BACKGROUND: Recently in Europe, some epidemiologic studies reported that various physical symptoms and social, psychological wellbeing are related to low blood pressure. But in Korea, none has been studied on symptoms related to low blood pressure yet. In this study, we would like to see if the somatic symptoms and social, psychological wellbeing shown t,o be related to low SBP is truly associated with it. METHODS: Questionnaire interview was done to the people who have visited Department of family practice in two university hospitals and two health promotion center from April, 1996 to August, 1996. Seven somatic symptoms and Psychosocial Wellbeing Index(PWI) for the evaluation of social, psychological health status were included in the questionnaire. SAS statistics packages was used in statistical precess. We used logistic regression to see the frequency of somatic symptoms related to the systolic blood pressure(SBP) group and the confirmation of confounding variables was done by ANOVA. RESULTS: Total of 304 completed the questionnaire. Average age was 44 years old and average SBP was 115.4+/-16.4. 84 of them (27.6%) felt that they had a low BP & 69 were women compared to 21 men, being meaningfully more common. 107(35.2%) people answered that they had heard that their blood pressure was low and 66% were from doctors. Only 32(38.1%) of the group who felt of having hypotensive symptoms and 38 of the group who heard of having hypotension actually had SBP of below 100 mmHg. Vocation, income, smoking & alcohol history, present illness, marital status were not significant as a confounding variable. SBP of 100 or below group had a less presentation of fatigue & significantly higher PWI than the group of above 100mmHg (p<0.05). The group who felt that they had a low BP had more complaints of fatigue, dizziness, palpitation, cold hands and feet and had significnatly higher PWI than the group who didnt. CONCLUSIONS: SBP of 100mmHg or below group has more frequent manifestion of fatigue and low level of sociopsycholgiacl health index than the above 100mmHg group. But most of the people who complained of hypotensive symptoms didnt have low blood pressure and a lot of them misunderstand of having low blood pressure and after checking blood pressure by doctors, so great deal of caution is called for when seeing patients.
Adult ; Blood Pressure* ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Dizziness ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Europe ; Family Practice ; Fatigue ; Female ; Foot ; Hand ; Health Promotion ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Marital Status ; Occupations ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

GVHD (Graft-versus-Host Disease) results from the cytotoxic T lymphocytes from the bone marrow recognizing the recipient's minor histocompatibility antigens. In experimental murine models, either CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell subsets can cause GVHD, depending upon the particular strain combination utilized. Recent studies suggest that the keratinocyte undergo apoptosis in GVHD. However, morphological data supporting this concept are still lacking. The present study was undertaken in order to document apoptosis in experimental acute GVHD via sequential analysis of ultrastructure .Acute GVHD was produced across minor histocompatibility loci using appropriately matched murine strains. Acute GVHD was mediated with the use of highly purified preparations of donor CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets. Whole T cells were used as a positive control and T cell depleted bone marrow as a negative control. Conventional transmission electron microscopy was used to define apoptosis structurally Sequential ultrastructure revealed that the keratinocyte underwent apoptosis in CD4+, CD8+ and whole T cell groups. This study demonstrates the sequential ultrastructure of the keratinocyte undergoing apoptosis from the beginning to the end. Both of the basal and the suprabasal keratinocytes show the morphology of early apoptosis, and the detachment of the tonofibril from the basement membrane and the adjacent cell was the general findings in the apoptotic cell Sequences of the cytoplasmic condensation was demonstrated . Through ultrastructural quantitation the apoptotic indices were depicted in all the experimental groups. Characteristically, numerous lymphocytes underwent apoptosis in CD8+ groups at day 28 and 35.
Apoptosis* ; Basement Membrane ; Bone Marrow Transplantation* ; Bone Marrow* ; Cytoplasm ; Epidermis* ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Lymphocytes ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Minor Histocompatibility Antigens ; Minor Histocompatibility Loci ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; Tissue Donors

