Roots of manually extracted scalp hairs among 86 healthy Koreans in different age groups were examined microscopically and the proportion of resting hairs to growing hairs were determined with the fol[owing results. 1. The proportion of resting hairs in all age groups was 10. 9% and there was no significant difference between male and female. 2. In each age group the proportion of resting hairs show's difference, being lowest (6. 8%) in below 9 years age group, increasing the rate by increasing the age group, highest (19. 7%) in over 60 years age group. 3. The proportion of resting hairs below the age of 29 years was below 10%, above 30 years to 49 years in between 10% to 15% and over 50 years in between 15% to 20%. 4. The normal range of the proportion of resting hairs among normal Koreans was below 20%.
Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Male ; Neutrophils* ; Reference Values ; Scalp

Subepiderral calcified nodules is a special form of idiopathic calcinosis circumscripta with its distinct clinical and histopathologic features, which was originally described by Winer(1952) as solitary congenital no3ular czlcification of the skin. Although the lesions are usually solitary and congenital, subs aquent investigators reported multiple lesions and later onset. Clinically, th. leions are small hard. yellowish-white warty nodules developed. usually on the face and mostly in children and histopathologically are subepidermal calcified mass with s cvn4ry epidermal changes. Although the pathogenesis is still unexplained, it s seems that the disease is not associated with any systemic or cutaneous disease or any biochemial abnormalities. We present a first recorded case of subepidermal calcified no3ules developed on the left the a Korasn female, aged 23, which has been present for 7 years. Shave biopsy showed typical histopathologic and histochemical features of the subpidermal calcified nodules. Literature were reviewed.
Biopsy ; Calcinosis ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Research Personnel ; Skin

The present study was performed to evaluate clinical manifestations in 26 patients and histopathological findings in 19 patients with Behcets syndrome. 1. Clinical findings: A. Among the 26 patients, 9 were male and 17 were female (male to female ratio was 1: l.9). The age at onset of the disease varied from 10 to 62, with a mean of 26.9. B. The incidence of the major clinical manifestations: The oral ulcers were observed in all of the 26 patients, genital ulcers in 21 patients (81%), cutaneous manifestations in 25 patients (96%) and ocular lesions in 7 patients (27%). C. Saline intradermal test was positive in 62% and PPD intradermal test in 42% 2. Histopathological findings: Fourty-one specimens were taken frorn 19 patients with Behcets syndrome; Erythema nodosum like lesions (15), edematous papules (3), acneiform eruption (1), oral ulcers (4), genital ulcers (8), saline intradermal injection sites (5) and PPD intradermal test sites (5). As a control, 4 specirnens were taken from PPD test sites of the patients with erythem nodosum. The common histopathological findings were perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration, mainly composed of neutrophils and nuclear dusts, and vasculitis of varying degree. A. Cutaneous lesions; In erythema nodosum-like lesions main pathologic foci were in the deep dermis and/or the subcutis, and moderate to severe vasculitis were observed. In edematous papules, however, main foci were in the pa,pill- ary dermis and the upper dermis, papillary dermal edema was prorninent, and vasculitis was rather mild.
Acneiform Eruptions ; Behcet Syndrome* ; Dermis ; Dust ; Edema ; Erythema ; Erythema Nodosum ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injections, Intradermal ; Intradermal Tests ; Male ; Neutrophils ; Oral Ulcer ; Ulcer ; Vasculitis

The clinical triad of relapsing iritis, ulcers of the mouth and genitalia was first described in 1937 by Halusi Behcet. This entity, originally confined to the above triad of symptoms, appears to be a systemic disease manifested by skin lesions, thrombophlebitis, neurologic or visceral syptoms. The exact etiology of this syndrome has not been established. However, in recent years, many investigators suggested that the autoimmune mechanism could be the cause of this disease, and imrnunotherapeutic agents have been shown to have beneficial effects in controlling recurrent episodes of major manifestations. (countiuned..)
Behcet Syndrome* ; Genitalia ; Humans ; Iritis ; Mouth ; Research Personnel ; Skin ; Thrombophlebitis ; Ulcer

