BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy is a major cardiovascular risk factor for sudden death, acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure. The left ventricle is generally thought to adapt to sustained arterial hypertension with increased total peripheral resistance by developing concentric hypertrophy. In recent years, the echocardiogrphy has been developed as a noninvasive method for evaluation of left ventricular geometry and left ventricular mass. However, left ventricular adaptation to hypertension has been shown to be more complex than expected. In fact, many patients with mild to moderate hypertension exhibit normal left ventricular mass and wall thickness, other hypertensive patients have eccentric ventricular hypertrophy that is not related to systolic dysfunction, but rather to increased cardiac output and preload and in some hypertensive patients absolute and relative wall thickness is increased with normal ventricular mass(concentric remodeling). There are differences in the hemodynamics, systolic function and diastolic function in each group. METHODS: From september 1992 to August 1994, in 144 patients with untreated essential hypertension and 50 age and gender matched normal adults studied by two-dimensional, M-mode and Doppler echocardiography. In the present study we used echocardiographically derived left ventricular mass and relative wall thickness to assess the patterns of ventricular geometric adaptation to systemic hypertension and their relations to systemic hemodynamics, left ventricular load and contractile performance. RESULTS: Hypertensive group was 144 cases(M:F=68:76), the mean age 56+/-13years. Normotensive group was 50 cases(M:F=22:28), the mean age 52+/-9years. Among hypertensive patients, left ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness were normal in 42 cases(29%), 24 cases(17%) had increased relative wall thickness with normal ventricular mass(concentric remodelin),48 cases(33%) had both increased relative wall thickness and ventricular mass(concentric hypertrophy), 30 cases(21%) had increased left ventricular mass with normal relative wall thickness(eccentric hypertrophy). Concentric hypertrophy and normal left ventricle group are more common in untreated hypertensive patients in Korea. Systemic hemodynamics showed tendency to paralleled ventricular geomety. In groups with concentric remodeling and hypertrophy, perpheral resistance was increased. Cardiac index was midly increased in eccentric hypertrophy. Diastolic dysfunction was prominent tn concentric hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: Each patterns of left ventricular geometry had different systemic hemodynamics, ventricular pressure overload and ventricular volume overload. Therefore, appropriate selection of antihypertensive agent for the patients with each patterns of hypertrophy reduce the left ventricular hypertrophy and may improve the prognosis.
Adult ; Cardiac Output ; Death, Sudden ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Heart Failure ; Heart Ventricles ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Hypertrophy ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular* ; Korea ; Myocardial Infarction ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Vascular Resistance ; Ventricular Pressure

We retrospectively analysed plain radiographs and MR imaging of 16 conventional osteosarcoma cases(8 children, 8 adults) which underwent amputations or limb salvage operations. Pathologic correlation was performed with gross and microscopic sections to evaluate 1) whether the open epiphyseal plate can function as a barrier against transphyseal spread of osteosarcoma and 2) the diagnostic value of MR imaging for the detection of the detection of the epiphyseal involvement of osteosarcoma. In children with open epiphyseal plates, conventional radiographs suggested transphyseal tumor growth in one of eight cases(12.5% and MR imaging in seven cases(87.5%). Pathologic examination confirmed epiphyseal involvement in six of seven cases noted with MR imaging(75%). On the the other hand, in adult patients with closed epiphyseal plates, conventional radiographs showed transphyseal tumor growth in six of eight cases(75%), while MR imaging and pathologic exam demonstrated tumor invasion in all cases(100%). We conclude that open epiphyseal plate does not function as and effective barrier against tumor extension, and MR imaging is an excellent method in detecting the extent of transphyseal tumor growth.
Adult ; Amputation ; Child ; Growth Plate ; Hand ; Humans ; Limb Salvage ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Methods ; Osteosarcoma* ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Animals ; Coculture Techniques* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Mice*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation(AF) is the most frequently encountered arrhythmia in clinical practice. Pharmacologic therapy has been advocated for both immediate restoration of sinus rhythm and prevention of recurrent AF. Because conventional antiarrhythmic therapy is often ineffective in maintaining sinus rhythm or is associated with adverse side effects in patients with AF, recent interest has focused on the use of class III antiarrhythmic agents. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of sotalol and amiodarone for conversion of chronic AF and prevention of recurrent AF. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Thirty six patients with AF were firstly received sotalol by prospective study protocol. The patients were classified as having paroxysmal AF(PAF, N=2) or chronic AF(CAF, N=4) based on AF pattern. If the patients with CAF did not convert to sinus rhythm or the patients with PAF recurred in AF, the patients were received second agents(amiodarone). Patients were followed up for one year. RESULTS: Among the 12 patients with PAF receiving sotalol, 10(83.3%) patients remained in normal sinus rhythm for average 9.4+/-3.6 months. Sotalol was replaced by amiodarone in the remaing 2 patients with arrhythmia recurrence and 1 of the 2 patients remained in sinus rhythm during the follow-up period. In the case of 24 patients with CAF, conversion to sinus rhythm was achieved in 5(20.8%) patients with sotalol. Among the patients with CAF who were not respond to sotalol, 17 patients received amiodarone subsquently and 3 patients successfully converted to sinus rhythm. There were no proarrhythmic effects related to both agents during the study period. CONCLUSION: Both sotalol and amiodarone appear to be less effective in the termination of CAF, but sequential use of these two agents seem to be very effective for the prevention of recurrence of PAF.
Amiodarone* ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Sotalol*

Ameloblastoma is the most common odontogenic tumor of the jawbones, but the origin of this tumor has been remained to be unproven. Cytokeratins (CKs) are specific intermediate filament of epithelial cells, and vimentin is expressed in mesenchymal cells. The immunohistochemical detection of different CKs and vimentin has made it easier to know the origin of tumor. Paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 15 ameloblastomas and 1 ameloblastic carcinoma were used for immunohistochemical evaluation of CK 7, 8, 13, 14, 19 and vimentin. Their expression is evaluated in different tumor cells, which are observed in different type of tumors. In the follicular and reticular subtype, central stellate cells of tumor nests expressed CK 8, 14, 19 and peripheral columnar cells expressed CK 14. CK 7, and 13 were not expressed. Vimentin was detected in fibrous stroma around tumor nest, not in tumor cells. The tumor cells of ameloblastic carcinoma expressed CK 7, 14 and 19, but CK 8 was more weakly stained than that in ameloblastoma. Central stellate cells and peripheral columnar cells of acanthomatous subtype showed same expression pattern with others. Meta plastic squamous cells expressed CK 8, 14, 19 and keratinizing squamous cells expressed CK 13, 19. CK 7 and vimentin were not detected in tumor cells and vimentin was expressed in fibrous stroma. Most of the tumor cells of ameloblastoma showed CK 14 and CK 19 and did not express CK 7 and vimentin. These findings were similar to the immunophenotype of dental lamina. And these results will be beneficial to differential diagnosis of odontogenic tumors and other kind of tumors arising at the oral cavity.
Ameloblastoma* ; Ameloblasts ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epithelial Cells ; Intermediate Filaments ; Keratins* ; Mouth ; Odontogenic Tumors ; Plastics ; Vimentin*

PURPOSE: The variability in insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels is related to polymorphic variants of the promoter region of the gene. The most common single nucleotide polymorphism of IGFBP promoter region is -202 locus. In vitro, significantly higher promoter activity of the A allele at the -202 locus compared with the C allele, consistent with the relationship observed between genotype and circulating IGFBP-3 was documented. The polymorphic variation occurs frequently and may influence GH responsiveness, somatic growth, but the effects of IGFBP-3 promoter polymorphism on growth in children are unknown. METHODS: RFLP genotyping of the -202 single nucleotide polymorphism was performed in 33 Korean children who visited our clinic for evaluation of their growth. The serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were compared according to genotyping. RESULTS: Height SDS of subjects was -1.48+/-1.10. 11 of 33 children (33%) were heterozygous AC and the others are homozygous AA in genetic distribution, but no homozygous CC was detected. C allele frequency was 16.7%. There were no significant differences in height, body mass index, serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels between AC and AA groups. CONCLUSION: The effects of IGFBP-3 promoter polymorphism on growth at the -202 locus deserve investigation because there is no CC and the children were relatively short in this study.
Alleles ; Body Height ; Child ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic

Greater than its influence on the medical practitioner's individual ability is the National Health Insurance System's influence on the management of medical practitioners' offices in Korea. However, despite the important effect health insurance exerts on the income of medical clinics, recently, the financial difficulties of medical clinics have often become an issue, and financial difficulty has been aggravated as much as a solution has been sought. The current state of the overall management of medical clinics was investigated to understand the factors influencing the sales and expenses in their management. A questionnaire was completed by 1,009 physicians registered in the Korean Medical Association who were participating in a statistical extraction course. As a result of the study, the factors influencing the total revenue and total expenditures of medical clinics, such as increases in the total number of doctors, increasing numbers of outpatients, the size of the medical office, medical disputes, and clinical specialties (based on the first medical treatment) showed statistical significance. In conclusion, in order to improve medical clinic management, a health insurance medical fee should be more reasonably fixed, a medical transfer system should be reestablished, and a cooperative strategy should be created for medical clinics and general hospitals in order to attract patients. As a result, low cost and highly efficient medical services could be provided and the satisfaction of patients improved.
Commerce ; Dissent and Disputes ; Fees, Medical ; Health Expenditures ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Insurance ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; Outpatients ; Physicians, Primary Care ; Primary Health Care ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This correlational study was to examine the relationships between dementia knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy and preventive behavior of low income middled-aged women. METHODS: The subjects for this study were 125 low income middle aged women living in I city. The data were collected using the questionnaires for dementia knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy and preventive behavior. The data analysis was done by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson product moment correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean of dementia knowledge was 13.96 out of 20, attitude was 43.98 out of 60, self-efficacy was 54.07 out of 75 and preventive behavior was 25.98 out of 36. The positive correlations were revealed between dementia knowledge (r=.458, p=.000), attitude (r=.498, p=.000), self-efficacy (r=.573, p=.000) and preventive behavior. The influencing factors for dementia preventive behavior were self-efficacy, belief in Buddhism and attitude which accounted for 42.5% of the total variance. CONCLUSION: Dementia knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy were identified as variables that correlate dementia preventive behavior. Also, self-efficacy is the most influential factor affecting dementia preventive behavior. On the basis of these results, it is necessary for nurses to consider using dementia knowledge and mode of efficacy expectation in order to improve dementia preventive behavior.
Buddhism ; Dementia ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Statistics as Topic ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors that are associated with heterotopic pregnancy (HP) following in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET) and to demonstrate the outcomes of HP after the surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancies. Forty-eight patients from a single center, who were diagnosed with HP between 1998 and 2012 were included. All of the patients had received infertility treatments, such as Clomid with timed coitus (n = 1, 2.1%), superovulation with intrauterine insemination (n = 7, 14.6%), fresh non-donor IVF-ET (n = 33, 68.8%), and frozen-thawed cycles (n = 7, 14.6%). Eighty-four additional patients were randomly selected as controls from the IVF registry database. HP was diagnosed at 7.5 ± 1.2 weeks (range 5.4-10.3) gestational age. In six cases (12.5%), the diagnosis was made three weeks after the patients underwent treatment for abortion. There were significant differences in the history of ectopic pregnancy (22.5% vs. 3.6%, P = 0.002). There were no significant differences in either group between the rates of first trimester intrauterine fetal loss (15.0% vs. 13.1%) or live birth (80.0% vs. 84.1%) after the surgical treatment for ectopic pregnancy. The risk factors for HP include a history of ectopic pregnancy (OR 7.191 [1.591-32.513], P = 0.010), abortion (OR 3.948 [1.574-9.902], P = 0.003), and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) (OR 10.773 [2.415-48.060], P = 0.002). In patients undergoing IVF-ET, history of ectopic pregnancy, abortion, and OHSS may be risk factors for HP as compared to the control group of other IVF patients. The surgical treatment of HP does not appear to affect the rates of first trimester fetal loss or live birth.
Abortion, Induced ; Adult ; Databases, Factual ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Live Birth ; Odds Ratio ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy, Heterotopic/*diagnosis/surgery ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effect of vege-powder (VP), mainly consisted of chicory, broccoli, and whole grains, on bowel habit improvement and constipation alleviation. METHODS: Using the Roman standard II, 96 male and female subjects in their twenties with constipation symptoms were divided into a control group or VP group. Subjects in a control group were supplied with rice flakes-powder (RFP) and subjects in the VP group were provided with 30 g of VP twice daily for 4 weeks. Constipation relief effectiveness was surveyed on 5-point Likert scales depending on stool hardness, amount of stool, sensation of incomplete evacuation, and straining to defecate at day 0, 14, and 28 of RFP or VP intake. RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis of variance analysis revealed that VP intake caused significant temporal changes in stool hardness, amount, sensation of incomplete evacuation, and straining to defecate. In addition, significant differences between control and VP groups were found in stool hardness, amount, sensation of incomplete evacuation, and straining to defecate at day 14 and 28 of experimental diet consumption. VP supplement for 2 weeks significantly increased the evacuation frequency (1.04 +/- 0.71), compared to control group (0.41 +/- 0.64) and this increase was maintained at 4 week of diet supplements. CONCLUSIONS: This result showed that constipated subjects who consumed VP, mainly consisting of chicory, broccoli, and whole grains, improved constipation symptoms at 2 and 4 weeks of consumption compared to those of control group who were provided with RFP.
Brassica ; Edible Grain* ; Chicory ; Constipation ; Defecation* ; Diet ; Dietary Fiber* ; Female ; Hardness ; Humans ; Male ; Sensation ; Vegetables* ; Weights and Measures ; Young Adult*