OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to measure the workload of home visit care activities and their relative values. This study examined also factors that affect the workload of home visit care activities. METHODS: The participants of this study were 126 homehelpers of 50 home visit care agencies at the 2nd Longterm Care Insurance Demonstration Project. The workload of home visit care activities was divided into total work and four dimensions ; physical efforts, mental efforts, stress and time. Home visit care activities consisted of four categories with 24 items. We used magnitude estimation method to measure their relative values of the four dimensions. The participants answered the relative values of each activities based on the reference service. We used the activity for supporting their elderly's evacuation as the reference service. RESULTS: Most of the respondents were over 40 years old female. They consumed most their time supporting elderly's going out. They consumed their highest physical, mental efforts, and stress for activities of coping with emergency situation. The Pearson correlation coefficients showed significant relationships between workload and each dimensions. This study showed that all four dimensions are statistically significant predictors of workload of home visit care activities. Also, we found that the home-helper's career affects the workload of home visit care activities. CONCLUSIONS: The workload of home visit care activities could be explained by physical efforts, mental efforts, stress and time.
Adult ; Female ; Geriatric Nursing/*organization & administration ; Home Care Services ; *House Calls ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Workload

The technique of computer-assisted continuous infusion (CACI) has revolutionised the administration of drugs by intravenous infusion. A stable blood concentration is achieved rapidly with CACI, allowing the anesthesiologist to monitor therapeutic effect and titrate drug concentrations accordingly. Propofol and opioids can be administered by CACI for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia in adult patients. Also, the ability to maintain a constant blood concentration of drugs is also extremely important for studying the pharmacodynamic interactions of drugs, and research in the area has increased with advent of CACI. We experienced a case of total intravenous anesthesia which was totally conducted by CACI, using a Master TCI for propofol and Stelpump program for fentanyl infusion.
Adult ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Intravenous* ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Propofol

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features of conjunctival lymphoproliferative lesions and associated systemic lymphoma, and to determine the recurrence rate and prognosis according to treatment methods. METHODS: Eighteen patients with conjunctival lymphoproliferative lesions were followed up. We retrospectively analyzed data for clinical symptoms, anatomical location, histological type, associated systemic lymphoma, and treatment results. RESULTS: Conjunctival lymphoproliferative lesions were classified according to WHO classification: benign lymphoid hyperplasia in 7 patients, MALT-lymphoma in 7, and small B lymphocytic lymphoma in 4. Systemic lymphoma existed in 2 patients (11.1%). Remission was not achieved in one patients treated by surgical excision and chemotherapy. Complete remission was achieved in 5 patients with conjunctival malignant lymphoma treated by surgical excision, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: We consider that aggressive treatment using radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgical excision in conjunctival malignant lymphoma is needful to achieve complete remission and prevent recurrence.
Classification ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; Lymphoma ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is a rare X-linked recessive metabolic disorder characterized by developmental delay, hyperuricemia, choreoathetosis, spasticity, mental retardation, and compulsive self-injurious behavior. This disorder results from a complete deficiency of the purine salvage enzyme, hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT). This syndrome is often misdiagnosed to cerebral palsy and clinical manifestations are usually related to the degree of enzyme deficiency. Complete HGPRT deficiency presents with severe specific neurologic manifestation and nephrolithiasis leading to fatal kidney damage. This report highlighted the importance of clinical awareness leading to early diagnosis and therapy for prevention of the self mutilation and renal failure, even if we couldn't inhibit the progression of neuro-psychotic symptoms.
Cerebral Palsy ; Early Diagnosis ; Hyperuricemia ; Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase ; Intellectual Disability ; Kidney ; Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome* ; Muscle Spasticity ; Nephrolithiasis ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Renal Insufficiency ; Self Mutilation ; Self-Injurious Behavior

