Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a single-strand RNA virus in the Flaviviridae family, it was recently identified from the plasma of a patient with chronic hepatitis. HOV infection may cause acute and chronic liver disease by blood transfusion, drug addicts, hemophilia, and multiple sexual partners. But clinical significance of infectious pathway is still unclear. In this report, we amplified HGV RNA by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) by primers within the highly conserved 5'-noncoding region (NCR) and used restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method for the polymorphism analysis of amplified HGV gene. HGV was shown to be present in 7 of 78 (9.0%) from HCV RT-PCR positive serum samples and 5 of 58 (8.6%) from HCV RT-PCR negative serum samples. From the RFLP method HGV divided into four genotypes in 12 positive samples. Therefore, HGV genotype was distributed at least four different types in Korea.
Blood Transfusion ; Drug Users ; Flaviviridae ; GB virus C* ; Genotype ; Hemophilia A ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Diseases ; Plasma ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length* ; RNA ; RNA Viruses ; Sexual Partners

Estrogen and progesterone receptors exist in the epithelial and stromal cells of the endometrium. Proliferative disorders of the endometrium may be associated with autocrine and paracrine actions of estrogen and progesterone in epithelial and stromal cells. This study was performed to evaluate the differences estrogen and progesterone receptor(ER/PR) expression in the epithelial and stromal cells of endometrial hyperplasias and adenocarcinomas using immunohistochemical methods. Immunohistochemical analysis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) was done to evaluate a possible correlation between PCNA and hormone receptor expression. Evaluation was based on samples from 31 simple hyperplasias, 30 complex hyperplasias, and 32 adenocarcinomas. The immunohistochemical expression of ER, PR and PCNA in epithelial and stromal cells were examined according to a scoring system based on the percentage of positive cells and the staining intensity. The results were as follows; 1) The expression of ER and PR in epithelial cells showed a graded, significant decreases in simple hyperplasia, complex hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma, in that order(ER: P=0.008, PR: P= 0.026). 2) PR expression in the stromal cells showed a significant decrease between hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma(P=0.003). The difference in ER expression was not significant. 3) In stromal cells, the decrease in PR expression was more prominent than the decrease in ER expression when complex hyperplasia was compared to simple hyperplasia. 4) The PCNA expression in simple and complex hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma was not higher than the expression of PCNA in nomal proliferative endometrium. There was no significant difference in PCNA expression between simple and complex hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma(P=0.073). 5) A negative correlation between PCNA and ER/PR expression was not demonstrated in simple and complex hyperplasia, or in adenocarcinoma. Endometrial hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma are probably related to a paracrine action of estrogen and progesterone in epithelial and stromal cells. A progressive loss of PR expression in stromal cells may induce abnormal proliferation of endometrium due to a disrupted hormonal balance.
Adenocarcinoma

Midtrimester genetic amniocentesis has been a gold standard for prenatal diagnosis in antenatal care since last 25 years. After the triple serum marker test was introduced as a prenatal screening method for Down syndrome, the frequency of genetic amniocentesis was increased. OBJECTIVE: To determine the complication, risk of amniocentesis and detection rate of chromosomal abnormality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective clinical analysis of 1,064 midtrimester genetic amnicentesis in IL Sin Christian Hospital antenatal clinic from Jan 1995 to Dec 1997. Chi square test was used for the statistical analysis and p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Amnicentesis were significantly increased in the age of 35-39 yrs and 40yrs over. And also the incidence of chromosomal abnormality was higher than younger age group. The indications of amnicentesis were screen positive of triple marker test(43%), advanced maternal age(20.8%), abnormal beta-hCG level, past history of chromosome abnormality or malformed baby and abnormal alpha-FP level in order. Total number of chromosomal abnormalities was 30 and the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities was 2.8%(30/1,064). The complications were developed in 13 cases and fetal loss rate was 0.78%(9/1,064). CONCLUSION: The detection rate of chromosomal abnormality in midtrimester amnicentesis for prenatal diagnosis was high and relatively safe procedure but, we should be attention to more careful manipulation.
Amniocentesis ; Biomarkers ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies

The purpose of this study was to determine the most accurate technique measuring the apical pulse rate, using three counting duration 15, 30 and 60 seconds, and two methods start '0' and start '1'. The instrument used in the study was the EKG moniter, stethoscope and stopwatch. Data was analyzed by utilizing SPSSWIN program. General characteristics of the subjects were analyzed by frequency, percentile, mean, SD. The subject of this research is made up of 46 children and 20 nurses. The children were infants, & under the age of 5. They were hospitalised in PICU & NICU in 2 tertiary hospitals in seoul from Jan. 1. 1998 to Sep. 10. 1998. The measurement of starting 1 & measurement of starting '0' used the T-test to find out the measurement error. Apical pulse duration of 15, 30, 60 seconds were used to find out measurement error, the measurement error depend on experience of Nurse were analyzed by using ANOVA. The result of this study are as follows : 1. When comparing the starting poin of apical pulse 0 & 1, starting with 1 the measurement error is less, but not statically significant. 2. When counting the apical pulse by 15, 30, 60 sec. 60 seconds counting duration was more accurate, but not statistically significant. 3. The mean of measure error : Group under 100/ min, is 10.33 : from 100 or 119/min, is 8.30 : from 120 to 139/min, is 4.76 ; from 140 to 159/min, is 6.09 : above 160, is 17.83. The differences of these groups are statistically significant. When 60sec were counted, under 140/min the mean of measurement error is 3.4. Also when 30 seconds were counted from 140/min to 159/min the measurement error is 7.14, above 160/min the measurement error is 16.4. That measurement mean is the smallest than the other durations. During the 15 sec. count the measurement error was the largest of them all. 4. By the experience of the nurses, the apical pulse count measurement error was discovered. Under a year experience this measurement error was the largest(11.09), 1 year to under 3 years, the error is the smallest(4.86). 3 year to under 6 years the error is 8.33, 5 years above the error is 6.11 but this is not statistical significant. Under a year experience when counting 15, 30, 60 seconds the error is the largest. The group of the nurses from a year to under 3 years, the measurement error is the smallest of all the groups. The result of the study is to determine the technique measuring the apical pulse rate, Hargest (1974), starting point '0' is not proved. When the pulse rate increases the 30 sec measurement rate is accurate. Under 140/min the 60 sec measurement rate is the most accurate. Depending on the nurses experiences, there is a variable difference to the apical pulse rate measurement. Especially new nurses training courses should enforce the children's pulse rate count and the basic vital signs.
Child ; Child, Hospitalized* ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Infant ; Seoul ; Stethoscopes ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Vital Signs ; Child Health

PURPOSE: p53 gene mutations, one of the most common alterations found in human tumors, has also been detected in gastric carcinoma, and shown to have a crucial and early role in gastric carcinogenesis of intestinal type and mainly associated with tumor progression in the cancer of diffuse type. We tried to investigate the frequency of p53 mutations in 27 gastric carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh tumor tissue from a series of gastric carcinoma was screened for p53 mutations by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) with silver staining and confirmed by direct-sequencing in 27 cases of gastric carcinoma. Immunohistochemical method for p53 protein accumulation was also performed in the same cases. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry revealed 20 of 27 cases of gastric carcinoma, positive for p53. PCR-SSCP analysis of p53 exons 5-8 detected mobility shift in 4 out of 20 p53-positive tumors; three from exon 5 and the other from exon 7, respectively. DNA sequencing of exon 5 showed CGC to CAC point mutation in one of three cases; exon 7, ATC to AAC point mutation. It seemed that there was no correlation between genetic alterations of p53 gene detected by PCR-SSCP and expression of p53 protein by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIOAS: Our results suggest that mutations of the p53 gene are rare genetic events in carcinogenesis of gastric carcinomas. There was discrepancy between mutations screened by PCR-SSCP and overexpressions in immunohistochemical staining.
Carcinogenesis ; Exons ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational* ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Silver Staining

No abstract available.
Humans

Over the past 30 years, there has been an increase in the incidence of multifetal pregna-ncies, primarily because of the introduction of ovarian stimulants for ovulation induction and assisted reproductive technology ( ART ) in infertile patients. It is well established that multifetal pregnancies are associated with an increased frequency of the maternal complications and gre-ater perinatal morbidity and mortyality. The adverse outcome of multifetal pregnancies is dire-ctly proportional to the number of fetuses, primarily as an consequence of prterm delivery. Re-duction in the number of fetuses in multifetal pregnancies has been proposed as a way to impr-ove the perinatal outcome in this situation. Therefore, selective fetal reduction ( SFR ) is sugges-ted as a therapeutic option for continuation of pregnancy with fetuses mature enough to survi-ve. In this paper, we report our infertility clinic experiences with 6 patients who carried mult- ifetal pregnancies including 1 quintuplet, 1 quadruplet, and 4 triplets. from January, 1991 to May, 1996, transabdominal SFR was accomplished by fetal intrathoracic KCl injection at 9~10 weeks of gestation. After the prcedure, 4 patients remained as twin pregnancies, and 2 patients as single pregnancy. There have been 3 sets of twin deliveries and the 2 sets of single delivery. One case was aborted. Two patients were delivered after 37 weeks of gestation, 2 patients were at 35 weeks, and 1 patient at 24 weeks. All babies have been healthy after birth in patients after 35 weeks gestation. There was no fetal anomaly related to the procedure in the 6 cases. We concluded that transabdominal SFR is a rather safe and useful procedure that may improve the outcome of multifetal pregnancies.
Fetus ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infertility ; Ovulation Induction ; Parturition ; Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Quadruplets ; Quintuplets ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Triplets ; Twins

