In humans, the major stimulus for cutaneous pigmentation is ultraviolet radiation. Little is known about the mechanism underlying this response, in part, because of the complexity of the interactions involving the whole epidermis. The present stucy was undertake to evaluate the effects of a single exposure of UVB on cultured normal melanocytes. Melanocytes were exposed to UVB from 5.1 mJ/cm to 203 mJ/cm. The results were as follows : 1. The main morphologic changes in UVB-exposed groups w re larger sized cells, more blunted dendrites, and shorter dendrites than in the control group. These cells increased sized according to the increased doses of VVB, but above 101.5 mJ/cm, the melanocytes shrunk and were destroyed. 2. From 20.3 mJ/cm of UVB, the proliferation of melanocyte was decreased, Especially, there was statistical!y significant difference above 50.8 mJ/cm (p<0.05, p<0.01). 3. The antiproliferativo effect increased with the passage of tirie after UVB exposure. So, cell count could not be done in 101.5 mJ/cm and 203 mJ/cm on the third day, and in 50.8 mJ/cm, 101.5 m J/cm and 203 mJ/cm on the seventh day. 4. Statistically the melanin content per well was significantl dicreased to 11-28% of each control group with dose above 50.8 mJ/cm (p<0.05, p<0.01). The melanin content per cell was increased to 107-128% of each control group when doses were below 20.3 mJ/cm and decreased to 49-79% of each control group when above 0.8 mJ/cm on the third day, but there was no statistically significant difference. In summary, when melarocytes were exposed to UVB, morphclogic changes progressed to cell differentiation. The results also suggested that a low or dose of UVB has an antiproliferative arid mild melanogenic effect, and a higher dose of UVB has a direct cytotoxic effect.
Cell Count ; Cell Differentiation ; Dendrites ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Melanins ; Melanocytes* ; Pigmentation

The author evaluated the optimal concentration of 3 compositions of TIC medium which has used as the melanacytes culture medium. The concentrations of placental extract and bovine pituitary extract, which have the ability to promote proliferation of melanocytes, were evaluated also. Modified TIC medium with above 5 components of evaluated concentration was very effective in melanocytes culture. The results were as follows : l. 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) showed effective melanocytes proliferating activity at the concentration of 30ngml (p(0.05) 2. Isobutylmet:hyl xanthine (IBMX) showed effective melanocytes proliferating activity at the concentration of 0.3mM (p(0.05) 3. Cholera toxin (CT) showed effective melanocytes proliferating activity at the concentration of )OnM (p(0.05) 4. Two percentages of placental extract in culture medium showed effective melanocytes proliferating activity. S. Two percentages of bovine pituitary extract in culture medium showed effective melanocytes proliferating activity. 6. Placental extract and isobutylmethyl xanthine proved to have high melanocytes proliferating activity. 7. Melanocytes proliferated rapidly on modified TIC medium (Proliferation doubling time . about 43 hours) 8. The peak time of melanocytes proliferation (7.2 X 10/cm) was observed on the seventh day of culture, From this data, this culture system can be recommended as a new melanocytes culture.
Cholera Toxin ; Humans* ; Melanocytes* ; Tics ; Xanthine

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anthelmintic effects of fenbendazole against intestinal nematode; Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris trichiura, and to compare the efficacy in fenbendazole, oxantel-pyrantel pamoate and placebo by means of double blind method. Out of 114 subjects harbouring Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris trichiura, 36 cases were treated with single dose of fenbendazole, 38 cases with oxantel-pyrantel pamoate, and the remaining 40 cases had received the placebo. The results were as follows: In the group treated with fenbendazole (30-50 mg/kg), the cure rates were 83.9 percent in 31 subjects with Ascaris lumbricoides and 83.3 percent in 18 subjects with hookworm, and only 28.6 percent in 28 subjects with T. trichiura respectively. In the group treated with a single dose of oxantel-pyrantel pamoate (10 mg/mg), the cure rates were 96.7 percent in 30 subjects with A. lumbricoides, 95.2 percent in 21 subjects with hookworm, and 54.6 percent in 33 subjects with T. trichiura. Egg reduction rate was 85.7 percent in T. trichiura cases. On the other hand, the egg negative conversion rates in placebo group were 9.7, 8.3 and 33.3 percent in Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm infections respectively. The above results showed that fenbendazole was highly effective against Ascaris and hookworm. However, incomparisom with oxantel-pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole was less effective in regards of A. lumbricoides, hookworm and T. trichiura infections.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda ; chemotherapy ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; hookworm ; Trichuris trichiura ; fenbendazole ; oxantel-pyrantel pamoate

