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: 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

Chronic mucocutaneous randidiasis is a clinical syndrome characte ized by chronic and reccurent superficial candidal infection of the skin, mucous membranes, and nails. This syndrome is frequently associated with immune deficiency or endocrinopathy, especially hypopar; thyroidism. We report a case of chrcinic mucocutaneous candidiasis associated with hypoparathyroidism in a 8- year-old girl.
Candidiasis ; Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoparathyroidism* ; Mucous Membrane ; Skin ; Thyroid Gland

No abstract available.
Thymus Hyperplasia*

Partial Trisomy of 3p (Trisomy of 3p2, dup (3) (p23-->pter)) is a characteristic syndrome of chromosomal duplication of distal part of 3p, but breakpoints seem to vary in location. This syndrome shows multiple congenital anomalies with severe mental retardation, characteristic craniofacial change and absence of other gross external abnormalities. The craniofacial dysmorphism includes frontal bossing and temporal indentation, square face, marked hypertelorism, thick and short nose, full lips and a large mouth with downturned corners. Congenital heart defect, most frequently ASD and VSD, are found in most patients. In the majority of patients, the 3p2 duplication is the unbalanced product of a parental autosomal translocation involving 3p2 and another chromosome. We report a case of female baby who has facial dysmorphism, ASD and hyptonia and was found to have 3p2 duplidation (46XX-9, +der(9)t (3:9)(p23:p24)) by chromosomal analysis. Also we found her father was a carrier of blanced translocation of 3p2 and chromosome 9p (46XY, t(3:9)(p23:p24)).
Chromosome Duplication ; Fathers ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Hypertelorism ; Intellectual Disability ; Lip ; Mouth ; Nose ; Parents ; Trisomy*

No abstract available.
Pulmonary Atelectasis*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells* ; Bone Marrow* ; Cyclosporine* ; Mice*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Tuberculosis, Renal*

Topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone(DPCP) has been used for the treatment of alopecia areata. Due to the therapeutic principle of producing a contact eczema, itching, erythema and scaling are inevitable or even desired side effects. However, erythema multiforme-like reactions following topical DPCP treatment have been rarely reported with an estimated incidence of 1.2%. We present herein a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, the severe form of erythema multiforme as a side effect of topical DPCP. A 57-year old male patient visited us for the treatment of alopecia totalis. After sensitization with 0.2% DPCP in acetone, we applied DPCP on the scalp once a week for three weeks. Following the 3rd challenge of DPCP, iris-shaped lesions, erosions, vesicles, and bullae developed with fever. Also, he had vesicles and erosions in the oral cavity. The patient was treated with systemic antibiotics, steroids, and antihistamines. The cutaneous lesions were cleared with hyperpigmentation, and pronounced hair regrowth was observed.
Acetone ; Alopecia ; Alopecia Areata ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Erythema ; Erythema Multiforme ; Fever ; Hair ; Histamine Antagonists ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Immunotherapy* ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Pruritus ; Scalp ; Steroids ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome*

No abstract available.