PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between the level of activity daily living and powerlessness of spinal cord injury patients'. METHOD: The subjects for the study consisted of 68 persons agreed above twenty below seventy had had spinal cord injury. The data were collected from November 1, 2003 to January 30, 2004. The instruments used for this study were ADL check List and Powerlessness Scale. The data were analysed by using SPSS computerlized program and included number, percentage, t-test and ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficient. RESULTS: The mean of activity daily living was paraplegia 49.53+/-10.91 and tetraplegia 25.65+/-13.24. The mean of powerlessness was paraplegia 35.22+/-9.50 and tetraplegia 37.55+/-9.01. In the relationship between activity daily living and powerlessness were significant difference. CONCLUSION: in order to increase the level of activity daily living of rehabilization nurse should be helpful to provide them. Also, it could be identified that informational support was important, that is, the lesser the informational support, spinal cord injury patient don't feel the powerlessness.
Activities of Daily Living ; Humans ; Paraplegia ; Quadriplegia ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord*

We report a case of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis on Rt. forehead and perioral area of 57 year old woman with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and Lt. cerebral infarction. She had large ulcers with yellowish purulent exudates on Rt. forehead and perioral area for 2months. A histopathological examination from the lesion showed numerous encapsulated, round spores and the organisms were identified as Cryptococcus neoformans in a series of fun-gal studies. The patient received a 5-week course of IV and oral fluconazole with resolution of her skin lesion. The patient is free of any lesion several months after completing therapy. This experience supports the use of fluconazole as initial and single therapy in primary cutaneous cryptococcosis.
Cerebral Infarction ; Cryptococcosis* ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Exudates and Transudates ; Female ; Fluconazole* ; Forehead ; Humans ; Skin ; Spores ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: Sun exposure and therapeutic irradiation have been shown to induce alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including elastin, glycosaminoglycan and collagens. The integrity of the connective tissue mainly depends on balanced rates of matrix synthesis and degradation of the extracellular matrix. Therefore, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may be involved in ultraviolet irradiation (UVR)-induced alterations in ECM proteins. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of UVA as well as UVB irradiations on ST-1 gene expression in cultured human skin fibroblasts. METHODS: After exposure of different doses of UVA and UVB on cultured human skin fibroblasts, we examined the expression of ST-1 gene by Northern blot analysis, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay with CAT construct containing AP-1 binding site. Additionally, we carried out the gel mobility shift assay to investigate the effects of UVR on the DNA-binding activity of AP-1. RESULTS: After UVR on fibroblasts, the steady-state levels of ST-1 mRNA were in-creased in response to UVA and UVB by 2.5-fold and 4.2-fold, respectively, as compared with controls. Similar results were obtained by CAT assay showing that CAT activity increased as the UVA and UVB doses increased. Furthermore, gel mobility shift assay demonstrated that both UVA and UVB increased AP-1 DNA binding complexes. CONCLUSION: UVB as well as UVA up-regulated ST-1 gene expression at transcriptional levels in vitro. We speculate that modulation of MMPs, including ST-1, gene expression by UVR may contribute to the connective tissue damage related to photoaging and other photocutaneous disorders.
Animals ; Binding Sites ; Blotting, Northern ; Cats ; Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase ; Collagen ; Connective Tissue ; DNA ; Elastin ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts* ; Gene Expression ; Humans* ; In Vitro Techniques ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin ; Solar System ; Transcription Factor AP-1

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a video education program in women receiving high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) treatment. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. The participants were 54 patients who had benign uterine tumorsand adenomyosis. The data were collected from June to August 2018. The experimental group was provided a video education program with a question-and-answer session for 10 minutes after viewing the video. A 10-minute video education program on HIFU and post-procedural care was developed based on the literature.The control group received usual care (i.e., verbal instructions on post-procedural care). The questionnaire survey was conducted twice: before the educational program and before being discharged from the hospital. Differences in uncertainty, emotions, and self-efficacyamong patients were analyzed. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, the t-test, the Shapiro-Wilk test, the paired t-test, and the t-test with SPSS for Windows version 23.0. Results: The participants in the experimental group showed a decrease in uncertainty(t=4.33, p<.001), improvements in anxiety(t=–4.07, p<.001) and depression(t=–3.55,p<.001),and an enhancement ofself-efficacy(t=–4.39,p<.001) compared to the control group. Conclusion This nursing intervention was effective at reducing uncertainty, improving emotions, and enhancing self-efficacy. We hope that it will be applied to improve nursing practice and that it will be valuable when utilized for helping patients to choose a treatment method.

OBJECTIVE: This study is proposed to examine the relationship between bone loss after hormone replacement therapy for one year and initial bone markers. METHODS: One hundred postmenopausal women were studied for one year. At first visit, measurements were made of bone mineral density(BMD) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, and of serum osteocalcin and urine deoxypyridinoline. After hormone replacement therapy was done for one year, BMD was rechecked. RESULTS: Serum osteocalcin was correlated with the rate of bone change(r=0.150, 0.262) and urine deoxypyridinoline was weakly correlated(r=-0.003, 0.038). The changes of femoral BMD in women with higher concentration of osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline were significant different from those in women with normal concentration. At the lumbar spine, no significant differences were showed. In women with higher concentration of osteocalcin, the incidence of subjects with increased spine BMD was increased up to around 71.1%, which showed not significant increase compared with normal concentration of osteocalcin. And the incidence of increased spine BMD in women with higher concentration of osteocalcin was marked increased compared with the incidence of normal concentration. The level of the osteocalcin with increased spine BMD was 11.5+/-6.6 ng/ml, and the level with decreased spine BMD was 9.2+/-4.7 ng/ml, respectively. And the level of the deoxypyridinoline was 7.2+/-4.2 pmol/ mol cr in women with increased spine BMD and 7.2+/-2.7 pmol/ mol cr in women with decreased spine BMD, which was not statistically different. The concentration of deoxypyridinoline with increased and decreased in BMD in spine and femur was not statistically different. but the concentration of osteocalcin was 12.2 +/-5.5 ng/ml in significantly increased in BMD and 8.5 +/-4.5ng/ml in significantly decreased in BMD, which was showed significant different. CONCLUSION: Present study indicates that the serum osteocalcin more reflcets bone turnover changes at the menopause than deoxypyridinoline, however, the clinical utility of measurements of osteocalcin only to response to therapy is uncertain.
Bone Density* ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Hormone Replacement Therapy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Menopause ; Osteocalcin ; Spine

BACKGROUND: Suction auto epidermal graft for the treatment of stable vitiligo has become popular clinically. In general, depigmented epidermis is removed by liquid nitrogen freezing for preparation of the recipient site. There have been some problems with the nitrogen freezing method, uneven repigmentation, appearance of Koebner's phenomenon on normal colored skin around the graft site, scar formation on recipients sites. In our view these resulted in unwanted damage to the dermis and epidermal and skin appendageal melanocytes of normal skin by freezing. OBJECTIVE: To introduce a method to remove the depigmented epidermis of recipient site with minimal unwanted damage to melanocytes and dermal tissue. METHODS: Using Ellman surgitron, irradiation equipment of 3.8MHz frequency the depigmented epidermis was removed with a blade electrode under rated electric power around 10 watts depending on the thickness of the epidermis. Operating mode was fully filtered current for minimal charring and destruction of tissue through pure micro-smooth cutting. RESULTS: In the case of removal of the epidermis with Ellman surgitron, oozing and inflammation decreased markedly compared with those applied with liquid nitrogen. And it was confirmed histopathologically that there was no significant unwanted destruction of healthy tissue. Moreover, the electrode of Ellman surgitron is designed to be apt to trace the margin of depigmented lesion. And Ellman surgitron features a continuously linear intensity setting for precise, predictable control to minimize tissue destruction and charring. So we were able to remove the epidermis of the shallow lesion looking like a pseudopod and of the thinnest part of the body like eyelid also. And we grafted normal epidermis successfully on the depigmented lesion. CONCLUSION: The removal of depigmented epidermis by radio-frequency gave satisfactory results in the suction auto epidermal graft by overcoming the defects shown as depigmented epidermis which were removed by liquid nitrogen freezing. And this method made patients comfortable because of less pain, a one day operation procedure and good results.
Cicatrix ; Dermis ; Electrodes ; Epidermis* ; Eyelids ; Freezing ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Melanocytes ; Nitrogen ; Skin ; Suction* ; Transplants* ; Trout ; Vitiligo

PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between level of activity of daily living (ADL) and Self-Care Agency in patients who have had a spinal cord injury. METHOD: The participants in the study were 78 persons who had a spinal cord injury and were between 20 and 70 years of age. The data were collected from November 1, 2003 to January 30, 2004. The instruments used in this study were the ADL Check List and Self-Care Agency Scale. The data were analyzed using the SPSS program and included numbers, percentages, t-test and ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The total mean score for activity of daily living was 44.21+/-16.63. The total mean score for Self-Care Agency was 107.45+/-15.71. There was a significant difference between scores for ADL and Self-Care Agency. CONCLUSION: In order to increase the level of ADL, rehabilitation nurses should ensure that these patients receive training in ADL. Also, it was identified that informational support is important, that is, nurses should help to provide these patients with Self-Care Agency training for ADL.
Activities of Daily Living ; Humans ; Rehabilitation ; Self Care* ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord*

Twenty-one cases of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) diagnosed by M-mode echocardiograms were studied in regard to the underlying or associated conditions, types of MVP, and dimensions of the cardiac structures and parameters reflecting cardiac performance determined by echocardiograms. In 9 cases, MVP was thought to be idiopathic origin. Associated conditions in the remainder were 5 cases of congenital heart disease, 2 cases of rheumatic myocarditis, 1 case each of aortic valve disease, ischemic heart disease and hyperthyroidism, and 2 cases of undiagnosed cardiac conditions. There were 2 cases of buckling type of MVP and in the remainder hammock type. In these 2 patients with hammock type of MVP, mitral valve echoes were seen in the left atrium during systole in 1 case, and diastolic anterior displacement of posterior mitral leaflet in the other. In 9 cases of idiopathic MVP, cardiac dimensions and parameters reflecting cardiac performance as determined from echocardiograms showed no significant differences from those of 27 normal controls.
Aortic Valve ; Echocardiography* ; Heart Atria ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Mitral Valve Prolapse* ; Mitral Valve* ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Myocarditis ; Systole

PURPOSE: We report a case of transient corneal opacity and hyperopia after LASEK surgery. CASE SUMMARY: A 21-year-old female visited our clinic complaining of decreased visual acuity in the left eye. The patient had undergone LASEK surgeryten days previously. Before LASEK surgery, the central corneal thickness of the left eye was 540 micrometer, and the refractive error was -2.00 Dsph=-0.75 Dcyl x80A with an estimated ablation depth of 52.2 micrometer. At the time of visit (on the tenth day after surgery), the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.07, the central corneal thickness was 404 micrometer, and the refractive error was +1.00D=+1.25D x90. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy showed round central corneal haziness, but there were no signs of inflammation. At the third weeks after surgery, the central corneal thickness was 401 micrometer and the refractive error was +11.25D=-4.00D x145. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy showed sustained round central corneal haze. Twenty-two weeks after surgery, the central corneal thickness was 445 micrometer and the refractive error was -0.75D=-1.25D x180. The corneal opacity had disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: In case of transient corneal opacity, stromal loss and hyperopic change after LASEK surgery, central toxic keratopathy should be considered.
Corneal Opacity ; Eye ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperopia ; Inflammation ; Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted ; Refractive Errors ; Visual Acuity ; Young Adult

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder, caused by the presence of anti-ac- etylcholine receptor antibody or acetylcholine-receptor deficiency and involved neuro- muscular endplate. The clinical course and outcome of myasthenia gravis are variable during pregnancy. The special caution and adequate management for myasthenic mother and myasthenia gravis occurred newborn of myasthenic mother are essential for good perinatal outcomes. We experienced a case of myasthenia gravis associated with pregnancy who underwent cesarean section. We present this case with a brief review of literatures.
Cesarean Section ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Mothers ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Myasthenia Gravis, Neonatal ; Pregnancy*