BACKGROUND: During the last few years, the in vivo study of the physiological parameters of the skin by non-invasive methods has been considerably developed. So far, there have been some reports on the skin characteristics only in parts, but there has not been any criteria to classify those of normal subjects. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the skin characteristics of healthy Korean subjects according to sex and sites using non-invasive methods. METHODS: To determine normal levels of sebum, skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin elasticity and skin color according to sex, 163 subjects (male; 124, female; 39) were used to investigate 5 different anatomical sites. 6 different instruments were used: The Sebummeter SM 410, Corneometer CM 820, Evaporimeter EP1, Cutometer SEM 474, Chromameter CR-121, and Mexameter MX 16, for evaluating sebum excretion rate, capacitance, TEWL, mechanical property and skin color respectively. RESULTS: Differences were noticed depending on the anatomical sites and sex. Most of the measuring parameters were significantly different according to sites and sex. The values of sebum levels, capacitance and TEWL were higher in the males on the cheek, forehead and crows foot, whereas in the females, higher values were observed on the dorsum of the hand. The skin elasticity varied considerably among the nine-parameters but, for the elastic ratio (R2, R5), the females showed significantly higher values than the males in all sites except the forehead. Skin lightness (L* value) was higher in the females, whereas the males showed lugher values in the category of redness (a* value) and yellowness (b* value). The values of the eqrthema index (EI) and melanin index (MI) were also higher in the males on all sites. Correlations between the skin parameters mentioned above were calculated. A negative, correlation between capacitance and TEWL was observed only on the cheek (male/female, r =-0.2/ r =-0.4, p<0.05). The L* value correlated negatively with MI. Mioreover the values between a* and El also showed sipificant correlations in the male (cheek and dorsum of hand, y =0.2, forehead and crows foot, r =0.3, p<0.05). There were considerably significant correlations between the visual pigmentation score and instrumental skin parameters in the males (visual pigmentation score vs. L* value measured by Chromameter ; cheek/crows foot, r = -0.3/y =-0.4, visual pigmentation score vs. MI by Mexameter ; cheek/crows foot, r =0.2/ r =0.4, viisual winkle score vs. sebum excretion rate measured by Sebumeter ; cheek, r=0.2, visual winkle score vs. elasticity parameters measured by Cutometer ; cheek, R2/R5/R7, r =-0.3/ r =-0.2/ r =-0.3, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Skin physiological parameters can be evaluated by non-invasive skin bioengineering methods which show quantitative modifications in physiological conditions in relation to sites and sex.
Bioengineering* ; Cheek ; Crows ; Elasticity ; Female ; Foot ; Forehead ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Melanins ; Pigmentation ; Sebum ; Skin*

The cystic hypersecretory duct carcinoma of the breast was first described in 1984 by Rosen and Scott and warrants separate discussion because of its unusual pathological features. It is morphologically distinguishable from juvenile (secretory) carcinoma and from mucinous (colloid) carcinoma or mucocele-like tumor. We present a case report of intraductal cystic hypersecretory carcinoma of the breast with hormone receptor and oncogene study. The histologic differential diagnosis, with an emphasis on benign lesions that may have a predominant cystic component, is also discussed.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Mucins ; Oncogenes

PURPOSE: To evaluate the value and the radiologic findings of CT discography in the diagnosis of the far lateral disk herniation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 7 cases of surgically proven far lateral lumbar disc herniation. CT discography was performed for all cases. Four cases underwent conventional CT and three cases MRI as a primary diagnostic imaging method. Far lateral diac herniation was divided into 3 groups by location;Intraforaminal herniation, extraforaminal herniation, and mixed type. We analyzed the findings of CT discography including location and extent of far lateral disc herniation. RESULTS: In all 7 cases, CT discography clearly demonstrated the filling of contrast media in laterally-protruded disc material. Intraforaminal and extraforminal types were seen in 2 cases each, and mixed type in 3 cases. Subligamentous herniated nucleus pulposus was present in 6 cases and extruded disc in 1 case. Far lateral disc herniation was located at L4-5 in 5 cases and L5-S1 in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: CT discography can help establishing accurate preoperative diagnosis for far lateral disc herniation.
Contrast Media ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Jaundice

No abstract available.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Cell Line*

Lower lid retraction can be caused by many etiologies but few require surgical intervention except for cosmetic reasons and exposure deratitis due to lagophthalmos. We report three lower lid retraction patients who underwent lower lid reconstruction was due to congenital etiology or was secondary to excessive inferior rectus muscle recession or lower lid blepharoplasty due to orbital neurofibroma. All three patients found their results satisfactory and showed no severe side effects during the follow-up period. It is suggested that the use of scleral spacer combined with lateral canthoplasty be an effective surgical procedure for correction of lower lid retraction.
Blepharoplasty ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neurofibroma ; Orbit

To evaluate whether different qualifications of a cytologic diagnosis of "atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance(ASCUS)" predict a greater or lesser likelihood of tissue diagnosis of uterine cervix, we compared different cytologic qualifications of ASCUS with the tissue diagnosis. One hundred twenty-two con secutive Papanicolaou smears showing ASCUS in women who had undergone cervical biopsy within nearest 30 days were collected. The 122 smears were qualified as "favor reactive"(25%), "favor low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL)"(24%), "favor squamous intraepithelial lesion(SIL)"(16%), "favor high grade squa mous intraepithelial lesion(HSIL)"(16%), and "not otherwise specified"(19%). Squamous intraepithelial or invasive lesion was pathologically confirmed by cervical biopsy in 13% of the "favor reactive", 27% in "favor LSIL", 70% in "favor SIL", 75% in "favor HSIL", and 35% in "not otherwise specified" smears. There were significant asso ciations between the favor reactive smear and the benign biopsy finding and between the favor SIL smear and the biopsy showing a squamous intraepithelial or more severe lesion. Nevertheless, most of favor LSIL smears exhibit reactive process in tissue biopsy. Conclusively, qualified ASCUS stratifies women into different risk groups for SIL. The cytopathologist should make the cytologic diagnosis of "ASCUS, favor LSIL" circumspectly.
Biopsy* ; Cervix Uteri ; Diagnosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Papanicolaou Test

PURPOSE: Multicentric occurrence of esophageal squamous neoplasm has been known to be significant in terms of its pathogenesis and production of detectable early lesions. This study was performed to establish the incidence, pattem and clinico-pathologic features of multiple squamous epithelial neoplasia of the esophagus in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two consecutive cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma surgically treated at Korea Cancer Center Hospital in 1991 were studied. For pathological analysis, whole esophagectomy specimens were sectioned, micrascopically examined, and reconstructed. Age, sex, alcohol and smoking history, tumor location, stage, lymph node metastasis and survival were compared among different neoplastic conditions. RESULT: Fifteen cases (35.7%) showed multiple squamous lesions, 6 (14.3%) with multiple carcinomas and dysplasias, and 9 (21.4%) with single carcinomas with separate dysplasias. Intraepithelial lesions contiguous to main tumors were commonly observed (61.9%). Lugol`s solution staining pattern was compatible with epithelial pathology. Lymph node metastasis rate was significantly higher in cases with multiple carcinomas. Smoking history was significantly more common in patients with solitary catcinomas only. CONCLUSION: The multicentric occurrence of squamous epithelial dysplasia and carcinoma in the esophagus was confirmed in Korean patients, supporting the concept of field carcinogenesis at this region. However, lack of evidence for strong environmental influence in the patients with multiple lesions suggests yet another risk factor.
Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Esophagectomy ; Esophagus* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pathology ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

We performed in vitro tests, experiments on rabbits and clinical trials to treat dermatologic and ocular irritation using mascaras with different ratios of components. Two kinds of mascaras with high concentration of polymers caused moderately severe vascular constriction in the chorioallantoic membrane(CAM) vascular assay and showed significant conjunctival injection and eye discharge following instillation on rabbits' eyes compared to low concentration of polymers. There was no significant difference in the skin reactions caused by mascara with a low concentration of polymers of which safety was confirmed by using above tests and repeat insult patch test involving 20 adult females. Hypoallergenic mascara with a low concentration of polymers showed no subjective symptoms but mild rashes on lids appeared in 1 case, conjunctival injection in 3 cases and corneal erosions in 4 cases among the 40 female adult subjects including 8 contact lens wearers. However the cases improved spontaneously without any treatment. There was no statistically significant change of tear break-up time(BUT) between contact lens wearers and non wearers for both before and after mascara use(P>0.05). In this study, it has been confirmed that the new mascara is safe in animal experiments for ocular irritation and CAM vascular assay as well as human patch test for contact allergy revealed the safety as a ocular cosmetic.
Adult ; Animal Experimentation ; Constriction ; Exanthema ; Female ; Humans* ; Hypersensitivity ; Patch Tests ; Polymers ; Rabbits ; Skin ; Tears

BACKGROUND: Microencapsulation of islet cells has been studied for the treatment of type I diabetes to protect islets from immune attack by recipient cells during islet transplantation. In this study, we established optimal preparation conditions for islet microcapsules with good morphology and cell viability by employing an electrostatic droplet generator. METHODS: To obtain good quality islet microcapsules, various parameters such as the inner diameter of the electrostatic droplet generator nozzle, concentrations and infusion rates of alginate, electrostatic strength, and calcium chloride concentrations were tested. The size and shape of the capsules and cell viability were examined by light microscopy, and insulin secretion from the cells was determined by an ELISA analysis. RESULTS: The optimal preparation conditions for microencapsulation were a 0.35 mm inner nozzle diameter, a 1.75% alginate concentration, a 20 mL/hr alginate infusion rate, a 5 kV electrostatic potential, and a 75 mM calcium chloride. Under these conditions, over 90% of the capsules had a proper size (300~350 micrometer) and shape, and cell viability was 91%. Cell viability was maintained at greater than 80% even after the capsules were cultured for 2 weeks. However, glucose-induced insulin secretion of encapsulated islet cells was reduced by 85% compared to that of nonencapsulated cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that an encapsulation technique using an electrostatic droplet generator is useful for making islet microcapsules with good morphology and cell viability. This technique is necessary to study microencapsulation using primary islets, enhancing glucose-induced insulin secretion, and to perform a functional evaluation of encapsulated islets in vivo in the near future.
Alginates ; Calcium Chloride ; Capsules ; Cell Survival ; Drug Compounding ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Glucuronic Acid ; Hexuronic Acids ; Insulin ; Islets of Langerhans ; Islets of Langerhans Transplantation ; Light ; Microscopy