Comparative treatment of giant congenital melanocytic nevi with curettage or Er:YAG laser ablation alone versus with cultured epithelial autografts.

Background: Treatment options for congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) include complete surgical excision, dermabrasion, curettage, and laser therapy. Fresh cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) after curettage or erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) ablation presents a novel option in the management of large-sized or giant CMN.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of CEA after curettage or Er:YAG ablation of CMN and to compare the safety, efficacy, and side-effect profile of CEA with the non-CEA group.

Rapid identification of Lactobacillus acidophilus by restriction analysis of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region and flanking 23S rRNA gene.

A rapid molecular approach was developed for the initial identification of Lactobacillus acidophilus strains which are difficult to identify using a single biochemical test. The 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions and flanking 23S rRNA genes of 19 strains of lactobacilli were amplified and the nucleotide sequences and restriction site polymorphisms were analyzed. AluI was the most useful of the restriction enzymes analyzed and produced reproducible digestion profiles in the L.

A novel osteotropic biomaterial OG-PLG: Synthesis and in vitro release.

Statins (e.g., simvastatin) have shown to induce expression of the bone morphogenic protein-2 gene in bone cells, but they are not used clinically because of a lack of a suitable delivery device.

A novel osteotropic biomaterial OG-PLG: in vitro efficacy.

Previously, a novel osteotropic biomaterial, OG-PLG [simvastatin grafted to poly(lactide-co-glycolide), PLG], was synthesized and shown to have degradation-controlled release kinetics. The objective here was to determine the effect of grafting statins to PLG on bone regeneration in vitro. Rat bone marrow cells were stimulated in vitro with simvastatin dissolved in media, saponified simvastatin dissolved in media, simvastatin released through diffusion from emulsion freeze-dried scaffolds, and OG-PLG.

High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin downregulates the activated levels of inflammatory indices except erythrocyte sedimentation rate in acute stage of Kawasaki Disease.

We evaluated the effects of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration on various protein parameters, including inflammatory profiles, in children with Kawasaki disease (KD). Sixty-three children with KD were treated with IVIG at 2 g/kg over 12 h. Serial examinations of laboratory indices were performed three times: before IVIG treatment, 24 h after IVIG treatment, and 7 days after IVIG treatment.

Inflammatory processes in Kawasaki disease reach their peak at the sixth day of fever onset: laboratory profiles according to duration of fever.

We evaluated the inflammatory indices according to the fever duration in children with Kawasaki disease (KD), and determined duration when the inflammatory processes in KD reach their peak. Children with KD (n=152) were classified into 7 groups according to fever duration: at the third day or earlier (n=20), fourth (n=33), fifth (n=46), sixth (n=15), seventh (n=15), eighth (n=9), and at the ninth day or later after fever onset (n= 14). The levels of various laboratory indices were determined 3 times: before, 24 hr and 7 days after intravenous immunoglobulin administration (2 g/kg).

Right hepatic artery injury associated with laparoscopic bile duct injury: incidence, mechanism, and consequences.

Because most bile duct injuries involve the common hepatic duct, the right hepatic artery, which is nearby, can also be injured. Reports on the frequency and significance of right hepatic artery injury (RHAI) associated with bile duct injury are sparse but suggest that RHAI increases mortality and decreases the success of the biliary repair. We studied the incidence, mechanism, and consequences of RHAI accompanying major bile duct injury.

Epidemiologic study of Kawasaki disease at a single hospital in Daejeon, Korea (1987 through 2000).

Purpose: We evaluated the epidemiology and a range of clinical characteristics in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) in one area of South Korea.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 506 medical records of children with KD, who were admitted at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital from January 1987 through December 2000.

The expression of melanogenic proteins in Korean skin after ultraviolet irradiation.

For proper melanin production, several specific enzymes such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) and dopachrome tautomerase are required. Their expressions are increased after exposure to UVB. However, it is not known how long tyrosinase and TRP-1 activities continue after UV irradiation in vivo.

Causes and prevention of laparoscopic bile duct injuries: analysis of 252 cases from a human factors and cognitive psychology perspective.

Objective: To apply human performance concepts in an attempt to understand the causes of and prevent laparoscopic bile duct injury.

Summary Background Data: Powerful conceptual advances have been made in understanding the nature and limits of human performance. Applying these findings in high-risk activities, such as commercial aviation, has allowed the work environment to be restructured to substantially reduce human error.

Effects of protein deprivation on subsequent growth performance, gain of body components, and protein requirements in growing pigs.

Forty-eight barrows were used in a 2 x 6 factorial arrangement to test a hypothesis that feeding a protein-deficient diet affects subsequent growth response by altering the efficiency of protein utilization. Barrows were individually fed either a 9% crude protein (CP) diet or an 18% CP diet from 20 to 30 kg of body weight (BW) (depletion phase). From 30 to 45 kg BW (realimentation phase), pigs were fed one of six experimental diets with CP levels of 11.

Synthesis, characterization and antitumor activity of novel octahedral Pt(IV) complexes.

Novel platinum(IV) complexes were synthesized having octahedral structure for new antitumor agents. The series of (1,4-butanediamine)Pt(IV) complexes of the type trans,cis-[PtA(2)Cl(2)(1,4-butanediamine)] (A=hydroxo 9, acetato 12, trifluoroacetato 13 as axial ligands) and trans-[PtA(2)(malonate)(1,4-butanediamine)] (A=hydroxo 16, acetato 17, trifluoroacetato 18) were synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of 12, 13 and 18 have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods.

Roxithromycin treatment of scrub typhus (tsutsugamushi disease) in children.

Background: Although chloramphenicol and doxycycline have been used for the treatment of scrub typhus, a difficulty exists in determining which drug to use in treating children because of such potential complications as aplastic anemia or tooth discoloration. We evaluated the effect of roxithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, on scrub typhus in children.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 39 children with scrub typhus who were treated with doxycycline (DC), chloramphenicol (CM) or roxithromycin (RM) between 1991 and 2000.

Transconjunctival laser blepharoplasty of lower eyelids: Asian experience with 1,340 cases.

Background: Lower eyelid bulging is a result of the aging process, but it can sometimes be severe in young people. This condition can cause considerable aesthetic problems to many patients.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of transconjunctival laser blepharoplasty in treating Asian skin.

Upregulation of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and gelatinases in human atherosclerosis infected with Chlamydia pneumoniae: the potential role of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in the progression of atherosclerosis.

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection implicated as an important etiologic factor of atherosclerosis, especially in coronary artery disease (CAD), was found in vitro to be associated with the induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). An extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN)/ membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) system which induces and activates MMPs, is suggested to be functional and were upregulated in the failing myocardium. However, the upstream regulation of MMPs by C.

The effect of combination treatment of the recalcitrant pigmentary disorders with pigmented laser and chemical peeling.

Background: The pigmentary disorders including melasma, freckles, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, or acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules, etc. are usually resistant to all treatment modalities, and are therefore very frustrating to the patient and clinician.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effect of the combination treatment of recalcitrant pigmentary disorders with pigmented laser and chemical peeling and to observe any side-effects.

Differential changes of calcium binding proteins in the rat striatum after kainic acid-induced seizure.

It has been suggested that calcium binding proteins protect against Ca2+ overload, thus rendering neurons more resistant against excitotoxicity. The influence of kainic acid, which induces status epilepticus, on the expressions of calbindin D28k, parvalbumin and calretinin was examined in the rat striatum by immunohistochemistry and microdensitometry. At 1, 3 and 6 days after kainic acid-induced seizure, the number of calretinin-positive neurons in the striatum was significantly lower than in control rats.

A case of giant congenital nevocytic nevus with neurotization and onset of vitiligo.

The authors report the case of a 21-year-old woman with a giant congenital nevocytic nevus (GCNN) who developed vitiligo at the age of 16 years on skin areas remote from the GCNN. This is the first reported case of GCNN developing neurotization combined with vitiliginous changes within the GCNN lesion. Treatment with PUVA achieved repigmentation of the vitiligo lesions, except for the hypochromic areas within the area of the nevus that were shielded from UVA radiation.

Deformity correction of knee and leg lengthening by Ilizarov method in hypophosphatemic rickets: outcomes and significance of serum phosphate level.

The authors evaluated 14 patients with hypophosphatemic rickets who underwent correction of a knee deformity along with a leg lengthening by the Ilizarov method. Deformity correction alone was performed in 8 femora and 4 tibiae-fibulae, and concomitant deformity correction and limb lengthening (>1.0 cm) in 9 femora and 19 tibiae-fibulae.

Initial results of the effects of diuresis on gadolinium enhancement in MR imaging of the abdomen.

Rationale And Objectives: The authors performed this study to assess the effects of furosemide-induced diuresis on paramagnetic contrast material enhancement at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the kidney, liver, spleen, and psoas muscle.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-five patients (average age, 44.9 years; age range, 23-74 years; 13 men, 12 women) who were suspected of having unilateral renal hydronephrosis received 0.

Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted renal and abdominal MR imaging: quantitative discrepancy between clinical and in vitro findings.

Rationale And Objectives: This study was conducted to compare the magnetic resonance (MR) contrast medium enhancement of abdominal organs in vivo with the signal intensity (SI) values of known in vitro gadolinium solutions.

Materials And Methods: A phantom was imaged with the MR contrast medium gadodiamide (Omniscan; Nycomed, Princeton, NJ) of solutions at full-strength (0.5 mmol/mL), one-third, 1/10, and 1/100 concentrations.

Alteration of biochemical profiles after high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin administration in Kawasaki disease.

Unlabelled: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been used as an immunomodulatory treatment for several immune-mediated diseases. Early effects of high-dose IVIG treatment on biochemical profiles including lipids and proteins were evaluated in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). Twelve children with KD (9 boys) were treated with IVIG at 2 g/kg over a period of 12 h.

Change of hyperexcitability of hippocampus by cyclosporin A and its modulatory action by fentanyl.

Cyclosporin A is used to treat patients with immune-mediated diseases, chronic diseases requiring organ transplantation, or malignancies. These conditions often require higher cyclosporin A doses, which may be toxic to the central nervous system. Fentanyl is also used in clinical conditions that have a risk of hypoxic neurosusceptibility, which suggests that the drug may be a neuroprotective agonist against brain ischemic injury.

Giant serpentine intracranial aneurysm: a case report.

The authors present a case of giant serpentine aneurysm (a partially thrombosed aneurysm containing tortuous vascular channels with a separate entrance and outflow pathway). Giant serpentine aneurysms form a subgroup of giant intracranial aneurysms, distinct from saccular and fusiform varieties, and in this case, too, the clinical presentation and radiographic features of CT, MR imaging and angiography were distinct.