The spotted grouped pigmented nevi is one of special forms of non-giant congenital melanocytic nevi. Histologically the nevus cells tend to proliferate around the skin appendages. We have experienced a case of spotted ground pigmented nevi in a 11 year old girl who had a pigmented plaque consisting of grouped brown black regularly distributed papules on the left inguinal region since birth. Histology revealed intradermal nevus. The skin appendages, especially the hair follicles and eccrine sweet ducts were enveloped by the neuvs cells. Electron microscopic study revealed that this nevus cells were mostly of type B cells. We would like to consider that the spotted grouped nevi are closely related pathogenically with the skin appendages.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although interferon-a(IFNa) is currently the most effective antiviral agent for treating patients with chronic hepatitis C, its efficacy is not always reliable. Factors suggested to infruence outcome of IFN-a therapy for chronic hepatitis C are histological activity, level of viremia and HCV genotype, etc. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between several pretreatment factors and response to IFN-a therapy in patients with chronic HCV infection. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with chronic HCV infection(47 with chronic hepatitis and 7 with liver cirrhosis) who received IFN-a(2a or 2b) therapy(3 6 MU, three times a week, for 3 12 months) were included. Level of serum HCV RNA(50 patients), HCV genotype(27 patients) and IgM anti- HCV(21 patients) during pretreatment period were assayed. RESULTS: Overall, 19(35%) subjects achieved sustained response(SR), 12(22%) had transient response(TR) and 23(43%) did not respond (nonresponse;NR). Mean age of patients with SR, TR and NR was 46+ 10, 51+ 7.5 and 54+ 9.7 years, respectively(p<0.05 between SR and NR). Among 30 patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis, 13(43%) achieved SR;but only one(14%) in 7 patients with liver cirrhosis. Mean serum HCV RNA level(X10' copies/ml) was higher in nonresponders(7,7+ 13.0) compared with SR(2.3+ 2. 7) or TR(3.1+ 4.9), although statistically insignificant HCV genotyping in 27 patients revealed type la in 5(18.5%), 1b in 14(52%), 2a in 5(18.5%), 2b in 1(3.7%) and 4 in 2(7%), respectively. In non-1b patients, SR rate was significantly higher than 1b patients(69.2% vs. 21.4%, p=0.03). Although IgM anti-HCV was positive in 12(57%) among 21 patients studied, the positive rate and the titer of IgM anti-HCV was not significantly different in three groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that in patients with chronic hepatitis C, infection with genotype 1b, old age, high serum HCV RNA level and the presence of cirrhosis would predict poor response to IFN therapy.
Fibrosis ; Genotype ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Interferons* ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; RNA ; Viremia

No abstract available.
Thanatophoric Dysplasia*

No abstract available.
Thanatophoric Dysplasia*

The chondrogenic potential of free autogenous periosteal grafts for osteochondral defects was investigated at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine. Five millimeter diameter of circular full-thickness defects were made in patellar groove of both femur in 64 adolescent rabbits and the rectangular periostei, prepared from the proximal tibiae, were placed over the defects of patellar groove and sutured(cambium layer, facing joint surface) and the rabbits were allowed to move actively. A serial gross and histologic examinations of neochondrogenesis were done during 8 weeks. The results were as follows. l. At 2 weeks after operation, neochondrogenesis was hardly seen either in the graft group or in the control group. The defects were partially filled with some fibrous tissue. 2. After 6 weeks of operation, all defects in the graft group(postop 6 weeks and 8 weeks) were filled with hyaline cartilage cells but only 38% (postop 6 weeks) and 44% (postop 8 weeks) of the control group were filled with hyaline cartilage cells. 3. The cartilages, formed at 6 and 8 weeks, were more mature and better than those formed at 4 weeks. 4. The newly formed hyaline cartilage of the graft group filled the defect earlier and were better than those of the control group. 5. The chondrocytes in the newly formed tissue were originated from the cambium layer of periosteal grafts. 6. Free autogenous periosteal grafts can repair a full-thickness defect in a joint surface by producing tissue that resembles articular cartilage grossly and histologically.
Adolescent ; Cambium ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Chondrocytes ; Femur ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Hyaline Cartilage ; Joints ; Rabbits ; Tibia ; Transplants

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of the electroretinogram using EMS (Electrophysiology Modular System; TMS, Luneberg, Germany), a simpler method compared with standard ERG as a preoperative evaluation of cataract. METHOD: Forty-six eyes of 25 patients who had undergone cataract surgery were included. Scotopic, photopic and 30 Hz flicker response were examined with EMS. On the basis of fundus finding, the subjects were classified into two groups: Group 1 (cataract with normal fundus) and group 2 (cataract with abnormal fundus). On the basis of lens opacity, group 1 was subclassified into the following three sub-groups: mild, moderate, and severe opacity. We analyzed the differences of the ERG values of these three sub-groups. And also we analyzed the difference of the ERG values of two groups and postoperative visual acuity. RESULTS: In group 1, the ERG responses were generally reduced as the lens opacity increased and the photopic a wave amplitude was significantly reduced especially when the opacity was severe. But there was no significant difference between the lens opacity and the prognosis of postoperative visual acuity. In group 2, scotopic b wave and photopic a, b wave amplitude were significantly reduced and the prognosis of postoperative visual acuity was poor (P>0.05). Conclusion: Our results show that the ERG would be a clinically significant test in evaluating the function of the retina and detecting the retinal lesions, and it can be used in the prediction of the prognosis of postoperative visual acuity. And the EMS shows similar results comparable to the previous reports, so it can be used clinically in more simple manners.
Cataract Extraction* ; Cataract* ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Visual Acuity*

