Objective: To examine the effects of Tribulus terrestris L. (T. terrestris) extract on the modulation of calcium channels to evaluate its use in topical agents for treatment of atopic dermatitis. Methods: The 70% methanol extract of T. terrestris was prepared. Human HEK293T cells with over-expressed calcium release-activated calcium channel protein 1 (Orai1), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, or transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) were treated with T. terrestris extract. Modulation of ion channels was measured using a conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Results: T. terrestris extract (100 mg/mL) significantly inhibited Orai1 activity in Orai1-stromal interaction molecule 1 co-overexpressed HEK293T cells. In addition, T. terrestris extract significantly increased the TRPV3 activity compared with 2-Aminoethyl diphe-nylborinate (100 mmol/L), which induces the full activation of TRPV3. Conclusions: Our results suggest that T. terrestris extract may have a therapeutic po-tential for recovery of abnormal skin barrier pathologies in atopic dermatitis through modulating the activities of calcium ion channels, Orai1 and TRPV3. This is the first study to report the modulatory effect of a medicinal plant on the function of ion channels in skin barrier.

BACKGROUND: Although molluscum contagiosum (MC) resolves spontaneously, there are several reasons to treat this dermatological disorder. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 5% imiquimod cream versus 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution in treating MC, and to propose the mechanism of cure by observing the histological findings. METHODS: Imiquimod or KOH were applied by the patient or a parent 3 days per week until all lesions cleared. The number of MC lesions was counted and side effects were evaluated at 5 points during the treatment (the initial visit, week 2, week 4, week 8, and week 12). Histological changes were compared between 2 patients of each group, before and after the 2 weeks of application. RESULTS: In both group, the mean lesion counts decreased all through to week 12, and the reduction in number of lesions were statistically significant in both groups (p <0.005). Over 40% of each group developed local side effects, and no systemic side effects were noted in either group. Before treatment, histological findings showed little or no dermal infiltrates. After treatment, specimens showed dense lymphocytic infiltrates, especially T cells, around the lesions which had resolved. CONCLUSION: Both 10% KOH solution and 5% imiquimod cream are effective and safe treatment of MC.
Aminoquinolines ; Humans ; Hydroxides ; Molluscum Contagiosum ; Parents ; Potassium ; Potassium Compounds ; T-Lymphocytes

Serum IgE levels in 48 patients with scabies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent a.ssay(ELISA) to evaluate the relationship between the scabies and serum IgE. A group of 44 healthy persons was taken as a controls. The results were summarized as follows: In children group(p 15 year-old) of the scabies, serum IgE level was 446 3 +267.2 IU/ml and significantly elevated than in controls, 126, 3 175, 4 IU/rnl, In adult group(over 16 year-old), serum IgE levels of the scabies and controls were 506. 4 + 581. 8 IU/ml, 435, 5+ 548, 8 lU/rnl respetively, and there was no significant difference between them. 2) There were no statistical correlations between the serum IgE levels and intensity of pruritus, duration of illness, number of skin lesions or number of circu1ating eosinophils in patients with scabies.
Adult ; Child ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Pruritus ; Scabies* ; Skin

Eccrine hidrocystomas are benign tumors of the sweat glands that arise from cystic dilatation of the excretory sweat ducts. They may be solitary or multiple. Multiple lesions are observed as small papulonodules having prominent surfaces with a translucent intense bluish dome, localized predominantly to periorbital and malar areas. The diagnosis of multiple eccrine hidrocystomas is clinical, and surgery is the treatment of choice in the case of a single lesion. However, the treatment of multiple eccrine hidrocystomas is challenging and the outcome of conventional therapies varies. Botulinum toxin type-A (BTA) causes chemodenervation at the cholinergic nerve terminal of eccrine glands; accordingly our patient was given intradermal injections of BTA and the result was successful. Herein, we report a case of multiple eccrine hidrocystomas treated successfully with BTA; we believe that BTA can be a novel treatment option for this condition.
Botulinum Toxins ; Dilatation ; Hidrocystoma ; Humans ; Injections, Intradermal ; Nerve Block ; Sweat ; Sweat Glands

Porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct nevus (PEODDN) is a rare, benign congenital hamartoma involving the eccrine sweat duct. Histologically, the distinctive feature of PEODDN is the existence of keratinous plugs that represent cornoid lamellae overlying dilated infundibula of eccrine ducts. Lesions are typically asymptomatic papules or plaques that are located on the distal extremities, including palms, fingers and soles. We report a case of a 7-year old girl with PEODDN who exhibited lesions on the left knee and the perianal region.
Child ; Extremities ; Female ; Fingers ; Hamartoma ; Humans ; Knee* ; Nevus* ; Sweat

Mycobacterium chelonae is a rapidly growing atypical mycobacterium found in soil and water. In a healthy person, it causes cutaneous infection after an invasive procedure or surgery. Herein, we present a case of a 52-year-old man with multiple erythematous plaques and nodules on the back and left arm, and these occurred at the site of bee sting therapy by a herbal medical doctor. The histologic findings showed a granulomatous infiltration composed of numerous neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells. Acid fast bacilli were detected by Ziehl-Neelsen stain and Mycobacterium chelonae infection was confirmed by an INNO-LiPA mycobacteria kit. The patient was treated with 1 g of clarithromycin and 200 mg of doxycycline for 6 months and his condition improved considerably.
Arm ; Bees ; Bites and Stings ; Clarithromycin ; Doxycycline ; Eosinophils ; Giant Cells ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium chelonae ; Neutrophils ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Soil

Biliary papillomatosis is rare, and its pathogenic mechanisms are not yet clear. Because of its high risk for malignancy transformation, surgical resection is regarded as a standard treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used by the intravenous administration of hematoporphyrin derivative followed by laser exposure. A photochemical process causes disturbance of the microvascular structure and degradation of membrane. Cholangitis is a major complication after PDT. A healthy 56-year-old man was diagnosed with biliary papillomatosis involving the common hepatic duct, both proximal intrahepatic bile ducts (IHD), and the right posterior IHD. After biliary decompression by endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, PDT was performed to avoid extensive liver resection and recurrence using endoscopic retrograde cholangiographic guidance. After portal vein embolization, the patient underwent extended right hemihepatectomy. Following administration of chemoradiation therapy with tegafur-uracil and 45 Gy due to local recurrence at postoperative 13 months, there was no local recurrence or distant metastases. This is the first case report on PDT for biliary papillomatosis in Korea. Preoperative PDT is beneficial for reducing the lesion in diffuse or multifocal biliary papillomatosis and may lead to curative and volume reserving surgery. Thus, PDT could improve the quality of life and prolong life expectation for biliary papillomatosis patients.
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Bile Duct Neoplasms/*diagnosis/drug therapy/surgery ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic/pathology ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Gamma Rays ; Hepatectomy ; Hepatic Duct, Common/pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Papilloma/*diagnosis/drug therapy/surgery ; Photochemotherapy ; Tegafur/therapeutic use ; Uracil/therapeutic use

Pulmonary hypertension is an increase in blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein or pulmonary capillaries. Depending on the cause, pulmonary hypertension can be a severe disease with markedly decreased exercise tolerance and right-sided heart failure. Pulmonary hypertension can present as one of five different types: arterial, venous, hypoxic, thromboembolic, or miscellaneous. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with severe pulmonary hypertension is a rare disease. A 52-year-old man presented with a complaint of aggravating dyspnea. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 61.5 mmHg by Doppler echocardiogram. The patient was prescribed diuretics, digoxin, bronchodilator, sildenafil, bosentan and an oxygen supply. However, he ultimately died of cor pulmonale. Thus, diagnosis and early combination therapy are important.
Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure ; Capillaries ; Digoxin ; Diuretics ; Dyspnea ; Exercise Tolerance ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; Piperazines ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Pulmonary Heart Disease ; Pulmonary Veins ; Purines ; Rare Diseases ; Sulfonamides ; Sulfones ; Sildenafil Citrate

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the positioning of the posterior superior alveolar artery in relation to the performance of the maxillary sinus bone graft procedure in a Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified the position of the posterior superior alveolar artery relative to 93 maxillary sinuses in 58 patients and determined the distance from the inferior border of the artery in the premolar and molar areas to the alveolar ridge and sinus floor. RESULTS: The mean distance from the alveolar ridge to the posterior superior alveolar artery in the dentate group (20.62+/-3.05 mm in the premolar region, 17.50+/-2.84 mm in the molar region) was greater than as compared to the edentulous group (18.83+/-2.79 mm in the premolar region, 15.50+/-1.64 mm in the molar region), and this difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between the mean distance from the sinus floor to the posterior superior alveolar artery in the dentate group (8.21+/-2.79 mm in the premolar region, 7.52+/-2.07 mm in the molar region) or in the edentulous group (7.75+/-3.31 mm in the premolar region, 7.97+/-2.31 mm in the molar region). CONCLUSION: Prior to surgery, it is important to evaluate the position of the posterior superior maxillary artery by using computed tomography scans. The premolar area is safer than the molar area for performing the maxillary sinus bone graft without bleeding.
Alveolar Process ; Arteries ; Bicuspid ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Maxillary Artery ; Maxillary Sinus ; Molar ; Sinus Floor Augmentation ; Transplants

Ethanol sclerotherapy for the treatment of low-flow vascular malformations can cause catastrophic cardiopulmonary complications, including pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension, that can result in right heart failure and fatal arrhythmias, leading to death. We here report a case of abrupt cardiovascular collapse that developed immediately following ethanol sclerotherapy in 31-year-old female patient who had a large arteriovenous malformation in her leg. Anesthesiologists should be aware of the fatal cardiopulmonary complications that are associated with ethanol sclerotherapy and consider the use of invasive hemodynamic monitoring, such as pulmonary artery pressure monitoring, when large doses of ethanol are required.
Adult ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; Ethanol* ; Female ; Heart Arrest ; Heart Failure* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Leg ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Sclerotherapy* ; Vascular Malformations