BACKGROUND: The integrins comprise a family of transmembrane glycoproteins which mediate cell-cell and cell-matr ix intera ctions, and the bcl-2 oncogene is involved in tumorigenesis by blocking apoptosis. Typical acquired melanocytic nevi appear to follow a life cycle characterized by active growth, maturation, and progressive involution. In contrast, congenital rnelanocytic nevi have a different course and prcgnosis with potential for development of melanoma, and metastatic spread is very common in malignant melanoma. Objective . We investigated the expression of integrins (a2,a3,a) and bcl-2 in congenital and acquired rnelanocytic nevi, and malignant, melanomas by immunohistochemical technique. Methods . Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from 7 compound nevi, 7 intradermal nevi, 5 congenital melanocytic nevi, and 5 malignant melanomas were immunolabeled with monoclonal antibodies directed against a2, a3,and a integrin, and bcl-2 protein. RESULTS: All acquired and congenital melanocytic nevi showed a uniform staining for a2, a3, a and bcl-2. In 3 compound nevi which the nevus cells lie mainly within the upper dermis, the nevus cells in the papillary dermis showed weak to negative a expression. Within neurotized are as of intradermal nevus, bcl-2 and a expression became weaker and totally absent. All 5 malig- nant melanomas exhibited strong a2, a3, a, and bcl-2 expression. However, the tumor cells in the lower advancing border failed to express a integrin in 3 of 5 malignant, melanomas. In most malignant melanomas, there was variable intensity of staining for bcl-2 in different areas of the tumor. Conclusion . These findings suggest that the integrins and bcl-2 may be involved in active growth, maturation, and progressive involution of the melanocytic nevi, and seem to be related to metastasis and tumorigenesis of the malignant melanoma.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Apoptosis ; Carcinogenesis ; Dermis ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Integrins* ; Life Cycle Stages ; Melanoma* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nevus ; Nevus, Intradermal ; Nevus, Pigmented* ; Oncogenes

In pili torti, the affected Eair shaft is flattened and twisted through 180 degrees on its own axis. The involved hairs are dry, thin, brittle, and break off easily. Congenital pili torti may occur as an isolated phenomenon or may occur in association with other abnormalities. Acquired pili torti is usually associated with some sort of scarring process in the scalp itself. We present a case of congnital pili torti without any other abnormalities in a 14 year-old female. The pedigree of her fariiily was consistent with the inheritance of congenital pili torti as an autosomal dominant trait.
Adolescent ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Pedigree ; Scalp ; Wills

PURPOSE: As well as patient survival, the restoration of postoperative function such as ambulation is important in limb salvage operations for treatment of malignant bone tumors involving the proximal femur. The authors analyzed clinical outcomes of limb salvage operations using tumor prostheses for metastatic or primary malignant bone tumors in the proximal femur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2005 to January 2014, 20 cases (19 patients) with malignant bone tumor involving the proximal femur with pain or complicated pathologic fracture were treated with segmental resection and limb salvage operations with tumor prostheses. Mean age was 63.1 years (range 35-86). Fourteen patients were male and six ones were female. The mean follow-up period was 20 months (1-94 months). There were 15 cases of metastatic bone tumor, 4 cases of osteosarcoma, and 1 case of multiple myeloma. The primary tumors of the metastatic bone tumors included 4 lung cancers, 3 hepatocellular carcinomas, and 3 renal cell carcinomas. Other primary tumors were breast cancer, thyroid cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and malignant spindle cell tumor, each in 1 case. Modular tumor prostheses were used in all cases; (Kotz's(R) Modular Tumor prosthesis (Howmedica, Rutherford, New Jersey) in 3 cases, MUTARS(R) proximal femur system (Implantcast, Munster, Germany) in 17 cases). Perioperative pain was assessed with Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). Postoperative functional outcome was assessed with Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) grading system. RESULTS: Out of 20 cases (19 patients), 11 cases (10 patients) survived at the last follow-up. Average postoperative survival of the 9 deceased patients was 10.1 months (1-38 months). VAS score improved from pre-operative average of 8.40 (5-10) to 1.35 (0-3) after operation. Average postoperative MSTS function score was 19.65 (65.50%, 7-28). The associated complications were 2 local recurrences, 3 hematomas, 3 infections, 2 scrotal swellings, and 1 dislocation. There was no case of periprosthetic fracture or loosening. CONCLUSION: Limb salvage operation with tumor prosthesis is an appropriate treatment for early pain reduction and functional restoration in malignant bone tumors in the proximal femur with pain an/or complicated pathologic fractures.
Breast Neoplasms ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Dislocations ; Female ; Femur* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Limb Salvage* ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Multiple Myeloma ; Osteosarcoma ; Periprosthetic Fractures ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Prostheses and Implants* ; Recurrence ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Walking ; Weights and Measures

