STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The success of implants depends on intimate and direct contact of implant material on bone tissue and on functional relationship with soft tissue contact. Creation and maintenance of osseointegration depend on the understanding of the tissue's healing, repairing, and remodeling capacity and these capacities rely on cellular behavior. Altering the surface properties can modify cellular responses such as cell adhesion, cell motility, bone deposition. Therefore, various implant surface treatment methods are being developed for the improved bone cell responses. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the responses of osteoblast-like cells to surface- modified titanium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was composed of four groups. Group 1 represented the electropolished surface. Group 2 surfaces were machined surface. Group 3 and Group 4 were anodized surfaces. Group 3 had low roughness and Group 4 had high roughness. Physicochemical properties and microstructures of the d iscs were examined and the responses of osteoblast-like cells to the discs were investigated. The microtopography was observed by SEM. The roughness was measured by three-dimension roughness measuring system. The microstructure was analyzed by XRD, AES. To evaluate cell responses to modified titanium surfaces, osteoblasts isolated from calvaria of neonatal rat were cultured. Cell count, morphology, total protein measurement and alkaline phosphatase activities of the cultures were examined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results were as follows 1. The four groups showed specific microtopography respectively. Anodized group showed grain structure with micropores. 2. Surface roughness values were, from the lowest to the highest, electropolished group, machined group, low roughness anodized group, and high roughness anodized group. 3. Highly roughened anodized group was found to have increased surface oxide thickness and surface crystallinity. 4. The morphology of cells, flattened or spherical, were different from ach other. In the electropolished group and machined group, the cells were almost flattened. In two anodized groups, some cells were spherical and other cells were flattened. And the 14 day culture cells of all of the groups were nearly flattened due to confluency. 5. The number of attached cells was highest in low roughness anodized group. And the machined group had significantly lower cell count than any other groups(P<.05). 6. Total protein contents showed no difference among groups. 7. The level of alkaline phosphatase activities was higher in the anodized groups than electropolished and machined groups(P<.05).
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone and Bones ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Count ; Cell Movement ; Edible Grain ; Crystallins ; Osseointegration ; Osteoblasts ; Rats ; Skull ; Surface Properties ; Titanium*

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. It is well known that androgen and sex hormone-binding globulin(SHBG) in women were associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as obesity, central fat accumulation and atherogenic lipid profile. High resolution B-mode ultrasonography can visualize directly both luminal and vessel wall characteristics, and ultrasonic measurement of carotid intima-medial thickness(IMT) can be used to investigate the atherosclerosis of coronary, cerebral and peripheral arteries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEA-S) and SHBG, and body fat distribution pattern, cardiovascular risk factor and carotid atherosclerosis in women. METHODS: Blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, insulin, lipid profile, SHBG and DHEA-S were measured. Body fat distribution pattern was assessed by waist to hip ratio, waist to thigh ratio and subscapular to triceps skin fold thickness ratio, faf mass measured by bioelectric impedance analyzer, subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area, and visceral to subcutaneous fat area ratio(VSR) at the level of umbilicus using the computed tomography. The IMT of the carotid artery was measured by high resolution B mode ultrasound as a marker of atherosclerosis. RESULTS: 1) There was no significant difference of age-adjusted values of carotid IMT among subjects with NGT(0.426+/-0.09mm), IGT(0.46+/-10.09mm) and NIDDM(0.453+/-0.11mm). 2) In postrnenopausal women, carotid IMT was greater(0.484+/-0.11mm, p=0.05) than premenopausal women(0.426+/-0.08mm), but it was not significant after age adjustment. Serum SHBG and DHEA-S levels in postmenopausal women were significantly lower(p<0.05) than premenopausal women, but they were not significant after age adjustment. 3) Carotid IMT was significantly correlated with age(r=0.37, p<0.01), fasting serum glucose (r=0.32, p<0.01), total cholesterol(r= 0.25, p<0.05), LDL-cholesterol(r=0.26, p<0.05), visceral fat area(r=0.35, p<0.01) and VSR(r=0.31, p<0.05). 4) By the stepwise multiple regression analysis, carotid IMT was positively and significantly associated with age(p<0.01) and serum DHEA-S concentration(p<0.05) in dent of age, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, fasting serum glucose. CONCLUSION: Carotid IMT was associated with age and serum DHEA-S concentration in women without cardiovascular disease. Therefore, serum DHEA-S may be one of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women. However, we could not conclude its cause-result relationship because of cross sectional nature of our study, and prospective study will be needed.
Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Fat Distribution ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery Diseases* ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate* ; Dehydroepiandrosterone* ; Electric Impedance ; Fasting ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Mortality ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Phenobarbital ; Risk Factors ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin* ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Thigh ; Ultrasonics ; Ultrasonography ; Umbilicus ; Waist-Hip Ratio

Purpose: Compassion is integral to nursing, yet the concept of compassionate care is not thoroughly understood. This study aimed to clarify the nature of compassionate care among Korean clinical nurses using a hybrid model. Methods: This study utilized a mixed methods approach involving hybrid concept analysis to explore the nature and attributes of compassionate care, encompassing both theoretical and empirical stages. In the theoretical stage, the domains, attributes, and a preliminary definition of compassionate care were formulated. In the fieldwork stage, in-depth interviews with 18 nurses were conducted to gather insights, which were integrated in the final stage. Results: Compassionate care was categorized into three domains: cognitive, relational, and behavioral, with 11 defining attributes. It was defined as the capacity to recognize individual patient needs, engage empathetically with their suffering, establish trust through emotional connection, and deliver therapeutic partnership, specialized, personalized, ethical, and holistic care. Conclusion This study advances the understanding of compassionate care in nursing by providing a multidimensional framework. It lays the groundwork for future research and practical applications, emphasizing the need for measurement tools and strategies to promote compassionate care among clinical nurses.

Purpose: Compassion is integral to nursing, yet the concept of compassionate care is not thoroughly understood. This study aimed to clarify the nature of compassionate care among Korean clinical nurses using a hybrid model. Methods: This study utilized a mixed methods approach involving hybrid concept analysis to explore the nature and attributes of compassionate care, encompassing both theoretical and empirical stages. In the theoretical stage, the domains, attributes, and a preliminary definition of compassionate care were formulated. In the fieldwork stage, in-depth interviews with 18 nurses were conducted to gather insights, which were integrated in the final stage. Results: Compassionate care was categorized into three domains: cognitive, relational, and behavioral, with 11 defining attributes. It was defined as the capacity to recognize individual patient needs, engage empathetically with their suffering, establish trust through emotional connection, and deliver therapeutic partnership, specialized, personalized, ethical, and holistic care. Conclusion This study advances the understanding of compassionate care in nursing by providing a multidimensional framework. It lays the groundwork for future research and practical applications, emphasizing the need for measurement tools and strategies to promote compassionate care among clinical nurses.

Purpose: Compassion is integral to nursing, yet the concept of compassionate care is not thoroughly understood. This study aimed to clarify the nature of compassionate care among Korean clinical nurses using a hybrid model. Methods: This study utilized a mixed methods approach involving hybrid concept analysis to explore the nature and attributes of compassionate care, encompassing both theoretical and empirical stages. In the theoretical stage, the domains, attributes, and a preliminary definition of compassionate care were formulated. In the fieldwork stage, in-depth interviews with 18 nurses were conducted to gather insights, which were integrated in the final stage. Results: Compassionate care was categorized into three domains: cognitive, relational, and behavioral, with 11 defining attributes. It was defined as the capacity to recognize individual patient needs, engage empathetically with their suffering, establish trust through emotional connection, and deliver therapeutic partnership, specialized, personalized, ethical, and holistic care. Conclusion This study advances the understanding of compassionate care in nursing by providing a multidimensional framework. It lays the groundwork for future research and practical applications, emphasizing the need for measurement tools and strategies to promote compassionate care among clinical nurses.

The syndrome of ectopic production of ACTH by non-pituitary neoplasm occur with various types of tu#rnors. Pheochromocytoma is a rare, but one of the important causes of this syndrome. Recently we experienced a 36-year-old male patient with ACTH-producing pheochromocytoma. After left adrenalectomy, serum ACTH level retumed to the normal range. The patient became normotensive without antihypertensive agents and hyperglycemia resolved and insulin therapy was discontinued. Secretion of ACTH was confirmed by immunohistochemical stain.
ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic* ; Adrenalectomy ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Adult ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Insulin ; Male ; Pheochromocytoma* ; Reference Values

No abstract available.
Cholecystitis ; Emphysematous Cholecystitis* ; Pneumoperitoneum*

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in men over 40 years old and the prevalence is increasing. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia is predisposing condition of gout but the frequency of progression to acute gout is not high enough to need prophylactic treatment. In acute gout flare, first line therapy is non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids, depending on comorbidities. Colchicine is now second line therapy. Urate lowering therapy for gout needs to be initiated when the second attack occurs in a year. Allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, has been the most widely used agent for the treatment of chronic gout. Now, febuxostat has emerged as a new xanthine oxidase inhibitor that is expected to be useful in patients with mildly decreased renal function. Uricosuric agents are alternative therapies for patients with preserved renal function and no history of nephrolithiasis. During urate lowering therapy, the dose should be titrated upward until the serum uric acid level is kept less than 6mg/dL. When initiating urate lowering therapy, concurrent prophylactic therapy with NSAIDs or low dose colchicine for more than six months is recommended for reducing flare-ups. In chronic gout treatment, dietary modification seems to have minimal effect, but alcohol drinking and weight control can be recommended.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Alcohol Drinking ; Allopurinol ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Gouty ; Colchicine ; Comorbidity ; Complementary Therapies ; Food Habits ; Gout ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; Male ; Nephrolithiasis ; Prevalence ; Thiazoles ; Uric Acid ; Uricosuric Agents ; Xanthine Oxidase ; Febuxostat

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a direction for future studies based on the analysis of the articles published in the Korean Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care from 1998 to 2012. A total of 240 articles (51 reviews, 189 original) were examined in three five-year groups. Categories of analysis include authors' background (profession, region) and general characteristics and qualitative aspects of the original paper (participants, topic, study design, data analysis, ethical consideration, multidisciplinary approach, research funds and sample size estimation). While the journal publishes more of articles than before, it is mainly due to the increase in the number of review articles, not original articles. As for study topics, healthcare industry and physical symptoms were most frequently studied. The disparity in authors' regional background is fading, and more articles are published by nurses than before. Moreover, more studies are funded while fewer papers tend to adopt a multidisciplinary approach or focus on care givers. Also, in terms of a study design, the number of experimental and methodological studies has slightly increased. In the qualitative aspect, studies considered ethical issues and collected participation consent, and fewer studies reported an estimated sample size. In data analysis, post-adjustment comparison decreased, and new analytical methods are increasingly used. Our results indicate the need to conduct research with more extensive scientific data in various fields of hospice and palliative care.
Caregivers ; Financial Management ; Health Care Sector ; Hospice Care ; Hospices ; Humans ; Palliative Care ; Sample Size ; Statistics as Topic

No abstract available.
Dilatation* ; Urethra*