PURPOSE: The study was performed to investigate the predictors associated transition with each stage of exercise behavior based to the Transtheoretical Model, and to provide basic data for exercise behavior programs for middle aged women. Methods: The subjects consisted of 434 women residing in B city by convenience sampling. The collected data were analyzed with multiple logistic regression using SPSS/WIN program. RESULTS: The predictors of transition from precontemplation to contemplation were consciousness raising(OR=2.095, 95% CI: 1.305-3.363), Reinforcement management(OR= 1.903, 95% CI: 1.107-3.271), Stimulus control (OR=2.176, 95% CI:1.239-3.820), Menstrual status (OR=5.327, 95% CI: 1.110-25.562). The predictors of transition from contemplation to preparation were Helping relationship(OR= 1.671, 95% CI: 1.065-2.662), Pros(OR=2.500, 95% CI: 1.254-4.982), Perceived Health status (OR=.178, 95% CI: .041-.770). The predictor of transition from preparation to action was Stimulus control(OR=1.918, 95% CI: 1.103- 3.336). The predictors of transition from action to maintenance were Consciousness raising(OR= 1.939, 95% CI: 1.031-3.647), Dramatic relief (OR=2.249, 95% CI: 1.025-4.931). CONCLUSIONS: Adequate examination on the factors, which can predict the transitional stages of change exercise behaviors among middle aged women, which is presented in this study. The results of this study will become the pillar of exercise intervention program planning and application.
Consciousness ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged*

We present a case of an Aspergillus fungal ball confined to the bony portion of the Eustachian tube (ET) in a 59-year-old immunocompetent female with chronic otitis media. Preoperative CT revealed a soft tissue density in the bony ET, initially interpreted as mucosal edema. During endoscopic tympanoplasty using the underlay above-the-malleus technique and a 30-degree angled endoscope, a cheese-colored mass was discovered in the bony portion of ET and subsequently removed. Histopathological examination confirmed the lesion as an Aspergillus ball. In conclusion, the soft tissue density observed in the bony ET on the preoperative CT may be mistaken for mucosal edema, highlighting the importance of careful observation. Utilizing a 30-degree endoscope can enhance the visualization of ET.

We present a case of an Aspergillus fungal ball confined to the bony portion of the Eustachian tube (ET) in a 59-year-old immunocompetent female with chronic otitis media. Preoperative CT revealed a soft tissue density in the bony ET, initially interpreted as mucosal edema. During endoscopic tympanoplasty using the underlay above-the-malleus technique and a 30-degree angled endoscope, a cheese-colored mass was discovered in the bony portion of ET and subsequently removed. Histopathological examination confirmed the lesion as an Aspergillus ball. In conclusion, the soft tissue density observed in the bony ET on the preoperative CT may be mistaken for mucosal edema, highlighting the importance of careful observation. Utilizing a 30-degree endoscope can enhance the visualization of ET.

We present a case of an Aspergillus fungal ball confined to the bony portion of the Eustachian tube (ET) in a 59-year-old immunocompetent female with chronic otitis media. Preoperative CT revealed a soft tissue density in the bony ET, initially interpreted as mucosal edema. During endoscopic tympanoplasty using the underlay above-the-malleus technique and a 30-degree angled endoscope, a cheese-colored mass was discovered in the bony portion of ET and subsequently removed. Histopathological examination confirmed the lesion as an Aspergillus ball. In conclusion, the soft tissue density observed in the bony ET on the preoperative CT may be mistaken for mucosal edema, highlighting the importance of careful observation. Utilizing a 30-degree endoscope can enhance the visualization of ET.

We present a case of an Aspergillus fungal ball confined to the bony portion of the Eustachian tube (ET) in a 59-year-old immunocompetent female with chronic otitis media. Preoperative CT revealed a soft tissue density in the bony ET, initially interpreted as mucosal edema. During endoscopic tympanoplasty using the underlay above-the-malleus technique and a 30-degree angled endoscope, a cheese-colored mass was discovered in the bony portion of ET and subsequently removed. Histopathological examination confirmed the lesion as an Aspergillus ball. In conclusion, the soft tissue density observed in the bony ET on the preoperative CT may be mistaken for mucosal edema, highlighting the importance of careful observation. Utilizing a 30-degree endoscope can enhance the visualization of ET.

We present a case of an Aspergillus fungal ball confined to the bony portion of the Eustachian tube (ET) in a 59-year-old immunocompetent female with chronic otitis media. Preoperative CT revealed a soft tissue density in the bony ET, initially interpreted as mucosal edema. During endoscopic tympanoplasty using the underlay above-the-malleus technique and a 30-degree angled endoscope, a cheese-colored mass was discovered in the bony portion of ET and subsequently removed. Histopathological examination confirmed the lesion as an Aspergillus ball. In conclusion, the soft tissue density observed in the bony ET on the preoperative CT may be mistaken for mucosal edema, highlighting the importance of careful observation. Utilizing a 30-degree endoscope can enhance the visualization of ET.

Although remarkable progress has been made in conventional hearing aids, patients with hearing loss are still reluctant to use them due to cosmetic or functional reasons, such as the feedback phenomenon or the occlusion effect. In the late 20th century, implantable hearing aids were developed and used as an alternative.Current Concepts: Several devices have been developed, with three currently available on the international market (Vibrant Soundbridge [Med-El Corporation], MAXUM [SOUNDTEC Inc.], and Esteem [Envoy Medical Corporation]). Electromagnetic and piezoelectric transduction systems enable the devices to transmit external sounds to the internal auditory system, enabling sounds to be heard without amplifying the sound source. Although not an implantable hearing aid, Earlens (Earlens Corporation), which attaches to the eardrum and transmits sound, has also been developed and is commercially available. This manuscript briefly describes these devices, evaluates their benefits and limitations, and considers future research directions in the field of implantable hearing aids.Discussion and Conclusion: Implantable or attachable hearing aids are innovative technologies that compensate for the shortcomings of conventional hearing aids while providing comparable or better results. The demand for them is expected to continue to increase in the future owing to the continued increase in the population with hearing loss and the trend toward quality of life and external beauty.

After separating gastrointestinal (GI) stromal tumors from true smooth muscle tumors of the GI tract, leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the GI tract has become a rare tumor. Gastric LMS is extremely rare and accounts for 0.1% of all cases of LMS in the GI tract. There are few English-language reports of gastric LMS describing radiologic findings. Here, we report a case of gastric LMS and review the recent literature focusing on radiologic findings. An 80-year-old female patient was referred for evaluation of a gastric mass accompanied by severe anemia. The physical examination revealed no specific findings except for an anemic conjunctiva. Laboratory data showed a low hemoglobin level of 5.1 g/dL. Endoscopy revealed a huge subepithelial mass in the posterior wall of the gastric body. Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic images showed an intraluminal protruding enhancing mass with an internal stalk appearance in the gastric body. There was no internal necrosis or calcification. The patient underwent subtotal gastrectomy and was diagnosed with primary gastric LMS. The diagnosis of gastric LMS is challenging due to its rarity. Our case report suggests that the presence of an internal stalk or spouting appearance can help prompt the radiologist to consider gastric LMS in the differential diagnosis.

PURPOSE; This study was aimed to identify the effect of foot reflexology massage on climacteric symptom, fatigue and physiologic parameters of middle-aged women. METHOD; A non-equivalent pretest-posttest experimental design was used. Participants were recruited from the Community Health Center in Busan, Korea. Forty participants were assigned to either an experimental group(20) or a control group(20). Foot reflexology massage was administered twice a week for 6 weeks in the participant in experimental group. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in climacteric symptom, fatigue, total cholesterol and cortisol level. However, there were no statistically significant differences in triglyceride, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein. CONCLUSION; These results suggest that foot reflexology massage could be utilized as an effective nursing intervention to reduce climacteric symptom and fatigue in middle-aged women.
Busan ; Cholesterol ; Climacteric* ; Community Health Centers ; Fatigue* ; Female ; Foot* ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Korea ; Lipoproteins ; Massage* ; Middle Aged* ; Nursing ; Research Design ; Triglycerides