Backgroand: In our previous study, it was demonstrated that estradiol-dependent prostaglandin synthesis may be mediated by cAMP elevation during the process of iplantation in rats. The present study was undertaken to investigate if estradio1, a hydrophobic molecule could interact with uterine plasma membrane, thereby influencing adenylate cyclase and cAMP. Methods: The specific binding of [3H]estradiol to plasma membrane prepared from rat uterus has been identified and characterized. Results: The association of [3H]estradiol to plasma membrane preparations reached equilibrium at 24 hrs. [3H]estradiol binding was directly proportional to the concentration of plasma membrane preparations and its binding was temperature-sensitive. This binding was saturable, reversible and binding site was one type with high affinity(Kd=0.16+0.03 nM) and high binding capacity(Bmax= 2.03 + 0.38pmol/mg protein). The dissociation constant was estimated as 1.6*10(-10)M. In a competition assay, binding was specific for estrogenic compounds. When 100% specific binding was detennined in the presence of 3*10(-6) M diethylstilbestrol, 17B-estradiol and tamoxifen displaced specific binding by 115% and 23%, respectively. Neither progesterone nor cortisol at 500-fold excess displaced the specific binding. Conclusion: These data suggest the presence of specific binding sites on the plasma membrane for estradiol in the rat uterus.
Adenylyl Cyclases ; Animals ; Binding Sites ; Cell Membrane ; Diethylstilbestrol ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Hydrocortisone ; Membranes ; Progesterone ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Tamoxifen ; Uterus

This study was done to analyze the trends of research on stroke in Korea. to suggest future direction. for research on stroke. This article reviewed 75 nursing research papers on stroke done since 1990 to 2000 by examining them according to the period of publication or presentation. research design, type of subjects, measurement variables. the intervention outcome of experimental research, and theme of qualitative research. The research were as follows: 1. 26 of 75 studies were composed of master thesis and dissertation of graduate school. There were 53 nonexperimental research. 15 experimental research and 7 qualitative studies design. 2. Stroke patients subject' Characteristic were 44 and Family and Spouses of caregiver support were 28 of total studies. 3. Most measurement instruments used for research were translated and redesigned it into Korean that developed by foreigners, and development measurement instruments used Kang's ADL. 4. Family support and Social support was shown the frequently among correlational research. 5. Methodological research were development of an evaluation tool for the quality of nursing care in stroke patients. caregiver support of development of nursing intervention list. and Home care Nursing Intervention protocol. and development of client selection criteria based on the needs of services to be offered. 6. The experimental research of intervention were mostly education nursing intervention. rehabilitation program on functional recovery. support nursing intervention. and applying a home care protocol on the nursing care intervention. 7. Theme of qualitative research were family experience, home care in family experience, soobal expenence, illness experience. hope of Stroke patients and so on. Phenomenologic methodology and Granded Theory was designed of Qualitative research. On the basis of the above finding the following recommendations are made: 1. It's necessary to develop a reliable and variable measurement tool for stroke patients and family care of stroke patients. 2. It's necessary to study the comparison of Nursing Studies of stroke research abroad, the replication to establish the effect of nursing intervention stroke patients and family care of stroke patients.
Activities of Daily Living ; Caregivers ; Education ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Home Care Services ; Hope ; Humans ; Korea* ; Nursing Care ; Nursing Research ; Nursing* ; Patient Selection ; Publications ; Qualitative Research ; Rehabilitation ; Research Design ; Spouses ; Stroke*

Spinal epidural abscesses were evaluated using Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 19 surgically and clinically confirmed cases, including 13 with tuberculous spondylitis and 6 with pyogenic spondylitis. We observed rim enhancement patterns in 10 patients and diffuse enhancement patterns in 9 patients. The spread patterns were localized to ventral or dorsal epidural space and encircled entire epidural space. We conclude that rim enhancement indicates abscess and diffuse enhancement indicates granulation tissue and fibrosis. Tuberculous epidural abscess spreads to ventral epidural space and pyogenic epidural abscess encircles entire epidural space.
Abscess ; Epidural Abscess* ; Epidural Space ; Fibrosis ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Spondylitis