The serodiagnostic test of syphilis employed with the greatest freguency in this country is the VDRL procedure which is one of the flocculation test utilizing cardiolipin-lecithin as an antigen. As well known, the immunologically nonspecific nature of this test relegates it only to screening test, so that all the sera displaying weakly reactive or reactive VDRL in the absence of definite evidence of present or past syphilis should be confirmed by using the specific treponemal antigen tests. However, there are only lirnited numbers of institutions at which the specific treponemal antigen tests are carried out, because the tests usually need quite coaiplicatnl technology and specifically trained personnel. The Treponema. pallidum hema.gglutination assay (TPHA) which was first described by Rathlev in 1965 and established as more improved and standardized procedure in serodia,gnosis of syphilis by Tornizaxva and Kasamatsu (1966) has been found to h as sensitive and specific as the technically more complicated Fluorescent treponemaI antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) or Treponema pallidum immobilization (TPI) po cedure by rnany investigators from different parts of the world during these 10 years. The TPHA has also been found to have definite advantage over the other tests because it is easy to perform and economic. The present authors felt. that the TPHA meight be the most reasonable method to be used in this country and decided to evaluate it in the serodiagnosis of problem cases. Sera from 516 presumed normal persons, 686 pregnant women ancl 1345 patients with various diseases other than syphilis were screened with the standard VDRL procedure as described and recommanded by USPHS. Out of these, 475 of t.he presumed normal persons, 646 of the pregnant women and 1243 of the patient group wit;h various diseases other than syphilis v;ere serologically nonreactive and 10, 12 and Rl sera from each of the above groups, respectively, were found to be true syphilitc with definite evidence of clinical signs or history of syphilis. Thirty-one out of the presumed normal persons, 28 out of the pregnant women and 71 out of the patient group with various diseases other than syphilis showed either weakly reactive or reactive VDRI, in undiluted sera without definite evidence of syphilis and these 130 sera from 130 persons were the subject of the present study. The TPHA was carried out on these 130 sera. according to the ma.nual MEA-TP instructed by National Institute of Health, Japan. The reagents used in this study rvere rnanufactured and supplied hy the Fujizoki Pharmaceutical Co. Ten (32.3%) out of the R1 sera from preaumed normal persons, 11 (39.4%) out of the 28 sera from pregna.nt women a.nd 28 (69.4%) out of the patient group with various disea ses other then syphilis showed reactive TPHA. Eighty-seven of the total 130 sera showed weakly reactive VDRL so called rough result and 19 (21.8%) Of these 87 sera showed reactive TPHA, while 30(69.8%) of the 43 sera which showed reactive VDRL were found to be TPHA reactive. These results arc in general agreement with those of other investigators confirmed by the more complicated FTA-ABS or TPI. The overall incidence of syphilis was 3.87%, 3.35% and 4.38% in presumed normal persons, in pregnant women and in patient group with various diseases other than syphilis respectively. Considering the relative lack of study concerning to the false positive reactions in this country, these results may be helpful to the clinician to rnake a cert.ain diagnostic decision when they meet such a patient whose VDRL is weakly reactive or reactive in the absence of definite evidence of syphilis. The authors concluded that: the MHA-TP technique is easy in performance, economic and highly specific in serodiagnosis and that this technique is highly recommanded in this country. * The authors thank Fujizoki Pharrnaceutical Company, Tokyo, Japan which provided the TPHA reagents used in this study.
Absorption ; Bezafibrate ; False Positive Reactions ; Female ; Flocculation Tests ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Incidence ; Indicators and Reagents ; Japan ; Mass Screening ; Pregnant Women ; Research Personnel ; Serologic Tests* ; Syphilis* ; Treponema ; Treponema pallidum ; United States Public Health Service

Epidermolysis bullosa aimplex is a dominantly inherited syndrome characterized by the dissolution of the basal epidermal cells with mechanical stress. A 23 year-old man developed recurrent bullous eruptions with pain on hands, feet and face since childhood, which healed spontaneously without scarring. Grandmother of his father's side, father, aunt of his father's side and two of his three brothers had suffered similar skin lesions. Light and electron microscopy showed degeneration and bulla formation in the basal cell layer of epidermis and intact basement membrane attached to dermis.
Basement Membrane ; Cicatrix ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex* ; Epidermolysis Bullosa* ; Fathers ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Siblings ; Skin ; Stress, Mechanical ; Young Adult

The present study was performed to evaluate clinical manifestations and histopatological findings of 95 patients with pityriasis roses who visited the Department of Dermatology in National Medical Center from October of 1979 to September of 1982. The results are as follows, 1. Clinical Manifestations: 1. The number of patients with pityriasis roses were 95, which occupied 0. 98/o of new out-patients in the department of dermatology in the same period. 2. In sex distribution, males were 36 and females were 59, with male to female ratio of I: l. 6. R. Age of onset varied from 13 months to 58 years with a mean of 26. 0 years and 68% of cases belonged to 15 years to 84 years. 4. Seasonal incidence was 32% in winter, 27% in summer, 22% in autumn and l9% in spring. 5. iMild prodromal symptoms developed in 8 cases(%) and itching was noted in 58 cases (61%), which was mild to moderate exeept for severe itching in 2 cases. 6. Herald patch was found in 42 cases (44%) and the predilection sites were the trunk and the thighs. 7. Daughter lesions could be classified into macular type 69 cases (73g), pa.pular type 22 cases (23%), pustular type 2 cases (2%), urticarial type 1 case (I,3 and purpuric type 1 case (1%) They appeared on the back (79%), the chest (74%), the abdomen(73%), the thighs (47%), the upper arms (40%), the lower legs (24%),the forearrns (22%), the neck (16%), the face (7 %), dorsa of the hands (4%) and dorsa of the feet(2%). (countinue..)
Age of Onset ; Arm ; Dermatology ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leg ; Male ; Neck ; Nuclear Family ; Outpatients ; Pityriasis Rosea* ; Pityriasis* ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Pruritus ; Seasons ; Sex Distribution ; Thigh ; Thorax

