BACKGROUND: Disturbed keratinization of the follicular infundibulum is the earliest change in comedo formation. The relative decrease in linoleic acid in the sebum could be responsible, in part, for this abnormal keratinization. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of topically applied multi-lamellar emulsion containing linoleic acid (MLE/LA) on experimentally induced comedones. METHODS: To induce comedo formation, 50% oleic acid (OL) in macrogol 400 was applied to the ventral surface of both ears of New Zealand white rabbits. Twenty ears of ten rabbits were randomly divided into four treatment groups (5 ears in each group). Four groups (OL only, OL and MLE/LA, OL and MLE, OL and control vehicle containing LA) were treated twice daily for 2 weeks. The relative increase in areas of the comedo was evaluated by digital image analysis. The morphologic changes around the epithelial lining of the comedo were observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: After 2 weeks of application, only the OL and MLE/LA combined treated group showed significantly less (by 1.23-fold, p<0.05) increase in comedo size when compared to the OL treated group (by 1.86-fold). Upon light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy examination, the MLE/LA treated ears showed a lesser degree of epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis in the follicular infundibulum compared with the OL treated ears. CONCLUSION: Topical MLE/LA might have an inhibitory effect on the formation of OL induced comedones.
Ear ; Hyperplasia ; Linoleic Acid* ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Oleic Acid ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Rabbits ; Sebum

BACKGROUND: The abnormal barrier function in atopic dermatitis(AD) is caused by a reduction in the amounts of ceramides in the intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum(SC). Replenishing the SC via the topical application of ceramides and pseudoceramides leads to effective recovery of the barrier function of skin. OBJECTIVES: An open clinical crossover evaluation was conducted to investigate the effects in AD of a multi-lamellar emulsion(MLE) that contained pseudoceramide(PC-9s). METHODS: The study group included 30 AD patiendaverage age: 4.4 yr, range: 1-8 yr), who applied MLE or a commercial moisturizing cream(CMC, 5% urea) alternately for four weeks each. We divided the subjects into two subgroups and started with different treatments in each subgroup. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using the average subjective satisfaction scores for each symptom and the global clinical response. In addition, the SCORAD(Scoring AD) index was adopted to evaluate the severity of AD as objectively as possible. The patients were evaluated using this index every other week. RESULTS: Although the SCORAD improved in both subgroups, the patients had better results (p<0.05) when applying MLE(31-35% decrease) than CMC(13% increase to 14% decrease). The subjective satisfaction scores of the symptoms and signs of patients, including itching, erythema, and dry skin, were higher in the MLE group than in the CMC group, and the global response to treatment was also better in the MLE group. During the follow-up period, AD improved in all patients. MLE was more effective than CMC in our patients. CONCLUSIONS: The topical application of a multi-lamellar emulsion containing pseudoceramide is an effective regimen for improving symptoms of AD.
Ceramides ; Cross-Over Studies* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Erythema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Cathepsin D, an aspartic lysosomal proteinase, is believed to be involved in local invasion and metastasis of tumor cells by its proteolytic activity and has been described to be associated with tumor progression and prognosis in some human malignancies including breast cancer. But, its prognostic value for human lung cancer remains to be determined. The purpose of this study is to determine clinicopathological and prognostic significance of cathepsin D expression in non-small cell lung cancer. METHOD: Using a polyclonal antibody, immunohistochemical analysis of cathepsin D was performed on paraffin embedded sections of tumors obtained surgically from 54 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (37 squamous cell carcinoma, 14 adenocarcinoma, 2 large cell carcinoma, and 1 undifferentiated carcinoma). RESULTS: Eighteen patients (33.3%) showed positive immunoreactivities of cathepsin D in tumor cells. No significant correlation of cathepsin D expression in tumor cells was found in p-stage (surgical-pathologic stage), tumor size, tumor factor, nodal involvement, and differentiation. Of 54 patients, 29 (53.7%) patients showed moderate to massive cathepsin D-positive stromal cells within the tumor tissues, while the rest (46.3%) showed few cathepsin D-positive stromal cells within the tumor tissues. Cathepsin D expression n stromal cells was significantly associated with p-stage in non-small cell lung cancer (p=0.031). No significant correlation of the degree of cathepsin D-positive stromal cells was found in tumor size, T-factor, nodal involvement, differentiation. Cathepsin D expression status in tumor cells and stromal cells was not significantly associated with prognosis expressed by survival rate. The results of multivariate analyses of variables possibly associated with progonosis showed that nodal involvement was the only independent prognostic factor in all patients. CONCLUSION: Cathepsin D expression in stromal cells was significantly associated with p-stage in non-small cell lung cancer. However, it was not related to other clinicopathologic features and prognosis, and Cathepsin D expression in tumor was not related to p-stage and prognosis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Breast Neoplasms ; Carcinoma, Large Cell ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cathepsin D* ; Cathepsins* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paraffin ; Prognosis* ; Stromal Cells ; Survival Rate

Garlic and mugwort have long been used in traditional medicine to prevent various diseases. Several in vitro studies have reported protective efficacies of garlic and mugwort in cases of gastric cancer. In the present study, we investigated the cancer preventive effects of garlic and mugwort mixture extract (GME) in a Helicobacter (H.) pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis mouse model. To induce gastric cancer, C57BL/6 mice were treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and H. pylori. Various concentrations of GME (0, 100, 500, and 1,000 ppm) were then fed to the mice for 38 weeks, after which the tumor tissues were examined for histopathology, mucin histochemistry and beta-catenin. The incidence of gastric tumors was significantly lower in the highest dose GME-treated mice (46.7%) than control mice (85.7%) (p < 0.05). The multiplicity and size of tumors were also significantly reduced by GME feeding in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.01). Furthermore, GME suppressed the H. pylori-associated chronic inflammation measured by histologic grading of H. pylori density, chronic gastritis, glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in non-tumorous gastric mucosae. Our data suggest that GME suppresses gastric tumorigenesis via suppression of H. pylori-associated chronic inflammation.
Animals ; Artemisia* ; Atrophy ; beta Catenin ; Carcinogenesis* ; Garlic* ; Gastric Mucosa ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori ; Helicobacter* ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Medicine, Traditional ; Metaplasia ; Methylnitrosourea ; Mice* ; Mucins ; Stomach Neoplasms

Garlic and mugwort have long been used in traditional medicine to prevent various diseases. Several in vitro studies have reported protective efficacies of garlic and mugwort in cases of gastric cancer. In the present study, we investigated the cancer preventive effects of garlic and mugwort mixture extract (GME) in a Helicobacter (H.) pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis mouse model. To induce gastric cancer, C57BL/6 mice were treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and H. pylori. Various concentrations of GME (0, 100, 500, and 1,000 ppm) were then fed to the mice for 38 weeks, after which the tumor tissues were examined for histopathology, mucin histochemistry and beta-catenin. The incidence of gastric tumors was significantly lower in the highest dose GME-treated mice (46.7%) than control mice (85.7%) (p < 0.05). The multiplicity and size of tumors were also significantly reduced by GME feeding in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.01). Furthermore, GME suppressed the H. pylori-associated chronic inflammation measured by histologic grading of H. pylori density, chronic gastritis, glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in non-tumorous gastric mucosae. Our data suggest that GME suppresses gastric tumorigenesis via suppression of H. pylori-associated chronic inflammation.
