RATIONAELE: Secondary bilateral synchrony(SBS) is not an unusual finding to the EEGers, but its Significance is not well-delineated. We reviewed the clinical EEG, and neuroimaging characteristicts in patients with SBS. METHOD: Patients who were admitted for presurgical evaluation of intractable epilepsy were classified on the basis of video-EEG monitoring, prolonged interictal EEG, MRI, ictal SPECT, PET, and, in a few cases, the surgical results. We analyzed clinical, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging characteristics of patients with SBS by comparing them, with those without SBS. RESULTS: Among 319 patients who were admitted for presurgical epilepsy evaluation, 26 patients had SBS(8.2%). Medial temporal lobe epilepsy was predominant as a whole(140/319, 43.9%), but frontal lobe epilepsy(FLE) was main syndrome in the SBS group(16/26, 61.5%). Multifocal irritative zones were present in 12.5% of FLE with SBS group(2/16) and in 4.8% of FLE without SBS group(2/42). In FLE with SBS group, the location of ictal onset zone was parasaggital in 32%(5/16) and multifocal in 37%(6/16). There was a tendency to develop secondary generalized tonic clonic seizure in FLE with SBS group than in FLE without SBS group. Neuroimaging modalities revealed frontal abnormalities more accurately in FLE with SBS group than in FLE without SBS group. CONCLUSION: Frontal lobe as an epileptogenic zone is an important factor in generating SBS and SBS seems to facilitate seizure spreading to the contralateral hemisphere.
Electroencephalography* ; Epilepsy ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neuroimaging* ; Seizures ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are endogenous danger molecules that are released from damaged or dying cells and activate the innate immune system by interacting with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Although DAMPs contribute to the host's defense, they promote pathological inflammatory responses. Recent studies have suggested that various DAMPs, such as high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), S100 proteins, and heat shock proteins (HSPs), are increased and considered to have a pathogenic role in inflammatory diseases. Here, we review current research on the role of DAMPs in inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and cancer. We also discuss the possibility of DAMPs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for these diseases.
Alzheimer Disease ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Atherosclerosis ; Biomarkers ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Immune System ; Inflammation ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Osteoarthritis ; Parkinson Disease ; Receptors, Pattern Recognition ; S100 Proteins

PURPOSE: This study was to observe whether the apoptotic function of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is induced in human gastric epithelial dysplasia and gastric adenocarcinoma according to the role of FasL expression. MATENRIALS AND METHODS: A total of 56 gastric epithelial dysplasia and gastric adenocarcinoma patients were enrolled in this study: 9 cases of gastric epithelial dysplasia, 18 cases of early gastric carcinomas (EGC) and 29 cases of advanced gastric carcinomas (AGC). Immunohistochemical staining was performed for FasL and CD45, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) method was used to detect cell death in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. RESULTS: 1) Positive reactions of FasL to neoplastic cells were 88.9% (8/9) in gastric epithelial dysplasia, 83.3% (15/18) in EGC, and 75.9% (22/29) in AGC. 2) Expression of TIL was decreased in the FasL positive region and was increased in the FasL negative region, and significant expression of TIL was observed in the AGC group (P=0.001). 3) Expression of apoptotic TIL was very similar to the FasL expression, and 100% expression was observed in gastric epithelial dysplasia group. 4) Expression of apoptotic TIL was increased in the FasL positive region and decreased in the FasL negative region, and significant apoptotic expression was observed in the gastric epithelial dysplasia and EGC groups (P=0.0420, P=0.0263, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that FasL is a prevalent mediator of immune privilege in epithelial dysplasia and cancer of the stomach.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Apoptosis* ; Cell Death ; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase ; Humans ; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating ; Stomach Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Cheilitis is a common problem, the cause of which is often obscure. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the frequency of allergic contact cheilitis and irritant contact cheilitis among 23 eczematous cheilitis patients via patch testing and assessment of past medical history. METHODS: This study consisted of 23 patients with eczematous cheilitis who had visited the Department of Dermatology, two University Hospital in Incheon, between January 2005 and August 2006. Of the 23 patients, 20 were female, and the age range was 15 to 70 years. We analyzed the clinical characteristics (age, gender, duration, atopic or allergic disease, lip licking) of the patients. All patients were patch-tested with the Korean standard series, 9 patients with the Cosmetic series and 5 patients with as is test. We then analyzed the results of the patch tests and evaluated the relevance of any positive results. RESULTS: Of the cases, 34.78% were identified as irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), and 30.43% as allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Furthermore, of the 23 patients, 11 were positive to one or more antigen and 7 of these had a clinical relevance for positive antigen. The substances causing a positive reaction, triggering ACD were identified as medicaments applied to the lip, lipstick ingredients and toothpaste. CONCLUSION: The most common cause of cheilitis was irritation, frequently caused by lip licking. But, almost one third was caused by ACD. Patients with chronic eczematous cheilitis should be patch-tested to identify the materials causing ACD.
Cheilitis* ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatology ; Female ; Humans ; Incheon ; Lip ; Lip Diseases ; Patch Tests* ; Toothpastes

Statement of problem. Titanium is the most important material for biomedical and dental implants because of their high corrosion resistance and good biocompatibility. These beneficial properties are due to a protective passive oxide film that spontaneously forms on the surface. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the responses of osteoblast-like cells on different surface treatments on Ti discs. Material and Methods. Group 1 represented the machined surface with no treatment. Group 2 surfaces were sandblasted with 50microm Al2O3 under 5 kgf/cm2 of pressure. Groups 3 and 4 were sandblasted under the same conditions. The samples were treated on a titanium oxide surface with reactive sputter depositioning and thermal oxidation at 600degree C (Group 3) and 800degree C (Group 4) for one hour in an oxygen environment. The chemical composition and microtopography were analyzed by XRD, XPS, SEM and optical interferometer. The stability of TiO2 layer was studied by potentiodynamic curve. To evaluate cell response, osteoblast extracted from femoral bone marrow of young adult rat were cultured for cell attachment, proliferation and morphology on each titanium discs. Results and Conclusion. The results were as follows : 1.Surface roughness values were, from the lowest to the highest, machined group, 800degree C thermal oxidation group, 600degree C thermal oxidation group and blasted group. The Ra value of blasted group was significantly higher than that of 800degree C thermal oxidation group (P=0.003), which was not different from that of 600degree C thermal oxidation group (P<0.05). 2. The degree of cell attachment was highest in the 600degree C thermal oxidation group after four and eight hours (P<0.05), but after 24 hours, there was no difference among the groups (P>0.05). 3. The level of cell proliferation showed no difference among the groups after one day, three days, and seven days (P>0.05). 4. The morphology and arrangement of the cells varied with surface roughness of the discs.
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Cell Proliferation ; Corrosion ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; Oxygen ; Rats ; Titanium* ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Vulva*

Canalicular adenoma is a rare benign tumor that arises in the minor salivary gland. Clinically, it usually presents as an asymptomatic nodule on the upper lip or buccal mucosa. It is necessary to histopathologically differentiate canalicular adenoma from basal cell adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma. Canalicular adenoma shows tubular structures composed of 1 or 2 layers of columnar cells and intraluminal hemorrhage. Squamous morules, which seem to represent metaplasia, are a unique finding for this tumor. Immunohistochemical staining is often helpful for the diagnosis of canalicular adenoma, which is positive for S-100 and CK (AE1/3). Herein, we report a case of canalicular adenoma in a 71-year-old man who presented with an asymptomatic nodule on the upper lip. As far as we know, this is the first report of canalicular in Korean Dermatology Journal.
Adenoma* ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; Dermatology ; Diagnosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lip* ; Metaplasia ; Mouth Mucosa ; Salivary Glands, Minor

DF formula is comprised of three traditional herbs, Ephedra intermedia, Rheum palmatum and Lithospermum erythrorhizon, and locally used for treating of the metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes in Korea. We tried to optimize the extraction conditions of two major components, (−)-ephedrine and (+)-pseudoephedrine, in DF formula using response surface methodology with Box-Behnken design (BBD). The experimental conditions with 70% for EtOH concentrations, 4.8 hour for extraction hours and 8.7 times for the solvent to material ratio were suggested for the optimized extraction of DF formula with the highest amounts of (−)-ephedrine and (+)-pseudoephedrine in the designed model.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Ephedra ; Korea ; Lithospermum ; Metabolic Diseases ; Obesity ; Rheum

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical applicability and safety of absorbable synthetic suture materials (Safil(R)/Safil(R)Quick/Monosyn(R)) in obstetrical surgeries. METHODS: This clinical trial includes 100 patients who delivered vaginally and 198 patients who were undergone cesarean section from April 2004 to September 2004. In cases of vaginal delivery, patients were divided with the same number into the study group in which Safil(R) Quick was used and the control group in which chromic catgut was used for episiotomy and perineal laceration repair. In case of cesarean delivery, patients were divided into two groups. The first group which included 100 patients was subdivided with the same number into the study group in which Monosyn(R) was used and the control group in which chromic catgut was used for uterine repair. The second group which included 98 patients was subdivided with the same number into the study group in which Safil(R) was used and the control group in which Vicryl was used for rectus fascia repair. Wound healing status and complications are assessed during postoperative stage, at hospital discharge, and at postpartum out-patients follow-up. RESULTS: Compared with chromic catgut groups, Safil(R) Quick group showed no difference in hospital stay from vaginal delivery, wound healing status and surgical complications and Monosyn(R) group showed no difference in operating time, decrease in hemoglobin at postoperative day 3 and surgical complications. Safil(R) group showed no difference in operating time, postoperative pain and surgical complications compared with Vicryl group. CONCLUSION: Safil(R)/Safil(R) Quick/Monosyn(R) were equivalent with regard to most aspects of their clinical suitability and may be useful alternative suture materials in obstetrical surgeries.
Catgut ; Cesarean Section ; Episiotomy ; Fascia ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lacerations ; Length of Stay ; Obstetric Surgical Procedures* ; Outpatients ; Pain, Postoperative ; Polyglactin 910 ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Sutures* ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: Most patients feel uneasy about visiting a clinic and thus the trust on their physicians can be affected by the physicians' attire, attitude and greeting. We aimed to investigate the difference between patients' and physicians' preferences to attires and greetings in clinics. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire survey on 394 outpatients in a university hospital and on 169 doctors from five university hospitals. We questioned to the outpatients about their preference for physicians' dress style, how to address them and the method of greeting. We also questioned to the doctors about their own attire, attitude and etiquette. RESULTS: The patients preferred to be called 'OOO Nim' (54.0%), 'OOO Ssi' (29.2%), 'Hwanjabun' (16.2%) and 'Sunsaengnim' (2.5%). However, the physicians were used to calling patients 'Hwanjabun' (39.2%), 'OOO Nim' (29.6%), 'OOO Ssi' (24.5%) and 'Sunsaengnim' (1.2%) (P<0.001). Both the patients and the physicians preferred physicians'to wear white-gown (70.3% vs 78.7%) in a medical office. Inside the gown, a shirt and a necktie (66.2% vs 71.6%) were favored in both groups. Compared to the patients, the physicians thought that their attitude (23.1% vs 45.6%) and their attire (49.7% vs 55.6%) had a great effect on their professionalism. CONCLUSION: We found that the patients wanted to be called 'OOO Nim', but 'Hwanjabun' was most commonly used by the physicians. Both the patients and the physicians preferred white-gown. We also found that the physicians' attire and attitude were strongly associated with their professionalism.
Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Surveys and Questionnaires