The beneficial effects of sunlight and ultraviolet light for the treatment, of psoriasis vulgaris has long been recognized. Parrish et al were the first to introduce a controlled light source, which allowed the delivery of a known quantity of light energy to the patients skin after the patient had ingested a photosensitizer, 8-methoxypsoralen (methoxsalen) two hours previous to UVA exposure. This successful treatment has become known as PUVA (psoralen and UVA). PUVA photochernotherapy denotes a systemic approach that is based on the interaction of light and a photoactive drug. Parrish et al have described successful treatment of psoriasis with PUVA and other investigators alI over the world have confirmed their beneficial results. The rationale of photochemotherapy in psoriasis is the inhibition of the increased DNA synthesis within the psoriatic lesions by the interaction of psoralen molecule and light energy in the UVA range(320-400nm). The present study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of PUVA photochernotherapy combining orally administered methoxsalen and UAA exposure using Dermatron UVA phototherapy system in patients with wi5espread psoriasis. A total of 15 patients with psoriasis over more than 30% of their bodies were selected at the department of dermatology, National Medical Center through March 1978 to September 1978. Oral administration of methoxsalen, 20 to 50 mg doses according to body weight, was followed by exposure to a high-intensity longwave ultraviolet light emitting a continuous spectrum between 320 and 400nm (peak emission, 350 - 365nm). Initial UVA exposure times were based on each patients minimal phototoxicity dose (MPD) and exposure times were increased at each treatment by 1 - 2 minutes to maintain minimal erythema. Frequency of treatment was two to three times weekly. Once the psoriatic lesions had, cleared completely the patient was placed on a maintenance schedule. If psoriasis recurred the frequency of treatment was increased. The results were as follows: l. 5 patients were dropped out due to unknown reasons. 2. 7 cases showed clearing of over 95, of the lesions (Response 5'). Mean number of PU VA therapy was 16. 7. During 1 4 months follow-up period, 4 cases remained free of psoriasis but 3 cases couldn't be followed. 3. Immediate side effects of PUVA were temporary and generally mild. No significant changes in laboratory screenings were noted. Side effects of therapy included transient nausea(33.3%), dizziness(26.7%), erythema.(66.7%), pruritus (60%), increased pigrnentation(100 %). 4. Comparison of pre-and post-PUVA therapy in biopsy specimens by light microscopy revealed histologic improvement evidenced by diminished acanthosis and parakeratosis, and regeneration of granular layers in all of 8 cases. Glycogen accumulation in the affected epiderrnis was significantly decreased or absent after PUVA therapy in all cases.
Administration, Oral ; Appointments and Schedules ; Biopsy ; Body Weight ; Dermatitis, Phototoxic ; Dermatology ; DNA ; Erythema ; Ficusin ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glycogen ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Methoxsalen ; Microscopy ; Parakeratosis ; Photochemotherapy* ; Phototherapy ; Pruritus ; Psoriasis* ; PUVA Therapy ; Regeneration ; Research Personnel ; Skin ; Sunlight ; Ultraviolet Rays

No abstract available.
Eczema* ; Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption*

There have been no standard treatments for recurrent aphthous stomatitis, and clinical management is usually directed toward symptomatic relief. Recent immunological investigations have focused on possible imrnunopathogenesis of the disease. Several reparters suggested that levamisole, nonspecific immune-stimulator, had a beneficiaI effect in controlling attacks of recurrent a,phthous stomatitis and in reducing subsequent episodes. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of levamisole in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. A total of 8 patients who had had recurrent aphthous stomatitis for 2 to 20 years and who had experienced at least one episode per month were selected for this study from the department of dermatology, National Medical Center, through March 1979 to September 1979, Levamisole (Decaris') was given 150mg, p.o., once daily on 3 consecutive days every week for 2 months. Tbe results were as follows. 1) One patient had to have levamisole discontinued due to a high fever and exacerbations of tbe oral ulcerations. 2) 5 patients showed beneficial effects in reducing tbe number, frequency, pain and severity of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. 3') One patient showed no therapeutic response. 4) One patient, who has experienced new oral ulcerations continuously before starting levamisole, showed no recurrences of the lesions during the follow-up period of 3 months. 5) Side effects during levamisole administration were transient and generally mild, They included nausea, headache, dizziness and high fever.
Dermatology ; Dizziness ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Humans ; Levamisole* ; Nausea ; Oral Ulcer ; Recurrence ; Stomatitis ; Stomatitis, Aphthous*