BACKGROUND: The bcl-2 is a newly known oncogene involved in tumorigenisis by blocking apoptosis or programmed cell death. Overexpression of bcl-2 protein has been detected in a variety of human malignancies. However, recent studies of the expression of bcl-2 protein in human melanoma and melanocytic nevus have been controversial. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether there are any differences in the expression of bcl-2 protein between melanocytic nevus and rnalignant melanoma. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis of bcl-2 protein expression was performed on the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 22 melanocytic nevus and 29 malignant melanomas (20 primary and 9 metastatic) using anti bcl-2 monoclonal antibody with an avidin-biotin peroxidase complex procedure. RESULTS: The results were as follows. 1. The positive rate for bcl-2 protein was observed in 95.4% (21/22) of melanocytic nevus and 95.0% (19/20) of primary malignant melanomas. Therefore, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the positive rate for bcl-2 prtoein. 2. The percentage of stained cells and the staining intensity of bcl-2 protein were significantly increased in melanocytic nevus compared to malignant melanoma (p<0.05). 3. The positive rate for bcl-2 expression of metastatic malignant melanoma [44.4% (4/9)] was significantly decreased compared to that of primary malignant melanoma [95.0%(19/20) ] (p<0. 05). But, there was no significant difference betweeen tumor thickness and histological type of malignant, melanoma in the expression of bcl-2 protein. 4. In melanocytic nevus, immunoreactivity of bcl-2 protein gradually diminished or even disappeared towards the deep dermis. CONCLUSION: the bcl-2 expression was decreased in malignant melanoma compared to melanocytic nevus. It. suggests that the loss of bcl-2 expression may play a significant role in the progression and metastasis of malignant melanoma.
Apoptosis ; Cell Death ; Dermis ; Humans ; Melanoma* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nevus, Pigmented* ; Oncogenes ; Peroxidase

The pseudolymphoma syndrome that may mimic malignant lymphoma clinically and histopathologically has been described as a hypersensitivity reaction to anticonvulsant drugs. It consists of the triad of a fever, generalized rash and lyrnphadenopathy. In some cases, varying degrees of malaise, hepatosplenornegaly, abnormal liver function tests, arthralgias, eosinophilia and blood dyscriasias may also be present. We report a case of pseudolymphoma syndrome due to carbamazepine in a 47-year-old man. He had a diffuse edematous and erythematous patches, papules and vesicles associated with high fever, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. The histopathologic finding slowed a dense atypical mononuclear cell infiltrate of the upper dermis associated with Pautriers microabscess like structures and severe dermal edema. Laboratory findings revealed leukocytosis and an abnormal liver function test. Three weeks after the withdrawal of carbamazepine and treatment with oral prednisolone, his skin lesion and general condition markedly improved.
Anticonvulsants ; Arthralgia ; Carbamazepine* ; Dermis ; Edema ; Eosinophilia ; Exanthema ; Fever ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Leukocytosis ; Liver Function Tests ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphoma ; Middle Aged ; Prednisolone ; Pseudolymphoma* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Melanin pigment plays a major role in the expression of normal human skin color as well as in the photoprotection against ultraviolet damage. Melanin produced in melanocytes is transferred via dendrites to surrounding keratinocytes, and this anatomical relationship is termed as epidermal melanin unit. The rates of pigment synthesis and transfer by melanocytes appear to be influenced by ultraviolet light, though the precise factors regulating human epidermal pigmentation remain unelucidated. It has been reported that keratinocytes in vitro release factors that could modulate melanocyte behavior. Ultraviolet irradiation was also been known to enhance the release of various kinds of cytokine from keratinocytes in vivo and in vitro. OBJECTIVE: We postulated that keratinocytes rather than melanocytes could play a primary role in UVB-induced pigmentation, and keratinocytes, when irradiated with UVB, release substances that could modulate or stimulate melanin synthesis from melanocytes. The fact that keratinocytes are located efficiently for direct sunlight irradiation at the top of melanocytes, that they release various biological factors known to simulate melanin synthesis from melanocytes and that they constitute the majority of epidermal cells supported this possibility. To investigate this possibility, we evaluated the effect of supernatant from UVB-irradiated cultured keratinocytes on the growth, melanin content, and tyrosinase activity of human melanocytes. METHODS: Human cultured keratinocytes were irradiated with UVB(30, 60, or 120mj/cm2)once, and after 24 hours, supernatant of the keratinocytes were collected and added to a growth medium of melanocytes for 5 days in concentration of 15, 25 or 35%, We observed numeric and morphologic changes as well as melanin content and tyrosinase activity in situ of cultured human melanocytes. RESULTS: 1. When cultured melanocytes were incubated with supernatant of non-irradiated keratinocytes, the number of melanocytes, amount of melanin and tyrosinase activity increased in groups added with 25% or35% concentration of supernatant. 2. The number of melanocytes incubated with 15% or 25% concentrations of supernatant from cultured keratinocytes irradiated with UVB increased in both 30 and 60mj/cm2 of UVB irradiated groups and decreased in 120mJ/cm2of UVB irradiated groups. 3. The melanin content of melanocytes incubated with 15% concentration of supernatant from UVB-irradiated cultured keratinocytes increased in 120mJ/cm2 of UVG irradiated groups. 4. The tyrosinase activity of melanocytes incubated with 15% concentration of supernatant from UVB-irradiated cultured keratinocytes increased in 120mJ/cm2 of UVB irradiated groups and the tyrosinase activity of melanocytes incubated with 25% concentration of supernatant from UVB-irradiated cultured keratinocytes increased with 35% supernatant concentration of supernatant from UVB-irradiated keratinocytes, the tyrosinase activity increased in 30mJ/cm2of UVB irradiated groups. CONCLUSION: The above results suggest that UVB-irradiated kerationcytes release soluble or photoactivated factors which could modulate the growth and melanization of melanocytes, and that keratinocytes play an important or primary role in the regulation of UVB induced pigmentation.
Biological Factors ; Dendrites ; Humans* ; Keratinocytes* ; Melanins* ; Melanocytes* ; Monophenol Monooxygenase* ; Pigmentation ; Skin ; Sunlight ; Ultraviolet Rays

