OBJECTIVES: This study examined the characteristics and nutritional risk of the elderly who receive home delivery services. We then analyzed the effects of the characteristics of the elderly who receive the home-delivery meal service on their nutritional risk. METHODS: A total of 220 respondents who receive home-delivery meal service in Seoul participated in the survey. The survey consisted of the characteristics of the elderly (health status, tooth condition, physical activity, social participation activity, depression and relationship with neighbors), nutritional risk assessment and other general matters. The data was analyzed by using the SPSS program. Cross-tabulation analysis, t-test, correlation analysis and regression analysis were all conducted. RESULTS: 47.0% of the subjects were under 80 years old and 53.0% were over 80 years old, The nutritional risk score, as evaluated by a Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI) checklist was 10.7 points, and the high nutrition risk group was 91.5% of the subjects. The subjective self-health status score was 2.24 points (out of a total of 5 points) and the tooth status score was 3.30 points. The physical activity level was 2.17 points for the under 80 years old group and 1.76 points for the over 80 years old, and there was a significant difference according to age (p<0.01), The higher the health status, tooth condition, physical activity and social participation activity level, the lower was the nutritional risk. Further, the higher the degree of depression, the higher was the nutritional risk. CONCLUSIONS: For the healthy life of the elderly in the community, various welfare policies should be planned to increase social participation as well as to promote physical health and reduce depression.
Aged ; Checklist ; Depression ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Meals ; Motor Activity ; Risk Assessment ; Seoul ; Social Participation ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tooth

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the nutritional status and dietary habits of the elderly using the nutrition quotient for the elderly (NQ-E) and to analyze the differences in the NQ-E according to their levels of oral health. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The survey was administered to 123 elderly people receiving congregate meal services in Seoul. The questionnaire comprised 3 domains: oral health status, general characteristics, and the NQ-E for the elderly. RESULTS: The respondents were divided into 2 groups based on the average score of their levels of oral health (the group with high oral health scores: 4.42 points and the group with low oral health scores: 2.89 points). As a result of evaluating nutritional status using the NQE, it was found that the average NQ-E score was 58.7 points, with 46.0 points in the balance domain, 47.0 points in the diversity domain, 72.9 points in the moderation domain, and 61.8 points in the dietary behavior domain. The NQ-E score (62.3 points) of the group with high oral health scores is significantly higher than the NQ-E score (54.7 points) of the group with low oral health scores (P < 0.001). Concerning the NQ domain scores, the elderly with good oral health status had “favorable” results in terms of balance and dietary behavior, and the elderly with poor oral health status had “favorable” results only in terms of balance. CONCLUSIONS Overall, several dietary areas needed improvement in general. Those with poor oral health conditions urgently needed to improve related factors to minimize the risk of increasing imbalanced nutrition and comorbidities due to insufficient nutrition and undesirable eating habits.

BACKGROUND: Telomerase activity in precancerous conditions of lung adenocarcinomas has not been well studied. This study is designed to investigate the role of telomerase in premalignant lesions of urethane-induced mouse lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We harvested A/J mouse lung tissues at 3, 6, 9, 12, 28, 41, and 48 weeks after intraperitoneal urethane treatment, and classified each lesion in terms of histologic findings. We examined telomerase activity using a modified version of the telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay using both gel-based and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay methods. An immunohistochemical analysis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was performed. RESULTS: In urethane-induced mouse lung tissues, it was sequentially developed from hyperplasia, adenoma, and eventually to adenocarcinoma. Telomerase activity began to show a positive level in tissues with no histologically visible nodule after urethane administration. It revealed a statistically significant increase in hyperplasia compared to the "control" lung tissue (p<0.05), which was proportionally elevated relative to adenoma and adenocarcinoma. There was a direct correlation between telomerase activity and the PCNA labeling index (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The elevation of telomerase activity in normal-appearing lung lesions is thought to be a possible marker of early detection of pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenoma ; Animals ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hyperplasia ; Lung ; Mice ; Precancerous Conditions ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Telomerase ; Urethane

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a clinical syndrome characterized by a systemic inflammatory and hemodynamic response to severe bacterial infections that involve various mediators. Endothelin (ET)-1, a potent vasocon strictor is associated with multiple organ failure, and interleukin (IL)-8, a proinflammtory cytokine, plays a major role in neurophil activation. Both have been reported to be useful parameters in the clinical assessment of sepsis. The levels of ET-1 and IL-8 in the blood were measured in patients with sepsis, and the correlation of both parameters and their relationship with the clinical data was assessed. METHODS: 19 sepsis patients and 17 controls were studied. Blood samples of the sepsis patients were drawn in day 1, 3, 7, and 14. the APACHE III scores were calculated in concurrent days. The ET-1 and IL-8 levels were measured using immunoassay methods. RESULTS: The ET-1 levels of patients with sepsis were significantly higher than in the controls. In patients with sepsis, non-survivors had higher ET-1 levels than survivors on day 1 and 7, and patients with shock also had higher ET-1 levels than normotensive patients on admission. The ET-1 levels were significantly correlated wit the creatinine levels in day 1, 7, and 14. The IL-8 levels showed a significant correlation with the ET-1 levels on day 14. CONCLUSION: ET-1 was found to be closely related with the clinical outcome, shock, and renal failure, and showed a correlation with IL-8. these mediators can be considered not only to play pathophysiologic roles but also as useful parameters in the clinical assessment of sepsis.
APACHE ; Bacterial Infections ; Creatinine ; Endothelin-1* ; Endothelins ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Interleukin-8* ; Interleukins ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Naphazoline ; Renal Insufficiency ; Sepsis* ; Shock ; Survivors

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the accuracy of impression body taking by the closed and the open tray impression technique with 3 types of impression tray. Individual tray, metal stock tray and polycarbonate tray were used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine closed tray impressions were taken by individual tray, metal stock tray and polycarbonate stock tray, respectively with polyether impression material. 9 open tray impressions were also acquired by same manner. Precision analysis on the master models was performed by attaching the reference frameworks with alternate single screws and measuring the vertical fit discrepancy of respective analogues in working cast with a stereo microscope. Data were analyzed by 1 way ANOVA and independent t-test. RESULTS: The average fit accuracy of impression bodies was calculated. With the closed tray impression technique, there were significant statistical differences in vertical fit discrepancy according to the types of tray. The individual tray group showed the lowest value and the polycarbonate stock tray group represented the highest. With the open tray impression technique, there was no significant difference in vertical fit discrepancy. Significant statistical difference in vertical fit discrepancy was found between the open and the closed impression technique with the polycarbonate stock tray. CONCLUSION: From the results above, more precise impressions could be acquired by the rigid individual tray compared with the polycarbonate stock tray. It was hard to get consistent accuracy impressions by the closed tray impression technique with polycarbonate stock trays.
Dental Impression Technique ; Polycarboxylate Cement

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Many dental clinicians are concerned about immediate loading of inserted implants. However, there have been few clinical studies surveying the success rates of immediate loading, based on Korean implant systems. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of immediate functional loading of the implant (SinusQuick(TM) EB, Neobiotech Co., Seoul, Korea) in partially edentulous maxilla or mandible. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total 15 implants were placed. Within 2 weeks after implant insertion, provisional implant-supported fixed partial dentures were delivered to the patients. Quantitatively, marginal bone loss was measured at the time of immediate loading, after 3-months of continued loading and at the last follow-up. The mean follow-up period was 4.8 months. RESULTS: Mean marginal bone loss from implant surgery to early loading, 3-months follow-up and last follow-up was 0.03 +/- 0.07 mm, 0.16 +/- 0.17 mm and 0.29 +/- 0.19 mm. No implant failed up to 6 months after insertion, resulting in a 100% survival rate. CONCLUSION: Immediate loading exhibited high success rate in partial edentulism for up to 6 months. Well-controlled long term clinical studies with large sample size are necessary to confirm this finding.
Dental Implants ; Denture, Partial, Fixed ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Prospective Studies ; Sample Size ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: Gastric carcinoma with lymphoid rich stroma (GCLRS) is an undifferentiated gastric carcinoma with heavy lymphocytic infiltrate. In order to clarify the relationship between lymphocytic infiltration and apoptosis in gastric carcinoma, we investigated the association of apoptosis with apoptotic proteins and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) expression in GCLRS. METHODS: We performed immunohistochemical stains for bcl-2, bax and in situ hybridization for EBER (Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA)-1 and the terminal deoxynucleaotidil transferase mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end labelling (TUNEL) technique using 47 out of 1635 gastric carcinoma cases. RESULTS: The prevalence of GCLRS was 1.47% (24/1635). The prevalence of EBV involvement in GCLRS (79%, 19/24) was significantly higher than that of gastric carcinoma with lymphoid poor stroma (GCLPS) (8.7%, 2/23). The immunohistochemical stain for bcl-2 revealed negative expressions in all cases, but that of bax was positive for in all cases. bax was significantly correlated with the apototic index (P<0.05). There was no statistical significance between lymphocytic infiltration and apoptosis. The lymphocytic infiltration significantly correlated with the expression of EBV (P<0.05) but not with survival rate and apoptosis. However, most of the GCLRS displayed low clinical stages(stage IA, B), and we suggest that was a proper reason for a good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: These results support that EBV is associated with GCLRS, and there is no relationship between apoptosis and bcl-2, bax and prognosis. They also suggest that EBV infection play an important role in the gastric carcinogenesis.
Apoptosis* ; Carcinogenesis ; Coloring Agents ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Herpesvirus 4, Human* ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Stomach ; Survival Rate ; Transferases

BACKGROUND: An endothelium derived vasoconstrictor peptide, endothelin, has been shown to be a potent coronary vascular constrictor. In the clinical settings of angina or myocardial ischemia, the endothelial injury of coronary artery can stimulate the endothelin production. In this study, the authors assessed the response to endothelin of the coronary artery in isolated rat heart and compared the relative effects of three vasodilators (nifedipine, adenosine, nitroprusside) on coronary vasospasm which was induced by endothelin. METHODS: The isolated rat heart preparations (Langendorff model) were obtained from fourty male Sprague-Dawley rats (350-400 gm). Preparations were perfusated with Krebs-Hanseleit solution of (mM): NaCl 115, NaHCO3 25, KCl 4.7, CaCl2 2H2O 2.5, MgCl2 6H2O 1.2, KH2PO4 1.2, glucose 10. The perfusate was maintained at 37oC and aerated with carbogen (oxygen 95% and carbon dioxide 5%). The coronary perfusion was maintained at 80 cmH20 pressure and Latex balloon was positioned in left ventricle. After the preparations were stabilized, endothelin (10(-9) M) was added to perfusate for 5 minutes and followed the perfusion without vasodilators (control, n = 10) or with vasodilators (nifedipine, adenosine and nitroprusside 10(-7) M to 10(-6) M, n = 10 each) for 45 minutes. The left ventricular developed pressure (LDP) and heart rate (HR) was recorded and the coronary effluent (VOL) was collected to measure the unit volume and the CPK isoenzyme (CK-MB). Effects of the interventions were assessed using analysis of variance. All values are presented as means +/- SE. RESULTS: VOL, HR and VDP were significantly reduced after infusion of 10(-9) M endothelin in 3 and 5 minutes. VOL was recovered efficiently after infusion of three vasodilators. Adenosine and nitroprusside groups showed superior recovery in the changes of rate pressure product (RPP) than in nifedipine group, which was significant reduced in VDP. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in the situation of endothelin induced severe coronary vasospasm, adenosine and nitroprusside effectively reversed the coronary vasospasm without severe myocardial depression.
Adenosine ; Animals ; Carbon Dioxide ; Coronary Vasospasm* ; Coronary Vessels ; Depression ; Endothelins* ; Endothelium ; Glucose ; Heart Rate ; Heart Ventricles ; Heart* ; Humans ; Latex ; Magnesium Chloride ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Nifedipine ; Nitroprusside ; Perfusion ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasodilator Agents*

BACKGROUND: Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterized by progressive pulmonary hypertension leading to right heart dysfunction, which plays a important role in clinical evaluation but remains difficult and challenging to quantify. The noninvasive doppler echocardiographic value referred to as the Tei index has been suggested as a simple, reproducible and reliable parameter of the right ventricular function. The purpose of this was to assess the right ventricular function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using the Tei index and to evaluate its relationship with the pulmonary functional status. METHODS: The study population comprised of 26 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 10 normal control subjects. The Tei index was obtained by dividing the sum of the isovolumetric contraction and the relaxation tines by the ejection time using a pulsed-wave doppler. It was compared with the other available Doppler echocardiographic parameters of systolic or diastolic and with the pulmonary function of the patients. RESULTS: The Tei indices of the patients with COPD were significantly higher than those of normal subjects (0.45±0.17 vs. 0.27±0.03, p<0.01). The isovolumetric contraction time/ejection time(0.32±0.08 vs. 0.25±0.05, p<0.05), the isovolumetric relaxation time/ejection time(0.29±0.16 vs. 0.15±0.08, p<0.05) and the preejection period/ejection time (0.46±0.10 vs. 0.38±0.06, p<0.05) were prolonged and the ejection time (255.2±32.6 vs. 314.2±16.5 msec, p<0.05) was significantly shortened in patients with COPD compared to normal subjects. The tei indices were inversely correlated with the FEV1(r=-0.46, p=<0.05) and were prolonged significantly in patients with a severe obstructive ventilatory dysfunction(less than 35% of predicted FEV1) compared to those with a mild and moderate ventilatory dysfunction. The tei indices showed an inverse correlation with the ejection time (r=-0.469), the isovolumetric contraction time/ejection time(r=0.453), the isovolumetric relaxation time/ejection time(r=0.896) and the preejection period/ejection time(r=0.480). CONCLUSION: The tei index appeared to be a useful noninvasive means of evaluating the right ventricular function. It revealed a significant correlation with the pulmonary function in patients with COPD.
Echocardiography* ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Relaxation ; Ventricular Function, Right*

PURPOSE: To decide diagnostic titer in a single determination of antibody by indirect particle agglutination test and to characterize the occurrence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae during a 9 year-period in Seoul. METHODS: M. pneumoniae pneumonia diagnosed serologically at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital from 1986 to 1995 were reviewed, retrospectively. Antimycoplasma antibody was measured by indirect particle agglutination test. Diagnosis was based on 4 fold-rise or single high titer. Single diagnostic titer was set up by the value greater than the 90th percentile of the titer at one year of the children who initially had 4 fold-rise or > or =160. RESULTS: The geometric mean titer and the 90th percentile at 1 year of the 15 children who initially had antibody titer > or =160 or 4 fold-rise were 122 and 639, respectively, and single diagnostic titer was established as > or =640. A total of 126 childern were included by our diagnostic criteria. Male and female ratio was 1.17:1 and the mean age was 6 years 4 months. Pneumonia by M. pneumonuae occurred every years during the study period showing increased cases every 3 years. In the epidemic years, the cases occurred in late spring, summer and early fall. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the occurrence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in Seoul from 1986 to 1995 was characterized by epidemics every 3 years as well as its endemicity.
Agglutination Tests ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul*