No abstract available.
Humans ; Primary Health Care*

PURPOSE: To determine whether TNF-alpha increases the antitumor effect of radiotherapy in murine syngeneic tumor system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Syngeneic murine tumors of MCa-K or MCa-4 (mammary carcinoma), OCa-I (ovarian carcinoma), or HCa-I (hepatocarcinoma were grown in hind legs of C3Hf/HeJ mice. When tumors were grown to 6 mm in mean diameter, mice were treated with TNF-alpha, radiation, or combination of the both. Gamma-radiation was given as a single dose of 30 Gy for HCa-I and 15 Gy for other tumors using Cobalt-60 teletherapy unit. A novel TNF-alpha mutein developed in Korea, was intraperitoneally administered daily at a dose of 10 microgram per mouse for 7 days. In combination of radiation and TNF-alpha, the drug was started 1 hour after radiation. Tumor growth delay assay was used to measure the tumor response to the treatment. RESULTS: Among 4 tested tumors, TNF-alpha alone showed significant antitumor activity in MCa-K and OCa-I tumors, which showed absolute growth delay (AGD) of 5.0 days and 6.5 days, respectively. In combination with radiation, TNF-alpha showed significant delay of AGD (41.1 days) in OCA-I compared to AGDs of TNF-alpha alone and radiation, i.e., 6.5 days and 26.9 days, respectively (p<0.05). Enhancement factor was 1.29 in OCa-I, which showed supraadditive effect. TNF-alpha did not show significant delay of AGDs in the remaining 3 tumors compared to AGDs of TNF-alpha alone and radiation. CONCLUSIONS: TNF-alpha alone showed antitumor effects in MCa-K and OCa-I. In combination with radiation, TNF-alpha acted in supraadditive way in OCa-I only. The results of this study imply that the combination of TNF-alpha and radiation has different therapeutic potential depending on tumor model and further study is advocated.
Animals ; Korea ; Leg ; Mice ; Radiotherapy* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

No abstract available.
Depression* ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Humans

Authors have recently experienced a rare case of avulsion of the left eye ball due to ocular injury in 7 years old Korean girl. The eye ball was completely exposed out of the lid margin. In this case authors supposed that the dynamic inertia was played a major role in the mechanism of avulsion of this eye ball. A breief review of other literatures has also been described.
Child ; Female ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Medical decisions concerning the prolongation of life, the right to die and euthanasia are among the most extensively discussed issues within medicine and law today. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of medical students and housestaff toward euthanasia. METHODS: From July 15 to September 15 of the 1998, the responses of 180 medical students and 132 housestaff to a self-administered questionnaire were analyzed to identify attitudes toward euthanasia. Over 312 respondents about attitudes toward euthanasia, the analysis of differences between proportions was made by the Chi-square test. RESULTS: About 69.9% of the respondents thought euthanasia should be legalized. The findings suggest that Buddhists (77.5%) and non-religious groups (88.1%) tend to support euthanasia more than Christians. Futhermore, medical students (74.4%) support euthanasia more than housestaffs(63.6%), male(75.1%) more often than female(57.9%). About 73.1% of the respondents said that active euthanasia is not justifiable, and 79.2% said that they do not like performing active euthanasia. In respect to passive euthanasia, 69.0% said that it is not ethically justifiable, but 63.0% would perform this as if it were legal. Housestaffs of internal medicine (76.9%) were more willing to do euthanasia than pediatrics (70.0%), surgery (63.6%), family practice (53.8%) and Ob/Gyn (33.3%). CONCLUSION: Respondents have positive attitudes toward legalization of euthanasia.. Most considered that passive euthanasia is not morally justifiable. But if it were legalized, they would be willing to do euthanasia, while they would still be disturbed by active euthanasia. The opinions of physician and medical students directly affect patient care and their attitudes must be considered if clear policies are to be developed concerning euthanasia.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Euthanasia* ; Euthanasia, Active ; Euthanasia, Passive ; Family Practice ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Jurisprudence ; Life Support Care ; Patient Care ; Pediatrics ; Right to Die ; Students, Medical*

The time between symptom onset and arrival at an emergency department (ED) (S2D) is a crucial time for optimal intravenous reperfusion care for ischemic stroke. We aimed to analyze the effect of emergency medical services (EMS) utilization and inter-hospital transfer on S2D in Korea. Ischemic stroke patients were prospectively enrolled from November 2007 to December 2012 in 23 tertiary and teaching hospital EDs in Korea. Of 31,443 adult ischemic stroke patients, 20,780 were categorized into 4 groups based on modes of EMS utilization and inter-hospital transfer: direct transport to destination ED by EMS (EMS direct; n=6,257, 30.1%), transfer after transport to another ED by EMS (EMS indirect; n=754, 3.6%), direct transport to the ED without using EMS (non-EMS direct; n=8,928, 43.0%), and transfer after visiting another hospital without using EMS (non-EMS indirect; n=4,841, 23.3%). Our primary outcome variable was of S2D within 2 hr (S2D < or =2 hr) and found that 30.8% of all patients and 52.3%, 16.4%, 25.9%, and 13.9% of EMS direct, EMS indirect, non-EMS direct, and non-EMS indirect, respectively, achieved S2D < or =2 hr. Adjusted odds ratio for S2D < or =2 hr were 6.56 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.94-7.24), 2.27 (95% CI, 2.06-2.50), and 1.07 (95% CI, 0.87-1.33) for EMS direct, non-EMS direct, and EMS indirect, respectively. Patients directly transported to destination hospitals by the EMS show the highest proportion of therapeutic time window for optimal care in ischemic stroke.
Aged ; Emergency Medical Services/*statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Republic of Korea ; Stroke/*diagnosis ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Time Factors

Osteoporosis, the typical metabolic bone disease of the elderly, is characterized by a reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk. Genetic and environmental factors are known to play a key role in bone metabolism, and diet is also considered to be one of the important factors. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship among the factors affecting BMD, including stature, body weight, age, time period since onset of menopause, and biochemical markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women. Seventy-eight postmenopausal women who visited health promotion center for health examinations volunteered to participate in this study and they were divided into two groups according to the time period since onset of menopause : women with a time period since onset of menopause of less than 5 years (Group 1) and women with a time period since onset of menopause of 5 years or more (Group 2). The demographic characteristics and dietary intake were surveyed using a questionnaire. BMDs of the lumbar spine and femoral neck of subjects were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH), known to be indicators of bone related hormone status, were anlyzed. Serum samples were measured for calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin as bone formation indicators, and urine was analysed for deoxypyridinoline, creatinine, calcium, and sodium as bone resorption indicators. The results are as follow : The mean BMDs of the lumbar spin and femoral neck were 1.02+/-0.02 g/cm2 and 0.81 +/-0.02 g/cm2, respectively, and the BMD level of Group 2 was significantly lower than tat of Group 1 (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively). The mean daily intake of energy was 1838 +/- 55 kcal. When nutrient intake was compared with the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) of the subjects, only calcium, vitamin A and riboflavin intake showed means lower than the RDA. The nutrient intake did not show any significant differences between Group 1 and 2 Serum and urine levels of biochemical markers of bone turnover did not show any significant differences between Group 1 and 2, and all were within the normal range. However, the PTH and deoxypyridinoline levels showed a tendency to be higher, and the osteocalcin level to be lower in Group 2 than in Group 1. Although age and years after menopause (YAM) showed negative correlations with lumbar spine bone mineral density (LBMD) (r= -0.38, p<0.001, and r= -0.26, p<0.05, respectively), no correlation was found with femoral neck bone mineral density (NBMD). While height, body weight and body mass index (BMI) showed a positive correlation with LBMD (r= 0.32, p<0.001, r= 0.38, p<0.001, r= 0.22, p= 0.05, respectively), only body weight and BMI showed a positive correlation with NBMD (r= 0.30, p<0.01, and r= 0.27, p<0.05, respectivley). There was no significant corealtion between BMDs and the nutrient intake of subjects, except in the case of carbohydrates (r= 0.22, p<0.05). Also, serum and urine levels of bone turnover markers showed no significant correlation with nutrient intake. On the other hand, serum osteocalcin had a positive correlation with vitamin C intake (r= 0.22, p= 0.05), and urine deoxypyridinolin showed a negative correlation with niacin intake (r= -0.22, p= 0.05). Urinary na was negatively correlated with protein intake(r= -0.23, p= 0.05). The results suggested that it is difficult to prevent the decrease in bone mass among postmenopausal women eating the usual Korean diet. However, the BMDs of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were positively related to body weight ad BMI in postmenopausal women. Therefore, this study confirmed that one of the most effective ways to minimize bone loss in postmenopausal women would be to maintain an adequate body weight with balanced nutrient intake and activity in the pre-and postmenopausal periods.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Ascorbic Acid ; Biomarkers ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Bone Resorption ; Calcium ; Carbohydrates ; Creatinine ; Diet ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Hand ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Menopause ; Metabolism ; Niacin ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Phosphorus ; Postmenopause ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Reference Values ; Riboflavin ; Sodium ; Spine ; Vitamin A ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study was conducted to investigate dietary and other factors affecting bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean premenopausal women. Seventy-eight premenopausal women who visited the Health Promotion Center for health examinations volunteered to participate in this study. They were divided into two groups according to their bone status as shown by their T-scores: a non-osteoporotic group and a osteoporotic group. The results are as follows: The mean BMDs of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were 1.21 +/- 0.02 g/cm2 and 0.97 +/- 0.04 g/cm2, respectively. The BMD levels of the osteoporotic group were significantly lower than those of the non-osteoporotic group (p < 0.001, respectively). The heights of the women in the osteoporotic group were significantly lower than those of the non-osteoporotic group (p < 0.01) however, their body weights did not show any significant differences although they tended to be lower. The mean daily intake of energy was 1720 +/- 52 kcal. When the nutrient intake was compared with the Korean recommended dietary allowances (RDA), calcium, Fe, vitamin A and riboflavin intakes were lower than the RDA. Their was no significant difference in the nutrient intake of the non-osteoporotic group and osteoporotic group except for the intakes of protein, fat and niacin. Their was no significant difference between the non-osteoporotic group and the osteoporotic group and all were within the normal range. However, the serum alkaline phosphatase level of the osteoporotic group was significantly higher than that of the non-osteoporotic group (p < 0.001). Height measurements showed positive correlations with lumbar spine bone mineral density (LBMD, r = 0.332, p < 0.01) however there was no correlation with femoral neck bone mineral density (NBMD). Age, age at menarche, body weight, body mass index (BMI) and obesity showed no correlation with BMD. The BMD of the lumbar spine was significantly and positively related to the intake of niacin and vitamin C (r = 0.236, p < 0.05; r = 0.274, p < 0.05). Serum levels of calcium and phosphorus showed negative correlations with LBMD (r = -0.698, p = 0.0001; r = -0.503, p = 0.0001, respectively). The results suggested that the BMD of the lumbar spine was positively related to the intake of niacin and vitamin C in premenopausal women. Therefore, this study confirmed that one of the most effective ways to minimize bone loss would be have a higher intake of niacin and vitamin C rich foods and engaging habitually in physical activity may have a beneficial effect on BMD in the premenopausal period.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Ascorbic Acid ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Menarche ; Motor Activity ; Niacin ; Obesity ; Phosphorus ; Premenopause ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Reference Values ; Riboflavin ; Spine ; Vitamin A

OBJECTIVES: In oder to investigate the cognitive and cortical functions of patients with conduct disorder, the present study was carried out with the neuropsychological test battery and Event-Related Potentials(ERPs:P300). METHODS: The subjects were consisted of 18 patients with conduct disorder who fulfilled DSM-IV criteria and 18 normal controls. For all subjects the neuropsychological test battery and ERPs were administered. The neuropsychological test battery consisted of attention tests, memory tests and Card Sorting Test which is used to evaluate the problem-solving and hypothesis-testing. The P300 was measured by oddball paradigm in which 1,000Hz tone was served as standard stimulus and 2,000Hz tone as target stimulus. The task of the subject was to press response-button whenever the target stimulus was presented. K-WAIS was administered in order to control the intelligence of the subjects. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1) Among subtests of the neuropsychological test battery, only the result of Card Sorting Test showed significant difference between conduct disorder group and control group. The conduct disorder group showed significant low hit-rate compared with control group. 2) The conduct disorder group showed decreased P300 amplitude compared with control group on Fz and Cz. Among 18 patients with conduct disorder, 12 patients showed negative potentials on Fz. 3) The conduct disorder group showed prolonged P300 latency compared with control group on Fz. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the patients with conduct disorder seem to have retarded functions of problem-solving and hypothesis-testing, and this retardation seems to be related to the frontal dysfunction.
Conduct Disorder* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Evoked Potentials ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Memory ; Neuropsychological Tests

PURPOSE: Inter-hospital transport poses a number of challenging issues, including prolonging the time interval from symptoms to optimal reperfusion therapy after ischemic stroke. It is unclear whether urbanization is associated with outcomes of inter-hospital transfer including length of stay at the referring hospital (D1LOS). METHODS: A prospective stroke registry from 23 Emergency Departments (ED) from 2007 to 2012 over the nation was collected. Ischemic stroke patients who arrived at the first ED within 24 hours of onset (S2D1) were enrolled. Patients were excluded if time intervals or address were incorrect or missing. Main exposure was urbanization level; urban > or =10,000 and rural <10,000 population. Primary outcome was D1LOS. The secondary outcomes were symptoms to door of the first ED (S2D1) and transfer time to the final ED (T2D2). We compared the D1LOS, S2D1, and T2D2 with median and inter-quartile range (IQR) by urbanization level. RESULTS: Of 5,909 patients transferred from other hospitals, 2,289 patients were analyzed; 1,441 (63%) patients in urban areas, 848 (37%) patients in rural areas were included. The D1LOS and S2D1 in urban was longer than those in rural; 100 minutes (IQR 50~208) for urban VS 82.5 minutes (IQR 48~170.5) for rural (p=0.01) and 66 minutes (IQR 30~240) for urban VS 90 minutes (IQR 30~330) for rural (p=0.001). T2D2 in urban was shorter than that in rural; 54 minutes (IQR 36~78), 40 minutes (IQR 25~65) (p< or =0.00), respectively. CONCLUSION: Urban EDs showed longer D1LOS before transferring patients to the hospital for definite care. Strategy for reducing delay due to inter-hospital transport should differ according to urbanization.
Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Patient Transfer ; Reperfusion ; Stroke* ; Urbanization*