No abstract available.
Prenatal Diagnosis* ; Pulmonary Atresia* ; Ventricular Septum*

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis plays a critical role in human tumor growth and metastasis. Microvessel count, as a measure of tumor angiogenesis, has been significantly correlated with invasive and metastatic patterns in breast, prostate and cutaneous carcinomas. Materials and METHODS: Fifty patients with curatively resected non-small cell lung cancer were evaluated. Tumor tissues embedded in paraffin block were stained by anti CD 31 (PECAM, platelet endothelial cellular adhesion molecule) using immunohistochemical method to assess microvessel count. Microvessels were counted in the most active areas of neovascularization(microscopy, 200×). RESULTS: 1) Mean microvessel count was 47.1 ± 17.7(per 200×field) in total 50 cases. 2) Mean microvessel count of adenocarcinoma (54.4±19.9) was significantly higher than that of squamous cancer(43.9±16.2)(p<0.05), but there were no relationship between microvessel count and TNM stages. 3) Median survival time, 2-year and 5-year survival rates of the low microvascular group(microvessel count<45, 22cases) were 61 months, 80% and 40%, respectively, and those of the high microvascular group(microvessel count ≥ 45, 28 cases) were 46 months, 75% and 12%, respectively. As results, prognosis of low microvascular group is statistically significantly superior to that of the high microvascular group(p=0.0162, Kaplan-Meier, log-rank). CONCLUSION: Angiogenesis assessed by microvessel count can be used as one of the significant prognostic factors in non-small cell lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma ; Blood Platelets ; Breast ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Humans ; Microvessels ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paraffin ; Prognosis ; Prostate ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is an essential component of tumor growth and metastasis, and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important angiogenic factors. Several solid tumors produce substantial amounts of VEGF, which stimulates proliferation and the migration of ednothelial cells, therby inducing neovasculization by a paracrine mechanism. To evaluate the prognostic roles of angiogenesis and VEGF expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, the relationship between VEGF expression in tumor tissues, the clinicopathologic features and the overall survival rate were analysed. METHODS: Sixty-nine resected primary non-small cell lung cancer specimens were evaluated. The pareffinembedded tumor tissues were stained by anti-VEGF polyclonal antibodies using an immunohistochemical method to assess VEGF expression. RESULTS: In Forty-one patients (59%), the VEGF antigen was expressed weakly in their tumor tissue, whereas in twenty-eight patients (41%) the VEGF antigen was expressed strongly. The median survival time of the weak VEGF expression group was 24 months, and that of the strong VEGF expression group was 19 months. The three year-survival rates were 35%, 33%, respectively. The survival difference between both groups was not statistically significnat. CONCLUSION: Although results were not statistically significant, the strong expression group tended to poorer prognosis than weak expression group.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Antibodies ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Tuberculosis is a common chronic infectious disease, although the spleen is an uncommon organ to harbor tubercle bacilli. Immunocompromised subjects are primarily prone to miliary tuberculosis and in them the spleen is invaded by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Spleen tuberculosis is manifested commonly as a miliary form. The basic pathology is granulomatous inflammation. The CT finding of splenic tuberculosis are multiple, well-defined, roung or ovoid, low-density masses. Lymphadenopathy in the abdomen and mediastinum and pleural effusion can be found. We report two cases with tuberculosis of the spleen proved by computed tomography and histologic identification. One paitient did not improve following antituberculous medication, so splenectomy was performed. The other patient has been treated with antituberculous medication.
Abdomen ; Communicable Diseases ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mediastinum ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Pathology ; Pleural Effusion ; Spleen* ; Splenectomy ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Miliary ; Tuberculosis, Splenic

Aspergillosis refers to an infection with any species from the genus Aspergillus. Pleural aspergillosis is an uncommon disease with less than 30 cases having been reported in the literature since 1958. The etiologic factors for this aspergillosis are preexisting pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchopleural fistula, pleural drainage, and a lung resection. Surgical removal of the aspergillus-infected pleura is the main treatment for managing this disease. We have experienced two cases of pleural aspergillosis as a complication of a preexisting chronic empyema. The chest radiographs showed a pyopneumothorax with cavitation and the chest computed tomographic scans revealed a loculated pyopneumothorax with cavity formation suggesting a bronchopleural fistula. A grossly purulent fluid was extracted by thoracentesis, and Aspergillus fumigatus was grown from a fungus culture of the fluid. A decortication, wedge resection with a pleurectomy and a pleuropneumonectomy were performed. The postoperative course was satisfactory and the patients have been in good condition up to now. Pleural aspergillosis is a very rare and potentially life-threatening disease. However, good result without significant complication were obtained by treatment with systemic antifungal agents and surgical removal.
Antifungal Agents ; Aspergillosis* ; Aspergillus ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; Drainage ; Empyema ; Fistula ; Fungi ; Humans ; Lung ; Pleura ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of cervical cerclage and the clinical characteristics in incompetent internal os of the cervix (IIOC). METHODS: A study was conducted on 170 patients with IIOC, 199 cases of IIOC were admitted and treated with McDonald operation or modified Shirodkar operation at department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Il Sin Christian Hospital from January 1. 1994 to December 31. 1998, of this 14 cases were follow up lost, so 185 cases were analyzed. RESULTS: 1) The incidence of IIOC was 0.43%, 1 in 233 deliveries. 2) The mean age of IIOC patients was 30.54yrs old and the most frequent age group was in 30-34yrs old group (43.78%). 3) The average number of gravida and parity before operation were 4.71 and 1.62. & the success rate of operation was low at high gravida & parity. 4) The predisposing factor was previous history of dilation & curettage (43.75%), Cx. laceration after delivery (6.49%), midtrimester termination (4.32%) etc. 5) The operation methods were McDonald operation (91.35%) and modified Shirodkar operation (8.65%) & the success rate of McDonald operation and modified Shirodkar operation were 85.80% and 87.50%. 6) The successful fetal salvage rate was 85.95% and the highest success rate was 87.50% in 14-16 weeks of gestation group. 7) The more cervix dilate, the more failure occurred. 8) The causes of operation failure were premature rupture of membrane (50.00%), preterm labor (34.62%), FDIU, anomaly, APH etc. 9) The delivery methods after operation were vaginal delivery (65.54%), cesarean delivery (34.46%). CONCLUSION: The 14-16th weeks of gestation group & no cervical dilatation have higher success rate indicating that early diagnosis and appropriate timing of operation is associated with a greater operation success rate.
Causality ; Cerclage, Cervical ; Cervix Uteri* ; Curettage ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Labor Stage, First ; Lacerations ; Membranes ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Obstetrics ; Parity ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Rupture

PURPOSE: This study was amied to identify the effects of a 12 week Korean traditional dance movement program on balance, depression, medical cost, medical institution's utilization and fall among elderly women. METHODS: Using a quasi-experimental design, the experimental group was composed of 130 subjects and the control group was composed of 123 subjects. The experimental group participated in a 12 week Korean traditional dance movement program 3 times a week from December 2002 to February 2003. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, paired t-test and t-test. RESULTS: There was siginificant improvement in balance(right leg p=.000, left leg p=.004), depression(p=.000), and the medical institution's utilization(p=.001) and fall(p=.002) in the experimental group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: A Korean traditional dance movement program improved balance, depression, and decreased fall and medical cost in elderly women. Therefore, we recommend this program be utilized as a health promoting program and falls preventing program for the elderly in the community.
*Musculoskeletal Equilibrium ; Middle Aged ; Korea ; Humans ; Female ; Depressive Disorder/*psychology ; *Dance Therapy ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aged ; Accidental Falls/*prevention & control

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the effects of a support group intervention on the burden of primary family caregivers of stroke patients. METHOD: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The subjects were 36 primary family caregivers of stroke patients [experimental(N=18) and control(N=18) groups] in a neurosurgery ward of a university hospital. The experimental group members participated in six sessions of a support group intervention for two weeks and the degree of their caregiving burden was evaluated. Data was analyzed by Chi-square tests, t-tests, and paired t-tests using SPSS 10.0. RESULT: The experimental group had a significantly lower total burden score (t=2.061, p= .047)and sub-scales of emotional(t=-3.319, p= .002), time-dependent(t=-2.045, p= .049) and developmental(t=-2.656, p= .012) burden scores than the control group, while no significant differences were found in physical, social or financial burden scores between the two groups. Within the experimental group, there was a significant decrease in physical(t=2.507, p= .023), emotional(t=4.754, p= .000), social(t=2.932, p= .009), time- dependent(t=5.015, p= .000) and developmental(t=7.541, p= .000) burden scores but not the financial burden score. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a support group intervention can be utilized as an effective nursing program to reduce the burden of primary family caregivers of stroke patients.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Adult ; Attitude to Health ; Caregivers/education/*psychology ; Family/*psychology ; Family Relations ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Nursing ; *Self-Help Groups ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Stroke/*nursing

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to determine the efficacy of rapid karyotyping from fetal ascitic fluid. METHODS: In three cases of isolated fetal ascites diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography, ultrasound guided fetal paracentesis and amniocentesis were performed and successfully obtained. Fetal karyotyping in each case at 29, 30 and 32 weeks gestation using modified lymphocyte culture method was conducted. RESULTS: The chromosomal analysis was successful within 72 hours and abnormalities were detected in two cases and revealed trisomy 21 in each case. Our study demonstrated that the majority distribution of white blood cells was lymphocytes which ranged from 2.1 * 10(6) cells/ml to 3.7 * 10(6) cells/ml and the cell density for culture was at least than 0.35 * 10(6) cells/ml. CONCLUSION: The use of ascitic fluid as a cell source to achieve rapid fetal karyotyping can be valuable when cordocenteis or amniocentesis would be technically more difficult, or when rapid result is required for planning of perinatal management at late second or third trimester gestational age.
Amniocentesis ; Ascites ; Ascitic Fluid* ; Cell Count ; Cytogenetics* ; Diagnosis* ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Leukocytes ; Lymphocytes ; Paracentesis ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

A clinical observation was performed on the 80 cases of neonates born from diabetic mothers among the total of 34,936 neonates delivered at II Sin Christian Hospital from January 1985 to December 1989. The results were as follows: 1) The incidence of infants of diabetic mothers was 0.23%, among whom gestational diabetic mothers were 63 cases (78.7%) and overt diabetic mothers were 17 cases (21.3%). 2) Among the complications of pregnancy and delivery, preeclampsia was most frequent as 33.8%, following by urinary tract infection (13.8%), polyhydramnios (1.3%), diabetic ketoacidosis (1.3%). 3) According to the gestational age, prematurity was 11.3%, full term 78.7% and post term 10%. And according to the growth state, small for date infants were 11.3%, appropriate for date infants 53.7% and large for date infants 35%. 4) The incidnece of giant babies (over 4,000 gm) was 30.0% and sex ratio of male to female was 1.1:1 in infants of diabetic mothers. 5) The most frequent clinical manifestation was tachypnea (45.3%), following by poor feeding (20.0%), cyanosis (18.7%). 6) According to the laboratory findings, 53.7% showed hypoglycemia, 36.3% hyperbilirubinemia, 25% hypocalcemia, 15% polycythemia. 7) On the chest X-ray, there were pulmonary infiltration and hyaline membrane disease in 3.2% each other and pulmonary congestion and wet lung in 1.6% each other. 8) The incidence of congenital anomaly was 13.8% in 80 cases of infants of diabetic mothers, and congenital heart disease was most frequent as 3 cases.
Cyanosis ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Hyaline Membrane Disease ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Hypocalcemia ; Hypoglycemia ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mothers* ; Polycythemia ; Polyhydramnios ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pulmonary Edema ; Sex Ratio ; Tachypnea ; Thorax ; Urinary Tract Infections