BACKGROUND: Melasma is an acquired, symmetrical hypermelanosis that occurs on sun-exposed areas of the skin. It has significant emotional and psychological effects on those affected with the condition. Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MELASQOL) is a specific questionnaire to identify the most impaired areas of melasma patient's life. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose of this study is to investigate the changing of MELASQOL after the treatment of melasma. METHODS: A total of 27 volunteers with melasma were enrolled in this 8-week treatment study. The patients were instructed to apply an arbutin-containing cream, once a day for 8 weeks. The assessment of outcomes included the colorimetric value (L*) and MELASQOL score. RESULTS: The arbutin-containing cream group increased more in the colorimetric values (L*) after the 8-week treatment (p<0.01). The MELASQOL score was decreased (p=0.02). No significant adverse reactions were observed. CONCLUSION: The treatment of melasma improves the QOL of melasma patients.
Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Melanosis ; Quality of Life ; Skin ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Seborrheic* ; Lice Infestations*

No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Seborrheic* ; Lice Infestations*

Lymphocytes can produce various kinds of cytokines which are responsible for the development of the infectious and allergic inflammation. We focused on the role of the lymphocyte in the pathogenesis of the nasal polyp. This study was designed to evaluate the functional differences of the lymphocytes between allergic and non-allergic polyp. Lymphocytes were obtained from peripheral blood and tissues of polyp in 12 patients with non-allergic polyp, 7 patients with allergic polyp and 5 normal subjects as control. Cytokines were measured with ELISA from each group of lymphocytes after stimulation with Concanavalin A (Con A). We compared the production of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma between the non-allergic and allergic groups. The levels of IL-4 and IL-6 from polyp tissue lymphocytes were higher in allergic group, while those of IL-2 and IFN-gamma were higher in non-allergic group. The levels of IL-4, IL-6 and TNF-alpha from peripheral blood lymphocytes were higher in allergic group, and IFN-gamma was higher in non-allergic group. These results suggest that cytokine productivity of the polyp tissue lymphocytes appear to be parallel to that of the peripheral blood lymphocytes in each group and shows distinct pattern of ytokine production between two groups.
Concanavalin A ; Cytokines ; Efficiency ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; Interferons ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Lymphocytes* ; Nasal Polyps* ; Polyps ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Cerebrovascular disease and coronary heart disease are the first and the fourth common causes of death among adults in Korea. Reported risk factors of one of these diseases may prevent other diseases. Therefore, we tried to compare and discriminate the risk factors of these diseases. We recruited four case groups and four control groups among the inpatients who were admitted to Wonju Christian Hospital from March, 1994 to November, 1995. Four control groups were matched with each of four case groups by age and sex. The number of patients in each of four case and control groups were 106 and 168 for acute myocardial infarction(AMI), 84 and 133 for subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH), 102 and 148 for intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH), and 91 and 182 for ischemic stroke(IS) respectively. Factors whose levels were significantly higher in AMI and IS than in responding control group(RCG) were education, economic status, and triglyceride. Factors whose levels were significantly lower in hemorrhagic stroke than in RCG were age of menarch, and prothrombin time. The factor whose level was higher in AMI than in RCG was uric acid. The factor whose level was higher in AMI, ICH, and SAH than in RCG was blood sugar. Factors whose levels were significantly higher in all the case groups than in RCG were earlobe crease, Quetelet index, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and total cholesterol. The list of risk factors were somewhat different among the four diseases, though none of the risk factors to the one disease except prothrombin time acted as a preventive factor to the other diseases. The percent of grouped cases correctly classified was higher in the discrimination of ischemic diseases(AMI and IS) from hemorrhagic diseases(SAH and ICH) than in the discrimination of cerebrovascular disease from AMI. The factors concerned in the discrimination of ischemic diseases from hemorrhagic diseases were prothrombin time, earlobe crease, gender, age uric aci, education, albumin, hemoglobin, the history of taking steroid, total cholesterol, and hematocrit according to the selection order through forward selection.
Adult ; Blood Glucose ; Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies* ; Cause of Death ; Cholesterol ; Coronary Disease* ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Education ; Gangwon-do ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Leukocyte Count ; Prothrombin Time ; Risk Factors* ; Stroke ; Triglycerides ; Uric Acid

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is usually the earliest sign of Behcet's disease. Hyperhomocysteinemia can damage endothelial cells and progress to obstructive vascular disease. It has been reported that hyperhomocysteinemia is a marker of activation in Behcet's disease. Enzyme 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase may be one of the main factors that regulates plasma homocysteine levels. Homozygosity for the C677T (MTHFR C677T) mutation is associated with reduced activity of this enzyme and considered the most common genetic cause of elevated serum homocyteine levels. However its relationship to vascular injury in Behcet's disease remains controversial, and its relationship to RAS is unknown. Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) has both immunoregulatory and anti-infective features. Search for Apo E polymorphism and lipid composition in RAS patients might be a clue to pathogenesis of RAS. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship of MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism, several epidemiologic factors such as age and sex, smoking, lipid composition and Apo E polymorphism to vasculitis in RAS, we assessed the MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism, Apo E polymorphism and lipid composition in RAS and normal population. METHODS: We analyzed data from the General Health survey conducted on 1,243 participants (M:F=281:962) over a 20 year-old in Incheon city. Medical interview and laboratory test for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism, apolipoprotein E polymorphism were completed. Statistical significance was analyzed by chi-square test and multistep logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among normal population over the age of twenty, a total of 34.2% (426/1,243) had RAS. Female predominance (4.5:1, p=0.003) was noted. The incidence of RAS in age group 20 to 39 year old is higher than the over 40 age group. The incidence is higher in smoking group compared to the nonsmoking group in multistepwise logistic regression analysis. Frequency of the MTHFR C677T genotypes was highest at CT compared to CC and TT homozygous genotype in normal and RAS patients group. There was no significant statistical differences in MTHFR genotypes in RAS patients compared to the control group. Similarly, Apo E genotype analysis revealed no significant statistical differences either. Apo E genotype and total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride level didn't show any associations. CONCLUSION: This study revealed insignificant association between the MTHFR C677T mutation and RAS. Apo E genotype didn't show a significant statistical difference in RAS patients compared to normal controls.
Apolipoproteins ; Apolipoproteins E ; Cholesterol ; Endothelial Cells ; Epidemiologic Factors ; Female ; Genotype ; Health Surveys ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; Oxidoreductases ; Plasma ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stomatitis, Aphthous ; Tetrahydrofolates ; Vascular Diseases ; Vascular System Injuries ; Vasculitis

Neuroendocrine tumors derive from the diffuse neuroendocrine system producing hormonal peptides and/or biogenic amines. Histologically neuroendocrine differentiation includes ultrastructural demonstration of neurosecretory granules and staining with immunhistochemical markers such as neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin, synaptophysin, and cytokeratin. Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin is rare but can be shown as an initial manifestation of metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma as well as primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma. Histological differentiation between primary cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma and metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin is difficult and clinical correlation is important. We report a case of metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung occurring on the scalp as a single nodule in a 65-year-old female who previously diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the stomach.
Adenocarcinoma ; Aged ; Biogenic Amines ; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; Lung ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Neurosecretory Systems ; Peptides ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Scalp ; Skin ; Stomach ; Synaptophysin

BACKGROUND: Although the incidence of chronic urticaria in children is increasing, research on the disease is limited. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study the clinical and etiological characteristics of chronic urticaria in pediatric patients. METHODS: From July 2013 to December 2016, patients with chronic urticaria aged less than 18 years answered questionnaires regarding their symptoms and provoking factors or specific exposures related to the disease. Some patients were also investigated with physical provocation and/or laboratory tests. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients (male to female ratio, 1.0) with a mean age of 11.1 years (range, 1.1~18.7 years) were evaluated. The severity of urticaria was classified into mild (23.0%), moderate (43.2%), and severe (33.8%) according to the patient rating scale. Twenty-one patients (28.4%) had a previous history of atopic disease. Some patients reported accompanying angioedema (18.9%) and general symptoms, such as fatigue (14.9%) and nausea or vomiting (8.1%). The etiology was identified in 14 patients (18.9%): 9 patients had dermographic urticaria, 3 patients had cholinergic urticaria, 1 patient had cold urticaria, and 1 patient had dermographic combined with cholinergic urticaria. Results of thyroid autoantibody and antinuclear antibody tests were positive in 4 patients (30.8%) and 13 patients (27.7%), respectively. Remission rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after the onset of chronic urticaria symptoms were 40.6%, 50.7%, and 52.2%, respectively. A mild urticaria severity score and the presence of angioedema seemed to be good prognostic factors for the remission of chronic urticaria. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this single-center study, further investigation is warranted to determine the incidence, etiology, and distinct features of chronic urticaria in children compared to those in adults.
Adult ; Angioedema ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Child* ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nausea ; Prognosis ; Thyroid Gland ; Urticaria* ; Vomiting

Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica, or Bazex syndrome, is one of the paraneoplastic syndromes. The characteristic skin lesions include palmoplantar keratoderma, psoriasiform skin lesions, hyperpigmentation, and nail dystrophy. The most common associated neoplasms are squamous cell carcinoma of the upper respiratory tract and other kinds of tumors with cervical lymph node metastasis. A 63-year-old woman presented with an 11 month history of hyperkeratotic lesions on the palms and soles. Ten months before she had been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the colon and undergone a left hemicolectomy. We report a case of acrokeratosis paraneoplastica associated with colon cancer which persisted after removal of the primary cancer, but resolved with topical tretinoin treatment.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Female ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Hypotrichosis ; Keratoderma, Palmoplantar ; Lymph Nodes ; Middle Aged ; Nails ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paraneoplastic Syndromes ; Respiratory System ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms ; Tretinoin

Corals are the marine organism that belongs to the phylum Cnidaria, and are one of the common causes of superficial injury in the marine environment. In addition to acute reactions such as burning or stinging pain and erythema, coral injuries may present with complications such as foreign body reactions, bacterial infections, and/or localized eczematous reactions. A 23-year-old male presented with an erythematous edematous tender patch with centrally grouped vesicles on the left ankle; the injury had occurred during skin-scuba diving 2 days before. A biopsy of the lesion treated with hematoxylin-eosin stain showed epidermal necrosis with subepidermal blisters and neutrophilic panniculitis. Herein we report a case of cellulitis caused by the nematocyst stings of corals.
Anthozoa ; Aquatic Organisms ; Bacterial Infections ; Biopsy ; Bites and Stings ; Blister ; Burns ; Cellulitis ; Cnidaria ; Diving ; Erythema ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Nematocyst ; Neutrophils ; Panniculitis ; Young Adult