No abstract available.
Occupational Diseases*

A poor prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is partly due to the invasiveness and metastasis of the tumor. A key element in tumor invasion and metastasis in the degradation of extracellular matrix is matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). This study was performed to determine the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 of oral SCCs with regard to the histologic invasiveness and differentiation in 5 normal oral mucosa and 36 oral SCCs. The histologic invasiveness of oral SCCs were classified into 4 grades. The differentiation of oral SCCs was divided into 3 grades. The streptavidin-biotin immunohistochemical staining, using MMP-2 and MMP-9 monoclonal antibodies, was performed to determine the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. The expression of MMP-2 was positive in 6 of 17 oral SCCs with weak invasiveness and was positive in 7 of 19 oral SCCs with strong invasiveness. The MMP-2 expression did not increase significantly with respect to the invasiveness of oral SCCs (P>0.05). The expression of MMP-9 was strongly positive in 6 out of 17 SCCs with weak invasiveness and was strongly positive in 14 of 19 SCCs with strong invasiveness. The MMP-9 expression increased significantly with respect to the invasiveness of oral SCCs; the stronger the expression, the stronger the invasiveness (P<0.05). The expression of MMP-9 was in 57.9% of well differentiated SCCs, 57.1% of moderately differentiated ones, and 33.3% of poorly differentiated SCCs. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 did not increase significantly with respect to the histologic differentiation. We conclude that with respect to the invasiveness, the MMP-9 expression increases significantly in oral SCCs but the MMP-2 expression does not; and that with respect to the histologic differentiation, their expressions do not increase significantly. These results suggeste that MMP-9 can be used as a tool to evaluate the invasiveness of oral SCCs.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Mouth Mucosa ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis

Angiogenesis is an essential process in tumor growth and metastasis. VEGF has been considered a leading candidate inducing tumor angiogenesis. VEGF expression was significantly correlated with clinical stage, lymph node matastasis, and prognosis of cancers of various parts of body. However, little has been known about the correlation between VEGF expression and clinicopathologic parameters in oral squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to correlate VEGF expression with the clinicopathological parameters and microvessel density. Forty six oral squamous cell carcinomas were analyzed using immunohistochemical method with primary antibodies to VEGF and CD31. VEGF expression was detected in 33 (71.7%) of the 46 cases. The microvessel density was significantly correlated with VEGF expression (P=0.002). There was no correlation between microvessel density and tumour size, clinical stage, and lymph node metastasis, respectively. VEGF expression did not correlate with the histological grade of tumour differentiation, tumour size, and clinical stages. The VEGF-positive rate seemed to be higher in patients with cervical lymph nodal metastasis than in those without it, but it was not statistically significant. In conclusion, the overexpression of VEGF in the oral squamous cell carcinoma seemed to be associated with a more aggressive course of the disease. Further study is necessary to define the role of VEGF in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Antibodies ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Microvessels* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of argyrophilic nucleoalr organizer regions (AgNORs) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by using DMBA hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis which provides a good experimental model in reproducing steps from precancerous lesions to invasive squamous cell carcinomas. The buccal pouches of 50 Syrian hamsters were applied with 0.5% DMBA in mineral oil three times a week to reproduce various lesions from precancerous ones such as hyperkeratosis or epithelial dysplasia to invasive squamous cell carcinomas. Their sections were stained with H & E, and silver colloid, and processed immunohistochemically by being applied with monoclonal antibody to PCNA. The histopathologic examainations were done and the counts of AgNORs were evaluated. The PCNA labelling indices on each lesions were evaluated. The correlation between histopathological grades and counts of AgNORs or PCNA labelling indices were evaluated. The number of AgNORs was 2.22+/-0.22 in control group, 3.46+/-0.72 in carcinoma in situ (CIS), 3.78+/-0.63 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), respectively. AgNORs significantly increased in severe epithelial dysplasia, CIS, and SCC compared with normal tissue (P<0.05). The PCNA Labeling Index (LI) was 39.47+/-6.68% in control group, 79.61+/-4.14% in CIS, and 85.43+/-6.25% in SCC, respectively. PCNA LI also significantly increased in epithelial dysplasia, CIS, and SCC compared with normal tissue (P<0.05). The number of AgNORs, AgNOR area, and PCNA LI slightly increased in the advancing front than in the center of SCC, but, it was not statistically significant. It appeared that there were a good correlation between the number of AgNORs and PCNA LI (Pierson correlation coefficient : 0.649, P<0.001). These results suggested that the number of AgNORs and the PCNA LI could be useful markers for evaluating the risk of malignant transformation and prognosis of SCC. It was thought that the clinical usefulness of these markers should be verified by using human tissue specimens.
9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene ; Animals ; Carcinogenesis* ; Carcinoma in Situ ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Colloids ; Cricetinae* ; Humans ; Mesocricetus ; Mineral Oil ; Models, Theoretical ; Prognosis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen* ; Silver

