BACKGROUND: Neurofibroma, the hallmark of neurofibromatosis, is a cutaneous or subcutaneous lesion, with a variable clinical presentation. Histologically, neurofibroma consists of proliferation of nerve derived cellular elements, together with an abundant, collagenous extracellular matrix. Specifically, neurofibroma has been shown to contain 30-50% collagen in its matrix. Objective 5. METHODS: We examined the expression of extracellular matrix genes (collagen, fibronectin, laminin), TGF-b mRNA and Ha-ras oncogene mRNA by using Northern and slot-blot hybridization and immunoperoxidase stains. Result: In Northern blot analysis, Ha-ras and TGF-b genes revealed respectively, 8.8kb and 2. 5kb sized mRNA transcripts in neurofibroma. These parameters were normal in the control. The expression of these genes were 1.9, 2.0 fold increased in neurofibroma. In slot-blot analysis, expression of type I collagen showed fibronectin genes to be 2,401+210, 540+43, respectively, in neurofibroma. So there were 3.7 fold, 2.1 fold, differences respectively, compared to the normal control. However, there were no significant changes of type IV collagen and laminin Bl mRNA levels between neurofibroma and normal skin tissues. Irnmunoperoxidase staining by rnonoclonal anti type IV collagen antibody in neurofibroma showed type IV collagen to be diffusely and weakly stained in tissue. On staining by monoclonal anti-laminin antibody, laminin was stained in a matrix and around vessels. CONCLUSION: The increased expression of extracellular matrix genes may suggest that there is a subpopulation of fibroic cells in neurofibroma which are stimulated by TGF-b. Ha-ras genes which might have accumulated with the differentiation of neural tissue may be related to the pathogenesis of neurofibroma tissue formation. Further studies are needed to determine whether the other factors are related to the pathogenesis of neurofibroma.
Blotting, Northern ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type IV ; Coloring Agents ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Fibronectins ; Genes, ras* ; Laminin ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses* ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin

An 41-year-old woman with chronic active hepatitis developed multible asymptomatic erythematous papules, plaques and purpuras on the both lower leg, feet, forearms and hands. Some lesions progressed to ulcers with central black colored necrotic eschars. Biopsies and cultures demorrstrated a fungus, aspergillus fumigatus a the etilogic agent. No evicience of involvement of other organs by aspergillus fumigatus was found. Intravenous amphotericin B therapy was discontinued because of he immediate adverse effects. The patient received treatment with oral itaconazole(200mg/day) and intravenous fluconazole(400mg/day), but skin lesions have been recurring repeatedly.
Adult ; Amphotericin B ; Aspergillosis* ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; Biopsy ; Female ; Fluconazole ; Foot ; Forearm ; Fungi ; Hand ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Leg ; Purpura ; Skin ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: The Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate (HTK) solution has been shown to provide the excellent myocardial protection as a cardioplegia. The HTK solution has relatively low potassium as an arresting agent of myocardium, and low sodium content, and high concentration of histidine biological buffer which confer a buffering capacity superior to that of blood. Since HTK solution has an excellent myocardial protective ability, it is reported to protect myocardium from ischemia for a considerable time (120 minutes) with the single infusion of HTK solution as a cardioplegia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of HTK solution on myocardium when the ischemia is exceeding 120 minutes at two different temperature (10 to 12degrees C, 22 to 24degrees C) using the Langendorff apparatus. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Hearts from Sprague-Dawley rat, weighing 300 to 340 g, were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution at a perfusion pressure of 100 cm H2O. After the stabilization, the heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), and coronary flow were measured. Single dose of HTK solution was infused into the ascending aorta of isolated rat heart and hearts were preserved at four different conditions. In group 1 (n=10), hearts were preserved at deep hypothermia (10~12degrees C) for 2 hours, in group 2 (n=10), hearts were preserved at moderate hypothermia (22~24degrees C) for 2 hours, in group 3 (n=10), hearts were preserved at deep hypothermia for 3 hours, and in group 4 (n=10), hearts were preserved at moderate hypothermia for 3 hours. After the completion of the preservation, the heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure, and coronary flow were measured at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes after the initiation of reperfusion to assess the cardiac function. Biopsies were also done and mitochondrial scores were counted in two cases of each group for ultrastructural assessment. RESULT: The present study showed that the change of heart rate was not different between group 1 and group 2, and group 1 and group 3. The heart rate was significantly decreased at 15 minutes in group 4 compared to that of group 1 (p<0.05 by ANCOVA). The heart rate was recovered at 30 minutes and 45 minutes in group 4 with no significant difference compared to that of group 1. The decrease of LVDP was significant at 15 minutes, 30 minutes and 45 minutes in group 4 compared to that of group 1 (p<0.001 by ANCOVA). Coronary flow was significantly decreased at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes in group 4 compared to that of group 1 (p<0.001 by ANCOVA). In ultrastructural assessment, the mean myocardial mitochondrial scores in group 1, group 2, group 3, and group 4 were 1.02+/-0.29, 1.52+/-0.26, 1.56+/-0.45, 2.22+/-0.44 respectively. CONCLUSION: The HTK solution provided excellent myocardial protection regardless of myocardial temperature for 2 hours. But, when ischemic time exceeded 2 hours, the myocardial hemodynamic function and ultrastructural changes were significantly deteriorated at moderate hypotherma (22~24degrees C). This indicates that it is recommended to decrease myocardial temperature when myocardial ischemic time exceeds 2 hours with single infusion of HTK solution as a cardioplegia.
Animals ; Aorta ; Biopsy ; Cardioplegic Solutions ; Heart Arrest, Induced ; Heart Rate ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics ; Histidine ; Hypothermia ; Ischemia ; Myocardium ; Organ Preservation ; Perfusion ; Potassium ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion ; Sodium

We herein report a case of transient acrodermatitis enteropathica in a 3-month-old, breast-fed, full-term infant. The patient was presented with a 2-month history of diarrhea and crusted erythema- tous patches on the periorificial area. Similar lesions were seen in his siblings. His serum zinc level and the zinc level in his mother's breast milk were markedly reduced. Diarrhea and skin lesions disappeared promptly with oral zinc supplementation and did not recur when zinc was discontinued after three weeks. Our case indicates that even full-term infants, who feed excl-usively on mothers milk, run a risk of developing zinc deficiency, if the concentration of zinc in the breast milk is very low.
Acrodermatitis* ; Diarrhea ; Humans ; Infant* ; Milk ; Milk, Human ; Mothers ; Siblings ; Skin ; Zinc

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Ectopia Cordis*

The utility of computed axial tomography(CAT) in the diagnosis of spinal disorders has been the subject of considerable interest since the introduction of CAT scanning. Computed tomographic guided needle biopsy of 12 consecutive patients with a variety of undermined spinal disorders resulted in a 100% yield of positive tissue diagnoses, without signlficant complications. The principal advantage of cat guidance is the continuous direct observation of the needle tip position in relation to the target volume. We think that the application of computed tomographic guided needle biopsy in the lesions of the spine is of great value, because it is the single most accurate method of obtaining diagnosis other than by open surgical biopsy.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Needle ; Cats ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Methods ; Needles ; Spine

Ten feet from 6 idiopathic congenltal clubfoot patients which had failed to respond to conservative mearsured were treated by aggreasive posteromedial release during infancy with generally good results. A modltication of Denis-Browne splint by splitting both aides and using dial lock to hold the foot still ln correeted position was found quite useful for post-operative maintenance.
Clubfoot ; Foot ; Humans ; Splints

It has been emphasized that treatment of hemoral neck fracture is early anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation to reduce severe complications such as avascular necrosis or non-union.Operative treatment were developed recently with development of radiological technique. This study reviewed twenty-nine patients of femoral neck fracture treated by internal fixation between December 1973 and December 1979. There are eleven casesof Garden's stage I or II fracture with multiple Knowles pinning and eighteen cases (All Gardens stage) treated with compression hip screw, and followed for a minimum of nine months with an average eighteen months. The results were as follows; 1. Eleven cases with minimal displaced fracture (Garden's stage I or II) treated by multiple Knowles pinning were revealed good results. 2. In total eighteen cases treated by compression hip screw, nine cases (Garden's stage I or II) were revealed good results and other nine cases (Garden's stage I or II) were revealed fair or poor results. 3. Eleven cases of mlutiple Knowles pinning and nine case of compressian hip screw used for undisplaced fracture (Garden's stage I or II) were revealed good results without regard to internal fixation devices. 4. Avascular necrosis were four cases in nine cases(44%) of displaced fracture. 5. Non-union were not found in this aeries.
Agriculture ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; Femur Neck ; Hip ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Neck ; Necrosis

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a relatively common acquired depigmentating disorder that affects at least 1 % of the population. The mode of transmission has not been clearly,stablished, but either polygenic or autosomal dominant with incomplete penetrance and variable expresion has been proposed. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the causative factor, variable clinical features and current teratment of generalized vitiligo patients. METHOD: This clinical in vestigation was made with 225 outpatiens of generalized type vitiligo who had visited the Department of Dermatology, Keirnyung Universitv Hospital from January 1987 till December 1991. Results & CONCLUSION: 1. There were 125 female, (55.5%) and 100 males(44.4%). 2. The mean age of onset was 21.4 years(male . 24.3, female: 19.1). 3. The mean age at the first visit was 27.5 years (male : 28.8, female : 26.5). 4. The mean duration of the disease was 10.7 years(male : 9.9, female : 10.9). 5. The mean interval between onset and visiting was 6.1 years (male : 4.5, female : 7.4). 6. The most common sites of involvernent at the first visit was tie face 11.7% (male : 11.4%, female : 11.8%). 7. The most common precipitating factor was trauma(8.8%). 8. The most common previous treatment was sunlight irradiaion after application of topical oxoralene(33.2%). 9. The most common degree of depigmented lesion was 5-10%(64.4%). 10. The most common occupations of the patients were students mals, and housewife females.
Age of Onset ; Dermatology ; Female ; Humans ; Occupations ; Penetrance ; Precipitating Factors ; Sunlight ; Vitiligo*

Infantile digital fibromatosis is a rare benign tumor on the fingers and toes of infants and childhood which is characterized by fibroblastic proliferation. Usually the lesions occur singly or severally on the dorsal or lateral aspects of the distal phalanges of the toes and fingers. The thumb and great toe are usually spared. These asymptomatic, firm, red, smooth nodules, some lcm diameter, occur during the first year of life. Forty-seven percent occur in the first month of life. This disease can occur after trauma. The lesions do not metastasize. Occasionally, spontaneous regression has been reported. After excision, recurrence can be possible. A 2 years old female infant had three large bean sized erythematous masses on the left 2,3,4th fingers. The erythematous aacule was developed at 6 months old and grew slowly. We could find inclusion body stained bright red with Massons trichrome and purple with PTAH in cytoplasm of fibroblast. The patient was treated with a simple excision followed by a skin graft. During 5 rnonths after operation, recurrence was not occurred.
Child, Preschool ; Cytoplasm ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Fibroma* ; Fingers ; Humans ; Inclusion Bodies ; Infant ; Recurrence ; Skin* ; Thumb ; Toes ; Transplants*