Normal C3WHeN strain mice exposed to topical 8inethoxypsomlen plus long wave ultraviolet (PUVA) showed a reduction in contact hypersensitivity, (CH) which was localized to the skin in the area of PUVA treatment (local suppression), whereas systemic PUVA treatment caused diffuse suppression of CH reaction, regardless of the application site of 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene (DNFB). There seem to be two different mechanisms responsible for CH reduction by PUVA. Local suppression by topical PUVA treatment was thought to be a result of blocking the afferent phase of immune response, it was associated with a lack of CH effector cells in the peripheral lymph nodes and could not be reversed by indomethacin treatment. Diffuse suppression induced by systemic PUVA treatment seemed to be associated with blocking of egress of effector cells from the regional lymph nodes, this depressed CH response was prevented when indomethacin was administered before PUVA treatment.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Contact* ; Indomethacin ; Lymph Nodes ; Mice ; Skin

An important aspect of plastic surgery is skin flap survival. Among the prostaglandins, PGE4 is used clinically to improve peripheral circulatory disturbances due to its action of augmenting blood flow by vascular smooth muscle relaxation and its strong inhibitory action of platelet aggregation. Clinically, many investigators found that the effect of PGE4 was prolonged for a long period even after short-term application. So a new hypothesis emerges that the prolonged effect of PGE4 may be due to neovascularization and not due to vasodilatation alone. This study was designed to clarify the mechanism of the prolonged effect of topical PGE4 with regard to angiogenesis. A total of 9 male hairless mice were treated with a topical application of PGE4 onitment (PGE4 powder mixed in hydrogen base) on the experimental side and only a hydrogen base on the contralateral control side of the back skin, respectively, for 7 days, once a day. Then they were divided into 3 groups. In group 1, specimens were obtained on the 7th day post-treatment using 3 mm size punch biopsy from both sides. In group 2, specimens were obtained on post-treatment 14th day. In group 3, specimens were obtained on post-treatment 28th day. The number of blood vessels were compared between the experimental side and control side with respect to neovascularization after PGE4 application using an image-analysis program under hemtoxyline-eosin stain. Treatment on the experimental side did not affect its contralateral mate, since there was no evidence of a systemic effect. From our experimental data, we could conclude that PGE4 may induce angiogenesis by topical application without systemic effect.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Blood Vessels ; Humans ; Hydrogen ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Platelet Aggregation ; Prostaglandins ; Relaxation ; Research Personnel ; Skin ; Surgery, Plastic ; Vasodilation

Responses of mouse lymphocytes to the soybean paste fermented by Korean traditional fashion was examined to clarify its effects in cytokine production in vitro. A fraction of the soybean paste (KFSP-100) was prepared by precipitation with ammonium sulfate and by filtration through ultrafiltration membrane. KFSP-100 were added into cultures of fresh mouse splenic cells in vitro. KFSP-100 significantly enhanced the amount of IL-6 and TNF-a produced by macrophages and IL-6 and IFN-r produced by lymphocytes. Production of IL-12 by macrophages was not much affected by KFSP-100 treatments. The most noticeable finding was the fact that lymphocytes treated with KFSP-100 proliferated to an exceeding numbers (more than 10 times to the control) in 72 hours. The KFSP-100-induced proliferative response was specific to B cells since almost all of the KFSP-100-induced cells in the cultures of splenic cells were B cells. Furthermore, such a proliferative responses were equally observed only in cultures of purified B cells but not in cultures of T cells. In thermostability test, the biologically active components of the KFSP-100 is assumed to be either linear protein or glycoprotein. KFSP-100 did not induce agglutination of lymphocytes demonstrated by lectins in the same cells. These observations suggest that KFSP-100 may be a novel mitogen for B lymphocytes. The component (s) responsible for the B cell proliferation in KFSP-100 might be a factor gained by natural fermentation. None of the fractions of not fermented soybean paste prepared by the same methods demonstrate the same effect.
Agglutination ; Ammonium Sulfate ; Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Proliferation ; Fermentation ; Filtration ; Glycoproteins ; Immunologic Factors* ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lectins ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages ; Membranes ; Mice ; Soybeans* ; T-Lymphocytes ; Ultrafiltration

We treated the persistent ruminative vomiting of a 13-year-old autistic boy by using a behavioral and psychopharmacological approach in a closed ward. Before the interventions, the patient had lost about 10kg of body weight due to very high-frequency ruminative vomiting. Together with psychopharmacological trials, the psychiatric treatment included a combination of a behavioral approach and food regulation that emphasized food restrictions, and we provided regular light meals. There was a considerable reduction of the ruminative vomiting and 2kg weight gain was achieved during the admission. These therapeutic gains were maintained at the 4-month follow-up assessment and the vomiting symptom reached a near-zero level and the weight loss were recovered by about 8kg. The issues related to the treatment approaches for ruminative vomiting with autism are discussed.
Adolescent ; Autistic Disorder ; Body Weight ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Light ; Meals ; Vomiting ; Weight Gain ; Weight Loss

No abstract available.
Aged* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Down Syndrome* ; Heart Defects, Congenital*

Since 1949, lithium has been widely used for treatment of manic depressive disorder. It has also been used for agranulocytosis after anticaneer chemotherapy and partially for hyperthyroidism. But it is well known that the long term administration of this drug is associated wih various antithyroid effects such as hypothyroidism, simple goiter, nodules and even thyrotoxicosis. Although the exact mechanism for leading hypothyroidism or goiter is still unknown, the incidence of lithium-induced hypothyroidism is 1-37% during lithium atment. We had an experience of newly developing goiter with or without hypothyroidism during lithium treatment in 4 MDP patients. Among our patients, the duration of lithium administration was from 0.7 months to 11 years, and the development of thyroid abnormality was impossible to predict. They were treated with thyroxine while lithium was discontinued causing favorable outcome. We suggest that routine thyroid function test include thyroid autoimmune antibody screening in patients planning to undergo lithium treatment.
Agranulocytosis ; Antithyroid Agents ; Depressive Disorder ; Drug Therapy ; Goiter* ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Hypothyroidism ; Incidence ; Lithium Carbonate* ; Lithium* ; Mass Screening ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotoxicosis ; Thyroxine

Down syndrome is perhaps the most common genetic condition associated with mental retardation. In cytogenetic examination, trisomy 21 is in 95% of Down syndrome, and the others are mosaicism, translocation or deletion. There are many associated diseases with Down syndrome such as, thyroid function abnormality, congenital heart disease, intestinal blockage, and so on. Hypothyroidism appeared in 15% before adolescent in Down syndrome patients. In Korea, there were several reports of Down syndrome with hypothyroidism in childhood but not in adulthood. And we had three cases of hypothyroidism with Down syndrome in adulthood. Cytogenetic examination revealed trisomy 21 in the 2 cases and 1 case of mosaicism. Antithyroid antibody was positive in one case. None of these cases was admitted due to symptoms of hypothyroidism. It is very difficult to make the diagnosis of hypothyroidism in Down syndrome because of similarity in symptoms between Down syndrome and hypothyroidism. Thus, periodic thyroid function test should be made in Down syndrome, and this could be a part of improving quality of life in Down syndrome.
Adolescent ; Adult* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Cytogenetics ; Diagnosis ; Down Syndrome* ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism* ; Intellectual Disability ; Korea ; Mosaicism ; Quality of Life ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland

No abstract available.
Athletes* ; Forearm* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy* ; Metabolism* ; Phosphorus*

In the present study, we have tried to isolate and identify herpes simplex virus type 2(HSV 2) from clinical specirnens, which were inoculated into Vero cell line and grown. Eight strains of viruses were isolated from 20 suspected cases diagnosed from the pr ivate clinics in Seoul. Viruses isolated from 4 rnale and 1 female cases with active lesion were identified to the HSV 2 by indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibody to HSV-2. In addition, morphology of the isolated viruses were observed under electron microscope.
Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Herpes Simplex* ; Herpesvirus 2, Human* ; Humans ; Seoul ; Simplexvirus* ; Vero Cells