PURPOSE: This study was to examine the effects of the hypertension self-help program on knowledge, self-efficacy, self-management compliance, and physiological parameters for workers with hypertension. METHODS: The subjects of study were 54 patients with hypertension, divided into 28 of experimental group and 26 of control group, working in a general work place located in K city from June to September, 2009. Experiment treatment was a 12-week self-care program given for two hours, once a week. RESULTS: After conducting a self-help program, the experimental group showed significant increase in knowledge level, self-efficacy, self-management compliance, and physiological parameters including blood pressure, BMI, total cholesterol level, neutral fat, and LDL-cholesterol of blood lipids compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: This program is greatly recommended for workshops.
Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; Compliance ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypogonadism ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Self Care ; Workplace

We retrospectively evaluated the 130 low vision patients on the basis of medical recordings. Men(58.5%) were more than women. The patients in teen-age(11-20yr) were most common(23.9%). Etiologies were aphakia due to congenital cataract(21.5%), macular degeneration(15.4%), and optic atrophy(13.8%) in that order. Low vision aids were prescribed for rehabilitation of the low vision. High-power plus glasses(25.4%), magnifiers(24.6%), and telemicroscope(7.9%) were low vision aids commonly prescribed for near vision, while hand-held telescope(23.8%) was the most popular for distance vision aids. High-power plus glasses were actually worn by 31 of 32 patients prescribed for them.
Aphakia ; Eyeglasses ; Female ; Glass ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Rehabilitation ; Retrospective Studies ; Vision, Low*

PURPOSE: To describe the angiographic findings of patients with recurrent hemoptysis after bronchial artery embolization (BAE) according to the point at which relapse occurred. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 125 patients who underwent BAE due to hemoptysis between 1996 and 2000, we selected 18 of 23 who underwent additional BAE due to recurrent bleeding after initial BAE . Depending on the point at which relapse occurred, they were divided into two groups (I and II, according to whether additional BAE was performed within two weeks of initial BAE or more than two weeks after this). We retrospectively compared the two groups in terms of angiographic findings, number of embolized arteries, and character of feeding arteries at initial and additional BAE. RESULTS: Nine patients in group I (additional BAE: n=10) and nine in group II (additional BAE: n=13) were admitted for recurrent hemoptysis within two weeks of initial BAE and more than two weeks after this, respectively. In group I(n=29) and II(n=31), angiography demonstrated two direct and 27 indirect, and two direct and 29 indirect signs of hemorrhage, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed (x2=0.005, p=0.945). Among the embolized feeder ressels in group I (n=30) there were 20 bronchial artery and 10 non bronchial systemic collaterals, while for group II(n=35), the corresponding totals were 21 and 14. Again, no statistically significant differences were encountered(x2=0.308; p=0.579). In group I, feeders were newly developed in one case(10%), previously embolized in five(50%), and missed in four(40%), while in group two the corresponding figures were none, twelve(92.3%), and one(7.7%). No significant differences were noted, though the incidence of previously embolized feeders in Group II was very high (x2=5.383, p=0.068). CONCLUSION: Among patients in whom hemoptysis after BAE recurred at different times, the angiographic findings and number of embolized arteries were not significantly different, but differences in the nature of the feeder were noted. Patients in whom hemoptysis recurred more than two weeks after BAE showed more recanalization of previously embolized feeders than those in whom there was recurrence within two weeks.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Bronchial Arteries ; Hemoptysis* ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

Hemangioma is the most common soft tissue tumor in the body. Though it may occur anywhere in the body, hemangioma of the uterus is a very rare tumor. Hemangioma is almost asymptomatic, but it is sometimes clinically important because it can cause massive hemorrhage and this is a life-threatening condition. We report here on the magnetic resonance imaging and pathologic findings of cavernous hemangioma of the uterus in a 32-year-woman with menorrhagia.
Female ; Hemangioma ; Hemangioma, Cavernous* ; Hemorrhage ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Menorrhagia ; Uterine Neoplasms ; Uterus*

PURPOSE: The primary purpose for imaging the urinary tract of children with urinary tract infection is to detect congenital anomalies that may predispose the children to persistent or recurrent infection and also to prevent progressive renal deterioration. We evaluated the efficacy of imaging studies after a first febrile urinary tract infection in young children with normal prenatal ultrasonographic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 52 young children who were treated due to their first febrile urinary tract infection between 2001 and 2003. In all cases, urine specimens were collected via suprapubic aspiration. An the ultrasonogram and dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scans were obtained within 48 and 72 hours after hospitalization. Contrast voiding cystourethrograms were obtained within 1 to 4 week later after controlling the urinary tract infection. RESULTS: On the ultrasonographic studies, 43 children (90%) were normal and 9 children (10%) were abnormal, and all of these abnormalities were upper tract dilatation that was not due to obstructive uropathy. DMSA renal scans revealed acute pyelonephritis in 34 children (65%) and normal findings in 18 (35%). Voiding cystourethrogram revealed reflux in 15 children (31%). 4 children had Grade II reflux, 1 child had III reflux and 9 children had grade IV reflux. CONCLUSIONS: After the first febrile urinary tract infection in young children with normal prenatal ultrasonographic findings, an ultrasonogram performed at the time of acute illness is of limited value for the clinical decision about further treatment. A DMSA renal scan is useful for identifying pyelonephritis and renal scar, but its effect on the outcomes is unclear. Voiding cystourethrogram is most useful imaging study for identifying the reflux that needs antimicrobial prophylaxis for reducing reinfections and to prevent renal scarring.
Child* ; Cicatrix ; Dilatation ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Pyelonephritis ; Retrospective Studies ; Succimer ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

