We immunized sixty two healthy subjects with the five different viral titers (300, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 plaque forming unit; pfu) of the MAV/06 strain of live attenuated Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in order to gain sufficient information on safety and immuogenicity as a vaccine strain. Humoral immunity of all vaccine recipients was tested by the fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) assay and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the quantitative detection of IgG antibody. We tested neutralized antibody in 62 subjects by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT50). All of thirty two subjects with initial seronegative response had antibody by FAMA method at four weeks after immunization with four different preparations of dosage. The geometric mean titers (GMTs) of VZV antibody to membrane antigen was 160.9 in 6 subjects with 1500 pfu group; 83.3 in 14 subjects with 1000 pfu group: 116.2 in 7 subjects with 500 pfu groups and 72.0 in 6 subjects with 300 pfu group. Thirty subjects who had VZV antibody at the time before immunization demonstrated elevated antibody titer by FAMA assay and PRNT50 test. Side reactions of the vaccination was not demonstrated in all cases.
Chickenpox* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Immunity, Humoral ; Immunization ; Immunoglobulin G ; Membranes ; Neutralization Tests ; Vaccination

Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) is a conjugation enzyme in the metabolism of exogenous and endogenous lipophilic compounds for their excretion and detoxification. Acidic isozyme of GST, GST-Pi, has been recognized as a preneoplastic marker in the experimental hyperplastic nodules of liver in rats, and GST-Pi is abundant in the squamous cells of the skin, also. This histochemical study was carried out to evaluate the distribution and the relationship between the differentiation status of squamous cells in dysplastic or neoplastic epithelium in various organs. The human placental form of glutathione S-transferase (GST-Pi) were stained immunohistochemically with specific anti GST-Pi rabbit antibody in 23 cases of human squamous cell carcinomas. The patients consisted of 14 cases from the uterine cervix, 3 cases from the esopahgus, 3 cases from the lung and 3 cases from the larynx. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Basal cells in normal mucosa were stained negative for GST-Pi while superficial keratinocytes were stained moderately positive. Basal dysplastic cells were stained negatively or weakly positive. Carcinoma cells especially large cells either keratinizing or nonkeratinizing were stained moderately to strongly. Carcinoma cells surrounding keratin pearl were strongly reacted with GST-Pi than other carcinoma cells. 2. Differentiated cells of squamous cell carcinoma showed moderate to strong positive reaction to GST-Pi staining irrespective of its site of origin. 3. Therefore, Immunohistochemical staining pattern of GST-Pi in various squamous carcinoma cells showed similar immunohistochemical reaction to the GST-pi, which is closely correlated to the degree of differentiation, keratinigation and also suggested that squamous carcinoma cells had abundant GST-Pi related detoxifying system.
Humans ; Rabbits ; Animals

Larval nematodes belonging to genera Ancylostoma, Strongyloides, Rhabditis, Gnathostoma or microfilariae (Onchocerca volvulus)/adult filaria (Loa loa) can invade human skin, each making different lesion. In a 71-year old immunocompetent Koreanman with 23% eosinophilia and elevated serum IgG (2530 mg/dl), a skin biopsy was undertaken for a nodular lesion at abdominal wall. A longitudinal section of a larval nematode was recognized in mid-dermal tunnel surrounded by pseudolymphomatous diffuse lymphoreticular cell infiltration. The larval nematode, 15 um in maximum diameter, had outermost cuticular layer and pale intestinal cells. The nematode section was identified as a filariform larva of Strongyloides stercoralis mainly based on its maximum diameter. In Korea, this is the first description of a cutaneous larval nematode infection. This case did not show quick migration of lesion which is a typical manifestation of classical cutaneous larva migrans.
Adult ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Biopsy

A case of calcifying synovial sarcoma, occuring in the deep muscle fascia of the left thigh is reported. The presence of extensive calcification in synovial sarcoma is a favorable sign for prognosis. The patient was a 31-year-old female. The tumor mass had been present for 3 years, accompanying local tenderness. X-ray revealed a soft tissue tumor with central calcification, which was located between the adductor magnus and brevis of the left thigh. The tumor size was 7 x 5.5 cm. There was no connection with the knee joint or the femur. Grossly, the tumor was a relatively well circumscribed hard tumor with massive calcification. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of predominantly spindle cells with accompanying hyalinization, numerous spherical concretions and ossification. The epithelial component was not clearly noted. Mitotic figures were rarely noted in the densely cellular area. Immunohistochemical staining for EMA, S-100, vimentin, and carcinoembryonic antigen was negative while vimentin and cytokeratin were weakly and focally positive. EM study revealed multiple desmosome-like calcification intercellular junctions with a slit-like lumen and an incomplete basal lamina, which suggest that tumor show these cells were undergoing epithelia] differentiation. Above evidence suggest that this tumor is a synovial sarcoma associated with a large area of calcification, a so called calcifying synovial sarcoma. No recurrence was noted in one and half years of follow up.
Female ; Humans

No abstract available.
Herpesvirus 3, Human* ; Korea* ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with atopic dermatitis in Korean adults. METHODS: The data were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey on 2008. Subjects of this study were 7,280 adults aged older than 18 years. The data were analyzed for demographic characteristics, health status, alcohol drinking, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, asthma, chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, stress, depression, and suicidal ideation between atopy group and non-atopy group. RESULTS: Among 7,280 subjects, 2.9% of Korean adults had a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis from doctor. Multiple logistic regression identified that the presence of atopic dermatitis was associated with marital status (OR=2.66, CI 1.84~3.86, p<.001), rhinitis (OR=1.52, CI 1.04~2.22, p = .030), and depression (OR=1.89, CI 1.04~3.41, p = .036). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, marital status, rhinitis, and depression should be considered in addressing individuals with atopic dermatitis. And the other factors contributing to atopic dermatitis need to be specifically identified.
Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Asthma ; Depression ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Marital Status ; Nutrition Surveys ; Rhinitis ; Risk Factors ; Sinusitis ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Suicidal Ideation

Autopsy ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Head ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mandible ; Mandibular Osteotomy ; Mouth ; Neck ; Osteosarcoma ; Parents ; Pediatrics ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; Sarcoma ; Sublingual Gland ; Submandibular Gland ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Animals ; Glycogen Synthase ; Glycogen ; Insulin ; Rats

PURPOSE: There have been conflicting reports on vascular response to Panax ginseng. The conflicting reports may be due to difference of ingredient of Panax ginseng. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of saponin, the main ingredient of Panax ginseng, on the vascular contractility. METHODS: The rabbit aortic rings were cut and mounted on the force transducer to record an isometric tension on polygraph. To elucidate the mechanism of saponin effect on vascular smooth muscle, the contractility of the vascular smooth muscle were measured under varying experimental condition. RESULTS: 1) When the aortic rings were precontracted with norepinephrine, saponin caused biphasic(initial relaxation-sustained contraction) dose-response in the endothelium dependent manner. But saponin had no effect on the resting tension. 2) When EDRF inhibitors such as methylene blue(10(-5)M), hemoglobin(10(-5)M), N-omega-nitro-L-arginine(100microM) were added to precontracted ring with norepinephrine, the initial relaxation caused by 2mg% saponin was inhibited. 3) When Ca(2+)-channel blocker, nifedipine(5x10(-7)M), was added to precontracted rings with norepinephrine, the sustsined contraction by saponin was inhibited. 4) When hemoglobin(10(-5)M) was added to precontracted rings with norepinephrine, the contractility by norepinephrine was increased and this effect was further augmented by 2mg% saponin. CONCLUSIONS: From the above results, it may be concluded that saponin stimulated the release of both an endothelium-dependent relaxing factor and endothelium-dependent contracting factor.
Endothelium ; Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Norepinephrine ; Panax ; Relaxation ; Saponins* ; Transducers

Acute external ophthalmoplegia, areflexia, and ataxia compose the classic Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS). Pupillary dysfunction is present in half of patients with MFS. However, isolated internal ophthalmoplegia is rare in children with MFS. We report a case with MFS presenting with isolated internal ophthalmoplegia following an acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. An 11-year-old girl with flu-like symptoms was diagnosed with having an acute EBV infection on prior admission. After discharge, she complained of anorexia, poor oral intake and dizziness associated with blurred vision when in the upright position. Physical examination on readmission 10 days later showed anisocoric, mydriatic pupils with an abnormal light reflex. The patient displayed no external ophthalmoplegia, ataxia or areflexia. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed elevated protein with no white blood cells. Serum anti-GQ1b antibody was negative. MFS was diagnosed under clinical findings and CSF albuminocytologic dissociation. Isolated internal ophthalmoplegia can be the sole manifestation of MFS. Therefore, MFS must be considered in the differential diagnosis for children presenting with unexplained acute internal ophthalmoplegia.
Anisocoria ; Anorexia ; Ataxia ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dissociative Disorders ; Dizziness ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Light ; Miller Fisher Syndrome ; Mydriasis ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Physical Examination ; Pupil ; Reflex ; Vision, Ocular