BACKGROUND: Coal workers' pneumoconiosis is a fibrotic lung disease resulting from chronic inhalation of coal dust. The precise mechanism of lung fibrosis in coal workers' pneumoconiosis is uncertain. However, a relationship between the stimulation of fibroblast proliferation and collagen production by mediators released from inflammatory and resident lung cells is thought to be a major factor. The transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β), a multifunctional cytokine and growth factor, plays a key role in the scarring and fibrotic processes due to its ability to induce extracellular matrix proteins and modulate the growth and immune function of many cell types. To determine the involvement of TGF-βin the development of lung fibrosis in coal workers' pneumoconiosis, the TGF-β1 level in plasma was measured in patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis. METHODS: Plasma was collected from 40 patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (20 with simple coal workers' pneumoconiosis and 20 with complicated coal workers' pneumoconiosis) and from 10 normal controls. The ELISA method was used to measure the plasma TGF-β1 concentration. RESULTS: Compared to the control group (0.63±0.18 ng/mL), there was no significant difference in the plasma TGF-β1 level in patients with simple coal workers' pneumoconiosis (0.64±0.17 ng/mL) (p>.05). However, in patients with complicated coal workers' pneumoconiosis the plasma TGF-β1 level (0.79±0.18 ng/mL) was significantly higher than in patients with simple coal workers' pneumoconiosis and control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The data suggests that TGF-β1 has some influence in the development of lung fibrosis in coal workers' pneumoconiosis.
Cicatrix ; Coal* ; Collagen ; Dust ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Fibroblasts ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Plasma* ; Pneumoconiosis* ; Pulmonary Fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Tumor angiogenesis is required for tumor growth and metastasis. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the intensity of angiogenesis and stage, nodal status, histologic type, metastasis and survival rate of non-small cell lung cancer. METHOD: Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded surgical specimens of 45 patients who had surgically resected primary non-small cell lung cancers without pre or post perative adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy were examined. The microvessel count(MVC) was demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining for CD31(platelet ednothlial cell adhesion molecule, PECAM). RESULTS: Microvessel counts(MVCs)in stage IIIA and IIIB were higher than in stage I and II(p<0.05). The MVC in patients with lymph node metastasis was higher than that in patients without lymph node metastasis, although the difference was not statistically significant(p>0.05). However, in adenocarcinoma, the MVC in patients with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than that seen in patients without lymph node metastasis(p<0.05). The MVC in adenocaricinoma was higher than that in squamous cell carcinoma(p<0.05). The difference between the MVCs of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma was not statistically significant in stage Iand II or NO stage(p>0.05). However, in stage IIIA and IIIB or N1~3 stage, the MVC in adenocarcinoma was higher than that in squamous cell carcinoma(p<0.05). MVC was more increased when metastasis developed within 12 months. In the same histologic type and stage, the duration of survival time in patients with high MVC was shorter than in patients with low MVC, however the difference was not statistically significant(p>0.05). The survival rate in patients with high MVCs was lower than that in patients with low MVCs(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In non-small cell lung cancer, MVC correlated relatively well with pathologic stage, nodal status (limited in patients with adenocarcinoma), histologic type, postoperative metastasis and survival rate. However, in the same histologic type and stage, MVC was not significantly related to the duration of survival. Therefore the assessment of the intensity of angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer may be helpful in predicting prognosis and in selecting patients for systemic adjuvant therapy of potential metastasis according to the results.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Adhesion ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymph Nodes ; Microvessels ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paraffin ; Prognosis* ; Radiotherapy ; Survival Rate

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate whether a self-efficacy information resources program based on the self-efficacy theory of Bandura (1986) would increase self-efficacy and self-care in patients with CAD. METHOD: The study was a one group, pretest- posttest pre-experimental design research. The Self-Efficacy Information Resources Program was composed of a video tape program and a telephone coaching program and based on vicarious experiences and verbal persuation. The Program was used as an experimental treatment from February 27. to May 27, 1999. Twenty patients participated from a university hospital located in Seoul. Three days later after a pretest the telephone coaching program was given. It was repeated weekly during a 3 week period. At the end of this period post-test data were collected by mail. Data were analyzed with a random permutation test using SAS program. RESULT: 1) Scores on self-efficacy after the Self-Efficacy Information Resources Program were significantly higher than before the program (p=0.06). 2) Scores on self-care after the Program were significantly higher (subjective self-care, p=0.0005; objective self-care, p= 0.0002) than before the program. CONCLUSION: The Program was found to be an effective nursing intervention for increasing self-efficacy and self-care. When nurses who care for CAD patients plan to increase their patients' self care ability, they should always consider the concept of self-efficacy.
Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans ; Nursing ; Postal Service ; Self Care* ; Seoul ; Telephone

The authors report a case of ectopic paragonimiasis in a 33 year old Korean housewife who came to the hospital because of lower abdominal discomfortness and palpable mass. Parasitic granulomas involved the ovary and posterior wall of the uterine body. This report deals with the rare occurrence of a parasitic infestation in the ovary.

The authors report a case of ectopic paragonimiasis in a 33 year old Korean housewife who came to the hospital because of lower abdominal discomfortness and palpable mass. Parasitic granulomas involved the ovary and posterior wall of the uterine body. This report deals with the rare occurrence of a parasitic infestation in the ovary.

A case of unilateral multicystic renal dysplasia was reported in view of rarity, and a review of literature 23-year-old female was admitted to Kyung Hee University Hospital with a complaint of urinary incontinence. An excretory urogram revealed non-visualization of the right kidney. The right ureter had opening at the 2 cm above the vaginal introitus. The resected right kidney revelaed multilobulated outer surface with multiloculated cystic struture on cut surface. The associated anomaly was uterine didelphy. The condition was treated by nephroureterectomy.
Female ; Humans

A case of unilateral multicystic renal dysplasia was reported in view of rarity, and a review of literature 23-year-old female was admitted to Kyung Hee University Hospital with a complaint of urinary incontinence. An excretory urogram revealed non-visualization of the right kidney. The right ureter had opening at the 2 cm above the vaginal introitus. The resected right kidney revelaed multilobulated outer surface with multiloculated cystic struture on cut surface. The associated anomaly was uterine didelphy. The condition was treated by nephroureterectomy.
Female ; Humans

PURPOSE: To evaluate the health status of institutionalized handicapped children, a general health assessment was done in an asylum in Taegu in May 1998. METHODS: Body measurements, including height, weight, head circumference, skin fold thickness and mid-arm circumference, were done with physical examination on 53 children. Blood tests and chest radiography were done, and fat impedance was measured. RESULTS: Of the 53 children, height, weight and head circumference were below the third percentile in 37(69.8%), 35(66%) and 28(52.8%) children, respectively. Body mass index, skin fold thickness and mid-arm circumference were below the third percentiles in 77.3, 50.9% and 56.6% of the children, respectively. Although serum protein levels were within normal range, anemia was detected in 31 children(58.5%). Two children showed interstitial pneumonia on chest radiograms. And HBsAg was detected in three but their liver enzymes were within normal limits. CONCLUSION: Due to the poor nutritional status of handicapped children in the asylum, the prevalence of anemia was high. Evaluation of the nutritional status and hemoglobin measurernent must be included in the routine health assessment of these children.
Anemia ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Daegu ; Disabled Children ; Disabled Persons* ; Electric Impedance ; Head ; Hematologic Tests ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Nutritional Status ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Radiography ; Reference Values ; Skin ; Thorax

The mechanical derangement, developmental anomaly, infection amd tumor should be considered as a cause of low back pain in adolescents. Disc herniation in adolescents is very rare and some of that are due to fracture of the epiphyseal ring. We report a case of fracture of the first sacral epiphyseal ring simulating disc rupture.
Adolescent ; Epiphyses ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Rupture