No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*

No abstract available.
Knee Joint* ; Knee*

BACKGROUND: Nummular eczema, known as nummular dermatitis or discoid eczema, is an idiopathic disease that manifests coin-shaped, circular, or oval-shaped plaques with definite margins. These plaques can be exudative, erythematous, or edematous. The plaques are composed of tiny vesicles in the early stage, and later tend to be more scaly, dry, lichenified and thickened. It is a chronic condition which exhibits long periods of recurrence and relapse, plus changes depending on environmental conditions. For example, it is known that the eczema worsens in low humidity, or during winter. OBJECTIVE: Since there has been an absence of studies conducted since the 1970's, we investigated epidemiology, etiology, aggravation factors, family and past history, associated diseases such as atopic dermatitis, clinical menifestations, laboratory abnormalities, and course and prognosis with statistical analysis. METHOD: A total of 211 individuals, who had visited the Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu, Korea between 2000-2004 with a diagnosis of nummular eczema, were selected. The data was based on a retrospective survey of hospital records. However, whenever the information was lacking, we called patients to ask lists of questions for this investigation. To clarify the prognosis and course of nummular dermatitis, we classified the course of the disease into 5 groups; "healed" (cleared completely), "almost healed" (more than 90% cleared), "improved" (from 50 to 90% cleared), "stationary" (less than 50% improvement), and "wax & waned" (repetitive recurrence). RESULTS: The male to female distribution showed about a 1.4-fold predominance for males. The onset of the disease in patients was often in their twenties, which correlated with previous reports which noted that onset of lesions in patients occurred in their twenties and sixties. Nummular eczema was most frequently aggravated in summer. Thirty five of the 211 patients had atopic dermatitis, and 53 had dry skin. Thirty five of 103 patients showed an elevated serum Ig E level (more than 250 IU/ml). Seventeen of 120 patients had an elevated eosiophil count (more than 7%). If the patients had had the eczema for a short duration, these seemed to be a better chance of the condition healing. CONCLUSION: This investigation is expected to help understand and obtain more information on nummular eczema.
Daegu ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatology ; Diagnosis ; Eczema* ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Hospital Records ; Humans ; Humidity ; Korea ; Male ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin

To investigate the infection status of zoonotic trematode metacercariae in yellowfin goby, Acanthogobius flavimanus, from coastal areas of the Republic of Korea (Korea), we examined total 344 gobies from 21 localities with an artificial digestion method from 2013 to 2017. The metacercariae of Stictodora lari were most frequently detected in 45.3% goby from 7 localities, i.e., Taean-gun (Chungcheongnam-do), Gochang-gun (Jeollabuk-do), Muan-gun, Shinan-gun, Haenam-gun (Jeollanam-do), Hadong-gun and Goseong-gun (Gyeongsangnam-do). Their infection rates were 90.0%, 66.7%, 46.7%, 8.0%, 3.3%, 26.7%, and 86.7% and intensities were 1,090, 6.2, 1.6 1.0, 2.0, 2.0, and 7.2 metacercariae per fish infected respectively. Heterophyopsis continua metacercariae were found in 38.2% goby from 6 localities, i.e., Gochang-gun, Muan-gun, Shinan-gun, Gangjin-gun, Boseong-gun (Jeollanam-do) and Goseong-gun, and their intensities were relatively low, 1–21 metacercariae. Stictodora fuscata metacercariae were detected in 61.3% goby from 4 localities, i.e., Taean-gun, Gochang-gun, Hadong-gun and Goseong-gun. Their infection rates were 90.0%, 53.3%, 5.9%, and 73.3% and intensities were 1,081, 3.1, 3.0, and 10.2 metacercariae per fish infected respectively. Heterophyes nocens metacercariae were found in 55.0% goby from Muan-gun and Shinan-gun. Total 3 metacercariae of Isthmiophora hortensis were detected in 2 (8.0%) gobies from Shinan-gun. Total 15 metacercariae of Centrocestus armatus were detected in 5 gobies (33.3%) from Gyeongpo-ho (ho means lake) in Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. The present study suggests that yellowfin goby, A. flavimanus, acts as the infection sources of zoonotic intestinal flukes in western and southern coastal areas than in eastern coastal areas of Korea.
Digestion ; Gangwon-do ; Heterophyidae ; Korea ; Metacercariae ; Methods ; Republic of Korea ; Trematoda

Mycophenolate mofetil(MMF) is a new immunosuppressant which non-competitively and reversibly blocks the de novo synthesis of guanine nucleotides required for DNA and RNA synthesis during lymphocyte proliferation. So MMF selectively inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and it has less side-effects than other immunosuppressants. We described 2 cases of generalized pustular psoriasis improved with MMF. We administered MMF combined with cyclosporin in case 1 and acitretin in case 2. Both patients markedly improved with MMF administration 3 days after and had no severe side-effects. Thus the authors thought that MMF appears to be an effective therapeutic alternative in the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis.
Acitretin ; Cyclosporine ; DNA ; Guanine Nucleotides ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Lymphocytes ; Psoriasis* ; RNA

The infection status of freshwater fish with digenetic trematode metacercariae was examined in water systems of Hantangang and Imjingang (River), the Republic of Korea. A total of 877 (594 from Hantangang and 283 from Imjingang) fishes were examined by the artificial digestion methods. Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae were detected in 7 (1.2%) fishes (in 3 spp.) from Hantangang in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, and 40 (14.1%) fishes (in 7 spp.) from Munsancheon in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do. The average densities were 1.9 and 35.6 per fish infected, respectively. Metagonimus spp. metacercariae were detected in 312 (52.5%) and 113 (39.9%) fishes from Hantangang and Imjingang, and their average densities were 47.5 and 9.6 per fish infected, respectively. Centrocestus armatus metacercariae were found in 161 (27.1%) and 70 (24.7%) fishes from Hantangang and Imjingang, and their average number per fish infected was 694 and 82, respectively. Echinostoma spp. metacercariae were detected in 50 (8.4%) and 94 (33.2%) fishes from Hantangang and Imjingang, and their average densities were 9.6 and 23.1 per fish infected, respectively. The infection status of fishes with metacercariae of Stephanoprora spp., Diplostomum spp., Clinostomum complanatum, Metorchis orientalis, and Metorchis taiwanensis were analyzed by surveyed regions. Conclusively, it was confirmed that C. sinensis metacercariae were quite commonly detected in fishes from Munsancheon but rarely from other localities, whereas the metacercariae of other digenetic trematodes were relatively prevalent in fishes from water systems of Hantangang and Imjingang in Korea.
Animals ; Female ; Fish Diseases/epidemiology/*parasitology ; Fresh Water/parasitology ; Male ; Metacercariae/classification/genetics/growth & development/*isolation & purification ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Trematoda/classification/genetics/growth & development/*isolation & purification ; Trematode Infections/epidemiology/parasitology/*veterinary

The infection status of zoonotic trematode metacercariae was investigated in a total of 2,293 freshwater fish collected from 11 rivers or streams in 9 administrative regions of Gangwon-do, Korea for 5 years (2009-2013). All fish were collected by netting methods and examined using the artificial digestion methods. Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae were detected in 4 fish species, i.e., Pungtungia herzi, Squalidus japonicus coreanus, Acheilognathus rhombeus, and Ladislabia taczanowskii, from only Hantangang in Cheorwon-gun. Metagonimus spp. metacercariae were found in 1,154 (50.3%) fish and their average number per infected fish was 55.8. Among the positive fish species, especially Tribolodon hakonensis from Namdaecheon in Yangyang-gun and Plecoglossus altivelis from Osipcheon in Samcheok-si were most heavily infected. Centrocestus armatus metacercariae were detected in 611 (26.7%) fish and the average metacercarial burden per infected fish was 1,032. Two chub species, Zacco platypus and Zacco temminckii were highly and heavily infected with C. armatus metacercariae in almost all regions surveyed. Echinostoma spp. metacercariae were also found in 24 fish from a few localities, but their numbers per fish infected were very low. From the above results, it is confirmed that the metacercariae of intestinal flukes, especially Metagonimus spp. and C. armatus, were heavily infected, while C. sinensis metacercariae were rarely found in fish from Gangwon-do, Korea.
Animals ; Biodiversity ; Fish Diseases/*epidemiology/*parasitology ; Fishes ; Fresh Water ; Korea ; Parasite Load ; Prevalence ; Trematoda/*classification/*isolation & purification ; Trematode Infections/epidemiology/parasitology/*veterinary

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo, a disease presenting as white patches on the skin, is caused by selective destruction of melanocytes, which are completely absent in established lesions. There are many theories about the etiology of vitiligo including the self-destruct, biochemical, neural, autoimmune and genetic hypotheses. Oxidative stress has been implicated in vitiligo as a causative factor. OBJECTIVE: To examine the susceptibility of vitiligo keratinocytes to external oxidative stress, H2O2, we compared survival rates in cultured keratinocytes according to the different concentration and exposure time of H2O2. METHODS: Keratinocytes were prepared from normal control volunteer, and the center of lesion and non-lesional skin of vitiligo patients. It was evaluated in cultures at the second and third passages. And, keratinocytes were exposed to various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for 10, 20 and 40 minutes. Finally, the 96 wells plate containing cells were performed MTT assay. RESULTS: Compared to normal keratinocytes, vitiligo keratinocytes, both non-lesional and lesional, showed markedly lower survival rate. At the concentration of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mM H2O2, survival rates did not significantly affect viability of keratinocytes after neither exposure times. On the contrary, vitiligo keratinocytes, both non-lesional and lesional, were more susceptible to the toxic effect of H2O2 after the period of exposure at concentration of 10mM H2O2 compared with normal keratinocytes. The survival rate of at concentration of 10mM H2O2 inversely correlated with the exposure period in all experiments. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the presence of an imbalance in the anti-oxidant system in vitiligo keratinocytes and provide further support for oxidative damage as a pathogenic event in vitiligo.
Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Keratinocytes* ; Melanocytes ; Oxidative Stress* ; Skin ; Survival Rate ; Vitiligo* ; Volunteers

BACKGROUND: There is no clear dermatologic definition to describe sensitive skin which usually includes subjective and psychological meanings. Some individuals exhibit exaggerated response, especially on the face, ranging from itching to intense adverse reaction like erythema, wheal, and eczema in comparison to normal ones when exposed to external irritants, allergens, environmental changes or internal stimulants. OBJECTIVE: To diagnose sensitive skin, lactic acid sting test is well known to represent a person who has subjective symptoms like itching, burning, prickling and stinging. We tried to compare several lactic acid sting tests to search for sensitive skin conveniently and rationally. METHODS: A total of 50 panelists (25 people of sensitive group and 25 people of control group, respectively) were selected by the method of self-assessment questionnaires related to sensitive skin. The panelists were tested on face, by conditioning 3 variances (5% or 10% Lactic acid, Hydration, Hilltop chamber), in 2 week intervals, 8 times totally. RESULTS: When lactic acid sting tests were performed using Hilltop chamber, there were more positive responders in sensitive group(p<0.05). There was statistically a significant difference between the 2 groups in the comparison of mean values of lactic acid sting scores (p<0.05). Sensitive group showed higher sting scores and exhibited much more difference with time (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our experiment showed that occlusive technique using Hilltop chamber was an inspiring and useful method of several lactic acid sting tests to find out sensitive skin.
Allergens ; Bites and Stings* ; Burns ; Eczema ; Erythema ; Humans ; Irritants ; Lactic Acid* ; Pruritus ; Self-Assessment ; Skin* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Liposarcomas are one of the most common soft-tissue sarcomas in adults. They usually arise in the deep soft tissues, and patients present with large painless masses. Four major types of liposarcomas are generally recognized and have epidemiologic and prognostic differences: atypical lipomatous neoplasm/well-differentiated; myxoid/round- cell; dedifferentiated; pleomorphic variants. Myxoid liposarcoma is the second most common type of liposarcoma, representing 30~40% of all liposarcomas in the extremities. We report a case of myxoid liposarcoma in a 78-year-old man who presented with an asymptomatic, firm, deep-seated mass in the lateral aspect of his left upper arm.
Adult ; Aged ; Arm ; Extremities ; Humans ; Liposarcoma ; Liposarcoma, Myxoid ; Sarcoma