BACKGROUND: Suction auto epidermal graft for the treatment of stable vitiligo has become popular clinically. In general, depigmented epidermis is removed by liquid nitrogen freezing for preparation of the recipient site. There have been some problems with the nitrogen freezing method, uneven repigmentation, appearance of Koebner's phenomenon on normal colored skin around the graft site, scar formation on recipients sites. In our view these resulted in unwanted damage to the dermis and epidermal and skin appendageal melanocytes of normal skin by freezing. OBJECTIVE: To introduce a method to remove the depigmented epidermis of recipient site with minimal unwanted damage to melanocytes and dermal tissue. METHODS: Using Ellman surgitron, irradiation equipment of 3.8MHz frequency the depigmented epidermis was removed with a blade electrode under rated electric power around 10 watts depending on the thickness of the epidermis. Operating mode was fully filtered current for minimal charring and destruction of tissue through pure micro-smooth cutting. RESULTS: In the case of removal of the epidermis with Ellman surgitron, oozing and inflammation decreased markedly compared with those applied with liquid nitrogen. And it was confirmed histopathologically that there was no significant unwanted destruction of healthy tissue. Moreover, the electrode of Ellman surgitron is designed to be apt to trace the margin of depigmented lesion. And Ellman surgitron features a continuously linear intensity setting for precise, predictable control to minimize tissue destruction and charring. So we were able to remove the epidermis of the shallow lesion looking like a pseudopod and of the thinnest part of the body like eyelid also. And we grafted normal epidermis successfully on the depigmented lesion. CONCLUSION: The removal of depigmented epidermis by radio-frequency gave satisfactory results in the suction auto epidermal graft by overcoming the defects shown as depigmented epidermis which were removed by liquid nitrogen freezing. And this method made patients comfortable because of less pain, a one day operation procedure and good results.
Cicatrix ; Dermis ; Electrodes ; Epidermis* ; Eyelids ; Freezing ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Melanocytes ; Nitrogen ; Skin ; Suction* ; Transplants* ; Trout ; Vitiligo

Nutraceuticals link nutrition with medicine. They cover dietary supplements, functional foods, and medical foods. The definition of functional foods is the foods that promote health and possibly prevention and curing of certain diseases, in addition to basic nutritional supplementation. This concept is becoming popular with consumers because of a heightened awareness of the link between health and food and nutrition. Food manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies are enthusiastic about developing functional foods because their global market is growing very rapidly. In this article the authors overview the trends and current developments in the markets of functional foods, especially of USA, Europe, Japan, and Korea. The market shares of USA, Europe, and Japan cover more than 85% of the world functional food market. Dietary supplements including vitamin/minerals, herb and phytochemicals also keep growing. We expect a variety of functional foods will play an important role to promote the human health and to create new medical markets in the future.
Dietary Supplements ; Europe ; Functional Food* ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Phytochemicals

Transepidermal elimination (TE) is a spontaneously developed phenomenon in certain skin disorders in which altered connective tissue or foreign material is expelled via epidermis to the exterior. TE may occur either as a primary process such as elastosis perforans serpiginosa and reactive perforating collagenosis, or a secondary phenomenon, such as perforating granuloma annulare and pseudoxanthoma elasticum. We experienced a case of eccrine poroma on the scalp with keratinized tumor cells expelled through transpeidermal cannal microscopically.

BACKGROUND: Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is an uncommon but distinctive tumor. Definitive diagnosis requires biopsy of the lesion and immunohistochemical staining. Immunohistochemical study using anti-cytokeratin monoclonal antibodies may be helpful for differentiating EMPD from other similar skin lesions and primary EMPD from pagetoid spread of underlying regional internal malignancy (secondary EMPD). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify clinical findings, histopathologic features and immunohistochemical characteristics of EMPD. METHODS: The twelve cases diagnosed as EMPD at our institution over ten years were included. Clinical records and pathology slides of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. Immunohistochemical stains for CK7, CK20, CEA, EMA, PSA, GCDFP15 and mucin stains such as PAS, d-PAS, alcian blue (pH 2.5) were done using paraffin blocks. RESULTS: 1. In most cases, EMPD developed on the scrotum of senile male patients. 2. In the pathologic findings, Paget cells were observed from the epidermis only in 2 cases, from the epidermis and intradermal skin appendages in 7 cases and from the dermis in 3 cases. 3. In all cases except for the single case associated with a transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, there were histochemical findings of alcian blue-, PAS- and immunohistochemical findings of CK7+, CK20-, CEA+, EMA+. 4. In the single case associated with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, there were histochemical findings of alcian blue-, PAS- and immunohistochemical findings of CK7+, CK20+, CEA-, EMA-. CONCLUSION: The combination of CK7 and CK20 demonstrates these to be useful markers in distinguising primary EMPD from a pagetoid spread of extracutaneous malignancies. Namely, immunophenotypes other than CK7+/CK20- in Paget cells suggest underlying regional internal malignancy.
Male ; Humans ; Biopsy

The authors presented an unusual case of an occipital artery aneurysm which developed spontaneously. The patient was a 41-year-old woman who suffered from the sudden onset of right hemiparesis and slurred speech. Computerized tomography scans of the brain demonstrated an intracerebral hemorrhage in the left parietal lobe. The carotid angiography revealed an incidental saccular aneurysm in the left occipital artery. The aneurysm was not treated because the patient's relatives refused operation and there were no subjective complaints by the patient. Certain particularities of this lesion are discussed in the context of the literature.
Adult ; Aneurysm* ; Angiography ; Arteries* ; Brain ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Female ; Humans ; Paresis ; Parietal Lobe

