Changes of histopathological findings with time were studied after scratching the skin of 37 patients with dermographism. Biopsies were also done in 13 normal healthy controls for comparison with unstroked skin of the patients. 1. Biopsies of unscratched skin of the patients showed no histologic difference from those of the skin from controls. 2. Neutrophils increased in number with time after scratching and maximum neutrophil count (mean 16.08+/-24.17/HPF) was observed at 90 minutes after scratching 3. Eosinophilic infiltration was also similar to that of neutrophils. Maximum eosinophil count (mean 324+/-4.76/HPF) was found at 60 minutes after scratching. 4. L ymphohistiocytic infiltration showed a similar tendency to that of neutrophils, but the degree of change was not so prorninent. 5. Before scratching, mast cell count in patients with dermographism showed no difference in number when compared with norrnal controls. In patients with dermographism, mast; cell count inclined to decrease after scratching. 6. Edema and lymphatic dilatation in the upper dermis were most prominent at 5 minutes after scratching and disappeared slowly thereafter.
Biopsy ; Cell Count ; Dermis ; Dilatation ; Edema ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Mast Cells ; Neutrophils ; Skin

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the plasma amitriptyline and nortriptyline level between before and after fluoxetine addition with patients who were currently taking amitriptyline. METHOD: From the inpatient and outpatient unit of Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital, Chunan, fourteen subjects who were taking amitriptyline 25mg more than 1 week at least were given fluoxetine 20mg. Before and 2 weeks after fluoxetine addition the plasma level of amitriptyline and nortriptyline are analyzed simultaneously by High Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC) At the same times, HAM-D(Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression) score and the UKU(Uldvalg for Klinske Unders phi gelser) side effect scale were checked. RESULTS: After fluoxetine addition to the patients who were taking amitriptyline, the plasma level of amitriptyline, nortriptyline and sum of amitriptyline and nortriptyline had risen. The mean plasma amitriptyline level increased from 168.9+/-89.4ng/ml to 183.0+/-102.0ng/ml after fluoxetine addition(p=0.011) but the change was not statistically significant. The mean plasma nortriptyline level increased significantly from 114.3+/-70.2ng/ml to 168.0+/-86.2ng/ml after fluoxetine addition(p=0.011) In addition, the mean plasma level of total amitriptyline and nortriptyline increased significantly from 283.1+/-125.3ng/ml to 350.9+/-78.4ng/ml after fluoxetine addition(p=0.016) After fluoxetine addition, no significant change was noted in the UKU side effect scale score. CONCLUSION: As consequence of comparson of plasma amitriptyline and nortriptyline level before and after fluoxetine addition mean amitriptyline, nortriptyline and total plasma level was increased after fluoxetine addition. This suggests that coadministration of amitriptyline and fluoxetine may induce improvement of depressive symptom in depressive patients by way of increased plasma level of amitriptyline.
Amitriptyline* ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Depression ; Fluoxetine* ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Nortriptyline ; Outpatients ; Plasma*

BACKGROUND: Morphine for the intravenous patient controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) provides effective postoperative pain control, but it has side effects such as itching, nausea and vomiting. Meanwhile, butorphanol, a synthetic potent agonist-antagonist narcotic with low incidence of adverse side effects and minimal addiction, produce adequate analgesia for postoperative pain. The purpose of this study was to compare the suitability of butorphanol combining with or without morphine with that of morphine in terms of relieving postoperative pain and incidence of side effects. METHODS: Sixty ASA physical status I or II female patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy were randomly allocated into one of three groups according to type of drug used (n=20 for each group). The groups were divided to group M (morphine 100 mg), group M B (morphine 50 mg+butorphanol 10 mg) and group B (butorphanol 20 mg). Drugs for each group mixed with 90 ml of normal saline (total amount: 100 ml) for infusion. Loading dose, PCA dose, lockout interval, mode of infusion was 0.05 ml/kg, 0.02 ml/kg, 8 minute, and PCA only, respectively. In each group, visual analog scale (VAS), pain score, sedation score, degree of satisfaction, total amount of drug used, history of attempt/injetion and incidence of side effects were checked. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in analgesic effects and degree of satisfaction among three groups, but incidence of side effects (especially pruritis) were less in group M+B and B compared with group M (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Butorphanol showed comparable postoperative pain relief and marked less side effects compared with morphine. Butorphanol was considered as a useful drug for postoperative pain relief using IV-PCA.
Analgesia ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled* ; Analgesics ; Butorphanol* ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Incidence ; Morphine* ; Nausea ; Pain, Postoperative* ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Pruritus ; Visual Analog Scale ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: GJB2 (Connexin 26), the gene of the gap-junction proteins, was found to be the main causative gene of autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss (DFNB1). Whereas 35delG was known as the major type mutation in the western countries, 235delC was reported as the specific form of mutation in Asian population. The objective of this study is to identify how two mutations (235 delC, E114G) found in the Korean population affect the function of GJB2 using the molecular biology techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 235delC and E114G types of mutations were cloned in the pcDNA3 vector. HeLa cells were transfected with these cloned vectors by the liposome complex method. 1) The expression and subcellular localization of Cx26 were determined using antibodies against amino acid sequences in the intracellular loop (IL) and N-terminal (NT) portions of Cx26. 2) To analyze functions of the GJB2, we examined the lucifer yellow dye transfer between cells with scrape-loaded technique. We used the wild-type (WT) Cx26 of normal hearing as a positive control, and mock cells as a negative control. RESULTS: The immunocytochemical analysis showed that cells transfected with E114G and WT gave characteristic punctuated patterns of reaction in the cell membrane with both antibodies. However, 235delC cells were not stained with the anti-IL antibody but only with the anti-NT antibody slightly around the nucleus regions. In the functional study of GJB2, transfer of lucifer yellow dye into contiguous cells was detected in E114G but not in 235delC. CONCLUSION: The 235delC type of mutation showed loss of their targeting activity on the cell membrane. As a result, the function of gap junction channels were severely deteriorated. With the E114G type mutation, we didn't find any difference when compared with the WT transfected cells. Above data indicate that types of GJB2 mutation are closely related to the status of hearing loss due to altered function of gap junction protein.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Antibodies ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cell Membrane ; Clone Cells ; Connexins ; Gap Junctions* ; Hearing Loss* ; Hearing* ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Liposomes ; Molecular Biology

No abstract available.
Decompression* ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament*

We report a case of multiple cutaneous focal mucinosis in a 22 year-old male, who presented with multiple, asymptomatic, nodular lesions on the left upper trunk and left arm which had persisted for about one year. They were 2 to 17 mm in size, firm, yellowish, dome-shaped elevated, slightly movable papules or nodules which were distributed over the area of the left C3-7 and TI-3 sensory dermatomes. The histopathologic findings showed homogeneous mucinous material in the upper dermis. The material was confirmed to be hyaluronic add by, alcian blue stain. Some of the lesions showed improvement with intmlesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Such an entity, to the best of our knowledge, has not yet been reported.
Alcian Blue ; Arm ; Dermis ; Humans ; Male ; Mucinoses* ; Mucins ; Triamcinolone Acetonide

Five cases of histologically proven polymorphic reticulosis were examined with computed tomography(CT). CT findings were mucosal thickening along the septal and lateral walls of the nasal cavities(n=4), obliteration of the contour of the nasopharynx(n=4), involvement of the paranasal sinuses (n=2), destruction of the nasal septum and/or sinus walls(n=3) and mass in the palate, tonsil or neck (n=1). CT examination was helpful in determining the extent of the disease in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. However, lesions in the palate and tonsils could not be easily evaluated with CT. CT findings of polymorphic reticulosis are nonspecific and granulomatous diseases may show similar CT findings.
Granuloma, Lethal Midline* ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Septum ; Neck ; Palate ; Palatine Tonsil ; Paranasal Sinuses

No abstract available.

Linear porokeratosis is a rare variant of porokerstosis and usually occurs after childhood. We report herein a case of linesr porokeratosis in an 18-year-old female. The lesions had developed since birth and were found on the nearly whole body, including the face, neck, axilla, chest, abdomen, back, and upper and lower extremities. Palms and soles were also affected. Biopsy specirnens from the left forearm and right sole showed typical cornoid lamellae. We could not see any improvement with a course of oral etretinate for 6 weeks.
Abdomen ; Acitretin ; Adolescent ; Axilla ; Biopsy ; Etretinate ; Female ; Forearm ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Neck ; Parturition ; Porokeratosis* ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital*