PURPOSE: The study was performed to identify the process of change, decisional balance and self-efficacy corresponding to the stage of smoking cessation behavior based on Transtheoretical Model in industrial workers. METHOD: A convenience sample of 146 industrial workers except for the never smokers, were recruited at a H industry in Ulsan. Data were collected from February 1 to 28, 2002. The research instruments were Stages of Change of Smoking Cessation Measure(DiClemente et al, 1991), Process of change(Prochaska, 1988), Smoking Abstinence Self Efficacy (SASE: DiClemente et al, 1985) and Decisional balance(SDB; Kim, 1999). RESULT: The results of this study were as follows; 1. The subjects were distributed in each stage of smoking cessation change: There were 64 subjects (43.0%) in the precontemplation stage, 35 subjects(23.5%) in the contemplation stage, 28 subjects(18.8%) in the preparation stage, 14 subjects(10.1%) in the action stage and 7 subjects(4.7%) in the maintenance stage. 2. Analysis of variance showed that experiental process(F=2.808, p=.042), behavioral process (F=4.567, p=.004) self-efficacy(F=9.809, p=.000), pros(F=11.107, p=.000), cons(F=6.686, p=.000), pros- cons(F=3.446, p=.018) were significantly associated with the stages of smoking cessation change. 3. Through discriminant analysis, it was found that 'PROS' was the most influential variable in discriminating the four stages of change. CONCLUSION: This study can provide the basis of staged matching smoking cessation program using TTM for more effective and useful intervention.
Self Efficacy* ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation* ; Smoking* ; Ulsan

High tibial osteotomy is now an accepted procedure in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Since the effect of this procedure is to shift the line of weight bearing from one compartment of the other, the procedure is of value in knees with osteoarthritis only when there is predominant involvement of one compartment. The osteoarthritis of knee developed bilaterally in many case, so simultaneous bilateral high tibial osteotomy under one anesthetic was considered. Eight cases of osteoarthritis with genu varum deformity were treated by simultaneous bilateral high tibial osteotomy at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of NMC during the,period from January, 1984 to December, 1987. The results were as follows: l. All case were female, and the mean age was 56 years old. 2. Preoperative mean varus angle were 4° in right, 3.4° in left, and postoperative mean valgus angle were 8° in right, 6° in left at final follow-up. 3. The results after average 2.2 years of follow-up were as follows: good in 5 cases(63%), fair in 1 cases(12%), poor in 2 cases(25%) 4. The complications were one proximal tibial fracture, one displacement of distal fragment, and one transient peroneal nerve palsy. 5. Mean immobilization period was 7 wks and mean hospitalization period was 48 days. 6. More rigid internal fixation was recommended in simultaneous procedure to reduce the period of hospitalization and early ambulation.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Early Ambulation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genu Varum ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Osteotomy ; Paralysis ; Peroneal Nerve ; Tibial Fractures ; Weight-Bearing

BACKGROUND: Beta-adrenergic receptor Kinase 1(betaARK1) is a serine/threonine kinase attached, which inhibits the coupling of beta-adrenergic receptor with G-protein. Myocardial betaARK1 level is usually elevated in heart failure and hypertrophy, but it is not known whether the circulating betaARK1 level is related with the degree of cardiac hypertrophy. This study was performed to evaluate the association of the betaARK1 level in circulating mononuclear leukocytes(MNL) in untreated hypertension with left ventricular mass in hypertensive patients. Method: Nineteen non-treated hypertensive patients were included for this study. High blood pressure was confirmed when systolic BP is over 150 mmHg or diastoli BP is over 95 mmHg. Echocardiography was performed to evaluate the degree of hypertrophy by measuring the left ventricular mass index(LVMI) and relative wall thickness(RWT), and test the LV function by measuring the ejection fraction(EF) according to ASE guideline. At the same time, blood was collected from each patient and MNL were isolated by gradient centrifuge with Ficoll-400. Total RNA was purified from MNL and semi-quantitative RT-PCR was performed. After reverse transcription, PCR was done with primers for human betaARK1 and GAPDH as external control. betaARK1 levels were expressed by ratio to GAPDH level and estimated the relations with clinical and Echocardiographic parameters. Result: We studied confirmed 19 hypertensive patients(10 men and 9 women, mean age of 50.6 years). Echocardiographically measured indices(mean+/-SD) were as follows; LVMI(137.3+/-30.6g/m2), PWT(0.53+/-0.09) and EF(54.6+/-8.5%). Ratio of betaARK1 levels to GAPDH was from 0.10 to 0.96 (0.62+/-0.25). betaARK1 levels were correlated with LVMI(correlation coefficient: r=.502, p=.029) and RWT(r=.627, p=.004). But Systolic BP(r=0.009, p=.93), diastolic BP(r=.07, p=.85) or EF(r=.045, p=.84) were not related to level of betaARK1. CONCLUSIONS: The betaARK1 level of circulating MNL was correlated well with the degree of the cardiac hypertrophy estimated by LVMI and RWT. This data suggests that activation of sympatho-adrenal system would exert a major role in developing cardiac hypertrophy and we can expect the decreased responsiveness to catecholamine in the heart of hypertensive patients. betaARK1 in circulating MNL might be used as a predictor or marker for LV hypertrophy in hypertensive patients.
beta-Adrenergic Receptor Kinases ; Cardiomegaly ; Echocardiography ; Female ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear* ; Male ; Phosphotransferases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA

Genetic information such as DNA sequences has been limited to fully explain mechanisms of gene regulation and disease process. Epigenetic mechanisms, which include DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNAs, can regulate gene expression and affect progression of disease. Although studies focused on epigenetics are being actively investigated in the field of medicine and biology, epigenetics in dental research is at the early stages. However, studies on epigenetics in dentistry deserve attention because epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in gene expression during tooth development and may affect oral diseases. In addition, understanding of epigenetic alteration is important for developing new therapeutic methods. This review article aims to outline the general features of epigenetic mechanisms and describe its future implications in the field of dentistry.
Base Sequence ; Biology ; Dental Research ; Dentistry ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenomics* ; Gene Expression ; Histones ; Oral Health* ; Periodontitis ; RNA, Untranslated ; Tooth

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an important risk factor for chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2), subgroup of G-protein coupled receptor family, is highly expressed in gastric cancer, and chronic expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays an important role in H. pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis and inflammation. We previously demonstrated that H. pylori induced the expression of PAR2 and COX-2 in gastric epithelial cells. Present study aims to investigate whether COX-2 expression induced by H. pylori in Korean isolates is mediated by PAR2 via activation of Gi protein and Src kinase in gastric epithelial AGS cells. Results showed that H. pylori-induced COX-2 expression was inhibited in the cells transfected with antisense oligonucleotide for PAR2 or treated with Gi protein blocker pertussis toxin, Src kinase inhibitor herbimycin A and soybean trypsin inbitor, indicating that COX-2 expression is mediated by PAR2 through activation of Gi protein and Src kinase in gastric epithelial cells infected with H. pylori in Korean isolates. Thus, targeting the activation of PAR2 may be beneficial for prevention or treatment of gastric inflammation and carcinogenesis associated with H. pylori infection.
Benzoquinones/*pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclooxygenase 2/genetics/*metabolism ; Epithelial Cells/enzymology/metabolism/microbiology ; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go/metabolism ; Gastric Mucosa/enzymology/metabolism/*microbiology ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Lactams, Macrocyclic/*pharmacology ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; Pertussis Toxin/*pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Receptor, PAR-2/*physiology ; src-Family Kinases/metabolism

Juvenile dermatomyositis is an uncommon autoimmune disease with classic heliotrope discoloration of eyelids, erythematous skin rash of joints and proximal muscle weakness. Quite different from adults, malignancy is rarely accompanied in juvenile dermatomyositis. However vasculitis, muscle atrophy, calcification and gastrointestinal involvement are often observed in juvenile dermatomyositis. A six year old boy was admitted with chief complaints of general weakness and skin rash. Muscle biopsy was performed which was consistent with dermatomyositis. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, steroid, methotrexate and physiotherapy. We report a case of juvenile dermatomyositis.
Adult ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Biopsy ; Dermatomyositis* ; Exanthema ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Joints ; Male ; Methotrexate ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscular Atrophy ; Vasculitis