BACKGROUND: In the skin, the major stimulus for cutaneous pigmentation is ultraviolet radiation. The most important physiologic role of melanin is protection against harmful UV radiation to skin. It is known there are some differences in melanization between a single and multiple exposures of UVB, in vivo. Little if known about the functions of the melanocyte alone in cutaneous pigmentation after ultraviolet exposure, because of the complexity of interactions in the whole epidermis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of multiple exposures at various dosages of UVB, and to compare the effect of UVB in multiple divided exposures with a single exposure at the same total dosage of UVB on proliferation and melanization in cultured human melanocyte. METHODS: Melanocytes were cultured by modified TIC medium. The melanoctes were exposed daily for three consecutive days to UVB at 2, 4, 8 and 16 mJ/cm2and a single exposure at 24 mJ/cm2. The morphologic changes were examined by phase contrast microscopy. The melanocytes were counted by hemocytometer and melanin contents were assayed by spectrophotometer. RESULTS: 1. The effects of multiple UVB exposures: 1) The morphologic changes were as follows: With three time exposures at a dosage of 8 mJ/cm2, themelanocytes enlarged in size, and elongated their dendrites slightly; with three time exposures at a dosage of 16 mJ/cm2, enlargement in sized and elongation of dendrited were more significant. 2) With three time exposures at dosages of 2 nd 4 mJ/cm2, the proliferation of melanocytes was stiumlated significantly(p<0.05). However, with three time exposures at dosages of 8 and 16 mJ/cm2the proliferation was inhibited(p<0.05). 3) With three time exposures at dosages of 2 and 4 mJ/cm2, the melanin contents were decreased. However, with three tiem exposures at a dosage of 16 mJ/cm2, the melanin contents were highly increased(p<0.01). 2. The comparison between multiple divided exposures and a single exposure at the same toal dosage of UVB: 1) There were no morphologic differences of dendrities between with three time exposures at a dosage of 8 mJ/cm2 and with a single exposure at a dosage of 24 mJ/cm2. However enlarged melanocytes were more numerous with a single exposure. 2) The proliferation of melanocytes was more inhibited with a single exposure than with multiple divided exposures(p<0.05). 3) The melanin contents were more increased with a single exposure than with multiple divided exposures(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: With multiple exposures at lower dosages of UVB, the proliferation of melanocytes was stimulated, and melanization was decreased. However, with multiple exposures at higher dosages of UVB, the proliferation was inhibited, and melanization was increased. At the same total dosage of UVB, the proliferation was more inhibited, and the melanization was more increased with a single exposure than with multiple divided exposures.
Dendrites ; Dermatitis, Irritant ; Epidermis ; Humans* ; Melanins ; Melanocytes* ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Pigmentation ; Skin ; Tics

Human epidermal cells were obtained from suction blisters of 14 healthy individuals, and were cultured for 24-96 hours st a concentration of 1x 10(7)/ml, 5 x 10(6)/ml, 1 x 10(6)/ml, 5 x 10(5)/ml. Cells were also cultured with or without stimulants such as phorbol myristic acetate(PMA), muramyl dipeptide(MDP), and endotoxin. Then, cell-free supernatants of cultured epidermal cells were tested for ETAF by a thymocyte prolifera.tiom assay. The results were as follows : 1, The highest activity of ETAF was produced by fresh epidermal cells(EC) at a concentration of 1 x10(7)ml. Its highest 3H-TdR was 4928+/-2480cpm. The highest activity of ETAF was produced by cultured EC at a concentration of 5 x10(6)/ml. Its highest 3H-TdR was 13983+/-8045 cpm. 2. The highest activity of ETAF was produced by fresh EC with n culture time of 24 hours. Its highest 3H-TdR was 5357+/-3760cpm. The highest activity of ETAF was produced by cultured EC with a culture time of 72 hours. Its highest 3H-TdR was 11905+/-5327cpm. 3. The highest activity of ETAF was produced by both fresh and cultured EC at a titer of 1: 8 dilution of cell-free supernatants. 1ts highest 3H-TdR was 4928 +/-2480cpm in the fresh EC, and 11905+/-5327cpm in the cultured EC. 4. Alhen fresh EC was stimulated with PMA, MDP and endotoxin, higher activity of ETAF was found in the group stimulated with PMA or MDP compared with its control group. But lower activity of ETAF was found in the group stimulated with endotoxin compared with its control group. The 3H-TdR was 6000+/-1936 cpm in the group stimulated with PMA, 6945+/-3182 cpm in the group stimulated with MDP, and 36943+/-36861cpm in the group stimulated with endotoxin.
Blister ; Humans* ; Suction ; Thymocytes