The histology of herpes virus infection of the skin is characterized as an intraepidermal vesicle formed as the result of acantholysis and ballooning degeneration of kerationocytes. Dermal changes is limited to polymorphous inflammatory cells infiltrate, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and herpetic folliculitis. Involvement of eccrine epithelium is very rare finding. We report two cases of herpes zoster with prominent viral infection of the eccrine sweat glands.
Acantholysis ; Eccrine Glands ; Epithelium ; Folliculitis ; Herpes Zoster ; Skin ; Sweat Glands ; Vasculitis

Almost all cases of acute methanol intoxication result from ingestion. Absorption of methanol following oral administration is rapid and peak concentration occurs within 30-60 min. Foromic acid converted metabolites of methanol are responsible for its toxic effect. Methanol poisoning typically induces nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and mild central nervous system depression. Then there is a latent period lasting, followed by an uncompensated metabolic acidosis and visual dysfunction, depending on the dose of methanol ingested. Here we report on three patients who were victims of methanol intoxication due to ingestion of windshield washer fluid, which was misidentified as an alcoholic beverage. One patient had a mild form, which included abdominal discomfort, another patient had a moderate case, which included nausea, vomiting, and acidosis, and the other patient had severe acidosis and altered mentality and visual dysfunction. Except one case of visual dysfunction, all three patients recovered successfully following medical treatment and hemodialysis.
Abdominal Pain ; Absorption ; Acidosis ; Administration, Oral ; Alcoholic Beverages ; Alcoholics ; Central Nervous System ; Depression ; Eating ; Humans ; Methanol ; Nausea ; Renal Dialysis ; Vomiting

Lightning injury is uncommon, as evidenced by the fact that most physicians never see or treat such a victim. To our knowledge, there were no reports of lightning burn with flame burn. We report a case of lightning burn with flame burn. On a rainy day, a 64-year-old woman with an umbrella in her left hand was walking along a road. When lightning struck the tip of her umbrella, her clothes were flamed. She threw herself into the water in a nearby field. The fire was extinguished. Then she lost consciousness, but she regained consciousness immediately. She was transported to our hospital. On arrival at our emergency center, her physical examination was remarkable. The patient had an entrance wound of the left palm and an exit wound of the left foot as well as 25 % total body surface burns, which were present in the flexor surface of the left hand, left arm, left leg and left flank. Histopathology showed epidermal and dermal necrosis. Three months later the burns were healed spontaneously, with some remaining scars.
Arm ; Burns* ; Cicatrix ; Consciousness ; Emergencies ; Female ; Fires ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Leg ; Lightning Injuries ; Lightning* ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Physical Examination ; Walking ; Water ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare visual outcomes and optical quality after implantation of a bifocal (Acrysof ReSTOR® SN6AD1) or trifocal (AT LISA® tri 839MP) diffractive intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: Fifty-one eyes of 43 patients undergoing cataract surgery were enrolled and assigned to one of two groups: the trifocal group, comprising 24 eyes implanted with the trifocal diffractive IOL (AT LISA® tri 839MP), and the bifocal group, comprising 27 eyes implanted with the bifocal diffractive IOL (Acrysof ReSTOR® SN6AD1). Visual acuity (distant, intermediate, and near vision) and refractive postoperative outcomes were evaluated at one and three months postoperatively. Measurements of optical quality (using OQAS II®), contrast sensitivity (using CGT-2000®), automated visual field examination, and evaluation of defocus curve were performed three months postoperatively. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences between the two groups were found in three-month postoperative distant and near (40 cm) visual acuities and optical quality. However, intermediate (63 cm, 80 cm, and 100 cm) visual acuities were significantly better in the trifocal group. Distant contrast sensitivity (5 m) under mesopic conditions was significantly better with the bifocal lens, whereas near contrast sensitivity (30 cm) under mesopic and scotopic conditions was significantly better with trifocal lens. There was no statistical difference between the groups under photopic conditions. In the defocus curve, the visual acuity was significantly better at intermediate distance in the trifocal group. CONCLUSIONS: Trifocal diffractive IOLs provide significantly better intermediate vision than bifocal IOLs, with equivalent postoperative levels of distant and near vision and ocular optical quality. Further, they provide better near contrast sensitivity under scotopic condition compared to diffractive bifocal IOLs.
Cataract* ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Fields

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of fermented sesame sauce (FSeS) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage in renal proximal tubule LLC-PK1 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical (*OH), and H2O2 scavenging assay was used to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of FSeS. To investigate the cytoprotective effect of FSeS against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in LLC-PK1 cells, the cellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and endogenous antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) were measured. RESULTS: The ability of FSeS to scavenge DPPH, *OH and H2O2 was greater than that of FSS and AHSS. FSeS also significantly inhibited H2O2-induced (500 microM) oxidative damage in the LLC-PK1 cells compared to FSS and AHSS (P < 0.05). Following treatment with 100 microg/mL of FSeS and FSS to prevent H2O2-induced oxidation, cell viability increased from 56.7% (control) to 83.7% and 75.6%, respectively. However, AHSS was not able to reduce H2O2-induced cell damage (viability of the AHSS-treated cells was 54.6%). FSeS more effectively suppressed H2O2-induced ROS generation and lipid peroxidation compared to FSS and AHSS (P < 0.05). Compared to the other sauces, FSeS also significantly increased cellular CAT, SOD, and GSH-px activities and mRNA expression (P < 0.05). CONCULUSIONS: These results from the present study suggest that FSeS is an effective radical scavenger and protects against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in LLC-PK1 cells by reducing ROS levels, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and stimulating antioxidant enzyme activity.
Animals ; Catalase ; Cats ; Cell Survival ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Hydrogen* ; Hydroxyl Radical ; Lipid Peroxidation ; LLC-PK1 Cells ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; RNA, Messenger ; Sesamum* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Swine