Skin floras were taken from forehead, sternal area, lower margin of axillae, and interscapular space of 50 healthy Koreans(M 30, F 20) between 18 year and 40 years old using Williamson and Kligman's method and modified Pilsburg and .Nichols method. After incubating these floras for 3-5 days aerobically and anaerobically, we identified them using various stains and biochemical tests. The most common flora was Corynebucterium acne(84%), followed by aerobic diphtheroids(14%), coagulase negative staphylococcus, Micrococcus in orders. Although transient floras including Staphylococcus aareas, Pseudomonas, Listeria monocytogenes, and other Gram negative bacilli were isolated, they were rare and did mainly from axilla. The most common resident site of Corynebacteirium acne was forehead (l. 67 x 10/cm), but in aerobic diphtheroids and Micrococcaceae was the lower margin of axilla(2.70x16/cm, 2.34x10/cm), in which aerobic floras were more than anaerobics. The incidence rate of lipophilic diphtheroid was 27%, however it was 35% in axilla. The aerobic diphtheroid capable of nitrate reduction was 26%, which was very common in forehead. Among Propionibacterium species, Propionibacterim(P) acne was isolated 100% from all sites, but P. grandulosum was only in 2-7% and P. avidum was not.
Acne Vulgaris ; Adult ; Axilla ; Coagulase ; Coloring Agents ; Forehead ; Humans ; Incidence ; Listeria monocytogenes ; Micrococcaceae ; Micrococcus ; Propionibacterium ; Pseudomonas ; Skin* ; Staphylococcus

This study was done with 5,980 cases of dermatomycosis of dermatological patients in Chnnnam University Hospital for 10 years(1976~1985). And the literatures concerning all fungal diseases reported in Korea were reviewed. The results were summarized as follows ; Among total dermatological patients, the average annual incidence of dermatomycosis was about 15+3%. Dermatophytosis was the most prevalent(77.34%), followed by candicliaais(14.38%), tinea versicolor(7.78%), sporotrichosis(0.45%). Of dermatophytosis, the decreasing orders of clinical localization by the incidence were T.pedis(42.2%), T.cruris(25.9%), T. manum(10.3% ), T. corporis(10.0%), T. ungium (6.2%), T.facialis(4.2%), and T. capitis(2.2%). The organisms identified from dermato phytoses were generally 9 species ; the decreasing orders of frequency were Trichophyton rubrum(59.4%), T. mentagrophyte(27.9%), Microsporum canis(8.5%), Epidermophyton floccosum(2.4%), T. ferrugineum(0.9%), and others(M. gypseum, T. schonleinii, T. violaceum, T. verrucosum). The most common causative organism was T. rubrum, but that of T. corporis and T. capitis was M. canis, which showed a continuous increase on the annual variation of dermatophytes. Of candidiasis, the most common clinical form was cutaneous candidiasis, which was prevalent under 10 years old. But vulvo-vaginitis and paronychia highly developed between 3rd and 5th decades. The occasion with precipitating faetors was 10.4% of total candidiasis, of which tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus were prevalent. Of T. versicolor patients, the peak age was 3rd decades but some cases were infant and child. Of sporotrichosis, the most common clinical location and form were hand and lym phatic respectively. The peak age was between 4th and 5th decades, and the most prevalent occupation was farmer. Of other deep mycosis, there were each case of cryptococcosis, systernic candidiasis, and Wangiella derm,atitidies infection.
Arthrodermataceae ; Candidiasis ; Candidiasis, Cutaneous ; Child ; Cryptococcosis ; Dermatomycoses* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Epidermophyton ; Exophiala ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Korea ; Microsporum ; Occupations ; Paronychia ; Sporotrichosis ; Tinea ; Trichophyton ; Tuberculosis

Primary leiomyosarcoma is a rare tumor of the ovary. We experienced a case of primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma in a 68 year old woman. Microscopically, the tumor was characterized by interlacing bundles of plump spindle cells that showed immunoreactivity for alpha-smooth muscle actin, pleomorphic multinucleated giant cells and an increased mitotic rate. Ultrastructural features included abundant smooth muscle type filaments and irregular bodies. Consequently, this case has led us to propose ultrastructural and immunohistochemical criteria for primary ovarian leiomyosarcoma.
Female ; Humans

The use of artificial nerve conduit containing viable Schwann cells is one of the most promising strategies to repair the peripheral nerve injury. To fabricate an effective nerve conduit whose microstructure and internal environment are more favorable in the nerve regeneration than existing ones, a new three-dimensional Schwann cell culture technique using Matrigel(R) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was developed. Nerve conduit of three-dimensionally arranged Schwann cells was fabricated using direct seeding of freshly harvested DRG into a Matrigel(R) filled silicone tube (I.D. 1.98 mm, 14 mm length) and in vitro rafting culture for 2 weeks. The nerve regeneration efficacy of three-dimensionally cultured Schwann cell conduit (3D conduit group, n=6) was assessed using SD rat sciatic nerve defect of 10 mm, and compared with that of silicone conduit filled with Matrigel(R) and Schwann cells prepared from the conventional plain culture method (2D conduit group, n=6). After 12 weeks, sciatic function was evaluated with sciatic function index (SFI) and gait analysis, and histomorphology of nerve conduit and the innervated tissues of sciatic nerve were examined using image analyzer and electromicroscopic methods. The SFI and ankle stance angle (ASA) in the functional evaluation were -60.1+/-13.9, 37.9 degrees +/-5.4 degrees in 3D conduit group (n=5) and -87.0 +/-12.9, 32.2 degrees +/-4.8 degrees in 2D conduit group (n=4), respectively. And the myelinated axon was 44.91%+/-0.13% in 3D conduit group and 13.05%+/-1.95% in 2D conduit group to the sham group. In the TEM study, 3D conduit group showed more abundant myelinated nerve fibers with well organized and thickened extracellular collagen than 2D conduit group, and gastrocnemius muscle and biceps femoris tendon in 3D conduit group were less atrophied and showed decreased fibrosis with less fatty infiltration than 2D conduit group. In conclusion, new three-dimensional Schwann cell culture technique was established, and nerve conduit fabricated using this technique showed much improved nerve regeneration capacity than the silicone tube filled with Matrigel(R) and Schwann cells prepared from the conventional plain culture method.
Animals ; Ankle ; Axons ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Collagen ; Diagnosis-Related Groups ; Fibrosis ; Gait ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Myelin Sheath ; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated ; Nerve Regeneration ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Peripheral Nerves* ; Rats ; Regeneration* ; Schwann Cells ; Sciatic Nerve ; Silicones ; Tendons

This experiment is designed to find differentially expressed genes in p388D1 cells that are specific for the serum deprived state. Serum starvation induces cells to enter the quiscent state in the cell cycle and is used to arrest cell growth or synchronize the cell cycle. Differential display and ribonuclease protection assay were used to identify quantitative change in gene expression. Nineteen genes that showed a differential expression in the differential display were cloned and 7 clones were verified by a ribonuclease protection assay. Among the 7 clones clone-16 showed same expression pattern in comparison with the differential display. Deduced amino acid sequences of clone-16 had N-glycosylation motif and seems to be a secretory protein. Getting a full sequence of clone-16 is critical for the characterization of it.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cell Cycle ; Clone Cells ; Gene Expression ; Ribonucleases ; Starvation

A sixity-three years old male admitted our department of dermatology showing generallized scaly, fissured, and swollen lower lip, we could diagnose it actinic cheilitis by the finding of skin biopsy specimen. And so we recomrnended him vermilioneciomy for the prophylaxis of squamous cell carcinoma, but he refused. After 2 months, above Iesion was changed a rapidly proliferating protruded mass in the centcr of the lower lip, which was diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma. For the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma and remained actinic cheilitis, we performed V-shaped excision of tumor mass and verrniliomy. After 5 months follow-up evaluation, the patient appeared excellent results without recurrence.
Actins* ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cheilitis* ; Dermatology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lip ; Male ; Recurrence ; Skin

Styela clava, called non-native tunicate or sea squirt, is habitat which include bays and harbors in Korea and several sites in the sea faced world. We fabricate cellulose membrane nerve conduit (CMNC) from this native sea squirt skin, and evaluate the capacity of promoting peripheral nerve regeneration in the rat sciatic nerve defect model. After processing the pure cellulose membrane from the sea squirt skin as we already published before, CMNC was designed as a non-tubular sheet with 14 mm length and 4 mm width. Total eleven male Spraque-Dawley rats (12 weeks, weighing 250 to 300g) were divided into sham group (n=2), silicone tube grafted control group (n=3) and experimental group (n=6). Each CMNC grafted nerve was evaluated after 4, 8 and 12 weeks in the experimental group, and after 12 weeks, sciatic function was evaluated with sciatic function index (SFI) and gait analysis, and histomorphology of nerve conduit and the innervated tissues of sciatic nerve were all examined using image analyzer and electromicroscopic methods in the all groups. The regenerated axon and nerve sheath were found only in the inner surface of the CMNC after 4 weeks and became more thicker after 8 and 12 weeks. In the TEM study, CMNC grafted group showed more abundant organized myelinated nerve fibers with thickened extracellular matrix than silicone conduit grafted group after 12 weeks. The sciatic function index (SFI) and ankle stance angle (ASA) in the functional evaluation were -47.2+/-3.9, 35.5.+/-4.9.in CMNC grafted group (n=2) and -80.4+/-7.4, 29.2.+/-5.3.in silicone conduit grafted group (n=3), respectively. And the myelinated axon was 41.59% in CMNC group and 9.51% in silicone conduit group to the sham group. The development of a bioactive CMNC to replace autogenous nerve grafts offers a potential and available approach to improved peripheral nerve regeneration. As we already published before, small peptide fragment derived from the basement membrane matrix proteins of squirt skin, which is a kind of anchoring protein composed of glycocalyx, induced the effective axonal regeneration with rapid growth of Schwann cells beneath the inner surface of CMNC. So the possibilities of clinical application as a peripheral nerve regeneration will be able to be suggested.
Animals ; Ankle ; Axons ; Basement Membrane ; Bays ; Cellulose* ; Ecosystem ; Extracellular Matrix ; Gait ; Glycocalyx ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Membranes* ; Myelin Sheath ; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated ; Peripheral Nerves* ; Rats ; Regeneration* ; Schwann Cells ; Sciatic Nerve ; Silicones ; Skin ; Transplants ; Urochordata

Hemorrhoids are the most common anorectal complaint, and approximately 10 to 20 percent of patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids require surgery. Symptoms of hemorrhoids, such as painless rectal bleeding, tissue protrusion and mucous discharge, vary. The traditional therapeutic strategies of medicine include surgical, as well as non-surgical, treatment. To alleviate symptoms caused by hemorrhoids, oral treatments, such as fiber, suppositories and Sitz baths have been applied to patients. Other non-surgical treatments, such as infrared photocoagulation, injection sclerotherapy and rubber band ligation have been used to fixate the hemorrhoid's cushion. If non-surgical treatment has no effect, surgical treatments, such as a hemorrhoidectomy, procedure for prolapsed hemorrhoids, and transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization are used.
Baths ; Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhoidectomy ; Hemorrhoids ; Humans ; Ligation ; Light Coagulation ; Rubber ; Sclerotherapy ; Suppositories ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

Schwann cell, one of important components of peripheral nervous system, interact with neurons to mutually support the growth and replication of embryonal nerves and to maintain the different functions of adult nerves. The Ara-C, known as an antimitotic agent, have been used to have high effectiveness in eliminating fibroblasts during Schwann cell culture period. This enrichment effect is also known to be cummulative with each successive pulse of Ara-C applied and is due to a progressive loss of fibroblasts. But the cytotoxicity by Ara-C is also cummulative and noticeable over the period. To determine the most effective application time and interval of Ara-C in the Schwann cell culture, we observed the Schwann cell purity and density with the Ara-C treatment in plain and three-dimensional culture from dorsal root ganglion of new born rat. By culturing dispersed dorsal root ganglia, we can repeatedly generate homogenous Schwann cells, and cellular morphology and cell count with mean percentages were evaluated in the plain culture dishes and in the immunostainings of S-100 and GFAP in the three-dimensional culture. The Ara-C treated cultures showed a higher Schwann cell percentage (31.0%+/-8.09% in P4 group to 65.5%+/-24.08% in P2 group), compared with that obtained in the abscence of Ara-C (17.6%+/-6.03%) in the plain culture after 2 weeks. And in the three-dimensional culture, S-100 positive cells increased to 56.22%+/-0.67% and GFAP positive cells to 66.46%+/-1.83% in G2 group (p<0.05), higher yield than other groups with Ara-C application. Therefore, we concluded that the Ara-C treatment is effective for the proliferation of Schwann cells contrast to the fibroblasts in vitro culture, and the first application after 24 hours from cell harvesting and subsequent 2 pulse treatment (P2 group in plain culture and G2 group in three-dimensional culture) was more effective than other application protocols.
Adult ; Animals ; Cell Count ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cytarabine* ; Fibroblasts ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Humans ; Neurons ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Rats* ; Schwann Cells ; Spinal Nerve Roots*

Pruritus ani is an unpleasant cutaneous sensation that induces the desire to scratch the skin around the anal orifice. It may start insidiously and appears in 1% to 5% of the population. It is classified as primary (idiopathic) pruritus ani when no cause can be found. However, as 25% to 75% of cases have co-existing pathology, a detailed history and examination are necessary. The goal of treatment is asymptomatic, intact, dry, clean perianal skin with reversal of morphological changes. The management of pruritus ani is directed towards the underlying cause. If the diagnosis is idiopathic pruritus ani, the patients can still be managed with great success by eliminating of irritants and scratching, by giving general advice regarding hygiene and lifestyle modification and by using active treatment measures.
Humans ; Hygiene ; Irritants ; Life Style ; Pruritus ; Pruritus Ani ; Sensation ; Skin