No abstract available.
Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome*

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify factors inhibiting access of people with disability to health check-ups as well as identify pertinent solutions for improvement. Methods: Twenty-three people with disability older than the age of 19 who took respective health check-ups within the last 3 years were selected as participants. For the data collection, the 1:1 intensive interview was used. The data were analyzed by the grounded theory by Corbin and Strauss. Results: The results comprised nine categories, 23 subcategories, and 179 concepts. The central phenomenon was ‘failure to obtain check-ups.’ Causal conditions were observed as a ‘lack of communication method,’ ‘physical difficulties,’ and ‘staff unfamiliar with people with disability,’ Interventional conditions comprised ‘physical accessibility,’ ‘staffs’ competency,’ and ‘assistant manpower.’ The active strategy was included ‘to investigate the professional medical institution,’ ‘to find the medical institution of convenient traffic accessibility,’ ‘to overcome communication difficulties through equipment,’ and ‘to overcome linguistic barriers through sufficient communication.’ Whereas, ‘utilization of ancillary equipment,’ ‘the education of staffs on people with disability,’ ‘universal design manual,’ and ‘customized check-ups’ were included in the passive strategy. Such processes arose in the contextual conditions of ‘lack of expectations for daily lives’ and ‘lack of government support.’ As a consequence, the subjects participated experienced the ‘disadvantages,’ ‘discrimination,’ and ‘reduced reliability of the health check-ups.’ Conclusion The subjects who participated in this study emphasized ‘staffs familiar with people with disability’ and ‘systems customized for people with disability’ are mandatory to secure complete health check-ups for people with disability.

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Sepsis* ; Serratia marcescens* ; Serratia*

PURPOSE: Three-dimensional(3D) magnetic resonance(MR) projection imaging was evaluated as a noninvasive alternative to direct cholangiography for the assessment of its reliability in patients with obsructive jaundice. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A heavily T2-weighted gradient-echo sequence(PSIF) was used for 3D MR projecion imaging of the biliary system in five healthy volunteers and 25 patients with obstructive jaundice. The 3D images of the bile ducts were formed by stacking consecutive coronal MR images obtained with a fast imaging method to a maximum-intensity projection algorithm. RESULTS: In the volunteers, MR cholangiography could demonstrate the anatomy of the biliary tract in only two subjects. The extrahepatic and intraheparic bile ducts were well visualized in 23 patients with obstructive jaundice. The leve of obstruction and the grade of dilatation were dipicted with MR cholangiography in all cases. And the cause of obstruction could be determined with MR cholangiography in 18 cases, MR cholangiography was successful in two patients in whom ERCP failed. The gallbladder or dilated pancreatic duct not demonstrated by means of direct cholangiography was demonstrated with MR cholangiography in six cases.
Bile Ducts ; Biliary Tract ; Cholangiography* ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Dilatation ; Gallbladder ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Jaundice, Obstructive* ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Volunteers

BACKGROUND: Thyroid status in uremia is still inconclusive due to the complexicity of the system. No single pathogenetic event may explain the thyroid function abnormalities in end stage renal disease (ESRD). Defects at all levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis have been identified. Regarding the thyroid dysfunction in ESRD it is well recognized that the TSH response to TRH is blunted and serum concentrations of thyroid hormones are decreased in patients with ESRD. Whether or not on maintenance hemodialysis. Restoration of renal function with renal transplantation resulted in normalization of all parameters of thyroid function with exception of blunted TSH response to TRH. We evaluated the long-term changes of the thyroid function in 10 patients to know whether the thyroid function and the hypothalamo-pituitary axis were improved with the recovery of the renal function under maintenance low-dosage steroid administration after renal transplantation. METHODS: These tests were performed during the morning in the fasting state in 10 ESRD patients before, 1 month and 6 years after renal transplantation (RT). Thyroid function tests. Serum T3, T4 were measured by RIA kit and serum TSH was measured by IRMA kit. TRH stimulation test. Serum blood samples were obtained 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 min after TRH (400microgram) administration. Statistical analysis. All grouped data were expressed as mean+/-SD. Student t-test was used to assess the statistical difference between any two means. RESULTS: 1) The mean basal level of serum T3 was reduced in ESRD patients (53.6+/-33.2ng/dL) and increased to the low normal level 1 month after RT (87.8+/-25.4ng/dL), improved to the normal level 6 years after RT (116.3+/-28.8ng/dL). 2) The mean basal level of T4 was within normal range before RT (5.9+/-1.1microgram/dL), after 1 month (6.2+/-1.2microgram/dL) and after 6 years (6.5+/-1.4microgram/dL) of RT. 3) The mean basal level of TSH was within normal range before RT (2.0+/-1.2microU/mL), after 1 month (1.1+/-0.7microU/mL), and after 6 years (0.7+/-0.5microU/mL) of RT. Rut the mean TSH level of 6 years of RT was significantly decreased within the normal range. 4) In ESRD the TSH response to TRH was blunted, had a diminished peak and delayed fall before RT. After 1 month of RT, the TSH response to TRH was persistently blunted, however showed more rapid fall of TSH. After 6 years of RT, the TSH response to TRH normalized, but the absolute level of TSH and the peak level of TSH to TRH were less than before and after 1 month of RT. CONCLUSIONS: The abnormalities of thyroid hormones in uremic patients were improved partially after 1 month of RT and almost completely after 6 years of RT. But the level of T3H and the peak level of TSH to TRH were low within normal range, these results may be a direct consequence of low-dosage and long-term glucorcorticoid administration.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Fasting ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Reference Values ; Renal Dialysis ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Hormones ; Uremia

This study evaluated the Comparison of the Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle exercise and Biofeedback treatment for Genuine Stress Incontinence I assigned 60 participants to 2 groups : 30 to the pelvic floor muscle exercise group and 30 to the biofeedback group. Treatment protocol lasted for 6 weeks. Peak pressure, and duration time of pelvic muscle contraction were evaluated by a perineometer. Lower urinary symptoms, sexual matter and life style scores were achieved by using Jackson's scale. The treatment efficacy of the pelvic floor muscle exercise is compared with the biofeedback group and the main results of the comparison are as follows: 1. Pelvic muscle contraction 1) The peak pressure in the biofeedback group was significantly increased(P=0.000). 2. The frequency and quantity of incontinence 1) The frequency of incontinence in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased(P=0.000). 2) The quantity of incontinence in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased(P=0.000). 3. The lower urinary symptoms Daily frequency(P=0.000), nocturia(P=0.000), urgency(P=0.000), bladder pain(P=0.000), unexplained incontinence(P=0.048), wearing protection(P=0.022), changing outer clothing(P=0.005), hesitancy(P=0.008), intermittent stream(P=0.000), abnormal strength of stream(P=0.004), retention(P=0.000), incomplete emptying(P=0.000), and inability to stop mid steam(P=0.006) of the lower urinary symptoms in the biofeedback group were significantly decreased. 4. The sexual matters The dry vagina(P=0.004) and pain during sexual intercourse(P=0.002) in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased. 5. The life style. The fluid intake restriction(P=0.007), affected daily task(P=0.003), avoidance of places & situation(P=0.003), interference in Physical activity(P=0.002), interference in relationship with other people(P=0.01), and feeling about the rest of life with urinary symptom(P=0.000) in the biofeedback group were significantly decreased. In conclusion, the biofeedback treatment was more effective than the pelvic floor muscle exercise in genuine stress incontinence.
Biofeedback, Psychology* ; Clinical Protocols ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Muscle Contraction ; Pelvic Floor* ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder

This study evaluated the Comparison of the Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle exercise and Biofeedback treatment for Genuine Stress Incontinence I assigned 60 participants to 2 groups : 30 to the pelvic floor muscle exercise group and 30 to the biofeedback group. Treatment protocol lasted for 6 weeks. Peak pressure, and duration time of pelvic muscle contraction were evaluated by a perineometer. Lower urinary symptoms, sexual matter and life style scores were achieved by using Jackson's scale. The treatment efficacy of the pelvic floor muscle exercise is compared with the biofeedback group and the main results of the comparison are as follows: 1. Pelvic muscle contraction 1) The peak pressure in the biofeedback group was significantly increased(P=0.000). 2. The frequency and quantity of incontinence 1) The frequency of incontinence in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased(P=0.000). 2) The quantity of incontinence in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased(P=0.000). 3. The lower urinary symptoms Daily frequency(P=0.000), nocturia(P=0.000), urgency(P=0.000), bladder pain(P=0.000), unexplained incontinence(P=0.048), wearing protection(P=0.022), changing outer clothing(P=0.005), hesitancy(P=0.008), intermittent stream(P=0.000), abnormal strength of stream(P=0.004), retention(P=0.000), incomplete emptying(P=0.000), and inability to stop mid steam(P=0.006) of the lower urinary symptoms in the biofeedback group were significantly decreased. 4. The sexual matters The dry vagina(P=0.004) and pain during sexual intercourse(P=0.002) in the biofeedback group was significantly decreased. 5. The life style. The fluid intake restriction(P=0.007), affected daily task(P=0.003), avoidance of places & situation(P=0.003), interference in Physical activity(P=0.002), interference in relationship with other people(P=0.01), and feeling about the rest of life with urinary symptom(P=0.000) in the biofeedback group were significantly decreased. In conclusion, the biofeedback treatment was more effective than the pelvic floor muscle exercise in genuine stress incontinence.
Biofeedback, Psychology* ; Clinical Protocols ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Muscle Contraction ; Pelvic Floor* ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore adult diabetics' eating styles and factors which influence them. METHOD: The study adopted an ethnographic method based on a perspective which views the eating style as a cultural phenomenon. Data was collected through a personal interview, participant observation, and documented materials from Oct.2001 to Sept. 2002. In this study, fifteen adult diabetics, with an average age of 57, participated. Data analysis was done by the Spradley's taxonomic analysis technique. RESULT: The patients' eating styles were rooted in their viewpoint on illness as well as the meaning of food. Eating styles were classified into 4 types: Pathology-centered, symptom-centered, need-centered, and role-centered. CONCLUSION: A conventional approach to the treatment and management of diabetes did not consider the patient's inner world which may play an important role in the successful management of the disease. We found that it was critical for health care personnel to understand patients' values, beliefs and their way of life in order to facilitate the most successful self-care diet.
Middle Aged ; Male ; Korea ; Humans ; *Food Habits ; Female ; *Eating ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*diet therapy/nursing/psychology ; Culture ; *Attitude to Health ; Aged

Local excision and axillary dissection followed by radiation therapy to the breast has been shown to achieve equivalent local control and survival as mastectomy in an prospective randomized trials. We analyzed 28 cases of early breast cancer in order to evaluate the therapeutic effects of conservative f surgery and definitive radiotherapy in the management of early breast cancer as possible alternative of simple mastectomy, retrospectively. Obtained results were as follows 1. Treatment related acute side reactions are more prominant in the case of chemoradiotherapy group than radiotherapy alone group. 2. There were no cases of primary, regional or systemic failures on the last follow up examination. 3. Cosmetic results after treatment were satisfactory in 26 cases out of 28 cases on the last follow up examination. 4. There were no demonstrable differences of tumor control and cosmetic results between the treatment groups. Although, these results suggested that definitive radiotherapy after local excision would be a possible and desirable alternative instead of total mastectomy in the management of early breast cancers, analyzed cases were too small and follow up period was too short to evaluate the therapeutic effect of primary radiotherapy after local excision, exactly.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Mastectomy ; Mastectomy, Simple ; Prospective Studies ; Radiotherapy* ; Retrospective Studies