Diabetes mellitus is the prevalent disease among older adults. The purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate the nutrition education program for diabetes mellitus patients aged 60 and over. The one group pretest and posttest design was employed to evaluate the program effectiveness. Nutrition education program for diabetes mellitus patients was carried out at the public healthy center in Guri city. The 38 out of 63 patients completed education program. They received four sessions of group education during four weeks. Nutrition education materials (booklet, leaflet) for older adults were provided to participants. Data about blood glucose, blood pressure, nutrition and diabetes mellitus knowledge, dietary behavior, dietary intake by 24-hour recalls were collected before and after nutrition education to evaluate the program effectiveness. All data were statistically analyzed using SAS package (ver.8.2) and significant difference was evaluated by chi-square-test, paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Study results showed that blood pressure and blood glucose were slightly decreased after nutrition education but they did not reach statistical significance. There were positive changes in nutrition knowledge and dietary behavior. The total score of nutrition and diabetes knowledge increased significantly (p < 0.001), and the total score of dietary behavior was improved (p < 0.05) after nutrition education. Dietary intakes of most of nutrients examined were not significantly different between preand post-test. Based on study results, it appears that nutrition education program for the aged diabetes mellitus patients might effectively increase nutrition knowledge, dietary behavior and diet quality. This nutrition education program can be used at the public health centers or senior centers for the management of diabetes mellitus for older adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diet ; Humans ; Phenothiazines ; Program Evaluation ; Public Health

PURPOSE: This study was designed to explore nursing students' knowledge, attitudes and intention to report cases of child abuse. METHODS: A descriptive research design was used with a convenience sample of 202 nursing students. After explaining the purpose of the study, participants who signed the consent form were asked to complete a self-descriptive questionnaire, which included the Child Abuse Intension Scale (CARIS). RESULTS: The number of correct answers for knowledge of child abuse and the law was 7.0/13. The mean scores were, for attitude toward childrearing belief and discipline, 17.1±5.2, for punishment and culpability of offender or victim, 24.6±4.1, for professional responsibility, 30.5±5.1, and for perceived behavioral control, 25.3±5.0. The intended reporting behavior differed significantly by severity of abuse. Factors influencing the intention to report child abuse were attitude towards punishment of parents, professional responsibility, and perceived behavioral control (R2=.133). CONCLUSION: On the basis of our finding, developing education programs to help nursing students detect child abuse and improve reporting rates is important. Thus, we suggests that nursing students be provided with educational protocol for detection and reporting of child abuse.
Behavior Control* ; Child ; Child Abuse* ; Child* ; Consent Forms ; Criminals ; Education ; Humans ; Intention* ; Jurisprudence ; Nursing* ; Parents ; Punishment ; Research Design ; Students, Nursing

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to construct and test a structural equation modeling on the reproductive health behavior of single women with sexual experiences. This study employed Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). METHODS: The data were collected after receipt of consent from 250 single women with sexual experiences, and analyzed using SPSS 18.0 and AMOS 18.0. RESULTS: Model fit indices for the hypothetical model were suitable for the recommended level: x²=362.407, RMR=0.065, RMSEA=0.070, GFI=0.867. TLI=0.927, CFI=0.938, IFI=0.939, and x²/dF=2.237. Intention showed direct effect with the biggest effect being on reproductive health behavior. Attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control were found to have a direct effect on intention. Among them, perceived behavioral control revealed the largest influence. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the TPB is a suitable model in explaining the reproductive health behavior of single women with sexual experience. Strategic plans for educational and intervention programs should be aimed to encourage single women to engage in reproductive health behavior.
Female ; Humans ; Intention ; Reproductive Health* ; Single Person*