Primary cystic neoplasia of the liver is rare. We report a cystadenoma with mesenchymal stroma (CMS) and a cystadenocarcinoma, and make a review of literature with particular reference to their histogenesis. The CMS has many similarities to the ovarian mucinous cystadenoma; occurring almost exlusively in female, being lined by mucus-secreting epithelial cells, and containing dense ovarian-like stroma. These features suggest that CMS may arise from the ectopic ovarian tissue within the liver. Cystadenocarcinoma may have its origin in CMS or cystadenoma without mesenchymal stroma of CMS. Cholangiocarcinoma arising from the congenital hepatic cysts can be differentiated only when it contains benign epithelia.
Female ; Humans ; Cysts

BACKGROUND: Clinical features of atopic dermatitis(AD) have been well described according to age in the English literature. In Korea there have been some reports about clinical analyses of AD. However, there is no report about the clinical characteristics of adult AD. OBJECTIVE: We tried to characterize the clinical features of adult AD by comparing them with the childhood/infantile type. In addition we aimed to study the prognostic factors that may be related to the persistence of dermatitis into adult life. METHODS: Patients with AD were divided into the adult and childhood/infantile types according to the patient's age. Sixty three adult patients were compared with 107 childhood/infantile patients. Various clinical characteristics of AD were compared between these groups. RESULTS: Orbital darkening, foot eczema, and extensor involvement were more frequently observed in the childhood/infantile type, whereas flexural lichenification, especially in the antecubital fossa, prurigo papules in the extensor part of the extremities, cheilitis, forehead lichenification, Hertoghe's sign, nipple eczema, and anterior neck fold involvement were more frequent in the adult type. Light sensitivity was more prominent in the adult type. Later age at onset of AD was observed in adult patients. The incidence of respiratory atopy (asthma and allergic rhinitis) was higher in the adult group. CONCLUSION: In the adult type flexural involvement with lichenification became more prominent and prurigo papules were more frequently observed in the extensor part of the extremities. Later onset of AD and association with respiratory atopy were considered to be bad prognostic factors.
Adult* ; Age of Onset ; Cheilitis ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eczema ; Extremities ; Foot ; Forehead ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Neck ; Nipples ; Orbit ; Photophobia ; Prurigo

BACKGROUND: Recently the sensitive measurement of radiation damage to DNA using flowcytometric analysis of nucleoid preparations was reported which allows an analysis of damage within the DNA of single cells. We applied flowcytometric analysis of the nucleoids for the detection of DNA damage by UVB. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish the method of detecting UVB-induced damage of DNA by flowcytometry and to elucidate the usefulness of this method to detect cell damage. METHODS: Human melanoma cells were cultured and were irradiated with various of UVB. Immediately after UVB irradiation nucleoid suspensions were prepared and flowcytometric analysis was done. RESULTS: The changes in fluorescence, forward scatter, and side scatter reflected damage of DNA induced by UVB quite well especially at lower UVB doses. CONCLUSION: Flowcytometric analysis of nucleoid will be a useful methosd to detect DNA damage by UVB.
DNA ; DNA Damage ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Melanoma ; Methods ; Suspensions ; Ultraviolet Rays*

BACKGOUND: Because heterogeneity of the human tyrosinase gene has been reported, it is of vital significance to know the correct nucleotide sequence of tyrosinase in Koreans in order to study the molecular basis of oculocutaneous albinism. OBJECTIVE: This study was done to analyze the nucleotide sequence of tyrosinase gene in Koreans. METHODS: All exons were amplified from genomic DNAs and sequenced directly from three healthy Koreans. RESULTS: The nucleotide sequence of the tyrosinase gene in Koreans encode 511 amino acids with a molecular weight of 58,000. CONCLUSION: The nucleotide sequence of coding region is the same with that of pHTrl(Shibahara et al. Tohoku J Exp Med 156: 403-414, 1988). As we couldn't observe any polymorphisms in Koreans these results suggested the homogeneity of Korean people.
Albinism, Oculocutaneous ; Amino Acids ; Base Sequence ; Clinical Coding ; DNA ; Exons ; Humans* ; Molecular Weight ; Monophenol Monooxygenase* ; Population Characteristics ; Sequence Analysis*

