This study was performed to investigate the age-related changes of the lipid metabolism and thrombogenic capacity in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at the ages of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 months old. Total lipid, triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol in plasma and liver, HDL-cholesterol concentration, and eicosanoid contents in plasma were measured. Lipid peroxides were determined by the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in LDL fraction. Body weight was increased continuous until 16 months and decreased after 20 months. Epididymal fat pad (EFP) weight was increased continuously until 20 months and decreased at 24 months. Total lipid and TG concentrations in plasma were increased until 20 months and then rapidly decreased at 24 months but plasma cholesterol was increased continuously with aging. HDL-cholesterol level was increased continuously until 12 months, but decreased at 16 months and maintained there after. The TBARS levels in LDL fraction were the highest level at 24 months. Liver total lipid, TG, and total cholesterol concentrations were shown a tendency to increase with aging, and especially TG concentration was increased rapidly from 12 months to 16 months. Plasma thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 (6-keto-PGF1) contents did not change with aging, but the ratio of TXB2/6-keto-PGF1 was increased with aging, especially from 8 to 12 months. These results showed that lipid levels in plasma and liver, TBARS levels in LDL fraction, and TXB2/6-keto- PGF1 ratio were increased with aging.
Adipose Tissue ; Aging ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Child, Preschool ; Cholesterol ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Lipid Peroxides ; Liver ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; Thromboxane B2 ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND: The relative lack of knowledge and interest in arthropod bites has made it difficult to investigate centipede envenomation in Korea. OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of centipede bites in Korea. METHODS: A prospective study of clinical manifestations in patients with centipede bites was performed during the period of May 2004 to April 2005. Factors investigated included sex, age, location and time of assaults, affected parts of the body, signs and symptoms, treatment modalities, and complications. All centipedes that were involved were brought to the clinic, examined, and species-identified. RESULTS: A total of 29 cases of centipede bite were identified. Scolopendra subspinipes was the causative centipede in all cases. Centipede bites occurred exclusively in summer (June, July, and August). Most of the bites which occurred during the daytime happened outdoors, whereas most nocturnal assaults happened indoors. All patients were bitten on an exposed area and the fingers (37.9%) were the most frequent sites of involvement. Local reactions developed at the bitten sites and usually remained localized. Erythema (100%) and local swelling (79.3%) were the most prominent features. The majority of patients did not show severe systemic symptoms. Most lesions healed completely within a week, without complications. CONCLUSION: Centipede bites are a common occurrance in rural and island areas during the summer season. Dermatologists need to be aware of the clinical manifestations in order to make an appropriate diagnosis and proper treatment decision.
Arthropods ; Bites and Stings ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiology ; Erythema ; Fingers ; Humans ; Korea ; Prospective Studies ; Seasons

BACKGROUND: Pitted keratolysis (PK) is an acquired, chronic, usually asymptomatic, non-inflammatory, superficial bacterial infection of the stratum corneum of the soles. Corynebacterium species are thought to be the causative organisms of PK. This condition is common in feet of active people wearing sweaty shoes, namely, athletes and soldiers. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical manifestations of pitted keratolysis. METHODS: A total of 133 Korean male soldiers diagnosed with PK (aged between 19 and 33, mean 21.9 years) were included in this study. All patients were investigated between April 2004 and May 2005. Factors investigated included age, location, duration, date of visit, physical examination, subjective symptoms, associated medical conditions, and treatment modalities. All patients were examined carefully to verify accompanying erythrasma or trichomycosis axillaris (TMA). RESULTS: About half of the patients visited our department in spring (March, April, and May). However, PK was found in all the seasons. The ball of the foot was the most frequently involved site (92.5%). The big toe (72.2%) was also a frequent site of involvement. Forty-five patients (41.7%) had coexistent erythrasma, 22 (20.4%) had TMA, and 14 (13.0%) had a simultaneous presence of both erythrasma and TMA. Hyperhidrosis (98.5%) and foul odor (95.5%) were the main complaints in most of the patients. Other symptoms associated with PK were sliminess (38.3%), burning (23.3%), itching (18.8%), and prickling (13.5%) sensations. Various treatment modalities such as topical antibiotics, topical antifungal agents, and oral erythromycin have been used. All lesions subsided within 1 month after treatment. Although recurrence rate was high (64.3%), parameters such as period of prevalence, size and shape of the lesion, and treatment modality were not associated with the recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: The present study provides basic clinical information on PK, which is a common condition of the feet of Korean male soldiers.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antifungal Agents ; Athletes ; Bacterial Infections ; Burns ; Corynebacterium ; Erythrasma ; Erythromycin ; Foot ; Humans ; Hyperhidrosis ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Odors ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Pruritus ; Recurrence ; Seasons ; Sensation ; Shoes ; Toes

Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus represent a new class of topical non-steroidal medication currently used in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory skin lesions. We report a case of a patient in whom topical pimecrolimus therapy resulted in tinea incognito. Mycologic examination, including a KOH smear and fungal culture, was positive for hyphae and colonies of trichophyton mentagrophytes. The lesion was treated with oral griseofulvin and topical clotrimazole.
Clotrimazole ; Griseofulvin ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Skin ; Tacrolimus ; Tinea* ; Trichophyton