No abstract available.

Reticulate acropigmentation of Kitamura (RAPK) is an autosomal dominant dermatosis comprising of reticulate slightly clepessed pigmentation of the extensor surfaces of the hands and feet with palmar pits. It has been suggested that this may be the same disease as Dawling Degos disease (DDD), an autosomal dorninant condition which is characterized by a reticulate pigmentation of flexures, comedo-like lesicns and pitted scars. We present a case of RAPK in a 49-year-old female who had reticulate, brownish, slightly depressed pigmentation on the extremities with t,he involvement of flexures, the predilection sites of DDD.
Cicatrix ; Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane ; Extremities ; Female ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Malignant Atrophic Papulosis ; Middle Aged ; Pigmentation ; Skin Diseases

The drinking water in apartment is stored in reservoir tank and thereafter supplied each household. In case the drinking water in stored too long or insanitary, tap water might change in quality. This study was carried out to evaluate the physic-chemical and microbiological conditions of 36 samples of tap water of apartments compared to 18 samples of tap water of independence houses in Taegu City from May to October, 1987. Main findings are summarized as follows: PH values were within normal range in all samples. Samples less than 0.2ppm in residual chlorine accounted for 16.7% in the apartment and 5.6% in the independence house. Nitrite nitrogen was detected 2.8% of apartment samples only. Among the total of 54 samples, 11.1% of the apartment and independence samples were over the normal value in standard plate count. Samples more than 1.8 of most probable number (MPN) accounted for 27.8% in the apartment and 33.3% in the independence house. In result of test for residual chlorine, nitrite nitrogen, standard plate count, and MPN, the proportion of the samples revealed inappropriate in respect of drinking water standards. In case of all sorts of tests was 2.7% in apartment and nothing in independence houses, in case of 3 sorts of tests was 2.7% in apartment and 5.6% in independence houses, in case of 2 sorts of tests was 8.3% in apartment and 5.6% in independence houses, and in case of only 1 test was 25.0% in apartment and 22.2% in independence houses. Correlation between residual chorine and standard plate count, and between standard plate count and MPN were observed. It was found that the more years since construction of apartment were, the worse tap water was in quality.
Chlorine ; Daegu* ; Drinking Water ; Family Characteristics ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Nitrogen ; Reference Values ; Water*

