The pathologic and immunopathologic findings of 15 skin biopsies of Behcet's syndrome were studied to investigate the pathogenetic mechanism of this syndrome. The age range was 28 to 50 years; male to female ratio was 1 : 1.2. Ulceration with acute necrotizing and chronic nonspecific inflammation was present in most cases with leukocytoclastic vasculitis and perivascular lymphohistiocytic, plasmocytic infiltrations. Eight of 15 cases showed C3 deposit in the walls of venules and capillaries, one of them was associated with IgM and fibrinogen deposits. With these findings humoral factor seemed to play a main role in the pathogenesis of vasculitis observed in Behcet's syndrome, but the possibility of other mechanisms operative in complex pattern was also considered.
Female ; Male ; Humans ; Biopsy

No abstract available.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluated the relation of familial history of alcoholism and plasma level of beta-endorphin, ethanol, beta-endorphin, cortisol and blood glucose were compared in 48 male alcoholics and 29 normal controls. METHODS: Subjects are divided into two groups by family history of alcoholism. Blood samples were obtained before and after 0.75mg/kg of ethanol consumption a 7th admission day. RESULTS: 1) The ratio of family history positive to negative of the patient group was 2 to 1. 2) The age at admission of positive family history group was younger than negative groups. 3) There was no significant difference in change of plasma ethanol level among three groups. 4) There was no significant difference in change of plasma beta-endorphin level among three group. 5) There was no significant difference in change of plasma cortisol level among three groups. 6) There was no significant difference in change of fasting blood sugar level between two patients groups.
Alcoholics ; Alcoholism* ; beta-Endorphin* ; Blood Glucose ; Ethanol ; Fasting ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Male ; Plasma

OBJECTIVE: Asymmetries in evoked potential P300 topography of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are still controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in P300 topography between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. METHOD: P300 was recorded from 16 schizophrenic, 15 bipolar manic, and 16 control subjects. All were right-handed. Subjects silently counted target stimuli(2.0kHz) among trains of standard stimuli(1.0 kHz). Averages were constructed from brain responses to target stimuli. RESULTS: 1) Schizophrenics displayed significantly smaller peak amplitude of P300 over Cz, Pz, T3 than controls. 2) Schizophrenics displayed significantly smaller peak amplitude of P300 over T3 than bipolar manics. 3) Schizophrenics displayed significantly smaller peak amplitude of P300 over T3 than their T4. 4) Schizophrenics displayed significantly delayed latency of P300 over T3 than bipolar manics. 5) Schizophrenics displayed significantly delayed latency of P300 over T3 than their T4. CONCLUSION: Left-sided P300 abnormality, especially left superior temporal gyrus, in schizophrenics, relative to bipolar manics and controls suggests that psychophysiological cause of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is different and P300 asymmetry is specific to the psychophysiological cause of schizophrenia.
Bipolar Disorder* ; Brain ; Evoked Potentials ; Schizophrenia*

This study was undertaken to investigate to compare the ratio of positive reactions to benzoic acid(BA), sorbic acid(SA) and cinnamic acid(CA) which are well known materials producing non-immunologic contact urticaria. Various concentrations(0.l% to 5%) and different vehicles(petrolatum, water, hydrophilic ointment base) were used in open and 20 minutes closed test using Finn chamber on Scanpor tape. One hundred total subjects were consisted of nonallergic patients and normal persons. The results were as follows ; 1. Total numbers of positive reactions were 69 in closed test(CT) and 60 in open test(OT), regardless of the materials and vehicles. 2. Total riumbers of positive reactions in BA, SA and CA were 68, 31, 35 in CT and 59, 20, 14 in OT respectably. 3. CT showed much more positive reactions than OT with all materials tested except 0.l% SA in water. 4. Hydrophilic ointment base showed a better reactivity than any other vehicles in CT. But in OT, petrolatum, water, hydrophilic ointment base showed better reactivity in BA, SA, CA respectably. 5. Almost all the reactions appeared within 45 minutes and disappeared within 3 hours. Erythema preceded edema and persisted 30 minutes to 1 hour after dissappearance of edema. 6 Itching, burning and tingling sensation were the only symptoms observed except. localized erythema and edema.
Benzoic Acid ; Burns ; Edema ; Erythema ; Humans ; Petrolatum ; Pruritus ; Sensation ; Sorbic Acid ; Urticaria* ; Water

BACKGROUND: Various topical antisepties are often used for postoperative care of surgical wounds. But the effect of these agent on wound healing remains an area of debate. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biological effects of hydrogen peroxide on human keratinocytes in vitro, specifically on keratinocyte viability, migration and proliferation. METHODS: To evaluate the effects of hydrogen peroxide on keratinocyte viability, migration and proliferation, sulforhodamine B test, migration assay, and thymidine incorporation assay were performed, respectively. Diluted solutions of 30% hydrogen peroxide( X 50, X 100, X 500, X 1000) were used as testing material and growth medium alone as a control.
Humans* ; Hydrogen Peroxide* ; Hydrogen* ; Keratinocytes* ; Postoperative Care ; Thymidine ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Amino Acids* ; Dentin* ; Tooth*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the differential features of complete and partial- thickness tears of the posterior cruciate ligament(PCL) and to describe associated knee injuries at magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four subjects were studied, including 15 with complete PCL tears and 9 with partial PCL tears. The PCL status was determined at arthroscopy in all cases. Knee MRI were perfomed at 1.0 Tesla using a dedicated knee surface coil. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed MR images and correlated MRI findings to results of arthroscopy. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between complete tears and partial tears with regard to thickness, margination, and signal intensity of the PCL. However, complete tears were more likely to show focal areas of ligamentous discontinuity(13/15:3/9, p=0.0073). Associated knee injuries were seen in 22 (92%) patients and were seen more frequently in patients with complete PCL tears, which were bony injuries (n=16, 67%), tears of the medial collateral ligament(n=12, 50%) and menisci(n--11, 46%), and stage III joint effusion(n=17, 71%). CONCLUSION: The most useful MRI criteria for distinguishing complete from partial PCL tear is focal area of ligamentous discontinuity, that is, complete tears are more likely to show focal areas of discontinuity, whereas partial tears are more likely to show at least some intact fibers.
Arthroscopy ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee ; Knee Injuries ; Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament* ; Retrospective Studies

The immunoreactivities of surgically removed 16 cardiac myxomas were studies for factor VIII-related Ag (F VIII-RA), Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) and desmin alpha1-antichymotrypsin, and this study was accompained by a clinicopathologic review. More than 50% of the patients with cardiac myxomas were in their fourth and fifth decades, and cardiac myxomas were much more common in women than in men. All but on occurred in the left atrium, and the majority were attached to the atrial septum, usually in the region corresponding to the fossa ovalis. In one case, an atrial myxoma recurred 37 months after the initial excision. Microscopically, the myxomas contained a myxoid matrix composed of acid mucopolysaccharides within which were embedded polygonal cells. The cells forming both the surface and complicated vascular like channels throuhout the myxoid stroma tested positive for F VIII-RA and UEA-I. The outer cell layers of the complex vascular structures demonstrated variable staining for F VIII-RA, while isolated bundles of smooth muscle cells were present and stained for desmin. A small number of the so-called myxoma cells, immunoreactive for alpha1-antichymotrypsin which were not laden with hemosiderin pigment but were similar to histiocytes, were present particularly around the areas of hemorrhage. These findings support the current view that cellular and histologic heterogeneity arose from the divergent differentiation of multipotential mesenchymal cells. In particular, it remains to be confirmed by further study whether or not true histiocytic differentiation occurs.
Female ; Male ; Humans