BACKGROUND: In order to improve the quality of life of dying patients so that they may die with dignity, they need to receive not only the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual care, but also systematic and continuous care. However, their is no adequate medical service at present. We studied terminal cancer patients'behavior patterns of health care utilization, the problems of caring for the patient, and medical services that bereaved families suggested for terminal cancer patients and their families. METHODS: From 271 patients'families who participated in our hospice program from March 1991 to February 1996, 108 bereaved families whom we able to had been contact were interviewed by three student nurses with a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The terminal cancer patients received their medical care through admission to hospital(45.4%), outpatient clinic(22.2%), emergency room(16.7%), and oriental medicine(12.0%). But during their terminal phase of the illness, 32.4% of patients never received medical care including oriental medicine, and 28.7% received alternative medicine care such as intake of mushroom and elm tree. 26 bereaved families(24.1%) pointed out the indifference of the medical team as a problem receiving proper hospital care, and 22 bereaved families(20.4%) emphasized emotional strain of their helplessness with the patient's suffering as a problem of caring for the patient at home. Over 90% of bereaved families from their experience suggested needs of continuous care, hospice care, home care, and 24hr telephone service. CONCLUSIONS: There were inappropriate behavior patterns of health care utilization which resulted in large proportion of terminal cancer patients received alternative medicine never receiving proper medical care. Therefore, there is a need to develop the continuous and comprehensive care for terminal cancer patients and their family, such as hospice.)
Agaricales ; Complementary Therapies ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Emergencies ; Home Care Services ; Hospice Care ; Hospices ; Humans ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life ; Telephone ; Ulmus ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Recently in Europe, some epidemiologic studies reported that various physical symptoms and social, psychological wellbeing are related to low blood pressure. But in Korea, none has been studied on symptoms related to low blood pressure yet. In this study, we would like to see if the somatic symptoms and social, psychological wellbeing shown t,o be related to low SBP is truly associated with it. METHODS: Questionnaire interview was done to the people who have visited Department of family practice in two university hospitals and two health promotion center from April, 1996 to August, 1996. Seven somatic symptoms and Psychosocial Wellbeing Index(PWI) for the evaluation of social, psychological health status were included in the questionnaire. SAS statistics packages was used in statistical precess. We used logistic regression to see the frequency of somatic symptoms related to the systolic blood pressure(SBP) group and the confirmation of confounding variables was done by ANOVA. RESULTS: Total of 304 completed the questionnaire. Average age was 44 years old and average SBP was 115.4+/-16.4. 84 of them (27.6%) felt that they had a low BP & 69 were women compared to 21 men, being meaningfully more common. 107(35.2%) people answered that they had heard that their blood pressure was low and 66% were from doctors. Only 32(38.1%) of the group who felt of having hypotensive symptoms and 38 of the group who heard of having hypotension actually had SBP of below 100 mmHg. Vocation, income, smoking & alcohol history, present illness, marital status were not significant as a confounding variable. SBP of 100 or below group had a less presentation of fatigue & significantly higher PWI than the group of above 100mmHg (p<0.05). The group who felt that they had a low BP had more complaints of fatigue, dizziness, palpitation, cold hands and feet and had significnatly higher PWI than the group who didnt. CONCLUSIONS: SBP of 100mmHg or below group has more frequent manifestion of fatigue and low level of sociopsycholgiacl health index than the above 100mmHg group. But most of the people who complained of hypotensive symptoms didnt have low blood pressure and a lot of them misunderstand of having low blood pressure and after checking blood pressure by doctors, so great deal of caution is called for when seeing patients.
Adult ; Blood Pressure* ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Dizziness ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Europe ; Family Practice ; Fatigue ; Female ; Foot ; Hand ; Health Promotion ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Marital Status ; Occupations ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To investigate pathophysiological consequences and spontaneous recovery after cavernous nerve crush injury (CNCI) in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty 4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: sham-operated group (n=10) and bilateral CNCI groups (n=10) for two different durations (12 and 24 weeks). At both time points, CN electrical stimulation was used to assess erectile function by measuring the intracavernous pressure. The expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha and sonic hedgehog (SHH) was examined in penile tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for nerve growth factor (NGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and smooth muscle alpha-actin. RESULTS: CNCI significantly decreased erectile function at 12 weeks (51.7% vs. 71.9%, mean ICP/BP ratio, p<0.05) and increased the expression of HIF-1alpha and decreased the expression of eNOS, nNOS, and SHH. At 24 weeks, erectile function in the CNCI group was improved with no significant difference versus the sham group (70.5% vs. 63.3%, mean ICP/BP ratio, p<0.05) or the CN group at 12 weeks (51.7% vs. 63.3%, mean ICP/BP ratio, p<0.05). By RT-PCR, the increase in HIF-1alpha and decrease in SHH mRNA was restored at 24 weeks. By immunohistochemistry, the expression of eNOS and nNOS was increased at 24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: CN injury induces significantly impaired erectile function and altered gene and protein expression, which suggests that local hypoxic and inflammatory processes may contribute to this change. Significant spontaneous recovery of erectile function was observed at 6 months after CN crush injury.
Animals ; Anoxia ; Caves ; Electric Stimulation ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Hedgehog Proteins ; Hedgehogs ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; Nerve Crush ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA, Messenger ; Salicylamides

