Nitric oxide ( NO ) is now recognized as a mediator of several biological and immunological functions, but unlike classical neurotransmitters, NO simply diffuse of the postsynaptic cell and around affecting cells. Human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCG ), produced by placental trophoblasts may act as stimulator on NO synthesis in oocytes of mouse's ovary. How-ever, in the various organs or cells, the action of hCG on NO synthesis is unknown. We have examined that the effect of hCG on NO synthesis in microglial cells of murine's brain, using the Griess method. And this study was evident that hCG did not induce NO produc-tion without recombinant interferon gamma ( rIFN-gamma), whereas hCG ( 10~500 IU/ml ) with rIFN-gamma effectively produced NO in microglial cells of brain. As result, NO production in microglial cells increased most significantly in dose of 100 IU/ml of the hCG and the pro-duction of NO was dependent on the dose of hCG ( Table 1 and Fig. 1 ). And N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine ( N(G)MMA ), competitive inhibitor of NO synthase, reduced the NO production by hCG stimulation with rIFN-gamma in microglial cells of murine. Conclusively, this study sugge-sted that hCG stimulate NO production at microglial cells in brain, which may be an important factor for mediating immune and neuroendocrinologic regulation in nervous system.
Brain ; Chorionic Gonadotropin* ; Female ; Humans* ; Interferons ; Negotiating ; Nervous System ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide* ; Oocytes ; Ovary ; Trophoblasts

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell caircinoma(SCC) often shows acantholysis as a result of degenerative changes of neoplastic cells. Regurding the acantholytic changes of SCC most textbooks and literature describe the acantholysis-associated tubular or alveolar structures, which are diagnostic features of adenoid SCC. But the acantholytic changes of SCC are not always assaciated with tubular or alveolar structres. The general and detailed histologic features of acantholysis of SCC have not been reported. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the histologic features of acantholysis of SCC . MEHTODS: Twenty six biopsy specimens from 26 patients with SCC were studied for the distributions and sites of acantholysis such as lefts and tubular or alveolar structurs on routine histologic staining. RESULTS: All 26 biopsy specimens showed acantholysis in their tumors ocal acantholysis was found in 12 cases, and diffuse, widesprcad acantholysis was found in 14 cascs. The foci of acantholysis were in the surface epidermis in 9 cases, in the follicular wall in 5 cases, and in both the surface epidermis and the follicuar wall in 12 cases. The types of acantholytic cells were either dyskeratotic cells or non-dyskeratotic squamous cells. Tuthular or alveolar structures were found in 5 cases. Clefts were found in 12 cases, one in the subcomealarea, the other 11 were within tumor mases, and one of them showed Darier-like feature with papillary projections of neoplastic cells into thc lumens. CONCLUSION: The acantholytic hanges of the SCC are more comrr on y found than expected. The acantholytic changes involve not only dyskeratotic cells but also non-dysL eratotic cells and often show glandular structures and clefts.
Acantholysis* ; Adenoids ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Dronabinol ; Epidermis ; Humans

We present a case of multiple trichoepithelioma associated with milia. A 12-year-old girl developed symmetrically distributed, numerous, skin-colored papules on her face, some of which were studded with milia-like whitish materials. Histopathological findings of these lesions revealed the typical findings of trichoepitheliomas with overlying milia in the upper dermis.
Child ; Dermis ; Female ; Humans

We describe a patient with overlap syndrome in whom systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma were combined. The patient expired due to severe central nervous system involvernent and pneumonia. Pertinent neuropsychiatric signs of the patient included generalied seizure, impairment of recent, memory, dysarthria, mental deterioration, Balints syndrome, right sided hemiparesis and right sided central type facial weakness. Hrain MRI and cerebral angiogram slowed cerebral vasculopathy. We suggest that a long-term follow-up is necessary for the confirmation of ciagnosis of a connective tissue disease, because the evolution, transition and overlapping features among the group of connective tissue diseases may commonly occur over time.
Central Nervous System ; Connective Tissue Diseases ; Dysarthria ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Memory ; Paresis ; Pneumonia ; Seizures

In 1978, Bjornberg and Friis reported 32 patients with persistent pusi ulosis(PP) on distal extremities, of whom 13 patients were initially diagnosed as scabies. In 1984, Elpern described 7 patients with infantile acropustulosis(IA), of whom 4 patients had antecedant scabies. We report herein a case of PP, which was found in a 18 month-old mal who was treated for scabies at the age of 5 month and 12 month. The pruritic vesicopustules dev',lo ed 2 months after the second treatment for scabies and relapsed for 4 months. We also discuss the relationship between scabies and PP and also between PP and IA.
Extremities ; Humans ; Infant ; Scabies*

We present herein 3 cases of early secondary syphilis with simultaneous primary syphilitic lesions. These cases developed primary syphilitic lesions four to six weeks after sexual contact and lasted six to ten weeks thereafter until the secondary syphilitic lesions appeared. All three patients showed a strong positive for the STS. Spirochetes were seen under dark field examination of the primary syphilitic lesions, Histopathologically, numerous plasma cells around capillaries and endothelial hyperplasia were seen in the dermis.
Capillaries ; Dermis ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Plasma Cells ; Spirochaetales ; Syphilis*

The ideal restorative material should mimic the properties of the tissues it replaces. Dental composite resins have been used widely as restorative materials due to its advantages such as excellent esthetics and ease of manipulation. But inadequate wear resistance has been a major factor limiting the use of composite restorative materials. Improved manufacturing techniques have allowed the development of hybrid composites, with a greater percentage volume filler loading, which have improved physical an mechanical properties. However they are lacking the study wear resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the wear of human enamel against ceromer by the use of a pin-on-disk type wear testers. Discs of ceromer(Targis : Ivoclar, Vivadent, Amherst. NY) and discs of type III gold alloy as a control were used for test specimens. Intact cusp of premolar and molar were used for enamel specimens. The wear of enamel was determined by weighing the cusp before and after each test, and the weight converted to volumes by average density of enamel. Surface profilometer was used to quantify wear of the ceromer and gold specimens. Vicker's hardness tester was used to evaluate the surface hardness of test specimens. The SEM was used to evaluate the wear surfaces. The results were as follows; 1. Ceromer produced less enamel wear than gold(p<0.05). 2. The wear volume of ceromer was greater than that of gold(p<0.01). 3. The hardess of ceromer was lower than that of gold, but there was no correlation between the hardness and wear of the ceromer and gold. 4. SEM analysis revealed that there were many voids and microcracks in the wear tract of ceromer. in gold group, many minute V-shaped grooves were examined.
Alloys ; Bicuspid ; Composite Resins ; Dental Enamel* ; Esthetics ; Hardness ; Hardness Tests ; Humans* ; Molar

BACKGROUND: Hydrofluoric acid(HF) is one of the strong stirritating, corrosive and poisonous inorganic acid, The HF burns are occuring with ever-increa firifrequency due to the wide use of this acid in industrial fields, such as electronics and semicor tor industries. OBJECTIVE: The purpie of this study is to quantiate theound depths produced by varying concentrations of HF aiud to suggest the treatment guideline. METHODS: Uarious cinicentrations of HF(5%, 25%, 50%),were applied to two pairs of test sites on a guinea pig's back in a uniform fashion with cotton-tip applicators and then the histopathologic changes of guinea pig skin were observed. RESULTS: 1, In the 5% HF applied group, intracellular edema vaobserved in the epidermis after 12 hours. After 3days, epidermal cell necrosis was observed. 2. In the 25% HF applied group, intraepidermal vesice was observed after 6hours. After 12hours, inflammatory cell infiltrations were observed in the apper dermis and then after 3days, dermal necrosis was oberved. 3. In the 50% HF applied group, epidermal cell necros After 6hours, liquefaction degeneration in the epidermis an was observed focally after 3hours. iflhmmatory cell infiltrations in the upper dermis were observed. After 2days, dermalar.ecrosis was observed and then after days, the reaction was at its peak and subcutaneous tissuc. necrosis was observed. CONCLUSION: This study showed that a higher concentrator HF exposure enhances The penetration of HF. For treatmi not alcohloic solution of a quarternary ammonium for avintralesional injection of calcium gluconate within 24 hours of HF and a longer period after we suggest wet dressing with an concentration of HF burn and high concentration of HF burn.
Ammonium Compounds ; Animals ; Bandages ; Burns* ; Calcium Gluconate ; Dermis ; Edema ; Epidermis ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Hydrofluoric Acid* ; Necrosis ; Skin

M-mode, pulsed Doppler and Doppler color flow mapping, in addition to two-dimensional echocardiography, have greatly improved imaging of the fetal heart through identification of abnormal cardiac anatomy and rhythm in utero. The early detection of cardiac disturbance in utero permits alteration in obstetric management such as delivery in a high-risk center for optimal neonatal care and/or decision in optimal delivery time. We report two cases of the neonatal arrhy-thmia which were observed by fetal echocardiography. In the first case, female baby showed neonatal arrhythmias including tachycardia and brady-cardia until 3 days after birth, and then turned to bradyarrhythmia due to non-conducted atrial bigeminy. These events lead us to review the fetal echocardiographs of the patient carefully. Premature atrial contractions were observed in her fetal echocardiography. At 2 months after birth, the patient's electrocardiogram showed normal sinus rhythm. Severe neonatal bradycardia of the second case was due to congenital complete heart block, identified clearly by electrocardiogram after birth. This case also showed complete heart block in her fetal echocardiography. After insertion of the temporary pacemaker, cardiomegaly was improved. Both the neonate and the mother had positive anti-SSA/Ro autoantibody. But any other symptoms and signs of neonatal lupus did not appear in the neonate. Patient's mother also did not show any symptoms and signs of systemic lupus erythematosus. Since the prognosis depends upon the cause of bradyarrhythmia in fetus and neonates, differential diagnosis is important in obstetric management and optimal neonatal treatment.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac* ; Atrial Premature Complexes ; Bradycardia ; Cardiomegaly ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Echocardiography* ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Fetal Heart ; Fetus ; Heart Block ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Mothers ; Parturition ; Prognosis ; Tachycardia

BACKGROUND: Post-herpetic neuralgia is the most serious one of herpes zoster complications and its incidence becomes higher as the age of the patient increases. Nevertheless, besides considering the age and onset time of treatment, there is no more objective factor estimating the prognosis of post- herpetic neuralgia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to understand the progression of herpes zoster and estimate the prognosis of post-herpetic neuralgia by practicing electrodiagnostic tests to patients with herpes zoster. METHODS: We evaluated the pain scales in 26 patients with herpes zoster on the first visit and 2 months later. We also performed electrodiagnostic tests, more objective and reproducible methods, including somatosensory evoked potentials and motor nerve conduction studies on both the involved and uninvolved sites of 32 lesions in 26 patients with herpes zoster, and then compared the results with the change of pain scales. RESULTS: 1. The pain category scale and visual analogue scale on the second examination were significantly decreased compared with those on the first examination (P<0.05). 2. Latencies of intercostal somatosensory evoked potentials recorded on scalp and spine were significantly delayed in involved sides compared with those in uninvolved sides (P<0.05). 3. In the latencies and conduction velocities of motor nerve conduction studies, no significant differences were seen between involved sides and uninvolved sides. 4. On the second examinataion, latency differences of somatosensory evoked potentials were significantly improved compared with those on the first examination (P<0.05). 5. Among the various somatosensory evoked potentials parameters, P1 latency difference of cortical somatosensory evoked potentials between involved and uninvolved sides correlated significantly with pain category scale ard visual analogue scale on second examination (r=0.48, P<0.05; r =0.51, P<0.05, respectively). N1 latency difference of spinal somatosensory evoked potentials between involved and uninvolved sides correlated significantly with a visual analoge scale on the first examination and pain category scale on the second examination (r=0.61, P<0.05; r=0.78, P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Intercostal somatosensory evoked potentials can be a useful and reliable technique to predict the development and severity of post-herpetic neuralgia.
Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neural Conduction ; Neuralgia* ; Prognosis ; Scalp ; Spine ; Weights and Measures