BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topical aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has increasingly been used for the treatment of acne vulgaris and several studies have shown its clinical efficacy. However, ALA-PDT needs a relatively long incubation period and is frequently associated with adverse effects. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) has been introduced as a new photosensitizer for the treatment of acne in recent study. IAA-PDT requires only a short incubation period and the procedure is relatively painless in contrast to ALA-PDT. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of IAA- PDT in the treatment of acne. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with facial acne lesions were enrolled in this study. IAA-PDT was performed for five sessions at 1-week intervals (week 0~4). IAA was treated with 15 minute occlusion, and green light was given for 15 minutes. Clinical efficacy was determined by evaluating acne lesion counts, severity grading, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) at week 0, 2, 4, and 5. Sebum secretion and erythema index was measured by Sebumeter and Mexameter, respectively, at baseline and one week after each treatment session (week 1~5). Histopathological examination was performed at baseline and week 5. Adverse effects were recorded throughout the study. RESULTS: All the patients completed the study. Numbers of both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions were significantly decreased. Acne severity grade and the DLQI showed significant reduction. Sebum secretion and erythema were also reduced. Histopathological examination showed a reduction in inflammatory reactions. No adverse effects were observed except for transient pruritus in one patient. CONCLUSION: PDT using IAA and green light was an effective, simple and safe treatment for acne.
Acne Vulgaris ; Aminolevulinic Acid ; Dermatology ; Erythema ; Humans ; Indoleacetic Acids ; Light ; Photochemotherapy ; Pruritus ; Quality of Life ; Sebum ; Triazenes

With increasing number of high-risk, advanced atherosclerotic patients, crossover femoro-femoral bypass (FFB) became commonly chosen extra-anatomic bypass for symptomatic iliac artery occlusive disease. But the causes FFB graft failure have not been clarified yet. PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the natural course of native artery disease, the causes of graft occlusion and recurrent leg ischemia after FFBs. METHOD: Among 162 primary FFBs for atherosclerotic iliac occlusive disease, 45 patients who underwent follow-up arteriography for recurrent ischemic symptom were enrolled. We investigated the interval changes between initial preoperative and follow-up angiograms and categorized them as inflow, outflow and/or graft lesions. The significant changes between 2 angiograms was arbitrarily defined as progression of lesion into stenosis >50% or occlusion. And the patients were divided into 2 groups as patent FFB group and occluded FFB group. We compared interval changes on angiograms between patient and occluded FFB groups to find out any difference and tried to determine the ultimate causes of recurrent leg ischemia considering not only the interval changes but the preexisting, untreated leg arterial lesions. RESULT: The follow-up angiography was most commonly performed within 1 year after FFB with mean interval of 21.2 +/- 21.6 months. Interval changes between 2 angiograms were 24 (53.3%) FFB grafts occlusion, 8 (17.8%) inflow iliac disease progression, and 26 (57.8%) ouflow arterial occlusion. Comparing the interval changes between patent and occluded FFB groups, the significantly higher frequency of outflow occlusion was noted in occluded FFB group (75% vs 38.1%, P=0.012). The most common finding on follow-up angiongram responsible for the recurrent ischemia was also outflow arterial occlusion even in patent FFB group. CONCLUSION: The most common cause of graft occlusion and recurrent leg ischemia was outflow arterial occlusion after FFB.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Disease Progression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Ischemia* ; Leg* ; Transplants*

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) has been developed to analyze the metabolites of arachidonic acid based on the specificities of ultraviolet absorption of these various metabolites and is sensitive to the nanogram level. This procedure makes it possible to extract complex mixtures of eicosanoids efficiently with a single step and to analyze them simultaneously by RP-HPLC from biological samples using octadesylsilyl silica extraction column and PGB2 as an internal standard. The cyclooxygenase, products (prostaglandin (PG)D2, PGE1, PGE2, PGF1alpha, PGF2alpha, 6-keto-PGF1alpha, and thromboxane B2 (TXB2)) and lipid peroxidation product, isoprostanes, of arachidonic acid were monitored by one isocratic HPLC system at 195 nm wavelength. The lipoxygenase products (leukotriene(LT)B4, LTC4, LTD4, and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), 12-HETE, 15-HETE) were measured by another isocratic HPLC system at 280 nm for LTs and 235 nm for HETEs. This method provides a simple and reliable way to extract and assess quantitatively the final arachidonic acid metabolites.
12-Hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic Acid ; Absorption ; Alprostadil ; Arachidonic Acid* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Complex Mixtures ; Dinoprost ; Dinoprostone ; Eicosanoids ; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids ; Isoprostanes ; Leukotriene C4 ; Leukotriene D4 ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Lipoxygenase ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Silicon Dioxide ; Solid Phase Extraction* ; Thromboxane B2

Multiple congenital melanocytic nevi (MCMN), defined as the distribution of more than three small- or medium- sized congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) on the body without a giant CMN, is a rare disease comprising about 4% of patients with CMN. Because MCMN accompanies neurodevelopmental delay, including seizures in 25% of patients as well as the risk of malignant melanoma, it must be carefully followed-up. We report a case of MCMN with developmental delay in a 19-month-old Korean boy. He had a history of febrile seizure when he was 18 months old. He showed a speech delay after the 1-year-follow up, even though there was no evidence of neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM) on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the first visit. As MRI has a low sensitivity for detecting NCM in patients with MCMN older than 4-months, close neurodevelopmental assessments should be considered to provide a chance for early rehabilitation.
Brain ; Humans ; Infant ; Language Development Disorders ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Melanoma ; Melanosis ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Rare Diseases ; Seizures ; Seizures, Febrile

BACKGROUND: Formaldehyde (FA) and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are considered among the main causes of atopic aggravation. Their main sources include wallpapers, paints, adhesives, and flooring materials. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of environmentally friendly wallpaper and flooring material on indoor air quality and atopic dermatitis severity. METHODS: Thirty patients with atopic dermatitis were enrolled in this study. To improve air quality, the wallpaper and flooring in the homes of the subjects were replaced with plant- or silica-based materials. The indoor air concentration of FA and the total VOCs (TVOCs) were measured before remodeling and 2, 6, and 10 weeks thereafter. Pruritus and the severity of atopic eczema were evaluated by using a questionnaire and the eczema area and severity index (EASI) score before and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after remodeling. The subjects were instructed to continue their therapy for atopic dermatitis. RESULTS: The houses of 24 subjects were remodeled; all subjects completed the study. The concentration of FA in ambient air significantly decreased within 2 weeks after remodeling. The TVOC level showed a decrease at week 2 but increased again at weeks 6 and 10. The reduction of pruritus and EASI score was statistically significant in patients whose baseline EASI score was >3. CONCLUSION: Replacing the wallpaper and flooring of houses with environmentally friendly material reduced FA in ambient air and improved pruritus and the severity of atopic eczema. The improvement of pruritus and eczema was statistically significant in patients whose baseline EASI score was >3.
Adhesives ; Air Pollution, Indoor* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eczema ; Formaldehyde ; Housing ; Humans ; Paint ; Pilot Projects* ; Pruritus ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Molar* ; Tooth*

Because most of modern peoples are busy with many their task according to specialization and complexity of society, it is impportant to determine optimal and comfortable time of colonoscopy. So this study was designed to compare efficacy of colonic cleansing and patient acceptance according to the time of colonoseopy. Among 140 peoples who underwent colonoscoyy in Busan St. Benedict Hospital between March 1995 to August 1995, two groups of 70 peoples were randomly assigned to undergo colonoscopy either at A.M. or ~P.M. The results were as follows: 1) In view of efficacy rate of colonic cleansing, the group at P.M, was superior to the group at A.M.. 2) In view of patients acceptance and side effects, the group at P.M. showed better acceptance and less side effects than the group at A.M.. In conclusion, this study showed that the colonoscopy at P.M. is better than at A.M., especially when patient is poor systemic condition or low acceptance to colonoscopic cleansing preparation. However, it may be also acceptable undergoing colonoscopy at A.M. if patient condition is good and patient is busy with his task.
Busan ; Colon* ; Colonoscopy* ; Humans ; Prospective Studies*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of proton density magnetic resonance (PD MR) imaging for localization of paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2014 to April 2015, 76 unruptured paraclinoid aneurysms in 66 patients were evaluated using PD MR and angiography (CT/MR angiography or digital subtraction angiography). The locations (extradural, transdural, intradural) in relation to the distal dural ring (DDR) and projection (superior, inferior/posterior, medial, lateral) of the aneurysms were assessed and compared. RESULTS: The most common location of paraclinoid aneurysms was extradural (n = 48, 63.2%), followed by intradural (n = 18, 23.7%), and transdural (n = 10, 13.2%). In the medial projection group (n = 49, 64.5%), 31 were extradural (63.3%), 5 were transdural (10.2%), and 13 were intradural (26.5%). In the inferior/posterior projection group (n = 19, 25.0%), there were 14 extradural (73.7%), 4 transdural (21.0%), and 1 intradural (5.3%). In the superior (n = 4, 5.3%)/lateral (n = 4, 5.3%) projection groups, there were 0/3 extradural (0/75.0%), 1/0 transdural (25.0/0%), and 3/1 intradural (75.0/25.0%). CONCLUSION: PD MR showed sufficient contrast difference to distinguish paraclinoid aneurysms from surrounding dural structures.
Aneurysm* ; Angiography ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Protons*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of proton density magnetic resonance (PD MR) imaging for localization of paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2014 to April 2015, 76 unruptured paraclinoid aneurysms in 66 patients were evaluated using PD MR and angiography (CT/MR angiography or digital subtraction angiography). The locations (extradural, transdural, intradural) in relation to the distal dural ring (DDR) and projection (superior, inferior/posterior, medial, lateral) of the aneurysms were assessed and compared. RESULTS: The most common location of paraclinoid aneurysms was extradural (n = 48, 63.2%), followed by intradural (n = 18, 23.7%), and transdural (n = 10, 13.2%). In the medial projection group (n = 49, 64.5%), 31 were extradural (63.3%), 5 were transdural (10.2%), and 13 were intradural (26.5%). In the inferior/posterior projection group (n = 19, 25.0%), there were 14 extradural (73.7%), 4 transdural (21.0%), and 1 intradural (5.3%). In the superior (n = 4, 5.3%)/lateral (n = 4, 5.3%) projection groups, there were 0/3 extradural (0/75.0%), 1/0 transdural (25.0/0%), and 3/1 intradural (75.0/25.0%). CONCLUSION: PD MR showed sufficient contrast difference to distinguish paraclinoid aneurysms from surrounding dural structures.
Aneurysm* ; Angiography ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Protons*

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common acquired symmetrical hypermelanosis that occurs on sun-exposed areas, and it is frequently observed among women. Various treatment modalities have been tried, but none are completely satisfactory. 4-n-butylresorcinol, which is a resorcinol derivative that has an inhibitory effect on both tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-1, was introduced in 1995 and it has received increasing attention as a new hypopigmenting agent. However, the hypopigmenting effect of 4-n-butylresorcinol in human subjects has only been shown in a few studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the hypopigmenting efficacy and safety of 4-n-butylresorcinol 0.1% cream for the treatment of melasma. METHODS: Twenty patients with melasma were enrolled to this randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, split-face comparative study. The patients were instructed to apply 4-n-butylresorcinol 0.1% cream or vehicle to each side of the face twice daily for 8 weeks. Mexameter measurements were performed along with photography at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Adverse events were observed and recorded throughout the study. RESULTS: All the patients completed the study. Mexameter measurements demonstrated that the melanin index of the treated side showed a significant decrease when compared with that of the vehicle-treated side after 4 weeks (p=0.006) and after 8 weeks (p<0.0005). All the adverse reactions were mild and transient. CONCLUSION: 4-n-butylresorcinol 0.1% cream showed rapid efficacy and it was well tolerated when used for the treatment of melasma.
Female ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Melanins ; Melanosis ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Oxidoreductases ; Photography ; Resorcinols