No abstract available.
Prevalence* ; Seoul*

No abstract available.
Prevalence* ; Seoul*

BACKGROUND: Hairdressers are individuals at high risk of occupational skin disease, especially occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD), because of continuous exposure to water, detergents, hair dyes and bleaches, permanent wave solutions and metal equipment. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the frequency of OACD among hairdressers and the sources of sensitization through patch test and questionnaires. METHODS: We analyzed the occupational characteristics (age, gender, duration of work), site of dermatitis, suspicious sensitizers, and use of preventive measures in a group of 96 hairdressers who answered a questionnaire. Among them, 61 hairdressers who were suspected of having occupational allergic contact dermatitis were patch-tested with the Korean standard series and hairdressing series. RESULTS: Among 96 hairdressers, 74 hairdressers (78%) responded with their experiences of work-related skin problems. The results of patch test revealed an occupationally-relevant sensitization in 82% of the 61 hairdressers. Mean frequencies of sensitization ranked as follows: nickel sulfate (37.7%), cobalt chloride (34.4%), paraphenylenediamine base (21.3%), thimerosal (11.5%), potassium dichromate (9.8%), mercury ammonium chloride (8.2%), Balsam Peru (6.6%), glyceryl monothioglycolate (4.9%), and fragrance mix (4.9%). We also classified these allergens as hairdressing agents, and hair dye showed the highest frequency of positive reactions (30%). CONCLUSION: From this study, we were able to unravel the important sensitizers related to the hairdressing profession. To improve the safety of their job and to the prevent occupational allergic contact dermatitis, hairdressers should be aware of these common sensitizers, and try to improve protective measures and their applications.
Allergens ; Ammonium Chloride ; Cobalt ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Detergents ; Hair ; Hair Dyes ; Nickel ; Patch Tests* ; Peru ; Potassium Dichromate ; Skin Diseases* ; Skin* ; Thimerosal

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that Korean Red Ginseng saponins are effective in increasing the synthesis of serum proteins, in cellular proliferation, in producing antibody against sheep red blood cells, and in various cancer. However, there have been no reports yet on the immunomodulating activity of this allergic disease. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to find the immunomodulating activity of a single highly purified ginsenoside, Rb1, by using ovalbumin(OVA) as the antigen. METHOD: BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously with OVA containing the alum or ginsenoside, Rb1, twice per 2wk interval. Antigen-specific antibodies and IgG subclasses were determined from serum recovered by cardiac puncture 2 wk after the second immunization by using ELISA method. Antigen-specific cellular proliferation and cytokines were quantified from splenotes obtained from spleens immunized. Cytokine level in cell culture supernatants were determined by ELISA method. NK cell cytotoxicity was generated by co-culture of splenic mononuclear cells against YAC-1 cells as target cells. Hemolytic activity of Rb1 was determined by an in vitro assay using sheep red blood cells. RESULTS: BALB/c mice immunized with OVA plus Rb1 produced significantly higher titers of antibodies than mice immunized with alum-adsorbed antigen. Rb1 remarkably increased titers in IgG2a and IgG2b subclasses. Antigen-specific proliferative response was more significantly increased with the use of Rb1 than with alum-adsorbed antigen. Rb1 reduced IL-4 production, increased IL-10 production more than alum-adsorbed OVA, but did not affect the IFN-gamma production. High concentration of Rb1 increased the splenic mononuclear cells that were capable of killing YAC-1 cells. Rb1 did not stimulate the production of reaginic antibody (IgE) but alum was able to induce it. Rb1 did not show any hemolytic activity up to 500microgram/ml. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that the highly purified ginsenoside extracted from Korean Red Ginseng Radix, Rb1, can actively influence the switch of Igs produced by OVA. The data also suggest that Rb1 may be an immunosurveillant in NK cytotoxic activity.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Blood Proteins ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytokines ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Erythrocytes ; Homicide ; Immunization ; Immunoglobulin G ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-4 ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Mice ; Ovalbumin ; Ovum ; Panax ; Punctures ; Saponins ; Sheep ; Spleen

A clinical observation was made on 77 cases of cryptorchidism who had been admitted Eul ji General Hospital in Seoul and Tae Jon, Korea, during the period from January, 1976 to June, 1984 The results were as follows 1. The cryptorchidism had the highest incidence rate among the anomalies of the genitourinary tract (47.8%) . 2. The age distribution was ranging from 3 years to 35 years and the most frequent age group 6 to 10 years old. 3. The bilateral cryptorchidisms were observed in 24 cases (31.2%) , of the unilateral 53 cases, right in 35 cases and left in 18 cases. 4. Among location of cryptorchidisms, the inguinal types were most frequent (56.5%) 5. Hormonal therapy was done on 12 cases of cryptorchidisms but 5 cases were respondent with partial descent and 1 case was responsive with complete descent. 6. Orchiopexy was performed on 92 testes, orchiectomy on 6 testes and 2 cases were confirmed as monoorchism on exploration. 7. On the histopathologic findings of testicular biopsy in 6 cases, there were immature seminiferous tubules, germ cell aplasia, basement membrane thickening and aspermatogenesis.
Age Distribution ; Basement Membrane ; Biopsy ; Child ; Cryptorchidism* ; Daejeon ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Germ Cells ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Orchiopexy ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Seoul ; Testis

