No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

No abstract available.
Asthma* ; Immunotherapy*

Chronic cough is a symptom frequently encountered by the pediatrician. Although most coughs are self-limited, chronic cough often proves to be a frustrating problem. This study was performed at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital from January 1, 1992 to December 31, 1992, and 83 children with chronic cough persisting for longer than 3 weeks was evaluated. We categorized these patients into 5 age groups (1. Infant: uner 12 months of age, 2. Toddler: above age 1~below age 3, 3. Preschool: above age 3~below age 6,4. School: above age 6~below age 6~below age 12, 5. Adolecent: above age 12). The most common cause of chronic cough was the reactive airway disease (71.1%) such as asthma with or without sinusitis (56.6%) and bronchiolitis-reactive (14.5%). In infant age group, the most frequent causes of chronic cough were reactive airway disease(52.4%)such as bronchiolitis-reactive (28.6%) and infantile asthma (23.8%). The second and third common causes were congenital anomalies(23.8%) and bronchiolitis-nonreactive (23.8%). In toddler age, the most common cause was the reactive airway disease such as infantile asthma (10 cases: 50%) and bronchiolitis reactive (6cases; 30%) and congenital anomalies were the second common causes of chronic cough. In preschool, school and adolescent age group, asthma and sinusitis were the main causes of chronic cough. In the groups above age 3,73.2% of chronic cough were associated with sinusitis. Therefore, in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of chronic cough, it should be considered that the cause of cough is either reactive airway disease with or without sinusitis or not. In infant and toddler age, congenital anomaly should be considered.
Adolescent ; Asthma ; Bronchiolitis ; Child* ; Cough* ; Humans ; Infant ; Sinusitis

No abstract available.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn

The “delta phalanx”, first named by BlundeII Jones in 1964, is a triangular(“delta-shaped”) or trapezoidal phalanx with C-shaped epiphyseal plate causing progressive angular deformity of the digit with growth. Neither splinting nor physical therapy is effective in improving the condition. Surgical correction is indicated and several methods of correction have been reported. Authors have experienced a rare case of “delta phalanx” occuring in the proximal phalanx of the syndactylous digit.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Growth Plate ; Splints ; Syndactyly

Fourty one cases of open fractures of tibial shaft complicated with varying degrees of soft tissue injuries were trested by one-plane unilateral external fixation with AO fixator. In seventeen csses among them, interfragmental lag screw fixation was applied in addition, for more rigidity and stability of the fixation. All of thern were followed up at least for one year and we obtained the following results. 1. Rigid stable external fixation provided by additional minimum internal fixation may not increase the rate of infection but rather enhance prompt primary bone healing. 2. One-plane unilatersl external fixation may facilitate good access to the wound for subsepuent reconstructive procedures, and enhance pain-free early full range of joint motion, thus promote early bone union. 3. Comparing with bilsteral fixation, there wss almost no difference in the union time of the fracture even with one-plsne unilatersl fixation.
Clinical Study ; External Fixators ; Fractures, Open ; Joints ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Tibia ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Antigen-Antibody Complex* ; Humans ; Interleukin-2* ; Ovarian Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: Human growth hormone(hGH) plays a central role in linear bone growth and body metabolism. Its mitogenic effect in human tissues is mediated via direct and indirect actions. As proposed by the "somatomedin hypothesis", many circulating GH-mediated effects are exerted indirectly and systemically via stimulation of hepatic synthesis of insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1). Given additional evidences for the expression of growth hormone receptor(GH-R) and IGF-1 receptor(IGF-1R) on many target tissues including keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts, it is now evident that the GH can act via systemic IGF-1 secreted by the liver and locally produced IGF-1, as well as directly through the GH receptor. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate not only the effect of IGF-1 on the morphologic changes, proliferation, and melanization of cultured human melanocytes but also on its signal transduction pathway through the IGF-1R. METHODS: Melanocytes were exposed to IGF-1 at 10, 25, 50, 75, 100ng/ml and we examined the changes of cell morphology, number of cells, [3H]-thymidine incorporation, MTS assay, and melanization according to the concentrations and exposure times of IGF-1. Also, the activity of p44/42 MAPK/ERK according to the various exposure times of IGF-1(25ng/ml) was examined using the Western blotting method to find out about the signal transdution pathway of IGF-1. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1. There were no significant morphological changes of cells between the control and experimental groups according to the concentrations and exposure times of IGF-1. 2. The effects on melanocytes according to the concentrations of IGF-1 5 days after adding IGF-1 : 1) The number of cells, [3H]-thymidine incorporation, and MTS assay were significantly higher than those of control group in all experimental groups(p<0.05). 2) The melanin content showed an insignificant decrease in all experimental groups. 3) The melanocytes responded independent of the IGF-1 concentration in the assay of cell number, [3H]-thymidine incorporation and MTS. 3. The effects on melanocytes according to the exposure times(3 days, 5 days, 7 days) of IGF-1(25 ng/ml) : 1) The number of cells, [3H]-thymidine incorporation, and MTS assay increased as time went by, and was significantly higher than those of control group at all exposure times(p<0.05). 2) The melanin content decreased after exposure of IGF-1, especially that of 3 days exposure group showed a significant decrease(p<0.05). 4. The activities of p44/42 MAPK/ERK increased suddenly at 5 minutes with a peak at 60 minutes and then abruptly decreased at 120 minutes after adding IGF-1 CONCLUSION: In summary, this study demonstrates that IGF-1 has no effect on the morphology, but it does increase the proliferation and slightly decrease the melanization of cultured human melanocytes. In addition, it is suggested that IGF-1 plays a role in regulation of proliferation of melanocytes via the receptor PTK pathway with activation of p44/42 MAPK/ERK.
Blotting, Western ; Bone Development ; Cell Count ; Fibroblasts ; Growth Hormone ; Humans* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I* ; Keratinocytes ; Liver ; Melanins ; Melanocytes* ; Metabolism ; Signal Transduction

No abstract available.
Neurofibromatoses*

BACKGROUND: Chronic actinic dermatitis comprises a spectrum of chronic photosensitivity disorders. Treatment includes avoidance of UV light, application of broad-spectrum topical sunscreens, PUVA therapy, corticosteroid, azathioprine and cyclosporine. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the efficacy of cyclosporine in the treatment of chronic actinic dermatitis. METHODS: Six patients with chronic actinic dermatitis refractory to conventional treatment were treated with cyclosporine 100-200mg a day for four to eighteen weeks. RESULTS: In all six patients improvement of the skin lesions and itching were dramatic, but in three of them hyperterision developed during the cyclosporine treatment. After stopping the cyclosporine therapy, their blood pressures normalized within two to five weeks. Other side effects of cyclosporine were not found. Although the skin lesions of all of the six patients were aggravated more or less after stopping the cyclosporine therapy, we could maintain their improved states with topical corticosteroids and oral antihistamines. CONCLUSION: 1. Cyclosporine is a good alternative in treating chronic actinic dermatitis patients who are suffering from severe symptoms refractory to conventional therapy. 2. Hypertension is the frequent side effect of cyclosporine.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Azathioprine ; Cyclosporine* ; Histamine Antagonists ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Photosensitivity Disorders* ; Pruritus ; PUVA Therapy ; Skin ; Sunscreening Agents ; Ultraviolet Rays