The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of coping mechanisms on uncertainty and depression. The subjects were 71 cancer patients selected from Junbook National University Hospital, and the data collection period was from June 21 to October 19 of 2000. Uncertainty was measured by using Mishel's Uncertainty Scale, problem- focused coping, and emotional-focused coping. The data was collected by a questionnaire developed by Lee (1984), and then depression measured by using Beck's depression scale. Data was analyzed with SPSS/WIN 7.5 program by Pearson Correlation Coefficients, and Path analysis. The results were as follows : 1. The mean uncertainty score was 59.17, the mean problem-focused coping score was 48.78, the mean emotional-focused coping score was 42.52. 2. The mean depression score was 15.77. 3. Uncertainty in illness was significantly related to depression (p=0.003) and emotional-focused coping (p=0.028), but uncertainty was not associated with coping mechanisms. 4. When analyzed multiple regression between uncertainty, problem-focused coping, emotional- focused coping, and depression, more specifically emotional-focused coping showed a stronger association with depression than problem-focused coping. 5. Depression was highly correlated with economic status (p=0.015), educational background (p=0.005), duration of disease (p=0.045). 6. Problem-focused coping and emotional-focused coping appeared to function as moderators instead mediators on the relation between uncertainty and depression. In addition, as a whole, uncertainty showed a significant moderating effect on depression, while problem-focused coping did on depression. Finally, limitation of present findings were discussed and implications for future studies are suggested.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Depression* ; Humans ; Uncertainty*

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of surface defects and cross-sectional configuration of NiTi rotary files on the fatigue life under cyclic loading. Three NiTi rotary files (K3(TM), ProFile(R), and HERO 642(R)) with #30/.04 taper were evaluated. Each rotary file was divided into 2 subgroups: control (no surface defects) and experimental group (artificial surface defects). A total of six groups of each 10 were tested. The NiTi rotary files were rotated at 300rpm using the apparatus which simulated curved canal (40 degree of curvature) until they fracture. The number of cycles to fracture was calculated and the fractured surfaces were observed with a scanning electron microscope. The data were analyzed statistically. The results showed that experimental groups with surface defects had lower number of cycles to fracture than control group but there was only a statistical significance between control and experimental group in the K3(TM) (p<0.05). There was no strong correlation between the cross-sectional configuration area and fracture resistance under experimental conditions. Several of fractured files demonstrated characteristic patterns of brittle fracture consistent with the propagation of pre-existing cracks. This data indicate that surface defects of NiTi rotary files may significantly decrease fatigue life and it may be one possible factor for early fracture of NiTi rotary files in clinical practice.
Fatigue* ; Fractures, Stress*

Behcet's syndrome has been known as a disease which has the triple symptoms such as recurrent orogenital ulceration and eye inflammation. The syndrome is now recogninized as a multisystem disease involving mucocutaneaous, cardiovascular, central nervous system, renal, articular and gastrointestinal system. The vascular involvement in Behcet's disease has been reported since Mischima first described the case in 1961, four types of vascular lesion are recognized ; arterial occlusion ; aneurysm ; venous occlusion ; and varices. Venous occlusion are frequently observed, most commonly in the inferior or superior vena cava. We report a case of Behcet's disease manifested as superior vena cava syndrome due to thrombus on both brachiocephalic veins.
Aneurysm ; Behcet Syndrome* ; Brachiocephalic Veins ; Central Nervous System ; Inflammation ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome* ; Thrombosis ; Ulcer ; Varicose Veins ; Vena Cava, Superior*

No abstract available.
Copper* ; Female ; Humans ; Intrauterine Devices*

BACKGROUND: Cell cycle progression is governed by cell cycle regulators and inhibitors such as the cyclin dependent kinases (CDK), p27(Kip1), p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p53. The purpose of this study was to correlate expressions of p34(cdc2), p27(Kip1), p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p53 with the various clinicopathologic prognostic parameters of human breast cancers. METHODS: The paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 102 patients with human breast carcinomas were examined by performing immunohistochemical staining. The primary antibodies used for immunohistochemical staining were mouse monoclonal antibody to human p34(cdc2), p27(Kip1), p21(WAF1/Cip1), p53, ER and PR. RESULTS: The expression rates of p34(cdc2), p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p53 were 29.3%, 40.2% and 49.1% in breast carcinomas, respectively. In normal breast tissues, p34(cdc2), p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p53 were not expressed. The p34(cdc2) was expressed in the cytoplasm of cancer cells. The expression rate of p27(Kip1) was 29.3% in breast carcinomas and 100% in normal breast tissues, so the loss of p27(Kip1) expression in breast cancer was noted. The high expression of p21(WAF1/Cip1) in neoplastic cells was associated with the p53 expression (p=0.03). The expression of p27(Kip1) was correlated with that of the progesterone receptor (PR) (p=0.04) and the expression of p21(WAF1/Cip1) was correlated with that of positivity for estrogen receptor (ER) (p=0.04) and PR (p=0.04). No correlation was demonstrated between the mean patient survival and the expression rate of p34(cdc2), p27(Kip1), p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p53. CONCLUSIONS: The loss of the normal cell growth cycle by the abnormal expression of cyclin dependent kinases and their inhibitors and the steroid hormones may play an important role in human breast carcinogenesis. The p53 dependent p21(WAF1/Cip1) pathway, the p27(Kip1) protein loss and the cdc2 overexpression were important in development and progression of human breast cancer.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Cycle ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases ; Cytoplasm ; Estrogens ; Humans* ; Mice ; Receptors, Progesterone

Edward's syndrome (trisomy 18) is the second most common chromosomal anomaly next to Down syndrome. The patients are dysmorphic, have multiple organ malformation which is made to die with 90% by 12 months. Information in the literature about anesthetic management in trisomy 18 is rare. We report the case of a 7 months old male with trisomy 18 who underwent inguinal hernioplaty and orchiopexy with general anesthesia.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Down Syndrome ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Orchiopexy ; Trisomy

Nineteen astrocytic neoplasms, such as 9 cases of glioblastoma multiforme, 6 cases of anaplastic astrocytoma and 4 cases of low grade astrocytoma, were analysed in view of the relationship between histopathologic grade, nuclear pleomorphism, grade of mutant p53 gene expression and mean survival time after operation. The histopathologic classification by Ringertz and immunohistochemical stain for mutant p53 gene with the DO-7 anti-p53 oncoprotein mouse monoclonal antibody were applied, and the results obtained were as follows; 1) Among 19 cases, 18 cases were located in the supratentorium, where 13 cases(42%) were located in the left and 17 cases(55%) in the right. 2) The p53 gene expression was detected in 12(63.2%) of the cases, as revealed by positive nuclear staining. All cases of glioblastoma multiforme showed p53 gene expression, compared with two(33.3%) cases of anaplastic astrocytoma and one(25%) case of low grade astrocytoma. The frequency and degree of histopathologic grade(p=0.03). 3) The mean survival time after operation was 29.49+/-4.08 months in cases with p53-negative tumors and 12.93+/-3.14 months in cases with p53-positive tumors(p<0.05). 4) Both histopathological classification and p53 gene expression showed a significant influence on servival(p=0.02 and p=0.03, respectively). 5) The relative risk for survival time was the highest in p53 gene expression. In conclusion, p53 gene expression appears to be one of the recommendable prognosticators among astrocytic neoplasms.
Animals ; Astrocytoma ; Classification ; Genes, p53* ; Glioblastoma ; Mice ; Survival Rate

A fibromatosis or desmoid tumor of the breast is an extremely rare benign tumor, which is often presented clinically and radiologically as a malignant tumor. Although benign, fibromatosis or desmoid tumors can grow aggressively in local infiltrating patterns. The recurrence is relatively common; hence a wide excision with a clear margin around the tumor is necessary. We report a case of a young female patient with a recurring fibromatosis of the breast after a local excision.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Female ; Fibroma ; Fibromatosis, Aggressive ; Humans ; Recurrence

Esophageal squamous cell papillomatosis is a rare disorder that is usually found incidentally on an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy examination or autopsy. A 70-year-old woman presented with a two-month history of dysphagia and abdominal discomfort. A chest CT scan showed diffuse marked thickening of the esophageal wall along the entire length and multiple small enhancing polypoid projections in the distal esophagus. Diffuse circumferential FDG uptake in the entire esophagus was seen on [18F] FDG PET/CT. Squamous papillomatosis was diagnosed by an endoscopic biopsy. We report a case of extensive esophageal papillomatosis with imaging features on CT and [18F] FDG PET/CT, with a review of the clinical literature.
Aged ; Autopsy ; Biopsy ; Deglutition Disorders ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Esophagus ; Female ; Fluorine Radioisotopes ; Humans ; Papilloma ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

This study was done using a Quasi-experimental research design to determine the effects of social support on compliance with sick role behavior in hypertensive patients and to know if the effect of the social support on compliance lasted for at least 6 months. The subjects consisted of 81 hypertensive patients who were registered in the Cardio-Vascular OPD at Chonnam National University Hospital. They were divided by random sampling into 42 people for the experimental group and 39 for the control group. Data were gathered from June 3, 1996 to June 10, 1997 through individual interviews using a structured questionnaire. The results of the study were summarized as follows : 1. Compliance with sick role behaviors in hypertensive clients was significantly increased in the experimental group who received social support from the nurse as compared to the control group who did not receive social support(t=15.99, p<.001). 2. The effect of social support on compliance with sick role behaviors in hypertensive clients lasted for 6 months(t=7.99, p<.001). 3. Four of six people stopped smoking in experimental group after the intervention of social support, but none of the five in control group were able to stop smoking. Fisher's Exact test showed a significant difference between the experimental and control group(x2=4.385, p<.05). Mantel Haenszel test showed that the effect of social support on stopping smoking in the experimental group lasted for six months because there were no significant differences between one month after the social support and six months after, in the number of subjects who stopped smoking(x2=1.154, p>.05). Finally, social support was effective on compliance with sick role behaviors and stopping smoking in the hypertensive clients, and the effect of social support on compliance lasted for 6 months.
Compliance* ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Research Design ; Sick Role* ; Smoke ; Smoking