Congenital pericardial defect is relatively rare and two different types, partial and complete, of different clinical significance have been recognized. Most reported defects are complete type and left-sided lesion. Most patients are asymptomatic or complain of vague chest pain. Partial pericardial defect can be potentially fatal due to cardiac herniation and strangulation or coronary insufficiency. Plain chest reontgenography shows abnormal prominence along the cardiac border. 2-D echocardiography demonstrates a drop-off of pericardial echo and protruding cardiac chamber through the defect. Because of the potential fatality, surgical repair is recommended for the partial pericardial defect. We report a case of congenital partial left pericardial defect, which was diagnosed by plain chest reontgenography and 2-D echocardiography, with related literatures.
Chest Pain ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: Skin cancers arc the most common malignancies in human. The increasing incidence of skin cancer has been attributed to increasing exposure of the papulation to sunlight and other factors, such as chemicals or. viruses. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate a recent 10 year period(1984-1993) of clinical observation of cutaneous malignant tumors. METHODS: A statistical study was made with 60 cases of malignant tumors that visited the Departrnent of Dermatology, Chung Ang University during a 10 year period(1984-1993). RESULTS: 1. The mean incidence of cutlneous malignant tumors in the total number of outpatients was 0.16%(60/36,416). The incidence of malignant turnors has tended to increase in the last 4 years. 2. The age of onset was quite varied but the majority of cases, 51 cases(85.0%), were over 40 years old. The ratio of rnen to women was 1.3: 1.3. Among the 60 cases of malignant cutaneous tumors, the most frequently observed tumor was basal cell carcinoma, 20 cases(33.3% ). The next most frequent tumors were squamous cell carcinoma, 9 cases(15.0%), metastatic carcinoma, 9 cases(15.0%) and malignant melanoma, 6 cases(10.0%). 4. Among the 20 cases of basal cell carcinoma, 19 cases(95.0%) were over 40 years old. The most frequent age was the 7th decade(30.0%). The most common predilection sites were the nose (30.0%), the cheek(20.0%) and the eyelid(10.0%). 5. Among the 9 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 8 cases(88.9% ) were over 40 years old. The ratio of men to women was 1: 2. The most frequent age was the 8th decade(44.4% ). The most common predilection sites were the head(55.6%), lower extremity(22.2%), upper extremity (11.1%) and trunk(11.1%). 6. All patients with malignant melanoma were over 40 years old. The most frequent age was the 5th decade(50.0%). The most cornmon predilection sites were the upper and lower extremities (66.7% ). 7. Among the 9 cases of metastatic carcinoma, 7 cases(77.8%) were over 40 years old. The ratio of men to women was 1: 1.25. The most frequent primary tumor was stomach cancer in men and lung cancer in women. 8. Cutaneous malignant tumor. usually had no detectable metastasis but there were 2 cases of extramammary Pagets disease with metastasis in the regional lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS : This study revealed that the incidence of malignant tumors has tended to increase over the last few years, the most frequent age was over 40 years old, the most observed turnor was basal cell carcinoma and any type of cutaneous malignant tumors was rarely metastasis.
Adult ; Age of Onset ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Dermatology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lower Extremity ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Melanoma ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nose ; Outpatients ; Paget Disease, Extramammary ; Skin Neoplasms ; Statistics as Topic ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Sunlight ; Upper Extremity

Here we report a case of optic neuritis in the setting of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) in a child. A six-year-old girl presented with HZO in the right eye. During the hospitalization, her visual acuity decreased. Fluorescein angiography (FAG) and optical coherence tomography revealed optic neuritis in the affected eye. Visual acuity improved with one month of treatment with acyclovir and steroids. FAG analysis showed no evidence of leakage at the optic disc. At one year post treatment, the patient's fundus exam and vision were normal. Therapy with antivirals and steroids may be effective in patients with childhood HZO optic neuritis
Acyclovir/therapeutic use ; Child ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus/*complications/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Optic Neuritis/*drug therapy/*virology ; Steroids/therapeutic use ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R injury) is known not only to induce hypoxic and oxidative stress, but also to cause retinal degeneration in rats. Crystallins, known to inhibit the formation of reactive oxygen species, reduce apoptotic cell death. Our goal was to clarify not only the role of I/R injury-mediated crystallins, but also to evaluate the correlation of these compounds to anti-inflammation in the vitreous body. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. We induced I/R injury by clamping the optic nerve for 30 minutes and then releasing it. The vitreous bodies were obtained from the experimental and control subjects 24, 48, and 72 hours after I/R injury. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was performed, and the targeted spots were further investigated using matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, spectrophotometry, Western blotting, and histological examination. RESULTS: After I/R injury, 23 spots were identified as crystallins. The betaB2 crystallins were transcriptionally and post-translationally regulated, whereas the alphaB crystallins were controlled by post-translational modifications in the vitreous bodies of the rats. The total amounts of alphaA and beta crystallins (including isotypes of beta crystalline) had increased 48 hours after injury. The phosphorylation of alphaB crystallin (at serine residues 19, 45, and 59) was significantly increased 48 hours later, whereas phosphorylation of ERK1/2 showed the greatest decrease. CONCLUSIONS: During hypoxic and oxidation stress, our results suggest that phosphorylated alphaB crystalline inhibits RAS, resulting in the inactivation of ERK1/2. The phosphorylation of alphaB crystallin may be associated with the inflammatory suppression in the vitreous body via the I/R injury model system.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Oxidative Stress ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury/*metabolism/pathology ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Vitreous Body/*metabolism/pathology ; beta-Crystallins/*metabolism

No abstract available.
Occupational Diseases*

The Baboon syndrome is used to denote a characteristic distribution pattern of systernic allergic contact dermatitis. Diffuse erythema of the buttock, upper inner surface of the thighs and axillae are characteristic features. We report three cases of Eaboon syndrome developed after contact with mercury through breaking a clinical thermometer in a 30 year-old, 16 year-old, 32 year-old females, respectively. Mercury sensitivity was confirmed by a patch test in all three patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Axilla ; Buttocks ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Erythema ; Female ; Humans ; Papio* ; Patch Tests ; Thermometers ; Thigh