BACKGROUND: The main function of melanocyte is known to protect the skin from hazardous sunlight. But, some investigators have claimed lately that melanocytes are also related to the immunologic role in the epidermis because these cells produce IL-1 activity and IL-1beta convertase activity, in vitro. OBJECTIVE: Our purposes were to investigate the effects of rIFN-gammaon the proliferation of melanocytes, melanin content, and the expression of HLA-DR antigen on melanocytes after a rIFN-gammaexposure. MEHTODS: The number of melanocytes, the melanin content, and the expression of HLA-DR antigen were evaluated on cultured human melanocytes according to a time sequence and various concentrations of rIFN-gamma. RESULTS: Antiproliferative activity on melanocytes was dependent on the exposure time and the concentration of rIFN-gamma. According to the exposure time and the concentration of rIFN-gamma, melanogenic acivity was inhibitd or stimulated. Normal melanocytes didn't express HLA-DR antigen, but when normal melanocytes were exposed to rIFN-gamma, the expression of HLA-DR antigen increased in a time-and concentration-dependent fashion. After the removal of rIFN - gammafrom the culture media, the expression of HLA-DR antigen on melanocytes also disappeared. CONCLUSION: In our study, melanocytes seem to be related to the immunologic role in the epidermis because these cells expressed HLA-DR antigen after rIFN-gammaexposure and we think that study could help to investigate between melanocytes and immunologic mechanisms in various inflammatory skin diseases.
Culture Media ; Epidermis ; HLA-DR Antigens* ; Humans* ; Interleukin-1 ; Melanins ; Melanocytes ; Research Personnel ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Sunlight

To observe the possibility of human visceral larva migrans due to eating of raw liver of domestic animals, especially of cattle, and also to serve as a good reference for adequate sanitary measures, the investigation survey was carried out from May 1975 to May 1976. From the subjects of a l,048 inhabitants (male 558, female 490) in five localities including two Provinces and three different cities, food habit was studied by questionnaire mannual. Larvae isolated from liver tissues of cattle, and pig were identified. Experimental observation on the chicken and mice infected with Toxocara canis was undertaken to draw a assumption of possibility inducing human visceral larva migrans. The results obtained from the present study are summarized. A part of Korean people has the habit to eat the livers of cattle, fowl, pig and dog raw. Eating rate of raw beef liver was 37.8 percent out of l,048 inhabitants, and its rate was higher markedly in male(57.7 percent) than in female (15. 1 percent), and the highest rate among the group of 31-40 years old. Eating rate of raw liver of fowl was 5.9 percent, pig 5.3 percent, and dog 2.5 percent. Larva recovery rate from beef liver was 11.8 percent out of 195 samples and 72.0 percent of total detected 1arvae were identified as Toxocara(=Neoascaris) vitulorum. From pig liver, larvae of nematoda were found in 6.4 percent out of 109 samples but no larva was detected from 120 fowl livers. Larvae detected from one-half of tissues and organs of infected chicken with about 2,000 Toxocara canis eggs were 8-245 in number, and 85-100 percent of recovered larvae were from their 1iver tissues. Toxocara canis larvae, 45, 31, 42 and 23 in number at 3rd, 14th, 25th and 55th day in one-half of the tissues and organs after infection respectively, were demonstrated from the mice infected with 500 larvae collected from infected chicken liver. Most of the larvae were recovered from the carcass of the mouse. It was approved the larvae isolated from chicken possess infectivity to the mice. Typical eosinophilic granulomatous change was not observed in the liver tissue of the infected chicken at 20th day after infection. As it summarized above, the liver of various domestic animals is the favorite tissue for migration of nematodes larvae. Therefore, the possibility of human visceral larva migrans may be induced due to eating of raw liver of domestic animals.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda ; visceral larva migrans ; Toxocara canis ; liver ; cattle ; fowl ; pig ; dog ; mouse ; chicken ; infectivity

