Afloqualone is a centrally acting muscle relaxant and has been used in therapy for musculotensive diseases. A 35-year-old female had been taking afloqulaone for a left hemifacial spasm for one month. The patient visited our hospital with erythematous papules and patches on the sun exposed area. A photopatch test with afloqualone ointment with the concentration of 0.1%, 1%, 5% turned out negative. An oral provocation test was also done and it showed a positive result with a decrease of MED to UVA (10 J/cm²).
Adult ; Dermatitis, Phototoxic* ; Female ; Hemifacial Spasm ; Humans ; Solar System

No Abstract Available.

No abstract available.
Brain Mapping* ; Evoked Potentials, Visual* ; Schizophrenia*

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

BACKGROUND: High-frequency jet ventilaion is considered a reliable technique for anesthesia and critical care including respiratory failure but there are adverse reactions such as carbon dioxide retension and dry of respiratory mucosa. The purpose of this study was to confirm the effects of combined high- frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) and converntional mechanical ventilation (CMV) on the cardiovascular system, arterial blood gases tension and mean airway pressure in 9 Korea mongrel dogs with pulmonary edema induced by oleic acid. METHODS: During CMV with 20 breaths/minute, 10 ml/kg of tidal volume and F1O2 1.0, parameers were evaluated (base line value). When pulmonary edema was developed, HFJV was applied initially with 120 breaths/minute, inspiratory time 30% and driving pressure 40 psi F1O2 1.0 for 60 minutes (control value) and thereafter simultaneous use of CMV was applied with the tidal volume of 10 ml/kg and each respiratory rate 8, 4, 2, 1, 0.5 per minute for 30 minutes. RESULTS: Combined application of HFJV and CMV (above repiratory rate 1 per minute) achieved the improvement of oxygenation and carbon dioxide elimination, and Paw was decreased without undesirable effects on cardiovascular system in case of the induced pulmonary edema. CONCUSIONS: From above results we recommanded that HFJV combined with CMV may be a useful method of treatment for respiratory failure.
Anesthesia ; Animals ; Carbon Dioxide ; Cardiovascular System ; Critical Care ; Dogs* ; Gases ; High-Frequency Jet Ventilation* ; Korea ; Oleic Acid* ; Oxygen ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Respiration, Artificial* ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Respiratory Mucosa ; Respiratory Rate ; Tidal Volume ; Ventilation

The authors investigated the antiproliferative effect and expression of HLA-DR an- tigen by recombinant gamma-interferon (r-IFN-y) on cultured human keratinocytes (KC). The results were as follows, 1. From 10l.J/ml of r-1FN-p exposure, the proliferation of KC decreased in a concentration dependent fashion. But there was little difference of antiproliferative effect above 30U/ml of r-IFN-y exposure. 2. The expression of HLA-DR antigen on KC increased in a concentration and time dependent fashion of r-IFN-p exposure. E3ut t,here was little difference of HLA-DR antigen expression on KC above 30tJ/ml and most of HLA-DR antigen were expressed within 48hr. 3. The opt,imal condition for HLA-DR antigen induction on KC by r-IFN-p was likely t,hat HLA-DR KC was observed at 48hr under the our exposure of 30U/ml of r-IFN p. 4. After 4hr exposure of 30U/ml of r-IFN-p, KC expresed HLA-BR. antigen, reaching a maximum intensity at 3 days. At, 7 days, the loss of HI A-DR KC showed over 90% of maximum intensity.
HLA-DR Antigens* ; Humans* ; Interferon-gamma ; Interferons* ; Keratinocytes*

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

Postictal sequential serum prolactin concentrations were observed in 28 patients with various type of seizures who were hospitalized at Keimyung University Hospital. Of 28 epileptic patients, 18 male and 10 female, age ranged from 18 years to 79 years (mean 42 years), 15 with generalized seizures, 13 with focal seizures (5 with simple partial seizures and 8 with partial seizures with generalization). Symptomatic epilepsy and epileptic patients with factors which may affect serum prolactin concentrations were excluded in this study. Serum prolactin concentrations were measure at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after convulsion and 24 hours after convulsion for the base line serum prolactin level. Patients with generalized seizsures and significant elevation of serum prolactin concentrations at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after ictus (Table 1). Same results were obtained in patients with simple partial seizures at 30 minutes and 60 minutes after ictus, and 15 minutes and 30 minutes after ictus in patients with partial seizures with secondary generalization (Table 2 and 3). Level of serum prolactin concentrations were higher in patients with generalized seizure than the other type of seizures. Therefore, measuring serum prolactin level could help differentiate postictal state and other causes of mental change, and also differentiative various type of seizures.
Epilepsies, Partial ; Epilepsy ; Female ; Generalization (Psychology) ; Humans ; Male ; Prolactin* ; Seizures*

Benign symmetric lipomat,osis is a rare disease of undetermined cause characterized by symmetric deposits of adipose tissue o:n the neck, upper trunk and abdomen. We report three cases of kienign symmetric lipomatosis, one of which is associated with alcoholic liver disease and the patient complained of a diffieulties in neck motion, All of them are about sixty year old men with history of frequent alcohol consumption. In histopathologic findings, the reticular dermis was completcly replaced by mature fat cells and there was a slight increase in vascular and fibrous elements.
Abdomen ; Adipocytes ; Adipose Tissue ; Alcohol Drinking ; Dermis ; Humans ; Lipomatosis* ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; Male ; Neck ; Rare Diseases

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