A 62-year-old farmer was admitted to our department because of second degree chemical burns of both buttocks ten days following accidental contact with Gramoxone, a weed killer. He was treated with oral antibiotics and cold compresses and discharged after the burned area were reepithelialized. Laboratory findings were within normal limits for three weeks. Although lung fibrosis, hepatic and renal failure can be caused by repeated absorption of paraquat (Gramoxone) through injuried skin, systemic absorption through normal skin has not been reported. During the four month follow up period there were no systemic problems nor recurrence of skin lesions. We report herein a case of chemical burns induced by Gramoxone, which is probably an occupational dermatosis of farmers handling weed killers.
Absorption ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Burns ; Burns, Chemical* ; Buttocks ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Paraquat ; Recurrence ; Renal Insufficiency ; Skin ; Skin Diseases

One hundred seven isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from bovine mastitis were investigated for colony morphology in serum-soft agar (SSA), autoagglutination in salt, and capsular serotype. Capsular polysaccharide (CP) was purified and quantified from the extracts of clinical isolates. Overall, 89 isolates (83.2%) were diffuse in the SSA, without any difference in the proportion of diffuse colony between type 5 and type 8 strains. Some strains exhibited compact colonies in the SSA and expressed CP as determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, indicating that compact morphology does not exclude encapsulation. The majority of the strains (11/12) showed autoagglutination in the salt aggregation test. The serotype 336 accounted for 46.7% of the isolates followed by serotype 5 (12.1%) and serotype 8 (12.1%). Particularly, twenty-six (24.3%) isolates reacted with two serotypes; 7 for type 8/336 and 19 for type 5/336. Five isolates (4.7%) were nontypeable with monoclonal antibodies specific for CP serotype 5, 8, or 336. The CP concentration in culture supernatants varied with the serotypes, and the total amount of CP produced by cells grown in a liquid medium was much less than that produced by cells grown on a solid medium. The Western blotting indicated that the CP bands of S. aureus serotype 5 and 8 were ranged in the molecular mass of 58-84 kilodalton (kDa), with additional bands in the region of approximately >or= 48 or Agglutination Tests ; Animals ; Bacterial Vaccines/administration & dosage ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/immunology/microbiology ; Female ; Mastitis, Bovine/*microbiology ; Polysaccharides, Bacterial/*classification/isolation & purification ; Serotyping/methods/veterinary ; Staphylococcal Infections/immunology/*veterinary ; Staphylococcus aureus/*classification/*immunology/isolation & purification

PURPOSE: The authors sought to determine the neuroprotective effect of melatonin in a model of ischemic injury in rabbit retina. METHODS: Ischemia was induced by high intraocualr pressure. A dose of 100 microgram of melatonin or dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) alone was injected intravitreally just after the induction of ischemia. After 7 and 14 days, the neuroprotective effect of melatonin on ischemic retina was examined with light microscope and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The authors found reduction of cytoplasm of retinal ganglion cell(RGC), vacuole formation, chromatin condensation and rupture of nuclear membrane in ischemia-injured eyes treated with DMSO alone. But in melatonin treated eyes, we found that RGC layer's thickness and number of RGC reduced and destruction of cytoplasmic organells and nuclear damage were minimal. The partial recovery of wave is noted in melatonin-treated eyes after ischemia induction. CONCLUSIONS: The melatonin(100 microgram) protected the rabbit retina from high intraocular pressure-induced ischemic injury when administered intravitreally. Melatonin may be useful to decrease neuronal damage in the retina as a result of ischemic injury. But further investigations are neccesary to decide effective concentration, route and time of administration.
Chromatin ; Cytoplasm ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; Ganglion Cysts ; Ischemia* ; Melatonin* ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents* ; Nuclear Envelope ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde* ; Rupture ; Vacuoles

