BACKGROUND: Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living(K-IADL) scale was developed to measure the elderly function. The aim of the present study was to establish the validity and reliability of K-IADL scale. METHODS: Clinical validity and convergent validity was tested. Reliability was tested by internal consistency(Cronbach`s alpha), two weeks test-retest method, and interrator correlation. RESULTS: Cronbach`s alpha was 0.938. 2 weeks test-retest correlations in all 10 items were higher than 0.674. Interrator agreements were high in all 10 items(H=0.808~0.947). Normal control group had lower scores than patients group in all 10 items(p=0.000). Correlation coefficient between K-IADL score and brain-disability grade was between -0.336(laundry) and -0.663(using transportation)(p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living(K-IADL) scale is a valid and reliable instrument. In the future, the studies showing an association between K-IADL and mortality, prognosis are needed.
Aged ; Humans ; Mortality ; Prognosis ; Reproducibility of Results*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Expression of HMGI(Y), a nucleoprotein that binds to A/T rich sequences in the minor groove of the DNA helix, is observed in neoplastically transformed cells but not in normal cells. We have analyzed HMGI(Y) expression in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and evaluated its clinicopathologic significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HMGI(Y) mRNA was measured by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining for HMGI(Y) was performed in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. RESULTS: Expression of HMGI(Y) by immunohistochemical staining was observed in 35 of 40 (87.5%) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma samples, whereas normal mucosa and/or the mucosa adjacent to the tumor tissue showed negative or weakly positive staining (p<0.05). Semiquantification of HMGI(Y) by RT-PCR were 2.98+/-2.24 in cancer and 0.47+/-0.25 in normal tissue (p<0.001). High expression of HMGI(Y) was observed in well differentiated group and recurrent cases compared to the less differentiated group and/or non-recurrent cases (p<0.05). But no significant correlation was observed between the levels of HMGI(Y) expression and other clinical factors such as stage, tumor size and cervical lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: We think that the HMGI(Y) gene plays some roles in carcinogenesis and cellular proliferation of the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. HMGI(Y) gene can be used as a cancer marker, but the correlation between the gene expression and the prognosis of the cancer patient should be proved in the future studies.
Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA ; Gene Expression ; Head* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Mucous Membrane ; Neck* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nucleoproteins ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger

No abstract available.
Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second*

The Caudal regression syndrome is characterized by sacrococcygeal or lumbosacrococcygeal agenesis, of variable extent, most often accompanied by multiple musculoskeletal abnormalities of the pelvis and legs. It is rare fetal complication of diabetic pregnancy. Although the exact teratogenic mechanism is not known, hyperglycemia appears to play a crucial role as a teratogen. Strict control of diabetes preconceptually and in early pregnancy is presumed to reduce the risk of occurrence. We report a case of caudal regression syndrome detected by pelvic radiography and MRI in the newborn of the diabetic mother.
Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Infant, Newborn* ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mothers* ; Musculoskeletal Abnormalities ; Pelvis ; Pregnancy ; Radiography

The seroepidemiologic studies on anti-Toxoplasma antibody titers were carried out using ELISA and indirect latex agglutination test. Among 899 sera prepared from pregnant women, 39 cases (4.3%) revealed positive reaction and 218 sera from middle school students showed 4 positive reaction (1.8%) by ELISA. By LAT(newly established by National Veterinary Research Institute, Korea), the sera of 7 pregnant women (0.8%) showed positive reaction. When 80 sera showing +S1:8 by LAT were used for comparing the results obtained from LAT and Toxotest-MT (Eiken Chemical Co., Japan), 7 cases and 8 sera were positive, respectively. All of 11 sera of proven toxoplasmosis patients showed positive reaction in both tests. Overall proportion of agreement between LAT kit and Toxotest-MT was 0.94( -index= 0.632, p<0.01), and LAT was considered to be useful for the screening of toxoplasmosis.
parasitology-protozoa ; Toxoplasma gondii ; indirect latex agglutination test ; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ; pregnant women

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although Gore-Tex is popularly used in nasal augmentation in human, studies about the histological changes have been carried out only in animal models. The purpose of this study is to investigate histological changes of Gore-Tex used in nasal augmentation in human. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Gore-Tex of 24 patients who underwent nasal augmentation using Gore-Tex (non-reinforced sheets) 2-36 months ago and had re-operated for the sole cosmetic problems was obtained. Histologic examination was performed from specimens including Gore-Tex and the surrounding soft tissue with light microscope and electromicroscope. RESULTS: Histologically, connective tissue ingrowth was observed in all specimen. But the degree of foreign body reaction and collagen deposit varied from specimen to specimen and had no relationship with the duration. Neovascularization was observed from specimen whose duration was longer than 12 months and degenerative calcification was observed from 36 month old specimen. CONCLUSION: Unlike the findings of previous reports, individual differences and partial degenerative lesions in Gore-Tex were observed. Additional studies are required to confirm the stability of Gore-Tex as an implant to be used in human.
Child, Preschool ; Collagen ; Connective Tissue ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Humans* ; Individuality ; Models, Animal ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Rhinoplasty

No abstract available.
Rabbits* ; Uterus*

No abstract available.
Rabbits* ; Uterus*

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of the Korean Brief Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Questionnaire through testing the reliability and validity of it. Methods: Questionnaire consisted of items on medical, functional, mental, socioeconomic status and lifestyle was administered as test-retest on 78 elderly outpatients at 6 university hospitals in Seoul, Korea. Weighted kappa value, kappa value, Pearson correlation coefficients and overall percent agreement were calculated to measure reliability. Validity coefficient was estimated by using reliability coefficient. Results: Reliability coefficients and validity coefficients were higher than 0.50 (fair or good) for 28 items (87.5%) among 32. For test- retest reliability, median was 1.00 (range, 0.87-1.00) for overall percent agreement, 0.66 (range, 0.27~1.00) for kappa value, and 0.83 (range, 0.65~1.00) for Pearson's correlation coefficients. Differences of reliability and validity were identified by gender for 19 items (59.4%), and by age group for 12 items (37.5%). Conclusion: The Korean Brief Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Questionnaire appears to be a reliable and valid screening tool. After additional study is performed, this instrument can be used as a useful tool for comprehensive outpatient geriatric assessment.
Aged ; Geriatric Assessment* ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style ; Mass Screening ; Outpatients ; Surveys and Questionnaires* ; Reproducibility of Results* ; Seoul ; Social Class

During the past 50 years, the maternal mortality ratio has decreased dramatically. The leading causes of maternal deaths were pulmonary embolism, the complications of the pregnancy-induced hypertension, hemorrhage, the complications of the ectopic pregnancy and infection. Pulmonary embolism is one of the most fatal maternal complications that abruptly happen and rapidly progress, and has been a major cause of maternal death recently. Early detection of pulmonary embolism is difficult, because there is not any specific clinical symptoms and signs. We have experienced a case of a fatal pulmonary embolism which was diagnosed by lung perfusion scan on postoperative 1 day after cesarean delivery and managed with heparin therapy. We report this case with a brief review of literatures.
Female ; Hemorrhage ; Heparin ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Lung ; Maternal Death ; Maternal Mortality ; Perfusion ; Phlebography ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Pulmonary Embolism*