The prevalences of dermographism in 106 patients with atopic dermatitis and 45 patients with allergic rhinitis were studied using a dermographic tester. The results are as follows : 1. Dermographism was more common in atopic dermatitis(17.0%) than in the general population(6.7%), but no significant difference was observed between allergic rhinitis(6.7%) and general population. 2. The prevalence rates of dermographism were not significantly correlated with the level of serum IgE in both atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis.
Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Prevalence* ; Rhinitis*

Pseudoepitheliomatous, keratotic and micaceous balanitis is a rare distictive clinical entity that represents a histologic spectrum ranging from hypertrophic hyperpalstic penile dystrophy to verrucous carcinoma. This condition is thought to be a malignant growth potential by resistance to treatment and its tendency toward local recurrence. We report two cases with similar clinical presentation of hyperkeratotic plaque and micaceous scaly patches on the glans penis that were compatible with pseudoepitheliomatous, keratotic and micaceous balanitis. Histopathologically, case 1, 48 year-old male was progressed to squamous cell carcinoma and case 2, 78 year-old male, was shown pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia without malignant changes.
Aged ; Balanitis* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Carcinoma, Verrucous ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis ; Recurrence

We describe a case of typical cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis occuring in 10-year-old male. He had recurrent subcutaneous nodules, fever, pancytopenia and abnormal liver function tests since 5 months of his age, and recently showed hemorrhagic diathesis. The histologic picture showed lobular histiocytic panniculitis with "bean bag" cytophagic cells.
Child ; Fever ; Hemorrhagic Disorders ; Humans ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Pancytopenia ; Panniculitis*

Obesity has been implicated as a significant risk factor for multiple medical condition including hypertention, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia and fatty liver. Furthermore, obesity in childhood is believed to be a reliable predictor of a similar condition in adulthood. During the recent years, there has been a rapid rise in the incidence of childhood obesity in Korea due to increased dietary intake rich in caloric content. This study was undertaken to investigate the epidemiology and potential health complications of obesity observed in elmentary school students. A total of 3,103 children (1630 boys and 1,473 girls), ages ranging from 6 to 12, were studied with personal interview, physical examination, and laboratory evaluation. The results were as follows: 1) The prevalence of obesity was 13.44% with approximately equal distribution among boys (14.42%) and girls (12.36%). 2) The prevalence of childhood obesity in Seoul was significantly higher (18.62%) than that in Suwon (7.85%) and in Hongchon (6.02%). 3) A higher incidence of hypertension was dectected in obese subjects and this was more obvious in girls. 4) Hyperlipidemia and elevated Atherogenic Index were more frequently observed in obese group. 5) although fasting blood glucose levels were similar in both groups. AST and ALT abnormalities were much more prevalent in obese group. It is concluded that hypertension and other metabolic abnormalities are much more frequently observed in obese children and that our effects should be focused on the earliest dection, prevention and management of childhood obesity.
Blood Glucose ; Child* ; Epidemiology ; Fasting ; Fatty Liver ; Female ; Glucose Intolerance ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Hyperinsulinism ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Obesity* ; Pediatric Obesity ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seoul

We report a case of factitial panniculitis in a 50-year-old female patient who had multiple variable sized subcutaneous nodules on area accessible to the hands and disappeared by only prohibition of habitual skin massage. Histologic findings showed mostly lobular panniculitis with hemosiderin deposits, many foamy histiocytes and pseudomicrocysts.
Female ; Hand ; Hemosiderin ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Massage ; Middle Aged ; Panniculitis* ; Skin

No abstract available.
Alprostadil* ; Ductus Arteriosus ; Heart Defects, Congenital* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

BACKGROUND: An epidemiologic study was performed after the outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) from December 2006 to May 2007. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was performed using the medical records of the patients. The case and control patients were compared for age, gender, total length of stay in MICU, prior carbapenem use, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACH II) score, presence of central line, effect of mechanical ventilation, and sputum suction. Environmental and hand-washing studies were performed during the outbreak. RESULTS: Ten CRAB-affected patients and 29 controls were enrolled in this study. Univariate analysis showed that the age, total length of stay in MICU, presence of central line, and prior carbapenem use were associated with the CRAB outbreak. However, multivariate analysis showed that only prior carbapenem use was associated with the CRAB outbreak (odd ratio: 8.67, P=0.01). The outbreak disappeared after implementing a combined infection control strategy, including the sequential disinfection of MICU and strict compliance with cross-transmission prevention protocols. CONCLUSION: The use of carbapenem was associated with an increased risk of CRAB infection. This study suggests that the MICU contamination and infection transmission by health-care workers played a major role in the CRAB outbreak. Novel strategies such as restricted use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, strict hand hygiene, strict isolation of the patients, and MICU disinfection may be required to prevent the CRAB outbreak.
Acinetobacter ; Acinetobacter baumannii ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; APACHE ; Case-Control Studies ; Compliance ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Disinfection ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Hand Hygiene ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sputum ; Suction

Objectives: This study examined the changes in anxiety and depressive symptoms in the parents of Korean adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) after participating in the Korean version of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills for Young Adults (PEERS ® -YA-K). Methods: Forty-six parents were enrolled (mean age 54.7 years; 22 fathers and 24 mothers), of whom 27 participated in the PEERS ® -YA-K as social coaches. Participants completed self-report scales, including the Test of Young Adult Social Skills Knowledge (TYASSK), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Symptom Check-List-90-R (SCL-90-R). The scales were administered three times: before and after the 16-week program and 4 months after the program ended. Differences between participant variables at pretreatment, post-treatment, and follow-up were analyzed using paired-sample t-tests. Results: Participants showed a significant improvement in their social skills knowledge (TYASSK) (:p<0.01). There was a significant improvement in the BAI and BDI scores of parents with severe depressive and anxiety symptoms at the baseline (p<0.05). Paternal paranoia and maternal hostility results also significantly improved on the SCL-90-R. Conclusion This study suggests that PEERS ® -YA-K can reduce parental anxiety and depressive symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first to compare the degree of depression and anxiety after PEERS ® -YA-K in parents of adults with ASD.

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell* ; Humans* ; P-Glycoprotein* ; Urinary Bladder*