BACKGROUND: This study was to investigate the effect of biomechanical stimulation on osteoblast differentiation of human periosteal-derived stem cell using the newly developed bioreactor. METHODS: Human periosteal-derived stem cells were harvested from the mandible during the extraction of an impacted third molar. Using the new bioreactor, 4% cyclic equibiaxial tension force (0.5 Hz) was applied for 2 and 8 h on the stem cells and cultured for 3, 7, and 14 days on the osteogenic medium. Biochemical changes of the osteoblasts after the biomechanical stimulation were investigated. No treatment group was referred to as control group. RESULTS: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and ALP messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level were higher in the strain group than those in the control group. The osteocalcin and osteonectin mRNA expressions were higher in the strain group compared to those in the control group on days 7 and 14. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression was higher in the strain group in comparison to that in the control group. Concentration of alizarin red S corresponding to calcium content was higher in the strain group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that cyclic tension force could influence the osteoblast differentiation of periosteal-derived stem cells under optimal stimulation condition and the force could be applicable for tissue engineering.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bioreactors ; Calcium ; Humans* ; Jaw* ; Mandible ; Molar, Third ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteocalcin ; Osteonectin ; RNA, Messenger ; Stem Cells* ; Tissue Engineering ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Inducing Factor ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Death ; Cell Survival ; Cyclin A ; Cyclin D1 ; Cyclin E ; Cyclins ; Cytochromes c ; Cytosol ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Integrin alpha2 ; Lung ; Mitochondria ; Nanoparticles ; Phosphotransferases ; Plasma ; Proteins ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; S Phase

OBJECT: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of fungal infection and ulcer on the feet of diabetic patients and the existence of correlation between ulcer and fungal infection. METHODS: A total of 21, 693 outpatients diagnosed as diabetes mellitus at the department of endocrinology of 32 hospitals were examined. The diabetic patients with foot problems were consulted to the department of dermatology. Physical examination and KOH preparation were performed. RESULTS: 13, 271 patients had certain kinds of foot problem, accounting for 61.2% of 21, 693 diabetics examined. Of these, fungal foot disease were found in 10, 403 that constituted 78.4% (48.0% of the entire diabetic population). Tinea pedis was the diagnosis in 6, 496 (29.9%), onychomycosis in 7, 783 (35.9%), and coexistence was in 3, 883 (17.9%). Foot deformity was in 1, 346 (6.2% of diabetics; 10.1% of foot disease), non-palpable pulse in 1, 051 (4.8% ; 7.9%), and foot ulcer was in 425 (2.0% ; 3.2%), following in a descending order of frequency. Odds ratios for diabetic foot ulcer were 2.5 in patients with the foot deformity, 1.6 with fungal foot disease and 2.2 with non-palpable pulse. Conversely, Odds ratios for fungal foot disease were 2.5 with foot deformity, and 1.6 with foot ulcer. A total of 5, 486 patients paid a visit to the department of dermatology. Of these, 4, 519 patients were diagnosed with fungal infection through physical examination and KOH smear by dermatologists. The population comprised of 2, 272 males and 2, 247 females, showing similar prevalence between sexes. However, age did have positive correlation regarding prevalence of fungal foot disease. The number of diabetic patients with toenail problems was 3, 847 patients (70%) and onychomycosis was proven mycologically in 3, 276. Onychomycosis of distal subungal type was the most common clinical finding, most frequently involving the great toenails. Abnormal skin findings of the foot were seen in 3, 885(70.8%) and tinea pedis was found in 3, 209 (58.5%), most commonly involving the soles. CONCLUSION: This study showed that fungal infection might be regarded as a risk factor of foot ulcer. Treatment of fungal infection in diabetic patients might prevent diabetic foot disease such as ulcer and reduce the disability, morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients.
Dermatology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Foot ; Diagnosis ; Endocrinology ; Female ; Foot Deformities ; Foot Diseases ; Foot Ulcer ; Foot* ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Nails ; Odds Ratio ; Onychomycosis ; Outpatients ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors ; Skin ; Tinea Pedis ; Ulcer*

BACKGROUND: Shiitake dermatitis has been reported mostly from Japan and characterized by distinctive pattern of itchy skin eruption after the ingestion of raw shiitake mushrooms. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical, laboratory and histopathologic profiles about shiitake dermatitis occurring in Korea. METHODS: From 1997 to 2001, we had observed 58 patients with shiitake dermatitis and investigated clinical, laboratory and histopathologic aspects. RESULT: Most patients with shiitake dermatitis presented with a very strong itching sensation, which was accompanied with linearly grouped or disseminated small erythematous papules. 53 patients(91%) had noticed their skin eruption within 3 days after eating shiitake mushrooms. The involved sites were trunk, extremities, neck and face in decreasing order of frequency. Laboratory and histopathologic findings were nonspecific. In 33 patients(57%), the eruption occurred after eating boiled or panbroiled shiitake mushrooms. CONCLUSION: In this study, clinical, laboratory and histopathologic findings of shiitake dermatitis were almost consistent with the previous reports. But, contrary to the previous reports in Japan, many cases with shiitake dermatitis occurred on eating sufficiently boiled or cooked shiitake mushrooms. This may imply another eiologic factor different from thermolabile toxin.
Dermatitis* ; Eating ; Extremities ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea* ; Neck ; Pruritus ; Sensation ; Shiitake Mushrooms ; Skin

Cold urticaria and cholinergic urticaria are considered to be distinct disorders in which mediator release and hives can be induced by different stimuli. Cold urticaria can be induced by cold stimuli, and cholinergic urticaria, characterized by micropapular wheals, by exercise, emotional stimuli, or other stresses that increase the body temperature. While neither cold urticaria nor cholinergic urticaira is rare, it is unusual to see both disorders occurring in the same patient. Also, our case presents atypical urtication to cold exposure, similar to classic cholinergic urticarial lesions, called "cold-induced cholinergic urticaria". We present a 20-year-old man with 4-year history who experienced generalized micropapular wheals induced by cold exposure as well as exercise and hot environment.
Body Temperature ; Humans ; Urticaria* ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Plasma cell cheilitis is an idiopathic, benign, inflammatory mucosal condition characterized by a dense plasma cell infiltrate in the mucosa. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the clinical & histopathologic findings of plasma cell cheilitis and review the literatures. METHODS: A total of 8 patients confirmed as plasma cell cheilitis at the Catholic University Hospital from 1999 to 2001 were retrospectively analyzed with hospital charts and histopathologic slides to determine the clinical manifestations, associated diseases, etiology, course, and prognosis and histopathologic findings. RESULTS: The results are summarized as follows; 1. The male and female ratio was 3: 1. 2. The mean age of patients was 68.5 years. 3. The site of plasma cell cheilitis was the lower lip on all patients. 4. The lesion accompanied erosion or ulcer in 75% of patients and easily bleeding in 50% of patients. 5. There was no specific symptom in 50% of patients and pain accompanied in 37.5% of patients. 6. There were good responses on topically applicated clobetasone propionate. 7. Histopathologic features revealed band-like dense infiltration of plasma cells in the upper dermis and there are no atypical nucleus and mitosis. CONCLUSION: Characteristically, plasma cell cheilitis affects the low lip of an elderly person. The histological features are diagnostic. We suggest that plasma cell cheilitis exists much more than diagnosed and that physicians must pay attention to it.
Aged ; Cheilitis* ; Dermis ; Diethylpropion ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lip ; Male ; Mitosis ; Mucous Membrane ; Plasma Cells* ; Plasma* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulcer

Piebaldism is a rare, autosomal dominant inherited disorder, characterized by inborn hypopigmented skin and hair. It is characterized by stable leukoderma with white forelock and vitiligo like amelanotic macules usually containing hyperpigmented macules at the periphery. As the leukodermic lesions in piebaldism are unresponsive to any form of topical or systemic medical treatment, several methods for autologous transplantation of melanocytes and epidermal transplantation methods have been developed and there are no specific treatment methods for hyperpigmented patch in piebaldism. A 12-year-old female had piebaldism from birth. Suction blister epidermal graft was tried at hypopigmented patches on the posterior aspects of both lower legs and the Q-switched Alexandrite laser was used at the site of the hyperpigmented patches. Combination therapy with suction blister epidermal graft and a Q-switched Alexandrite laser on piebaldism may be effective method.
Autografts ; Blister* ; Child ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State* ; Leg ; Melanocytes ; Parturition ; Piebaldism* ; Skin ; Suction* ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Transplants* ; Vitiligo

BACKGROUND: Metastatic skin cancer may have profound diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic significance. OBJECTIVE: We studied patients with metastatic skin cancer to determine the relative frequencies of metastatic skin cancer according to the type and location of the primary tumor and the site of the cutaneous metastasis. METHODS: We reviewed medical records and histologic materials of 68 patients with metastatic skin cancer in Catholic University Hospital from January 1991 to March 2001. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:Of 61,218 patients with internal malignancy, 68(0.11%) had metastatic skin cancer. The mean age at diagnosis was 64.7 in male and 58.2 in female. Male to female ratio was 1:2.2. Breast carcinoma was by far the most common primary neoplasm resulting in skin involvement and accounted for 31(45.6%) of total cases and 63.8% of the cases in women. The most common clinical presentation is a nodule(26.5%) or multiple nodules(64.7%) although carcinoma erysipelatoides(4.4%) and carcinoma en cuirasse(4.4%) were also seen. Histopathologic examination most frequently revealed adenocarcinoma(70.6%) that was sometimes suggestive of the site of origin.
Breast Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms*

We report a case of linear focal elastosis associated with striae distensae. A 20-year-old man presented with asymptomatic, several, striae-like yellow palpable bands extending horizontally in the lumbar region. Histologic examination revealed many fine wavy and fragmented bundles of elastic fibers in the dermis. Striae distensae were also presented in the buttock, axilla. He had been treated with topical steroids for atopic dermatitis since childhood. This patient can be one more case to support the association between linear focal elastosis and striae distensae.
Axilla ; Buttocks ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermis ; Elastic Tissue ; Humans ; Lumbosacral Region ; Steroids ; Striae Distensae* ; Young Adult

Described originally in young Japanese women, Kikuchi's disease produces a histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis of predominant cervical lymph nodes. Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, Kikuchi's disease, is a condition rarely associated with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). We present a 34-year-old woman with tender multiple cervical lymphadenopathy of 1-year duration and SLE symptoms. Histologic examination of lymph node shows histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis. She showed high titer of antinuclear antibody, skin lesion with photosensitivity, thrombocytopenia and arthritis. We describe a case of Kikuchi's disease associated with SLE.
Adult ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Arthritis ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis* ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Skin ; Thrombocytopenia