PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate factors related to middle-aged women's health beliefs and their intention to practice health behaviors for preventing and improving hypertension. METHODS: The participants were 319 middle-aged(40-59 years) women who lived G city. Data was collected from January to February, 2005. Personal interviews were performed. The data was analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's multiple comparison test and hierarchial multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Perceived susceptibility of health belief was high in those who had higher educational level, disease history and health education experience, significantly(p<0.05). Perceived seriousness was high in those who had higher educational level, middle economic status and health education experience, significantly(p<0.05). Perceived benefits was high in those who had higher educational level and perceived barriers was low in those who had disease history and hypertension, significantly(p<0.05). The subject's intention to practice health behaviors was significantly high in those who were younger, who had higher educational level and menopausal status(p<0.05). In hierarchial multiple regression analysis, the subject's intention was related to perceived seriousness, perceived benefit and educational level, significantly(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is necessary to develope the education programs which can increase the subject's health belief and intention to practice health behaviors towards hypertension in middle-aged women.
Education ; Female ; Health Behavior* ; Health Education ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Intention* ; Women's Health*

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effects of an oral vitamin supplementation on cognitive function in the elderly, 254 elderly people(experiment group) who were received an oral vitamin supplement for one-year was compared with 292 elderly who were treated as the control group in Koje city during the study period(from February 1997 to March 1998). METHODS: The cognitive function was tested by mini-mental state examination Korea(MMSE-K). Multiple regression analysis was done to control other confounding variables such as gender, age, educational level, smoking, alcohol, a past 15-day medical history, satisfaction for living cost, family number, cognitive function of the baseline survey. RESULTS: In the baseline survey, the prevalence of cognitive impairment was 31%(mild impairment 12.5% and severe impairment 18.5%). There was a significant difference(0.76) in cognitive change in the elderly between two groups, 0.68 improved in the experiment group and 0.08 worsen in the control group(p<0.01). In multiple regression analysis, the significant variables were an oral vitamin supplementation, a past 15-day medical history, family number, cognitive function of baseline survey(p<0.05). The improvement of cognitive function was observed in those who do not have a past 15-day medical history, have a large family number, and have a low cognitive function of the baseline survey. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that an oral vitamin supplementation was effective in improving the cognitive function in the elderly and more effective in the cases with abnormal cognitive function.
Aged* ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Gyeongsangnam-do ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Vitamins*

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of argyrophilic nucleoalr organizer regions (AgNORs) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by using DMBA hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis which provides a good experimental model in reproducing steps from precancerous lesions to invasive squamous cell carcinomas. The buccal pouches of 50 Syrian hamsters were applied with 0.5% DMBA in mineral oil three times a week to reproduce various lesions from precancerous ones such as hyperkeratosis or epithelial dysplasia to invasive squamous cell carcinomas. Their sections were stained with H & E, and silver colloid, and processed immunohistochemically by being applied with monoclonal antibody to PCNA. The histopathologic examainations were done and the counts of AgNORs were evaluated. The PCNA labelling indices on each lesions were evaluated. The correlation between histopathological grades and counts of AgNORs or PCNA labelling indices were evaluated. The number of AgNORs was 2.22+/-0.22 in control group, 3.46+/-0.72 in carcinoma in situ (CIS), 3.78+/-0.63 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), respectively. AgNORs significantly increased in severe epithelial dysplasia, CIS, and SCC compared with normal tissue (P<0.05). The PCNA Labeling Index (LI) was 39.47+/-6.68% in control group, 79.61+/-4.14% in CIS, and 85.43+/-6.25% in SCC, respectively. PCNA LI also significantly increased in epithelial dysplasia, CIS, and SCC compared with normal tissue (P<0.05). The number of AgNORs, AgNOR area, and PCNA LI slightly increased in the advancing front than in the center of SCC, but, it was not statistically significant. It appeared that there were a good correlation between the number of AgNORs and PCNA LI (Pierson correlation coefficient : 0.649, P<0.001). These results suggested that the number of AgNORs and the PCNA LI could be useful markers for evaluating the risk of malignant transformation and prognosis of SCC. It was thought that the clinical usefulness of these markers should be verified by using human tissue specimens.
9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene ; Animals ; Carcinogenesis* ; Carcinoma in Situ ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Colloids ; Cricetinae* ; Humans ; Mesocricetus ; Mineral Oil ; Models, Theoretical ; Prognosis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen* ; Silver

