Thirty two cases of nevus sebaceus were studied by immunohistochemical staining employing three anticytokeratin antibodies(34bE, 34bB, CAM 5.2) and anti-involucrin antibody in order to clarify the biochemical characteristics of the covering epidermis of nevus sebaceus. An attempt was made to compare the expression pattern of these proteins in the epidermis of nevus sebaceus with that in normal skin and in epidermal nevus. Serial sections in all cases were also stained with PAS in attempt to correlate these protein expression with the amount of glycogen in the epidermis of nevus sebaceus. The following results are obtained. 1. The expression of cytokeratin and involucrin in the epidermis of nevus sebaceus was changed as the age of the lesions increased, but we could not identify a uniform pattern according to the age of lesions. 2. Several CAM 5.2 positive cells were found in the basal layer of the epidermis of nevus sebaceus lesion obtained from patients over 10 years of age. 3. The expression of cytokeratin and involucrin did not show any correlation with glycogen content. These results suggest that the covering epidermis of the lesion of nevus sebaceus may not be nevoid proliferation of epidermal nevus.
Epidermis* ; Glycogen ; Humans ; Keratins* ; Nevus* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: In the course of the study of keratin expression in the epidermis of nevus sebaceus, several cells in the epidermis of nevus sebaceus were positively stained with CAM 5.2 antibody, which is known to be specific for the lower molecular weight cytokeratin and used as a marker of Merkel cell. OBJECTIVE: This study was intended to verify that CAM 5.2 positive cells found in the epidermis of nevus sebaceus are Merkel cells and to understand the meaning of CAM 5.2 positive j cells in the epidermis of nevus sebaceus. METHODS: The immunohistochemical stainings with CAM 5.2 and antibody to epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) performed on specimens of normal skin, epidermal nevus, nevus sebaceus and some appendage tumors. In order to confirm the nature of CAM 5.2 positive cells, the distribution of those were compared to that of Merkel cells and double labeling with CAM 5.2 and neurofilament was performed. RESULTS: CAM 5.2 positive cells were also found in trichilemmoma developed associated with nevus sebaceus and the epidermis of normal paimoplantar skin. CAM 5.2 positive cells were also stained with antibody to EMA on serial sections cut from the same tissue blocks. The association of CAM 5.2 positive cell and nerve fiber was also demonstrated. CONCLUSION: CAM 5.2 positive cells are seemed to be Merkel cells and their presence in the covering epidermis of nevus sebaceus suggests to the epidermis of nevus sebaceus may not be nevoid proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes.
Epidermis* ; Intermediate Filaments ; Keratinocytes ; Keratins ; Merkel Cells ; Molecular Weight ; Mucin-1 ; Nerve Fibers ; Nevus* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: In the course of the study of keratin expression in the epidermis of nevus sebaceus, several cells in the epidermis of nevus sebaceus were positively stained with CAM 5.2 antibody, which is known to be specific for the lower molecular weight cytokeratin and used as a marker of Merkel cell. OBJECTIVE: This study was intended to verify that CAM 5.2 positive cells found in the epidermis of nevus sebaceus are Merkel cells and to understand the meaning of CAM 5.2 positive j cells in the epidermis of nevus sebaceus. METHODS: The immunohistochemical stainings with CAM 5.2 and antibody to epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) performed on specimens of normal skin, epidermal nevus, nevus sebaceus and some appendage tumors. In order to confirm the nature of CAM 5.2 positive cells, the distribution of those were compared to that of Merkel cells and double labeling with CAM 5.2 and neurofilament was performed. RESULTS: CAM 5.2 positive cells were also found in trichilemmoma developed associated with nevus sebaceus and the epidermis of normal paimoplantar skin. CAM 5.2 positive cells were also stained with antibody to EMA on serial sections cut from the same tissue blocks. The association of CAM 5.2 positive cell and nerve fiber was also demonstrated. CONCLUSION: CAM 5.2 positive cells are seemed to be Merkel cells and their presence in the covering epidermis of nevus sebaceus suggests to the epidermis of nevus sebaceus may not be nevoid proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes.
Epidermis* ; Intermediate Filaments ; Keratinocytes ; Keratins ; Merkel Cells ; Molecular Weight ; Mucin-1 ; Nerve Fibers ; Nevus* ; Skin

No abstract available.
Blood Flow Velocity* ; Pregnancy* ; Umbilical Arteries*

It is well known that the cell type and histopathological grading of gliomas correlate well with clinicalcourse and prognosis. Therefore, it is tempting to set certain criteria that could predict the histopathologiccharacteristics of the gliomas before the surgical intervention. With a total of 56 cases of gliomas which wereverified histopathologically in Seoul National University Hospital between July 1978 and May 1983, a statisticalanalysis of the computed tomographic findings was done with the particular emphasis on the correlation withhistopatholoigcal features. The results are as follows; 1. The calcification is observed in 27 cases (48.2%) intotal: in 20 cases (62.5%) among low grade group, in 6 cases (46.1%) among high grade group and in 1 case (9.1%)among glioblastoma multiformed group respectively. 2. The mass effect, especially surrounding low densitycorrelates well with the grade of malignancy. 3. The contrast enhancement is observed in 43 cases (76.8%). Thepattern of enhancement provides clues for the assessment of cell type and grade with fair degree of reliability.Among low grade group, 10 cases (31.3%) show no enhancement and 10 cases show solid enhancement. Among high gradegroup, 6 cases (46.8%) show solid enhancement and nodular or ring enhancement are not observed. Among glioblastomamlultiform group, 8 cases (72.7%) show characteristic thick irregular ring enhancement. 4. Plain CT densities arenot useful in differentiating each group in statistically significant level. 5. Neither the margin of the mass northe degree of contrast enhancement contributes for the differentiation of each group. 6. Summarizing the abovementioned findings it is concluded that CT is very helpful in differentiating the gliomas with regard tohistopathological cell type and the grade of malignancy as well.
Glioblastoma ; Glioma ; Prognosis ; Seoul

Objective: . To investigate the impact of the amendment of the Korean National Health Insurance (KNHI) reimbursement criteria for anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) agents based on from conventional clinical and laboratory measurements to disease activity score of 28 joints (DAS28) on treatment pattern, clinical response, and persistence rate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: . This multicenter retrospective cohort study evaluated 148 RA patients eligible for the initiation of anti- TNF-α agents as the first-line biologics by either the past (n=95) or current (n=53) KNHI reimbursement criteria. Persistence was defined as the duration between the initiation and discontinuation of anti-TNFα agents. Results: . In total, 106 (71.6%), 35 (23.6%), and 7 (4.7%) RA patients started treatment with adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab, respectively. RA patients who received anti-TNF-α agents under the current reimbursement criteria had a significantly lower mean DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (6.02 vs. 6.95, p＜0.001) and daily prednisolone-equivalent glucocorticoid dose (4.51 vs. 6.17 mg, p＜0.001) than those who received anti-TNF-α agents under the past reimbursement criteria. No significant differences in the 1-year remission rate defined by DAS28-ESR＜2.6 (17.9% vs. 30.2%, p=0.085) and the persistence rate (p=0.703) between the past and current reimbursement criteria was observed. Conclusion . Our data suggest that less active RA patients can receive reimbursement for anti-TNF-α agents under the current criteria, and the amendment of the KNHI reimbursement criteria may improve access to anti-TNF-α agents without affecting the treatment response and persistence rate.

Plasmapheresis has been used for some conditions during pregnancy and puerperium, such as hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome. We present one case of the HELLP syndrome which was treated with plasmapheresis and also review the indications, complications and guidelines for repetitive plasma exchange.
Blood Platelets ; Female ; HELLP Syndrome* ; Hemolysis ; Liver ; Plasma Exchange ; Plasmapheresis* ; Postpartum Period* ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Induction of anesthesia with a high dose of fentanyl and vecuronium decreases the heart rate and blood pressure. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of preinduction atropine on these hemodynamic changes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). METHODS: Forty-one patients who underwent CABG were randomly divided into two groups. After insertion of a radial artery cannula and a Swan-Ganz catheter, normal saline 1 ml (control group, n = 20) or atropine 0.5 mg (atropine group, n = 21) was injected intravenously 1 min before the induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with a first dose of fentanyl (5-8 microgram/kg) and vecuronium (0.12 mg/kg) and a second dose of fentanyl (5-10 microgram/kg). The patient was then intubated. Hemodynamic variables were measured before the induction of anesthesia, 1 min after the administration of each drug during the induction of anesthesia and 5, 10, and 30 min after the intubation. RESULTS: There was no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic data except that the number of patients with diabetes mellitus was greater in the control group than in the atropine group. The number of patients treated for hypotension or bradycardia during the induction of anesthesia was greater in the control group than in the atropine group, but this was not statistically significant. Heart rates significantly decreased in the control group but were maintained in the atropine group without any significant tachycardia. Blood pressure significantly decreased in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous injection of atropine before anesthetic induction in patients undergoing CABG attenuates the decrease in heart rate resulting from anesthetic induction with high dose fentanyl and vecuronium. However, it didn't prevent the decrease in blood pressure nor did it reduce the incidence of treatment for hypotension.
Anesthesia ; Atropine* ; Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Catheters ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fentanyl* ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Injections, Intravenous ; Intubation ; Radial Artery ; Tachycardia ; Transplants ; Vecuronium Bromide*

No abstract available.
Hand*

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory surgery has become popular because patients believe it allows them greater control over their business and personal lives and because third party payers find it reduces cost. This study was designed to compare the characteristics of induction and recovery as well as the safety of propofol with those of midazolam used for intravenous anesthesia in outpatient cystoscopy. METHODS: 56 healthy consenting outpatients were randomly assigned to receive either bolus of propofol (2 mg/kg, n=29) or midazolam (0.1 mg/kg, n=27) for anesthesia in outpatients cystoscopic procedure. All patients also received bolus of fentanyl 1ug/kg before induction and N-M blocking agent was not injected for maintenance of spontaneous respiration. Mean arterial pressure, HR and SpO2 were recorded and induction time (time to spontaneous eye closure), recovery time (time to response, time to orientation, time to ambulation) and adverse effects were evaluated. RESULTS: The results were as follows; 1) Both propofol and midazolam produced smooth induction, but caused significant respiratory depression. 2) The time of induction and postoperative recovery (time to ambulation) was faster in propofol than in midazolam. 3) There were less postoperative side effects (nausea, vomiting, dizziness) in propofol than in midazolam. 4) There were more cardiovascular depression in propofol than in midazolam. CONCLUSION: These results suggest 1) that propofol has significant advantage over midazolam in outpatient surgery, where early ambulation and discharge is desirable and 2) that both propofol and midazolam should be administered by expert anesthesiologist only when ventilatory assistant device with oxygen is immediately available.
Ambulatory Surgical Procedures ; Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Arterial Pressure ; Commerce ; Cystoscopy* ; Depression ; Early Ambulation ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Insurance, Health, Reimbursement ; Midazolam* ; Outpatients* ; Oxygen ; Propofol* ; Respiration ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Vomiting