No abstract available.
Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis*

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Selecting the appropriate patients and reducing stroke onset to endovascular recanalization therapy (ERT) time are essential elements of a successful ERT. Since ERT is available only in large hospitals, proper patients transfer is important. The purpose of study is to examine the suitability of the transfer of acute stroke patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who diagnosed as acute ischemic stroke from January to December in 2017. Patients were divided into two groups based on transfer (direct visit vs. transfer) and Alberta Stroke Program Early computed tomography (ASPECT) score (≥8 vs. <8) respectively. Each group was assessed by demographics, type and rate of reperfusion therapy, onset to reperfusion therapy time, stroke risk factors and neurological deficit severity. Interhospital distance and transfer time was calculated in transferred patients. RESULTS: Among the 455 patients, the 228 (50.2%) patients underwent interhospital transfer. The ratio of reperfusion therapy was not significant different between direct visit and transferred group (34.8% vs. 37.3%, p=0.397). The transferred patients tended to be older (p=0.003), female (p=0.001), more hypertension (p=0.019), less transient ischemic attack (p=0.001), longer onset to ERT time (178.55±85.92 vs. 131.48±82.89; p=0.001) lower ASPECT score (6.72±2.04 vs. 8.01±1.65; p<0.001) and higher National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (p<0.001) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) (p<0.001). High ASPECT score (≥8) patients were more direct visited (63.9%), shorter onset to ERT time (p=0.047), lower initial NIHSS and mRS (p<0.001), and greater in differences between mRS at admission and 3 months later (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests emergency and interhospital transfer of acute stroke patients is inefficient, and systematization of transfer is necessary.
Alberta ; Demography ; Emergencies ; Endovascular Procedures ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Medical Records ; Neuroimaging ; Patient Transfer ; Reperfusion ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of low intensity exercise program with telephone coaching on the physical fitness of elderly people who are receiving home visiting nursing care. METHOD: This study was conducted using a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The participants were 61 elders. Elders (34) in the experimental group performed low intensity exercise and of these 16 received telephone coaching. The low intensity exercise program consisted of stretching, muscle strengthening with an elastic band, massage, and ball exercise, five days a week, for sixteen weeks. Data were collected from July 2007 to December 2007. chi-square-test, ANCOVA with SPSS WIN 11.0 program were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: There were statistical differences in the right grasping power in the right hand (p=0.021), Raising behind of right arm (p=0.006), Raising behind of left arm (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: These results indicate, that a low intensity exercise program with telephone coaching can help improve physical fitness in elders receiving served home visiting nursing care.
Aged ; Arm ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; House Calls ; Humans ; Massage ; Muscles ; Nursing Care ; Physical Fitness ; Telephone

No abstract available.
Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations* ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases* ; Hypoglossal Nerve*

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare five interdental cleansing products' effectiveness on removing artificial dental plaque on the interdental space of zirconia crowns. Materials and Methods: A model with abutments on the right mandibular second premolar and first molar were prepared. 10 zirconia crowns for each abutment were fabricated. After applying artificial dental plaque between the zirconia crowns, a single clinician attempted to remove the plaque with five products: interdental toothbrush, end-tuft toothbrush, dental floss, Easypick, Water pik. They were conducted 10 times per group. The aspect and area of removed surfaces were analyzed using images taken with a digital camera. One factor analysis of variance was performed as a statistical analysis, and a post-hoc test was performed using the Scheffé method (P < .05). Results: There were differences in the area and the pattern according to the characteristics of the products. The largest area, including the marginal portion, was removed in the dental floss group. Interdental toothbrush group was the most effective in removing the dental plaque at the marginal portion. Easypick was less effective than the interdental toothbrush. The end-tuft toothbrush showed better results than other products in cleansing mesiobuccal and distobuccal area, but could not cleanse the area directly below the contact point. In Water pik group, artificial dental plaque was scarcely removed. The removal rate of artificial dental plaque was in the order of floss (69.47%), end-tuft toothbrush (49.36%), interdental toothbrush (44.20%), Easy pick (13.04%), and Water pik (0.59%). Conclusion Dental floss showed the highest removal rate in the interdental space restored with zirconia crowns, while interdental toothbrush was the most effective in removing the dental plaque at the marginal portion.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare five interdental cleansing products' effectiveness on removing artificial dental plaque on the interdental space of zirconia crowns. Materials and Methods: A model with abutments on the right mandibular second premolar and first molar were prepared. 10 zirconia crowns for each abutment were fabricated. After applying artificial dental plaque between the zirconia crowns, a single clinician attempted to remove the plaque with five products: interdental toothbrush, end-tuft toothbrush, dental floss, Easypick, Water pik. They were conducted 10 times per group. The aspect and area of removed surfaces were analyzed using images taken with a digital camera. One factor analysis of variance was performed as a statistical analysis, and a post-hoc test was performed using the Scheffé method (P < .05). Results: There were differences in the area and the pattern according to the characteristics of the products. The largest area, including the marginal portion, was removed in the dental floss group. Interdental toothbrush group was the most effective in removing the dental plaque at the marginal portion. Easypick was less effective than the interdental toothbrush. The end-tuft toothbrush showed better results than other products in cleansing mesiobuccal and distobuccal area, but could not cleanse the area directly below the contact point. In Water pik group, artificial dental plaque was scarcely removed. The removal rate of artificial dental plaque was in the order of floss (69.47%), end-tuft toothbrush (49.36%), interdental toothbrush (44.20%), Easy pick (13.04%), and Water pik (0.59%). Conclusion Dental floss showed the highest removal rate in the interdental space restored with zirconia crowns, while interdental toothbrush was the most effective in removing the dental plaque at the marginal portion.

No abstract available.
Child* ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous* ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans

PURPOSE: Gap junctions are intercellular channels to facilitate electrical and metabolic communication between adjacent cells. Connexin 43 is the most predominant type of connexin expressed on rat detrusor muscle cells. We investigated the connexin 43 expressions in various age groups of either sex in normal rats. METHODS: Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats were used for analysis. Each group was quantified by 8 rats at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months of age in either sex. In each animal, bladder was removed without any kind of intervention and fresh-frozen in liquid nitrogen. Total RNA extraction was done with easy-BLUE total RNA extraction kit. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was done for connexin 43 and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as an internal control using ImProm-II Reverse Transcription System. RESULTS: In female rats, no age-related change was detected in connexin 43 expressions. In male rats, connexin expression at 3 months of age showed significant decrease compared with 1 week, 2 weeks, and 6 months of age (P<0.05). When connexin expression at the same age in male and female were compared, only 3 months group in male showed significant decrease than the same age group in female. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the expressions of connexin 43 mRNA in normal detrusor muscle cell showed age-related changes especially in male rats. Although it is difficult to interpret these findings at this stage, age should be considered as a possible compounding factor affecting connexin 43 expressions in male rats.
Animals ; Connexin 43 ; Female ; Gap Junctions ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Cells ; Nitrogen ; Oxidoreductases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND: Epidural and intravenous (IV) administration of opioids are commonly used for postoperative pain management. However, studies that compare the epidural and IV routes of opiate administration show conflicting results. The purpose of this study was to determine the superior route of analgesics by comparing the effect of epidural fentanyl-bupivacaine with IV morphine using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) system in the management of posterior thoracic surgery pain. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery were randomly assigned to receive either Epiural-PCA (Epi-PCA, n=30) or IV-PCA (n=30) when postoperative pain first increased to 40/100 mm (by visual analogue scale; VAS). Epi-PCA group received epidural bolus of 0.1% bupivacaine 10 ml containing fentanyl 100 microgram and then followed by Epi-PCA with 0.1% bupivacaine 100 ml containing fentanyl 800 microgram (basal infusion 2 ml/hr, PCA dose 1 ml, lock-out interval 30 min), IV-PCA group received repeated IV boluses of 3 mg of morphine until postoperative pain decreased to 40/100 mm and then followed by a IV-PCA with morphine (basal infusion 0.005 mg/kg/hr, PCA dose 0.02 mg/kg, lock-out interval 8 min). Analgesic efficacy, degree of patient satisfaction and pain, analgesics consumptions, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expired volume in one second (FEV1) and side effects were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in analgesic efficacy and degree of patient satisfaction and pain in both group. But the PHS were significantly lower (p<.05), and FEV1 higher (p<.05) in Epi-PCA group, signifying better analgesia during movement (cough and deep breaths). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that an epidural PCA with mixture of fentanyl and bupivacaine administration is superior to that of intravenous PCA with morphine in the management of pain after thoracic surgery.
Analgesia ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled* ; Analgesics ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Bupivacaine ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Morphine* ; Pain, Postoperative ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Patient Satisfaction ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Vital Capacity