BACKGROUND: Cytoskeletons, the complex set of protein fibers found in the cytoplasm, have important roles in the movement of cells and subcellular structures and the generation of shapes. Melanocytes have numerous dendritic processes which are in direct contact with many keratinocytes and transfer the melanosomes into the neighboring keratinocytes. Little information is available on the structure and function of cytoskeletons, and the effects of ultraviolet light on the cytoskeletons of the melanocytes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the general cytoskeletal system of cultured melanocytes and to find out the effects of the cytoskeletal antagonists and UVB on the cytoskeletal system of the cultured melanocytes. METHODS: Melanocytes were cultured from adult foreskin and then exposed to various cytoskeletal antagonists and UVB radiation. The changes of the cultured melanocytes were evaluated by using phase contrast microscopy, immunofluorescence staining methods and electron microscopic examinations. RESULTS: Colchicine produced shortening of dendrites, stellate cellular contour and granular fluorescence of the tubulin. Cytochalasin D produced round cellular contour and granular fluorescence of the actin. Acrylamide produced disorganization of cytoplasmic constituents, but no specific fluorescent change was observed. Colchicine also had inhibitory effects on the vimentin. Cellular responses induced by these agents were reversible. UVB caused morphological changes of the melanocytes, but their effects on the organization of the cytoskeletal system could not be detected in this method. CONCLUSION: Microtubules are related to the dendritic movement of the melanocytes. Vimentin may be involved in the transfer of cellular organelles, probably including the melanosomes. Cytoskeletal antagonists produce their characteristic morphological changes to cultured melanocytes.
Acrylamide ; Actins ; Adult ; Colchicine ; Cytochalasin D ; Cytoplasm ; Cytoskeleton* ; Dendrites ; Fluorescence ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Foreskin ; Humans* ; Keratinocytes ; Melanocytes* ; Melanosomes ; Methods ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Microtubules ; Organelles ; Tubulin ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Vimentin

Verrucous carcinoma is a slow growing, low grade squamous cell carcinoma, which usually occurs on oropharynx, genitalia and soles. When it occurs on feet, it is known as epithelioma cuniculatum. Epithelioma cuniculatum is characterized by its histologic sinuses and cystic formations in a cuniculate(rabbit burrow-like) pattern. A 59-year-old man was consulted to our department for a well circumscribed, 5 × 5 cm sized, round, hyperkeratotic, verrucous plaque on the right great toe. He suffered from diabetes mellitus for 16 years and was managed by peritoneal dialysis three times a week due to chronic renal failure for last two years. The plaque had gradually increased in size. The biopsy specimen taken from the tumor mass showed chronic ulcerative inflammation with atypical squamous cell proliferation. We herein report a case of verrucous carcinoma occurring in a patient with diabetes melli-t tus and chronic renal failure.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Carcinoma, Verrucous* ; Cell Proliferation ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Foot ; Genitalia ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Middle Aged ; Oropharynx ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Toes ; Ulcer

Animal models for human chronic pain syndromes were developed and widely used for pain research. One of thsese neuropathic pain model by Kim and Chung[1992] has many advantages for operation and pain elicitation. We have examined the c-fos protein, substance P, CGRP immunoreactivity in dorsal root ganglia and dorsal horn in this neuropathic model. About 50 Sprague-Dawley rats were used for this study. L5 and L6 spinal nerve were ligated tightly to produce neuropathic pain model. After 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 hours and 1 week of surgery, rats were anesthesized and sacrificed by perfusion through the left ventricle with saline followed by 0.1M phosphate buffer[pH 7.4] containing 3% paraformaldehyde, 3% glutaraldehyde, and 0.1% picric acid. After confirmation of the roots transected by the surgery, the L5 and L6 dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord were removed and processed for immunohistochemistry. All tissue sections were immunohistochemically stained for substance P, CGRP and c-fos by using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase[PAP] method. Count the number of immunostained substance P and CGRP dorsal root ganglion cells and c-fos immunoreactive dorsal horn cells and analyzed statistically with Mann-Whitney U test. The results are as follows. 1. The number of c-fos protein immunoreactive neurons in the superficial layer of dorsal horn were increased markedly at 2 hours after operation, gradually decreased to normal level 1 week after operation. 2. The number of c-fos protein immunoreactive neurons in the deep layer of dorsal horn were gradually increased to the peak 24 hours after operation, decreased to normal level 1 week after operation. 3. The number of substance P and CGRP immunoreactive L5 and L6 dorsal root ganglion neurons were decreased markedly at 1 week after pain model operation. In conclusion, after neuropathic pain model operation, c-fos protein were immediately expressed in the superficial layer of spinal dorsal horn, thereafter c-fos protein in the deep layer of spinal dorsal horn were expressed. CGRP and substance P immunoreactive neurons were decreased markedly 1 week after neuropathic pain model operation.
Animals ; Chronic Pain ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Glutaral ; Heart Ventricles ; Horns* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Models, Animal ; Neuralgia ; Neurons* ; Perfusion ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases* ; Posterior Horn Cells ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Nerve Roots* ; Spinal Nerves ; Substance P

