The health-related habits dietary behaviors and nutrient intakes of the elderly living in Cheongju were investigated by interviews with a questionnaire from August to September in 1996. The responses of 169 free-living elderly aged over 65(male 91, female 78) were analyzed. Thirty-six percent of the subjects smoked currently, 33%, drank alcoholic beverages, and 52% exercise regularly. Exercise was mostly in the from of walking for 1/2-1 hour. Significantly higher proportions of males smoked, drank, and exercised as compared to females. Food groups eaten at every meal were examined on a 5-point scale, and the consumption scores were compared with groups according to sex, age, smoking, drinking, and exercise habits. The elderly who exercised regularly got significantly higher scores in their calcium intakes and the variety of the 6 food groups than the elderly who did not exercise. The dietary assessment data showed that the energy intakes of males and females were 81.9% and 72.8% of the RDAs, respectively. The proportions of the elderly consuming less than 75% of RDAs of vitamin A and calcium were 96.5% and 91.1% of the total subjects, respectively. Higher educational status, more pocket money and regular exercise had positive effects on nutrient intakes, while smoking and drinking among females, but not males, had negative effects. Therefore, to improve nutritional status of the elderly, intake of vitamin A-and calcium-rich food such as milk with regular exercise should be emphasized on the education program.
Aged* ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholic Beverages ; Calcium ; Chungcheongbuk-do* ; Drinking ; Education ; Educational Status ; Female ; Food Habits* ; Humans ; Male ; Meals ; Milk ; Nutritional Status* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Vitamin A ; Vitamins ; Walking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Erythema*

PURPOSE:Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, and stomach is the major site of ghrelin secretion. The purpose of this study is to compare the serum ghrelin concentrations between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and normal adults. We studied also whether serum ghrelin levels in the patients with type 2 DM are correlated with body mass index (BMI), serum insulin, lipid profiles, and creatinine levels. METHODS:Forty patients with type 2 DM and forty normal adults were included in this study. We measured heights and weights of the subjects and calculated their BMIs. Blood samples were obtained to measure the ghrelin concentration and their sera were stored at -20degreeC until used. In all subjects, serum ghrelin levels were measured using the commercially available Ghrelin(human) EIA kit. RESULTS:No differences of mean values were detected between the control group and the type 2 diabetic group for age, body weight, BMI, and the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, and creatinine. But ghrelin level of the type 2 diabetic group (71.1+/-30.5 ng/L) was significantly lower than the control group (139.7+/-36.9 ng/L). In the control group, the ghrelin level showed positive correlation with HDL cholesterol (Pearson's correlation coefficient=0.37, P<0.05). In the diabetic group, the ghrelin level showed weakly positive correlation with insulin concentration. However, there was no significant relationship between serum ghrelin and various parameters in the diabetic patients group. CONCLUSION: In this study, ghrelin concentration in type 2 diabetic patients was lower than that in the control group. In the control group, serum ghrelin concentrations were positively correlated with HDL cholesterol. In the type 2 diabetic group, there was no significant correlation between insulin and ghrelin concentrations.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Creatinine ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Ghrelin* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Receptors, Ghrelin ; Stomach ; Triglycerides ; Weights and Measures

Nitric oxide (NO) has been emerged as an important intracellular and intercellular regulatory molecule having functions as diverse vasodilatation, neural communication, and host defense. In the immune system, NO produced by activated macrophage or neutrophil is known to kill tumor cells as a defense molecule. In addition, recent reports demonstrated that NO could interact with superoxide to generate peroxynitrite (ONOO-), an anion and a potent oxidant, in macrophages or other cellular systems. The production of peroxynitrite has been recognized to be associated with the activation and expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). In this study, to evaluate the role of NO and peroxynitrite in murine bladder tumor cells, the author investigate the effect of NO and peroxynitrite on the viability, cytotoxicity, and DNA fragmentation of MBT-2 cells. The results are as followings: 1. Activated macrophages treated with INF-r, LPS, or INF-r+ LPS showed increment of nitrite (NO2) production and cytotoxicity against MBT-2 cells in a dose dependent manner. However, treatment with NGMMA, a NOS inhibitor, decreased NO2- production and cytotoxicity. 2. Treatment with SNP, a nitric oxide donor, increased NO2 production and DNA fragmentation (%), but decreased viability (%) of MBT-2 cells in a concentration dependent manner. 3. Treatment with peroxynitrite increased cytotoxicity and DNA fragmentation, but decreased viability of MBT-2 cells in a concentration dependent manner. 4. NO- and peroxynitrite-mediated increment of cytotoxicity in MBT-2 cells was corresponded to the programmed cell death, apoptosis. Taken together, these data indicate that NO and peroxynitrite elaborated from macrophages or other cellular systems may increase the cytotoxicity of MBT-2 cells via the mechanism of apoptosis.
Apoptosis* ; Cell Death ; Cell Line* ; DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Immune System ; Macrophages ; Neutrophils ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide* ; Peroxynitrous Acid* ; Superoxides ; Tissue Donors ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder* ; Vasodilation

Congenital complete atrioventricular (AV) block is a rare neonatal disease. It is a passively acquired immune-mediated injury of the conduction system, triggered by transplacental passage of maternal anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies. Management of premature infants with symptomatic complete AV block is challenging. If medical treatment with a β-adrenergic agonist and inotropic drugs is not effective, early cardiac pacing should be considered. Here we report a case of congenital complete AV block in a low birth weight, preterm neonate, who was successfully treated with temporary transcutaneous pacing immediately after birth. Temporary transcutaneous pacing may be an option for the emergent management of a low birth weight preterm neonate with congenital complete AV block prior to permanent pacemaker implantation.
Antibodies ; Atrioventricular Block* ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn* ; Infant, Premature ; Parturition

Today, Ureteroscopy is used for the diagnosis and treatment of various pathologies in the or urinary tract. From March 1987 to September 1996, we retrospectively evaluated our experiences with rigid ureteroscopy in 137 ureteral units in which therapeutic applications were 127 (92.7%) and diagnostic applications were 10 cases (7.3%). The causes ol therapeutic intervention were ureteral stones in 118 cases, upward migrated double J-stent in 6 cases, urethral foreign body (double J stent retention) in 2 cases and stenosis of ileoureteral anastomosis in 1 case. Success rate was 81.9% : 80.5% in the treatment of urethral stones, 100% in the treatment of urethral stenosis, 100% in the reposition or removal of retained catheter. Ureteroscopic stone extracton were performed in 77 cases (before introduction of ESWL) and in 41 cases (after introduction of ESWL). The latter was significantly decreased (78 of 288 or 32.4% versus 59 of 1588 or 3.7%). The success rate were 75.3% (58/77) before introduction of ESWL and 90.2% (37/41) after introduction of ESWL. The latter success rate was significantly increased. The causes of diagnostic intervention were upper tract bleeding in 2 cases, ureteral filling defect or delayed visualization at intravenous urography in 8 cases. The diagnostic results showed 1 case of ureteral transitional cell carcinoma, 1 case of ureteral stones, 1 case of urethral stricture, 3 cases of ureteral stones, 1 case of chronic ureteral inflammation and 3 cases of normal findings. Success rate was 90%. The frequency of diagnostic intervention increased from 1.3% for the 78 procedures done before introduction of ESWL to 15.3% for the 59 procedures done after introduction of ESWL. The minor complications (managed conservatively or with temporary stent drainage) occurred: flank pain in 35 cases (25.5%), gross hematuria in 10 cases (7.3%), high fever of over 38 degrees C in 5 cases (3.7%), ureteral perforations in 3 cases (2.2%) and urethral mucosal avulsion in 2 cases (1.5%). There were no major complications (all requiring an open surgery). In conclusion, after the introduction of ESWL the frequency of ureteroscpoic stone extraction decreased (p<0.05) and the frequency of diagnostic intervention increased (p<0.05). In the hands of experienced urologists the success rate of ureteroscopy increased.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Fever ; Flank Pain ; Foreign Bodies ; Hand ; Hematuria ; Hemorrhage ; Inflammation ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Ureter ; Ureteroscopy* ; Urethral Stricture ; Urinary Tract ; Urography