Atrial fibrillation(AF) diagnosed by fibrillatory waves of atrial activity and an irregular ventricular response on ECG is a common arrhythmia associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mor- tality. The incidence of AF increases markedly with advancing age and the presence of congestive heart failure. Most patients with AF can be attributed to organic heart disease such as rheumatic, atherosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease. But there is an increasing awareness of so-called lone AF which has no underlying cardiac or metabolic abnormality. We report a case of paroxysmal AF developed just before the induction of anesthesia in a 73-year-old patient who had no history of cardiovascular disease.
Aged* ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Incidence

This study aims to evaluate the status of Korean healthcare among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries and to monitor the trend of health care status since 2000. The position value for relative comparison (PARC) index was selected to gauge the level of healthcare status in demand, supply, accessibility, quality, and cost as per healthcare policy aspects. The Mann-Kendall test was conducted to allocate healthcare status of Korea since 2000. The PARC values indicate strength and weakness of Korean healthcare system by the mathematical comparisons. Korea positioned higher in demand, supply, accessibility, and quality. Yet, there are shortages in human resources and primary care. In conclusion, we suggest utilizing this study provides evidence to prioritize health care problems that can lead to establishing healthcare policy.
Decision Making ; Delivery of Health Care ; Health Policy ; Health Priorities ; Humans ; Korea ; Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development ; Primary Health Care

Chemotherapy offers palliative treatment to patient with advanced nonresectable hepatoma. The usefulness of systemic chemotherapy is limited becaused of serious side reaction and low concentration of drug at tumor. Butthis problem may be overcome by intraarterial infusion. Nonsurgical percutaneous hepatic arteiral catheterizationwas done in 21 patients with primary hepatoma, and infusion chemotherapy was done in 19 patients who were successful in catherization. The results were as follows; 1. Selective catheterization of hepatic artery proper,common hepatic artery, and celiac artery were seccessful in 4, 9 and 4 patients, respectively. The success rate ofselective catheterization is 80.9% including celiac artery among 21 patients with hepatoma. 2. Simple catherization method was applied in 14 patients, and catheter exchange and Loop methods were applied in 2 and 1patient respectively. 3. Complications related to catheterization, such as infection and bleeding on punctured site, intimal injury and dislodgement of catheter were not serious. 4. Drugs were well tolerated without serioustoxicity or complication. 5. 3 patients showed objective response and median survival time of treated patients is 2.5 months.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Celiac Artery ; Drug Therapy ; Hemorrhage ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Methods ; Palliative Care

Objectives : 201Tl - chloride, 99mTc - MIBI, 99mTc(V) - DMSA SPECT has been used in distinguishing lung cancer from benign lesion. To compare the diagnostic efficacy of SPECT with these tumor - seeking agents, we performed three consecutive SPECT using 201Tl, 99mTc - MIBI, 99mTc(V) - DMSA in same subjects with a solitary pulmonary lesion. Methods : SPECT was carried out at 10min and 3hr for 201Tl after injection of 2 mCi, and 2hr for 99mTc - MIBI and 99mTc(V) - DMSA after injection of 20mCi, respectively, in 37 patients with a solitary pulmonary lesion(27 lung cancer and 10 benign diseases). In patients showing visual uptake on lesion site, we obtained the lesion - to - bakground(target lesion/contralateral normal lung) uptake ratio from transverse slice for each radionuclide and also calculated the retention index for 201Tl. Results : The diagnostic sensitivity of 201Tl, 99mTc - MIBI and 99mTc(V) - DMSA SPECT to lung cancer was 100%, 96% and 73%, and the specificity was 40%, 70% and 70%, respectively. The low specificities for these agents were mainly due to high positive uptake in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. There were no significant differences in uptake ratios and retention index between malignant and benign lesions, and among the histologic types of lung cancer Conclusion : 201Tl and 99mTc - MIBI showed higher sensitivity than 99mTc(V) - DMSA for detecting lung cancer, but was of limited usefulness in distinguishing lung cancer from benign lesion due to low specificity, especially in area with a high prevalence of active pulmonary tuberculosis.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Prevalence ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Succimer* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Objectives : 201Tl - chloride, 99mTc - MIBI, 99mTc(V) - DMSA SPECT has been used in distinguishing lung cancer from benign lesion. To compare the diagnostic efficacy of SPECT with these tumor - seeking agents, we performed three consecutive SPECT using 201Tl, 99mTc - MIBI, 99mTc(V) - DMSA in same subjects with a solitary pulmonary lesion. Methods : SPECT was carried out at 10min and 3hr for 201Tl after injection of 2 mCi, and 2hr for 99mTc - MIBI and 99mTc(V) - DMSA after injection of 20mCi, respectively, in 37 patients with a solitary pulmonary lesion(27 lung cancer and 10 benign diseases). In patients showing visual uptake on lesion site, we obtained the lesion - to - bakground(target lesion/contralateral normal lung) uptake ratio from transverse slice for each radionuclide and also calculated the retention index for 201Tl. Results : The diagnostic sensitivity of 201Tl, 99mTc - MIBI and 99mTc(V) - DMSA SPECT to lung cancer was 100%, 96% and 73%, and the specificity was 40%, 70% and 70%, respectively. The low specificities for these agents were mainly due to high positive uptake in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. There were no significant differences in uptake ratios and retention index between malignant and benign lesions, and among the histologic types of lung cancer Conclusion : 201Tl and 99mTc - MIBI showed higher sensitivity than 99mTc(V) - DMSA for detecting lung cancer, but was of limited usefulness in distinguishing lung cancer from benign lesion due to low specificity, especially in area with a high prevalence of active pulmonary tuberculosis.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Prevalence ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Succimer* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

We report a case of unsuspected difficult intubation in an adult due to anatomical abnormalities caused by a thermal burn injury on the right anterior pillar of the pharynx. After induction of anesthesia, vocal cords and epiglottis were not seen and the right half of the pharyngeal cavity was obstructed by a narrowed palatoglossal arch on the laryngoscopic view. Endotracheal intubation trials failed by oral and nasal routes. The laryngeal mask airway could not be passed into the narrowed oropharynx. We awaked the patient and took the patient's past history precisely and an otolaryngologic evaluation was taken. We found that at the age of six, the patient experienced a thermal burn injury on the right anterior pillar of the pharynx by heated iron and anatomical deformities by scar contracture formed thereafter. The next day a partial palatoglossal resection was done in sitting position under local anesthesia and then endotracheal intubation by direct laryngoscopy could be completed successfully.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Local ; Burns ; Cicatrix ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Epiglottis ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Iron ; Laryngeal Masks ; Laryngoscopy ; Oropharynx ; Pharynx ; Vocal Cords

BACKGROUND: Recently, UVB irradiation was found to activate AP-1, which is known to be a major enhancer factor of the collagenase gene. However, tbe effect of UVA irradiation on the activity of AP 1 in derrnal fibroblasts is unclear. Although all trans-retinoic acid(tRA) has been known to prevent. the AP 1 and collagenase stimulatory effect of UVB irradiation, the effect of tRA and ursolic acid(UsA) on the enhancement of AP-1 activity hy UVA irradiation is unknown. OBJECTIVE: In this stuc y, the effect of UVA irradiation on the AP-1 activity in cultured human dermal fibroblasts was studied. The effect. of tRA and UsA on the enhancement of AP-1 activity by UVA irradiation was also investigated. METHODS: Confluent human dermal fibroblasts were irradiated with 15J/cm of UVA. Drugs were administered and kept in a culture rnedia for 12 hrs before or immediately after UVA irra diation. Nuclear protein extracts were isolated 12 hrs after UVA irradiation and were subjected to gel retardation assay ising oligolabeled DNA probe for AP l binding site. RESULTS: 1. The activity of AP-1 was increased by UVA irradiation and prominent activation was detected at 6 and 12 hrs postirradiation. 2. Compared to the UVA irradiated group, tRA and the high concentration(10(-5)M) of UsA administered before or al ter UVA irradiation inhibited the increase of AP-1 activity. CONCLUSION: These res ilts suggest that UVA irradiation enhance the AP-1 activity, which is known to be a major er hancer factor of the collagenase gene, and tRA and UsA downregulate the 1JVA induced AP-l activity enhancement.
Binding Sites ; Collagenases ; DNA ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans* ; Nuclear Proteins ; Transcription Factor AP-1* ; Tretinoin*