OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the demand for lumbosacral corset and to get a base line data for rehabilitation approach, management trends, demand for education of back pain, and incidence of back pain during pregnancy in Korean population. METHOD: One hundred and fifty two postpartum women were included in this study. Each subject's demographic data, gynecologic data, back pain associated factors, and neonatal factors were collected. RESULTS: The incidence of back pain during pregnancy was 81%. Average age of back pain group and pain free group were 29.8+/-4.51 and 26.8+/-5.50, respectively. Average age of back pain group was significantly older than pain free group. Patients with previous back pain suffered from back pain during pregnancy more frequently than the patients without previous back pain. Sites of back pain were lumbar area (49.2%), midback area (29.5%), and sacroiliac area (21.3%). CONCLUSION: Correlation factors of back pain during pregnancy were maternal age, previous history of back pain, and history of back pain during menstruation. Long term follow up study for back pain after delivery and early evaluation of back pain during antenatal care are recommended.
Back Pain ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Low Back Pain* ; Maternal Age ; Menstruation ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy* ; Rehabilitation ; Retrospective Studies*

PURPOSE: Preterm formula used in Korea, theoretically does not supply the recommended mineral intake for optimal bone metabolism in very low birth weight infants(Formula 500-700 mg Ca/L, 300~370mg P/L, and 440IU of vitamin D/L). The purpose of this study is to identify th e possible etiologic factors and clinical course of rickets in these infants. METHODS: We recently identified radiographic rickets or osteopenia in 16 VLBW infants over a 30-month period from January 1990, to July 1992. We performed a retrospective case analysis to evaluate the clinical features, nutritional status, biochemical and radiological findings o f metabolic disease in preterm infants. RESULTS: Mean gestational age and birth weight were 29+/-2.1wks, and 1172+/-245gm. All infants received parenteral nutrition and 11 infants needed assisted ventilation. Enteral feeding w as started at a mean age of 9.4+/-11.0d and mean total calorie intakes were 62+/-16.2kcal/kg /d in the first 2wks and 111+/-26.9kcal/kg/d at 2-4 wks of age. Oral Ca/P intakes were severely restricted during the first month of life, and they were about 20% of recommended intakes of Ca /P for VLBW infants. At diagnosis of active rickets, serum Ca was high in 19% and serum P wa s low in 69% of infants. Serum alkaline phosphatase was increased in 56% and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was low in 67%. Active rickets was diagnosed at mean age of 38+/-14.7 d; 12 infants had overt rickets(grade 2), including 3 infants with fractures(grade 3). Healing rickets was diagnosed on follow-up at mean age of 67.3+/-22.0 days. Thus, metabolic bone disease of VLB W infants was associated with low mineral intakes compared to recommended intakes, and signs of P deficiency occurred at about 2 wks of age and persisted to 8 wks of age; hypercalcemia occurred initially, and these biochemical abnormalities precede the radiological abnormalities about 2 or 3 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors are related to the development of metabolic hone disease of prematurity; one of the most important factor in our study was nutritional deficiency, especially m ineral(phosphorus) and vitamin D. In preterm VLBW infants whose adequate enteral feeding is restricted, mineral(calcium and phosphorus) and vitamin D supplementation would be needed t o reduce the development of metabolic bone disease in preterm infants.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Birth Weight ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic* ; Diagnosis ; Enteral Nutrition ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Korea ; Malnutrition ; Metabolic Diseases ; Metabolism ; Nutritional Status ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Retrospective Studies ; Rickets ; Ventilation ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

Purpose: Junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-A is an immunoglobulin-like molecule that colocalizes with tight junctions (TJs) in the endothelium and epithelium. It is also found in blood leukocytes and platelets. The biological significance of JAM-A in asthma, as well as its clinical potential as a therapeutic target, are not well understood. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of JAM-A in a mouse model of asthma, and to determine blood levels of JAM-A in asthmatic patients. Materials and Methods: Mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) or saline were used to investigate the role of JAM-A in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. In addition, JAM-A levels were measured in the plasma of asthmatic patients and healthy controls. The relationships between JAM-A and clinical variables in patients with asthma were also examined. Results: Plasma JAM-A levels were higher in asthma patients (n=19) than in healthy controls (n=12). In asthma patients, the JAM-A levels correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC), and the blood lymphocyte proportion. JAM-A, phospho-JNK, and phospho-ERK protein expressions in lung tissue were significantly higher in OVA/OVA mice than in control mice. In human bronchial epithelial cells treated with house dust mite extracts for 4 h, 8 h, and 24 h, the JAMA, phospho-JNK, and phospho-ERK expressions were increased, as shown by Western blotting, while the transepithelial electrical resistance was reduced. Conclusion These results suggest that JAM-A is involved in the pathogenesis of asthma, and may be a marker for asthma.

OBJECTIVES: In order to evaluate the stage of behavior change for health promotion strategy in workplace METHODS: Questionnaire survey was carried out for 309 workers who employed in H Electronics company in Kyongin area from September to October 1998. RESULTS: According to need assessment of four step such as precontemplation stage, contemplation stage, action stage, maintenance stage which were to change of behavior for health promotion, the percent for quitting smoking were observed 48.8%, 43.1%, 8.1%. 0 %, and for the restriction of drinking were 29.8%, 10.6%, 9.3%, 5.3%; for fitness 11.1%, 31.0%, 37.3%, 20.6% in male 26.6%, 27.8%, 26.6%, 19.0% in female, for regular diet 26.1%, 19.8%, 38.7%, 15.3% in male, 27.8%, 22.2%, 40.0%, 10.0 % in female and for stress management 5.8%, 10.6%, 8.7%, 75.0% in male, 13.6%. 22.7%, 19.7%, 44.0% in female. In heavy smoker (p=0.017) and heavy drinker, (p=0.021) the percent of precontemplation stage was significantly higher than in lower drinker and light smoker. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that company support for health promotion in workplace was weak and workers of high risk group for smoking and drinking were in precontemplation stage. So before conducting the health promotion program, health risk appraisal and need assessment for stage of behavior change should be taken for the efficient heath promotion strategy.
Diet ; Drinking ; Female ; Health Promotion* ; Health Status Indicators ; Humans ; Male ; Questionnaires ; Smoke ; Smoking

PURPOSE: Both the beta-catenin and p53 play a crucial role in the process of colon carcinogenesis. The expression of beta-catenin and/or p53 has been reported to be associated with pathologic features of tumor and prognosis of patients. In addition, several recent studies have suggested a close biological association between p53 expression and nuclear beta-catenin level. We analyzed the pathologic variables and p53 expression according to the intra-nuclear beta-catenin expression in colon cancer to make such assumptions more clear since they are still controversial issues. METHODS: The expressions of beta-catenin, p53 and Ki-67 protein in colon cancer were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The relationship between these protein expressions and tumor characteristics was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The intra-nuclear beta-catenin accumulation was not associated with any of the pathological variables including lymph node metastasis and tumor differentiation, but it was correlated with higher level of Ki-67 proliferation index (P=0.006) and negative staining of p53 (P=0.015). Positive p53 staining was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.006), lymphatic invasion (P=0.03) and venous invasion (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: These results support the suggestion that intra-nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin may regulate the p53 activity in colorectal cancer. In addition, positive staining of p53 may be used as a valuable prognostic indicator since it was strongly associated with lymph node metastasis, lymphatic and venous invasion.
beta Catenin* ; Carcinogenesis ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Negative Staining ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation is a definite treatment modality of the patients with end-stage heart failure. Heart transplantation has been performed in Korea since 1992, and currently it is an established procedure for the management of terminal heart failure. The purpose of this study is to clarify the Korean status of heart transplantation. METHODS: Six major heart transplantation centers' 137 cases during the period November 1992 through May 1999 are analyzed to evaluate the general demographics, underlying heart diseases, postoperative management, complications, and survival. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients is 37 years old, and the mean follow-up period is 25 months (1 day - 80 months, median 20 months). Most common underlying disease related to heart failure is cardiomyopathy (86%). Total 16% of patients underwent cellular rejection of ISHLT (International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation) grade 3A or more within 1 year after transplantation. The most common type of clinical infection is bacterial (18%), and the most common organism is Herpes zoster virus (6.4%). Graft coronary artery disease examined by coronary angiography detected in 3.7% of recipients within 12 months after transplantation. One, 2, 3, and 5-year overall survival rates of recipients are 81% , 72%, 71%, and 62%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Distribution of underlying heart diseases and the frequency of graft coronary artery disease of Korean heart transplantation recipients were different from those of the western patients. Although the history of heart transplantation in Korea is relatively short, the early and long-term results are comparable with well-established centers.
Adult ; Cardiomyopathies ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Demography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure ; Heart Transplantation* ; Heart* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Korea* ; Lung ; Survival Rate ; Transplants