BACKGROUND: The human homologue of mouse double minute 2(mdm-2) gene codes for a cellular protein that forms a complex with the mutant and wild type p53 protein and modulates its trans-activation activity. Overexpression of the mdm-2 protein is associated with the tumorigenic potential of mdm-2 gene and overcomes the growth suppressive activity of p53. OBJECTIVE & METHODS: In order to investigate the pattern of the mdm-2 and p53 expression in malignant skin tumors, we performed an immunohistochemical analysis using NCL-MDM-2p polyclonal antibody and DO7 monoclonal antibody, respectively, in 10 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), 8 basal cell carcinomas(BCCs), 5 malignant melanomas(MMs), and 6 fibrosarcomas (FSs). RESULTS: The expression of mdm-2 protein was detected in 40% of SCCs, 25% of BCCs, 40% of MMs and 33% of FSs, whereas 40% of SCCs, 25% of BCCs, 20% of MMs, and 17% of FSs showed p53 positivity. One case of SCCs and one case of BCCs showed immunoreactivity with both anti-mdm-2 and anti-p53 antibodies. Within the limitations of this small sample size, there was no relationship between the expression of mdm-2 and p53 protein, as overexpression of these two genes was not mutually exclusive. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that interaction between the mdm-2 and p53 genes and products in these malignant tumors appears to be heterogenous and more complex than previously realized. Further studies on molecular basis are required to characterize the mechanism of mdm-2 overexpression and its relation to p53.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Fibrosarcoma ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Melanoma ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 ; Sample Size ; Skin*

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia is characterized by local and gradual transformations of terminal scalp hair to vellus hair, which has a shorter and thinner shaft. The proportion of patients with androgenetic alopecia, among the total number of patients with alopecia, seems to be gradually increasing. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the family history, and clinical and endocrine status of patients with androgenetic alopecia. METHOD: 796 patients with androgenetic alopecia were assessed at the Alopecia Clinic, Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University Hospital over a 3 year period (from January 2001 to December 2003). RESULTS: The following results were obtained: 1) There were found to be 1.7 more male patients (498) than female patients (298). They were also found to be mostly in their twenties (male 253; 50.8%, female 90; 30.2%). Previously, male to female ratio was 3.46: 1, but was now found to be 1.7: 1. 2) In the 498 male patients, Norwood class II was dominant (130 patients; 26.2%). In the 298 female patients, Ludwig class I was superior (204 patients; 68.5%). 3) 321 patients (64.5%) of 498 male patients and 177 (59.4%) of 298 female patients hada family history of androgenetic alopecia. 4) The most common accompanying disorder was seborrheic dermatitis (male 287; 73.0%, female 137; 64.6%). 5) Serum testosterone levels were increased in 84 (16.9%) of 498 male patients and 44 (14.8%) of 298 female patients. CONCLUSION: Most of these results are compatible with our previous study carried out in 1995. But, female androgenetic alopecia patients are nowadays increasing in number, therefore, the ratio of male to female is markedly different.
Alopecia* ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Dermatology ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Male ; Scalp ; Testosterone

This article has been retracted.

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APGS) is characterized by the association of two or more endocrine disorders that are mediated by autoimmune mechanism. We herein report a case of alopecia areata associated with APGS type III. This particular case involved autoimmune Hashimoto thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and vitiligo, and so met the criteria of APGS type III.
Alopecia Areata* ; Alopecia* ; Hashimoto Disease ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune* ; Vitiligo

Thymic carcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm of the thymic epithelium, distinguished from invasive thymoma by the presence of malignant cytology and a greater incidence of local invasion and embolic metastases. The symptoms are anterior chest pain, dyspnea, coughing, and superior vena cava syndrome usually caused by compression of mediastinal organs. Histologic grade is the most important prognostic factor. Although it is common to observe intrathoracic invasion or metastasis, extrathoracic invasion is extremely rare, and only a few cases have been reported to date. Herein, we report a case of a patient with a thymic carcinoma which showed extrathoracic invasion, presenting as a solitary, pinkish nodule on the chest wall.
Chest Pain ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Skin* ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome ; Thoracic Wall ; Thymoma*