BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of the Korean version of Fall Efficacy scale(FES) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale(ABC) to Korean older adult through an examination of instrument`s internal consistency and validity METHOD: A sample of 90 Korean older adults who lived in a community completed a survey instrument which included Korean version of FES and ABC. Because of comparable data derived from each scale, fear of falling and quality of life, activity daily living were included. Concurrent validity, criterion validity and correlational validity were tested. Reliability was tested by internal consistency, test-retest method. RESULTS: Cronbach`s alpha was 0.9043 in FES, and 0.99623 in ABC. Test-retest correlations in all scales were higher than 7.0. Statistically significant association was found between fear of falling and both scales. Correlation coefficient between Quality of life(SF-8) and ABC was -0.142(p=0.049). Both FES and ABC are correlated significantly each other. CONCLUSION: The Korean version of FES and ABC appears to be a reliable and valid method for meas- uring fear of falling. These instruments may be useful in assessing the independent contribution of fear of falling. ABC scale may be more useful to detect loss of balance confidence in more highly functioning seniors.
Adult ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Reproducibility of Results* ; Weights and Measures

We report three cases of rat mite dermatitis caused by Ornithonysus bacoti(Hirst, 1913), commonly referred to it as the tropicalrat mite. The first case, a 26-year old female had multiple pinhead sized vesicles with peripheral erythematous macule on the upper arms. The second case, a 34-year-old femal had multiple variable sized vesicles with erythematous base on the extremeties. The third case, a 43-year old male had multiple erythematous macules and papules with central punctum on the trunl: and extremities. Histopathologic sections from lesions of the first and second patient showed moderate perivascular lymphahistiocytic infiltration intermingled with some eosinophils. Causative mites, Ornithonyssus bacoti, female were collected around the skin lesion in rase 1, from the house dust in case 2 and furniture in case 3.
Adult ; Animals ; Arm ; Dermatitis* ; Dust ; Eosinophils ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Interior Design and Furnishings ; Male ; Mites* ; Rats* ; Skin

The authors experienced a case of plasma cholinesterase variant who received succinylcholine, atracurium and reversal with pyridostigmine, and showed prolonged neuromuscular blockade postoperatively, and was ventilated artificia1ly until complete recovery. The patient and her two children later gave samples of blood. The patients blood revealed very low plasma cholinesterase activity of 0.11 IU/L(normal range; 5-12 IU/L) and dibucaine number of 33. In consideration of her childrens plasma cholinesterase activities and dibucaine numbers, we suggest that she has genetically abnormal plasma cholinesterase and probably her genotype is E E or E E.
Atracurium ; Child ; Cholinesterases ; Dibucaine ; Genotype ; Humans ; Neuromuscular Blockade* ; Plasma* ; Pyridostigmine Bromide ; Succinylcholine

The species composition, population density, and seasonal prevalence of vector mosquitoes in an inland area of Kyungpook province were studied, based on light trap and human bait trap collections, and the recent patterns of infestation for infective larvae of Brugia malayi in these vector hosts were investigated from May to November in 1985. Nine species in four genera of mosquitoes were collected by light trap, human bait trap, and/or by nets. Anopheles sinensis Wiedemann was the most abundant species collected by light traps during this year. Culex tritaeniorhychus Giles was the second abundant species, and Aedes vexans nipponii(Theobald) ranked third in total abundance. The earlist time when A. sinensis were found was the middle of May. At that time the temperature ranged from 14.3 C to 22.8 C and the humidity 53-90 per cent. The month of highest average nightly catch was July, when the temperature was betweeen 21.5 C and 30.6 C and the humidity 72-91 per cent. The peak time of biting activity of mosquitoes was different in each month, i.e. between 22:00-23:00 in July, and 20:00-21:00 hours in September, when the temperature was between 24.3 C and 26.5 C and the humidity 73-88 per cent in the field. While infective larvae of B. malayi were reported to have been found in one species of mosquito in 1975, no larvae were found in any species collected in this survey.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda ; arthropoda ; Brugia malayi ; Anopheles sinensis ; epidemiology

