Epiclerrnal growth factor(EGF), a low-molecular-weight polypeptide chain consisting of 53 amino acids, stimulates the growth and keratinization of epidermal cells. Recently, some authors reported that hair growth rate and follicular bulb growth were inhibited by EGF in neonatal mice. Since the hair and follicular cells are of epidermal origin, the effect of EGF would appear to be inconsistent with its role promoting the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal cells in vivo and in vitro. We have investigated the effects of EGF on the hair and epidermis in adult male mouse. The results are summarized as follows: l. 1'he hair length and maximum diameter were significantly reduced in EGF- treated regions compared with control group, and inhibition of hair growth was correlated with EGF dose. Thickness of the epidermis was significantly increased in EGF-treated regions compared with control group, and proliferation of the epidermis was correlated with EGF dose. 3 There were no significant differences in the hair length, maximum diameter, and egidermal thickness between untreated contralateral right mid-side regions of EGF-treated groups and control group.
Adult ; Amino Acids ; Animals ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Epidermis ; Hair* ; Humans ; Male ; Mice*

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine whether the clinical presentation of patients with central precocius puberty(CPP) varies according to the etiology, whether this permits the differentiation between idiopathic and organic forms and to examine whether LH determination in a single timed blood sample after GnRH administration is sufficient to diagnose CPP. METHODS: This study included 33 girls with signs of breast development, of whom 23 were diagnosed as definite central precocious puberty. Sixteen patients had idiopathic CPP; the remaining 7 patients had organic CPP. Ten patients were classified as non-CPP. Potential clinical and laboratory predictors of CNS abnormalities were assessed and GnRH stimulation test was done. RESULTS: The age of onset in patients with organic CPP was 4.11+/-2.08 years, whereas the age in patients with idiopathic CPP was 7.25+/-1.34 years. This parameter is the only one showing statistical significance. We compared sensitivities and specificities at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min which yielded sensitivities of 8.7%, 87.0%, 91.3%, 87.0%, 73.9%, 60.9%. CONCLUSION: It is impossible to exclude a central nervous system lesion in patient with central precocious puberty without performing central nervous system imaging. However, this study indicates earlier the onset of disease, higher the possibility of presence of CNS lesion. According to the mean GnRH stimulated LH levels and sensitivity at each times, a single blood sample obtained for LH determined after GnRH administration at 30 min can be used to diagnose the central precocious puberty.
Age of Onset ; Breast ; Central Nervous System* ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Puberty, Precocious*

There are many complications related to paralyzed patients. Heterotopic ossification in pressure sore patients is reported to be rarely developed, but once it occurs, it frequently causes joint stiffness which may aggrevate the pressure sore wound. This paper was based on a clinical study of heterotrophic ossification in 6 quadriplegic and paraplegic patients from 1988 to 1997 at St. Paul's Hospital. All were males aged between 22 and 58 years (mean age, 45.5 years). The sites of pressure sore were in the ischial and trochanteric areas. Heterotopic ossification had developed around the hip joint and the ischial area. The mean onset time was 3.6 years (minimum 10 months maximum 8 years) after trauma. Plain X-ray, bone scan CT and pathological examination were helpful in confirming the diagnosis of heterotopic ossification. The mechanism of heterotopic ossification is not exactly known, but chronic trauma or inflammation could be one etiology. There are still many difficulties in management of heterotopic ossification, but prevention is the most important treatment.
Diagnosis ; Femur ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Male ; Ossification, Heterotopic* ; Pressure Ulcer* ; Wounds and Injuries

The fibrofolliculoma is characterized by abnormal hair follicles with epithelial strands extending out from the infundibulum of the hair follicle into a hyperplastic mantle of specialized fibrous tissue. We have seen a peculiar case of a 1 year and 2 months old male who had a solitary papule on the left side of his face which histologically showed a typical fibrofolliculoma pattern.
Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Infant ; Male

It is generally recognized that several chemical mediators are involved in tbe pathogenesis of sunbum; however, the exact mechanism is still to he resolved. Recently, prostaglandin has been found to be one of the inflammatory mediators in sunbum, particularly in the delayed erythema response and several investigators have shown that the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs inhibit the in vivo synthesis of prostaglandin. On the assumption that the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs might exert a beneficial effect on the sunbum through the antiprostaglandin effect, several authors have reported the effect of indomethacin on sunbum. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of topical indomethacin on the delayed erythema response induced by artificial sunlamp and sunlight by clinical and histopathological examination. Indomethacin(2. 5% ointment, 2. 5% solution, 5% solution) was applied immediately after 3 MED irradiation of artificial sunlamp to the shaved back skin of 6 healthy albino guinea pigs weighing 550-850gm and 9 human volunteers and the delayed erythema response was observed at 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after irradiation respectively. Punch biopsies of the skin were performed on 6 guinea pigs at 6, 12, 24 a.nd 48 hours after irradiation and the histologic changes were observed. Four human volunters were exposed t,o 3 MED of sunlight and indomethacin preparations were applied immediately after irradiation. The delayed erythema response was observed at 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours postirradiation and in one volunteer, the skin was biopsied at 24 hour for histologi.c evaluation. The results were as follows: 1. Topical indomethacin in ointment or solution forms delayed and decreased the appearance and degree of erythema induced by sunlight and artificial sunlamp in both human and animal subjects. 2. Histologically, the number of sunbum cells at 24 hour in the epidermis of one human volunteer was decreased on indomethacin applied sites. The dermis showe6 no difference in histologic changes between control and indomethacin sitea. In animal study, however, no detectable difference in epidermal or dermal changes was observed between control and indomethacin applied sites. The autors confirmed that topical indometha,cin was effective in delaying and blanching of the delayed erythema of sunbum in guinea pigs as well as in human volunteers, though there was no difference in histologic changes between indomethacin and control sites in guinea pigs. The mechanism involvel on this aspect is remained to be resolved.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Erythema ; Guinea Pigs ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Indomethacin* ; Research Personnel ; Skin ; Sunburn* ; Sunlight ; Volunteers

No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Contact* ; Tigers*

We presented a case of perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens associated with acne conglobata in 40-year-old rnale. He had a sausage-shaped plaque containing many fistular tracts on right temnporal area and cicatrizing alopecia on occiput. On the middle portion of upper back he had a adult fist-sized plaque containing many fistular tracts. Histopathologically epidermis showed mild byperkeratosis and keratotic plugging and in the dermis most hair follicles were destroyed and replacel by fibrous tissue but there were moderxte cellular infiltration composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes a.nd hist.iocytes around the remained hair follicles. On serum electrophoresis alpha,-globulin was elevated and gamna globulin was the upper liviit of nornal variation. Skin tests with murnps vaccine, dinitrochloro benzene (DNCB) and old tuberculin disclosed the evidence of de reased c "ll-mediated immunity(CMI). All th se findings suggest thzt immune rriechanisni r,-ay be concerned ivith the pathogenesis in this case. He wa.s treated with th internal administration of antibiotic and corticosteroid and with surgical opening and curettage of fistular tracts
Acne Vulgaris ; Adult ; Alopecia ; Benzene ; Curettage ; Dermis ; Electrophoresis ; Epidermis ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Neutrophils ; Skin Tests ; Tuberculin

Malignant pyoperma is a rare, chronic, progressive, destructive ulcerating skin disease of unknown cause that affects the head and neck region of young adults. The disease is progressive but responds to high doses of systemically administered steroids. We present a case of malignant pyoderma developed on the left retroauricular area in 67 year-old male. The patient died of rapidly progressive, desructive, 15cm x 20 cm sized, phagedenic ulcer on the left retroauricular and neck area despite of various extensive local and systemic treatment. Histopathologic findings of tissue from the edge of the ulcer were non-specific, showing upper dermal necrosis and mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate in the deep dermis.
Aged ; Dermis ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; Necrosis ; Pyoderma* ; Skin Diseases ; Steroids ; Ulcer ; Young Adult

In 1971, for purpose of reduction of peak stress occuring in cement and trabecular bone of the acetabulum, Harris reported a series of metal-backed acetabular components with removable polyethylene liners that could be replaced if excessive wear occured. Modular designs of hip prostheses have become popular recently, but they introduce the risk of disassembly of the components postoperatively. And introduce of loosening and infection of femoral or acetabular components by debris of polyethylene liner. We report a case of mechanical disassembly of polyethylene liner in cementless metal backed cup, and review previously reported articles.
Acetabulum ; Hip Prosthesis ; Polyethylene

No abstract available.