BACKGROUND: Metallothioneins(MTs) are ubiquitous low molecular weight cytosolic proteins with high contents of cystein that xhibit a selective binding affinity for zinc, copper and other group II heavy metal ions. In additi~on to the sequestration function and detoxification action, MTs probably participate in the cellirlar protection against. ionizing radiation and alkylating agent cytotoxicity and in cellular pn:liferation. OBJECT: The objective of this study was to evaIuate the expression of MTs and to clarify t.heir role in carcinogenesis and/or biological behaviour in the neoplasms of ectoderrnal origin. METHODS: We performed immunohistochemical studies on the surgical specimens of rnalignant rnelanoma and squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. The results were compared with the normal skin and mu osa and hair t,issues and raf't-on culture tissues of skin and mucosal keratinocytes. RESULTS: 1) MTs were strongly expressed in epidermal basal cells of the normal skin and raft-on cultured artificial skin They were also rnore weakly expressed in epithelial basal cells of the normal mucosa and raft on cultured artificial mucosa and in matrix cells of the normal hair. 2) In rnalignant melanoma, MTs were meaningfully expressed, i.e., a strong expression was seen in the lesions showing a rapid vertical growth phase with fatal out,comes, but a weak expression in the cases whose precursor lesions were thought as dysplastic nevi, compared to the negative finding of norrnal melanocyt,es. The strong expression in a case of congenit.al rnelanocyt.ic nevus is considered as the activation of nevoid melanocytes. 3) MTs were weakly expressed in squarnous cell carcinoma with a diffuse aattern within the tumor mass. St,rong expression of MTs was particularly apparent in the poorl. differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and at the growing border of well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. 4) In basal cell carcinoma, MTs were rather weakly expressed in solid cireumscribed types with a diffuse pattern and in cystic type with a patchy pattern. However they were not expressed in the solid infiltrative type. CONCLUSION: From these resuilts, we concluded that MTs were ubiquitously present in possible stem cells of various epithelial tissues except melanocytes irrespective of normal or artificial skin and/or mucosa including norrnal hair tissues. In the neoplasms of ectodermal origin, MTs might be involved in the invasive growth of tumor cells in the malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It was implied that the role of MTs in basal cell carcinoma might be related to early events of hasal cell carcinogeresis and its down regulating tendency could be possible in its infil trative stage.
Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Copper ; Cytosol ; Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome ; Ectoderm* ; Hair ; Ions ; Keratinocytes ; Melanocytes ; Melanoma ; Metallothionein* ; Molecular Weight ; Mucous Membrane ; Nevus ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Skin ; Skin, Artificial ; Stem Cells ; Zinc

We report a case of MALT lymphoma in a 49-year-old woman. Her disease occurred simultaneously in the mucosa of her right upper eyelid conjunctiva and in her left nostril as ulcerating tumors associated with itchy ichthyosiform skin lesions on the trunk, hyperkeratotic palms and soles, and dystrophic nails. Histopathological examinations revealed consistent findings of MALT lymphoma with dissemination; i.e., diffuse infiltrates of lymphoplasmacytoid cells with a few Russel body-like structures, eosinophils, some shoddy granulomas under the irregularly hyperplastic epidermis, and diffuse infiltrates of CCL ( centrocyte-like ) cells and small lymphocytes inside and outside many lymphoid follicle-like structures in the subcutaneous tissue forming florid lymphoepithelial lesions. She died after 27 months duration of her disease with worsening of ichthyosiform skin lesions and dystrophic nails in spite of total excision of the tumors. We discuss the clinical and histopathologic features of MALT lymphoma with dissemination and the various similar diseases to differentiate.
Conjunctiva ; Eosinophils ; Epidermis ; Eyelids* ; Female ; Glycogen Storage Disease Type VI ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone* ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Ulcer

No abstract available.
Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney* ; Ultrasonography*

Injuries and pains of musculoskeletal joint in human body is common onset in industrialized world. However, muscle fatigue plays a very significant role in contributing causes of many pains associated with musculoskeletal joints. Based on this hypothesis, degree of muscle fatigue was investigated using electromyography measurement technique during isometric and concentric/eccentric muscle contractions. Different response of the muscle fatigue between two different muscle contractions (isometric and concentric/eccentric contractions) was examined by comparison of parameters which were median frequency, median power and RMS value. Healthy 16 young persons without previous musculoskeletal diesease history were tested with Noraxon Myosystem 2000 EMG measurement system. In this study, two different exercises were performed. First exercise was concentric/eccentric exercise. Second exercise was isometric muscle contraction. In the case of the isometric exercise, median frequency was decreased, but median power and RMS were increased. However, during the concentric/eccentric exercse, median frequency was increased, but median power and RMS were decreased. Both of those revealed that the pattern of the median frequency was W type, but median power and RMS were M type as time passed. In this study, the patterns of the muscle fatigue during concentric/eccentric exercise as well as isometric exercise were identified. It will be helpful to prevent musculoskeletal injury from over-working andexercising.
Electromyography* ; Exercise ; Human Body ; Humans ; Joints ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle Fatigue*

The 6 patients with neglected rupture of the Achilles tendon were treated by end to end anastomosis using the V-Y tendinous flap originated by Abraham in 1975. A tendinous flap was developed over the tendon by making an inverted V incision, which was then repaired in a Y fashion. The postoperative results were satisfactory with no functional disability of the ankle and with recovery of muscle strength for periods of 8 months to 15 months, but slight limited dorsiflexion of the ankle in two cases were noticed. The advantages of this method are: 1. Optimum functional recovery. 2. Recovery of muscle strength and tendon contour. 3. Prevention of late stretching or possible rupture of the healed tendon at the rupture site.
Achilles Tendon ; Ankle ; Humans ; Methods ; Muscle Strength ; Rupture ; Tendons

3 cases of giant cell tumor in the distal femur or upper tibia were treated by curettage and acrylic cement packing between October 1978 and May 1981. All were females. The postoperative courses were satisfactory with no recurrence or malignant change for periods of 16 months to 30 months. In one case, acrylic cement reinforced with tantalum wire was used because it is superior to acrylic cement alone in mechanical properties. The adventages of this method are: 1. The cautery effect of setting cement. 2. Avoidence of the need for large quantities of cancellous bone 3. The possibility of incorporating a prosthesis if the lesion is extensive. 4. Rapid mobilization. 5. Ease of early diagnosis of recurrence.
Cautery ; Cementation ; Curettage ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Femur ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Giant Cells ; Humans ; Methods ; Prostheses and Implants ; Recurrence ; Tantalum ; Tibia

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of surgical treatment for painful varicocele. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 103 patients who had undergone varicocele ligation due to serious pain from January 1996 to December 1999 and followed up for one year. The average patient age was 21 (19-41) years. We analyzed the degree of varicocele, duration and aspects of pain, effects of surgical treatment and results according to surgical techniques. We classified the results into three aspects based on the relief of pain (complete, partial and no relief) and subjective symptoms. RESULTS: As for the degree of varicocele, 40 cases placed in grade II, and 63 in grade III. The nature of the pain was a sharp ache (33 cases), dragging pain (48 cases) and dull pain (22 cases). There was no statistical significance between the grade of varicocele and the degree of pain (p>0.05). Of the 103 patients, 81 (78.6%) experienced complete relief of pain and 10 (9.7%) had partial relief. Only 12 patients (11.6%) had persistent or worsened symptoms. The results for the postoperative de gree of pain relief according to duration of pain did not show any statistical significance (p>0.05), but those according to preoperative quality of pain showed statistical signi ficance (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the conclusion that varicocele ligation is an effective treatment for painful varicocele.
Humans ; Ligation* ; Varicocele*

We report a case of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis on the left knee of a 67 year-old woman. She had a large ulcerated and indurated plaque with yellowish purulent exudates on her left knee. A histopathological examination from the lesion showed numerous encapsulated, round spores. Cultures from the lesion showed the presence of Cryptococcus neoforrnans. This may have resulted from an immunosuppressive state due to long-term use of oral corticosteroids.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Cryptococcosis* ; Cryptococcus ; Exudates and Transudates ; Female ; Humans ; Knee ; Spores ; Ulcer

No abstract available.
Abortion, Habitual* ; Cytogenetics* ; Family Characteristics* ; Female ; Pregnancy

No abstract available.
Spinal Fractures*