracic spine. A 72-year-old man presented with thoracic myelopathy without precedent cause. Magnetic resonance images revealed a posterior semicircular mass which was located in T7 and T8 level compressing the spinal cord dorsally. T7-8 total laminectomy and extirpation of the mass was performed. One month later following surgery, the patient fully recovered to normal state. Pathologic result was confirmed as ligamentum flavum hematoma. Ligamentum flavum hematoma of rigid thoracic spine is a very rare disease entity. Most reported cases were confined to mobile cervical and lumbar spine. Surgeons should be aware that there seems to be another different pathogenesis other than previously reported cases of mobile cervical and lumbar spine.
Aged ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Ligamentum Flavum ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Rare Diseases ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine