An immunohistochemical stain for the Rb tumor suppressor gene product was performed in pathologic specimens from 72 primary lung cancer patients to study the correlation between its expression and histologic type, cancer differentiation, clinical stage and survival rate. The expression of the Rb protein was positive in 34 cases(47.2%) and negative in 38 cases(52.8%). The Rb protein was not expressed in 16 of 42 cases(38.1%) in squamous cell carcinoma, in 17 of 23 cases(73.9%) in adenocarcinoma, in one of three cases(33.3%) in undifferentiated large cell carcinoma, in two of two cases(100%) in small cell carcinoma, in one of one case(100%) in an adenosquamous carcinoma and in one of one case(100%) in an atypical carcinoid. There were significant difference of the Rb protein expression between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma(p<0.05). The expression of Rb protein was not correlated with degree of cancer cell differentiation and clinical stage of the lung cancer(p>0.05). The two year survival rate for patients with the Rb positive was 65% compared with 37% for those with the Rb negative which was significant(p<0.05). This result suggests that an altered or the absence of the Rb protein in cancer cells can be a valuable prognostic factor in the lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoid Tumor ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous ; Carcinoma, Large Cell ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Differentiation ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Prognosis* ; Retinoblastoma Protein* ; Survival Rate

An immunohistochemical stain for the Rb tumor suppressor gene product was performed in pathologic specimens from 72 primary lung cancer patients to study the correlation between its expression and histologic type, cancer differentiation, clinical stage and survival rate. The expression of the Rb protein was positive in 34 cases(47.2%) and negative in 38 cases(52.8%). The Rb protein was not expressed in 16 of 42 cases(38.1%) in squamous cell carcinoma, in 17 of 23 cases(73.9%) in adenocarcinoma, in one of three cases(33.3%) in undifferentiated large cell carcinoma, in two of two cases(100%) in small cell carcinoma, in one of one case(100%) in an adenosquamous carcinoma and in one of one case(100%) in an atypical carcinoid. There were significant difference of the Rb protein expression between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma(p<0.05). The expression of Rb protein was not correlated with degree of cancer cell differentiation and clinical stage of the lung cancer(p>0.05). The two year survival rate for patients with the Rb positive was 65% compared with 37% for those with the Rb negative which was significant(p<0.05). This result suggests that an altered or the absence of the Rb protein in cancer cells can be a valuable prognostic factor in the lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoid Tumor ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous ; Carcinoma, Large Cell ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Differentiation ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Prognosis* ; Retinoblastoma Protein* ; Survival Rate

The authors observed a case of typical pemphigus foliaceus who was 26 year old male. The pemphigus foliaceus is a rare chronic vesicobullous skin disease which is a type of pemphigus, which has been reported rarely in Korea. This patient has been compained of formication of the face, trunk and upper arms since 7 monthes ago. The skin lesion revealed pea sized, flaccid bullar formation and dark bownish colored hyperpigmented macular eruptions with scattering distribution on the face, trunk, back and upper arms. This patient has experienced localized and generalized exfoliation during 7 rnonthes after onset, but he has not affected in general health condition. Biopsies were performed from the skin of the back, left wrist, and histopathologically the skin showed typical pemphigus foliaceus. So, diagnosis was confirmed by clinical appearance, histopathological finding and others. This patient was markedly imporved by prednisolone without immunesuppressant drugs, and antibiotics and antihistaminics etc.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arm ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Paresthesia ; Peas ; Pemphigus* ; Prednisolone ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Wrist

BACKGROUND: Many mammals normally have a population of dermal melanocytes but these are not found in man, In humans, persistent dermal melanocytes can occur in the Mongolian spot, the nevus of Ota, and the blue nevus. Mongolian spot develops in the fetal or neonatal time and disapperars almost invariably during childhood. In contrast, nevus of Ota and blue nevus are not usually present at birth and persists in adult life. Recently, it was established that apoptosis can be involved in the development of melanocytes. The integrins mediate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, and apoptosis can be induced by disruption of cell-matrix interactions. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of integrins (a2, a3, ar) and in situ detection of fragmented DNA in Mongolian spot, nevus of Ota, and blue nevus. METHODS: Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from 8 cases of Monglian spot, 5 cases of nevus of Ota, and 4 cases of blue nevus were immunolabelled with monoclonal antibodies TM directed against az, ay, and av integrin, and stained with ApopTag in situ using an Apoptosis Detection kit. The cases of Mongolian spot were divided into two groups in which group A represented the the cases of more than 45 melanocytes and group B represented the cases of less than 10 melanocytes in a tissue section of 4-mm taken from punch biopsy specimens. RESULTS: Blue nevi showed az and e integrin expressions in dermal melanocytes and weak to negative staining of g v integrin in comparison with all positive expressions of a z, a s, and g y integrin in A group-Mongolian spots and nevi of Ota. The B group-Mongo]ian spots showed the continuous expressions of a z and a y integrin with negative expressions of a v integrin. The ApopTag kit staining was all negative in the Mongolian spots, nevi of Ota, and blue nevi. CONCLUSION: Our results support the view that dermal melanocytic tumors, such as the Mongolian spot, the nevus of Ota, and the blue nevus, might be induced by the disturbance or inhibition of the apoptotic process of the melanocytes, and that the spontaneous disappearance of the Mongolian spot may not be related to the apoptosis.
Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Apoptosis ; Biopsy ; DNA ; Humans ; Integrins ; Mammals ; Melanocytes ; Mongolian Spot ; Negative Staining ; Nevus ; Nevus of Ota ; Nevus, Blue ; Parturition

Housewife's eczema is not a specific disease but an inflammatory pattern of response to variety of stimuli: it is characterized by erythema, papules, vesicles, exudation, and scaling. Nickel is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, particularly in women. The authors reported a case of housewife's eczema due to nickel sulfate occuring in a 30 year-old housewife for 3 years which was confirmed by patch test with 5% nickel sulfate and dimethyl glyoxime spot test on patients wedding ring and stainless bowels. Literature were reviewed briefly.
Adult ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Eczema* ; Erythema ; Female ; Humans ; Nickel* ; Patch Tests

The pathogenesis of vitiligo has not been fully elucidated, but three different hypothese have been advanced to explain the cause of vitiligo. One is related to autoimmunity, another concerns neurohumoral factors and the third involves self-destruction of melanocytes. The autoimmune theory of vitiligo is further strengthened by the increased association of vitiligo with a nurnber of autoimmune disorders and by the increased prevalence of organ-specific autoantibodies in vitiligo. Also decreased T lymphocytes in vitiligo patients were reported. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the cell mediated immune status of patients with vitiligo using several in vitro and in vivo immune parameters. Thirty patients between the ages of 12 and 65 were observed at the Department of Dermatology of Ewha Womans University Hospital from Apri11981 through October 1981. Age matched 30 healthy persons comprised the control group. The results were summarized as follow: 1) The mean percentage of T lymphocytes in 30 vitiligo subjects and 30 control subjects were 55.3% and 67.4% respectively. There was a significant decrease of T lymphocytes in patients with vitiligo(p<0.05). 2) The percentage of subjects showing positive delayed hypersensitivity reactions to candidin, trichophytin and PPD were 33.3%, 43%, 50% respectively in 30 vitiligo patients and 60%, 75%, 80% respectively in 20 controls. A slight depression in delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity in gatients with vitiligo. (p<0.1). 3) The percentage of subjects showing positive sensitization with DNCB was 53% in 30 vitiligo patienta and 85% in 20 controls. A slight depression in DNCB sensitization was evident in vitiligo patients(p<0.1).
Autoantibodies ; Autoimmunity ; Depression ; Dermatology ; Dinitrochlorobenzene ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; Immunity, Cellular* ; Melanocytes ; Prevalence ; T-Lymphocytes ; Trichophytin ; Vitiligo*

A 24-year-old man presented with a 1.5 × 0.5 cm-sized erythematous nodule with central crust on the forehead since 5 years ago. There was no history of trauma or previous skin disorders. Histopathologic examination showed a typical picture of osteoma cutis. In addition, transepidermal elimination of bony material was observed: red linear plate-like calcified lamella structures had extruded to the skin surface through the perforated epidermis. The perforating type of osteoma cutis was discussed.
Epidermis ; Forehead ; Humans ; Osteoma* ; Skin ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: We prospectively evaluated the incidence and possible factors causing intramuscular injection during lumbar sympathetic ganglion block and compared the multiple needle technique to the single technique to obtain a profound and complete block effect. METHODS: Among 83 patients, 58 patients (group A, n = 27, multiple needle technique and group B, n = 31, single needle technique) were reevaluated for the changes of skin temperature (Ts) and mean segment of longitudinal contrast spread. After injecting the contrast agent, the incidence of psoas muscle injection and the change of Ts was compared between two groups. RESULTS: The incidence of psoas muscle injection was 21.3% (46/216) and it was associated with the level of injection (L2) significantly (chi-square = 14.773, P = 0.001). DT(post) (postblock temperature difference between ipsilateral and contralateral great toe, 4.6 +/- 2.8degrees C, 1.8 +/- 1.6degrees C, P < 0.001 for group A and B) and DT(net) (DT(post) - DT(pre), 3.9 +/- 2.7degrees C, 1.5 +/- 1.5degrees C, P < 0.001 for group A and B) was significantly higher in group A. The mean segment of longitudinal contrast spread was 8.1 +/- 0.9 for group A and 3.2 +/- 1.6 for group B (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The LSGB at the L2 level showed the lowest incidence of psoas muscle injection of contrast. Multiple needle approach showed more significant increase of DT(net) and DT(post).
Ganglia, Sympathetic ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Needles ; Prospective Studies ; Psoas Muscles ; Skin Temperature ; Toes

Elastofibroma is a peculiar tumor-like lesion which manifests as a slowly growing, solid, ill-defined mass of fibroelastic tissue occurring almost exclusively in elderly persons. It has been found in the ,,ubscapular region but rare examples have also been found in other locations. We experienced a case of elastofibromatous lesion of the stomach. The lesion was incidentally found in a 71 -year-old woman during an operation of cholecystectomy due to chronic cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis. The lesion was a relatively well-defined but not encapsulated small nodule, 0.7 cm in diameter, at submucosal layer of gastric pylorus. Histologically the nodular mass consisted of abundant acellular collagen fibers containing numerous elastofibroma fibers.
Female ; Humans

Gastric cancer cells express large amounts of galectin-3 on the cell surface. This fact may provide the possibility to use galectin-3 protein as a surface target for delivering cytotoxic anticancer agents. To investigate the possibility of application of galectin-3 protein as a target protein in delivering cytotoxic anticancer agents, we synthesized doxorubicin immunoconjugate by using maleimidocaproic acid and conjugated doxorubicin immunoconjugate to anti-galectin-3 mAb. The anticancer effect of immunotoxin was assayed on NIH3T3, AGS and KATO III cell lines. The anticancer effect of immunotoxin on AGS cell line is highest and that of KATO III is higher than that of NIH3T3. This results relate to that of flow cytometry analysis previously shown and indicate that galectin-3 protein can be used as a target protein on the surface of gastric cancer cell for delivering cytotoxic anticancer agents.
Antineoplastic Agents* ; Cell Line ; Doxorubicin ; Flow Cytometry ; Galectin 3 ; Galectins* ; Immunoconjugates ; Immunotoxins ; Staphylococcal Protein A ; Stomach Neoplasms