No abstract available.
Thorax*

No abstract available.
Death Certificates* ; Korea*

PURPOSE: In cases of patients who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BPHA) for treatment of a pertrochanteric fracture, we compared and analyzed the amount of blood loss and complications between a group using the cemented stem and a group using the cementless stem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 104 patients who underwent BPHA for treatment of a pertrochanteric fracture in our hospital for three years and 10 months (From January 2008 to October 2011) were included in this study. Among the 104 patients, 64 patients with a cemented stem were categorized into group 1, and the other 40 patients with an uncemented stem were categorized into group 2. Before surgery, the type of stem was determined by the bone quality of the proximal femur, which had been evaluated with a simple X-ray. Then, after surgery, the amount of blood loss and complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Expected blood loss during the operation was 389.8 cc in group 1, and 395.3 cc in group 2(P=0.88). Postoperatively, average drained blood loss was 219.6 cc in group 1, and 338.1 cc in group 2. Cemented stem was associated with significantly less blood loss (P=0.004). The average operation time in group 1 and in group 2 was 96 minutes and 72 minutes. There was no significant difference in operating time (P=0.85). In addition, there was no difference in INR (International Normalized Ratio) and BMI (Body Mass Index) (P=0.28 and 0.08) regarding total amount of postoperatively drained blood loss. There was no occurrence of hypotensive shock or fatal pulmonary embolism in either group. Three cases of periprosthetic fracture occurred in group 2. CONCLUSION: Fewer occurrences of postoperative blood loss and fewer complications were observed in the cemented stem group than in the cementless stem group. Preoperative evaluation of bone quality and use of the cement stem for patients with poor bone quality may be a good treatment method that can help to reduce complications.
Femur ; Hemiarthroplasty ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydroxylamines ; International Normalized Ratio ; Periprosthetic Fractures ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Shock

BACKGROUND: In spite of the establishment of chemotherapy and the gradual decrease in prevalence, pulmonary tuberculosis is still mainly treated with an operation. Through analyzing and examining some cases of surgical treatment, we hope to provide some help in treating of pulmonary tuberculosis in the future. MATERIAL AND METHOD: By comparing four journals previously published in our department with 144 cases of lung surgery during ten years from January of 1991 to December of 2000 performed by the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery of the National Medical Center, we analyzed and reviewed the most recent trends and the results of the surgical treatment. Annual frequency of the operation, distribution of age, examination of sputum, adaptability and types of techniques, complications, and results of the postoperative follow-up were used as methods. RESULT: It was found that the annual frequency of operations had decreased. The ratio of men to women, 2:1 indicates that there are more incidences in men. Aging of patients could be speculated by the results that the decrease in the incidence rate in the 20s age range and increase rate in the 50s age range. The range of preoperative lesions belonged mostly to far advanced and moderately advanced tuberculosis. By monitoring the period of use in preoperative antituberculosis drugs, cases for more than 3 years remarkably increased from 16.0 % to 55.6 %. The positive reactive rate for preoperative sputum examinations were drastically decreased from 91 % to 27 %. Total pulmonary destruction and partial destruction were the most common cases in terms of adaptability to the operations and there were significant increases in forming empyema accompanied by parenchymal lesions from 4.0 % to 20.1 %. Pneumonectomy and pulmonary lobectomy were the major type of operations. Especially, there were increases in the incident rate of empyema and recurrence of tuberculosis resulted. Post operative follow-up indicates that the rate of complete recovery was more than 70 % and the rate of gradual increase in treating with persistent antituberculosis drug was from 5.8 % to 18.0 %. CONCLUSION: In recent cases, there is an increasing number of patients showing tolerance to chemotherapy. Patients with pleural tuberculosis and severe lesions were typically increased. It is important to accurately analyze those complaints accurately that are mostly difficult to be treated medically. Surgical treatment is strongly recommended Before multiple drug resistance occurs.
Aging ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Therapy ; Empyema ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hope ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung ; Male ; Pneumonectomy ; Prevalence ; Recurrence ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pleural ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a daily dose of tadalafil 5 mg as well as its safety for the cardiovascular system in men with erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included a total of 162 men who were administered a daily dose of tadalafil 5 mg between April and December of 2009. A total of 127 men completed the 8-week clinical trial. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured before treatment with tadalafil (V1) and 4 (V2) and 8 weeks (V3) after treatment with tadalafil. Adverse effects were assessed at V1, V2, and V3. In cases in which the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was > or =8 at V1, maximal flow rate (Qmax) and postvoid residual volume (PVR) were measured. RESULTS: The IIEF-5 values were 11.25+/-3.18, 14.56+/-3.79, and 16.91+/-3.56 at V1, V2, and V3, respectively, with significant improvement (V1 vs. V2, p<0.001; V1 vs. V3, p<0.001). The IPSS values were 10.59+/-5.56, 9.07+/-6.06, and 8.15+/-6.10 at V1, V2, and V3, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (V1 vs. V2, p<0.001; V1 vs. V3, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in blood pressure or heart rate. Adverse effects were observed in 7 men (5.51%) at V2 and in 5 men (3.94%) at V3. CONCLUSIONS: Tadalafil 5 mg administered once-a-day may be effective in improving erectile function. Adverse effects on the cardiovascular system may be minimal. In addition, it is believed that this may also be effective in improving voiding symptoms.
Blood Pressure ; Carbolines ; Cardiovascular System ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Prostate ; Residual Volume ; Treatment Outcome ; Tadalafil

A thermal neutron beam facility utilizing a typical tangential beam port for Neutron Capture Therapy was installed at the HANARO, 30 MW multi-purpose research reactor. Mixed beams with different physical characteristics and relative biological effectiveness would be emitted from the BNCT irradiation facility, so a quantitative analysis of each component of the mixed beams should be performed to determine the accurate delivered dose. Thus, various techniques were applied including the use of activation foils, TLDs and ionization chambers. All the dose measurements were performed with the water phantom filled with distilled water. The results of the measurement were compared with MCNP4B calculation. The thermal neutron fluxes were 1.02E9 n/cm2 s and 6.07E8 n/cm2 s at 10 and 20 mm depth respectively, and the fast neutron dose rate was insignificant as 0.11 Gy/hr at 10 mm depth in water. The gamma-ray dose rate was 5.10 Gy/hr at 20 mm depth in water. Good agreement within 5%, has been obtained between the measured dose and the calculated dose using MCNP for neutron and gamma component and discrepancy with 14% for fast neutron flux. Considering the difficulty of neutron detection, the current study support the reliability of these results and confirmed the suitability of the thermal neutron beam as a dosimetric data for BNCT clinical trials.
Fast Neutrons ; Neutron Capture Therapy* ; Neutrons* ; Relative Biological Effectiveness ; Water

The ultimate objective of our experiment is to obtain the precise distribution of temperature in malignant tumors occurring in cerebral parenchyma of human beings when we will carry out interstitial hyperthermia in the near future. To achieve this purpose, first of all, it is necessary to make an attempt at performing interstitial hyperthermia in vivo under the similar condition of human beings. Moreover, it is also necessary to get the basic data from dynamic phantom in order to standardize and compare results obtained from interstitial hyperthermia carried out in cats. By having performed these experiments we got the following results. 1) On doing interstitial hyperthermia with 915 MHz microwave, the possible treated volume was 2cm by 2cm by 6cm according to 50% specific absorption rate (SAR). 2) The distribution of temperature within non-circulated static phantom was much the same as power density in air, but we observed that the temperature, within 5~10 minutes, rose to more higher than 55degrees C not measure with ga-As fiberoptic termistor which was not impeded by microwave after performing interstitial hyperthermia. 3) Within dynamic phantom in which normal saline was circulating, temperature reached steady state which was maintained for more than 45 minutes through transit period in 5 minutes after starting interstitial hyperthermia. 4) When we interrupted circulation in the dynamic phantom, we observed that temperature rose to the same level as in the static phantom. 5) We could carry out interstitial hyperthermia safely when we used the generating power below 5 watts. Abrupt interruption of circulation caused a rapid increase in temperature. Times taking to rise to maximum 55degrees C were 15.2 minutes (SE 0.4), 9.7 minutes (SE 0.3), and 6.3 minutes (SE 0.4) respectively with generating powers of 5, 10, and 15 watts.
Absorption ; Animals ; Brain* ; Cats ; Fever* ; Humans ; Microwaves

PURPOSE: To predict the malignant potential of prostate cancer (PCa) according to prostate-specific antigen velocity (PSAV), PSA density (PSAD), free/total PSA ratio (%fPSA), and digital rectal examination (DRE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2012, 548 adult male patients were diagnosed with PCa by prostate biopsy at four hospitals in Korea. We retrospectively analyzed 155 adult male patients with an initial PSA level < or =10 ng/mL and whose PSA levels had been checked more than two times at least 6 months before they had been diagnosed with PCa, with test intervals of more than 3 months. Patients with a urinary tract infection, and patients who had previously undergone cystoscopy or surgery of the prostate were excluded. We separated patients into two groups according to Gleason sum [Gleason sum < or =7 (n=134) or Gleason sum > or =8 (n=21)] and the presence of extracapsular invasion [organ confined (n=129) or extracapsular invasion (n=26)]. Differences between the groups were compared. RESULTS: The group with a Gleason sum > or =8 or extracapsular invasion of PCa showed high PSAV and significantly lower %fPSA. There were no significant differences in PSAD and the presence of an abnormality on DRE between two groups. CONCLUSION: In PCa patients treated with other therapies besides prostatectomy, a high PSA velocity and a low %fPSA may predict high grade PCa with a Gleason sum > or =8 or the presence of extracapsular invasion.
Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy, Needle ; Digital Rectal Examination ; Humans ; Kinetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Grading ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Prostate/*pathology ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/*blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*pathology/surgery ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Tumor Burden