No abstract available.
Rheumatic Diseases* ; Spondylarthropathies

No abstract available.
Daegu* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Sex Ratio*

We report three cases of rat mite dermatitis caused by Ornithonysus bacoti(Hirst, 1913), commonly referred to it as the tropicalrat mite. The first case, a 26-year old female had multiple pinhead sized vesicles with peripheral erythematous macule on the upper arms. The second case, a 34-year-old femal had multiple variable sized vesicles with erythematous base on the extremeties. The third case, a 43-year old male had multiple erythematous macules and papules with central punctum on the trunl: and extremities. Histopathologic sections from lesions of the first and second patient showed moderate perivascular lymphahistiocytic infiltration intermingled with some eosinophils. Causative mites, Ornithonyssus bacoti, female were collected around the skin lesion in rase 1, from the house dust in case 2 and furniture in case 3.
Adult ; Animals ; Arm ; Dermatitis* ; Dust ; Eosinophils ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Interior Design and Furnishings ; Male ; Mites* ; Rats* ; Skin

No abstract available.
Osteochondroma*

The term malignant mesenchymoma has been applied to those tumors of the soft tissue of mesenchymal origin which are composed of tumor cells differentiating into two or more unrelated malignant forms in addition to the fibrosarcomatous element. Recently authors experienced a case of malignant mesenchymoma in the right axillary area. Microscopically the sarcoma revealed multiple pattern of differentiation, including liposarcoma, malignant schwannoma, fibrosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma and rhabdomyoblastoma. The presence of rhabdomyblastic cells were proved by immunochemical study utilizing desmin. This patient was treated with surgical excision and radiation.

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Acetazolamide* ; Aneurysm* ; Brain* ; Humans ; Perfusion* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ocular manifestations of patients with rheumatic disease and dry eye symptom. METHODS: We analized the results of ocular examinations and complications of 78 rheumatoid disease patients who were refered for dry eye symptom from the general medicine from 1998, May to 1999, May. RESULTS: Ocular complications were seen in 47 patients (60.3%). Keratoconjunctivitis sicca was the most common ocular finding (48.7%). Other lesions were episcleritis, scleritis, peripheral corneal erosion, marginal keratitis, stromal corneal opacity, and so on. Thirty six patients (46.2%) showed sero-positivity for RA, ANA or CRP. The result was 6.87+/-4.44 mm (mean+/-standard deviation) in Schirmer test,6.64+/-2.27 sec in Tear Film Break Up Time (TBUT). Among sero-positive patients, Schirmer test was 5.46+/-4.05 mm and TBUT was 5.64+/-2.38 sec, while among sero-negatives the result was 8.21+/-4.33 mm, 7.40+/-1.89 sec respectively. It was statistically significant (P< 0.05). Schirmer test was 4.60+/-3.55 mm in RA positive, 2.50+/-1.60 mm in RA and ANA positive, 7.35+/-4.92 mm in CRP positive. TBUT was 5.57+/-2.39 sec, 4.00+/-1.31 sec, 5.69+/-2.04 sec in each group. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular complications were increased in rheumatoid patients, especially with sero-positive for RA, ANA or CRP. The results of Schirmer test and TBUT were most decreased in patients with RA and ANA positivity.
Corneal Opacity ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca ; Rheumatic Diseases* ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Scleritis ; Tears

An epidemiological study on brugian filariasis was carried out in endemic areas including Cheju Island in Korea, with a brief review of literatures.The results showed that the incidence among residents has remarkably decreased in Cheju Island, which was the main endemic area. Reviewing available informations on the prevalence of filariasis reported in recent years and also judging from the present socio-economic conditions which enable people to practice personal protection against mosquitos, it can be said with confidence that filariasis has almost disappeared from Cheju Island and inland areas. The disease is considered to remain at a low level of endemicity in Hugsan Islands. Certainly mass diethylcarbamazine (DEC) treatment carried out in Cheju Island in the 1960s and 1970s and remarkable economic growth followed by improved living standard and altered life-style of inhabitants could all have combined effects on the disappearance of this mosquito-borne diseae in this island. If the present trends go on, the possibility of resurgence of filariasis in Cheju Island is hardly postulated.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda ; Brugia malayi ; filariasis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVE: Immunofluorescence microscopy including confocal laser scanning microscopy and electron microscopy were used to study the production of fibronectin, tenascin, and laminin in the cumulus-corona (CC) cells surrounding mature, unfertilized oocytes after ovulation in view of their presumptive importance in the coordination of the processes leading to fertilization and early embryo cleavage, including the final maturation of the ovum, the sperm-egg interaction, and the complex biochemical mechanism between the ovum and the oviduct. METHODS: Mature oocyte-cumulus complex (OCC) was cultured for 24 and 48 hour and fixed in 3.7% formaldehyde. Specimens were incubated with a mixture of primary monoclonal antibodies recognizing different epitopes of fibronectin, tenascin, and laminin, and then with a mixture of secondary antibodies containing FITC, TRITC, and Cy-5 conjugated antibodies. Observation was made by confocal laser scanning microscope equipped with epifluorescece optics. Transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the OCC at 24 and 48 hours after cultrue. RESULTS: The immunocytochemical date demonstrated that CC masses are capable of producing fibronectin and tenascin but their production is heterogeneous in the CC population. Immunoreactivity to fibronectin and tenascin was shown mostly by inner corona cells, and the intensity of immunofluorescence decreased from the central corona cells to the peripheral cumulus cells. Colocalization of fibronectin and tenascin was evident in most CC cells. Moreover, fibronectin and tenascin immunoreactive material was observed in the intracytoplasmic areas, at the plasma membrane level as well as in the extracellular matrix. Whereas, laminin immunofluorescence was found around plasma membrane and extracellular area, but a intracytoplasmic reaction was rarely observed. The distribution of laminin immunofluorescence was similar to that of fibronectin and tenascin, but in some cumulus cells, colocalization between them was not found. Ultrastructurally, cumulus cells projected numerous long, thin microvilli into the intercellular area and some micovilli penetrated into zona pellucida. The inner layer of the cumulus mass was loose arrangement of relatively uniform, small cells with widened intercellular spaces, whereas in the outer layer, cumulus cells are rather larger in size and compact arrangement by narrow, irregular spaces. A small and large linear gap junctions were easily found at cell contacts. The cytoplasm of most cells had abundant organelles typical of steroidogenesis: numerous mitochondrias, a well-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum, electron dense lipid droplets, and bundles of microtubules and microfilaments. Rudimentary disrupted basal lamina along the cytoplasmic border was rarely seen in a few inner conora cells. CONCLUSION: Even though the functional role of these extracellular matrix proteins remains still unclear, it is reasonable to suggest that they are necessary in various steps of the reproductive process. Cumulus cells appears to be a heterogeneous and dynamic system for suitable microenviroment of fertilization. And functional differences between corona and cumulus cells during the oocyte denudation may be accounted for particular distribution of these adhesive proteins and steroidogenesis-related organelles.
Actin Cytoskeleton ; Adhesives ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Basement Membrane ; Cell Membrane ; Cumulus Cells ; Cytoplasm ; Embryonic Structures ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Smooth ; Epitopes ; Extracellular Matrix ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Extracellular Space ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fibronectins* ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Formaldehyde ; Gap Junctions ; Immunohistochemistry ; Laminin* ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Electron* ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Microtubules ; Microvilli ; Mitochondria ; Oocytes ; Organelles ; Oviducts ; Ovulation ; Ovum ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; Tenascin* ; Zona Pellucida