A case of extrastkeletal Ewing's sarcoma on lower extremity in a 60-year-old male is reported. Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma is a rare malignant neoplasm that shows similar histologic and ultrastructural features to Ewing's sarcoma of bone. Histologically, the neoplasm was composed of small, round to oval cells with scant cytoplasm that were arranged in sheets with large area of necrosis. Electron microscopy of the neoplastic cells revaled scant cytopasm containing glycogen rosettes and a paucity of organelles. There is no ultrastructural evidence to indicate the origin of the cells.
Male ; Humans

“Itch” is an unpleasant sensation that elicits a desire to scratch. It is a common complaint among many patients and is associated with a markedly reduced quality of life. The pathogenesis of itch begins with various pruritogens stimulating free nerve endings in the skin, which causes an itch signal to travel through the spinothalamic tract to the brain where the sensation is processed. Scratching an itch initially activates the reward systems in the midbrain and striatum, and this positive reinforcement leads to the repetitive scratching behavior that damages the skin barrier. Mediators such as histamine, serotonin and cytokines are released from the damaged skin, which further aggravates the itch and initiates a vicious “itch-scratch cycle.” Such processes may eventually lead to neural sensitization, where weaker stimuli can cause a more severe pruritic sensation. Chronic itch is one that lasts beyond 6 weeks. Pathologic pruritus can be classified into four different categories based on its cause: dermatologic, systemic, neuropathic, and psychogenic itch. Regardless of the cause, antihistamines are often prescribed as a first-line treatment of chronic itch, but more often than not they prove to be ineffective in bringing symptom relief. Both topical and systemic therapies are used to treat itch, and adequate treatment selection is considered according to symptom severity and chronicity. As the pathogenesis of itch becomes elucidated, more exciting new therapeutic options targeting pruritogenic mediators are becoming increasingly available. This review provides an overview of the pathophysiology, causes and the treatment of chronic itch.

BACKGROUND: The level of physical adaptation through active lifestyle can result in changes in appetite; and caused by physical activity and exercise, physical adaptation may change carbohydrate and fat metabolism during exercise. This study investigated the differences in carbohydrate and fat metabolism after moderate treadmill running and the difference in appetite response before and after exercise in active, regularly exercising individuals and those inactive. METHODS: We analyzed the effects of moderate physical activity (70% of oxygen uptake reserve, 30 minutes on the treadmill) on free fatty acids, glucose, growth hormone, insulin and an appetite visual analogue scale (VAS). Our subjects included 28 healthy males who were divided into two groups, the activity group (n=14) and the inactivity group (n=14) according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The serum samples and VAS were collected at pre, post and 30 min post-exercise. RESULTS: The results of the serum analysis showed no significant effects on free fatty acids, glucose, growth hormone and insulin between the groups, but showed significant changes in free fatty acids and growth hormone between points of measurement. Significant increases in VAS were seen with moderate exercise in both groups, with the inactivity group expressing greater hunger than the activity group. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that inactive persons were hungrier than active persons after moderate exercise. This information might be useful to staff and participants of weight loss programs.
Appetite ; Energy Metabolism ; Exercise ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; Glucose ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Hunger ; Insulin ; Life Style ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Oxygen ; Running ; Weight Reduction Programs ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Squamous cell carcinoma is relatively rare in the eyelid, accounting for about 9.2% of all eyelid malignancy. Squamous cell carcinoma occurs most commonly in fair-skinned, elderly individuals who have had a history of chronic sun exposure and skin damage. This potentially lethal neoplasm is capable of metastasis to regional lymph nodes. Squamous cell carcinoma may arise de novo or from pre-existing lesions and also develop following radiation therapy. Various treatment modalities have been advocated including surgical extirpation with histologic control, radiation therapy and cryotherapy. We report this case of regional metastatic squamous cell carcinoma that developed from recurrent chalazion in 37 years old woman with a brief review of literetures.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Chalazion* ; Cryotherapy ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Skin ; Solar System

Squamous cell carcinoma is relatively rare in the eyelid, accounting for about 9.2% of all eyelid malignancy. Squamous cell carcinoma occurs most commonly in fair-skinned, elderly individuals who have had a history of chronic sun exposure and skin damage. This potentially lethal neoplasm is capable of metastasis to regional lymph nodes. Squamous cell carcinoma may arise de novo or from pre-existing lesions and also develop following radiation therapy. Various treatment modalities have been advocated including surgical extirpation with histologic control, radiation therapy and cryotherapy. We report this case of regional metastatic squamous cell carcinoma that developed from recurrent chalazion in 37 years old woman with a brief review of literetures.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Chalazion* ; Cryotherapy ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Skin ; Solar System

Arthropod antigens are main causative agents which induce allergic responses in humans. However, little information is known about the prevalence of specific arthropod allergens in Koreans with allergic diseases. The current study was designed to determine the positive rates of arthropod antibodies by the Korean inhalant panel of MAST-CLA. One hundred sixty patients, who were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis from an out-patient center at the Soonchunhyang University Chunan Hospital, were studied between August 1998 to July 2000. The overall positive rate, at least more than one specific antibody of arthropods such as Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), and cockroach mix (Cm), was 46.9%. Each positive rate of Df, Dp, and Cm was 45.0%, 43.1%, and 8.8%, respectively. A significant agreement among arthropod allergens was observed (Df and Dp: 95.6%, Kappa = 0.911, P < 0.001). Our data supported the fact that arthropods were the most common allergens in Korean patients with allergic rhinitis; however, the MAST-CLA should be modified to increase specificity of arthropod allergens.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Allergens/*immunology ; Animals ; Antibodies/*analysis ; Arthropods/*immunology ; Child ; Female ; Human ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/epidemiology/*immunology ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PURPOSE: This study was performed in order to compare unenhanced CT with diffusion-weighted, T2-weight-ed,and fast FLAIR MR imaging in the detection of hyperacute cerebral ischema induced in a dog and to deter-mine whichmodality first detected cerebral ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental cerebral infarction was induced bythe occlusion of intracerebral arter-ies using embolic materials (polyvinyl-alcohol, 300 -6 00 micro) introducedthrough a microcatheter into the internal carotid artery of five dogs weighing 12 -20 kg. Serial CT and MR imageswere obtained at one hour intervals from one to five hours after occlusion, and were analyzed independently by tworadiologists. We assessed changes in attenuation, as seen on unenhanced CT and the signal intensity of the lesionon each MR image, and measured the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the lesions. RESULTS: Ischemic lesions weredetected on unenhanced CT 1 -3 hours after occlusion of cerebral arteries. In all dogs, the lesions were detectedearliest on diffusion-weighted images obtained at 1 hour. They were detect-ed on T2-weighted images at 3 -5 hoursand on fast FLAIR images of 2 -5 hours. The CNR of ischemic lesions increased gradually during the 5-hour period.It was highest on diffusion-weighted images, while on unen-hanced CT, T2-weighted, and fast FLAIR images it wassimilar. CONCLUSION: Hyperacute ischemic lesions were detected earliest on diffusion-weighted images, and earlieron unenhanced CT than on fast FLAIR or T2-weighted MR image.
Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cerebral Arteries ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Dogs* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

PURPOSE: In order to clarify the carcinogenesis mechanism from chronic atrophic gastritis toward gastric cancer, we measured the pepsinogen I and II and compared their ratio with several clinical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the preoperative serum pepsinogen I and II by using a radio-immunoassay and compared their ratio with several clinical findings, such as tumor size, mucinous vs non-mucinous tumor, cell differentiation, tumor location, depth of invasion, lymph-node status, Lauren's classification, and peritumoral atrophy in 103 consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinomas who had received resections at Bundang CHA Hospital during the period from July 2003 to February 2005. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the serum pepsinogen I/II ratio between patients with mucinous vs non-mucinous tumors (n=4 vs 9 and mean pep I/II=1.29 vs. 2.99, P=0.0288), with tumor size more than and less than 10 cm2 (n=55 vs. 48 and mean pep I/II=2.64 vs. 3.24, P=0.0491), and with or without peritumoral atrophy (n=94 vs. 9 and mean pep I/II=2.83 vs. 3.89, P=0.0466). In patients with peritomoral atrophy, the pepsinogen I/II ratio was also lower in larger tumors (n=48 vs. 46 and mean pep I/II=2.44 vs. 3.23, P=0.0083). Well-differentiated carcinomas showed significantly lower serum pep I/II ratios than signet-ring-cell types. There was no correlation between serum pep I/II ratio and tumor location, depth of invasion, lymph-node status, or Lauren's classification. CONCLUSION: We proved the existence of a correlation between serum pepsinogen level and musosal atrophy, but these results are not sufficient for clinical application of serum pepsinogen level as a screening tool for gastric cancer.
Adenocarcinoma ; Atrophy ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Differentiation ; Classification ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Mucins ; Pepsinogen A* ; Stomach Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: Chronic shoulder pain draws the attention of doctors since it is a very common and serious disease at primary care level. The patients with this pain usually have a tendency to see many doctors, to take an abundance of medication, and sometimes to even suffer from depression. The pain and the symp- toms thereof often disable the patients in their every day lives. This study aims to seek the most efficient way of treatment between two therapies, namely, the existing drug therapy based on NSAID and the intramuscular stimulation(herein after IMS) therapy, which has re- cently been introduced, by comparing them in accordance with the following method. METHODS: The two therapies were applied for 3 weeks to female patients aged between 50 and 70 who had visited a hospital over a period of more than 3 months due to this type of pain. The patients were randomly given each therapy although the treatment and monitoring was done by the same physiotherapist. The monitoring was performed four times, the day before the start of treatment, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks after respectively. It measured the following elements: (1) pain scale by VAS(Visual Analogue Scale), (2) Sleep hygiene scale by VAS, (3) ROM(Range of Motion), Repeated measure ANOVA was used for analysis. RESULTS: While both therapies reduced the pain significantly during the 3 weeks, the study showed that IMS was more effective than the drug therapy in every element monitored(p<0.05). IMS turned out to be more effective the 1st week in every measured element, however, the drug therapy was more effective the 3rd week if compared to the 2nd week in terms of Sleep VAS score. CONCLUSION: IMS is more effective in easing chro nic shoulder pain since it has better results than NSAID in pain VAS score, sleep VAS score and ROM.
Chronic Pain ; Depression ; Drug Therapy ; Female* ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Physical Therapists ; Primary Health Care ; Shoulder Pain* ; Shoulder*

Resistance to anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs remains a major obstacle in cancer chemotherapy. A variety of mechanisms responsible for drug resistance has been posed. Mdr gene overexpression and detoxification by glutathione are believed to be involved in such mechanisms. Recently, we established two low-dose cisplatin-resistant human bladder cancer cell lines, T24RO.5 and T24R1, which showed resistance at O.5 hg/ml and 1 hg/ml of cisplatin, respectively. The resistance of T24RO.5 and T24R1 cells to cisplatin were 9.4 and 9.37 fold compared to that of the parental T24 cells In this study, we investigated the total glutathione content and p-glycoprotein expression, a mdr gene product, in parent and resistant cell lines to elucidate the drug resistance mechanism to cisplatin. Glutathione content was measured by biochemical method. P-glycoprotein expression was measured by flowcytometry using monoclonal antibody to p-glycoprotein. Glutathione content and p-glycoprotein expression were not different between parental and all resistant cell lines. These results suggest that mdr gene and glutathione do not play a role in cisplatin resistance mechanism in these low-dose cisplatin-resistant cell lines. Further work will be necessary to determine the mechanism of drug resistance in this model.
Cell Line* ; Cisplatin* ; Drug Resistance ; Drug Therapy ; Genes, MDR* ; Glutathione* ; Humans ; Metabolism* ; P-Glycoprotein ; Parents ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder*