BACKGROUND: The fibrous proteins of extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by dermal fibroblast contributes to the maintenance of connective tissue integrity. OBJECTIVE: This study is carried out to identify the bioactive ingredient from natural products that enhances ECM production in dermal fibroblasts. METHODS: Bioassay-directed fractionation was used to isolate the active ingredient from natural extracts. The effects of rasatiol (isolated from Raphanus sativus) on ECM production in primary cultured human dermal fibroblasts was investigated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and western blot analysis. RESULTS: Rasatiol accelerated fibroblast growth in a dose-dependent manner and increased the production of type 1 collagen, fibronectin and elastin. Phosphorylation of p42/44 extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and Akt was remarkably increased by rasatiol, indicating that enhanced ECM production is linked to the activation of intracellular signaling cascades. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that rasatiol stimulates the fibrous components of ECM production, and may be applied to the maintenance of skin texture.
Biological Agents ; Blotting, Western ; Collagen Type I ; Connective Tissue ; Elastin ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; Fibronectins ; Humans ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases ; Raphanus ; Scleroproteins ; Skin

BACKGROUND: The fibrous proteins of extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by dermal fibroblast contributes to the maintenance of connective tissue integrity. OBJECTIVE: This study is carried out to identify the bioactive ingredient from natural products that enhances ECM production in dermal fibroblasts. METHODS: Bioassay-directed fractionation was used to isolate the active ingredient from natural extracts. The effects of rasatiol (isolated from Raphanus sativus) on ECM production in primary cultured human dermal fibroblasts was investigated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and western blot analysis. RESULTS: Rasatiol accelerated fibroblast growth in a dose-dependent manner and increased the production of type 1 collagen, fibronectin and elastin. Phosphorylation of p42/44 extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and Akt was remarkably increased by rasatiol, indicating that enhanced ECM production is linked to the activation of intracellular signaling cascades. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that rasatiol stimulates the fibrous components of ECM production, and may be applied to the maintenance of skin texture.
Biological Agents ; Blotting, Western ; Collagen Type I ; Connective Tissue ; Elastin ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; Fibronectins ; Humans ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases ; Raphanus ; Scleroproteins ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Fibroblasts produce many components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and so they contribute to the maintenance of connective tissue integrity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of velvet antler extract (VAE) on the ECM production of dermal fibroblasts cultured in vitro. METHODS: Primary cultured human dermal fibroblasts were treated with VAE, and then the ECM production was determined by RT-PCR, ELISA and Western blot analysis. Furthermore, the change of gene expression according to VAE treatment was evaluated by cDNA microarray. RESULTS: VAE accelerated the growth of fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. VAE increased the production of several ECM components, including type 1 collagen, fibronectin and elastin. In line with these results, the phosphorylations of p42/44 ERK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase were markedly increased by VAE, suggesting that the enhancement of ECM production may be linked to the activation of intracellular signaling cascades. VAE also significantly increased cell migration on an in vitro scratch wound test. In cDNA microarray, many genes related with connective tissue integrity were identified to be up-regulated by VAE. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that VAE has a potential to stimulate ECM production, and VAE may be applicable for maintaining the skin's texture.
Animals ; Antlers ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Movement ; Collagen Type I ; Connective Tissue ; Elastin ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; Fibronectins ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinases

During a search for keratinocyte differentiation-related genes, we obtained a cDNA fragment from the 5'-untranslated region of a previously identified splicing variant of desmoglein 3 (Dg3). This transcript encodes a protein of 282 amino acids, which corresponds to the N-terminal truncated intracellular domain of Dg3 (Delta NDg3). Northern blot analysis detected a 4.6-kb transcript matching the predicted size of Delta NDg3 mRNA, and Western blot analysis with an antibody raised against the Dg3 C-terminus (H-145) detected a 31-kDa protein. Increased Delta NDg3 expression was observed in differentiating keratinocytes by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, suggesting that Delta NDg3 is indeed a differentiation-related gene product. In immunohistochemical studies of normal and pathologic tissues, H-145 antibody detected the protein in the cytoplasm of suprabasal layer cells, whereas an antibody directed against the N-terminal region of Dg3 (AF1720) reacted with a membrane protein in the basal layer. In addition, Delta NDg3 transcript and protein were upregulated in psoriatic epidermis, and protein expression appeared to increase in epidermal tumors including Bowen's disease and squamous cell carcinoma. Moreover, overexpression of Delta NDg3 led to increased migration and weakening of cell adhesion. These results suggest that Delta NDg3 have a role in keratinocyte differentiation, and that may be related with tumorigenesis of epithelial origin.
Cell Adhesion ; *Cell Differentiation ; Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Desmoglein 3/*genetics/*metabolism ; Epidermis/cytology ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Keratinocytes/*cytology ; Skin Diseases/genetics/metabolism ; gamma Catenin/metabolism

We report a case of accidental intrathecal administration of Nucomyt(R)(acetylcysteine), a mucolytic agent used for intratracheal instillation. A 21-year-old healthy female with a complete syndactyly at the 4th and 5th toes was scheduled for a web release under spinal anesthesia. Immediately after accidental intrathecal administration of Nucomyt(R)2.4 ml instead of bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia, tonic extension developed at first in the lower extremities and then the upper extremities, too. Thiopental sodium 200 mg was injected intravenously twice. Endotracheal general anesthesia with N2O- enflurane-vecuronium was maintained for the operation for about two hours. For about 1 hour after emergence of general anesthesia, tonic extension intermittently developed in the lower extremities and was controlled with midazolam. Mild elevated blood pressure, tachycardia, tachypnea, high fever (up to 38.5degrees C) and respiratory acidosis occurred. Thirty minutes later, she became mentally clear with a normal neurologic examination. No delayed sequelae were detectable at a follow-up visit 1 month and 1 year after surgery.
Acetylcysteine* ; Acidosis, Respiratory ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Blood Pressure ; Bupivacaine ; Female ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Midazolam ; Neurologic Examination ; Syndactyly ; Tachycardia ; Tachypnea ; Thiopental ; Toes ; Upper Extremity ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Clinical features of malignant melanoma (MM) are known to be different according to racial and environmental factors. Recently, there have been reports of an increase of MM. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the incidence of tumors, age and sex distribution, tumor sites, and histopathological patterns. METHODS: Clinical records were reviewed for 35 cases of MM with a histologically confirmed diagnosis for patients who visited the Department of Dermatology, Chungnam National University Hospital during the 20 years from 1980 to 1999. Histopathologic and clinical characteristics were also reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 35 malignant melanoma cases diagnosed at Chungnam National University Hospital during the past 20 years from 1980 to 1999 were included for the clinico-histopathologic study. The ratio of man to woman with MM was 1 : 1.33 with a mean age of 55 years. Acral lentigenous melanoma was the most common clinico-histopathologic pattern. CONCLUSION: The incidence of MM has increased during the past 20 years. The common site, and histopathologic patterns show a significant difference from Caucasians.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Dermatology ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Melanoma* ; Sex Distribution

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of positive pressure ventilation (PPV) with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA), compared with an endotracheal tube (ETT) during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Sixty six, ASA I II adults scheduled for an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly assigned to LMA or ETT. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl 2ng/kg, lidocaine 0.5 mg/kg and propofol 2 mg/kg and maintained with a continuous infusion of propofol 6 - 12 mg/kg/h in 67% N2O, atracurium and fentanyl. An ETT or LMA was placed with atracurium 0.5 mg/kg. Respiratory and hemodynamic parameters were measured before and after intraabdominal CO2 insufflation. The surgeon assessed the degree of change in gastric distension under laparoscope. RESULTS: Oxygen saturation, end-tidal CO2, peak inspiratory pressure, expiratory tidal volume and compliance of the respiratory system didn't differ between both groups. Blood pressure and heart rate were lower in the LMA group than in the ETT group only at 5 min after induction (P < 0.05). The maintenance dose of propofol, fentanyl and atracurium were similar in both groups. Degree of change in gastric distension were similar in both groups. The LMA resulted in less coughing after removal than did the ETT (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PPV with LMA permits adequate pulmonary ventilation and hemodynamic stability during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Gastric distension occurs with similar frequency in LMA or ETT.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Atracurium ; Blood Pressure ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Compliance ; Cough ; Fentanyl ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Insufflation ; Laparoscopes ; Laryngeal Masks* ; Lidocaine ; Oxygen ; Positive-Pressure Respiration* ; Propofol ; Pulmonary Ventilation ; Respiratory System ; Tidal Volume

BACKGROUND: Granuloma annulare is a chronic inflammatory condition of unknown cause. There are only two clinicopathologic studies in Korea. OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to investigate the clinicopathologic findings of granuloma annulare and literature review. METHODS: Twenty two biopsy-proved cases of granuloma annulare were reviewed. We examined their clinical and pathological findings. RESULTS: The incidence showed a peak under 20 years old(59.1%) and females affected twice as much as males. Average onset years was 21.5 years old and mean disease duration was 20 months. The lesions were located almost in dermis(77.2%) and interstitial infiltration type was most common. CONCLUSION:There were no large epidemiologic difference from previously reported studies. Granuloma annulare is not an uncommon disease. It is important to distinguish granuloma annulare from many other mucin producing, granuloma forming diseases.
Female ; Granuloma Annulare* ; Granuloma* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Mucins

Transscleral diode laser retinopexy and cryoretinopexy were performed in pigmented rabbits, and light and electron microscopic, and immunohistochemical studies were done. Acute lesions produced by cryoretinopexy showed significant retinal destruction and, in contrast, those produced by transscleral diode laser showed reaction limited to the outer retina and choroid. Chronic lesions by cryoretinopexy showed marked retinal thinning and chorioretinal adhesions. Pigment-laden cells were aggregated at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium, with some having migrated into the sensory retina. The laser lesions showed similar findings but less in size and severity. Acute lesions showed absence of reactivity with all antibodies. While marked expressions of GFAP, vimentin, and S-100 epitopes were seen in chorioretinal scar tissues made with cryoretinopexy, expressions with less intensity were seen with diode retinopexy. Migrating pigment-laden cells were labelled positive for cytokeratins and few cells were positive for anti-macrophage antibody. These results suggest that although transscleral diode laser induce less inner retinal destruction and more localized burns than cryoretinopexy, both forms of treatment produce similar deep retinal Muller cell reaction, as demonstrated by the immunohistochemical studies.
Antibodies ; Burns ; Choroid ; Cicatrix ; Epitopes ; Keratins ; Lasers, Semiconductor* ; Rabbits ; Retina ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; Retinaldehyde ; Vimentin

Epidermal nevus syndrome is defined as the association of epidermal nevi with abnormalities of the other organ systems, and is regarded as one of the neurocutaneous syndromes. However, till now, epiderrnal nevus syndromi has not been reported with either Morning glory syndrome or intestinal pseudoobstruction. We experienced a case of a 7-year old rnale who had had multiple epidermal nevi on the scalp and forehead and solitary larg cafeau lait spot on his chest since birth. He had histories of failure to thrive and mental retardation, but no seizures. He also had histories of frequent diarrhea and abdominal distension. Physical examination showed abnormalities of the skin, teeth, and Morning glory syndrome of both oplic discs. Colon study, small bowel series and biopsy showed intestinal pseudoobstruction. Skeletal survey revealed a difference between the left upper extremity and the right one.
Biopsy ; Child ; Colon ; Diarrhea ; Failure to Thrive ; Forehead ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction* ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; Nevus* ; Parturition ; Physical Examination ; Scalp ; Seizures ; Skin ; Thorax ; Tooth ; Upper Extremity