Animals ; Artemisia* ; Atrophy ; beta Catenin ; Carcinogenesis* ; Garlic* ; Gastric Mucosa ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori ; Helicobacter* ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Medicine, Traditional ; Metaplasia ; Methylnitrosourea ; Mice* ; Mucins ; Stomach Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: ICSI with testicular sperm could achieve optimal fertilization and pregnancy. This study was performed to observe the influence on fertilization and pregnancy of motility of fresh testicular sperm and sperm extracted from frozen-thawed seminiferous tubules in obstructive azoospermia. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS: We analysed clinical outcome of ICSI using fresh testicular sperm and sperm extracted from thawed seminiferous tubules. The presence of motility were compared to determine the factor for optimal fertilization and pregnancy rates. RESULTS: In 316 cases of TESE-ICSI in obstructive azoospermia, ICSI with fresh testicular sperm (fresh sperm group) were 163 cases and ICSI with sperm testicular sperm extracted from frozen-thawed seminiferous tubule (thawed sperm group) were 153 cases. The fertilization rates were 71.3% and pregnancy rates were 32.5% in fresh sperm group, in thawed sperm group, 65.1% and 33.3% respectively. The fertilization and pregnancy rates of motile and non-motile testicular sperm were 72.9% and 33.6%, 50.0% and 18.2%, respectively (p<0.05). The fertilization and pregnancy rates of motile and non-motile sperm extracted from the thawed seminiferous tubule were 67.8% and 34.7%, 55.1% and 28.1%, respectively (p<0.05). The comparative of the results of ICSI using motile fresh testicular sperm and motile sperm extracted from thawed seminiferous tubule, fertilization and pregnancy rates were not significantly different (72.9% and 33.6%, 67.8% and 34.7%, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that successful pregnancy in TESE-ICSI treatment is influenced by the motility of fresh testicular sperm and sperm extracted from thawed seminiferous tubule in obstructive azoospermic patients.
Azoospermia ; Fertilization ; Humans ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy* ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Spermatozoa*

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) is characterized by varying degrees of interstitial fibrosis. IL-13 and IL-4 are strong inducers of tissue fibrosis, whereas IFN-gamma has antifibrotic potential. However, the roles of these substances in IIP remain unknown. IL-13, IL-4, and IFN-gamma were measured in the BAL fluid of 16 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, 10 nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) patients, and 8 normal controls. The expression of IL-13 and IL-13Ralpha1/alpha2 in lung tissues was analyzed using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. IL-13 levels were significantly higher in IPF patients than the others (P<0.05). IL-4 levels were higher in both IPF and NSIP patients than in normal controls (P<0.05), and IFN-gamma levels were lower in NSIP patients than in normal controls (P=0.047). IL-13 levels correlated inversely with FVC% (r=-0.47, P=0.043) and DLCO% (r=-0.58, P=0.014) in IPF and NSIP patients. IL-13 was strongly expressed in the smooth muscle, bronchial epithelium, alveolar macrophages and endothelium of IPF patients. IL-13Ralpha1, rather than IL-13Ralpha2, was strongly expressed in the smooth muscle, bronchial epithelium, and endothelium of IPF patients. IL-13 and its receptors may contribute to the pathogenesis of fibrosis in IIP and appear to be related to the severity of the disease.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias/diagnosis/*metabolism ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis/diagnosis/*metabolism ; Interferon-gamma/analysis ; Interleukin-13/*analysis ; Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha1 Subunit/*metabolism ; Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha2 Subunit/*metabolism ; Interleukin-4/analysis ; Lung/physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is necessary to establish the most efficient diagnostic and therapeutic method for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which is appropriate for Korean healthcare system. We aimed to evaluate current state of Korean clinician's diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for BPPV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 16-item survey was emailed to the members of dizziness department of Otology Research Interest Group in the Korean Otologic Society (n=68). 43 were returned and analyzed. RESULTS: All respondents (100%) used Dix-Hallpike test as a diagnostic tool for vertical canal-BPPV. Supine roll test was used for diagnosing lateral canal BPPV in nearly all the respondents (97.7%). Epley maneuver was chosen as otolith repositioning maneuver (ORM) for posterior canal BPPV in all respondents and barbecue rotation (BBQ) was used for treating lateral canal BPPV with geotropic nystagmus in 95.3% of respondents. Extreme variation was noted for therapeutic approach of lateral canal BPPV with ageotropic nystagmus BBQ, with 4 kinds of ORM and adjunctive measures to liberate otolith from cupula, while BBQ was again the most commonly used ORM (76.7%). CONCLUSION: The development of practical and efficient ORM for lateral canal BPPV with ageotropic nystagmus is necessary.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Delivery of Health Care ; Dizziness ; Electronic Mail ; Korea ; Otolaryngology ; Otolithic Membrane ; Public Opinion ; Vertigo