The purpose of this study was to develop the CORE Program for sex offenders and to determine its effectiveness. The CORE Program was designed with an aim to achieve cognitive restructuring, improve the ability to empathize in interpersonal relationships, and enhance self-esteem and intimacy. We conducted this program over 48 sessions for 28 sex offenders. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated using the Interpersonal Responsiveness Index (IRI), Self-esteem Questionnaire (SEQ), UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLALS), Coping Using Sex Inventory (CUSI), Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (RMAS), and Wilson's Sex Fantasy Questionnaire (WSFQ). The data were analyzed using paired t-tests. Our results showed no significant changes in the SEQ, UCLALS, and IRI scores after the treatment program. However, the scores for the CUSI, RMAS, and WSFQ significantly improved after this program. In this paper, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the CORE Program for sex offenders. We also discuss the limitations of our study and provide suggestions for future research. Our findings indicate that this treatment program should be provided to sex offenders for preventing recidivism.
Criminals ; Fantasy ; Humans ; Loneliness ; Paraphilic Disorders ; Rape ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the factors influencing health promotion behaviors. METHODS: The subjects were 200 students sampled from the population that attend four universities in G and J city. Data were collected with a questionnaire and were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 21. Family function and self-efficacy were identified as determinants of health promotion behaviors, which explained 53% of the total variances of health promotion behavior. CONCLUSION: The findings provide evidence to help health assessment and activity related to the health promotion behavior of university students.
Health Promotion* ; Humans

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the spectrum of MR characteristics of cystic acoustic neurinomas and to correlate with pathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the MR findings of 12 patients with cystic acoustic neurinomas. The signal intensity and enhancement pattern of the cystic components as well as the location relative to the tumors were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 30 cysts were found in 15 acoustic neurinomas;28 were intratumoral cysts and the remaining two were extratumoral cysts. The signal intensity of all 28 intratumoral cysts was higher than that of CSF on Tl-weighted images, and isointense to CSF on T2-weighted images, while the signal intensity of the two extratumoral cysts was same as CSF on both Tl-weighted and T2-weighted images. Rim enhancement was seen in 27 of 28 intratumoral cysts but in none of the two extratumoral cysts. CONCLUSION: We concluded that intratumoral cyst was due to tumoral necrosis, hemorrhage or degenerative change and extratumoral cyst due to secondary arachnoid cyst formation.
Acoustics* ; Arachnoid ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Neuroma, Acoustic* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To compare lumbar disc changes between initial lumbar spine (L-spine) MRI and follow-up (f/u) MRI that were performed due to recurred backaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total 50 patients who had undergone f/u L-spine MRI were retrospectively reviewed. Five discs (L1-S1) were surveyed in each f/u MRI. Lumbar disc changes were defined as no change, aggravations, or improvements compared to initial disc states. These states were defined on the basis of morphologic status and disc levels. RESULTS: In a total of 250 discs in 50 patients, 31 discs (12.4%) showed morphologic changes of disc lesions, whereas 219 discs (87.6 %) showed no changes. Among the 31 disc lesions, 24 were aggravated and 7 were partially improved. And on the basis of disc status, initially abnormal discs revealed any morphologic changes of the degree of disc herniation. A total of 33.3% of the morphologic changes are noted in initially extruded discs. Fifteen morphologic changes of disc lesions were located at the L4-5 level. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that correlations between lumbar disc herniations and back pain symptoms are limited, and that evaluations of extra disc lesions are required.
Back Pain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Low Back Pain ; Natural History ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine

PURPOSE: Aggressive chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation have a large demand for platelet concentrate and packed RBC transfusion. Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions are an immunologically mediated reaction involving plasma in the recipient and the white blood cells in the donor. This study was performed to understand the role of cytokines and factors associated with febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reaction to transfused blood. METHODS: Samples were obtained from 42 transfused blood(36 packed RBC, 6 platelet concentrates). Initial WBC count, pH, LDH, irradiation, use of filter and storage time were checked. The serum levels of Interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta), Tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNFalpha) and Interleukin-6(IL-6) were measured by ELISA method using commercial kit for each cytokines. Transfusion reactions, including fever, were recorded in all cases. RESULTS: With the storage time of blood products longer in duration, the serum levels of IL-1beta, TNFalpha and IL-6 were significantly higher(P<0.05). The serum levels of IL-1beta, TNFalpha and IL-6 increased significantly as these blood products were more contaminated with WBC>3000/mm3(P< 0.05). There was no relationship between cytokines and LDH, pH respectively. Febrile reaction was noted in 2.3%(1/42). CONCLUSION: Transfusion reactions are not always the result of an antigen-antibody reaction, but could be caused by the administration of large amounts of cytokines in the plasma. The longer storage times of blood products was associated with frequency of febrile transfusion reactions. We recommend fresh blood transfusion and reduction of WBC before storage because it abrogates cytokine accumulation and dramatically lowers the rate of febrile transfusion reaction.
Antigen-Antibody Reactions ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cytokines ; Drug Therapy ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fever ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Interleukin-6* ; Leukocytes ; Plasma ; Tissue Donors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

PURPOSE: Aggressive chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation have a large demand for platelet concentrate and packed RBC transfusion. Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions are an immunologically mediated reaction involving plasma in the recipient and the white blood cells in the donor. This study was performed to understand the role of cytokines and factors associated with febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reaction to transfused blood. METHODS: Samples were obtained from 42 transfused blood(36 packed RBC, 6 platelet concentrates). Initial WBC count, pH, LDH, irradiation, use of filter and storage time were checked. The serum levels of Interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta), Tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNFalpha) and Interleukin-6(IL-6) were measured by ELISA method using commercial kit for each cytokines. Transfusion reactions, including fever, were recorded in all cases. RESULTS: With the storage time of blood products longer in duration, the serum levels of IL-1beta, TNFalpha and IL-6 were significantly higher(P<0.05). The serum levels of IL-1beta, TNFalpha and IL-6 increased significantly as these blood products were more contaminated with WBC>3000/mm3(P< 0.05). There was no relationship between cytokines and LDH, pH respectively. Febrile reaction was noted in 2.3%(1/42). CONCLUSION: Transfusion reactions are not always the result of an antigen-antibody reaction, but could be caused by the administration of large amounts of cytokines in the plasma. The longer storage times of blood products was associated with frequency of febrile transfusion reactions. We recommend fresh blood transfusion and reduction of WBC before storage because it abrogates cytokine accumulation and dramatically lowers the rate of febrile transfusion reaction.
Antigen-Antibody Reactions ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cytokines ; Drug Therapy ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fever ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Interleukin-6* ; Leukocytes ; Plasma ; Tissue Donors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the CT and MR findings of brain absecss with emphasis on the thickeness and signal intensity of abscess wall. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty CT scans and seven MR studies of 23 patients with brain abscess (27 abscesses) were retrospectively reviewed with respect to thickeness and signal intensity of abscess wall, shape and size of abscess, etc. Thickness of abscess wall was measured in the greatest abscess diameter on the CT scans and MR images obtaihed after intravenous administration of contrast material. RESULTS: Enhancing abscess wall was 2mm--6mm (average 3mm) thick. The abscess wall was uniform in thickness in 14 cases (52%), thinner in the roedial wall than lateral wall in 8 cases (30%), and thicker in the medial wall than lateral wall in 5 cases (18%). Signal intensity of abscess wall was isointense relative to gray matter on Tl-weighted MR images and hypointense on both proton- and T2-weighted MR images in 7 out of 8 lesione (88%). The inner margin of the abscess wall was smooth in 14 (52%) and irregular in 13 lesions (48%). The outer margin was smooth in 15 (55%) and irregular in 12 lesions (45%). The size of the abscesses was variable, ranging from lcm to 6cm in diameter. They were round (16 cases), elliptical (6 cases), or multilobulated (5 cases) in shape. Satellite or daughter abscesses were found in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: Abscess wall showed variable thickness in the medial and lateral walls with no specific findings. Other CT and MR findings were also nonspecific, although hypointensity of abscess wall on T2-weighted MR images may be helpful in diagnosis of brain abscess.
Abscess* ; Administration, Intravenous ; Brain Abscess* ; Brain* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Nuclear Family ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed