General information is summarized, that is necessary to introduce a scientific assessment of the human health and exposure issue concerning dioxin and dioxin-like compound. Scientific literatures were reviewed to assess the background exposures to the dioxin-like compounds for normal residents. Epidemiologic studies were also reviewed to assess malignant and nonmalignant effects of dioxins. In 1997, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as a human carcinogen, primarily based on occupational cohort studies. The US Environmental Protection Agency made the same decision in it's Draft Dioxin Reassessment. Epidemiologic evidences point to a generalized excess of all cancers, without any pronounced excess at specific sites. Reported non-cancer effects included a range of conditions affecting most systems. Among them, chloracne, elevation in gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), and alterations in reproductive hormones are related to TCDD. Other adverse outcomes, such as lipid concentrations, diabetes, circulatory and heart diseases, immunologic disorders, neurobehavioral effects, and developmental outcomes require further study before their respective relationships to TCDD can be more definitively assessed.
Chloracne ; Cohort Studies ; Dioxins* ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Heart Diseases ; Humans* ; International Agencies ; Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin ; Transferases ; United States Environmental Protection Agency

Acute Disease ; Diagnosis ; Enterotoxins ; Exanthema ; Fever ; Hypotension ; Shock ; Shock, Septic ; Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND: Mycosis fungoides(MF) is a form of cutaneous T cell lymphoma with clonal differentiation of helpr' T cell. It has a patch, plaque, and tumor stage. But pathogenetic factors controlling the development and progression of MF are still unclear. Apoptosis plays a major role in developmental biology and homeostasis. The bcl-2 oncogene prolongs ce11 life by inhibiting apoptosis. The mutant pS3 gene induces apoptosis indirectly. Ki-67 antigen is the cell proliferation marker. Recently, it has been shown that the relationships among them are important in the tumorigenesis of the various tumors. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the expression of these genes and apoptotic rate and clarify the relationship among them in the development and progression of MF. METHODS: The eighteen specimens from 8 patients with MF and 10 specimens from benign lymphocytic infiltrating diseases including 5 lichen planus, 3 lupus erythematosus, and 2 contact dermatitis were included. We performed immunoperoxidase staining(LSAB technique) using monoclonal antibodies including bc1-2, p~53, and Ki-67(MIB1). We used ApoptaqTM(Oncor) in situ labelling kit for detecting apoptotic cell.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Apoptosis* ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Proliferation ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Developmental Biology ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; Lichen Planus ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous ; Mycosis Fungoides* ; Oncogenes

No abstract available.
Apoptosis* ; Caspase 3* ; Endothelial Cells* ; Perforin* ; Vibrio vulnificus* ; Vibrio*

A 26-year-old Korean man had an erythematous scaly plaque on his right thigh for fifteen years. He was diagnosed with chronic eczema and treated with topical steroid, but no clinical improvement was obtained for 15 years. Laboratory studies including complete blood cell count, urinalysis, liver and renal function test, and peripheral blood smear were normal. A biopsy specimen showed hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, and mononuclear cellular infiltration in the epidermis. These cells had a perinuclear halo and showed a Pautrier's microabscess like configuration. In the dermis, there was a band like infiltration of inflammatory cells. Infiltrates of the epidermis were negative for leukocyte common antigen(CD45) and positive for Pan T cell(CD45RO). He was treated with topical PUVA twice a week for twelve weeks. Clinical and pathological improvements were obtained. We propose PUVA may be a useful therapeutic modality to treat Woringer Kolopp disease.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Blood Cell Count ; Dermis ; Eczema ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Liver ; Pagetoid Reticulosis* ; Thigh ; Urinalysis

No abstract available.
Zygoma*

No abstract available.
Free Tissue Flaps*

In 1943, Alberto Inclan reported tumoral calcinosis in 3 cases at major joints. This condition usually showed large, painless calcified mass in major juxtaarticular sites, and evidence of familial or racial predisposition in blacks but abnormal values of serum calcium and phosphorus, association with renal disease, metabolic disorder and collagen disease are seldom seen. Tumoral calcinosis in large joints such as hip, knee, elbow and shoulder was reported several cases. Tumoral calcinosis in hand and foot is very rare and not reported yet in this country. Recently, authors experienced a case of tumoral calcinosis in both hands and right foot and cured without recurrence in 1 year follow up.
African Continental Ancestry Group ; Calcinosis ; Calcium ; Collagen Diseases ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Hand ; Hip ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee ; Metabolic Diseases ; Phosphorus ; Recurrence ; Shoulder

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ablation of the slow pathway in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) can be performed by using a specific intracardiac electrogram findings predicting a successful radiofrequency catheter ablation. The purpose of the present study is to recognize a specific intracardiac electrogram findings predicting a successful sites of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with AVNRT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of the 18 patients (7 males, mean age:46 yr) to undergo successful catheter ablation using radiofrequency current in order to eliminate AVNRT from January 1993 to september 1994. We have analyzed local intracardiac electrogram at successful and unsuccessful sites of radiofrequency catheter ablation before the radiofrequency application: Atrial electrogram amplitude, duration, number of peaks in atrial electrogram, atrial/ventricular (A/V) electrogram amplitude ratio, and presence of His potential and/or slow potential. RESULTS: Of 18 patients, 16 patients underwent a slow pathway ablation, the other 2 patients a fast pathway ablation. The mean A/V electrogram amplitude ratio at successful and unsuccessful sites was 0.69+/-0.91 and 1.86+/-2.03, respectively. The mean atrial electrogram duration and number of peaks at successful and unsuccessful sites was 57+/-16 msec vs 69+/-16 msec and 1.7+/-0.5 vs 2.2+/-0.7, respectively. His bundle electrogram was seen in one slow pathway ablated and one fast pathway ablated patient. No slow potential could be identified in any of these 18 patients. CONCLUSION: We think that A/V electrocardiogram amplitude ratio below 0.5 at posterior interatrial septum along tricuspid annulus is important marker indicating a successful ablation sites.
Catheter Ablation* ; Electrocardiography ; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac* ; Humans ; Male ; Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry*

No abstract available.
Leiomyoma* ; Vagina*