OBJECTIVE: Interleukin-12 is well known to induce cellular immune response materials and suppress the tumor growth. HPV infection has significant roles in cervical carcinogenesis, and HPV oncoprotein E6 and E7 are important roles in formation and maintenance of cervical cancer. E7 specific immune response was detected in cervical cancer patients, and this shows that E7 protein would be important in potential immunetherapy in cervical cancer. This study is aimed to investigate antitumor effect and E7 immune response by injection of adenovirus IL-12 and E7 in cervical cancer animal model. METHODS: In the cervical cancer animal model using C57BL/6 mice and HPV16 E7 immortalized hosts, 5 X 10(8) pfu/100 ul of PBS, AdLacZ, AdE7 and AdIL-12 were injected into the tumor mass when the tumor sized is increased to 7-8 mm. After the injection, the tumor size was caliperated every 2-3 days, and pathologic and blood studies were done on day 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 12, and 21 days. The expression level of IL-12 and INF- and E7 specific immune response were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: After the injection of AdIL-12 into the tumor mass, 45% of tumor growth suppression was noted in comparison with control group. In the cases of combination injections of AdIL-12 and AdE7, 80% growth suppression was observed, and complete regression was shown in 40% of the study group. After injection of AdIL-12, the expression of IL-12 in the tumor mass was 9 time higher than that of control group, and 6 times higher in blood sample in comparison with control group. In the group with combined AdIL-12 and AdE7, the highest expression of INF- was noted in comparison with single injection of AdIL-12 or control group. IgGI and IgG2b isotype expression level increased 2.5 times and 2.2 times respectively 3 weeks after adenovirus injection. CONCLUSION: In cervical cancer animal model, IL-12 and E7 application using Adenovirus vector is significant antitumor effect and this demonstrates the potential immunotherapy in near future.
Adenoviridae ; Animals ; Carcinogenesis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunotherapy ; Interleukin-12* ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Vaccination*

No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Histamine* ; Humans ; Interleukin-12*

Lichen planus is a common, usually intensely pruritic papulosquamous dermatosis with unknown etiology, which may involve the skin, mucous membranes, hair follicles, and nails. Its lesions are usually a localized form but generalized ones are an unusual presentation of lichen planus. We report herein three cases of generalized lichen planus in one male and two female patients, which was diagnosed on clinical and histopathological examinations in all cases.
Female ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Lichen Planus* ; Lichens* ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Skin ; Skin Diseases

Progressive zosteriform macular pigmented lesion(PZMPL) is a chronic pigmentary dermatosis similar to progressive cribriform and zosteriform hyperpigmentation(PCZH). This dermatosis described by Simoes in 1980 is characterized by a uniformly tanned macular pigmented lesion in a zosteriform distribution preceded by multiple pruritic macular pigmentation in a part of the dermatome for a period. PZMPL is not a fully understood disease entity but it is thought to be a variant of PCZH. It is differentiated from PCZH by accompanying pruritus as a prodromal symptom, a characteristic clinical course, and histological findings such as pigmentary incontinence. We report herein a case of PZMPL in a 17 year-old girl with the pigmentary skin lesion extending from the left forearm to the left chest along the Blaschkos line. The histological findings revealed increased melanin pigments in the basal layer and focal pigmentary incontinence in the upper dermis. To our knowledge, this case is the first report of PZMPL in korea thought to be the same case reported by Simoes.
Adolescent ; Dermis ; Female ; Forearm ; Humans ; Korea ; Melanins ; Pigmentation ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Thorax ; Triacetoneamine-N-Oxyl

BACKGROUND: The stratom corneum lipids, responsible for the epidermal water bar rier, consist mainly of ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids. However, little has been studied about the effects of non-polar, polar and mixed organic solvents on the changes of the stratum corneum lipids bilayer. OBJECTIVE: We designed this study in order to investigate the effect of non-polar, polar and mixed organic solvents on the lipids bilayer in hairless mice. METHODS: Twenty four hairless mice were evenly divided into 4 groups; a control group, chloroform treated group, methanol treated group and mixed solvent(chloroform/methanol(2:1) ) treated gr oup. The changes in transepidermal water loss, as measured with an evaporimeter, were recorded after topical application of either chloroform, methanol or mixed solvents at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours respectiveh. For electron microscopy, the skin samples taken from the mice of ea.:h group were t.rented with osmium tetroxide and ruthenium tetroxide after the treatment with each solvent. RESULTS: The results were as follows ; 1. From 0 to 24 hours after treatment with each solvent transepidermal water loss was significantly increased in the chloroform and the mixed solvent[chloroform/methanol(2:1)] treated groups, compared to the methanol treated group and control group(P<0.001). 2. 48 hours after treatment with each solvent, the differences in the values of transepidermal water loss in all groups were insignificant. 3. On electronmicroscopic examination, separation of intercellular lipid bilayers and a decrease in the numher of lamellar bodies were more severe in the chloroform treated and mixed solvent (chloroform/methanol(2:1)] treated groups than in the methanol treated group. Application of non-polar organic solvents, especially mixed solvents[chloroform/methanol(2:1)] resulted in an increase in transepidermal water loss and greater structural changes than with polar organic solvents. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that non-polar lipids may play a more important role in the protection of water vaporization of the stratum corneum lipids barrier than polar lipids.
Animals ; Ceramides ; Chloroform ; Cholesterol ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; Lipid Bilayers ; Methanol ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless* ; Microscopy, Electron ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Ruthenium ; Skin* ; Solvents* ; Steam

No abstract available.
Skin* ; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate* ; Sodium*

BACKGROUND: The patcl test is widely used for diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis. However, it is sometimes difficiilt or even impossihle to differentiate between allergic and irritant reactions in patch test readings. The achievernent of valid results from the patch test require intelligent and careful patch testing and physirians with skills and experiences. OBJECTIVE: The purpos of this study was to assess the frequency, age and sex distr ibution, and the seasonal variatioii of irritant. and lost reactions in standard patch tests. METHODS: Patch test records of day 2 and day 4 were reviewed and analysed. Frequency of inritant and lost reactions were analysed by allergen, age, sex and season. RESULTS: A total 212 c ses of standard patch test records(male 69, female 143) were analysed. The results were as follovs ; 1. The over all frequency of lost reactions in the standard patch test were 33.5 percents and that of irritant reactions were 8.0 percents. 2. The frequency of lost reactions was lower in the age groups under twenty(7.7%) than in the older age groups(35.5%). However, there was no significant difference between the age groups over the third dec ide. 3. The seasonal variation was evident in lost reactions. The order of frequency was summer(45.0% ), winter(33.7% ), spring and fall(2l.1% ). 4. The order of frequency of lost reactions in the stclndard patch allergen was captan(5.7%), potassium dichromate(5.2%), cobalt chloride(4.7%), mercury amrnoniurn chloride(3.8%) c3lld wool alcohol(3.8%). CONCLUSION: Our result, show a relatively high frequency of lost and irritant. reaction in the standird patch test, and uggest second readings in the patch test would he of value.
Cobalt ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Patch Tests* ; Potassium ; Reading ; Seasons ; Wool

Results from two in vitro assays, Pharmacia CAP system(CAP) and fluoroallergosorbent test(FAST), for detecting serum specific IgE to three allergens, mugwort, Derraatophagoides pteronyssinus, and eat epithelium, were compared with skin prick test(SPT) results in 53 atopie dermatitis patients with positive SPT and 25 non-atopic controls. Using SPT results as the reference standards, CAP achieved higher sensitivity than FAST in determination of three allergens. CAP for measuring total IgE and eosinophil cationic protein(ECP) was also compared with FAST and ECP radioimmunoassay(RIA), respectively. In comparison of two assays for total serum IgE, the values obtained with CAP were significantly higher than those with FAST. In comparison of CAP and RIA for measuring ECP, the values obrained with CAP were significantly higher than those with RIA and the differences between ECP values of two assays were significant in high ECP group(>8.3 micro gram/1). These results suggest that CAP is the preferred test and seems to be more appropriate method for detection of specific IgE and ECP in patients with allergic digeases.
Allergens ; Artemisia ; Dermatitis ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein* ; Eosinophils* ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Radioimmunoassay* ; Skin

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare, recurrent, painful and ulcerative skin disorder of unknown etiology, but is commonly associated with a variety of underlying systemic diseases of ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, monoclonal gammopathies, Crohns disease, chronic active hepatitis and some hematologic diseases such as leukemia, thrombocythemia, dysglobulinemia and myeloma. We describe a 50 year-old woman who had pyoderma gangrenosum associated with idiopathic myelofibrosis. The findings of a bone marrow biopsy revealed proliferation of fibroblasts and a dense reticulin network, which were consistent with myelofibrosis. Steroid therapy resulted in a good response temporarily but, she died within a year after diagnosis. To our knowledge, our present case associated with idiopathic myelofibrosis is the first reported case in the Korean literature.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Crohn Disease ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Hematologic Diseases ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Middle Aged ; Paraproteinemias ; Primary Myelofibrosis* ; Pyoderma Gangrenosum* ; Pyoderma* ; Reticulin ; Skin ; Thrombocytosis ; Ulcer

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is an uncommon disorder characterized by firm b-cutaneous plaques and nodules usually appearing shortly after birth. It runs a relatively be, n course and may completely resolve in a few months without any recurrence. We report a case of subcutaneous fat necrosis in a 15 day-old male suffering from severe p inatal asphyxia and hypoxic cardiomyopathy, who presented with indurated subcutane s nodules and plaques on the both shoulders and the back. Histologically the subcutaneous fat showed focal necrosis with needle-shaped clefts, lymphohistiocytic infiltration and foreign body reactions consistent with subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn. In our patient, compromised cardiac output due to cardiomyopathy might have aggravated hypoxic condition and it could be speculated that cardiomyopathy-induced systemic hypoxia gave rise to hypothermia of the skin as a result of peripheral vasoconstriction. This report presents a causal relationship of cardiomyopathy and subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn.
Anoxia ; Asphyxia ; Cardiac Output ; Cardiomyopathies* ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Hypothermia ; Infant, Newborn* ; Male ; Necrosis* ; Parturition ; Recurrence ; Shoulder ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Fat* ; Vasoconstriction