To estimate the prevalence of hypertension among the aged in urban area, the blood pressure was examined on the subjects of 565 men and 762 women of 65 years old and older among the residents of Nam-Ku and Soosung-Ku in Taegu between January and December, 1986. The mean systolic blood pressure was 136.0±25.01 mmHg in male and 133.0±24.56 mmHg in female. The mean diastolic blood pressure was 83.7±14.41 mmHg in male and 82.4±14.43mmHg in female. There was no significant differences between male and female in both mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure. According to WHO category, the prevalence of pure systolic hypertension (≥169/≤95 mmHg) was 7.8% in male and 6.8% in female. The prevalence of pure diastolic hypertension (≥160/≤95 mmHg) was 6.0% in male and 3.9% in female. The prevalence of both systolic and diastolic hypertension (≥160/≤95 mmHg) was 13.5% in male and 12.9% in female. According to Joint National Committee category, the percentage of normal blood pressure (/<90 mmHg) was 46.7% in male and 50.8% in female. The prevalence of mild hypertension (/90=104 mmHg) was 34.5% in male and 34.6% in female. The prevalence of moderate hypertension (/105=114 mmHg) was 5.1% in male and 2.5% in female. The prevalence of severe hypertension (/≥115 mmHg) was 2.3% in male and 2.5% in female. The prevalence of borderline isolated systolic hypertension (140-159/<90 mmHg) was 9.0% in male and 6.6% in female. The prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension (≥160/<90 mmHg) was 2.3% in male and 2.5% in female.
Blood Pressure ; Daegu ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Joints ; Male ; Prevalence*

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of lead on the incidence of anemia and to find cases with lead poisoning early among female workers who have been exposed to lead occupationally, for one year from August, 1985. The level of blood lead and hemoglobin concentration were observed for 284 female lead workers and 123 female non-lead workers of industries in the Gumi industrial complex in Kyungpook Province. The average age was 20.3±2.9 years and 21.1±3.5 years in lead workers and non-lead workers, respectively. The average working duration was 26.46±19.26 months in lead workers. The mean value of blood lead was 30.11±6.61 µg/100 ml and 21.86±3.75 µg/100 ml in lead workers and non-lead workers, respectively. There were significant differences between two groups. The mean value of hemoglobin concentration was 14.00±0.57 g/100 ml and 14.03±0.64 g/100 ml in lead workers and non-lead workers, respectively. Anemia cases were not observed at Hb concentration below 12g/100 ml. The percentages of lead workers at Hb concentration ranged 12.0~13.0 g/100 ml were 4.5%. There was no dose-response relationship between blood lead level and the incidence of anemia. There were no remarkable differences between age and blood lead level as well as Hb concentration, and between working duration and the level of blood lead and hemoglobin.
Anemia ; Female* ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lead Poisoning ; Occupational Exposure* ; Occupations

No abstract available in English.
Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Leprosy

This study was carried out to assess medical care expenditure of residents in urban poor area. The study population included 377 family members of 85 households in the poor area of Daemyung 8-Dong, Nam-Gu, Taegu and 442 family members of 96 households in a control area. The data was collected through self-administered q'iestionnaires completed by housewives. The survey was conducted. from , March 1 to May 31; 1992. The mean age was 31. 1 years in the poor area and 37. 1 years in the control area. The average number of households per house was 4.5 in the poor area and 4.5 in the control area. The frequency of medical care utilization per household in a one month period was 4.6 in the poor area and 4.3 in the control area. The average number of days of utilization was 12.9 in the poor area and 12.5 in the control area. The averge monthly income of a househlod in the poor area was 848,600 Won compared to the control area's 1,752,300 Won. The average monthly consumption expenditure of a household in the poor area was 568,800 Won and that in the control area 1,238,400 Won. The average medical care monthly expenditure per household was 34,500 Won in the poor area and 58,400 Won in the control area. The proportion of the medical care expenditure to monthly income and to monthly consumption expenditure was 4.1% and 6.1% respectively in the poor area, and 3.3% and 4.7%, respectively in the control area. The premium of medical insurance was 1.5% in both areas. The proportion of cost for drug was 57.4%, for medical appliance was 1.2%, and for medical treatment was 41.1% in the poor area and in the control area 52.4%, 1.9%, 45.7%, respectively. The highest proportion of medical care expenditures in the poor area was herb clinic utilization (36.9%). while hospital and clinic (37.8%) was the highest proportion in the control area. Mean medical care expenditure per visit was 7,400 Won in the poor area and 12,600 Won in the control area. Mean medical care expinditure per day was 2,800 Won in the poor area and 6.300 Won in the control area.
Daegu ; Family Characteristics ; Health Expenditures* ; Humans ; Insurance