Matrix metalloproteinases are believed to play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. But little is known about the role of them in the gastric adenocarcinoma. We investigated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1,2,3 in eighty paraffin blocks of the primary gastric adenocarcinoma tissues with immunohistochemistry and analysed their correlation with lymph node metastasis and survival. MMP-1,2,3 were expressed most intensely in the fibroblasts around the tumor stroma. In our study the increased immunoreactivity of MMP-2 only showed statistically significant correlation with lymph node metastasis (P=0.0517, Odd's ratio=2.274). But MMP-1,2,3 all were correlated with survival. Type IV collagen was observed in the vascular basement membranes and tumor basement membranes and showed statistically significant correlation with lymph node metastasis (P=0.0002, Odd's ratio=0.194) and prognosis (P=0.0001). The immunoreactivity of MMP-2 and type IV collagen was inversely correlated (Kendall's Tau-b correlation = 0.37482, P=0.0001). Our results suggest that in human gastric adenocarcinoma the increased immunoreactivity of MMP-2 and the decreased immunoreactivity of type IV collagen has an important role in lymph node metastasis and prognosis. MMP-1,3 are not correlated with lymph node metastasis but correlated with survival. The mechanism responsible for the production of MMP by the host fibroblasts remains obscure and requires further investigation.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Basement Membrane ; Collagen Type IV* ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Paraffin ; Prognosis*

PURPOSE: This study was to verify the effects of a fluid therapy education program for aged stroke patients for preventing dehydration, pyuria and bacteriuria. METHODS: The study employed a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design in quasi experimental basis. Subjects were 38 stroke patients (20 in the experimental group and 18 in the control group) older than 65, hospitalized in a senior care center in S city, Korea. RESULTS: The amount of daily average fluid intake, normal ratio of blood urea nitrogen-creatinine ratio, serum Na+ and urine white blood cells were increased significantly in the experimental group. Normal ratio of bacteriuria increased in the experimental group, but not significantly. CONCLUSION: The education program is considered to be an effective nursing intervention tool for preventing dehydration and urinary tract infections which related to the secondary wellness of aged stroke patients. However, longer term study is necessary for better quality of nursing and developing more specific education programs for aged stroke patients usually hospitalized for a long period of time.
Bacteriuria ; Dehydration ; Education* ; Fluid Therapy* ; Humans ; Korea ; Leukocytes ; Nursing ; Pyuria ; Stroke* ; Urea ; Urinary Tract Infections

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

No abstract available.
Aged* ; Fingers* ; Humans

Subungual glomus tumors are benign neoplasms that arise from the neuromyoarterial apparatus. They present with various clinical symptoms such as localized pain, tenderness, and sensitivity to temperature change and can be palpated as a nodule or mass on physical examination. Pressure erosion can be seen at adjacent bones on radiography. However, in most cases, the tumors are too small to be inspected and located under the nail plate, which makes correct diagnosis and complete excision very difficult. Incomplete removal can cause recurrence or deformity to the residual nail, whereas extensive removal can cause trauma or deformity to the nail plate. Thus, correct differential diagnosis and preoperative evaluation of the location and extent of the tumor are very important. Here, we report 2 cases that were diagnosed and preoperatively evaluated using ultrasound.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Glomus Tumor* ; Physical Examination ; Radiography ; Recurrence ; Ultrasonography*

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Papilloma*

No abstract available.
Fasciitis* ; Fibroblasts ; Ischemia

BACKGOUND: Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy has appeared to be effective in clearing psoriatic lesions. Calcipotriol has been combined with a number of the systemic antipsoriatic treatments, improving efficacy or reducing the systemic treatment required. OBJECTIVE: We performed calcipotriol-NBUVB combination therapy to evaluate the clinical efficacy and the safety in Korean psoriasis patients. METHOD: In the psoriasis clinic at Seoul National University Hospital, 69 psoriasis patients were treated with calcipotriol-NBUVB. Phototherapy was given once daily, three times a week, and the dose was gradually increased. Calcipotriol ointment was applied twice a day. The PASI score was used to evaluate the effects of the treatment and the patients were classified according to clearance, improvement, or failure. RESULTS: The therapeutic results showed 53.6% for clearance, 31.9% for improvement and 14.5% for failure. The total number, duration, final and cumulative doses to achieve grade IV were 16.1, 41.8days, 1487.3mJ/cm2, and 15234.5mJ/cm(2) respectively. Of 69 patients, 44 patients experienced variable adverse effects, but there was no significant adverse effect to discontinue the therapy. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that using calcipotriol ointment with NBUVB phototherapy is an effective therapeutic method for psoriatic patients.
Humans ; Phototherapy* ; Psoriasis ; Seoul

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the motivational interviewing (MI) dementia preventive intervention on dementia preventive behaviors, depression and cognitive function among elderly over 75 years of age in nursing homes. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. A total of 57 participants were divided into three groups; 18 in the MI dementia preventive intervention (Group A), 20 in the dementia preventive program (Group B) and 19 in the control group. Dementia preventive behaviors, depression, and cognitive function were assessed at pre, post, and 1 month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and repeated measure ANOVA. RESULTS: The results reported that there were significant differences in dementia preventive behaviors and depression among Group A, B, and C. Also, there were significant differences in dementia preventive behaviors and cognitive function during time periods. There was a significant interaction between groups and times in relation to depression. Results suggested that the effects of MI dementia preventive program was persistent after 1 month following the intervention. CONCLUSION: Further research needs to develop dementia preventive programs considering physical and mental traits of the elderly in late years staying at nursing homes.
Aged* ; Cognition ; Dementia* ; Depression ; Humans ; Motivational Interviewing* ; Nursing Homes* ; Nursing*

OBJECTIVES: Many recent studies of relationship between geriatric depression and changes in brain have examined the structural abnormalities in hippocampus. Using MRI, the hippocampal volumes of patients with major depression were measured and compared with control subjects for research of above relationship. METHOD: Fourteen patients (early-onset five, late-onset nine) with major depressive disorder based on DSM-IV and fourteen age-matched normal controls are included. Applying semiautomated computer program to MRI, we measured and compared the hippocampal volumes in two groups. Moreover we identified the laterality and the correlation of the volumes with age of onset, duration of education, numbers of psychiatric admission, duration of illness, MMSE scores at admission, and severity of depression. RESULT: No significant difference was observed between the hippocampal volumes of patients with major depressive disorder and those of control subjects. A significant correlation in patients was observed between duration of illness and left hippocampal volume to cerebral volume ratio. In early-onset depressed patients, left hippocampal volume was larger than in late-onset depressed patients and the positive correlation was observed between MMSE scores at admission and left hippocampal volume to cerebral volume ratio. In late-onset depressed patients, there was the negative correlation between numbers of psychiatric admission and MMSE scores at admission as well as and between cerebral volume and age of onset. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated no change in the volume of hippocampus among geriatric major depressive patients. So we suggest that more extensive and systematic studies for structural abnormality of hippocampus will be required.
Age of Onset ; Aged* ; Brain ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Education ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging