BACKGROUND: Histologic distinction between various fibrohistiocytic tumors of the skin may sometimes be difficult. Recently, several immunohistochemical markers of "histiocytes and "facultative fibroblasts" have been introduced and used for the study of some fibrohistiocytic tumors of the skin. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine whether immunostatining with MAC 387, antibodies to S-100 protein, factor Xllla(FXllla) and CD 34 allows distinction between various fibrohistiocytic tumors of the skin in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded specimens of dermatofibroma, keloid, hypertrophic scar, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans(DFSP), neurofibroma, and juvenlie xanthogranuloma were investigated with MAC 387, antibodies to S-100 protein, CD 34 and FXllla using avidin-biotin -peroxidase complex method. RESULTS: In all fibrous dermatofibromas (n=26), 20-90% of constituent cells were positive for FXllla. Focal or diffuse CD 34 reactivity was present in DFSP (n=2). Weak reactivity for CD 34 and consistent labeling for S-100 protein were found in neurofibromas (n=5). Tumor cells showed negative for FXllla, CD 34 and S-100 protein in keloids (n=2), hypertrophic scars (n=6), and juvenile xanthogranulomas (n=5). MAC 387 did not label tumor cells of the fibrobistiocytic tumors we have studied. CONCLUSION: Immunostaining of paraffin-embedded specimens with antibodies to S-100 protein, FXllla and CD 34 may be useful in the differential diagnoses of fibrohistiocytic tumors of the skin.
Antibodies ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Dermatofibrosarcoma ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; Keloid ; Methods ; Neurofibroma ; S100 Proteins ; Skin* ; Xanthogranuloma, Juvenile

No abstract available.
Graves Disease* ; Pregnancy*

Candidiasis is the most common fungal infection complicating the course of patients with hematologic malignant neoplasms. Although widespread organ involvement is characteristic of disseminated candidiasis, reports of skin are rare. Reports describing typical clinical and histopathological finding of cutaneous lesions are very important since it may enable a diagnosis of disseminated candidiasis to be made and thus antifungal therapy can be initiated earlier. A 50-year-old housewife was admitted with a 5-month history of fatigue and easy bruising. She was diagnosed as ha.ving acute myelocytic leukemia and treatment was begun with daunorubicin and cytosin, arabinoside. Eight days after the start of chemotherapy, she developed a fever and generalized tender well demacated erythematous to purplish papulonodular eruption. A biopsy specimen from the skin lesion showed perivascular mononuclear cell infiltration and spore and pseudohypae v,rere found within the dermis and subcutis in PAS stain. Cultures of one skin biopsy specimen and one of four blood sarnples grew Candida tropicalis. The patient was treated with intravenous amphotericin B for disseminated candidiasis. On the tenth day of antifun gal therapy, she developed cardiopulmonary arrest and died.
Amphotericin B ; Biopsy ; Candida tropicalis ; Candidiasis* ; Daunorubicin ; Dermis ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Fatigue ; Fever ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Middle Aged ; Skin Manifestations* ; Skin* ; Spores

BACKGROUND: It is a popular notion that cutaneous ageing includes two distinct phenomenon; true ageing, a universal presumably inevitable change attributable to the passage of time alone, and photoageing, changes attributable to chronic habitual sun exposure that are neither universal nor inevitable. Numerous investigations with experimental animals, in vitro skin models have been conducted, although, few histological studies to date have attempted to announce fundamental morphological changes with innate ageing. OBJECTIVE: We compared skin derived from the breast of old and young persons using light microscopy to discern structural changes in epidermal and dermal morphology with advancing age. METHODS: The histological, immunohistochemical studies were performed with normal skin sections of thirty donors who were diagnosed with breast cancer. They were classified into three age cohort groups; nine into group I (22 to 38), twelve into group II(40 to 52), and nine into group III(54 to 87). We chose the breast as an area that might closely resemble intrinsically aged skin. This region is relatively shielded from photoageing by its anatomical location. Analysis of data was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA test for dermal parameters based on a 5-point rating scale, and a simple regression test for a positive rate of immunoreactants. Results : 1. Light microscopic appearance of aged skin revealed a more flattened epidermis than young skin. There was no trend for an increase in epidermal melanin content per unit area on Fontana-Masson staining. There was an age-associated decrease in the Ki-67 positive rate(p<0.001), the density of Ki-67 positive cells declined approximately 1.16% per decade in photoprotected skin(p<0.001). The number of S-100 positive cells declined approximately 4.4/mm width along the dermo-epidermal juction per decade in photoprotected skin(p<0.001). The expression of differentiation markers(keratin 1, involucrin, filaggrin, loricrin) were not different among the three age cohort groups. 2. With advancing age, there was an attenuation in the number and diameter of elastic fibers in the papillary dermis and an increase in the number and straightness of the same fibers in the reticular dermis. The collagen fibers are arranged in sparse bundles in disarray, and/or aggregates of loosely woven, straight fibers in the aged skin. There was an apparent, age-related decrease in the stainability of ground substances in the papillary dermis on colloidal iron staining. Conclusions : Our data documents semi-quantitative differences among three groups in intrinsically aged breast skin and provide the framework for future research to evaluate the ageing process.
Animals ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cohort Studies ; Collagen ; Colloids ; Dermis ; Elastic Tissue ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Iron ; Melanins ; Microscopy ; Skin* ; Solar System ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: In the skin, it is often difficult to differentiate lymphomas from reactive lymphoid lesions by light microscopic examination. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether immunologic data obtained from mutine-processed specimens could be used to further objective morphologic interpretations. METHODS: We conducted an immunohistochcmical staining in 44 cases of benign and malignant cutaneous lymphoproliferative lesions using nine antibodies, including anti-CD3, UCHL1, MT1, MT2, L26, MB2, BerH2, 123C3, and MIB1. RESULTS: 1. Immunophenotyping with anti-CD3, UCHL1, MT1, L26, and MB2 was useful for the diagnosis of T cell or B cell lymphoma. However, these antibodies showed a lack of specificity for neoplastic cells, 2. Antibody to CD56, 123C3 showed positivity in 4 cases of angiocentric lymphoma, but negativity in 8 cases showing angiocentric lymphoma-like pathology. 3. Antibody to CD30, BerH2 showed positivity in all 6 cases of CD30 positive large cell lymphoma, but negativity in 6 cases showing diffuse lymphoma-like pathology. 4. Antibody to Ki-67, MIB1 showed positivity in more than 30% of infiltrating cells in 6 cases of angiocentric lymphoma, 4 cases of diffuse B cell lymphoma, and in more than 60% of infiltrating cells in 6 cases of CD30 positive large cell lymphoma. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that immunostaining may provide useful adjunctive information in distinguishing benign from malignant cutaneous lymphoproliferations in paraffin sections.
Antibodies ; Diagnosis ; Immunophenotyping ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Paraffin ; Pathology ; Pseudolymphoma* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Neurofibiomat,osis type 1(NF-1) is a multisystemic disorder of genetic ori gin, affecting one in every 3000 to 4000 people. It is clinically important in the aspect of dermatology, pediatrics, orthopedic surgery, neurology, neurosurgery and ophthalmology. OBJECTIVE: The purpore of this study was to elucidate the clinical characteristics of NF-1 in Korean people. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study on 112 patients which were compatible to the diagnostic criteria of Riccardi and Neurofibromatosis Conference Statement. The results were compared with other western studies. RESULTS: The age of onset, sex ratio, family history of neurofibromatosis, and clinica features of cafe-au-lait spot, neurofibroma, and axillary freckinings did not differed from western countries. However, some characterist,ics of NF 1(e.g. Lisch nodule) were not as sessed in the most of the cases and incomplete evaluations of the systemic diseases wen found. CONCLUSION: In this study t.he clinial features of NF-1 did not differ from western coun tries in many aspects. A more intensive evaluation of patient,s status is needed to manag; NF-1 patients appropritely.
Age of Onset ; Cafe-au-Lait Spots ; Dermatology ; Humans ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Neurofibromatosis 1* ; Neurology ; Neurosurgery ; Ophthalmology ; Orthopedics ; Pediatrics ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Ratio

BACKGROUND: A number of in vitro skin models have been developed for the purpose of the screening of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and environmental chemicals. To mimic the skin in vivo, a model should resemble morphologically and biochemically the parent, tissue. OBJECTIVE: The purpos of this study is to study the differentiation and organization of the artificial epidermis in comparsion with epidermis in vivo based on the expression of epidermal protein antigens and basement membrane components. METHODS: Human keratinocytes were cultured on deepidermidized dermis (RE-DED) or on fibroblast-populated collag-,n matrix (LSE). After 10 days culture, the sections of RE-DED and LSE were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. An immunohistochemical study was also performed with the sections of RE-DED and LSE using antibodies recognizing proliferating cell nuclear antigens (PCNA), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), keratin 1, involucrin, filaggrin, loricrin, keratin 13, type IV collagen, and laminin. RESULTS: In both culture systems(RE-DED and LSE) a multilayered epidermis with a horny layer was observed. In the human epidermis reconstructed by both culture systems, differentiation markers appeared but with a topography slightly different from that of epidermis in vivo, and components of the basement membrane was also expressed. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the epidermis obtained in both culture systems(RE-DED and LSE) resembled in vivo epidermis morphologically and biochemically, although it was not the same.
Antibodies ; Antigens, Differentiation ; Basement Membrane* ; Collagen Type IV ; Dermis ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Epidermis* ; Hematoxylin ; Humans* ; Keratin-1 ; Keratin-13 ; Keratinocytes ; Laminin ; Mass Screening ; Parents ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Skin

BACKGROUND: A number of in vitro skin models have been developed for the purpose of the screening of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and environmental chemicals. To mimic the skin in vivo, a model should resemble morphologically and biochemically the parent, tissue. OBJECTIVE: The purpos of this study is to study the differentiation and organization of the artificial epidermis in comparsion with epidermis in vivo based on the expression of epidermal protein antigens and basement membrane components. METHODS: Human keratinocytes were cultured on deepidermidized dermis (RE-DED) or on fibroblast-populated collag-,n matrix (LSE). After 10 days culture, the sections of RE-DED and LSE were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. An immunohistochemical study was also performed with the sections of RE-DED and LSE using antibodies recognizing proliferating cell nuclear antigens (PCNA), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), keratin 1, involucrin, filaggrin, loricrin, keratin 13, type IV collagen, and laminin. RESULTS: In both culture systems(RE-DED and LSE) a multilayered epidermis with a horny layer was observed. In the human epidermis reconstructed by both culture systems, differentiation markers appeared but with a topography slightly different from that of epidermis in vivo, and components of the basement membrane was also expressed. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the epidermis obtained in both culture systems(RE-DED and LSE) resembled in vivo epidermis morphologically and biochemically, although it was not the same.
Antibodies ; Antigens, Differentiation ; Basement Membrane* ; Collagen Type IV ; Dermis ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Epidermis* ; Hematoxylin ; Humans* ; Keratin-1 ; Keratin-13 ; Keratinocytes ; Laminin ; Mass Screening ; Parents ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Skin

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to investigate prognostic factors at presentation and the survival of patients with a resected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed for 58 patients (59 cases) identified through the Tumor Registry as having been evaluated for a hepatocellular carcinoma at the Chonbuk National University Hospital during the 10-year period from 1989 to 1999. RESULTS: The male:female ratio was 3.2:1, and the average age was 52.7 years. Liver cirrhosis and ascites were present in 64.4% and 8.5% of the patients, respectively, and 62.7% present with the HBs antigen. The positive alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) rate was 55.9% and the elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) rate was 32.2%. The Child-Pugh's classifications of the patients were as follows: 49 cases (83.1%) of Grade A, 8 cases (13.6%) of Grade B, 2 cases (3.4%) of Grade C. The Indocyanine green (ICG) tests of normal range (<10%) were 69.5%. The operative mortality was 3.4% (2 cases). Preopertive transarterial chemoembolization was performed in 23 cases (39.0%). The tumor was larger than 5 cm in 50.8% of the patients and was a single tumor in 72.9%. Portal vein invasion was present in 11.9% of the cases. The surgical procedure consisted of a curative resection in 43 cases (72.9%: lobectomy in 7, trisegmentectomy in 4, segmentectomy in 22, and wedge resection in 10) and a limited resection in 16 cases (27.1%). Of the patients, 44.1% had either TNM stage III or stage IV tumor. Recurrence of the tumor was diagnosed in 19 cases and was found in the residual liver in 13 cases (68.4%). Operative morbidity developed in 16 cases (27.1%) and hepatic failure, pleural effusion, ascites were common complications. CONCLUSION: A significantly higher survival rate was seen for HCC with no ascites and a normal ALP level. A curative resection was not superior to a limited resection in terms of survival. Recent management strategy and technical advances have improved the results of surgical treament for patients with a HCC.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; Ascites ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Classification ; Humans ; Indocyanine Green ; Jeollabuk-do ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Failure ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Pleural Effusion ; Portal Vein ; Prognosis* ; Recurrence ; Reference Values ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: Adenovirus (Ad) vectors have been widely used for many gene therapy applications because of their high transduction ability and broad tropism. However, their utility for cancer gene therapy is limited by their poor transduction into cancer cells lacking the primary receptor, coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR). METHODS: To achieve CAR-independent gene transfer via Ad, we pretreated Ad with 1,2-dioleoyl-3- trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP) and analyzed their transduction efficiency into cancer cells in vitro and in vivo comparing with the virus alone. RESULTS: Treatment of DOTAP significantly increased adenoviral gene transfer in tumor cells in vitro. Moreover, DOTAP at an optimum dose (10 microngram/ml) enhanced IL-12 transgene expression by fivefold in tumor, and twofold in serum after intratumoral injection of adenovirus expressing IL-12N220L (Ad/IL-12N220L). In addition, cotreatment of DOTAP decreased tumor growth rate in the Ad/IL-12N220L-transduced tumor model, finally leading to enhanced survival rate. CONCLUSION: Our results strongly suggest that DOTAP could be of great utility for improving adenovirus-mediated cancer gene therapy.
Adenoviridae* ; Genes, Neoplasm ; Genetic Therapy ; Interleukin-12 ; Liposomes ; Propane ; Survival Rate ; Transgenes ; Tropism