PURPOSE: We investigated the risk factors related to the development and aggravation of allergic rhinitis, which is associated with residential environment and lifestyle habits of children residing in Incheon. METHODS: A total of 182 children diagnosed with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis and 67 healthy children were enrolled. A detailed questionnaire of the environmental characteristics and the dietary habits were completed by the parents. Further, skin prick tests with 14 common allergens were performed. RESULTS: The mean age of the children with allergic rhinitis and healthy control was 8.2+/-2.8 and 9.4+/-2.0 years, respectively. The presence of indoor mold was associated with an increased risk of development of allergic rhinitis. (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96-9.27) Among the food groups, there was no significant difference of the daily intake of milk and yogurt between the patients and the controls. However, daily intake of vegetables, except Kimchi, and daily intake of fruits or fruit juice were associated with a decreased risk of allergic rhinitis. (aOR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.20-0.92 / aOR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.13-0.90, respectively) CONCLUSION: The results indicate that an indoor dampness is one of the risk factors of development and aggravation of allergic rhinitis. Control of indoor humidity and daily intake of fruits and vegetables can prevent the development and control symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Allergens ; Child ; Diet ; Food Habits ; Fruit ; Fungi ; Humans ; Humidity ; Life Style ; Milk ; Odds Ratio ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Risk Factors ; Skin ; Vegetables ; Yogurt

Thyroid dysfunction has heen reported as a side effect of alpha-interferon(IFN) therapy. The incidence of thyroid disorders was 1.2-12%' duripg 1FN therapy for chronic active hepatitis. We experienced a case of hypothyroidism developed after IFN therapy in a 48 year-old man with chronic hepatitis B. Baseline thyroid function before IFN therapy was normal and thyroid auioantibodies were also negative. High tiers ol' antimicrosomal antibody and anti-thyroglobulin antibody appeared and severe hypothyroidism followed at 6 months after starting the IFN therapy.
Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism* ; Incidence ; Interferon-alpha* ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Gland

BACKGROUND: The determinants of intubation and the response to therapy in COPD patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure were retrospectively reviewed. METHODS: This study involved a review of 132 episodes of hypercapnic respiratory failure(PaCO2≥50mmHg and pH≤7.35). The time frame for resolution or the time to intubation of patients who were admitted between 1996 and 1999 was analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 132 hypercapnic episodes, 49(37%) required intubation. A comparison was made with the 83 cases that responded to treatment. Patients requiring intubation had greater severity of illness, which included a higher APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II) score (20±5 vs 14±4 ; p<0.01), a higher WBC, a higher serum BUM, and greater acidosis (pH, 7.23±0.11 vs 7.32±0.04 ; p<0.01). Those with the most severe acidosis(pH<7.20) had the highest intubation rate(87%) and shortest time to intubation (2±3 h). Conversely, those with an initial pH 7.31 to 7.35 were less likely to be intubated(20%), and had a longer time to intubation(97±121 h). The patients with a pH 7.21 to 7.25(4.1±2.9 day) required longer period of time to respond to medical treatment than patients with a pH of 7.31 to 7.35(2.2±3.1 day). Of those patients requiring intubation, half(55%) were intubated within 8 h of admission, and most (75%) within 24 h. Of those patients responding to treatment medical therapy, half(52%) recovered within 24 h and most (78%) recovered within 48 h. CONCLUSION: Respiratory acidosis at the initial presentation is associated with an increased likelihood of intubation. This shold assist in deciding help with the decision whether to treat patients medically, institute noninvasive ventilation, or proceed to intubation.
Acidosis ; Acidosis, Respiratory ; APACHE ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intubation* ; Noninvasive Ventilation ; Physiology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Respiratory Insufficiency* ; Retrospective Studies

In the spring of 2011, a cluster of lung injuries caused by humidifier disinfectant (HD) usage were reported in Korea. Many patients required mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and even lung transplantation (LTPL). However, the long-term course of HD-associated lung injury remains unclear because the majority of survivors recovered normal lung function. Here we report a 33-year-old woman who underwent LTPL approximately four years after severe HD-associated lung injury. The patient was initially admitted to the intensive care unit and was supported by a high-flow nasal cannula. Although she had been discharged, she was recurrently admitted to our hospital due to progressive lung fibrosis and a persistent decline in lung function. Finally, sequential double LTPL was successfully performed, and the patient's clinical and radiological findings showed significant improvement. Therefore, we conclude that LTPL can be a therapeutic option for patients with chronic inhalation injury.
Adult ; Catheters ; Disinfectants ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Humidifiers* ; Inhalation ; Inhalation Exposure ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Lung Injury* ; Lung Transplantation* ; Lung* ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; Respiration, Artificial ; Survivors