PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the correlation that exists between quality of life and self-efficacy of schizophrenic patients, focusing on the influence of related factors on these varables. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 151 schizophrenic patients. The data were collected using questionnaires. The instruments used for this study were the general self-efficacy scale developed by Sherer & Maddex (1982), the specific self-efficacy scale modified and complemented by these co-researchers on the basis of the past studies and modified SIP by Voruganti (1996). The period of data collection was from July. 2000 to Jan. 2001. Data analysis was done by SPSS, t-test, ANOVA and the Pearson Correlation Coefficient. RESULT: 1. The level of self-efficacy showed a mean score of 60.0 and the level of quality of life, a mean score of 47.0. 2. The general characteristics affecting the self-efficacy of schizophrenic patients were staying with family (p=0.05) and employment (p=0.00). 3. The general characteristics affecting the quality of life of schizophrenic patients were staying with family (p=0.04), employment (p=0.05) and duration of illness (0.03). 4. A positive correlation was identified between self-efficacy and quality of life (r=-0.469, p=0.000). CONCLUSION: The study suggests that nursing intervention strategy should be worked out to develop a psychiatric rehabilitation program that can promote self-efficacy and thus enhance the quality of life of schizophrenic patients.
Complement System Proteins ; Data Collection ; Employment ; Humans ; Nursing ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rehabilitation ; Schizophrenia ; Statistics as Topic

T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma is characterized by immature lymphoid cells that are indistinguishable from the lymphoblasts and prolymphocytes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Several characteristic clinical features of lymphoblastic lymphoma, with include a high male-to-female ratio, a relatively high incidence in older children and young adults, the frequent presence of mediastinal involvement at the time of diagnosis. Also, this disease is rapidly progressive, and early dissemination to the bone marrow, blood, and central nervous system leads to the evolution of a picture resembling a acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We have experienced a rare case of congenital T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in which 1/365 year old female newborn had generalized multiple irregular protruding mass on her body. On bone marrow biopsy, CSF analysis, ultrasonogram and whole body MRI studies. We found metastasized tumor mass to, orbit, abdominal cavity, bulva, skin, and lower extremities. Histopathologically, specimen from mass on the right thigh showed diffuse infiltration of poorly differentiated and immature lymphoid cells in the skelectal muscle and subcutaneous soft tissue. By immunophenotyping studies using anti T cell and B cell monoclonal antibody, these cells were reactive with UCHL-1, MB2, but unreactive with MB1, L26. Based on these findings, the lesion was diagnosed as lymphoblastic lymphoma of the T-cell type, which occurred congenitally. Most T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma are noted, but congenital case was not reported. So we report it with a brief review of literature.
Abdominal Cavity ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; Central Nervous System ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Lower Extremity ; Lymphocytes ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Orbit ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* ; Skin ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thigh ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

Orthofix, a unilateral external fixator is simple and easy to use and it's design is also convenient to reduce and maintain the fracture site. In addition, wide range of application is an another advantage because compression and distraction is possible in the central body. Authors reviewed 56 operations in 50 patients for whom Orthofix was applied for 4 years from march 1988 to february 1992 in Chonnam University Hospital. There were 46 males and 4 females. Twenty five patients(50%) were between 20 to 40 years of age. The indication was open fracture of the long bone in 27 cases, infected nonunion in 17 cases, bony defect in 4 cases, arthrodiastasis in 3 cases, arthrodesis in 2 cases and others in 3 cases. 1. There were 23 cases treated with Orthofix only until completion of treatment, 17 cases necessary to another methods of treatment, 14 cases maintaining Orthofix until now and 2 cases miscellaneous. 2. The duration of maintenance of Orthofix until completion of treatment in 20 cases of open fracture of long bone or infected nonunion was 9.5 months in average. 3. The bone union time averaged 9.5 months in above 20 cases and there was a little difference of bone union time between open fractures and infected nonunions. 4. Result of long term follow-up in 20 cases open fracture of long bone or infected are as follows; 12 cases(60%) have angulation less than 10° or length inequality less than 10mm, 14 cases(70%) have showed no limitation in range of motion or mild limitation of joint above and below the fracture site. 5. Complications, directly related to Orthofix, developed in 17 cases. There were 15 cases of pin tract infection and 2 cases of fixation loosening. Orthofix was considered as one of the excellent external fixation system, for it is simple and easy to use and could provide rigid fixation for difficult conditions in Orthopedic field such as open fracture, infected nonunion, bony defect and arthrodiatasis.
Arthrodesis ; External Fixators ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Joints ; Male ; Orthopedics ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Socioeconomic Factors

PURPOSE: In this study, we compared the quantitative characteristics of dynamic salivary gland scintigraphy with static scintigraphy in patients with clinical sicca syndrome using Tc-99m pertechnetate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two parotid glands and 52 submandibular glands out of 26 patients with clinical sicca syndrome were studied by dynamic and static salivary gland scintigraphy. Ten normal volunteers were also studied as a control group for comparison of scintigraphic parameters. Ten minutes after injection of 370 MBq Tc-99m pertechnetate, we obtained pre-stimulus static images for a few minutes. Then dynamic salivary gland scintigraphy with lemon juice stimulation was performed for 20 minutes. Finally we obtained post-stimulus static images after dynamic images. On dynamic study, functional parameters such as uptake rate, secretion rate and re-uptake rate were calculated. The results of dynamic study and static images were compared. RESULTS: On dynamic study, we could obtain functional parameters of salivary glands successfully. On dynamic study, 22 parotid glands and 22 submandibular glands out of each of 52 glands are abnormal. The static images demonstrated somewhat different results, of which reasons we could assume via dynamic study. CONCLUSION: Dynamic salivary gland scintigraphy using Tc-99m perechnetate were more functional than static images and might be useful in the assessment of the functional change of the salivary gland in patients with clinical sicca syndrome.
Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Parotid Gland ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Salivary Glands* ; Sjogren's Syndrome* ; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m ; Submandibular Gland

A uremic patient on hemodialysis, who had concurrent cardiomyopathy showed intense myocardial uptake of (99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate (MDP). The presumed cause of Uptake in the myocardium is metastatic calcification due to hypercalcemia secondary to the renal failure. However, supplementary mechanism caused by cardiomyopathy should be considered. We describe a case with bone tracer uptake in the myocardium in the absence of infarction in a patient with chronic renal failure,
Cardiomyopathies* ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Infarction ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Myocardium ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate*

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

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find some points that may help the differential diagnosis of ring lesions in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the liver through recognition of the characteristics of the morphology and the signal intensities of the ring lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T1- and T2-weighted axial spin-echo images and gadolinium-enhanced Tl-weighted images were obtained with a 1.0 T superconducting MR imager. We reviewed the MR findings of 23 hepatic ring lesions which were confirmed as hepatocellular carcinomas (13), metastases (4), liver abscesses (4), hydatid cyst (1), and hematoma (1). RESULTS: There were 19 single rings and 4 double rings (all the cases were liver abscesses) on Tl-weighted images, and 8 single rings and 14 double rings on T2-weighted images. The signal intensity of the ring was low in hepatocellular carcinoma on Tl-weighted images and in hydatid cyst on T2-weighted images. It was high on Tl-weighted images in subacute hemaroma. Target lesion as an inner high-signal-intensity ring surrounded by a high-signal-intensity ring on T2-weighted images was seen in metatasis, liver abscess, and hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSION: It is helpful to recognize the chracteristics of morphology and signal intensities of the ring lesions in the differential diagnosis of hepatic focal lesions.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Echinococcosis ; Hematoma ; Liver Abscess ; Liver* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neoplasm Metastasis

PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between problem-based learning (PBL) evaluations and clinical performance. METHODS: The study included 117 third-year medical students at Chonnam National University Medical School. The students' first-, second-, and third-year PBL evaluations were compared with their clinical performance examination (CPX) scores in third year. The PBL evaluations were composed of three subscales: tutors' evaluation (students' professional behavior, contribution to group process, and contribution to group content), a report, and a written examination. The CPX assessed four performance categories: history taking, physical examination, information sharing, and patient-physician interaction. RESULTS: No significant correlation was found between the first-year PBL evaluations and CPX scores; however, the second-year PBL evaluations were significantly correlated with history taking (r=0.186, p=0.044) and patient-physician interaction (r=0.213, p=0.021) of CPX. The third-year PBL evaluations were significantly correlated with physical examination (r=0.248, p=0.007), and patient-physician interaction (r=0.283, p=0.002) of CPX. Several significant correlations between the PBL evaluations subscales and CPX scores were revealed. The PBL tutors' evaluation (r=0.343, p=0.000) and report scores (r=0.210, p=0.023) were significantly correlated with patient-physician interaction of CPX. The contribution to group process of tutors' evaluation was significantly correlated with patient-physician interaction (r=0.186, p=0.045), and the contribution to group content of tutors' evaluation was significantly correlated with physical examination (r=0.187, p=0.044). CONCLUSION: We found a significant association between PBL evaluations and CPX scores.
*Clinical Competence ; *Education, Medical, Undergraduate ; *Educational Measurement ; Group Processes ; Humans ; *Problem-Based Learning ; Republic of Korea ; Schools, Medical ; *Students, Medical ; Universities

No abstract available.
Head* ; Neck*

BACKGROUND: Liver ischemia and reperfusion injury is associated with activation of several inflammatory pathways including cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and cell-mediated tissue damage. tacrolimus causes a regulatory effect on some inflammatory pathways, such as cytokines, TNF, adhesion molecule and inflammatory cells. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has shown vasodilatation by relaxing vascular smooth muscles and inhibits the effect of proinflammatory cytokines which could reduce leukocyte- sinusoidal and platelet-sinusoidal interactions. METHODS: Liver ischemia was induced in rats by occluding the vessels, the supplying median segment, and the left lateral segment with an aneurysmal clip for 60 minutes. The rats received tacrolimus (0.5 mg/kg, tacrolimus group) or PGE1 (100 ug/kg, PGE1 group) or normal saline (Control group) 30 and 5 minutes before ischemia and reperfusion of the liver, respectively. The serum ALT, nitric oxide, and TNF were determined at 1, 24, and 48 hours after reperfusion, and hepatic necrosis was determined at the same times by using HE staining and a microscopic grading system. RESULTS: 1) In the control group, the serum ALT and TNF levels had peak values at 1 hour and were gradually decreased, but the serum nitric-oxide level was gradually increased after the time of reperfusion (p<0.05). No necrosis existed at in one hour, but the tissue necrosis at 24 hours was higher than that at 48 hours (p<0.05). 2) At one hour, the tacrolimus group had significantly lower serum ALT and TNF levels and a higher serum nitric-oxide level in the liver compared with the control group, but the serum nitric-oxide level did not change significantly after reperfusion (p<0.05). The extent of hepatic necrosis was significantly inhibited in the tacrolimus group when compared with that in the control group and the PGE1 group (p<0.05). 3) The PGE1 group exhibited improved hepatic necrosis compared with the control group (p<0.05). The improved hepatic necrosis was reflected in reductions of the serum ALT and TNF and an increase in the serum nitric-oxide level. CONCLUSIONS: These result suggest that tacrolimus and PGE1 protect the liver against ischemia- reperfusion injury by reducing the serum TNF level and increasing the serum nitric-oxide level. The protective effect of tacrolimus is more beneficial than that of PGE1.
Alprostadil* ; Aneurysm ; Animals ; Cytokines ; Ischemia ; Liver* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Necrosis ; Nitric Oxide ; Rats* ; Reperfusion ; Reperfusion Injury* ; Tacrolimus* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Vasodilation