PURPOSE: Numerous studies have been performed about the various safety consideration of magnetic resonance(MR). Multiple investigators have failed to reveal any deleterious defects of MR. On the other hand, several studies have demonstrated detectable biologic effects of high-field MR produces any morphologic changes on the cell membrane and intracellular ultrastructures in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood of normal human adults by Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation. Exposure to MR was performed with 4.69T and 11.74T MR spectrometer with a radio frequency(RF) pulse of 200MHz and 500MHz. Exposure times varyed from 30 minutes to 3 hours. The cells were fixed immediately, 1, 3, 7 days after MR exposure. Morphologic evaluation was examined by transmission electron microscopy(TEM). RESULTS: Under TEM there was cell transformation including cellular membrane, nucleus and intracellular microorganelles on lymphocytes exposed to MR. The percentage of transformed lymphocytes was not significantly increased after 4.69T MR exposure, whereas the percentage of transformed lymphocytes was significant increased after 11.74T MR exposure(P<0.05) compared with that of control. The percentage of transformed lymphocytes was significantly increased at the long incubation period in control and MR exposure group(P<0.05). No change according to MR exposure time and RF pulse sequence was noted. CONCLUSION: Exposure to high-field MR induces morphologic transformations of lymphocytes in vitro. Additional studies have to be performed before definitive conclusion can be reached about the safety of high-field MR.
Adult ; Cell Membrane ; Centrifugation ; Hand ; Humans* ; Lymphocytes* ; Membranes ; Research Personnel

No abstract available.
Cell Line* ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Eflornithine* ; Humans*

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between social support, dependence of activities of daily living and depression among Parkinson's disease patients. Subjects were 122 patients with Parkinson's disease. Neurologic wards inpatients or neurology clinic out patients department in a tertiary-affiliated hospital in Seoul. Data were collected from April 1996 to March 1997. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. The lower the level of dependence of activities of daily living, the lower the level of depression. 2. The higher the level of perceived family support, the lower the level of depression. 3. The higher the level of perceived health personnel support, the lower the level of depression. 4. The rate of depression evaluated by Zung depression scale was 37.4%(mild to moderate:30.1%, moderate to severe:4.1%, severe:3.2%). 5. Socio-demographic characteristics sex, education, occupation, and the charge person of treatment cost, significantly influenced the level of depression. 6. There was no significant difference in level of depression, dependence of activities of daily living, stage of disease between user and nonuser of L-dopa. Suggestions were made for further studies: 1. To develop nursing intervention for decreasing the dependence of activities daily living is needed. 2. To identify the change pattern of depression by time.
Activities of Daily Living* ; Depression* ; Education ; Health Care Costs ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Levodopa ; Morinda ; Neurology ; Nursing ; Occupations ; Outpatients ; Parkinson Disease* ; Seoul

No abstract available.
Hemorrhoids*

No abstract available.
Colonic Neoplasms* ; Rectum*

OBJECTIVE: In the previous study, we compiled the differentially expressed genes during early folliculogenesis.1 Objective of the present study was to identify downstream target genes of transcription factors (TFs) using bioinformatics for selecting the target TFs among the gene lists for further functional analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By using bioinformatics tools, constituent domains were identified from database searches using Gene Ontology, MGI, and Entrez Gene. Downstream target proteins/genes of each TF were identified from database searches using TF database (TRANSFAC(R) 6.0) and eukaryotic promoter database (EPD). RESULTS: DNA binding and trans-activation domains of all TFs listed previously were identified, and the list of downstream target proteins/genes was obtained from searche of TF database and promoter database. Based on the known function of identified downstream genes and the domains, 3 (HNF4, PPARg, and TBX2) out of 26 TFs were selected for further functional analysis. The genes of wee1-like protein kinase and p21WAF1 (cdk inhibitor) were identified as potential downstream target genes of HNF4 and TBX2, respectively. PPARg, through protein-protein interaction with other protein partners, acts as a transcription regulator of genes of EGFR, p21WAF1, cycD1, p53, and VEGF. Among the selected 3 TFs, further study is in progress for HNF4 and TBX2, since wee1-like protein kinase and cdk inhibitor may involved in regulating maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity during early folliculogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Approach used in the present study, in silico analysis of downstream target genes, was useful for analyzing list of TFs obtained from high-throughput cDNA microarray study. To verify its binding and functions of the selected TFs in early folliculogenesis, EMSA and further relevant characterizations are under investigation.
Computational Biology ; Computer Simulation* ; DNA ; Gene Ontology ; Maturation-Promoting Factor ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Protein Kinases ; Transcription Factors* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship of job stress, state of sleep, and depression and to identify factors influencing depression of emergency medical technicians. METHODS: The research was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. Data collection were done using self-report questionnaires with 162 emergency medical technicians working in hospitals who agreed to participate in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 Program. RESULTS: Depression had significant negative correlations with state of sleep, (r=-482, p<.001) and positive correlations with job stress (r=.196,p=.013). State of sleep had significant negative correlations with job stress (r=-.168, p=.033). The variance for life satisfaction was 23.7% (F=25.964, p<.001). Variable of state of sleep significantly predicted depression of emergency medical technicians. CONCLUSION: Considering these results, for emergency medical technicians' job stress, state of sleep, and depression, further studies are needed. Furthermore, there is a need to develop and implement new strategies to improve depression among emergency medical technicians.
Data Collection ; Depression ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Technicians ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Appendicitis* ; Barium* ; Enema*

No abstract available.
Appendicitis* ; Barium* ; Enema*

The authors report a case of malignant teratoma in a 3-year-old girl who suffered from occipital headache and vomiting for about 2 months. The tumor occupied left cerebellopontine angle resulting in a moderate degree of hydorcephalus. Histologically, the tumor consisted mainly of neuroepithelial tissues showing varying degrees of differentiation, with areas of epidermis, mature fat tissue, connective tissue, gastrointestinal glands and smooth muscle bundles containing ganglions. Also noted are groups pf polygonal or spindle cells representing immature mesodermal tissue. In contrast to two malignant intracranial teratomas previously reported in Korean literatures, this case is characterized by the presence of predominent neuroepithelial components and by uncommon tumor location, the posterior fossa far from middle line of the body.