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the isolation and characterization of multipotent human periodontal ligament (PDL) stem cells and to assess their ability to differentiate into bone, cartilage, and adipose tissue. METHODS: PDL stem cells were isolated from 7 extracted human premolar teeth. Human PDL cells were expanded in culture, stained using anti-CD29, -CD34, -CD44, and -STRO-1 antibodies, and sorted by fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS). Gingival fibroblasts (GFs) served as a positive control. PDL stem cells and GFs were cultured using standard conditions conducive for osteogenic, chondrogenic, or adipogenic differentiation. RESULTS: An average of 152.8 +/- 27.6 colony-forming units was present at day 7 in cultures of PDL stem cells. At day 4, PDL stem cells exhibited a significant increase in proliferation (p < 0.05), reaching nearly double the proliferation rate of GFs. About 5.6 +/- 4.5% of cells in human PDL tissues were strongly STRO-1-positive. In osteogenic cultures, calcium nodules were observed by day 21 in PDL stem cells, which showed more intense calcium staining than GF cultures. In adipogenic cultures, both cell populations showed positive Oil Red O staining by day 21. Additionally, in chondrogenic cultures, PDL stem cells expressed collagen type II by day 21. CONCLUSIONS: The PDL contains multipotent stem cells that have the potential to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. This adult PDL stem cell population can be utilized as potential sources of PDL in tissue engineering applications.
Adipocytes ; Adult ; Antibodies ; Azo Compounds ; Bicuspid ; Calcium ; Cartilage ; Chondrocytes ; Collagen Type II ; Durapatite ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Multipotent Stem Cells ; Osteoblasts ; Periodontal Ligament ; Periodontics ; Stem Cells ; Tissue Engineering ; Tooth

Objective: : Patients with mild ischemic stroke experience various sequela and residual symptoms, such as anxious behavior and deficits in movement. Few approaches have been proved to be effective and safe therapeutic approaches for patients with mild ischemic stroke by acute stroke. Sildenafil (SIL), a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5i), is a known remedy for neurodegenerative disorders and vascular dementia through its angiogenesis and neurogenesis effects. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of PDE5i in the emotional and behavioral abnormalities in rats with mild ischemic stroke. Methods: : We divided the rats into four groups as follows (n=20, respectively) : group 1, naïve; group 2, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo30); group 3, MCAo30+SIL-pre; and group 4, MCAo30+SIL-post. In the case of drug administration groups, single dose of PDE5i (sildenafil citrate, 20 mg/kg) was given at 30-minute before and after reperfusion of MCAo in rats. After surgery, we investigated and confirmed the therapeutic effect of sildenafil on histology, immunofluorescence, behavioral assays and neural oscillations. Results: : Sildenafil alleviated a neuronal loss and reduced the infarction volume. And results of behavior task and immunofluorescence shown possibility that anti-inflammation process and improve motor deficits sildenafil treatment after mild ischemic stroke. Furthermore, sildenafil treatment attenuated the alteration of theta-frequency rhythm in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, a known neural oscillatory marker for anxiety disorder in rodents, induced by mild ischemic stroke. Conclusion : PDE5i as effective therapeutic agents for anxiety and movement disorders and provide robust preclinical evidence to support the development and use of PDE5i for the treatment of mild ischemic stroke residual disorders.

Background/Aims: Infectious complications are major concerns when treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study evaluated clinical differences across countries/regions in the management of infectious diseases in patients with IBD. Methods: A multinational online questionnaire survey was administered to participants at the 8th meeting of the Asian Organization for Crohn’s and Colitis. The questionnaire included questions regarding surveillance, diagnosis, management, and prevention of infection in patients with IBD. Results: A total of 384 physicians responded to the questionnaire. The majority of Korean (n=70, 63.6%) and Chinese (n=51, 51.5%) physicians preferred vancomycin to metronidazole in the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection, whereas more than half of the Japanese physicians (n=62, 66.7%) preferred metronidazole. Physicians in Korea (n=88, 80.0%) and China (n=46, 46.5%) preferred a 3-month course of isoniazid and rifampin to treat latent tuberculosis infection, whereas most physicians in Japan (n=71, 76.3%) favored a 9-month course of isoniazid. Most Korean physicians (n=89, 80.9%) recommended hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in patients lacking HBV surface antigen, whereas more than half of Japanese physicians (n=53, 57.0%) did not consider vaccination. Conclusions Differences in the diagnosis, prevention, and management of infections in patients with IBD across countries/regions reflect different prevalence rates of infectious diseases. This survey may broaden understanding of the real-world clinical settings across Asian countries/regions and provide information for establishing practical guidelines to manage patients with IBD.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of study was to assess in a longitudinal study of maternal plasma concentrations of Tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha), Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), Lipid peroxide (malonaldehyde, MDA) in uncomplicated pregnancy. METHODS: Blood was collected from healthy women at 4 to 41 weeks' gestation and non-pregnant women. Plasma samples were measured by immunoassay for TNF-alpha, VACM-1 and by colorimetric assay for lipid peroxide, and data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Plasma concentration of TNF-alpha was not significantly elevated during first trimester compared with non-pregnant women, but significantly elevated during second and third trimester compared with non-pregnant women. Plasma concentration of VCAM-1 was significantly elevated during first trimester compared with non-pregnant women. Plasma concentration of lipid peroxide was not significantly elevated during pregnancy compared with non-pregnant women. CONCLUSION: The plasma concentration of TNF-alpha and VCAM-1 were significantly higher than that of non-pregnant state during second and third trimester in case of TNF-alpha, and during first trimester in case of VCAM-1. But the plasma concentration of lipid peroxide during pregnancy was not significantly different from that of non-pregnant, and the plasma concentration was kept up constant levels during gestation. These were seems to be meant that abnormal pregnancy would be happened if the level is above or below the measured level.
Cell Adhesion ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Longitudinal Studies ; Necrosis ; Plasma* ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnancy* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha* ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1*

Cogan's syndrome is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of unknown origin, characterized by nonsyphilitic interstitial keratitis, vestibuloauditory dysfunction and vasculitis. Cogan's syndrome is uncommon and few cases have been published. A case of Cogan's syndrome in a patient with anti-Ro and anti-La positivity is described. A 24-year-old woman visited to department of rheumatology with dry mouth, dry eye, and vertigo on August 2004, and interstitial keratitis had developed on October 2004. She was admitted to the otolaryngology department with rapidly progressive hearing loss on December 2004. The patient's audiogram revealed severe sensorineural deafness. The patient was treated with systemic corticosteroid and methotrexate. This case is the first to report a case of Cogan's syndrome associated with anti-Ro and anti-La positivity.
Antibodies* ; Cogan Syndrome* ; Deafness ; Female ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Methotrexate ; Mouth ; Otolaryngology ; Rheumatology ; Vasculitis ; Vertigo ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the benefits of cognitive training in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and those with early Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Eleven patients with aMCI and nine with early AD (stage 4 on the Global Deterioration Scale) participated in this study. Six participants with aMCI and six with AD were allocated to the cognitive training group, while five participants with aMCI and three with AD were allocated to a wait-list control group. Multicomponent cognitive training was administered in 18 weekly, individual sessions. Outcome measures were undertaken at baseline, and at 2 weeks and 3 months of follow-up. RESULTS: In the trained MCI group, there were significant improvements in the delayed-recall scores on the Seoul Verbal Learning Test at both the 2-week and 3-month follow-ups compared with baseline (baseline, 1.6+/-1.5; 2 weeks, 4.4+/-1.5, p=0.04; 3 months, 4.6+/-2.3, p=0.04). The phonemic fluency scores (1.0+/-0.8 vs. 5.0+/-1.8, p=0.07) and Korean Mini-Mental State Examination scores (18.8+/-0.5 vs. 23.8+/-2.2, p=0.07) also showed a tendency toward improvement at the 2-week follow-up compared to baseline in the trained AD group. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of the effectiveness of cognitive training in aMCI and early AD. The efficacy of cognitive training programs remains to be verified in studies with larger samples and a randomized design.
Alzheimer Disease ; Cognitive Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Memory ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Verbal Learning