Transeurethral Radiofrequency (TURF) Thermotherapy is a new acceptable treatment modality for benign prostatic hyperplasia. We treated 70 cases of BPH patients by TURF Thermotherapy (THERMEX-II). Among them, we got a follow-up observation on 37 patients (urinary retention: 16 cases, non-urinary retention:21 cases) each at 1 month and 3 months after treatment. Mean age of patients was 69.1 years and their mean prostatic weight was 40.5gr by transrectal prostatic ultrasonogram. All patients were treated single session for 2 hours without any sedation, and well tolerated with the temperature of 47-48degree. We evaluate patients with Boyarsky symptom score, urine flow rate, volume of residual urine and patient`s subjective symptoms before and after treat- The results were as follows ; 1. The mean Boyarsky symptom score was 15.4 before treatment, it became 9.9 at 1 month and 8.8 at 3 months after treatment. 2. In the retention patients : Mean maximal flow rate was 6.53ml/sec at 1 month. 8.47ml/sec at 3 months, and residual urine was 70ml at 1 month, 57ml at 3 months after treatment. 3. In the non-retention patients : Mean maximal flow rate increased from 4.74ml/sec to 10.29ml/ sec at 1 month. 10.76ml/sec at 3 months, and residual urine decreased from 60.7ml/ to 20ml at 1 month. 17.2ml at 3 months after treatment. 4. Complications were acute urinary retention (14.3% ) and gross hematuria (8.1%), but it was resolved by conservative treatment. There were no urinary tract infection, bladder spasm or other complications after treatment. We conclude TURF thermotherapy is one of the good and safe treatment in benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Follow-Up Studies ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Spasm ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Retention ; Urinary Tract Infections

The determination of the residual urine volume is an essential part of the investigation of many urological patients. particularly those with suspected urinary outflow obstruction. In 31 patients, we measured 3 internal bladder diameters ( height, width and depth) by transabdominal ultrasonography and calculated the residual urine volume by formula for ellipsoid (V= phi /6 xH xW xD).The real volume was obtained by the catheterization and compared with the sonographic measurement. There was a best correlation (r=0.9748) between calculated and true volumes provided a correction factor of 1.15 was applied. The advantages of ultrasonography for assessing residual urine volume are that it is simple, quick, harmless, non-invasive and readily repeatable. If the basic equipment is available, the ultrasonography should replace the catheterization.
Catheterization ; Catheters ; Humans ; Ultrasonography* ; Urinary Bladder

An immunohistochemical study on the tissue localization of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), human placental lactogen (HPL), and human pregnancy specific bata-1 glycoprotein (SP-1) in the non-neoplastic (5 incomplete abortion, 5 ectopic pregnancy) and neoplastic (hydatidiform mole 3 cases, 5 ectopic pregnancy) and neoplastic (hydatidiform mole 3 cases, choriocarcinoma 2 cases) gestational status, and germ cell tumors of the ovary (dysgerminoma 2 cases, immature teratoma 1 case) and the testis (seminoma 2 cases, endodermal sinus tumor 1 case) by means of sensitive peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. The results were as follows. 1) Cytoplasmic HCG, HPL, and SP-1 were readily identified in syncytiotrophoblasts of chorionic villi of the incomplete abortion and ectopic pregnancy, as moderate to strong positive reactions. In the cytoplasm of the neoplastic syncytiotrophblasts of hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma, positive reactions were stronger than in non-neoplastic syncytiotrophblasts. but the cytotrophoblasts and villous stromal cells showed negative reactions to these hormones. 2) All of the tumor cells of dysgerminoma and immature teratoma of the ovary, and seminoma and endodermal sinus tumor of the testis showed negative reactions to HCG, HPL, and SP-1. According to these results, HCG, HPL, and SP-1 are specifically synthesized and secreted by normal or neoplastic syncytiotrophoblasts Malignant tumors originated from other cells or tissues than trophoblastic cells show elevated serum concentration of these hormones are only evident in the presence of syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells among the tumor cells.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans

Moyamoya disease is characterized by progressive stenosis of internal carotid artery and shows unique angioraphic findings. Its etiology is still unknown, and theories of immunophysiologic and inflammatory mechanisms remain unproven. These patients show various neurologic symptons by cerebral ischemia, infarction and gemorrhage. and they also show various ophthalmologic symptoms. We experienced that a 21-year-old female who was diagnosed to have moyamoya disease presented with a suddenly developed occipital headache and neurologic deficit. The etiology of her characteristic fundus findings was thought to be retinal vascular insufficiency.
Brain Ischemia ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Financial Management* ; Headache ; Humans ; Infarction ; Moyamoya Disease* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Retinaldehyde* ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: This study was purposed to study the therapeutic value of intraluminal oxygen insufflation on the oxygenation of gut mucosa in a feline model subjected to a hemorrhagic shock followed by reperfusion. METHODS: Eighteen cats were divided into three groups : For group 1, 6 cats were subjected to sham operation as a control group ; for group 2, 6 cats were subjected to a hemorrhagic shock for 2 hours prior to reperfusion as a hemorrhagic shock(HS) group ; for group 3, 6 cats were subjected to a simultaneous insufflation of intraluminal oxygen, continued during the shock and reperfusion periods as a oxygenated hemorrhagic shock(OHS) group. Mesenteric PvO2, mesenteric venous arterial(v-a) lactate difference, mesenteric P(v-a)CO2 and mesenteric pH(a-v) were measured for every 30 minutes during the shock and reperfusion. RESULTS: The lactate(v-a) was increased during the shock. For group OHS, the lactate(v-a) returned to the baseline value after reperfusion, but for group HS, it did not return. The values of pH(v-a) and P(v-a)CO2 were increased during the shock and returned to the baseline value for group OHS, but for group HS, the increase was greater than group OHS(p<0.05), but not returned to the baseline value after reperfusion. For both pH(v-a) and P(v-a)CO2, there were statistically significant differences(p<0.05) between group HS and group OHS during the shock and reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the insufflation of intraluminal oxygen improves the oxygenation of gut mucosa in the feline model undergone a hemorrhagic shock followed by reperfusion.
Animals ; Cats* ; Insufflation* ; Lactic Acid ; Mucous Membrane* ; Oxygen* ; Reperfusion ; Shock ; Shock, Hemorrhagic

BACKGROUND: Video-assisted thoracic sympathicotomy is a safe and effective therapy for the treatment of essential hyperhidrosis with immediate symptomatic improvement. However, this is offset by the occurrence of a high rate of side effects, such as embarrassing compensatory hyperhidrosis. Therefore, by comparing and assessing the degree of symptomatic improvement or compensatory sweating following sympathicotomy at various levels and the extent of block, we are to determine the optimal level of sympathicotomy and which method will result in minimal side effects and maximal benefits. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1998 to June 2001, the thoracoscopic sympathicotomy was performed in 150 patients suffering from essential hyperhidrosis in the Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Wonkwang University Hospital. The patients were divided into three groups. Group I(n=50): patients having undergone T2,3,4 sympathicotomy, Group II(n=50): patients having undergone T2 sympathicotomy which consist of blocking the interganglionic neural fiber on the second rib, and group III(n=50): patients having undergone T3 sympathicotomy which consist of blocking the interganglionic neural fiber on the third rib. The parameters were composed of the satisfaction rate of treatment, the degree of compensatory sweating, postoperative complications, and changes of plantar sweating. RESULTS: There was no difference in age and sex among the groups. All of the treated patients obtained satisfactory alleviation of essential hyperhidrosis in immediate postoperative period. However the rate of long-term satisfaction were 80%, 92%, and 96% in groups I, II, and III respectively(p<0.05). More than embarrassing compensatory hyperhidrosis was present in 50%, 28%, and 18% in groups I, II, and III respectively(p<0.05). Slight but comfortable amounts of palmar humidness was expressed in decreasing order, group III(34%), group II(6%), and group I(4%) respectively (p<0.05). In regard to plantar sweating, decrease in sweating was expressed in each of the three groups, but was not significant between the groups. CONCLUSION: we suggested that the incidence and degree of compensatory hyperhidrosis is closely related to the site and the extent of thoracic sympathicotomy. The resection of the lower interganglionic neural fiber of the second thoracic sympathetic ganglion on the third rib is a practical and minimally invasive method for the treatment of essential hyperhidrosis than other surgical methods. It showed less incidence and degree of compensatory truncal hyperhidrosis and facial anhidrosis, and also caused lesser dryness of hand.
Ganglia, Sympathetic ; Hand ; Humans ; Hyperhidrosis* ; Hypohidrosis ; Incidence ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period ; Ribs ; Sweat ; Sweating

The radiation-induced apoptosis was studied for two human cancer cell lines (KB cells, RPMI 2650 cells) and the human gingival fibroblast cell line (HGF-1 cells). The single irradiation of 2, 10, 20Gy was done with 241.5 cGy/min dose rate using the 137Cs MK cell irradiator. The cell were stained with propidium iodide and examined under the fluoro-microscope and assayed with the flow cytometry a day after irradiation. Also, the LDH assay was done to determine the amount of necrotic cells. The obtained results were as follows : 1. On the fluoro-microscope, many fragmented nuclei were detected in the KB, RPMI 2650, and HGF-1 cells after irradiation. 2. On the DNA content histogram obtained from the flow cytometry, the percentages of the pre-G1 peak of the control and 2, 10 and 20Gy irradiation group were 4.5, 55.0, 52.3, and 66.6% on KB cells, 2.7, 3.3, 31.8, and 32.6% on RPMI 2650 cells and 2.8, 21.8, 30.4, and 40.2% on HGF-1 cells respectively. 3. The number of G1-stage cells was abruptly decreased after 2Gy irradiation on KB cells and 10Gy irradiation on RPMI 2650 cells, But there was a slight decrease without regard to irradiation dose on HGF-1 cells. 4. There was no significantly different absorbance in extracellular LDH assay along the experimental cell lines.
Apoptosis* ; Cell Line* ; DNA ; Fibroblasts* ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans* ; KB Cells ; Propidium