This study was designed to survey the knowledge and attitude towards the noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) of the workers with hearing impairment who are working at the noisy workplaces. The subjects were 423 workers selected from noisy workplaces, where the noise level was 85dB and over, and whose hearing impairment was 30 dB and over at 1,000 Hz or 40 dB and over at 4,000 Hz in the primary screening auditory test. For this study, a questionnaire was applied to the study subjects studying their knowledge and attitude towards the noise-induced hearing loss including their personal characteristics. Only 379 workers completed the questionnaires sincerely except 18 workers who did not show hearing impairment, and they were divided into three groups according to their status of hearing impairment: noise-induced hearing loss (Di), suspected hearing loss (0, hearing loss with medical reasons (D2), for their comparison of their knowledge and attitude towards the noise-indueed hearing loss. The workers who took auditory test at employment were 47.8% and who took auditory test last year after employment were 76.8%. The workers who put on protection device after the; test in 77.1%. The workers did not know the fact that they would work at the noisy workplace in 31.9%. The disturbance of daily communication is significantly different symtom among 3 groups (P<0.01). The workers answered that noise did not affect the body adversely in 4.7% and NIHL was not problem if it did not disturb daily life in 31.9%.In case they were diagnosed as NIHL, 68.6%-of the subjects answeredi-that they would put on protection devices thoroughly and 20.8% answered that they would ask for, medical care. And 39. 3% of them answered that they would want to stay at their present work-places even though they were ordered to change their workplaces to the another less noisy workplaces. The proportion of right answer in the article related NIHL was 61.2% in average. For the protection of NIHL, an effective hearing, conservation. program should be developed and provided to the labor working in the noisy workplace.
Employment ; Hearing Loss* ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced* ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Noise ; Questionnaires

To evaluate the effects of kerationocytes on the growth of melanocytes, keratinocyte conditioned media (K-CM) with different molecular weight obtained by dialysis were added to melanocyte growth medium (M-GM). In addition, K-CM only, and K-CM mixed with each component of M-GM, such as TPA(12-tetradecanoyl- phorbol-13-acetate), IBMX(isobutylmethylxanthine) and CT(cholera toxin), were used for the culture of melanocytes. 1) The proliferation of melanocytes was incresased to 2.86 x 10(5)+/-0.87 x 10(5) cells/ well and 2.87 x 10(5)+/-0.71 x 10(5) cells/well in 25% K-CM with a cut-off molecular weight of 2,000 and 25% K-CM with a cut,-off molecular weight between 6000 8000 respectively, as compared to 1.88 x 10(5)+/-0.45 x 10(5) cells/well in the control group (p < 0.05). 2) The amount of melanin was increased to 0.2987+/-0.0830ng/mlin 25% un- dialyzed K-CM, as compared to 0.2264+/-0.0643ng/ml in the control group, but this differnce was not statistically significant. 3) Maximum proliferation of melanocytes was observed in 35% concentration of K-CM with a cut-off molecular weight of 6000 8000. 4) Maximum of melanin production was observed in 35% concentration of undialyzed K-CM 5) As compared to 7.86 x 10+/-1.74 x 10(5) cells/well in M-GM,proliferation of melanocytes in 35% K-CM with a cut-off molecular weight of 6000 8000 was de- creased to 1.38 X 10(5)+/-0.97 X 10(5) cells/well. 6) There was no difference in melanocyte proliferation between 6.81 x 10(5)+/-2.19 x 10(5) cells/well in 35% 6,000 8,000 M.W. cut-off dialyzed K-CM, with IBMX only, and 7.86 x 10(5)+/-1.74 x 10(5) cells/well in M-GM. 7) Compared to 0.2303+/-0.0700ng/well cell in M-GM, the amount of melanin was increased to 0.3227+/-0.0900ng/cell, 0.3624+/-0.0900ng/cell and 0.2928+/-0.0500ng/cell, respectively, when TPA, IBMX, CT was added to 35% undialyzed K-CM. It also increased to 0.3176+/-0.1100 in 35% undialyzed K-CM(p<0.05). In summary, the results proved that cellular activating substances released from keratinocytes affect the proliferation of melanocyte and the synthesis of melain. It is also expected that methods used in this study can be clinically utilized because melanocyte culture is possible on K-CM without adding tumor promotors.
1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Dialysis ; Keratinocytes* ; Melanins ; Melanocytes* ; Molecular Weight

Torsades de pointes is characterized by paroxysms of ventricular tachycardia at rates typically greater than 200 beats/min in which QRS morphology shows alternating polarity in an undulating pattern so that the complexes appear to be twisting about the beseline;this arrhythmia is virtually always associated with prolongation of the QT interval. Its importance lies not in its unusual structure but in the potentially fatal outcome if conventional treatment is administred. Torsades de pointes was diagnosed in 4 patients;the first with hypokalemia, the second with congenital QT prolongation syndrome, the third with amiodarone, the fourth with organophosphorous and hypokalemia. Treatment of these patients consisted of potassium supply, isoproterenol, lidocaine, phenobarbital, tenormin, phenytoin, cardioversion, atropine. Three patients improved successfully, but one patient died, as a direct result of the ensuing ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest on one hour after admission.
Amiodarone ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atenolol ; Atropine ; Electric Countershock ; Fatal Outcome ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hypokalemia ; Isoproterenol ; Lidocaine ; Phenobarbital ; Phenytoin ; Potassium ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Torsades de Pointes* ; Ventricular Fibrillation