No abstract available.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome*

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of isoflavones on lipid concentrations and hepatic LDL receptor mRNA level in growing female rats. Twenty four rats (body weight 75 +/- 5 g) were randomly assigned to one of two groups, consuming control diet or isoflavones supplemented diet (57 mg isoflavones/100 g diet). All rats has been fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 9 weeks. The concentration of triglyceride and total cholesterol were measured in serum and liver. Serum HDL cholesterol was measured. Hepatic LDL receptor mRNA level was tested by RT-PCR. Supplementation of isoflavones did not affect weight gain, mean food intake and food efficiency ratio. Serum total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol of isoflavones supplemented rats were significantly lower than those of control rats (p < 0.05). But hepatic cholseterol level was not influenced by supplementation of isoflavones. Hepatic LDL receptor mRNA level not significantly different between control group and isoflavones supplemented group. Therefore, isoflavones may be beneficial on serum cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol lowering in growing female rats.
Animals ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Diet* ; Eating ; Female* ; Humans ; Isoflavones* ; Liver ; Rats* ; Receptors, LDL* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Triglycerides ; Water ; Weight Gain

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of breathing exercises performed using panflutes in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery. METHODS: The study design was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized pre-post test. The study included 24 patients in both the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group completed a daily breathing exercise regimen using panflutes for 30minutes after meals, whereas the control group was provided standard preoperative education, including breathing exercises using incentive spirometers. After the exercise regimen, breathing exercise compliance, pulmonary infections, and life satisfaction were measured in both groups, and the data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN program. RESULTS: The compliance rate of breathing exercises was significantly higher in the experimental group. The experimental group presented no pulmonary infections in the later period, whereas the control group presented higher pulmonary infection rates in the same period. In addition, the life satisfaction score in the experimental group significantly increased. CONCLUSION: The breathing exercise program using panflutes for elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery enhanced their breathing exercise compliance and their daily life satisfaction in addition to reducing their pulmonary infection rates.
Aged* ; Breathing Exercises ; Compliance* ; Education ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Humans ; Meals ; Motivation ; Patient Compliance ; Personal Satisfaction ; Postoperative Complications ; Respiration* ; Work of Breathing

PURPOSE: This study was designed to describe the experiences of dementia prevention program for older adults in nursing homes. METHODS: Four focus group interviews (FGI) after the program were conducted with 35 participants. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. The transcribed data were analyzed by Colaizzi's phenomenological method. RESULTS: Four themes emerged as a result of analysis. Participants without dementia reported “I don't have dementia yet.” This statement probably reflects ignoring potential dementia. Motivation for participating the dementia prevention program were to reduce boredom, to enjoy exercising and communicating with others, and to follow group activities. Participants reported the positive effects of the program; (a) benefits from the repeating learned activities; (b) improvements of memory and emotional stability. A few participants reported their inability to follow the program due to physical and environmental limits. However, other participants reported their efforts to overcome physical limits and perform the activities regardless their limits. People who performed the activities with physical limits reported that their self-satisfaction was increased. CONCLUSION: Results of this study showed that participants without dementia were able to actively participate in dementia prevention programs and showed memory, emotional and behavioral improvements. Therefore, these findings can be used for developing customized dementia prevention programs in nursing homes.
Adult* ; Aged ; Boredom ; Dementia* ; Focus Groups ; Humans ; Memory ; Methods ; Motivation ; Nursing Homes* ; Nursing* ; Qualitative Research

Adolescent ; Biomarkers ; Blood Pressure ; Body Image ; Body Mass Index ; Calcium ; Education ; Female ; Food Labeling ; Humans ; Korea ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; Thinness ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference ; Weight Loss

This study was designed to test the effects of a full body massage on uterine contraction, length of labor, type of delivery, and drug intervention for primipara during labor. Data were collected using a quasi-experiment method (nonequivalent control group, pre-post test design) from November 1, 2001 to July 31, 2002. The subjects of this experiment consisted of 28 women in the experimental group and 29 in the control group, out of 57 primipara hospitalized at the U OB & GYN hospital in Inchon. The experimental group was given a 20 minute full body massage for each of the three delivery phases (latent, active, and transition). The control group was given conventional delivery care. Three (3) parameters were analyzed in this experiment. (1) The interval, duration, and strength of uterine contraction, using an electric tocodynamometer (2) The elapsed time for stage 1 and stage 2 labor. (3) The types of deliveries and drug interventions, using postpartum medical records The data collected were analyzed using the repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), t-test, and X(2) test of the SPSS program. The results of the experiment are as follows: 1) Uterine contraction interval was signifi- cantly reduced (F=3.210, p=.050). Duration of uterine contraction showed significant increase only during the transition phase (t=-2.319, p=.023). Strength of uterine contraction showed no significant difference. 2) Total length of labor was significantly shortened (t=-5.245, p=.000). The length of 1st stage labor was signifi- cantly shortened (t=-5.164, p=.000), with latent phase showing (t=-4.709, p=.000), active phase (t=-2.973, p=.005), and transition phase (t=-2.031, p=.047). The length of 2nd stage labor showed no significant difference. 3) The number of natural deliveries were significantly increased (X(2)=13.127, p=.004). 4) The number of drug interventions were significantly fewer (X(2)= 4.493, p=.034). In conclusion, this study shows that a full body massage has a significantly positive effect on uterine contraction interval, length of labor, type of delivery, and drug intervention. Therefore, this study suggests that a full body massage be used clinically to help primipara during labor.
Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Female ; Humans ; Incheon ; Massage* ; Medical Records ; Postpartum Period ; Uterine Contraction*