OBJECTIVE: In the development of squamous neoplasia of the uterine cervix, high risk HPV infection has been followed by CD44 variant expression and angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the sequential changes and relatianship of CD44 variant expression, microvessel density (MVD), and VEGF expression in CIN III, microinvasive (MI) and invasive (CA) squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: The materials were 17 cases of CIN III, 14 cases of MI and 15 cases of CA. In situ PCR for HPV 16/18 and immunohistochemical studies for CD44std, v6, v7/8, CD 31 for MVD, and VEGF were performed. RESULTS: CD44std expression was decreased in squarnous neoplasia compared to normal, and CD44v6 and v7/8 expressions were increased, however, there was no statistical significance. Accentuated staining of CD44v6 and v7/8 along the infiltrating borders was noted in 76.9% and 69.2% of MI and in 71.4% and 42.9% of CA, respectively. High MVD and VEGF 2+ expression were higher in the squamous neoplasia compared to narmal, however, there was no significant difference between the squamous neoplasia and no significant relationship between MVD and VEGF expression. The expression rates of CD44std and CD44v6 were higher in HPV 16/18 negative squamous neoplasia and that of CD44v7/8 was higher in HPV 16/18 pasitive squamous neoplasia, however, their differences were not significant. The incidences of high MVD and VEGF 2+ expression were higher in HPV 16/18 positive suqmaous neoplasia with no statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CD44 variants expression and angiogenesis are involved in the development of squamous neoplasia of the uterine cervix, however, HPV 16/18 might not be related to CD44 variant expression and angiogenesis.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Incidence ; Microvessels* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

Although wound healing is a natural biologic process by which the homeostasis is preserved, the resultant hypertrophic scar or scar contracture may produce undesirable morphologic and functional sequelae. To overcome these problems, a number of attempts to produce skin substitute have been made in recent years, but none have proved to be entirely satisfactory. We compared the wound healing of full-thickness dorsal skin defects between ADM(acelluar dermal matrix)-applied wound and ADM non-applied wound group in 20 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. The wound area was serially evaluated at 1,2,3 weeks and the difference in the mean area ratios between the two groups was then statistically analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sums test. We also performed histological evaluation of the wounds at 1,2,3 weeks. Results were as follows: 1. Experimentally produced ADM was easy to handle. Histologic findings showed no epithelium, no appendages, no cells dermal and subcutaneous layer and pure bundles of collagen. 2. The wound area ratio of ADM applied wound group was statistically larger than that of ADM non-applied(control) wound group. That is, ADM was able to inhibit the wound contraction compared with the ADM non-applied wound group. 3. In the ADM-applied group, we observed low grade exudates, no infection, fine take-up of ADM on full-thickness skin defect, gross and histologic findings of neovascularization, and progressive epithelization on ADM. These findings of biologic attachment implies the function of the ADM as a dermal substitute. These can be basis of the study on the development of artificial skin.
Acellular Dermis* ; Adult ; Animals ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Collagen ; Contracture ; Epithelium ; Exudates and Transudates ; Female ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin* ; Skin, Artificial ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries*

