Effects of Black Ginseng Water Extract under the Inflammatory Conditions of Cultured Sebocytes and Outer Root Sheath Cells

Background@#Ginseng has been used in Korea for a long time as a restorative herbal medicine. Black ginseng (BG) is made from red or white ginseng by multiple steamy and dry processes. Although BG has been reported to have anti-inflammatory potential, studies on its influence on inflammatory skin disorders are lacking. @*Objective@#To investigate the effects of BG under the inflammatory conditions of cultured sebocytes and outer root sheath (ORS) cells. @*Methods@#The cultured cells were treated with 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide, 5 μg/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or 5 μg/ml LPS+50 μg/ml BG for 6 hours and 24 hours. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining and Nile red staining were performed for analysis of inflammatory biomarkers and sebum-related biomarkers. @*Results@#BG brought out the increased gene and protein expression of inflammatory biomarkers such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-a, in the LPStreated sebocytes and ORS cells. In addition, BG induced increased expression of TLR4, p-c-jun, p-JNK and p-iκB in LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. Furthermore, it significantly increased the expression of LL-37 and the production of sebum in LPS-treated sebocytes. @*Conclusion@#It may be possible for BG to increase the expression of inflammatory biomarkers in inflammatory skin disorders, such as acne.

Rapidly Involuting Congenital Hemangioma: Five Case Reports / 대한피부과학회지

Rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma (RICH), a subtype of congenital hemangioma (CH), is fully developed at birth and undergoes rapid involution by 6–14 months of age. Clinically, this vascular lesion differs from both non-involuting CH and infantile hemangiomas. It is important to distinguish between this rare condition and other vascular lesions to ensure appropriate management (active intervention vs. non-intervention). We describe 5 patients diagnosed with RICH based on clinicopathological and/or imaging studies. Three patients showed red-stippled bluish to purplish tense plaques and two showed slightly depressed red-stippled hypopigmented rubbery patches at their initial visit. Spontaneous involution commenced shortly after birth, and complete involution occurred by 16.0±9.9 months of age. Doppler ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed for further evaluation. Histopathological examination revealed vascular lobules of various sizes without true arteriovenous microfistulae, and thickened intra- and interlobular vessels were prominent with glucose transporter isoform-1 protein negativity.

Low But Continuous Occurrence of Microsporum gypseum Infection in the Study on 198 Cases in South Korea from 1979 to 2016

BACKGROUND: Microsporum gypseum has been isolated from South Korea since 1966. However, the incidence of M. gypseum infection is very low. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to add massive data on M. gypseum to the literature and to provide useful information on clinical and mycological characteristics of M. gypseum. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 198 cases infected with M. gypseum from 1979 to 2016. The identification of M. gypseum was done with mycological examination using 15% KOH preparation and potato corn meal tween 80 agar culture media. RESULTS: The incidence of M. gypseum infection was very low in South Korea, showing a tendency to decrease. Out of 198 cases, men were 94 cases (47.5%) and women were 104 cases (52.5%). Mean age of all patients was 29.83 years old: 24.97 years old in men and 34.22 years old in women. M. gypseum infection occurred most frequently in September (16.7%) and August (16.2%). The most common clinical type of M. gypseum infection was tinea corporis (38.4%). CONCLUSION: M. gypseum infection shows very low incidence but still remains around us until recent years. We should keep in mind the characteristics of M. gypseum.

Characterization of Myrothecium roridum Isolated from Imported Anthurium Plant Culture Medium

During an investigation of microorganisms and pests in plant culture media from imported anthurium pots, a fungal isolate (DUCC4002) was detected. Based on its morphological characters including colony shape on potato dextrose agar, the microstructures of spores observed by light and scanning electron microscopy and the results of phylogenetic analysis using an internal transcribed spacer rDNA sequence, the fungal isolate was identified as Myrothecium roridum. Pathogenicity testing on anthurium leaves revealed that the fungus could colonize and produce sporodochia on the inoculated leaves. This is the first report of M. roridum detected in imported plant culture medium in Korea.

A Pilot Study on the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Androgenetic Alopecia / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Use of treatments categorized as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) have increased considerably in the field of dermatology. However, most studies have been focused on atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, and little is known of the prevalence of use of CAM in patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the frequency, type, duration, and factors associated with the use of CAM in the treatment of AGA at a dermatologic outpatient clinic. METHODS: AGA patients at the outpatient clinic (n=151) received a face-to-face structured questionnaire covering 5 types of CAM plus an open alternative labeled 'other type'. RESULTS: Overall 70.2% (106/151) of the subjects with AGA reported the current or previous use of at least 1 CAM. Topical application (85, 56.3%) was most frequently used, followed by diet therapy (35, 23.2%), health food supplements (15, 9.9%), massage therapy (13, 8.6%), and Oriental medicine (10, 6.6%). With respect to the reasons for using CAM, 'recommendation by people around the patient' (59.4%) was most commonly chosen by the patients. The subjective therapeutic effect and satisfaction with CAM were the best with health food supplements and topical application (80.0% and 21.1%, respectively). CONCLUSION: As our results indicate that the use of CAM continues to rise by patients with AGA, the need for reliable sources of information about specific CAM therapies becomes more essential. To assist AGA patients in selecting proper treatment modalities, further longitudinal and controlled studies are required to assess the efficacy and safety of CAM.

