BACKGROUND: Recurrent recalcitrant warts are likely to increase gradually, and require more aggressive and effective treatment for remedy. According to recent foreign research materials and literature, aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) is reported to prove to show high curative performances, but there has been little relevant research in Korea to date. OBJECTIVE: This study will evaluate the efficiency and side effects of ALA-PDL and PDL in treating recalcitrant viral warts. METHODS: 120 warts from 44 people were selected and sorted by their locations such as hand, foot, and periungual area, and then randomly divided into 2 groups: ALA-PDL group and PDL group. The ALA-PDL group used 20% 5-ALA as a photosensitizer, and PDL for the light-source, the other group used PDL. The setting of PDL being used in both groups is as follows: wavelength of 585 nm, spot size of 7 mm, and energy density of 7.0~10 J/cm2. RESULTS: After 3 treatment sessions, the complete clearance of ALA-PDL and PDL groups was 44/59 (74.6%), 18/61 (29.5%), partial clearance-good was 8/59 (13.6%), 20/61 (32.8%), partial clearance-poor was 7/59 (11.9%), 21/61 (34.4%) and no response was 0/59 (0%), 2/61 (3.3%). The average treatment sessions were 2.32 and 2.97 times. ALA-PDL group showed pain in 27/59 (45.8%) for the first and second treatment sessions, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in 11/59 (18.6%). The PDL group showed only PIH in 3/61 (4.9%). CONCLUSION: PDT is an efficient treatment modality in recalcitrant viral warts. Especially in the case of periungual warts, it is very safe and cosmetically satisfactory without serious side effects such as nail deformity.
Aminolevulinic Acid ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Foot ; Hand ; Hyperpigmentation ; Korea ; Lasers, Dye ; Nails ; Photochemotherapy ; Triazenes ; Warts

Purpose: : This study aimed to understand and describe the experiences of collaborative practice among health professionals in Korea. Methods: : Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews conducted from January to March 2021 with 10 health professionals in Korea. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The transcribed data then underwent qualitative content analysis. Results: : Through content analysis, 10 categories and 3 themes were formed. Three themes, “working based on knowledge,” “having difficulty in building collaborative relationships,” and “playing complementary roles” emerged. Conclusion : The limitation is that the study participants are 10 health professionals in Korea working at healthcare institutions. However, this study is of great significance in that it provided basic data for preparing measures for collaborative practice among health professionals in Korea.

Fibrohistiocytic tumors are a diverse group of benign and malignant soft tissue lesions, including dermatofibroma, dermatofibrosarcomaprotuberans, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. On the clinical point of view, the distinction between benign and malignant lesions and malignancy grading is far more important. Therefore, we investigated 23 fibrohistiocytic tumors, using PCNA (PC10) which was a useful marker of proliferating activity, to differentiate the benign lesions from the malignant and correlate with other prognostic factors including tumor necrosis. cellularity, histologic grade, and mitotic counts. The results obtained were as follows 1) Positive tumor cells were clearly identified by the characteristic diffuse or granular nuclear staining. 2) The number of PCNA-positive tumor cells were 2.16+/-2.39% in dermatofibroma, 16.12+/-7.38% in dermatofibrosacoma protuberans, and 28.02+/-17.47% in the malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The numbers of PCNA-positive tumor cells in the malignant lesions higher than in the benign (p<0.001). 3) Deep seated, large size (>5 cm) and recurred or metastatic cases of MFH were more the high PCNA index (more than 20%) than the low index (less than 20%) groups. 4) PCNA index in MFHs had positive correlation with the number of mitotic counts (r=0.7582, p<0.001), cellularity (r=0.5908, p<0.05) and histologic grade (r=0.4164, p<0.05). These results suggested that reactivity on PCNA might assist in the distinction between benign and malignant lesions in fibrohistiocytic tumors, and could be a useful prognostic factor in the patients with malignant fibrous histiocytoma.
Neoplasm Metastasis

No abstract available.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic*

BACKGROUND: A healthy diet is important for the prevention and management of major chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. However, the effect of dietary intervention-based education and consultation has not been satisfactory. This study sought to investigate the effects of a diet intervention supplying food directly to the workplace cafeteria. METHODS: Study subjects included 36 employees (23 men) staffed at two companies located in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. Participants were supplied with liquid meals made mainly with fruits and vegetables for breakfast and dinner. Lunch was supplied as well and comprised of a balanced diet. Consumption of other foods, except water and provided snacks, were prohibited. The program also included light exercise, yoga, and mind-body control for 20 minutes, three times a week. Changes in anthropometric and metabolic parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: None of the subjects complained of serious adverse effects or dropped out of the program. Post-intervention mean body weight and body fat mass decreased significantly (-3.3 kg and -2.0 kg respectively, p<0.001 for both comparisons). There were additional reductions in systolic blood pressure (-6.7 mmHg, p<0.001), fasting glucose (-9.0 mg/dL, p<0.001), total cholesterol (-13.9 mg/dL, P=0.005), triglyceride (-44.0 mg/dL, p<0.001), and insulin (-2.4 uIU/mL, P=0.007). The satisfaction rate of the program was 88%. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that a diet intervention supplying food directly to the workplace cafeteria could succeed in decreasing body weight and improving metabolic parameters, most likely due to high compliance.
Adipose Tissue ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Breakfast ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Chronic Disease ; Compliance ; Diet ; Fasting ; Fruit ; Glucose ; Insulin ; Light ; Lunch ; Meals ; Obesity ; Pilot Projects ; Snacks ; Triglycerides ; Vegetables ; Yoga

Immunohistochemical staining on paraffin sections for S-100 protein improved diagnostic accuracy for melanocytic tumor. But specificity of S-100 protein in the diagnosis of melanocytic tumor is very low, because S-100 protein was also expressed in neurogenic tumor and salivary gland tumor. To investigate a specific tumor marker for the malignant melanoma, immunohistochemical staining for HMB-45 and S-100 protein was performed on the paraffin sections of 25 cases of malignant melanoma and 46 cases of nevi. Positive reaction for HMB-45 and S-100 protein was diffusely identified in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. Positive ratio for HMB-45 was 100% in malignant melanoma, 92% in junctional component of compound nevus and 0% in intradermal nevus. Positive ratio for S-100 protein was 92% in malignant melanoma, 100% in compound nevus and 100% in intradermal nevus. The sensitivity and specificity for HMB-45 in malignant melanoma were 100%, but those for S-100 protein were 92% in sensitivity and 86.7% in specificity. These results indicate that HMB-45 has a high sensitivity and specificity for malignant melanoma cells and it can be quite useful for the histopathological diagnosis of malignant melanoma.
Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tumor Markers, Biological

Gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus(CMV) infection in adults is observed as a part of a generalized or localized infection in patients who are immunocompromized. We report a case of CMV infection of the small intestine. The patient is a 34 year-old woman who has complained of palpable purpura in the lower extremities and buttocks, and arthralgia of large joints. The skin biopsy showed fibrinoid necrosis and neutrophils with leukocytoclasis, which findings are compatible with hypersensitivity angiitis. The patient received steroid and cyclophosphamide. During the follow-up period, generalized edema and bloody stool were detected. Resected specimen of small bowel has multiple aphthous ulcer. Microscopically, cytomegalic cells are observed along the endothelial cells and mesenchymal cells. In situ hybridization using DNA probes against CMV revealed positive staining in the cytomegalic inclusions in vascular endothelial and mesenchymal cells.
Adult ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Biopsy

No abstract available.
Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Pregnancy*

OBJECTIVE: To compare pregnancy and delivery complications in first births between women 35 years or older and those who are younger. METHODS: Matemal and newborn records for first births at Chonnam university hospital from January 1, 1988 to December 31, 1996 were studied. The study group included 123 women who were 35 years or older. A control group consisting of 120 younger women was used for comparison. The X2 test was used to identify trends in individual variables and outcomes. RESULTS: Premature rupture of membrane, uterine myoma, and malpresentation were much mare prevalent in the older nullipara. However, there were no significant differences in incidences of preeclampsia, placenta previa, and pyelonephritis between the older nullipara and younger nullipara groups. Older nullipara had a significantly higher incidence of Cesarean delivery than younger women, Elective cesarean section was performed only in the older nullipara and it was the most common indication for Cesarean delivery in older nullipara. Fetal distress and breech presentation as indications for Cesarean delivery were significantly more common in the older study group. There were no noticeable differences in postpartal complication between the groups. Pretam birth and low birth weight were much more common in the older nullipara. but there were no significant differences in small for gestational age, low Apgar score, perinatal morbidity and deaths between the groups. CONCLUSION: From the results, it was difficult to conclude that women 35 or older are pmne to higher risk pregnancies, compared to their younger counterparts. Although more incidences of premature rupture of membrane, preterm delivery, and Cesarean delivery were observed, there were no significant differences in other pregnancy and delivery complications. With appropriate obstetric care, it is most probable that first time pregnancies in older women will result in similar outcome as those in younger women.
Apgar Score ; Birth Order ; Breech Presentation ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Fetal Distress ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Jeollanam-do ; Leiomyoma ; Membranes ; Parturition ; Placenta Previa ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pyelonephritis ; Rupture

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether embryonic stem (ES) cells can be established from isolated blastomeres of mouse embryos. METHODS: Blastomeres were separated from mouse (C57Bl/6J) 2- or 4-cell embryos. Isolated blastomeres or whole 4-cell embryos were co-cultured with mitosis-arrested STO feeder cells in DMEM supplemented with recombinant murine leukemia inhibitory factor and ES-qualified fetal bovine serum. After the tentative ES cell lines were maintained from isolated blastomeres or whole embryos, some of them were frozen and the others were sub-cultured continually. Characteristics of tentative ES cell lines as were evaluated for specific gene expressions with immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. RESULTS: One ES cell line (3.0%) was established from isolated blastomere of 2-cell embryo and one cell line (4.0%) from isolated two blastomeres of 4-cell embryo. And five cell lines (16.7%) were established from whole 4-cell embryos. Both cell lines from isolated blastomere and whole embryo expressed mouse ES cells specific markers such as SSEA-1, Oct-4 and alkaline phosphatase. Marker genes of three germ layers were expressed from embryoid bodies of both cell lines. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that mouse ES cells could be established from isolated blastomeres, although the efficiency is lower than whole embryos. This animal model could be applied to establishment of autologous human ES cells from biopsied blastomeres of preimplantation embryos in human IVF-ET program.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Antigens, CD15 ; Blastocyst* ; Blastomeres* ; Cell Line ; Embryoid Bodies ; Embryonic Stem Cells* ; Embryonic Structures ; Feeder Cells ; Gene Expression ; Germ Layers ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ; Mice* ; Models, Animal