OBJECTIVE: The fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene is located at chromosome 3p14.2 and encompasses the common fragile site, FRA3B, which may contribute to chromosome breakage and rearrangement of cancer cells. In this study, we examined whether transcriptional alterations of FHIT gene play a role in the development of human cervical carcinomas and the possibility that hypermethylation of CpG islands serves for FHIT inactivation. We then analyzed FHIT expression status with clinical parameters to determine whether it has any prognostic significance. METHODS: The study group included 50 squamous carcinomas, 4 adenocarcinomas, 4 adenosquamous carcinomas, 7 noncancerous tissue and the clinical stage is composed of 4 Ia, 37 Ib and 17 II. Tissue specimens were snap-frozen in liquid N2 and stored at -70degrees C until used. To examine for abnormal transcripts of the FHIT gene, quantitative RT-PCR, genomic DNA-PCR and nonisotopic RT-PCR-SSCP analysis were performed using the standard method. The methylation status was determined by methylation specific PCR. RESULTS: The FHIT gene was down-regulated in 15 of 58 (25.9%) cervical carcinomas. FHIT promoter hypermethylation was detected in 15 of 15 (100%) abnormally expression in cervical carcinomas. CONCLUSION: In this study, gene mutation is not a main mechanism for FHIT inactivation, but the aberrant promoter hypermethylation may be correlated with decreased expression of the FHIT gene. The significance of decreased expression of FHIT does not appear to be an independent prognostic factor in cervical cancers, although a still larger sample of patients will be required to asses this issue definitively.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Chromosome Breakage ; CpG Islands ; Equidae ; Histidine* ; Humans ; Methylation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore relationships among the level of agreement about perceived family support, emotional expressivity and psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and their families. METHODS: The Family Support Scale, the Emotional Expressivity Scale and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revision were administered to 73 patients with schizophrenia and their 73 family members. RESULTS: Agreement about perceived family support was divided into four levels. The first level was where there was affirmative agreement between the patient and the family member. The second level was where there was negative agreement between the patient and the family member. At the third level there was a negative perception by the patient and an affirmative perception by the family member, and the final level was where there was an affirmative perception by the patient and a negative perception by the family member. The more positive the patients perceived their family support to be, the more they expressed their emotional expressivity. The patients, who agreed affirmatively with their family member about family support, were more able to express their emotion and had fewer psychiatric symptoms than the patients, who had negative agreement with their family member about family support. CONCLUSION: The level of perceived agreement of the family support affects emotional expressivity and psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. The family support perception by the patient and family member can help you understand emotional expressivity and psychiatric symptom in schizophrenics.
Humans ; Schizophrenia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the types of glaucoma in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) and analyze the glaucomatous changes in patients with normal intraocular pressure (IOP). METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis of patients diagnosed with PXS was performed. The types of glaucoma were classified based on the IOP, optic disc examination, visual field test results, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) results. Other than those with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG), the normal IOP patients with PXS were divided into glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous groups. Later, the glaucomatous group was clinically compared to the non-glaucomatous group. RESULTS: The records of 40 patients with PXS were evaluated. Among the 48 PXS eyes, high pressure glaucoma was found in 21 eyes (43.75%), low pressure glaucoma in 5 eyes (10.42%), and non-glaucoma in 19 eyes (39.58%). However, in the 32 fellow eyes without PXS, 2 eyes (6.25%), 8 eyes (25%), and 20 eyes (62.5%) showed the above diseases, respectively. In result, PXS affected the glaucomatous change (odds ratio = 2.544, p = 0.045). By contrast, in PXS patients with normal IOP, PXS did not affect the glaucomatous change (p = 0.519). CONCLUSIONS: Diverse types of glaucoma including low pressure glaucoma may exist in patients with PXS. Considering the possibility of low pressure glaucoma in patients with PXS is necessary.
Exfoliation Syndrome ; Eye ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Field Tests

Few studies investigated the effects of nutrition education and exercises in women with osteopenia. This study examined the relationship between changes in dietary intakes and changes in indicators related to bone health in postmenopausal women with osteopenia (-2.5 < or = T-score < or = 1) after a 12-week intervention. Thirty-one postmenopausal women aged > 50 years residing in Seoul were recruited and participated in nutritional education regarding bone health and general nutrition practices and aerobic exercises (three times a week; 60 min per session). Twenty-five subjects completed the study and were eligible for the analysis. Bone mineral density (BMD) at femoral neck was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Serum calcium, osteocalcin, and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) were also measured. Dietary intake was estimated by using a one-day 24 recall by a clinical dietitian. After 12 weeks, meat consumption increased (P = 0.028) but vegetable intake decreased (P = 0.005). Intakes of animal protein (P = 0.024), vitamin B1 (P = 0.012) and vitamin B2 (P = 0.047) increased, and sodium intake decreased (P = 0.033). Intact PTH (P = 0.002) decreased and osteocalcin (P = 0.000) increased, however, BMD decreased (P = 0.000). Changes in mushroom consumption were positively correlated with femoral neck BMD (r = 0.673, P = 0.003). Changes in animal iron intake were negatively correlated with intact PTH (r = -0.488, P = 0.013) but were positively correlated with osteocalcin (r = 0.541, P = 0.005). These results suggested that the association between animal iron intake and biochemical markers of bone turnover may play an important role in bone metabolism. Further studies are needed to shed light on complicated mechanisms of diet, hormonal levels of bone metabolism, and bone density.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Agaricales ; Aged ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Calcium ; Diet ; Exercise ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Iron ; Light ; Meat ; Osteocalcin ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Riboflavin ; Sodium ; Thiamine ; Vegetables