No abstract available.
Humans ; Poroma* ; Tissue Donors*

No abstract available.
Paget Disease, Extramammary*

To observe the influence of kidney transplantation (KT) on erectile and endocrine function, we evaluated the PBI, penile pulse volume plethysmography, RigiScan and endocrine study before and after KT in 21 patients. We also interviewed with these patients or their sexual partners before KT. at 3 months and 6 months after KT. 7 cases (33%) were improved, 8 cases (38%) were same and 4 cases(19%) were aggravated in sexual desire and erectile function and 2 cases (10% ) had been suffered from erectile dysfunction since 19 months and 6 years prior to KT. The PBI was changed from 0.97 +/- 0.09 to 0.95 +/- 0.16 and it was not a significant difference. The penile plethysmography was not a good screening test in the evaluation of erectile function in KF. But the Rigiscan could detect all of the tested aggravated cases and it was thought to be a good screening test. In the endocrine studies, testosterone and FSH were decreased and LH and prolactin were increased before KT but testosterone and LH were significantly decreased after KT. It was thought to be the influence of KT and immunosuppressive agent (cyclosporin A). In conclusion, sexual desire and erectile function may be improved by the KT and most reliable screening test was Rigiscan. Endocrine function may be affected by the KT and cyclosporin A.
Cyclosporine ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney* ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Plethysmography ; Prolactin ; Sexual Partners ; Testosterone ; Transplantation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In HCC with low AFP. we have to use repeated imaging study to evaluate residual viable rumor or recurrence after TACE ( transarterial chemoembolization). We performed the study to know that sICAM-1 in HCC can be a tumor marker of diagnosis and has cor relation with tumor size or clinical staging. The results were compared with PIVKA- , an another tumor marker of HCC. METHODS: Previously untreat ed 39 pat ients with HCC were evaluated. Serum sICAM- 1, AFP and PIVKA-II were measured by EIA, immunoradiometric assay and EIA, respectively. Tumor size were meas ured by abdominal CT and angiogr aphy. RESULTS: Range of sICAM- 1 levels with HCC patients were 189.0 to 983.6 ng/ mL, and mean value was 668.3+- 254.4 ng/ mL. Thirty four of the 39 patients (87.2%) with HCC showed sICAM- 1 levels higher than 306.4 ng/ mL (mean of 131 healt hy controls + 2SD level). Range of PIVKA-II level with HCC patients were 25.3 to 2,779.3mAU/nL, and mean value was 1,340.1+-1,091.1mAU/mL. seven of the 39 patients(94.9%) with HCC showde PIVKA-II levels higher than 40mAU/mL. Range of AFP levels with HCC patients were 4.2 to 57,520ng/mL, and mean value was 4,215.6+-10,807.2ng/mL. 10 patients (26%) showed AFP lower than 20ng/mL, and 17 patients(44%) were AFP lower than 100ng/mL. All of the 17 patients with alphaFP lower than 100ng/mL had s ICAM-1 levels more than reference range (mean of 131 healt hy cont r ols + 2 SD level), and PIVKA-II levels also more than reference range. Positive correlation was observed between PIVKA-II level and tumor size in 18 patients without vascular invasion. Accor ding t o HCC clinical staging, 10 patients (25.6%) belonged clinical stage II. 5 pat ients (12.8%) III, 24 pat ients (61.5%) IV. Both of PIVKA-II and sICAM-1 levels of stage showed significantly higher than stage II. PIVKA-II showed more positive correlation with tumor size and clinical stage than sICAM- 1. No correlation was found between AFP and sICAM-1, and positive correlation was AFP and PIVKA-II. CONCLUSION: In HCC patients with low AFP, sICAM-1 and PIVKA-II correlated with tumor size and clinical stage. sICAM-1 and PIVKA-II may be a useful marker of diagnosis. So, we need to further study to evaluate whether sICAM- 1 and PIVKA-II can be used as a marker of disease progression or prognosis.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Diagnosis ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Reference Values ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed