PURPOSE: This study was done to examine the relation of uncertainty, uncertainty appraisal, and self-management in patients undergoing hemodialysis, and to identify factors influencing self-management. METHODS: A convenience sample of 92 patients receiving hemodialysis was selected. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and medical records. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlations and multiple regression analysis with the SPSS/WIN 20.0 program. RESULTS: The participants showed a moderate level of uncertainty with the highest score being for ambiguity among the four uncertainty subdomains. Scores for uncertainty danger or opportunity appraisals were under the mid points. The participants were found to perform a high level of self-management such as diet control, management of arteriovenous fistula, exercise, medication, physical management, measurements of body weight and blood pressure, and social activity. The self-management of participants undergoing hemodialysis showed a significant relationship with uncertainty and uncertainty appraisal. The significant factors influencing self-management were uncertainty, uncertainty opportunity appraisal, hemodialysis duration, and having a spouse. These variables explained 32.8% of the variance in self-management. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that intervention programs to reduce the level of uncertainty and to increase the level of uncertainty opportunity appraisal among patients would improve the self-management of hemodialysis patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/*psychology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Regression Analysis ; Renal Dialysis ; *Self Care ; Spouses ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; *Uncertainty

No Abstract Available.
Pterygium*

PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate factors influencing successful aging in middle-aged women. METHODS: A convenience sample of 103 middle-aged women was selected from the community. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, two-sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis test, Pearson correlations, Spearman correlations and multiple regression analysis with the SPSS/WIN 22.0 program. RESULTS: Results of regression analysis showed that significant factors influencing successful aging were post-traumatic growth and social support. This regression model explained 48% of the variance in successful aging. CONCLUSION: Findings show that the concept 'post-traumatic growth' is an important factor influencing successful aging in middle-aged women. In addition, social support from friends/co-workers had greater influence on successful aging than social support from family. Thus, we need to consider the positive impact of post-traumatic growth and increase the chances of social participation in a successful aging program for middle-aged women.
Aging* ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation* ; Female ; Humans ; Social Participation

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of an endodontic infection on presence of furcation involvement in periodontally-involved mandibular molars. All first and second mandibualr molars in 45 patients were selected if at least one was root-filled or had a possible periapical radiolucency. The sample consisted of patients from a referral population at a periodotnal clinic which represented an adult population with a mean age of 47.5 years (range 31 to 63) For mandibular molars with periapical destruction at both roots, frequency of horizontal furcation depth > or = 3 mm was significantly more compared to teeth without periapical destruction. Mean periodontal probing depth was significantly greater at mandibular molars with periapical destruction. It is suggested that a root canal infection in periodontitis-involved molars may potentiate periodontitis progression by spreading of endodontic pathgens through patent accessory canals and dentinal tubules. In conclusion, an endodontic infection in mandibular molars was found to be associated with additional attachment loss in the furcation area, and may thus be considered to be one of several risk factors influencing the prognosis of molars in periodontitis-prone patients.
Adult ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Dentin ; Humans ; Molar* ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontitis ; Prognosis ; Referral and Consultation ; Risk Factors ; Tooth

PURPOSE: To determine (1) the relationship between the cortical defects seen on 99 mTc-DMSA renal scans and age, and (2) the presence and degree of vesicoureteral reflux, and then to depict the risk factors for cortical defects in children with acute urinary tract infection (UTI). Furthermore, to assess the diagnostic value of VCUG in predicting a defect on 99 mTc-DMSA renal scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 134 kidneys in 67 children aged 15 days-10 years (M:F=39:28) in whom symptomatic UTI was present. In all these children, both DMSA renal scans and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) were performed. Scanning took place within 7 days of diagnosis and VCUG was performed after one month of diagnosis. Scintigraphic findings were graded according to the extent and number of cortical defects. We evaluated the relationships between the cortical defects seen on DMSA scans and age, and the grade of vesicoureteral reflux. The diagnostic value of VCUG in predicting cortical defects was analysed. Results: The prevalence of cortical defects was greater in patients older than two years (38/54, 70%) than in those aged less than two (38/80, 48%). The frequency of cortical defects was related to vesicoureteral reflux (p<0.05) and grade of reflux (p<0.05). As this latter increased, the extent of cortical defects also increased (p<0.05), and DMSA scans revealed the presence of these in 76 of the 134 kidneys (57%) with acute UTI. In 30 of these 76 (39.5%), VCUG demonstrated the presence of vesicoureteral reflex. On the other hand, vesi-coureteral reflex was found in 36 of the 134 kidneys (27%), and in 30 of these 36 (83%), cortical defects were noted. The sensitivity of VCUG in predicting cortical defect was 39.5%, while specificity was 89.7%. The positive predictive value for defects was 83.3%, and the negative predictive value was 53.1%. The relative risk of cortical defect in the presence of vesicoureteral reflux was 1.78. CONCLUSION: Renal cortical defects are significantly related to age and grade of vesicoureteral reflux. Risk factors for developing cortical defects were older age (> or =2yrs) at the time of acute UTI, and high grade of vesicoureteral reflux. The specificity of VCUG in predicting cortical defects is relatively high but the sensitivitiy is low, and a significant proportion of cortical defects therefore occurred in the absence of vesicoureteral reflux.
Child* ; Diagnosis ; Hand ; Humans ; Kidney ; Prevalence ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Reflex ; Risk Factors* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Succimer* ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influences of age and height on pulmonary function in cervical spinal cord injury patients and to suggest the reference value of Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) with respect to each level of injury. METHOD: One hundred eighteen subjects with complete cervical spinal cord injury underwent PFT. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) were measured and percentages of normal predictive values were also calculated. RESULTS: Age, height and injury level were determinants of FVC and FEV1. But only injury level affected the percen-tages of FVC and FEV1 predictive values. The mean FVC of C4, C5, C6, C7, C8 tetraplegic subjects were 1.78 L, 2.00 L, 2.20 L, 2.74 L, 2.94 L respectively. The mean FEV1 of C4, C5, C6, C7, C8 tetraplegic subjects were 1.64 L, 1.83 L, 2.08 L, 2.59 L, 2.74 L respectively. CONCLUSION: Age and height should be considered when interpreting PFT of tetraplegic patients. The reference values suggested would help to evaluate the severity of pulmonary function loss in complete cervical spinal cord injury patients.
Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Male ; Quadriplegia ; Reference Values ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Cord* ; Vital Capacity

In the Visible Korean project, 642 three-dimensional (3D) surface models have been built from the sectioned images of a male cadaver. It was recently discovered that popular PDF file enables users to approach the numerous surface models conveniently on Adobe Reader. Purpose of this study was to present a PDF file including systematized surface models of human body as the beneficial contents. To achieve the purpose, fitting software packages were employed in accordance with the procedures. Two-dimensional (2D) surface models including the original sectioned images were embedded into the 3D surface models. The surface models were categorized into systems and then groups. The adjusted surface models were inserted to a PDF file, where relevant multimedia data were added. The finalized PDF file containing comprehensive data of a whole body could be explored in varying manners. The PDF file, downloadable freely from the homepage (http://anatomy.co.kr), is expected to be used as a satisfactory self-learning tool of anatomy. Raw data of the surface models can be extracted from the PDF file and employed for various simulations for clinical practice. The technique to organize the surface models will be applied to manufacture of other PDF files containing various multimedia contents.
Cadaver ; Human Body ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; *Models, Biological ; *Software ; User-Computer Interface

PURPOSE: Recent studies have shown the important roles of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a variety of cancers derived from epithelial cells, such as human colorectal adenocarcinoma and other tumors, including those of the breast, cervix, and stomach. In this study, we purposed to evaluate the clinical significance of COX-2 expression in prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumor specimens from 25 patients, who underwent a transurethral resection (TUR) or radical prostatectomy, were obtained between March 1995 and August 2004 from the Department of Urology, Chungbuk National University Hospital. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissues were also acquired from 27 age-matched control patients. Immunohistochemical staining for COX-2 was performed on paraffin embedded specimens, using the anti-human COX-2 monoclonal antibody. The immunoreactivity of COX-2 was scored from 0 to 3 , according to the intensity of the staining. RESULTS: COX-2 expression was detected in 24 of the 25 tumor samples (96%), but in none of the 27 BPH tissues (p<0.001). There was no significant correlation between the COX-2 expression and Gleason score. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that COX-2 is expressed in human prostate cancer, as in other cancers, which supports the possibility that COX-2 might play an important role in the development of human prostate cancer. Further studies will be required to clarify the role of COX-2 in the development and progression of prostate cancer.
Adenocarcinoma ; Breast ; Cervix Uteri ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Cyclooxygenase 2* ; Epithelial Cells ; Female ; Humans* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neoplasm Grading ; Paraffin ; Prostate* ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Stomach ; Urology

PURPOSE: To evaluate posterior corneal surface elevation after LASIK in relation to the residual stromal bed thickness and the ablation percentage. METHODS: 363 eyes that underwent LASIK were examined retrospectively. The range of their refractive error was from -1.5 to -10.0 D. We obtained their corneal topography with Orbscan II and pachymetry preoperatively, and at one week, one month, two months, and three months postoperatively. The patients were divided into four groups based on the residual stromal bed thickness: Group I; 145 eyes with less than 250 micrometer, Group II; 129 eyes with 250~300 micrometer, Group III; 79 eyes with 300~350 micrometer, and Group IV; 13 eyes with more than 350 micrometer. We also grouped them based on the ablation percentage per total corneal thickness: Group A; 16 eyes with less than 10%, Group B; 166 eyes with 10~15%, Group C; 149 eyes with 15~25%, and Group D; 35 eyes with more than 25%. RESULTS: The extent of increase in the post-LASIK posterior corneal surface elevation correlates with residual corneal bed thickness and the ablation ratio per total cornea. In contrast, posterior corneal elevation values for Group IV were 0.025+/-0.005 mm preoperatively, 0.038+/-0.007 mm at 1 weeks, 0.037+/-0.010 mm at 1 month, 0.03+/-6 0.012 mm at 2 months, 0.036+/-0.009 mm at 3 months. In Group A, the values at the same times were 0.029+/-0.009 mm, 0.043+/-0.012 mm, 0.039+/-0.013 mm, 0.040+/-0.013 mm, 0.038+/-0.010 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of increase in the post-LASIK posterior corneal surface elevation correlates with residual corneal bed thickness and the ablation ratio. There were no statistically significant changes in postsurgical posterior corneal surface elevation, however, if the residual corneal thickness remained more than 350 micrometer or the ablation percentage was lower than 10%.
Cornea ; Corneal Topography ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ* ; Refractive Errors ; Retrospective Studies

ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) has been recently accepted as the most effective treatment for patients with medically refractory or life threatening ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Determination of the DFT (defibrillation threshold) is important in the implantation of ICD. DFT is the lowest shock energy that successfully terminates ventricular fibrillation. Preoperative amiodarone use, increased body size, and left ventricular dilatation are associated with high DFT. Recently, we experienced a 66 year-old male patient presenting with syncope due to idiopathic ventricular fibrillation in whom DFT was high and unstable, probably due to preoperative use of amiodarone.
Aged ; Amiodarone ; Body Size ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Male ; Shock ; Syncope ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Ventricular Fibrillation*