BACKGROUND: Before the introduction of the antinuclear antibody test (ANA), the lupus erythematosus (LE) cell test was a useful diagnostic test for systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) But, the ANA test has replaced the LE cell test in virtually all laboratories as the current routine test for SLE. However, because the LE cell test is still performed in some laboratories, the authors compared the LE cell test with the ANA test to reevaluate the LE cell test. METHODS: A total of 522 cases were evaluated from Aug. 1990 to Aug. 1994. In these cases, the LE cell test and the ANA test were performed simultaneously, and the results were compared. The authors defined the 'True LE Phenomenon' as only when the LE cell test results agreed with the anti-histone antibody pattern of the ANA test. RESULTS: Of the total 522 cases, 56 cases(10.7%) were SLE. The LE cell test was positive in 22 cases(39.3%) and the ANA test in 56 cases(100%). The LE cell test produced 6(27%) false positive cases and 3 (8.8%) false negative cases. Therefore, the sensitivity of the LE cell test that was verified by the ANA test was only 28.6%. On the other hand, the sensitivity of the ANA test was 100%. In 2 cases, the LE cell results were different in repetitive tests although the ANA results were the same. In 2 other cases, it was impossible to interprete the results of the LE cell test because of severe leukopenia. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that the LE cell test showed markedly low sensitivity and a high false positive and false negative rates for SLE, and that the LE cell test was difficult to perform and interpret accurately due to numerous interfering factors. Therefore, for accurate diagnosis of SLE, the LE cell test must be replaced by more definitive and quantitative immunologic tests in all laboratories such as the ANA test.
Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Hand ; Immunologic Tests ; Leukopenia ; Neutrophils*

BACKGROUND: Before the introduction of the antinuclear antibody test (ANA), the lupus erythematosus (LE) cell test was a useful diagnostic test for systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) But, the ANA test has replaced the LE cell test in virtually all laboratories as the current routine test for SLE. However, because the LE cell test is still performed in some laboratories, the authors compared the LE cell test with the ANA test to reevaluate the LE cell test. METHODS: A total of 522 cases were evaluated from Aug. 1990 to Aug. 1994. In these cases, the LE cell test and the ANA test were performed simultaneously, and the results were compared. The authors defined the 'True LE Phenomenon' as only when the LE cell test results agreed with the anti-histone antibody pattern of the ANA test. RESULTS: Of the total 522 cases, 56 cases(10.7%) were SLE. The LE cell test was positive in 22 cases(39.3%) and the ANA test in 56 cases(100%). The LE cell test produced 6(27%) false positive cases and 3 (8.8%) false negative cases. Therefore, the sensitivity of the LE cell test that was verified by the ANA test was only 28.6%. On the other hand, the sensitivity of the ANA test was 100%. In 2 cases, the LE cell results were different in repetitive tests although the ANA results were the same. In 2 other cases, it was impossible to interprete the results of the LE cell test because of severe leukopenia. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that the LE cell test showed markedly low sensitivity and a high false positive and false negative rates for SLE, and that the LE cell test was difficult to perform and interpret accurately due to numerous interfering factors. Therefore, for accurate diagnosis of SLE, the LE cell test must be replaced by more definitive and quantitative immunologic tests in all laboratories such as the ANA test.
Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Hand ; Immunologic Tests ; Leukopenia ; Neutrophils*

In humans, the major stimulus for cutaneous pigmentation is ultraviolet radiation. Little is known about the mechanism underlying this response, in part, because of the complexity of the interactions involving the whole epidermis. The present stucy was undertake to evaluate the effects of a single exposure of UVB on cultured normal melanocytes. Melanocytes were exposed to UVB from 5.1 mJ/cm to 203 mJ/cm. The results were as follows : 1. The main morphologic changes in UVB-exposed groups w re larger sized cells, more blunted dendrites, and shorter dendrites than in the control group. These cells increased sized according to the increased doses of VVB, but above 101.5 mJ/cm, the melanocytes shrunk and were destroyed. 2. From 20.3 mJ/cm of UVB, the proliferation of melanocyte was decreased, Especially, there was statistical!y significant difference above 50.8 mJ/cm (p<0.05, p<0.01). 3. The antiproliferativo effect increased with the passage of tirie after UVB exposure. So, cell count could not be done in 101.5 mJ/cm and 203 mJ/cm on the third day, and in 50.8 mJ/cm, 101.5 m J/cm and 203 mJ/cm on the seventh day. 4. Statistically the melanin content per well was significantl dicreased to 11-28% of each control group with dose above 50.8 mJ/cm (p<0.05, p<0.01). The melanin content per cell was increased to 107-128% of each control group when doses were below 20.3 mJ/cm and decreased to 49-79% of each control group when above 0.8 mJ/cm on the third day, but there was no statistically significant difference. In summary, when melarocytes were exposed to UVB, morphclogic changes progressed to cell differentiation. The results also suggested that a low or dose of UVB has an antiproliferative arid mild melanogenic effect, and a higher dose of UVB has a direct cytotoxic effect.
Cell Count ; Cell Differentiation ; Dendrites ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Melanins ; Melanocytes* ; Pigmentation

BACKGROUND: Handgrip and cold pressor test may increase the afterload of the heart. And in left ventricular hypertrophy, it is known that mitral flow pattern is affected by decreased left ventricular compliance. We investigated the effects of handgrip and cold pressor test on mitral flow pattern in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. METHODS: Handgrip and cold pressor test were performed in 12 subjects with left ventricular hypertrophy and in 14 healthy normal subjects. In supine position, blood pressure, heart rate and Doppler echocardiographic parameters(early peak flow velocity : E, atrial peak flow velocity : A) were obtained at rest, 1 and 3 minutes after the onset of tests respectively. RESULTS: In both groups, handgrip and cold pressor test increased blood pressure slightly without a statistical significance. In left ventricular hypertrophy group, there were significant increments in heart rates at 1 minute of handgrip (78+/-12min-1, p<0.001) and cold pressor test(77+/-7min-1, p<0.05) as compared to that at rest (73+/-12min-1). Mitral flow velocities did not show significant change after the tests in control group. A waves after 1 minute of handgrip(85.2+/-18.4cm/sec, p<0.05) and cold pressor test (87.3+/-17.8cm/sec, p<0.001) showed significant increases as compared to that at rest (79.1+/-14.9cm/sec) in left ventricular hypertrophy group whereas E waves did not. CONCLUSION: Although handgrip and cold pressor tests did not affect the mitral flow significantly in control group, each test raised A waves in left ventricular hypertrophy group. These results suggest that increased A waves may be due to a rise in afterload and decreased left ventricular compliance caused by handgrip and cold pressor test in left ventricular hypertrophy group.
Blood Pressure ; Compliance ; Echocardiography ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular* ; Supine Position

Santonin-kainic acid complex was evaluated as a chemotherapeutic of the mass treatment of the Ascaris lumbricoides infection in Korea. The results could be summarized as follows: The negative conversion rate was 82.9% in average in 4 treated groups. Some variations of negative conversion rate among the treated groups were noticed. The egg reduciton rate was 97.7% in average and the results were rather uniform among the three evaluated groups. By the analysis of egg reduction, it seems that the lightly infected cases whose E.P.G. were under 5,000 were resistant to treatment with the less reduced egg output. After the treatment with this complex, the number of egg discharged cases were reduced to 1.84% and the average number of discharge eggs per incompletely treated or untreated cases were reduced to 12.5% compared with the level of before-treatment egg output. The successive observations of the pattern of worm expulsion after drug intake was made. The worms were mostly expelled in the stool within 3 days, and 58.9% of total expelled worms were collected within 24-hour stool. The minimum length of the immature worms expelled was 7.6cm. Among the 659 Ascaris collected in the first-day stool from 91 rural people, 8.5% were in the range of 7.6-12.2 cm-long, immature worms. The sex ratio, male: female= 0.69: 1.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; chemotherapy ; Santonin ; kainic acid

A total of 48 subjects harbouring Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and/or Enterobius vermicularis were treated with oxantel/pyrantel pamoate tablets (100 mg of each) in a single dose of 20 mg base per kg of body weight. In all 37 cases of A. lumbricoides and 8 cases of A. duodenale infections cured completely, and the mean recovered worm-load was 3.8 with a range of 1-21 and 5.8 with a range of 3-9 respectively. In T. trichiura infection, 32(71.1%) of 45 cases cured completely and the average egg reduction rate was 90.8 per cent. The mean recovered worm-load was 14.6 with a rnage of 1-77 worms. On the other hand, in E. vermicularis infection, 37 (84.1 %) of 44 patients were negative eggs by anal swab tests on the 10 to 11th days and 27 (61.4%) on the 20 to 21st days after treatment. The mean recovered worm-load was 17.7 with a range of 1-62. Only one patient with Trichostrongylus orientalis treated with this drug showed no eggs in his stools throughout the post-treatment examinations. Side effects were not noted in all treated cases. These findings demonstrate that a single dose of oxantel/pyrantel pamoate tablets can be considered a drug of choice for multiple infections with these nematodes.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda ; Trichuris trichiura ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; hookworm ; Enterobius vermicularis ; chemotherapy ; oxantel/pyrantel pamoate

This study was undertaken to evaluate the status of human paragonimiasis in Kang Hwa Gun, Kyunggi Do, Korea from March 1973 to October 1975 by the use of intradermal screening test with Veronal buffered saline antigen. A total number of 7,352 (male 3,936; female 3,4l6) consisting of 3,447 primary school children, 2,689 middle school students, l,008 high school students of 9 Myuns out of 13 Myuns of this County and 208 residents of all age group in Kilgeong-Ri, Yangdo Myun were examined by the intradermal test with Paragonimus antigen. In order to detect Paragonimus egg, the sputum and the stool examinations were undertaken on the residents in Kilgeong-Ri. The infestation rate of crayfish with Paragonimus metacercaria was also examined in Konneung and Jeongha village in Kilgeong-Ri. The following results were obtained in this survey: As a whole, 16.6 per cent of the examiners showed positive reaction with sexual difference of 16.1% in male and 14.8 per cent in female. In age groups, the highest positive rate showed in middle school age group (17.1 per cent) than primary school (14.0 per cent) and high school age group (11.4 per cent). In regional differences of positive rates, the highest rate (28.4 per cent) showed at Yangdo Myun followed by Kilsang Myun (27.0 per cent), Hwado Myun (25.0 per cent), and Naega Myun(20.8 per cent). In the result of 208 residents Kilgeong-Ri, the positive of 36.1 per cent in male and 20.2 per cent in female. The highest positive rate showed in 10 to 19 age group (41.5 per cent). Among the residents in Kilgeong-Ri, Paragonimus eggs were detected in 11 residents by the sputum and the stool examinations. The infestation rate of crayfsh with Paragonimus metacercariae was 100 per cent (41 out of 41 crayfishes) in Konneung village, and 84.6 per cent (9 out of 13 crayfishes) in Jeongha village, Kilgeong-Ri The fluctuation of the infection rate of crayfish with Paragonimus metacercariae was decreased in Konneung village in 2 years after the treatment with Bilevon against 10 paragonimiasis patients.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; epidemiology-paragonimiasis ; Paragonimus westermani ; crayfish-Cambaroides similis

A total of 56 subjects with multiple nematode infections with T. trichiura, Ascaris, hookworms and Enterobius were treated with oxantel and pyrantel pamoate mixture in a paratable suspension(50 mg of each per ml). A single dose of 10 mg per kg body weight in each cured 100 per cent of 54 subjects with Ascaris, 97.1 per cent of 35 subjects with hookworms, 77.8 per cent of 36 with Enterobius and 73.2 per cent of 56 subjects with T. trichiura infestation. The mean egg per gram stool reduction rate in T. trichiura infection was 91.9%. Of the 31 subjects infected with Ancylostoma doudenale 96.8% were cured with a single dose and 4 infected with Necator americanus showed a 100% cure rate with a similar daily dose on 3 consecutive days. Side effects were few and mild. There was no clinical or laboratory evidence of drug toxicity. These findings show a single dose of oxantel and pyrantel pamoate mixture to be a highly effective and acceptable treatment for multiple infections with these nematodes.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda ; Trichuris trichiura ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; hookworm ; Enterobius vermicularis ; chemotherapy-oxantel pamoate-pyrantel pamoate

The purpose of this study was to identify the trends of resourcefulness researche studies for suggesting the future direction of study. Study design, types of subjects, measurement tools, study concept, and outcome were examined by reviewing 61 research studies published from 1980 to 1999. The results were as follows: 1. There were 24 works in the 1980s and 37 works in 1990, according to the published year of resourcefulness study. Non-experimental studies like descriptive study, correlational study and comparative study were more frequent than experimental studies. 2. Research studies that consisted of 30- 100 subjects were the most numerous with 27 studies in all. The majority of study subjects was shown as healthy students and depressive patients. 3. Most studies used Rosenbaum's Self Control Schedule(SCS) for assessing resourcefulness. Reliabilities of resourcefulness researches were cronbach alpha= .70 or more. According to statisitical tests done for internal validity, SCS was negatively correlated to maladaptation. Factor analysis revealed that the most parsimonious structure was 3 to 6 factors. The total communality variance in the SCS was about 40 %. Other tools used with the SCS were about coping, depression, satisfaction of life and symptoms, self management and health romotion. 4. In correlational studies, concepts like depression, anxiety, and psychological symptoms were related to resourcefulness negatively. Adaptive functioning, life satisfaction and self achievement had positive correlations to resourcefulness. 5. Studies on comparison between a healthy person and depressive patient or smoker and non-smoker were done. There were coping, depression, symptom, self efficacy, health problem and self-control as comparative concepts. 6. Study subjects consisted of depressive patients in 9 of 18 experimental studies. The majority of studies were done with cognitive-behavioral therapy as an experimental intervention. The most effective treatment was revealed in high resourcefulness group. Since the above findings, resourcefulness research increased since 1980 and mostly non-experimental design for quantitative study were done. In the field of nursing, research about resourcefulness was in an initial stage. It is expected that further research needed to be done. Recommendations on the basis of the present research suggest that it is necessary to replicate studies, develop nursing intervention enhancing resourcefulness and apply it to patients with chronic diseases including cancer.
Anxiety ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; Humans ; Nursing ; Self Care ; Self Efficacy

Acropustulosis of infancy is an uncommon, but not rare syndrome established as a new disease entity by Kahn and Rywlin(1976), which is characterized by recurrent, intensely pruritic vesicopustules on the distal extremities. We'd like to report a case of acropustulosis of infancy. Our patient was 19 month old girl who had been suffering from her skin disease since the age of 12 months. Intensely pruritic, 1 to 2 mm vesicopustules erupted on the palms, soles and the ventral aspects of the fingers. There were no bacteria, fungus and parasites(Sarcoptes scabiei) on the pustular lesions. Histopathologically, biopsy specimen of the left sole revealed large, well circumscribed intraepidermal pustule which was filled wth polymorphonuclear leukocytes. We confirmed our case as typical case of acropustulosis of infancy by it's characteristic clinical features and histopathologic findings. Severity of the skin lesions seems closely related to the dosage of dapsone. The eruptions were unresponsive to topical steroid, antibiotics and antihistaminics. But we observed that dapsone has dose dependent relationship with acropustulosis of infancy.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Biopsy ; Dapsone ; Extremities ; Female ; Fingers ; Fungi ; Humans ; Infant ; Neutrophils ; Skin ; Skin Diseases