No abstract available.
Mouth Breathing* ; Mouth* ; Physiology* ; Respiration*

There are strong evidences suggesting that Thl and Th2 lymphocytes develop from the same Thlymphocyte precursor under the influence of environmental or genetic factors acting at the level of antigen presentation, but it remains to be answered whether it is possible to change the cytokine profile of established or ongoing Th1 and Th2 response. The purpose of this study is to reveal whether it is possible to reverse the cytokine profile of human Th lymphocytes by the modulation of antigen presentation. Using a multiparameter flow cytometric assay that allows simultaneous determination of surface CD4 and intracellular IFN-r or IL-4, we have studied the emergence of Th1 or Th2 lymphocytes in response to tetanus toxoid exposure and the patterns of cytokine synthesis in established T lymphocyte clones. Th2 populations arising after 4 wk of stimulation in IL-2, PHA, tetanus toxoid and irradiated autogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells as antigen presenting cells (APC) could give rise to IFN-r-producing Th1 lymphocytes when stimulated in IL-2 plus PHA in the absence of antigen and APC. These IFN-r-producing Th1 lymphocytes nearly disappeared and IL-4-producing Th2 lymphocytes predominated again when cultured again in the presence of antigen and APC. In contrast, prolonged culture in the absence of antigen and APC induced relative predominance of IFN-r-producing The lymphocytes. The cytokine profile of long-term Th2 population arising originally from the repeated stimulation in the presence of antigen and APC appeared more homogeneous and less reversible, although they could convert to Th1 lymphocytes when cultured without antigen and APC. These findings may explain that the polarized Th response is reversible depending on the presence of antigen presentation.
Antigen Presentation* ; Antigen-Presenting Cells ; Clone Cells ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer* ; Tetanus Toxoid

Bleoxycin is known to have good therapeutic effect on verrucae, which has been used for varioua malignant turnors for its antimitatic effect RecentIy Kim & Kim, reported an exceIIent treatment method. of verrucae with Bleomycin using needle free. They poetulated that the excellent effcts were achievei thraugh infiltration of the ekin, in.cluding the affected epidermis, with Bleomycin which is not possible with other rnethods, It is therefore interesting to know the effects of Dermajet instilled Bleomycin an normal ekin. We selected guinea pigs for thia experirnent. Five albino guixim pigs, weighting about 500 Gm, were ueed. Bleomycin water ohxtion, 0.25mg/ml, 0.06ml for each chet was injected utilizing Dermojet on the back of a guinea pig after clipping. The injected sites and the contralateral sites were tiopsied a,fter vaxying length of time and histologia examinationa were made. The experiment was eoarranged that the biopsies for different experiment aitea celd be done on oxeittirnig. Fix hours after the bleomycin injection, the epidermis becase shrunk and t@4e upper dermie showed aligbt inflammatory infiltration. After 10 hours. and also after 24 houra, a auperficial ulceration and necrosis were noted and the dermal infiltration became progressively severer. After 2 days epithelization, had started and. the necrotic debris began to drop off. After 4 daya the epithelization was camplete. These findings were in sorne part similar to the findings observed in humans by Kirn and Kim in the treatment af verruca but th time sequenc was far faster in guinea pigs.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Bleomycin* ; Epidermis ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Needles ; Skin* ; Swine ; Ulcer ; Warts ; Water

No abstract available.

