PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the correlation between the feeling of powerlessness, social support and life satisfaction in the elderly. METHODS: The subjects were 158 old people aged over 65 who were attending one of one college and three settlement houses for senior citizens located in B city. RESULTS: The relationship between the feeling of powerlessness and life satisfaction was in a moderate negative correlation with each other (r=-.433, p=.000). The relationship between social support and life satisfaction was in a moderate positive correlation with each other (r=.410, p=.000). It was found that the higher social support was, the higher life satisfaction was. There was remarkable difference in the form of family (F=2.69, p=.023), the form of residence (F=5.29, p=.002), whether to belong to a group (F=2.26, p=.025). CONCLUSION: For the reasons stated above, as the feeling of powerlessness is lower and social support is higher, life satisfaction is higher. The results clearly show that in order to improve life satisfaction of the elderly, we need to ease their feeling of powerlessness and enhance social support to them. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a nursing intervention program to reduce powerlessness and to improve social support for the elderly.
Aged* ; Humans ; Nursing

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior and interest. Sleep problems are not uncommon in children with autism spectrum disorders. Symptoms of insomnia are the most frequent sleep problems in individuals with ASD. Sleep problems can cause significant difficulties in the daily life of children with ASD and their families. Genetic factor, deregulations of melatonin synthesis, extraneous environmental stimuli and psychiatric and medical conditions may cause sleep problems. The first line treatment of sleep problems in ASD includes managements for potential contributing factors and parent education about sleep hygiene care for child and behavioral therapy. Supplementation with melatonin may be effective before considering other medications, such as risperidone, clonidine, and mirtazapine.
Autistic Disorder* ; Child ; Autism Spectrum Disorder* ; Clonidine ; Education ; Genetics ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Melatonin ; Parents ; Risperidone ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the CT features of the cystic masses in the neck and to review differential diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the CT findings of 22 histopathologically proved, cystic neck masses in regard to the location in fascial plane and relationship with adjacent organ. RESULTS: Of 22 cases, ten congenital cysts two ranulas, seven inflammatory lesions, and three solid tumors were includded. Ten congenital cystic masses were located in typical locations as branchial cleft cyst(5) in mandibular angle, thyroglossal duct cyst(3) in visceral space embeded within the strap muscles, cystic hygroma(1) and cavernous hemangioma(1) in posterior cervical space with insinuating appearance. Two cases of ranula included one simple ranula localized in sublingual space and a plunging ranula extending to adjacent submandibular space. Seven cases of inflammatory lesions were characterized by multispatial locations and good contrast-enhancement of walls and adjacent tissue. Solid masses of low density mimicking cyst were two pleomorphic adenomas of submandibular gland and one neurilemmoma. CONCLUSION: It is considered that thorough analysis of the CT findings with attention to typical location, CT appearance, and the relationship with the adjacent structures usually leads to the correct diagnosis.
Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; Branchial Region ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Muscles ; Neck* ; Neurilemmoma ; Ranula ; Retrospective Studies ; Submandibular Gland

No abstract available.
Knee Joint* ; Knee*

Cyclopia is rare congenital craniofacial anomaly, in which the eyes are fused together and located in a single orbit. It is consistently associated with severe holoprosencephaly, which is the failure of cleavage of the prosencephalon with a deficit in the midline facial development. chromosomal study revealed 47, X( ), +13 (Patau syndrome).
Holoprosencephaly ; Orbit ; Prosencephalon ; Trisomy*

BACKGROUND: It is generally accepted that propofol does not inhibit hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). However, because the previous studies for the effects of propofol on HPV were established in vivo, the effects of physiologic variables could not be ruled out. Therefore, we investigated the effects of various concentrations of propofol on HPV at isolated rat lungs and the relationship of these effects of propofol on HPV and endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and an ATP-dependent K+ channel which were candidates as the mechanism of HPV. METHODS: In 30 isolated rat lungs, after three hypoxic challenges for 5 minutes, we administered saline in the control group, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in the L group and glibenclamide in the G group followed by three hypoxic challenges for 5 minutes. In addition, we studied the effects of various concentrations of propofol on HPV in the three groups. RESULTS: L-NAME and glibenclamide did not alter baseline pulmonary arterial pressure but L-NAME significantly enhanced HPV. Clinical concentrations of propofol did not affect HPV and high concentrations of propofol inhibited HPV. The pretreatment of L-NAME and glibenclamide did not alter the inhibition of HPV even at high concentrations of propofol. CONCLUSIONS: The EDRF and ATP-dependent K+ channel did not largely contribute to baseline pulmonary arterial tone but EDRF might be released and downregulate HPV. Clinical concentrations of propofol did not inhibit HPV but high concentrations of propofol inhibited HPV. In addition, the mechanism of inhibition of HPV at high concentrations of propofol did not relate to the EDRF pathway and ATP-dependent K+ channel.
Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors ; Glyburide* ; Lung* ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester* ; Propofol* ; Rats* ; Vasoconstriction*

