BACKGROUND: There is concem about the rising incidence of skin cancer. However, few articles have reported the change in the clinical and epidemiological aspects of skin cancer. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study in order to clarifiy the recent changes in cutaneous premalignant and malignant lesions. METHODS: A statistical analysis was made using 101 cases of cutaneous premalignant lesions and 205 cases of ma]ignant tumors out of a total number of 20,175 new outpatients that visited the Department of Dermatology at the Seoul National University Hospital during a 6 year period(1990-1995). RESULTS: The frequency of premalignant lesions was 0.50% and that of malignant tumors was 1.02%. The frequency showed an increasing tendency compared to previous reports. In the premalignant lesion cases, actinic keratosis was most common and represented a figure of 82.2%. Among the malignant tumors, basal cell carcinoma was most frequent at 24.4%. Age, sex and anatomical site distribution of basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma was no different. The mean age of squamous cell carcinoma was greater than in previous reports and main preceding lesions were actinic keratosis and cheilitis. The frequency of lymphoma was markedly increased but the reason for this remains to be determined. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed the continous increasing incidence of skin cancers and emphasize the need for public eduacation, early diagnosis and proper treatment.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cheilitis ; Dermatology ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Keratosis, Actinic ; Lymphoma ; Melanoma ; Outpatients ; Seoul ; Skin Neoplasms ; Statistics as Topic*

No abstract available.
Diaphragmatic Eventration* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

BACKGROUND: Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a genetic disorder of the melanin pigment system in which melanin synthesis is reduced or absent in the skin, hair, and eyes. OCA is classified into two major types, and tyrosinase-related OCA can be produced by mutations of the structural gene for tyrosinase enzyme (TYR gene). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the segregation of mutant alleles of the TYR gene in tyrosinase-negative and tyrosinase-positive Korean OCA patients and families. METHODS: We amplified exon I, II, and III of the TYR gene of Korean OCA patients and their families by polymerase chain reactions (PCR), and analyzed the mutations by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis in exon I and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analyses in exon II and exon III. RESULTS: Two tyrosinase-negative cases showed mutations in exon I. Four tyrosinase-nega-tive cases and one tyrosinase-positive case showed mutations in exon II, and one tyrosinase-neg- ative case showed mutations in exon III. In summary, we found three kinds of mutation in four tyrosinase-negative OCA patients and one tyrsinase-positive OCA patient. CONCLUSIONS: RFLP and SSCP analysis can provide a basis for a rapid and sensitive screening system to detect TYR gene mutations of Korean OCA patients and their families.
Albinism, Oculocutaneous* ; Alleles ; Exons ; Hair ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mass Screening ; Melanins ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Skin

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the degrees of depression and activities of daily living (ADLs), and to identify factors that predict depression in elderly patients. METHODS: The sample was149 patients (80% female; mean age 79.1) from three geriatric hospitals located in small cities and who agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected by staff nurses involved in direct patient care from October to September 2009. The level of depression was measured on a daily basis for seven days using a 13-item scale. Patients' ADLs was measured using a modified 10-item Bathel ADLs scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 17.0. RESULTS: Mean depression score was 10.05+/-4.77 out of 26 points and about 27% was assessed as depressed with more than 13 points. Multiple regression analysis showed that low educational level, absence of spouse and fewer family visits predict depression. In addition, low ADLs and sleep disturbance predict depression. CONCLUSION: Nursing care providers need to be concerned about ADLs of older patients and should develop nursing activity programs to increase their in-hospital physical activities. It is also important care for older patients' sleep and encourages family visits to decrease their depression.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Depression ; Humans ; Motor Activity ; Nursing Care ; Patient Care ; Spouses

OBJECTS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative usefulness of the morphologic scoring system and spectral doppler ultrasonographic analysis in differentiating between benign and malignant adnexal masses. METHODS: All patients scanned between July 1995 and June 1998 with sonographically identified and pathologically confirmed adnexal masses formed the study group. The adnexal masses were scored as benign or malignant on the basis of their sonographic appearance. Specific categories included inner wall structure, wall thickness, septal structure, and echogenicity. Women whose morphologic findings were suspicious for malignancy underwent doppler sonography. A threshold pulsatility index of 1.0 and resistance index of 0.4 were used to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. The findings were correlated with the presence of malignancy. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty one patients formed the study group; 215 patients were benign and 36 patients were malignant pathologically. Using the morphologic scoring system, 31 of the 36 malignant masses were classified as suggestive of malignant tumor, and 147 of the 215 benign masses were classified as not suggestive of malignant tumor (sensitivity, 86%; specificity, 68%; positive predictive value, 31%; negative predictive value, 97%). Doppler velocimetry was performed on a total of 62 patients, 19 patients with malignant tumors and 43 patients with benign tumors. A mean PI value of 0.85 and RI value of 0.52 for malignant tumors and mean PI value of 2.00 and RI value of 0.75 for benign tumors was shown. The PI value was significantly lower (p 0.001) in malignant than that of in benign masses, but RI value was not significant (p 0.184). The sensitivity and specificity in the detection of malignancy combined with doppler velocimetry was 86% and 67%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Doppler velocimetry studies did not add substantially to the prediction of malignancy using the morphologic scoring system.
Diagnosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Rheology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ultrasonographic findings of BCG lymphadenitis complicated by BCG vaccination in children MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultrasonography was performed for 22 cases of BCG lymphadenitis in 21 patients who were diagnosed by clinical (n=10) or pathological (n=11) examinations. Their age ranged from 4 months to 3 years (mean age; 14 months). We retrospectively analyzed the ultrasonographic findings for location, multiplicity, size, shape, margin, echogenecity, posterior enhancement, calcifications, inner anechoic portion and Doppler pattern of the BCG lymphadenitis. RESULTS: The BCG lymphadenitis was found at the axillary area in 15 cases (68%) and at the supraclavicular area in 7 cases (32%). There were ten cases (45%) of solitary lesion and 12 cases (55%) of multiple conglomerated lesions. The maximum diameter ranged from about 0.9 cm to 3.2 cm. The BCG lymphadenitis showed as round (82%), well defined (86%), or heterogeneous hypoechoic (68%) lesions with posterior enhancement (78%). Calcifications were found in 6 cases (27%) and 5 cases (83%) had been vaccinated more than 5 months ago. There were eccentric inner anechoic portions in 16 cases (73%), which were pathologically confirmed as having caseating necrosis. There were increased Doppler flow patterns in 15 cases (68%); 4 cases (18%) were of the central type, 6 cases (27%) were of the peripheral type and 5 cases (23%) were of mixed type. CONCLUSION: BCG lymphadenitis is frequently located at the axillary area adjacent to a vaccination site. The ultrasonographic findings of BCG lymphadenitis are well-defined, round, heterogeneously hypoechoic lesions with posterior enhancement, calcifications and inner eccentric anechoic portion.
Child ; Humans ; Lymphadenitis* ; Lymphatic System ; Mycobacterium bovis* ; Necrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Energy production and the rebuilding and repair of muscle tissue by physical activity require folate and vitamin B12 as a cofactor. Thus, this study investigated the effects of regular moderate exercise training and durations of acute aerobic exercise on plasma folate and vitamin B12 concentrations in moderate exercise trained rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Fifty rats underwent non-exercise training (NT, n = 25) and regular exercise training (ET, n = 25) for 5 weeks. The ET group performed moderate exercise on a treadmill for 30 min/day, 5 days/week. At the end of week 5, each group was subdivided into 4 groups: non-exercise and 3 exercise groups. The non-exercise group (E0) was sacrificed without exercising and the 3 exercise groups were sacrificed immediately after exercising on a treadmill for 0.5 h (E0.5), 1 h (E1), and 2 h (E2). Blood samples were collected and plasma folate and vitamin B12 were analyzed. RESULTS: After exercise training, plasma folate level was significantly lower and vitamin B12 concentration was significantly higher in the ET group compared with the NT group (P < 0.05). No significant associations were observed between plasma folate and vitamin B12 concentrations. In both the NT and ET groups, plasma folate and vitamin B12 were not significantly changed by increasing duration of aerobic exercise. Plasma folate concentration of E0.5 was significantly lower in the ET group compared with that in the NT group. Significantly higher vitamin B12 concentrations were observed in the E0 and E0.5 groups of the ET group compared to those of the NT group. CONCLUSION: Regular moderate exercise training decreased plasma folate and increased plasma vitamin B12 levels. However, no significant changes in plasma folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were observed by increasing duration of acute aerobic exercise.
Animals ; Exercise ; Folic Acid* ; Motor Activity ; Plasma* ; Rats ; Rodentia ; Vitamin B 12* ; Vitamins*

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed retrospectively incidence, management, and predictors of difficult intubation, which have been known through practical cases. METHODS: A total of 217 cases of difficult intubation (DI) between 2010 and 2014 were investigated. Risk factors such as age, body mass index, Mallampati score, thyromental distance, degree of mouth opening and range of neck motion, Cormack-Lehane grade, intubation and airway management techniques were investigated. The cases of each department were analyzed and the airway management techniques according to simplified risk scores (SRS) were also investigated. RESULTS: The average incidence of DI was 0.49%. Patients undergoing surgery in the departments of oro-maxillo-facial surgery (1.35%), ophthalmologic surgery (0.96%), urologic surgery (0.80%), and head and neck surgery of ear-nose-throat (0.62%) showed the higher incidence of DI. Difficult mask ventilation (10 of 217, 4.6%) was occurred with DI. Higher SRS were related to high rates of video laryngoscope use and fiberoptic guided intubation. There was a decrease in the use of McCoy blades after 2013, an increase in the use of video laryngoscope, and a consistent rate of fiberoptic intubation. CONCLUSION: It is not easy to check all the predictors of DI in a preanesthetic evaluation and the predictors are not accurate. The role of clinical preparation and practical management is important, and the most important thing is to establish a planned induction strategy. Multiple factors system, such as simplified risk factors should be used to evaluate patients to prepare for appropriate airway management techniques in case of DI.
Airway Management ; Body Mass Index ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intubation* ; Laryngoscopes ; Laryngoscopy ; Masks ; Mouth ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies* ; Risk Factors ; Ventilation

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the usefulness of MRI 3D quantitative analysis for measuring osteonecrosis of the femoral head in comparison with MRI 2D quantitative analysis and quantitative analysis of the specimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 3 months at our hospital, 14 femoral head specimens with osteonecrosis were obtained after total hip arthroplasty. The patients preoperative MRIs were retrospectively reviewed for quantitative analysis of the size of the necrosis. Each necrotic fraction of the femoral head was measured by 2D quantitative analysis with using mid-coronal and mid-sagittal MRIs, and by 3D quantitative analysis with using serial continuous coronal MRIs and 3D reconstruction software. The necrotic fraction of the specimen was physically measured by the fluid displacement method. The necrotic fraction according to MRI 2D or 3D quantitative analysis was compared with that of the specimen by using Spearman's correlation test. RESULTS: On the correlative analysis, the necrotic fraction by MRI 2D quantitative analysis and quantitative analysis of the specimen showed moderate correlation (r = 0.657); on the other hand, the necrotic fraction by MRI 3D quantitative analysis and quantitative analysis of the specimen demonstrated a strong correlation (r = 0.952) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MRI 3D quantitative analysis was more accurate than 2D quantitative analysis using MRI for measuring osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Therefore, it may be useful for predicting the clinical outcome and deciding the proper treatment option.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Femur ; Hand ; Head* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Necrosis ; Osteonecrosis* ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet(UV) light is one of the injurious environmental agents which is known to lead to apoptosis of cells. However, studies on UVB-induced apoptosis of melanocytes are still lacking and there are some discrepancies between researchers. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the characteristics of UVB-induced apoptosis of melanocytes and G361 cells. METHODS: Cultured normal human melanocytes and malignant melanoma cell lines (G361 cells) were analyzed by several detection methods including morphological examination of propidium iodide(PI) stained cells under fluorescence microscopy, quantitation of fragmented DNA, and flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS: Both melanocytes and G361 cells showed similar rate of apoptosis with gradual increment of UVB doses by the quantitation of fragmented DNA. However, flow cytometric analysis using scatter properties and PI stainability revealed that the melanocytes were more resistant to UVB than G361 cells. CONCLUSION: We suggest that melanocytes seem to be more resistant to UVB-induced injury than G361 cells. In addition, various methods for the detection of apoptosis might be necessary for its study. (Ann Dermatol 10:(3) 147152, 1998).
Apoptosis* ; Cell Line ; DNA ; Humans* ; Melanocytes* ; Melanoma ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Propidium