The therapeutic properties of Ginseng have been known as popular Chinese midecine since time immemorial. It has been used in Korea, China, Tibet, Indonesia and India for thousands of years under various presentations, such as tes, tinctures, wines, pills, and unguents for the prevention of aging, tireness, headaches, amnesia, tuberculosis, diabetes, illness of the liver, heart, kidneys, nervous system etc. The main effective component of Ginseng has recently been considered to be saponins according to the chemical studies by Shibata's group and the pharmacological studies by Takagi et al., and also through the studies of Brekhman. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the response of topically applied Ginseng total saponin against inflammation. To induce the inflammation of skin the backs of 20 volunteers were treated with 10% sodium lauryl sulfate solution under occlusion for one hour. After removal of sodium lauryl sulfate. Gineseng total saponin ointment in various concentrations(2.5, 5, 10%) is topically applied under occlusion for 48 hours. Erythema on the areas treated with Ginseng total saponin ointment was significantly reduced than the control area. It is suggested that Ginseng total saponin has an anti-inflammatory effect on the inflammation of skin induced by sodium lauryl sulfate.
Aging ; Amnesia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Erythema ; Headache ; Heart ; Humans* ; India ; Indonesia ; Inflammation ; Kidney ; Korea ; Liver ; Nervous System ; Ointments ; Panax* ; Saponins* ; Skin* ; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate ; Tibet ; Tuberculosis ; Volunteers ; Wine

No abstract available.
Hydralazine*

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate whether maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG) level measured during second trimester could be used as a predictor of pregnancy-induced hypertension. METHODS: Between March 1996 and November l997, 505 pregnant women undergoing second trimester(14-22 weeks of amenorrhea) triple marker screening for neural tube defect and Down syndrome who delivered at our institution were reviewed. All samples were assayed in the same laboratory and medical records were reviewed about medical and obstetrical history. RESULTS: Maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin level(multiples of the median, MoM) was significantly higher in the pregnancy-induced hypertension group than in the control group. With the use of 2. l multiples of the median as a cutoff value, the sensitivity of human chorionic gonadotropin as a screening marker for development of pregnancy-induced hypertension was 38.7%, the specificity was 95.9%, positive predictive value was 38.7% and negative predictive value was 95.9%. Conlusion: We suggest that second trimester maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin levels can be used clinically as an early predictive marker for pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Chorion ; Chorionic Gonadotropin* ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Humans ; Humans* ; Hypertension* ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Neural Tube Defects ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Pityriasis Circinata is a rare, symptomless, etiologically uncertain disease, but often associated with chronic illness such as Tuberculosis, diseases of uterus and ovaries. It was first described- in Japan by Toyama(1906), Matsura(1906), then reported in South Africa, France, England, Germany, and North-Africa. However, much more frequent evidence noted in Far East. Many authers agree that this condition is a specific localized type of acquired ichthyosis. This disease is manifested by strictly round scaly, light or dark brownish ichthyotic patches of variable number and diameter. Mainly distributed on trunk, and extremities with freedom of flexure. And having history of winter exacerbation and summer remission. These two cases of pityriasis Circinata are, although Toyama quoted 4 Korean patients reports and 2 cases of Manchuria, the first report in Korea, which have been associated with tuberculous empyema and meningitis, respectively.
China ; Chronic Disease ; Empyema, Tuberculous ; England ; Extremities ; Far East ; Female ; France ; Freedom ; Germany ; Humans ; Ichthyosis ; Japan ; Korea ; Meningitis ; Ovary ; Pityriasis* ; South Africa ; Tuberculosis ; Uterus

We report a case of 21-year-old patient who has had dome-shaped nodules 1 cm in diameter on the right shoulder for one year. Histopathologic findings showed central dilated cystic hair follicles and many abortive hair follicles branching from the follicles and multiple immature follicles. Skin lesions were surgically excised.
Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Shoulder ; Skin ; Young Adult

We report a case of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis in a 34-year-old male patient who presented with asymptomatic verrucous plaque over the right buttock, right inner thigh and right inguinal area. The Mantoux test revealed a strong positive reaction. The histologic picture consists of hyperkeratosis, acanthosis and papillomatosis overlying an inflammatory infiltrate in the upper dermis. Tuberculoid granulomas without caseation necrosis are seen in the dermis. Tubercle hacilli were not demonstrated. The patient was treated with INAH, Rifampicin and Ethambutol for 6 months. To date, the skin lesions have markedly improved.
Adult ; Buttocks ; Dermis ; Ethambutol ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Papilloma ; Rifampin ; Skin ; Thigh ; Tuberculosis*