Nickel is widely known as a common source of contact dermatitis and nickel sensitivity amounts to nearly 10 percent of allergic contact dermatitis patients. Common sources of nickel dermatitis are well known as necklaces, watches, rings, hooks, earrings and spectacle frames. Recently, we have seen five cases of nickel dermatitis the suspected sources of which were metal spectacle frames. The interim patch test result in our occupational and environmental clinic suggests that the metal spectacle frame is one of the most common sources of nickel dermatitis. Out of 84 medical students 27 wore metal spectacle frames. We have done a dimethylglyoxime spot test to the metal spectacle frames and got a positive result in 12 out of 27(44.4%). We conclude that metal spectacle frame seems to be one of the dominant causes of nickel dermatitis and it will be an increasing problem in our society.
Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Contact* ; Ear ; Humans ; Nickel ; Patch Tests ; Students, Medical

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

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*

We evaluated the clinical manifestations of 326 patients of vitiligo who had visited Seoul National University Hospital. The results were as follows : 1) There were 141 males (43.3%) and 185 females (56.7%). 2) The mean age of onset was 19.6 years (male : 18.3 years, female : 20.6 years). 3) The mean age at the first visit wss 23.9 years (male : 22.5 years, female : 24.9 years). 4) Duration of disease was less than 2 year in 156 patients (47.9%). 5) The most common site of initial involvement was face (36.2%). The common sites of involvement were face (55.2), abdomen (32.5%), neck (26.7%) and scalp (24.8%) in decreasing order of frequency. 6) There were 167 cases (51.2%) of generalized type, 118 cases (36.2%) of localized type, 31 cases (9.5%) of dermatomal type and 10 cases (3.1) of halo nevus. The most frequent site of dermatomal type was neck. Gray hair was noted in 91 cases (27.9%) and mucosal involvement was present in 43 cases (13.2%). 7) Family history was obtained in 24 cases (7.4%). Koebner phenomenon was present in 48 cases (14%). There were no precipitating factors in 309 cases (94.8%) prior to development of vitiligo. 8) The associated diseases were 1 csse of thyroiditis and 3 cases of alopecia areata.
Abdomen ; Age of Onset ; Alopecia Areata ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; Nevus, Halo ; Precipitating Factors ; Scalp ; Seoul ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroiditis ; Vitiligo*

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*

No abstract available.
Ultrasonography*

We performed analysis of 79 childhood patients diagnosed as vitiligo and nevus depigmentosus in Tediatric Dermatologie Department of Seoul National University Hospital from March 1987 to September 1987. The results were as follows : 1. Of the 79 patients, 31 patients(39.2%) were vitiligo 21 patients(26.6% )were nevus depigmentosus and 27 patients(34.2%)were uncertain by cliniral diagnostic ctriteri.. 2. Viiligo began rarely in infancy(6.4% )and most appeared evenly in all childhood over 1 year old. Nevus clepigmentosus was present at birth in 57.1% of patients and was discovered within the first 6 months after birth in 42.9% of patients. 3. In vitiligo, most lesions were multiple. The most common site of involvement was the face, and there was this tendency of periorficial predisposition. In nevus ciepigmentosus, most lesions were solitary. The most, common aites of involvement were the lowed limbs and trunk, but there was no tendency of periorfcial presposition. 4. We found focal type of vitiligo in,51,6% of patients, vulgaris type in 32. 3 % acrofacial type in 9.6% and segmerital type in 6.5%. We also found isolated pattern of nevus clepigrnento us in 76.2% of patients, ciermatomal p<:ttern in 19.0ki and whorlec1 pattern in 4.8% The contrast enhiancement between the hypopigmented skin and nomal surrounding skin by Wood's light, examinatior reflected the epiclermal melanin pig merit, i. e., the more marked loss of pigmentation, the more accentuatian of the contrast The before, Wood's light examination without I:3OPA staining could help to ciiagnose the atisculte type of vitiligo showing eidermal melanocytes and nevu c.Iepigmeritosus.
Child* ; Dihydroxyphenylalanine* ; Extremities ; Humans ; Melanins ; Melanocytes ; Nevus* ; Parturition ; Pigmentation ; Seoul ; Skin ; Vitiligo*

Febrile ulceronecrotic PLEVA is an unusually severe from of PLEVA, characterized by the sudden onset of diffuse ulceronecrotic eruption aasociated with high fever. A mild eruption precede the acute fulminating course, We observed a 13-year-old boy presenting the form of febrile ulceronecrotic PLEVA. The histologic features were those of PLEVA. He received the systemic corticosteroids with aupportive care. To recognize this disorder is important because of a possibly fatal outcome, So close attention and vigorous therapy are necessary.
Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Fatal Outcome ; Fever ; Humans ; Male ; Pityriasis Lichenoides* ; Pityriasis*

No abstract available.
Acrodermatitis*

No abstract available.
Pulmonary Atelectasis*