PURPOSE: This study was to identify the stages of change in smoking cessation behavior and factors associated with the stages of smoking cessation behavior according to the trans-theoretical model. METHODS: The subjects were 154 industrial workers working at H Industry in N City, Chonnam Province who were currently smoking and had smoked in the past. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Duncan's multiple comparison test using SAS Version 10.0. RESULTS: The subjects were distributed among the stages of change in smoking cessation behavior: there were 28 subjects (18.2%) in the precontemplation stage, 71 (46.1%) in the contemplation stage, 21 (13.6%) in the preparation stage, 8 (5.2%) in the action stage, and 26 (16.9%) in the maintenance stage. The amount of smoking per day, self-efficacy, and advantages (pros) of smoking were significantly associated with the stage of change in smoking cessation behavior. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that the stage of change in smoking cessation behavior of the subject should be identified prior to the application of intervention programs, nursing intervention strategies should be considered to reduce the amount of smoking per day, and the disadvantages of smoking should be perceived.
Jeollanam-do ; Nursing ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation* ; Smoking*

MRI is a valuable imaging technique for the evaluation of intraarticular diseases. Accurate interpretation of joint MRI necessitates sound knowledge of anatomy. In the field of joint anatomy, in addition to the discovery of new structures, previously reported joint components of unexplained function are also detected. In this review, joint anatomy researched actively over the last decade is discussed. Joint components including the rotator cable and the superior capsule of the shoulder, posterolateral corner and the anterolateral ligament complex of the knee, and the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis of the ankle joint are introduced and correlated with their MRI features.

We present a rare case of solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) located in the intramedullary (IM) and intradural extramedullary sites of cervical spine, mimicking thrombosed aneurysm and meningioma. Herein, we present a case of spinal intradural SFT in a 59-year-old woman. She presented to the outpatient clinic with a right-sided motor weakness for over a year. The case was initially misinterpreted as a thrombosed aneurysm of the posterior spinal artery. Cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-circumscribed intradural mass with isosignal intensity on T1 and T2-weighted images with markedly T2 dark signal focus and homogenous intense enhancement at the level of C6. Computed tomography showed a slightly high-density mass without evidence of calcification or cystic component. Surgical removal was performed. However, due to combined IM component with adhesion, incomplete tumor resection was done. Pathologic analysis revealed hypocellular spindle cells with a thick collagenous stroma and immunohistochemical staining confirmed SFT. Spinal intradural SFT is a rare spindle cell tumor. Radiologists should consider SFT as a differential diagnosis if T2-weighted imaging shows an intradural located mass with markedly dark signal intensity focus.

Primary aldosteronism is a group of disorders in which the autonomous secretion of aldosterone is associated with hypertension and hypokalemia. It is crucial to determine the laterality of aldosterone hypersecretion because treatment options differ accordingly. Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is considered the most reliable method for assessing the laterality of primary aldosteronism. This procedure is often technically challenging because of the small size and varied locations of the adrenal veins. A better understanding of anatomical variations and careful review of imaging studies would improve sampling success. This report presents three cases of anatomical variations encountered during AVS.

Primary aldosteronism is a group of disorders in which the autonomous secretion of aldosterone is associated with hypertension and hypokalemia. It is crucial to determine the laterality of aldosterone hypersecretion because treatment options differ accordingly. Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is considered the most reliable method for assessing the laterality of primary aldosteronism. This procedure is often technically challenging because of the small size and varied locations of the adrenal veins. A better understanding of anatomical variations and careful review of imaging studies would improve sampling success. This report presents three cases of anatomical variations encountered during AVS.

Primary aldosteronism is a group of disorders in which the autonomous secretion of aldosterone is associated with hypertension and hypokalemia. It is crucial to determine the laterality of aldosterone hypersecretion because treatment options differ accordingly. Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is considered the most reliable method for assessing the laterality of primary aldosteronism. This procedure is often technically challenging because of the small size and varied locations of the adrenal veins. A better understanding of anatomical variations and careful review of imaging studies would improve sampling success. This report presents three cases of anatomical variations encountered during AVS.

Bone destruction is primarily mediated by osteoclastic bone resorption, and cancer cells stimulate the formation and activation of osteoclasts next to metastatic foci. Accumulating evidences indicate that receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) is the ultimate extracellular mediator that stimulates osteoclast differentiation into mature osteoclasts. In contrast, osteoprotegerin (OPG) inhibits osteoclast development. In order to elucidate a mechanism for cancer-induced osteoclastogenesis, cells from a human breast cancer line, MDA-MB-231, were directly co-cultured with ST2, MC3T3-E1, or with primary mouse calvarial cells. Osteoclast-like cells and tartarate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activities were then quantitated. We examined these cell lines and samples from breast cancer by RT-PCR for the expressions of OPG and RANKL mRNA. Compared to controls, co-culture of MDA-MB-231 cells with stromal or osteoblastic cells induced an increase in number of osteoclasts and TRAP activities. MDA-MB-231 cells alone or breast cancer samples did not express RANKL mRNA. However, co-culture of these cancer cells with stromal or osteoblastic cells induced RANKL mRNA expression and decreased OPG mRNA expression. These experiments demonstrate that direct interactions between breast cancer and stromal or osteoblastic cells induce osteoclastogenesis in vitro through modulating RANKL expression.
3T3 Cells ; Acid Phosphatase/metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Neoplasms/*metabolism/*secondary ; Breast Neoplasms/*pathology ; Carrier Proteins/*biosynthesis ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture ; Culture Media, Conditioned/pharmacology ; Glycoproteins/*biosynthesis ; Human ; Isoenzymes/metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins/*biosynthesis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Osteoblasts/metabolism ; Osteoclasts/metabolism ; Protein Binding ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/*biosynthesis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors

No abstract available.
Drug Therapy*

Objectives: With the recent global mpox outbreak, the JYNNEOS vaccine (Modified VacciniaAnkara-Bavarian Nordic) was developed as a third-generation smallpox vaccine and initiallyfavored for mpox immunization. Vaccine-associated side effects contribute to vaccinehesitancy. Consequently, tracking adverse events post-immunization is crucial for safety management. This study used data from the national active vaccine safety surveillance conducted in Korea from August 25 to November 24, 2022 to detect potential safety signals and adverse events. Methods: Data on health conditions following vaccination were gathered from web-based surveys and reported via active surveillance through the Immunization Registry Information System. This follow-up system functioned via a text message link, surveying adverse events and health conditions beginning on the second day post-vaccination. Information aboutspecific adverse events, including both local and systemic reactions, was collected. Results: The study included 86 healthcare workers who had received at least 1 dose of the JYNNEOS vaccine. Among the respondents, 79.1% reported experiencing at least 1 adverse event, with the majority being local reactions at the injection site. The incidence of adverse events was higher following the first dose (67.9%) than after the second dose (34.4%). The most frequently reported adverse event for both doses was mild pain at the injection site. Conclusion The study provides crucial information on the safety of the JYNNEOS vaccine, demonstrating that most adverse events were manageable and predominantly localized to the injection site. Nonetheless, additional research is needed on the safety of various vaccineadministration techniques and the vaccine’s effects on broader demographics.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent evidence indicates that the membrane voltage and Ca2+ clocks jointly regulate sinoatrial node (SAN) automaticity. However, the mechanism of heart rhythm acceleration of the subsidiary pacemaker (SP) during beta-adrenergic stimulation is still unknown. Here we tested the hypothesis that the heart rate acceleration of the SP by beta-adrenergic stimulation involves synergistic interactions between both clock mechanisms. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed optical mapping and pharmacological interventions in 15 isolated Langendorff-perfused canine right atriums (RA). The SP model was produced by ligation of the SAN artery at the mid portion of the sulcus terminalis. RESULTS: In the 6 RAs with an intact SAN, 1 micromol/L isoproterenol infusion increased the heart rate from 82+/-9 to 166+/-18 bpm (102%) with late diastolic Cai elevation (LDCAE) at the superior SAN. However, in the 6 SP models, the heart rate increased from 55+/-10 bpm to 106+/-11 bpm (92%, p=0.005) without LDCAE at the earliest activation site. The isoproterenol induced heart rate increase was reversed to 74+/-5 bpm (33% from baseline) by administering an infusion of the funny current blocker ZD 7288 (3 micromol/L, n=3), whereas, it was suppressed to 69+/-7 bpm (24% from baseline) by sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ emptying with administering ryanodine (10 micromol/L) plus thapsigargin (200 nmol/L, n=3). The isoproterenol induced heart rate increase was completely abolished by combined treatment with funny current blocker and SR Ca2+ emptying (n=3). CONCLUSION: Acceleration of the Ca2+ clock in the SP plays an important role in the heart rate acceleration during beta-adrenergic stimulation, and this interacts synergistically with the voltage clock to increase the heart rate.
Acceleration ; Arteries ; Calcium Channels ; Heart ; Heart Atria ; Heart Rate ; Isoproterenol ; Ligation ; Membranes ; Mustard Compounds ; Pyrimidines ; Ryanodine ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; Sinoatrial Node ; Sympathetic Nervous System ; Thapsigargin