We assessed about growth hormone binding proteins (GHBP) activity which was measured eluted biotin GH fraction with alkaline phosphatase-streptavidine in children with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), short stature due to growth hormone deficiency (GHD), chronic renal failure, short stature due to nutritional deficiency. hypothyroidism and normal control groups using high pressure liquid chromatography protein pak 300 sw column. The following results are observed: 1) There were 3 types of growth hormone (GH) in serum: first GH binded with type I (minor) GHBP suggesting 200K dalton of molecular weight, second GH binded with type II (major) GHBP suggesting 60~70K dalton of molecular weight, and third GH were free form GH suggesting 20~25K dalton of molecular weight. 2) Type II (major) GHBP showed considerable individual variation in all ages. Neonates had the lowest levels of GHBP activity, but by the puberty the levels had increased & remained stable from adolescent to adult periods. 3) GHBP activity of children with IDDM at diagnosis was low value as compared to the same agenormal control group (p<0.05), and difference of GHBP activity among children with IDDM was related with height velocity (r=+0.92). Follow up GHBP activity during insulin therapy was reverse correlation with HbAlc. 4) GHBP activity of children with GHD at diagnosis was a slightly low compared to aged matched control and follow-up GHBP activity after 1 dose GH therapy showed increasing tendency (r=-0.68). 5) Otherwise, children with chronic renal failure, short stature due to nutritional deficiency, and hypothyroidism were assessed lower value than normal control group. Above results, GHBP activity had the lowest levels at neonatal period and then increasing tendency until puberty period and remained steady level until adult period. Regulation of GHBP may be closely related with metabolic control state by insulin, GH, nutritional status, and thyroid hormone..
Adolescent ; Adult ; Biotin ; Carrier Proteins ; Child ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Growth Hormone ; Humans* ; Hypothyroidism ; Infant, Newborn ; Insulin ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Malnutrition ; Molecular Weight ; Nutritional Status ; Puberty ; Thyroid Gland

Few cases of ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens(IBS) have been reported since 1939, as a distinct entity from bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma(BCIE). IBS can be differentiated from BCIE by the absence of congenital erythroderma and a different distribution of involved skin area. It's characteristic features include blistering, superficial erosion or moulting of the outer skin. Histological features are tonofilaments aggregation confined to the granular and upper spinous layer of the epidermis. However, in BCIE these findings are present in the whole suprabasal compartment. The original reports of Siemens and cases from other authors showed an autosomal dominant inheritance. Our patient developed IBS sporadically without a familial background.
Blister ; Dermatitis, Exfoliative ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Ichthyosis Bullosa of Siemens* ; Ichthyosis* ; Intermediate Filaments ; Molting ; Skin ; Wills

Mixed squamous cell carcinoma and papillary carcinoma in the thyroid gland is a very rare malignant tumor characterized by rapidly progressive clinical course and radioresistance. A 63-year-oid woman had mixed squamous cell carcinoma and papillary carcinoma in the thyroid gland diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNA), and the diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination. She had complained of a fixed, egg-sized mass of the anterior neck with hoarseness for 1 year. The findings of FNA consisted of sheets and clusters of polygonal epithelial cells with hyperchromatic, pleomorphic nuclei and eosinophilic, abundant, laminated cytoplasm. These findings were consistent with squamous cell carcinoma. Also, foci of papillary carcinoma were noted, and the cells exhibited nuclear groovings and intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions. Total thyroidectomy specimen showed a diffusely infiltrating tumor in the left thyroid which was composed of mixed papillary carcinoma and well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. In junction between two components, squamous metaplasia of papillary carcinoma was noted.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Child* ; Cytoplasm ; Diagnosis ; Eosinophils ; Epithelial Cells ; Female ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Giant Cells ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental* ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Inclusion Bodies ; Metaplasia ; Neck ; Ribs ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroidectomy

Lymphedema refers to inflammation that occurs in a part of the body owing to impaired lymphatic transport. Lymphedema arises as a consequence of a malformation or malfunction of the lymphatic system. It commonly occurs on the face, vulva, and penis and can cause superficial lesions known as lymphangiectasia. Common presenting symptoms include pain, pruritus, oozing of lymphatic fluid, sexual dysfunction, and infection. Prolonged lymphedema can lead to fibrosis and epidermal hyperplasia with verrucous hyperkeratosis. In rare cases, the lymphedema may mimic a skin tumor. We report the case of a 69-year-old woman who presented with erythematous oozing papules and hard nodules on the vulva, which mimicked a fibrous tumor.