OBJECTIVE: Box-shape cervical expansive laminoplasty is a procedure that utilizes a Miniplate(R) or Maxpacer(R) to achieve maximal canal expansion. This method is expected to show much larger canal expansion and good clinical outcome. So we investigated the clinical and radiological outcome of Box-shape cervical expansive laminoplasty. METHODS: Between June 2008 and July 2013, we performed cervical expansive laminoplasty in 87 and 48 patients using the Box-shape cervical expansive laminoplasty, respectively. We analyzed the clinical results of these operations using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system and by assessing the position of intralaminar screws with postoperative computed tomography (CT) at POD-6 months. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) (36 pts), cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) (12 pts) were enrolled. Overall JOA scores improved from 11.49 to 14.22 at POD-6 months (OPLL: 11.32 -->14.3; CSM: 12-->14). Postoperative CT scans were performed in 39 patients at 177 levels for a total of 354 screws. The malpositioning rate of intralaminar screws was 3.4% and hardware-related neurologic complications did not occur. CONCLUSION: Box-shape cervical expansive laminoplasty creates maximal spinal canal expansion and leads to improved cervical myelopathy. The use of intralaminar screws to fix the remodeled lamina-facet does not represent a significant difficulty.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; Orthopedics ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Pregnancy, Heterotopic*

No abstract available.
Pregnancy, Heterotopic*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the number of leiomyoma patients-exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) and to observe whether the serum concentration of BPA is related to leiomyoma growth. METHODS: A total of 158 patients were recruited for this study. Leiomyoma patients were divided into three groups, mild (n = 48), moderate (n = 32) and severe (n = 28), according to the size of leiomyomas. The control (n = 30) group was defined as having no leiomyomas. Transvaginal ultrasonography was used to identify and measure the leiomyomas. Serum BPA concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: BPA was detected in 87.0% out of a total of 158 samples, and in 86.0% out of 108 leiomyoma patients. In detail, the detection rates of serum BPA were 88.0% in the control group, 77.2% in the mild group, 90.0% in the moderate group and 96.0% in the severe group. The mean BPA concentration in the control group was 0.558 +/- 0.097 ng/mL, the leiomyoma groups, the mean BPA concentrations were 0.274 +/- 0.063 ng/mL (mild), 0.346 +/- 0.064 ng/mL (moderate) and 0.647 +/- 0.039 ng/mL (severe) (P = 0.0003). Values represent the mean +/- standard error. CONCLUSION: The detection rates of serum BPA in the control and leiomyoma groups were 88.0% and 86.0%, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in the serum BPA concentrations between the control and leiomyoma groups. To verify the effect of BPA on leiomyoma growth, a close and sequential monitoring is recommended for people who are at risk for uterine leiomyoma.
Endocrine Disruptors ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyoma* ; Ultrasonography ; Uterus

PURPOSE: There are increasing evidences that angiogenesis enhances tumor growth and biological aggressiveness in gastric carcinoma. Mast cells have been implicated in the angiogenic process, by secreting angiogenic factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), or enzymes that degrade extracellular matrices. However, the exact nature of mast cells in relation to cancer is contradictory so we conducted retrospective studies, to find the significance of mast cell densities, and microvessel counts in each clinicopathologic factors, including VEGF expression, in proper muscle (PM) gastric carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 52 specimens, obtained from patients with PM gastric carcinoma, were studied using the immunohistochemical methods, monoclonal antibodies for mast cell tryptase, factor VIII-related antigen and VEGF. RESULTS: Mast cell densities were significantly increased in diffuse histologic type (p=0.042), infiltrating margins (p<0.0001) and VEGF positive (p=0.010) tumors.Microvessel counts were significantly higher in patients over 55 years old (p=0.024), with tumor sizes larger than >3 cm (p=0.015), diffuse histologic type (p=0.038) and lymph node metastasis (p=0.001). Similarly there were significantly increased densities in VEGF positive tumors (p<0.0001). Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between mast cell densities and microvessel counts (r=0.614, p<0.01), indicating a high vascular grade with increased number of mast cells. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated a close relationship between mast cell densities, microvessel counts and VEGF expression. These results suggest that mast cells and VEGF are important regulators of tumor angiogenesis and cooperatively induce the formation of vascular stroma in PM gastric carcinomas.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Extracellular Matrix ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Mast Cells* ; Microvessels ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Tryptases ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A* ; von Willebrand Factor