Facial Foreign Body Granuloma by Gold Thread Needle-embedding Therapy / 대한피부과학회지

We read with interest a paper published in a recent issue of the Korean Journal of Dermatology, in which Baek et al. presented two cases of facial foreign body granulomas induced by needle-embedding therapy. The cases were foreign body granulomas induced by acupoint embedding thread by doctors of Oriental medicine. Recently we managed a patient who presented with two linear, fluctuating, erythematous nodules with a purulent discharge involving the left cheek 2 months after gold thread needle-embedding therapy, a so called gold-lifting procedure, in which gold thread is embedded via acupuncture for the purpose of face-lifting. A biopsy obtained from the lesion showed acute and chronic inflammatory cells with foreign body-type giant cells throughout the dermis and subcutis. Under the diagnosis of a foreign body reaction with clinicopathologic examination, we treated her several times with incision and drainage and oral corticosteroids. After 1 year of treatment, the lesions did not recur during 3 months of follow-up.

An Investigation on the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Psoriasis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic and intractable disease that drives patients to seek a complete cure. Recently, the patients who have failed with conventional medicine increasingly appear to be turning to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), yet little is known of CAM's prevalence of use, and its effectiveness and safety, and especially for treating psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to qualify and quantify the usage of CAM for the treatment of psoriasis, and to offer valid information for dermatologists. METHODS: A total of 158 patients suffering from psoriasis were interviewed and they filled out a face-to-face structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-nine of 158 (43.7%) psoriasis patients reported the current or previous use of CAM. In the order of frequency, oriental medicine (49, 31.0%) was the most commonly used, followed by spa and bath therapy (31, 19.6%), health food supplements (28, 17.7%), topical applications (14, 8.9%) and dietary therapy (14, 8.9%). The majority of patients (60.9%) used CAM from the 'Desire to try everything'. The subjective therapeutic effect and satisfaction with CAM were predominant with health food supplements (57.1% and 53.6%, respectively). After the use of CAM, the patients most frequently complained of 'aggravation of psoriasis' as a side effect of CAM (14.0%). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that CAM is being widely used by patients with psoriasis. However, the use of CAM seems to not be very effective and it is not free of risks. Thus, the direct and indirect risks, and the merits and disadvantages of CAM should always be considered with prudence before using CAM in clinical practice.

Identification and Characterization of Gliocladium viride Isolated from Mushroom Fly Infested Oak Log Beds Used for Shiitake Cultivation

A green mold species that has not previously been reported in Korea was isolated from oak log beds used for shiitake (Lentinula edodes) cultivation that were infested by mushroom flies. In this study, we identify the mold species as Gliocladium viride (an anamorph of Hypocrea lutea) and describe its mycological properties. The fungus was cottony on both potato dextrose agar (PDA) and Czapek yeast extract agar (CYA), but was colored white on PDA and became yellowish green and brown on CYA. Mycelial growth on PDA attained a diameter of 73 mm at 30degrees C after 5 days. The fungus grew faster on malt extract agar (> 80 mm, 5 days at 25degrees C) compared to CYA and PDA (< 68 mm, 5 days at 25degrees C). Penicillate conidiophores of the fungus are hyaline, smooth walled, branching above typically in four stages, and 120~240 microm in length. Club-shaped or slender phialides are formed on the metulae. Conidia of the fungus were ovate and elliptic, yellowish brown and green, and 2.5~3.0 microm x 1.8~2.3 microm in size. Typically, slimy conidia are formed in a mass and colored brown to dark green to almost black. The internal transcribed spacer rDNA and translation elongation factor 1 alpha gene sequences of the fungus isolated here show 99% identity with previously identified G. viride strains.

Metastasectomy for a Malignant Melanoma Patient with Soft Tissue Metastasis / 대한피부과학회지

Patients with stage IV metastatic melanoma have been traditionally managed with mainly palliative therapy such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy or biologic therapy, yet their overall survival is unsatisfactory. Several recent series have indicated a long-term survival benefit after complete resection, (termed "metastasectomy") of distant metastatic foci in patients with metastatic melanoma. Unlike other palliative modalities, surgery like metastasectomy can rapidly render a patient clinically disease-free with rather minimal morbidity, a short-term of hospitalization and a quick recovery time. This may prolong the survival and improve the quality of life of patients with stage IV melanoma if all the clinicoradiologically-evident tumors can be completely resected. We report herein on a case of performing metastasectomy in a patient who had malignant melanoma with soft tissue metastasis of the breast (T3a/bN0M1a), even though there was a regrettable result.

The Effects of Alfentanil on Mother and Neonate during the Induction of General Anesthesia for a Cesarean Section / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: During general anesthesia for a cesarean section, light depth of anesthesia frequently leads to maternal awareness and pain responses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of alfentanil on the mother and neonate during a cesarean section. METHODS: Forty four parturients undergoing general anesthesia for an elective cesarean section were enrolled in this study. General anesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg and succinylcholine 1.5 mg/kg after an intravenous injection of normal saline 0.02 ml/kg for the control group or alfentanil 10microgram/kg for the alfentanil group. After tracheal intubation, anesthesia was maintained with O2 (2 L/min)-N2O (2 L/min)-isoflurane (0.5% end tidal). Mean blood pressure (MBP), heart rate, bispectral index (BIS) and maternal pain responses by an isolated forearm technique were measured every 1 min until delivery. Apgar scores of neonates were measured at 1 min and 5 min after delivery. RESULTS: There were no differences between groups in the MBP, BIS or maternal pain responses. However heart rates were lower in the alfentanil group than in the control group (P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: The supplemental administration of alfentanil 10microgram/kg can attenuate the changes in maternal heart rate during general anesthesia for a cesarean section without neonatal Apgar score decline.