• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.673-678
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• 2014

Background The depth of graft harvest and the residual dermis available for reepithelization primarily influence the healing of split-skin graft donor sites. When the thigh region is chosen, the authors hypothesize based on thickness measurements that the anterolateral region is the optimal donor site. Methods Full-thickness skin specimens were sampled from the anteromedial, anterior, and anterolateral regions of human cadavers. Skin specimens were cut perpendicularly with a custom-made precision apparatus to avoid the overestimation of thickness measurements. The combined epidermal and dermal thicknesses (overall skin thickness) were measured using a digital calliper. The specimens were histologically stained to visualize their basement membrane, and microscopy images were captured. Since the epidermal thickness varies across the specimen, a stereological method was used to eliminate observer bias. Results Epidermal thickness represented 2.5% to 9.9% of the overall skin thickness. There was a significant difference in epidermal thickness from one region to another (P<0.05). The anterolateral thigh region had the most consistent and highest mean epidermal thickness ($60{\pm}3.2{\mu}m$). We observed that overall skin thickness increased laterally from the anteromedial region to the anterior and anterolateral regions of the thigh. The overall skin thickness measured $1,032{\pm}435{\mu}m$ in the anteromedial region compared to $1,220{\pm}257{\mu}m$ in the anterolateral region. Conclusions Based on skin thickness measurements, the anterolateral thigh had the thickest epidermal and dermal layers. We suggest that the anterolateral thigh region is the optimal donor site for split-skin graft harvests from the thigh.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1990

Effect of red ginseng treatment on experimentally induced hyperkeratosis was investigated by light microscopic observation scanning electron microxcope (SEM) examination, epidermal enzyme activities nd lipid contents. Both light microscopic observation and SEM examination showed that hexadecane induced epidermal hyperplasia, hypertrophy and hyperkeratosis by increasing the numbers as well as the sizes of epidermal cells including desquamating horny cells. The superficial horny cells were protruded around the base of hair shaft. Among red ginseng components, only saponin treatment inhibited epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis by reducing the thickness of epidermis and arranging the cornified cells. Saponin from korean red ginseng inhibited abnormally increased epidermal LDH, ICD and G6PDH activities and reduced the contents of epidermal lipids induced by hexadecane. It seems that red ginseng saponin has preventive effect on experimental hyperkeratosis possibly by controlling the enzyme activities involved in epidermal cellular metabolism, resulting in reduced amounts of abnormal epidermal lipids.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.587-591
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• 2006

Purpose: Since Rheinwald and Green laid the foundation of epidermal cell culture technology in 1975, many clinicians and scientists have attempted to prove the effectiveness of cultured epidermal autologous(CEA) or homogenetic(CEH) grafts in the wound healing process. In contrast to CEA which cultured from a patient's skin on demand, Cultured Epidermal Homograft(CEH) can be readily available to use on cleaned wounds. In this study, we conducted a controlled clinical trial in order to confirm the effectiveness of CEH in treating partial-thickness 2nd degree burn wounds. Methods: From July 2003 to January 2004 at Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, we performed a clinical trial in which 35 patients who suffered from 2nd degree burns were enrolled. Wounds were randomly divided into two parts, control and test sites. Test sites were treated with allogeneic keratinocyte sheets ($Kaloderm^{(R)}$, Tegoscience Inc.), a CEH commercialized in Korea. Results: All wounds healed completely without any major complication. The complete healing took $8.3{\pm}2.8$($mean{\pm}S.D.$) days in the test sites as opposed to $11.7{\pm}3.3days$ in the control sites. Conclusion: Based on these results, we concluded that CEH accelerates re-epithelialization of partial thickness burn wounds and CEH can be an safe alternative to skin grafts for 2nd degree burns.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.67-70
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• 2011

Purpose: Epidermal nevi are hamartomas of the skin with multiple clinical variants. Normally, epidermal nevi present at an early age, are found on the head and neck area, and have a female predominance. Only very rarely do epidermal nevi have an adult onset. Most lesions are small and giant Epidermal nevi (> 5 cm at its greatest diameter) are quite rare. Huge verrucous plaque was observed on the scalp of a 70-year-old man. He had been reclusive for a long time, and this problem might have played a crucial role in the development of the giant epidermal nevi. Methods: A punch biopsy and MRI imaging were performed. The huge mass was resected. A local flap and split thickness skin graft was used for reconstruction. Results: The histology examination revealed the characteristic findings of epidermal nevus. Postoperatively, the patient did not suffer from complications or recurrence. Conclusion: A rare case of a huge epidermal nevus on the scalp of an elderly man was treated with a surgical excision. This is the oldest patient reported with an adult onset epidermal nevus in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.248-254
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• 2005

Integumentary structure of the amberjack, Seriola dumerili, was examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. Integument of the amberjack consists of epidermal and dermal layers. The epidermal thickness is about $28.32{\mu}m$. The epidermal layer could be classified into superficial, intermediate, and basal layers by morphology and position of the supporting cells. Secretory cells of the epidermal layer were classified into mucous cells and club cells in the amberjack. Mucous cells contained acidic mucous and were alcian-blue positive with AB-PAS (pH 2.5) reaction. The club cells contained well-developed rough endoplasmic reticula and large central vacuole. Also, filament-rich cells were identified in the epidermal layer. The dermal layer consists mainly of collagenous fiber, and it contains fibrocytes and pigment cells. The cytoplasm of fibrocyte had a well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum. The pigment cells contained electron-dense melanin granules.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 2005

Integumentary structures of the chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. The integument of the fish was composed of epidermal and dermal layers. The epidermal thickness is about $20{\mu}m$ in TL 35~40 cm fish. The epidermal layer could be classified into superficial, intermediate, and basal layers by morphology and position of the supporting cells. The epidermal layer also possessed mucous cells, club cells and chloride cells. The area of secretory cells, including mucous and club cells, is about 23% of the epidermal layer. The mucous materials were identified as sulfated glycoprotein, neutral and acid in nature. Club cells had a large central vacuole and rough endoplasmic reticula in the cytoplasm. Chloride cells had numerous tubular mitochondria in the cytoplasm. The dermal layer consists mainly of collagenous fiber, and it contains fibrocytes, pigment cells and cycloid scales.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.196-203
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate usefulness of the pine needles extract on Atopic Dermatitis(AD)-like skin lesions. To investigate the effect of pine needles extract in vivo, atopic dermatitis (NC/Nga) mice using DNCB (2.4-Dinitrochlorbenzene) was used. NC/Nga mice were challenged with DNCB during 2 weeks to develope AD-like skin lesion. After that, pine needles extract was applied to AD-like skin lesion on the backs of the NC/Nga mice during 3 weeks. The efficacy of pine needles extract in the NC/Nga mice was evaluated by measurement of the skin lesion severity(NC mouse score), the serum IgE level, epidermal thickness changes, and mast cell number. Blood was collected from the retro-orbital area and the level of IgE in the blood was measured. The epidermal thickness and mast cell number were observed by microscopic method after H&E stain. The serum IgE levels were decreased after treatment with pine needles extract. The epidermal thickness and mast cell number were decreased after treatment with pine needles extract. To conclude, the topical application of pine needles extract suppressed the progression of AD-like skin lesion.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.356-358
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• 2003

The use of cultured epidermal sheet grafts for large full-thickness wound has been tempered by weak points such as long culture periods, difficulty in handling the fragile sheets, high costs and the detachment of the skin cells from the culture dishes by enzymatic digestion. To overcome the drawback of epidermal sheet grafts, we have developed a transplantation method to spray the cultured human keratinocytes with the mixtures of rhEGF and fibrin gel matrix to the full-thickness wounds on the dorsum of the athymic mice to regenerate epithelial layers. Wound biopsies were retrieved at 7, 14 and 21 days after transplantation and retrieved biopsies were analyzed by histology and immunohistochemistry. Transplanted keratinocytes and EGF-fibriin gel accelerated wound regeneration compared with control groups. The technique developed in this study overcomes the drawbacks of the current cultured epidermal sheet grafts and accelerates epidermal wound healing.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2015

Background: A leaf cuticle has different structures and functions as a barrier to water loss and as protection from various environmental stressors. Methods: Leaves of Panax ginseng were examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to investigate the characteristics and development of the epicuticular structure. Results: Along the epidermal wall surface, the uniformly protuberant fine structure was on the adaxial surface of the cuticle. This epicuticular structure was highly wrinkled and radially extended to the marginal region of epidermal cells. The cuticle at the protuberant positions maintained the same thickness. The density of the wall matrix under the structures was also similar to that of the other wall region. By contrast, none of this structure was distributed on the abaxial surface, except in the region of the stoma. During the early developmental phase of the epicuticular structure, small vesicles appeared on wallecuticle interface in the peripheral wall of epidermal cells. Some electron-opaque vesicles adjacent to the cuticle were fused and formed the cuticle layer, whereas electron-translucent vesicles contacted each other and progressively increased in size within the epidermal wall. Conclusion: The outwardly projected cuticle and epidermal cell wall (i.e., an epicuticular wrinkle) acts as a major barrier to block out sunlight in ginseng leaves. The small vesicles in the peripheral region of epidermal cells may suppress the cuticle and parts of epidermal wall, push it upward, and consequently contribute to the formation of the epicuticular structure.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.686-690
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• 2008

Recent research has shown that curcumin has beneficial effects in a variety of skin diseases, including scleroderma, psoriasis, and skin cancer. In this study, we assessed the effects of curcumin on epidermal permeability barrier function in vivo and in vitro. In order to evaluate the effects of curcumin on epidermal permeability barrier function in vivo, hairless rats were exposed to UVB irradiation, and curcumin was administered orally at a dosage of 150 mg/kg per day for 8 weeks. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and epidermal thickness were measured at the end of the experiment. The expression of filaggrin, a marker of keratinocyte differentiation, and serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), a marker of the formation of the stratum corneum lipid barrier, in human HaCat keratinocytes were analyzed. The in vivo results showed that an 8 week administration of curcumin markedly prevented the UVB-induced increase in TEWL. The UV-induced increase in epidermal thickness was also reduced significantly by curcumin treatment. The in vitro results demonstrated the concentration-dependent effects of curcumin on the expression of both filaggrin and SPT in HaCat cells, reflecting the notion that curcumin can induce epidermal keratinocyte differentiation and can improve the recovery of skin barrier functions. These results show that curcumin is a promising candidate for the improvement of epidermal permeability barrier function.