BACKGROUND: The E2F family (E2F1 to E2F6) of transcription factors plays a key role in cell cycle progression. Some act as oncogenes and others act as tumor suppressor genes (TSG) in a tissue-specific manner. E2F4 may function as a TSG. However, the role of E2F4 in breast carcinogenesis remains controversial. Also the clinical impact of E2F2 expression on breast cancer remains unknown. METHODS: Expressions of E2F4 and E2F2 were assessed immunohistochemically in 113 breast carcinomas and were compared with clinicopathological variables, expressions of G1/S checkpoint proteins (p16, cyclin D1 and Rb), and DNA ploidy to identify their possible role and to assess their prognostic value in breast cancer. RESULTS: Expressions of E2F4 and E2F2 were detected in 48 cases (42.5%) and 66 cases (58.4%), respectively. Expressions of E2F4 and E2F2 were significantly correlated with large tumor size (p<0.001) and lymph node metastasis (p<0.001). There was no correlation between expressions of E2F4 or E2F2 and any other variables, including age, histologic grade, DNA ploidy and expressions of p16, cyclin D1 and Rb. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that expressions of E2F4 and E2F2 are associated with growth and spread of breast cancer and indicate poor prognosis.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Cycle ; Cyclin D1 ; DNA ; E2F2 Transcription Factor* ; E2F4 Transcription Factor ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Oncogenes ; Ploidies ; Prognosis ; Transcription Factors

No abstract available.
Membranes* ; Pregnancy* ; Rupture*

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare dietary habits, perception, and consumption frequency of fast foods between part-time working youths at fast food restaurants and those at other food-related services. METHODS: The study subjects were part-time working youths in 13 fast food restaurants (n = 118) and in 25 other places including bakeries, cafes, convenience stores, and other restaurants (n = 115) in Cheongju. Demographic characteristics, dietary habits, perception regarding fast foods, and consumption frequencies of food groups and fast foods were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Female youths working at fast food restaurants had unhealthier dietary habits, such as meal skipping and night snacking compared to those working at other places. Consumption frequencies of fruits in males and beans/bean products in females working at fast food restaurants were significantly lower than those working at other places. Perception score on fast foods was significantly lower in males working at fast food restaurants than in males working at other places. However, the consumption frequencies of hamburgers, pizzas, and a total of six fast foods among both males and females working at fast food restaurants were significantly higher than those working at other places after adjusting for confounding variables including age, status, type of residence, allowance, alcohol, smoking, working hours, and hourly pay. CONCLUSION: Part-time working youths at fast food restaurants had worse dietary habits, such as meal skipping and night snacking, and consumed fast foods more frequently than those working at other places. Interventions for part-time working youths at fast food restaurants may be needed in order to reduce fast food consumption and increase the intake of fruits and vegetables.
Adolescent* ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Fast Foods* ; Female ; Food Habits* ; Fruit ; Humans ; Male ; Meals ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Restaurants* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Snacks ; Vegetables

This study was focused on whether or not isoflavones affect the increase in bone mineral density of growing females. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (60 +/- 5 g) were randomly assigned to two groups and provided control diets (control group) or isoflavone-supplemented diet (IF group, 57.8 mg isoflavones/100 g diet) for 9 weeks in growing female rats. Measurements of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and Bone Mineral Content (BMC) on the experimental animals were executed in the 3rd, 6th, 9th weeks. In result, there was no significant difference in spine BMD between the isoflavones supplemented group and the control group. But, the IF group tended to have higher BMD than the control group in between 3 and 9 experimental weeks, and the striking difference could be shown in the 6th week of feeding. In case of femur BMD, the effects of added isoflavones appeared in the 6th week of feeding, and it became intensified in the 9th week of feeding to the extent that the BMD in the IF group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, isoflavone supplementation increased spine BMD per weight in the 6th week of feeding, and affected the increase of femur BMD in the 9th week. The result of the experiment implies that it affects positively the formation of spine and femur BMD of growing female rats. The study also suggests that the effects of isoflavone on the pattern of BMD formation might differ from the parts of bones.
Animals ; Bone Density ; Diet ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spine ; Strikes, Employee