Topical photochemotherapy is effective for the treatment of vitiligo, However the effectiveness of photosensitizer, 4,5', 8-trimethyl-psoralen is not well known. For thesie reasons, we evaluated the pigment producing effect of various concentrations of TMP in fifty-six male black mice doing photochemotherapy. 1) The number of melanocytes according to the concentrations of TMP: The melanocytes were not increased in the control group. However, melanocytes were increased, in three TMP applied groups in the order of 0.1% 0.3% and 0.5% group at 1,2,3 weeks, respectively but the difference of melanocyte counts in the TMP applied groups was not remarkable at 4 weeks. 2) The area of melanocytes in relation to the concentrations of TMP: The area significantly increased from the second week of UVA exposure in the control group. There was marked increase in the area of the melanocytes in the TMP applied groups compared with those of control group in the order of 0. l%, 0, 3% and 0. 5% respectively. 3) The circumference of the melanocytes in relation to the Concentrations of TMP: Circumference of the control groups increased in proportion to the frequency of UVA exposure. TMP applied groups showed significant increase of the circumference compared that of the control group and generally increased in proportion to the increase in the concentration of TMP.
Animals ; Humans ; Male ; Melanocytes ; Mice ; Photochemotherapy* ; Thymidine Monophosphate ; Trioxsalen* ; Vitiligo

We evaluated the treatment schedule of a 4 week course of methotrexate followed by UVB radiation therapy on 18 patients of generalized psoriasis. The patients received the weekly triple doses of methotrexa,te(MTX), 5 mg given every 12 hours for three doses on weekend for 3 weeks. On 4 th weekend, the doses was halved to 2. 5 mg every 12 hours for three doses, and then stopped. After a 4 week course of methotrexate, total doses 52. 5 mg, UVB treatment was commenced. The results are as follows: 1. 13 patients showed clearing of psoriatic involvolvement over 50, after 4 week course of MTX therapy. 2. Complete clearing of skin lesions was achieved in all 18 patients with the average,"j, 8 times of UVB exposure in trunk and 5 6 times in extremities respect ively. 3. The average dose of UVB exposure at clearance was 187 mJ/cm in trunk lesion and 263. 6 mJ/cm in extremities, The mean cummulative dose of UVB exposure at clearance was 800. 7 mJ/cm in trunk lesion and 994. 3 mJ/cm in extremities. In conculuaion, the brief 4 week course of MTX allows for clearing of psoriasis at relatively low dose of UVR, and thus may reduce the long-term cumrnulative toxicity of both agents.
Appointments and Schedules ; Extremities ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; Psoriasis* ; Skin

The vermilion border of the lips has a modifed epithelium, which is much more likely to develop allergic contact sensitivity reactions than oral mucosa. Allergens in contact with both the oral mucosa and the lips oftens produce only cheilitis. Allergic contact cheilitis may result from topical medicaments, dentifrices, cosmetics, foods, plants or metals. We present six cases of allergic contact cheilitis confirmed by patch test. The toot4paste was incriminated in 2 cases, the lipstick in 3 cases and the bubble gum in one rase as producing chelitis respectively.
Allergens ; Cheilitis* ; Dentifrices ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Epithelium ; Gingiva ; Lip ; Metals ; Mouth Mucosa ; Patch Tests

A 18-month-old girl was seen because of an yellowish brown papular eruptions on the face, earlobes and neck of one year duration. A skin biopsy specimen revealed circumscribed cellular infiltrates composed of predorninantly pleornorphic histiocytes. Electron microscopy of biopsy material disclosed numerous worm like particles and coated vescles in limited area of the cell cytoplasm, consistent with the findinga described in benign cephalic histiocytosis. After six months of her first visit, the individual papules became flattened.
Biopsy ; Coated Vesicles ; Cytoplasm ; Female ; Histiocytes ; Histiocytosis* ; Humans ; Infant ; Microscopy, Electron ; Neck ; Skin