BACKGROUND: Gamma linoleic acid (GLA, Epogam) is considered a safe and effective modality in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in which impaired function of the enzyme, delta-6-desaturase, has been reported to result in reduced levels of GLA, desaturated fatty acids. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to observe the changes of skin surface conditions measured objectively by bioengineering methods in relation to clinical improvement after treatment with GLA (Epogam®) in children with AD. METHODS: Thirty-four children with AD were treated with GLA (Epogam®) and evaluated with clinical parameters.The changes of skin surface conditions were monitored by non-invasive experimental instruments. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and gradual improvements in clinical severity after 12 weeks of GLA (Epogam®) treatment. The change of skin surface pH was statistically significant on the antecubital fossa and abdomen except the popliteal fossa. The other parameters including skin surface hydration and skin surface lipid did not show consistent changes. CONCLUSION: Clinical improvement of AD with GLA (Epogam) seemed to be achieved by the reduction of TEWL.
Abdomen ; Bioengineering ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Fatty Acids ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Linoleic Acid* ; Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase ; Skin* ; Water

BACKGROUND: The wound healing process is impaired or delayed in aged patients. The development of a new wound healing model is needed. Nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a special role in wound healing because NGF is expressed only in proliferating tissues such as wounds. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to develop a wound healing model using a 3-dimensional culture system, raft culture, by comparing the level of NGF expression according to the wound stage after an artificial wound was made to the raft samples. We tried to specifically localize the site of NGF expression both in mRNA and protein level. METHODS: Raft culture using normal human keratinocytes was done and a 2 mm slit wound was made in the center of the raft samples. Raft samples of no wound, 4 d, 7 d, and 9 d after wounding were prepared. In situ RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect and localize NGF expression after making wounds and the addition of substance P (SP). RESULTS: We failed to localize NGF mRNA expression in raft samples by in situ RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry showed NGF staining throughout the epidermis although a little more dense staining was found in the basal layer. NGF(+) cells tended to increase until 7 d after wounding, but there were no significant differences according to the wounding days. There was `a tendency that the SP(+) group showed more NGF(+) cells than the SP(-) group, but there were no statistical differences. CONCLUSION: We think that our in vitro raft wound model using NGF expression could be used, at least in part, as an objective indicator for wound healing. In our raft model lacking nerve, NGF may not be suitable for representing wound healing process because this model can not reflect the interaction between the skin and the nervous system. Expression of growth factors or cytokines other than NGF need to be applied to our raft culture system.
Cytokines ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Keratinocytes ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Nervous System ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin ; Substance P ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

BACKGROUND: Recently doubts have been raised regarding the diagnostic significance of some of the minor clinical features of atopic dermatitis (AD) proposed by Hanifin and Rajka. Some of them may be nonspecific and racial difference was suggested. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic significance of 14 minor clinical features out of Hanifin and Rajka's 23 minor features of AD in the Korean pediatric population. The significance of 5 more items was evaluated as additional minor features. METHODS: The difference in frequency of the total 19 features of AD was compared between 100 patients with AD and 76 controls. RESULTS: Fourteen of these were shown to be significantly more frequent in patients than in controls including our 5 additional clues such as scalp scaling, postauricular fissure, infraauricular fissure, forehead lichenification, and infragluteal eczema. CONCLUSION: Our study about the minor features may be a valuable guideline for the diagnosis of AD in the Korean pediatric population.
Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Diagnosis ; Eczema ; Forehead ; Humans ; Scalp

BACKGROUND: Recently doubts have been raised regarding the diagnostic significance of some of the minor clinical features of atopic dermatitis (AD) proposed by Hanifin and Rajka. Some of them may be nonspecific and racial difference was suggested. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic significance of 14 minor clinical features out of Hanifin and Rajka's 23 minor features of AD in the Korean pediatric population. The significance of 5 more items was evaluated as additional minor features. METHODS: The difference in frequency of the total 19 features of AD was compared between 100 patients with AD and 76 controls. RESULTS: Fourteen of these were shown to be significantly more frequent in patients than in controls including our 5 additional clues such as scalp scaling, postauricular fissure, infraauricular fissure, forehead lichenification, and infragluteal eczema. CONCLUSION: Our study about the minor features may be a valuable guideline for the diagnosis of AD in the Korean pediatric population.
Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Diagnosis ; Eczema ; Forehead ; Humans ; Scalp