The pathogenesis of vitiligo has not been fully elucidated, but three different hypothese have been advanced to explain the cause of vitiligo. One is related to autoimmunity, another concerns neurohumoral factors and the third involves self-destruction of melanocytes. The autoimmune theory of vitiligo is further strengthened by the increased association of vitiligo with a nurnber of autoimmune disorders and by the increased prevalence of organ-specific autoantibodies in vitiligo. Also decreased T lymphocytes in vitiligo patients were reported. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the cell mediated immune status of patients with vitiligo using several in vitro and in vivo immune parameters. Thirty patients between the ages of 12 and 65 were observed at the Department of Dermatology of Ewha Womans University Hospital from Apri11981 through October 1981. Age matched 30 healthy persons comprised the control group. The results were summarized as follow: 1) The mean percentage of T lymphocytes in 30 vitiligo subjects and 30 control subjects were 55.3% and 67.4% respectively. There was a significant decrease of T lymphocytes in patients with vitiligo(p<0.05). 2) The percentage of subjects showing positive delayed hypersensitivity reactions to candidin, trichophytin and PPD were 33.3%, 43%, 50% respectively in 30 vitiligo patients and 60%, 75%, 80% respectively in 20 controls. A slight depression in delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity in gatients with vitiligo. (p<0.1). 3) The percentage of subjects showing positive sensitization with DNCB was 53% in 30 vitiligo patienta and 85% in 20 controls. A slight depression in DNCB sensitization was evident in vitiligo patients(p<0.1).
Autoantibodies ; Autoimmunity ; Depression ; Dermatology ; Dinitrochlorobenzene ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; Immunity, Cellular* ; Melanocytes ; Prevalence ; T-Lymphocytes ; Trichophytin ; Vitiligo*

Housewife's eczema is not a specific disease but an inflammatory pattern of response to variety of stimuli: it is characterized by erythema, papules, vesicles, exudation, and scaling. Nickel is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, particularly in women. The authors reported a case of housewife's eczema due to nickel sulfate occuring in a 30 year-old housewife for 3 years which was confirmed by patch test with 5% nickel sulfate and dimethyl glyoxime spot test on patients wedding ring and stainless bowels. Literature were reviewed briefly.
Adult ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Eczema* ; Erythema ; Female ; Humans ; Nickel* ; Patch Tests

A 24-year-old man presented with a 1.5 × 0.5 cm-sized erythematous nodule with central crust on the forehead since 5 years ago. There was no history of trauma or previous skin disorders. Histopathologic examination showed a typical picture of osteoma cutis. In addition, transepidermal elimination of bony material was observed: red linear plate-like calcified lamella structures had extruded to the skin surface through the perforated epidermis. The perforating type of osteoma cutis was discussed.
Epidermis ; Forehead ; Humans ; Osteoma* ; Skin ; Young Adult

A female newborn had the following characteristics; a congenital localized absence of skin over the lower extremities; blistering of the skin or mucous membrane, incited by trauma, which heals without scarring; and congenital absence or deformity of the nails. In respect to the characteristic manifestation, clinical course and electron microscopic features, our patient seems to fit well into Bart's syndrome. The inheritance pattern appears to be autosomal dominant but, as in this report, isolated cases have been recognized. As the review of the literatures, congenital localized absence of skin has been observed in various subsets of inherited E.B. But, we believe that the term Bart's syndrome should be used to identify patients with good prognosis as the Bart's initial description To the best of our knowedge, this is the first reported case of Bart's syndrome in the korean literature.
Blister ; Cicatrix ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Inheritance Patterns ; Lower Extremity ; Mucous Membrane ; Prognosis ; Skin

Immunosuppressive therapy based on the use of antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) has become standard therapy for patients with splastic anemia who are not eligible for bone marrow transplantation. In this study, T cell subsets before and after ALG therapy, hematologic responses, complications and prognostic factors were analysed. Eleven (42%) out of twenty-six patients treated with ALG showed response, but two patients showed relapse. Most of the response (9 cases) was noticed within 6 months after the initiation of ALG therapy (median: 3 months). The main complications of ALG therapy were fever (91%), thrombocytopenia (86%), neutropenia (63%), and serum sickness (56%). Four patients were died just ALG therapy because of serum sickness (2 cases), intracranial hemorrhage (1 case), and shock (1 case). Short interval from diagnosis to treatment suggested to show good response (P=0.0575), but it was not significant statistically. Lymphocyte subsets were measured in the blood of 23 patients. Helper T/suppressor T cell ratio (T4/T8 ratio) at the initiation of ALG therapy (day 0) was higher significantly in patients who were responded (P=0.0299). The patients who showed above 1.0 of T4/T8 ratio on day 0 might be speculated good response (P=0.032). More difference of T4/T8 ratio between day 14 after ALG therapy and day 0 might show good response (P=0.0673). Then the actuarial probability of survival at 3 years in patients treated with ALG was 77%. Our data suggest that ALG therapy may be used as an alternative treatment to bone marrow transplantation, and T4/T8 ration of peripheral blood at the initiation of therapy may be used as one of the prognostic factors.
Anemia ; Anemia, Aplastic* ; Antilymphocyte Serum* ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Fever ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Neutropenia ; Recurrence ; Serum Sickness ; Shock ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; Thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND: The activity of drug metabolizing enzymes and the modulation of their expression by inducers in the skin are the key factors for understanding of pharmacological and toxic effects of topically applied drugs. The role of these enzymes is of major importance, as they may contribute to determine the steady-state levels of biologically active substances. 3-Methylcholanthrene and all-trans- retinoic acid have been known to be inducers of the drug metabolizing enzymes. And all-trans- retinoic acid has many biological actions including anti-cancer effects. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of all-trans-retinoic acid on inducing the expression and modulation of genetic polymorphism of drug metabolizing enzymes as well as to estimate the role of all-trans-retinoic acid in carcinogenesis and drug interactions. METHODS: We analyzed the activities of CYP1A1(Cytochrome P450 1Al), NADPH cytochrome P450-reductase, UGT1 and GST after administration of 3-methylcholanthrene and all-trans-retinoic acid to the Sprague-Dawley male rats. We observed the inducible gene expression of CYP1A1, UGT1, GSTJt by RT-PCR and the genetic polymorphism of CYP1A1, UGT1, GSTK by PCR. RESULTS: 1. The expression of CYP1A1, NADPH cytochrome P450-reductase, UGT1 and GST was induced by 3-methylcholanthrene and all-trans-retinoic acid. That of NADPH cytochrome P450-reductase and UGT1 is pronouncedly enhanced by all-trans- retinoic acid. 2. The effects of 3-methylcholanthrene and all-trans-retinoic acid on inducing the expression of CYP1A1 and UGT1 correlated with an increase of mRNA expression levels of CYP1A1 and UGT1. The modulation of mRNA expression levels of GST was downregulated by all-trans-retinoic acid. 3. The genetic polymorphism of CYP1A1 was induced by 3-methylcholanthrene and all-trans- retinoic acid, and that of GSTM1 was not affected by the inducers. The induction of genetic polymorphism of GST was down regulated by all-trans-retinoic acid. CONCLUSION: 3-Methylcholanthrene and all-trans-retinoic acid modulate the inducible expression and genetic polymorphism of drug metabolizing enzymes differentially. All-trans-retinoic acid can modulate the metabolism of procarcinogen such as 3-methylcholanthrene by inducing drug metabolizing enzymes. Furthermore, the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of drug metabolizing enzymes by 3-methylcholanthrene, all-trans-retinoic acid and other drugs could help to understand their respective roles in drug interactions and carcinogenesis.
Animals ; Carcinogenesis ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Cytochromes ; Drug Interactions ; Gene Expression* ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolism ; Methylcholanthrene ; NADP ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin* ; Tretinoin*

Pulmonary vein velocities have recently been estimated in conjunction with mitral flow velocities to increase our understanding o ventricular filling. The advent of transesophageal echocardiography with pulsed Doppler imaging capability has provided a method by which both the mitral valve and pulmonary vein velocities can be easily recorded because of the posterior approach providing unimpeded interrogation of cardiac structures. The purpose of this present study was to evaluate the normal pulmonary venous, mitral and aortic flow pattern by transthoracic echocardiography in neonate according to the postnatal age. The results were as follows. 1) With regard to the aortic flow, the early systolic was of pulmonary flow peaked after the onset of aortic flow and the late systolic wave occured consistently before aortic valve closure. 2) The peak velocities of early systolic, late systolic, late systolic, diastolic and atrial systolic in the pulmonary venous flow were 36.4 (13.2cm/sec, 45.3 (15.3cm/sec, 48.5 (14.1cm/sec and 16.6( 5.7cm/sec at 1 day old. the difference according to the postnatal age was not significant. 3) The ratio of peak systolic to peak distolic velocity of pulmonary venous flow was 1.0( 0.3 at 1 day o1, 1.1( 0.4 at 1 week old and 1.2 (0.3 at 1 month old. The difference between old and 1 month old was statistically significant(p<0.05). 4) The peak early diastolic velocity of mitral flow was 51.3 (15.2cm/sec at 1 day old, 54.7( 13.7cm/sec at 1 week old and 80.7 (16.6cm/sec at 1 month old. The difference between 1 week old and 1month old was statistically significant(p<0.01). 5) The peak late diastolic velocity of mitral flow was 48.3 (14.6cm/sec at 1 day old, 50.1( 9.9cm/sec at 1 week old and 71.8 (16.6cm/sec at 1 month old. The difference between 1 week old and 1 month old was statistically significant(p<0.01). 6) The ratio of peak mitral early diastolic to peak late diastolic velocity was 1.1( 0.2 at 1 day old, 1.1( 0.3 at 1 week old and 1.2( 0.7at 1 month old. The difference between 1 week old and 1 month old was statistically significant(p<0.01). 7) The peak aortic valve flow velocity was 62.1 (14.2cm/sec at 1 day old, 67.8 13.4cm/sec at 1 week old and 76.6 14.1cm/sec at 1 month old. The difference between old and 1 month old was statistically significant(p<0.05). In conclusion, improvement of left ventricular diastolic function was noted at 1 month old by echocardiography. These normal data will be useful in comprisons with the data, which obtained in newborn with various congenital heart disease that affects flow dynamics.
Aortic Valve ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Mitral Valve ; Pulmonary Veins

The allergic skin test and RAST are used commonly to demonstrate the presence of skin sensitizing IgE antibody in the diagnosis of allergic disease. To evaluate the agreement rate and correlation between results of skin test and RAST (radioallergosorbent test) in allergic subject, 83 allergic childhood with positive skin test (bronchial asthma: 26, allergic rhinitis: 27, atopic dermatitis and urticaria: 6 bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis: 24) and 16 nonallergic childhood were studied. The results were as follows. 1) Peripheral eosinophil counts were significantly elevated in groups with bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma & allergic rhinitis except atopic dermatitis & urticaria group in comparison with normal control group. 2) Serum IgE levels were significantly higher in groups with bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma & allergic rhinitis than in normal control group except atopic dermatitis & urticaria group but there was no significant differences among study groups. 3) RAST units of D.p and D.f were significantly higher in study group except atopic dermatitis & urticaria group. RAST units of cockroach, however, were not significantly increased but in D.f, combined group of bronchial asthma & allergic rhinitis was significantly higher than bronchial asthma or allergic rhinits (p<0.05). 4) Each agreement rate between 3+ skin test and positive rate of RAST in D.p, D.f, cockroach was 37.5%, 63.6% and 12.5% respectively and 4+ skin test and positive rate of RAST was 84.0%, 89.1% and 38.4%. 5) Correlation coefficient between skin test and RAST was 0.71 in D.P, 0.59 in D.f and 0.23 in cockroach. In conclusion, there was difference in agreement rate between positive skin test and RAST to each allergen. Agreement rate between positive skin test and RAST was higher in D.p and D.f. These results suggest that RAST can be used simultaneously with skin test for detecting allergens.
Allergens ; Asthma ; Cockroaches ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Diagnosis ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Immunoglobulin E ; Rhinitis ; Skin Tests* ; Skin* ; Urticaria

Pityriasis lichenoides chronica is considered to be a benign disease. Erythematous yelIowieh scaly maeulea appear insidiously, chiefly on the sides of trunk, thighs and upper arms. Acanthosis nigricans is a rare cutaneous disorder with peak incidence in puberty characterized by hyperkeratosis and, dark pigmentation. We report a case of pityriasis lichenoides chronica assaciated with pseudoacanthosis nigricans in a 14 year-old obeae male patient who has bean sized erythematoua scaly papules on the trunk and extremities, velvety black brownish colored patchea on the neck and both axillary regions.
Acanthosis Nigricans ; Adolescent ; Arm ; Extremities ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Neck ; Pigmentation ; Pityriasis Lichenoides ; Pityriasis* ; Puberty ; Thigh

No abstract available.
Blood Flow Velocity* ; Ductus Arteriosus* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Ultrasonography*