PURPOSE: To investigate pathophysiological consequences and spontaneous recovery after cavernous nerve crush injury (CNCI) in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty 4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: sham-operated group (n=10) and bilateral CNCI groups (n=10) for two different durations (12 and 24 weeks). At both time points, CN electrical stimulation was used to assess erectile function by measuring the intracavernous pressure. The expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha and sonic hedgehog (SHH) was examined in penile tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for nerve growth factor (NGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and smooth muscle alpha-actin. RESULTS: CNCI significantly decreased erectile function at 12 weeks (51.7% vs. 71.9%, mean ICP/BP ratio, p<0.05) and increased the expression of HIF-1alpha and decreased the expression of eNOS, nNOS, and SHH. At 24 weeks, erectile function in the CNCI group was improved with no significant difference versus the sham group (70.5% vs. 63.3%, mean ICP/BP ratio, p<0.05) or the CN group at 12 weeks (51.7% vs. 63.3%, mean ICP/BP ratio, p<0.05). By RT-PCR, the increase in HIF-1alpha and decrease in SHH mRNA was restored at 24 weeks. By immunohistochemistry, the expression of eNOS and nNOS was increased at 24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: CN injury induces significantly impaired erectile function and altered gene and protein expression, which suggests that local hypoxic and inflammatory processes may contribute to this change. Significant spontaneous recovery of erectile function was observed at 6 months after CN crush injury.
Animals ; Anoxia ; Caves ; Electric Stimulation ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Hedgehog Proteins ; Hedgehogs ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; Nerve Crush ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA, Messenger ; Salicylamides

No abstract available.
Hepatitis* ; Myocarditis* ; Pancytopenia* ; Q Fever*

Cholesterol polyps are the most common cause of the polypoid lesions of the gallbladder shown by ultrasonography (US). Cholesterol polyps are usually attached to the mucosal surface of the viscus with delicate, filammentous stalks so that they can be easily detached. Recently, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been introduced to treat various gallbladder diseases. We have experienced four patients with ultrasonographically typical gallbladder polyps, that were not detected in the pathologic specimens removed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In each patients, intraluminal suction preceded the laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and the suction was presumed to have resulted in the detachment of cholesterol polyps having delicated and fragile stalks.
Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Cholesterol ; Gallbladder Diseases ; Gallbladder* ; Humans ; Polyps* ; Suction ; Ultrasonography

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the stress distribution on the length and diameter of the miniscrew and cortical bone width. Three dimensional finite element models were made of diameter 1.2mm, 1.6mm, 2.0mm and length 6.0mm, 8.0mm, 10.0mm, 12.0mm and cortical bone width 1.0mm. Also, another three dimensional finite element models were made of diameter 1.2mm, 1.6mm, 2.0mm and length 8.0mm and cortical bone width 1.0mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm. Two-hundred grams horizontal force were applied on the center of the miniscrew head and at that stress distribution and its magnitude had been analyzed by ANSYS, which is three dimensional finite element analysis program. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The comparison of the maximum von-Mises stress in the miniscrew showed that as the diameter increases from 1.2mm to 2.0mm stress has been decreased, while on the same diameter stress was not changed regardless of the length change. 2. The comparison of the maximum von-Mises stress in the cortical and cancellous bone showed that as the diameter increases from 1.2mm to 2.0mm stress has been decreased, while on the same diameter stress was not changed regardless of the length change. 3. In the analysis of the stress distribution in the cortical and cancellous bone, the most of the stress had been absorbed in the cortical bone, and did not transmitted much to the cancellous bone. 4. In the analysis of the maximum von-Mises stress according to the cortical bone width, the same diameter of the miniscrew showed a constant stress value regardless of the cortical bone width change. The above results suggest that the maintenance of the miniscrew is more reliable on diameter than length of the miniscrew.
Finite Element Analysis ; Head

BACKGROUND: Increased resistance rates to macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) antibiotics among clinical isolates of staphylococci are considered as a consequence of an expanded use of these antibiotics in the treatment of Gram-positive infections. The proportion of MLSB resistance phenotypes of staphylococci is quite different by geographical variations and study periods. The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution of MLSB resistance phenotypes among clinical isolates of staphylococci in a university hospital. METHODS: The MLSB resistance phenotypes of clinical isolates of staphylococci were investigated by the double-disk diffusion test using erythromycin and clindamycin disks. RESULTS: Of 7,916 isolates, 55.7% exhibited a constitutive resistance phenotype (cMLSB) whereas 8.1% expressed an inducible resistance phenotype (iMLSB). Among 3,419 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), 32.6% and 10.0% exhibited cMLSB and iMLSB resistance phenotypes, respectively. Of 4,497 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 73.1% and 6.8% were cMLSB and iMLSB resistance phenotypes, respectively. cMLSB was detected among 90.2% of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), 46.5% of methicillin-resistant CNS (MRCNS), 3.2% of methicillin-susceptible CNS (MSCNS), and 2.2% of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA). iMLSB was detected among 16.5% of MSSA, 11.5% of MRCNS, 6.7% of MSCNS, and 4.4% of MRSA. CONCLUSION: MLSB resistance was more prevalent among S. aureus isolates than CNS strains. Although cMLSB was the most frequently detected resistance phenotype among the total staphylococcal isolates, methicillin-susceptible strains exhibited somewhat higher iMLSB resistance rates compared with methicillin-resistant strains.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Clindamycin ; Diffusion ; Erythromycin ; Methicillin Resistance ; Phenotype ; Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND: The association of Streptococcus bovis biotypes with the type of clinical infection and underlying malignancies and data on antimicrobial susceptibility of S. bovis have rarely been reported in Korea. The aim of this investigation was to characterize the clinical features of patients with S. bovis bacteremia, and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of S. bovis strains isolated from blood cultures. METHODS: The clinical data of 67 S. bovis isolates between May 1998 and April 2005 at Wonju Christian Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The organism was identified by API Strep 32 kit and, for blood isolates, antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method and penicillin MICs were determined by E test. RESULTS: Of the 67 S. bovis isolates, 18 (27%) were biotype I and 49 (73%) were biotype II. Isolation rates by specimen type were, in decreasing order, wound. 37%; blood, 19%; and urine, 12%. Of the 13 S. bovis bacteremias, 2 were caused by biotype I and 11 were by biotype II; liver diseases (46%) were the most common underlying diseases; none of the 13 patients had gastrointestinal malignancies; one and three isolates were intermediate and resistant to penicillin, respectively; eleven were resistant to erythromycin; two and five were intermediate and resistant to clindamycin, respectively. CONCLUSION: Most of the S. bovis isolates from blood were biotype II. Liver diseases were the most common underlying diseases. S. bovis isolates from blood displayed a high rate of resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin.
Bacteremia* ; Clindamycin ; Diffusion ; Erythromycin ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Diseases ; Penicillins ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus bovis* ; Streptococcus* ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: Viridans group streptococci (VGS) are being increasingly reported as pathogens causing septicemia in neutropenic and other immunocompromised patients since 1980s. In the past, VGS were nearly uniformly susceptible to beta-lactam antimicrobial agents, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and macrolides. Several recent published studies, however, indicate that antimicrobial resistance may be emerging as a problem with VGS. The purpose of this study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of VGS strains isolated from blood cultures in recent period. METHODS: A total of 45 consecutive strains of VGS isolated from blood cultures between May 2001 and March 2002 at Wonju Christian Hospital were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Identification of VGS were performed by API Strep 32(bioMerieux sa, Marcy-l'Etoile, France) commercial kit. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were done by NCCLS recommended disk diffusion method and penicillin MICs were determined by E test. RESULTS: Among the 45 VGS strains, frequently isolated organisms were Streptococcus mitis (31.1%), Streptococcus oralis (17.8%), Streptococcus constellatus (11.1%), and Streptococcus anginosus (8.9%). Overall intermediate-and resistant rates to antimicrobial agents of VGS were as follows: penicillin; 26.7% and 8.9%, erythromycin; 4.4% and 28.9%, clindamycin 2.2% and 22.2%, and ceftriaxone; 4.4% and 6.7%, respectively. Resistant rates of Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus oralis were as follows: penicillin; 50% vs 50%, erythromycin 43% vs 37%, clindamycin 21% vs 37%, and ceftriaxone 7% vs 25%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the species-related variability of susceptibility among VGS isolated from blood in recent period. In addition to S. mitis, S. oralis also displayed high rates of resistance to penicillin, macrolides, and ceftriaxone. The difference in susceptibilities between species of VGS indicates the importance of accurate identification and the need for continuing monitoring of antimicrobial resistance.
Aminoglycosides ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Ceftriaxone ; Clindamycin ; Diffusion ; Erythromycin ; Gangwon-do ; Immunocompromised Host ; Macrolides ; Penicillin Resistance ; Penicillins ; Sepsis ; Streptococcus anginosus ; Streptococcus constellatus ; Streptococcus mitis ; Streptococcus oralis ; Tetracyclines ; Viridans Streptococci*