PURPOSE: Nocturnal Enuresis, an involuntary discharge of urine after bladder control, is frequent in children. It brings patients and family many psychogenic problems. So we investigated its clinical characteristics and drug effects. METHODS: The study subjects enrolled were 36 children with nocturnal enuresis. We evaluated family history, accompanying urinary symptoms and clinical characteristics through questionnaries. We evaluated the effect of imipramine and desmopressin in 26 children among the 36 cases. RESULTS: The ratio of boys to girls was 1.6 to 1. The age range in 15 cases(41.7%) was 4-5 years, in 14 cases(38.9%) 6-7 years, in 4 cases(11.1%) 8-9 years, and in 3 cases(9.3%) it was above 10 years. Twenty four(67%) were primary enuresis and 12(33%) were secondary enuresis. In eighteen cases(50%), these was a family history of enuresis. Seven of these cases had a parental enuresis history. The accompanying urinary symptoms were urgency(47.2%), frequency (38.9%), and dysuria(13.9%). The responses to imipramine were as follows : an excellent response in 2 cases(20%), a good response in 4(40%), a transient response in 2(20%), and no response in 2(20%). The responses to desmopressin were as follows : an excellent response in 7(43.8%), a good response in 4(25%), a transient response in 3(18.7%), and no response in 2(12.5%). CONCLUSION: Enuresis is more frequent in boys and primary type. Half of 36 enuresis children had a family history of enuresis. We recommend continuous drug medication to control nocturnal enuresis along with encouragement.
Child* ; Deamino Arginine Vasopressin ; Enuresis ; Female ; Humans ; Imipramine ; Nocturnal Enuresis ; Parents ; Urinary Bladder

PURPOSE: Nocturnal Enuresis, an involuntary discharge of urine after bladder control, is frequent in children. It brings patients and family many psychogenic problems. So we investigated its clinical characteristics and drug effects. METHODS: The study subjects enrolled were 36 children with nocturnal enuresis. We evaluated family history, accompanying urinary symptoms and clinical characteristics through questionnaries. We evaluated the effect of imipramine and desmopressin in 26 children among the 36 cases. RESULTS: The ratio of boys to girls was 1.6 to 1. The age range in 15 cases(41.7%) was 4-5 years, in 14 cases(38.9%) 6-7 years, in 4 cases(11.1%) 8-9 years, and in 3 cases(9.3%) it was above 10 years. Twenty four(67%) were primary enuresis and 12(33%) were secondary enuresis. In eighteen cases(50%), these was a family history of enuresis. Seven of these cases had a parental enuresis history. The accompanying urinary symptoms were urgency(47.2%), frequency (38.9%), and dysuria(13.9%). The responses to imipramine were as follows : an excellent response in 2 cases(20%), a good response in 4(40%), a transient response in 2(20%), and no response in 2(20%). The responses to desmopressin were as follows : an excellent response in 7(43.8%), a good response in 4(25%), a transient response in 3(18.7%), and no response in 2(12.5%). CONCLUSION: Enuresis is more frequent in boys and primary type. Half of 36 enuresis children had a family history of enuresis. We recommend continuous drug medication to control nocturnal enuresis along with encouragement.
Child* ; Deamino Arginine Vasopressin ; Enuresis ; Female ; Humans ; Imipramine ; Nocturnal Enuresis ; Parents ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been reported to be effective reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In the very thrombotic environment of AMI, primary PCI, with heparin-coated stents, has been known to reduce the early reocclusion of the stented vessel by preventing thrombosis. However, little data exist regarding the long-term clinical outcomes. The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety, feasibility and long-term efficacy of heparin-coated stents in AMI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and July 2002, primary PCI with heparin-coated stents was performed in 132 consecutive patients (98 males, with a mean age of 56.3+/-0.7 years) admitted with the diagnosis of AMI within 12 hours from the onset of the chest pain. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including death, MI, TLR (target lesion revascularization) and CABG, were recorded during hospitalization and the follow-up period. Angiograms were obtained at the baseline, after stent implantation and at 6 months following implantation. RESULTS: The angiographic and procedure success rate was 96.2%. During hospitalization, there was no evidence of reocclusion of stented vessel, but 1 patient underwent a repeat PCI due to dissection. There were no bleeding complications. A six-month angiographic follow-up was completed in 47.2% of eligible patients and binary restenosis was present in 20.1%. During the long-term clinical follow-up (mean follow-up period 37.2+/-7.2 months), there were 12 deaths, 1 myocardial infarction and 18 TLR. The MACE free survival rate was 76.5%. CONCLUSION: Primary PCI, with heparin-coated stents, shows favorable long-term clinical outcomes.
Chest Pain ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Reperfusion ; Stents* ; Survival Rate ; Thrombosis