Circadian rhythm is a global phenomenon, the control mechanisms of which are manifested at every level of biological organization, from genes and intracellular mechanisms to networks of cell populations, and to all central neuronal systems at the organismic level. In pharmacotherapy, the pharmacokinetic parameters such as drug absorption and distribution, drug metabolism, and renal elimination show diurnal variations. The symptoms and signs in diseases like asthma, myocardiac infarction, angina pectoris, hypertension and stroke also show diurnal fluctuations. These observations require drug treatment considering the circadian rhythm of body function and disease. Circadian time has to be taken into account as an important variable influencing a drug's pharmacokinetics and/or its effects or side effects in clinical practice.
Absorption ; Angina Pectoris ; Asthma ; Circadian Rhythm ; Clinical Medicine* ; Drug Therapy ; Hypertension ; Infarction ; Metabolism ; Neurons ; Pharmacokinetics ; Stroke

Polypharmacotherapy, both psychotropic and nonpsychotropic, is widespread in various situations including psychiatric hospitals and general hospitals. As the clinical practice of using more than one drug at a time increase, the clinical is faced with ever-increasing number of potential drug interactions. Although many interactions have little clinical significances, some may interfere with treatment or even be life-threatening. The objective of this review is evaluation for drug-drug interactions often encountered in psychiatric consultation. Drug interactions can be grouped into two principal subdivisions : pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic. These subgroups serve to focus attention on possible sites of interaction as a drug moves from the site of administration and absorption to its site of action. Pharmacokinetic processes are those that include transport to and from the receptor site and consist of absorption, distribution on body tissue, plasma protein binding, metabolism, and excretion. Pharmacodynamic interactions occur at biologically active sites. In psychiatric consultation, these two subdivisions of drug interactions between psychotropic drugs and other drugs are likely to happen. We gathered informations of the drugs used in physically ill patients who are consulted to psychiatric department in Korea University Hospital. And we reviewed the related literatures about the drug-drug interactions between psychotropic drugs and other drugs.
Absorption ; Catalytic Domain ; Drug Interactions ; Hospitals, General ; Hospitals, Psychiatric ; Humans ; Korea* ; Metabolism ; Plasma ; Protein Binding ; Psychotropic Drugs

We studied the age of onset, occupation, inducing or aggravating factors, distribution of skin lesions in 153 patients and recall antigen test in 15 patients of seborrheic dermatitis. The results were as follows : l. Seborrhic dermatitis occurred most frequently at the third decade and the number of patients was 1(0.7%) in the first decade, 41(26.8%) in the second decade, 58(37.9 %) in the third decade, 29(l9.0%) in the fourth decade, 12(7.8%) in the fifth decade, 5(3.3%) in the sixth decade, 4(2.6%) in the seventh decade, and 3(1.9%) in the eighth decade 2. There was family history of seborrheic dermatitis in 40 patients(26.1%) 3. Of the occupations, 48 patients(31.4%) were clerks or office workers, 42 patients (27.5%) were housewives, 23 patients(15.0%) were laborers or factory workers, ll patients(7.2%) were students, 9 patients(5.9%) were managers, and 6 patients(3.9%) were drivers. 4. Inducing or aggravating factors were emotional stress in 75 patrents(49.0%), seasonal change in 53 patients(34.6%), sunlight in 23 patients(15.0%), foods in 15 patients(9.8%), upper respiratory tract infection in 14 patients(9.2%), menstruation in 9 patients(5.9%), and drinking of slcohol in 9 patients(5.9%). 5. I,esions occurred on the scalp in 128 patients(83.7%), on the face in 115 patients (75.2,l6), on the neck in 42 patients(27.5%), on the trunk in 29 patients(19.096), on the intertriginous areas in 12 patients(7.8%), and on the extremities in 6 patients(3.996), 6. The intensity and rate of delayed hypersensitivity reaction in 15 patients of seborrhic dermatitis(1.62+/-0.92mm, 28.67+26.4596) were not significantly decreased than those of control group(1.99+1.08mm, 39.23+/-22.34%) (p>0.05). Anergy and hypoergy were found in 10 patients(6796) with seborrheic dermatitis in contrast to 6 persons(4096) in control group.
Age of Onset ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic* ; Drinking ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; Menstruation ; Neck ; Occupations ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Scalp ; Seasons ; Skin ; Stress, Psychological ; Sunlight

The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth version (DSM-5) finally introduced in 2013. Psychiatrists and researchers of neuroscience were looking forward that DSM-5 will introduce a new paradigm of diagnostic criteria. However, they have criticized on DSM-5 about not including of neurobiological criteria after DSM-5 published. Since schizophrenia spectrum disorder is heterogeneous and hard to diagnose correctly, we can guess that there might be a big affliction in preparation of DSM-5. Diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia spectrum disorder in DSM-5 changed in several points including changes of Criteria A of schizophrenia. The most outstanding change is the elimination of subtypes of schizophrenia, and introducing of Clinician-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity for further division into homogenous subgroups depending on psychosis symptoms. Until now, the results of various neurobiological investigations are not consistent, so neurobiological criteria of schizophrenia spectrum disorder deserved no inclusion in DSM-5. Thinking comprehensively, DSM-5 might decide to choose stability rather than challenge. In the future, the diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia spectrum disorder in DSM will progress with inclusion of neurobiological criteria, and researches of schizophrenia spectrum disorder will make advance that match changes in progression of DSM.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Neurosciences ; Psychiatry ; Psychotic Disorders ; Schizophrenia* ; Thinking

BACKGROUND: Various topical antisepties are often used for postoperative care of surgical wounds. But the effect of these agent on wound healing remains an area of debate. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biological effects of hydrogen peroxide on human keratinocytes in vitro, specifically on keratinocyte viability, migration and proliferation. METHODS: To evaluate the effects of hydrogen peroxide on keratinocyte viability, migration and proliferation, sulforhodamine B test, migration assay, and thymidine incorporation assay were performed, respectively. Diluted solutions of 30% hydrogen peroxide( X 50, X 100, X 500, X 1000) were used as testing material and growth medium alone as a control.
Humans* ; Hydrogen Peroxide* ; Hydrogen* ; Keratinocytes* ; Postoperative Care ; Thymidine ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

BACKGROUND: The chemiluminescent assay(CLA) is a new in vitro non-radioactive modification of the radioallergosorbent test(RAST). The CLA permits quick, siultaneous detection of total and specific IgE in human serum up to 35 different allergens, as well as their semiquantitative concentrations into classes from 0(negative) to 4(very high). The CLA has shown sensitivity, specificity, and a good correlation with the RAST and also with skin pick testing. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to find the causatix llergens and to evaluate the clinical significance of CLA comparing the results of tbe CLA wi! h hose of the prick test in patients with chronic urticaria. METHODS: We performed the CLA with 35 allergens(MAST immunosunosystems, Inc., California, America) and the prick test with 51 allergens(Bencard Ltd., Bricantord, England) in 70 patients with chronic urticaria. The CLA detects the allergen-IgE reactic say the use of an enzyme-labeled anti-IgE and a coupled photoreagent mixture. lhe amount of the luminescent energy is measured by exposing a polarcid film and then semiquantitation is a sessed by using a densitometer. RESULTS: Except for those over the age of 60, all age-groups ealed a similar positive reaction to the CLA and prick test, but the positive reaction rate o the prick test(91.4%) was higher than that of the CLA(38.6%). The positive reaction rate oringle allergen and compound allergens was 10.0% and 28.6% in the CLA, but 10.0% and 81.4% in the prick test, respectively. In the CLA, the rate of positive reaction was 17(24.3%) in Dermatophagoides(D.) farinae, 15(21.4% ) in D. pteronyssinus, 5(7.1% ) in house dust, an 13(4.3%) in shrimp in that order. In the prick test, the rate of positive reaction was 39(55.7%) in house dust, 35(50.0%) in D. farinae, 29(41.4%) in D. pteronyssinus, and 21(30.0%) in haydrst(30.0%) in that order. The results of the CLA to 3 comrnon allergens showed a concordance rare of 67.6%, sensitivity of 34.3%, and specificity of 97.3% compared with those of the prick case. The levels of total IgE and eosinophils were elevated in 59(n=70, 843%) and in 5(n=56, 84.3%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the CLA may be used as an alternative method for the diagnosis of chronic urticaria because it is and coiomic, safe, simple procedure with very high specificity and trelative low sensitivity, and is sirnilt. neously capable of testing to multiple allergens.
Allergens ; California ; Diagnosis ; Dust ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Luminescent Measurements* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin ; Urticaria*

Ki-1 antigen was found by a monoclonal antibody, made against a Hidgkin' disease-derived cell line (L428) that reacted with Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkins disease and a few lymphocytes around lymphoid follicle. In 1985, Stein et al identified a large cell anaplastic lymphoma showing a distinctive pleomorphic appearance, sinus growth pattern, and reactivity to Ki-l. We report a case of Ki-1 positive large cell anaplastic lymphoma, which was presenting as a elevated plaque on the skin of popliteal fossa in a 69-year-old female.
Aged ; Antigens, CD30 ; Cell Line ; Female ; Hodgkin Disease ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma* ; Reed-Sternberg Cells ; Skin

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this present study was to compare mouse embryo development in 3 commercial media and hatching competence of mouse embryo with or without enzymatic treatment. METHODS: Collected 375 mouse embryos were divided into three groups, and then cultured in IVF-20 (G2), Medicult IVF (M3), P-1 (blastocyst M), respectively. Three day mouse morulae were cultured in G2 media treated with pronase. The results were analyzed using Chi-square test, and considered statistically significant when p<0.01. RESULTS: The developmental rate of 2 cell mouse embryo after 72 hours was highest in IVF-20 (G2) among conventional 3 media. The hatching rate of mouse morulae was low when clultured in G2 media without pronase during 48 hours. However, it was higher when cultured in media treated with l mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml pronase, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Using good media and digestion of zona pellucida with enzymatic treatment improve development and hatching rate of embryo. Therefore, implantation and pregnancy rate could be improved.
Animals ; Digestion ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Mental Competency ; Mice* ; Morula ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Pronase* ; Zona Pellucida

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis C virus(HCV) was known to most common etiologic agent of chronic liver disease in United states and Japan. Although hepatitis B virus(HBV) was well known to be a its major etiologic agent in Korea, it has been showed that HCV and HBV are associated with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma as major causative agent of chronic liver disease. Interferon alpha therapy is generally accepted as effective single agent for chronic hepatitis or to decrease the chronicity of acute hepatitis C. So, we evaluated the efficacy of interferon alpha in hepatitis C. METHODS: 46 patients who were positive for anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA were included in this study. Liver biopsy was per formed on all patients and all of them were tested as negative for serum HBsAg, anti Hbe. Patients were divided into 2 groups . 30 patients received interferon therapy(treated group) and 16 patients received no therapy(untreated group). We compared the change of liver function test and HCV RNA before and after therapy between two groups. Treated group was subdivided into 5 groups according to response to interferon therapy '. Non-response, partial response, breakthrough, relapse and sustained response. RESULTS: 1) The mean age and sex distribution were 49.9 year old, male 19, female 11 in treated group and 48.7 years, male 12, female 4 in untreated group. 2) The number of patients with acute hepatitis, chronic persistent hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis were 1, 2, 23, 4 in treated group and 0, 1, 12, 3 in untreated group, respectively. 3) The mean follow up period was 1.7 year and 2.3 years in treated and untreated group, respectively. 4) The activity of serum ALT before and after therapy were 195+ 134.6 IU/L, 87.4+ 40.5 IU/L and 186.7+ 106.4 IU/L, 157+ 87.1 IU/L in treated and untreated group, respectively. Serum ALT after therapy in treated group was significantly lower than untreated group(P<0.01). 5) The number of patients for patterns of reponse in treated group was non-response 5, partial response 8, breakthrough 1, relapse 4, sustained response 12 and there was no difference in age among them(P>0.05). 6) The case of negative conversion for HCV RNA in treated group was 12, but there was no case in untreated group. 7) Sex distribution of sustained response was 6(31% ) of 19 male, 6(54.5%) of 11 female and 12 patients(40.0%)(1 of 1 patients with acute hepatitis, 1 of 2 chronic persistent hepatitis, 10 of 23 chronic active heaptitis) included in sustained reponse, but any patients with liver cirrhosis had response. 8) Mean total dose and duration of interferon therapy was non-response 10353.6 million unit(MU)/5.8month(M), partial response 20025.06MU/6.4 M, breakthrough 36000.0MU/5.0M, relapse 11700.0MU/3.3M, sustained response 28100.0MU/6.6M, respectively. 9) 3 of 7 patients who were followed up over 1 year in sustained response and mean time to the relapse was 2.2 years. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that interferon alpha therapy is effective in patients with hepatitis C and further study and attempts should be performed to augument the efficacy of interferon alpha for the treatment of hepatitis C.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha* ; Interferons* ; Japan ; Korea ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Recurrence ; RNA ; Sex Distribution ; United States

No abstract available.
Lichen Nitidus* ; Tacrolimus*