BACKGROUND: Smoking is the single most important factor for the prevention of diseases and the promotion of health. The objectives of this study are to compare the health related quality of life and other factors between the adult male smokers and nonsmokers. METHODS: Study subjects were selected from the parents of students of three schools; one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school in Suwon city, Kyungki Do. Among 2,308 respondents to the questionnaire, 1,127 were analyzed. The questionnaire consisted of questions of general socioeconomic status, health related quality of life questionnaire, Fagerstrom nicotine tolerance questionnaire, and the Why test. RESULTS: There were no significant socioeconomic differences between the smokers and nonsmokers except religion(p=0.000). The smoking rate of the subjects was 66.2%, the average amount of smoking was 18.28 cigarettes per day, and the mean nicotine dependence score was 3.99+/-2.33. Smokers ranked lower scores in all scales of the health related quality of life than nonsmokers. The health related quality of life of the group of high nicotine dependence was low in comparison with the group of low nicotine dependence. The most common reason of smoking was to relieve tension. CONCLUSION: Smokers ranked lower scores in all scales of the health related quality of life than nonsmokers.
Adult* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Gyeonggi-do* ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Male* ; Nicotine ; Parents ; Quality of Life* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Social Class ; Tobacco Products ; Tobacco Use Disorder ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: Korea is one of the endemic areas of viral hepatitis B, and 6-8% of general population are hepatitis B virus carriers. Although there have been little reduction in morbidity and infectivity of viral hepatitis B owlng to newer vaccines and the effects of immunizations, there are some differences among physicians in managing hepatitis B virus infection, and guidelines have not been established. Therefore in this study, we investigated general practitioners' concept and the practical management of viral hepatitis B in comparison with the hepatologists'. METHODS: Information was obtained through questionnaires sent to 67 hepatologists and 400 general practitioners(general internists, general surgeons, family physicians, general physicians, and public health center managers) in Pusan during the 5 months from April to August, 1997. Overall respondents were 142(116 General practitioners, 26 Hepatologists), and the response rate was 32.9%. RESULTS: In general practitioners, the most commonly used serologic test for viral hepatitis was HBsAg/MBsAb(71.0%). 51.9% of subjects underwent anti-HBs test 3-5 months later after vaccination. The most common revaccination method for healthy non-responders of initial vaccination was 3 series of immunizations with the same vaccine of equal dosage (36.9% ). 65.7% of subjects were tested for LFT every 6 months for chronic carriers, and 41.5% of them were advised - interferon treatment for chronic active hepatitis patients only if the patients requested it. In comparison with general practitioners, hepatologists had a tendency to add anti-HCV test for the serologic evaluation of hepatitis(56.6% vs 26.2%), to limit age for vaccination(82.6% vs 54.1% ), and to delay prescribing hepatotonics until the AST and ALT levels increased up to 2 folds normal(53.8% vs 39.1%). 38.5% of hepatologists did not recommend giving booster injection of hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Practioal guidelines is necessary to manage viral hepatitis B patients.
Busan ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; General Practitioners* ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Immunization ; Immunization, Secondary ; Interferons ; Korea ; Physicians, Family ; Public Health ; Serologic Tests ; Vaccination ; Vaccines

Behcet's disease is a multisystematic inflammatory disorder affecting eyes. Visual loss is the most serious effect of Behcet's disease with posterior segment involvement.Because of the disorder's devastating visual consequences, its treatment has received considerable attention.Since the treatment of Behcet's disease has often been unsatisfactory, many different types of treatment have been attempted. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 28 patients with severe ocular Behcet's disease involving posterior segment.The patients with posterior segment involvement were initially treated with triple regimen (corticosteroid, colchicines, and azathioprine).If intraocular inflammation does not resolve or the inflammatory process recurs, combination with low doses of cyclosporine should be considered (quadruple therapy).Over the course of therapy, visual acuity improved in 25 of 51 eyes (49.01%), remained stable in 14 of 51 eyes (27.45%), and declined in 12 of 51 eyes (23.52%).It improved or maintained the visual acuity in 39 of 51 eyes.There were no serious side effects attributable to triple or quadruple therapy that required withdrawal. The use of corticosteroids, colchicines, azathioprine, and cyclosporine may improve therapeutic efficacy and limit the adverse drug effects, and this combination method appears to be an effective treatment for the ocular complications of Behcet's disease.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Azathioprine ; Cyclosporine ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity

The aim of this study was to evaluate neurotoxicity of Nitric oxide(NO) on cornea after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy(PRK). PRK was performed on rabbit eyes. According to the time table, tear samples were collected with microcapillary tubes and corneal sensitivity was measured with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. No generation in the tear fluid was analyzed. To demonstrate NO Synthase(NOS), immunohistochemical localization was performed on frozen sections from rat eyeball tissue. Western blot analysis was used for detection of peroxynitrite, powerful oxidant of NO. NO generation was increased and reached to a maximum value(0.69+/-0.22micrometer/microgram) after 96 hours of PRK, as compared with in normal subjects(Mean: 0.30+/-0.08micrometer/microgram) and was not increased in the treated group with topical application of Ng-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME), a competitive inhibitor of constitutive NOS(cNOS) and inducible NOS(iNOS). Corneal sensitivity decreased below pretreatment levers after three postoperative days, but it was not observed in the L-NAME applied group. We have confirmed that a very strong iNOS and BNOS immunoreactivity was present in corneal keratocytes. Western blot analysis identifed the bands of nitrotyro-sine-proteins suggesting in vivo peroxynitrite toxicity. Our results suggested that NO generated from the enzyme after PRK decreased corneal sensitivity by damaging corneal sensory nerve through the NO and iths oxidant peroxitrite. Therefore topical application of a NOS inhibitor may be effective in maintaining corneal sensitivity.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cornea ; Corneal Keratocytes ; Frozen Sections ; Lasers, Excimer* ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitroarginine ; Peroxynitrous Acid ; Photorefractive Keratectomy* ; Rats

To evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in pterygia and seek the reciprocal relationships between VEGF and nitric oxide (NO) in development of pterygia. Conjunctiva sampled during conjunc-tival transplantation of pterygial operation and pterygia were used in this study. OCT compound-fixed-cryopreserved tissues consisted normal conjunctiva and pterygia were used to study the expression of VEGF and iNOS with immunohistochemistry. For confirmation of NOS activity, NADPH-diaphorase staining was done. ELISA for detection of VEGF amounts was performed. The expression of VEGF and iNOS were revealed in the epithelium of pterygia, although there were not expressed in the epithelium of normal conjunctiva. The epithelium of pterygia was stained with NADPH-diaphorase. The results of ELISA showed the higher amount of VEGF inpterygia compared with conjunctiva. These findings suggest that VEGF and NO play an important role in fibrovascular development of pterygia.s
Conjunctiva ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelium ; Immunohistochemistry ; Nitric Oxide ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing job satisfaction among ambulatory care nurses. Methods: Data were collected through a self-evaluation survey of 129 nurses in one tertiary hospital. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Importance-Performance Analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean scores were: for importance, 3.18 out of 4, for performance, 2.24 out of 4, for professional self-concept, 2.92 out of 4, and for job satisfaction 2.77 out of 5. There were statistically significant positive correlations between professional self-concept and job satisfaction (r=.37, p<.001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that satisfaction with professional self-concept, clinical career, and age explained 47.0% of the job satisfaction of ambulatory care nurses (F=37.51, p<.001). Satisfaction with professional self-concept, clinical career, and age were statistically significant predictors of job satisfaction. Conclusion Findings indicate motivation programs according to clinical career would be useful to improve job satisfaction of ambulatory care nurses. Additionally, continuous education should be provided to strengthen the professional self-concept of nursing professionals in both undergraduate curricula and clinical fields.

Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) are early indicators of interstitial lung disease, often identified incidentally via computed tomography of the chest. This review explores the diagnostic criteria for ILAs as outlined by the Fleischner Society, highlights associated risk factors, examines their impact on patient outcomes, and discusses management strategies. The prevalence of ILAs varies significantly, ranging from 3% to 17% across populations. Key risk factors include advanced age, smoking status, and underlying genetic predispositions. Recent advancements in imaging analysis, particularly through automated quantitative systems, have enhanced the accuracy of ILA detection. Although often subtle in presentation, ILAs hold clinical significance due to their associations with impaired lung function, progressive fibrosis, and increased mortality. Therefore, monitoring and management plans should be individualized to the risk profile of patients. Further studies are needed to refine ILA diagnostic criteria, enhance our understanding of their clinical implications, and establish optimal timing for therapeutic interventions.

Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) are early indicators of interstitial lung disease, often identified incidentally via computed tomography of the chest. This review explores the diagnostic criteria for ILAs as outlined by the Fleischner Society, highlights associated risk factors, examines their impact on patient outcomes, and discusses management strategies. The prevalence of ILAs varies significantly, ranging from 3% to 17% across populations. Key risk factors include advanced age, smoking status, and underlying genetic predispositions. Recent advancements in imaging analysis, particularly through automated quantitative systems, have enhanced the accuracy of ILA detection. Although often subtle in presentation, ILAs hold clinical significance due to their associations with impaired lung function, progressive fibrosis, and increased mortality. Therefore, monitoring and management plans should be individualized to the risk profile of patients. Further studies are needed to refine ILA diagnostic criteria, enhance our understanding of their clinical implications, and establish optimal timing for therapeutic interventions.

Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) are early indicators of interstitial lung disease, often identified incidentally via computed tomography of the chest. This review explores the diagnostic criteria for ILAs as outlined by the Fleischner Society, highlights associated risk factors, examines their impact on patient outcomes, and discusses management strategies. The prevalence of ILAs varies significantly, ranging from 3% to 17% across populations. Key risk factors include advanced age, smoking status, and underlying genetic predispositions. Recent advancements in imaging analysis, particularly through automated quantitative systems, have enhanced the accuracy of ILA detection. Although often subtle in presentation, ILAs hold clinical significance due to their associations with impaired lung function, progressive fibrosis, and increased mortality. Therefore, monitoring and management plans should be individualized to the risk profile of patients. Further studies are needed to refine ILA diagnostic criteria, enhance our understanding of their clinical implications, and establish optimal timing for therapeutic interventions.

Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) are early indicators of interstitial lung disease, often identified incidentally via computed tomography of the chest. This review explores the diagnostic criteria for ILAs as outlined by the Fleischner Society, highlights associated risk factors, examines their impact on patient outcomes, and discusses management strategies. The prevalence of ILAs varies significantly, ranging from 3% to 17% across populations. Key risk factors include advanced age, smoking status, and underlying genetic predispositions. Recent advancements in imaging analysis, particularly through automated quantitative systems, have enhanced the accuracy of ILA detection. Although often subtle in presentation, ILAs hold clinical significance due to their associations with impaired lung function, progressive fibrosis, and increased mortality. Therefore, monitoring and management plans should be individualized to the risk profile of patients. Further studies are needed to refine ILA diagnostic criteria, enhance our understanding of their clinical implications, and establish optimal timing for therapeutic interventions.