Epidermal nevus syndrome is a rare congenital malformation clinically characterized by the association of epidermal nevi with multiple abnormalities of the skin, skeletal system, central nervous system, eyes, cardiovascular system, urogenital system, as well as with malignant conditions. We describe a 4-month-old male with an extensive epidermal nevus involving the left side of the body (nevus unius lateris) and associated with lymphedema of the left lower extremity, diffuse alopecia and focal cicatrical alopecia of the scalp, atrial septal defect, multicystic dysplastic kidney and infantile spasm. We report this case with brief review of related literatures.
Abnormalities, Multiple ; Alopecia ; Cardiovascular System ; Central Nervous System ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Lower Extremity ; Lymphedema ; Male ; Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney ; Nevus* ; Scalp ; Skin ; Spasms, Infantile* ; Urogenital System

BACKGROUND: The role of aging in damage to DNA have been of increasing in recent years. DNA damage correlated with biochemical and physiologic changes that are characteristic of cellular impairment in aging and disease. Reduction of oxygen in tissue produces a number of oxygen free radicals which may induce cellular damage and even cell death. Glutathione, its function in reductive processes that are essential for the synthesis (and the degradation) of proteins, formation of deoxyribonucleotide precursors of DNA, regulation of enzymes, and protection of the cell against reactive oxygen compounds and free radicals. The aim of this study was, 1) to measure the glutathione concentration and glutathione proxidase activity of erythroyte, plasma, human gastric mucosa in elderly and liver cirrhosis patient 2) to investigate a role of glutathione mediated cellular defense mechanism against oxidative stress between in liver cirrhosis patient and in elderly. METHODS: We measured glutathione concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity in the plasma, erythrocytes, gastric mucosa of human in 4 group (Group A: 10 patients of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertensive gastropathy in age 40~55 years, Group B: same number and disease of patients in age over 65 years, group C: healthy person of age over 65 years, Group D: control). Glutathione concentration of erythocyte, plasma and human gastric mucosa was measured by spectrophotometer using Bioxytech GSH-400. Glutathione peroxidase activity of plasma was measured by Paglia & Valentine method using Bioxytech pl. Gpx and of erythocyte and human gastric mucosa was measured by using Bioxytech Gpx.340. Statistical significance of the different group was determined by ANOVA. A p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULT: Glutathione concentration of erythrocytes and gastric mucosa was decreased in Group A, B, C compared to group D. plasma concentration of glutathione was decreased in group A, B compared to group C, D. Activity of glutathione peroxidase was not different in any group (ANOVA, p<0.005). CONCLUSION: Even though glutathione concentration of erythrocyte and human gastric mucosa was decreased in elderly and in liver cirrhosis patient, our study shows decreased glutathione related defense mechanism against oxidative stress is different in view of plasma concentration of glutathione.
Aged ; Aging ; Cell Death ; DNA ; DNA Damage ; Erythrocytes* ; Free Radicals ; Gastric Mucosa* ; Glutathione Peroxidase* ; Glutathione* ; Humans* ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxygen ; Oxygen Compounds ; Plasma*

No abstract available.
Connective Tissue Diseases* ; Connective Tissue* ; Heart Block* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Mothers* ; Twins*

No abstract available.
Connective Tissue Diseases* ; Connective Tissue* ; Heart Block* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Mothers* ; Twins*

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common malignant skin lesion. The major aim in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma is the curative treatment, which is best done by Mohs excision of the neoplastic tissue. Despite the effectiveness of surgical excision, non-surgical treatment modalities may be preferred for large tumor size or poor patient performance status. Imiquimod may offer an alternative to surgical excision. Imiquimod is an immune modulator acting as IFN-alpha and other cytokine inducer, stimulating the innate immune response. Imiquimod's anti-tumor effect may be mediated by IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-12. At this time, there is no published experience on the treatment of basal cell carcinoma with imiquimod in Korea. We report a case of basal cell carcinoma of the nose successfully treated with topical 5% imiquimod cream.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Interleukin-12 ; Korea ; Nose* ; Skin

Biliary stents are widely used not only for palliative treatment of malignant biliary obstruction but also for benign biliary diseases. Each plastic stent or self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) has its own advantages, and a proper stent should be selected carefully for individual condition. To compensate and overcome several drawbacks of SEMS, functional self-expandable metal stent (FSEMS) has been developed with much progress so far. This article looks into the outcomes and defects of each stent type for benign biliary stricture and describes newly introduced FSEMSs according to their functional categories.
Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Biliary Tract ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Palliative Care ; Plastics ; Stents