PURPOSE: The study was conducted to identify predictors of mammography screening for rural Korean women according to 'Stage of Change' from the Transtheoretical Model which, along with the Health Belief Model, formed the theoretical basis for this study. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive design was utilized. Through convenience sampling 432 women were selected from 2 rural areas. Data were collected by survey. Health beliefs constructs were measured with Champion's HBM Scale-Korea version. Mammography participation was measured using the Stage of Mammography Adoption Scale developed by Rakowski, et al. (1992). RESULTS: The most frequent stage of mammography adoption was 'contemplation' (40.5%). Predictors of stage of mammography adoption included 'mammogram recommended by health professional' (beta=0.59, t=16.12, p=.000), 'perceived benefits' (beta=0.09, t=2.21, p=.050), 'perceived susceptibility' (beta=0.09, t=1.98, p=.050), and 'perceived barriers' (beta= 0.07, t= -2.05, p=.041). 'Mammogram recommended by health professional' demonstrated the greatest association with having a mammogram. CONCLUSION: Health professionals play key roles in improving mammography participation and should recognize the importance of their role in cancer prevention and be more actively involved in education and counseling on prevention of breast cancer.
Rural Population ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/*psychology ; Models, Psychological ; Middle Aged ; Mammography/*utilization ; Korea ; Humans ; Female ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Analysis of Variance ; Aged ; Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to different stages of mammography screening based on the transtheoretical model (TTM) and health belief model (HBM). METHOD: 143 women were recruited from community centers in W city. The mean age was 44.08 (SD=7.78) and 74 (51.7%) had experienced education on preventative behavior related to breast cancer. The Decisional Balance Scale (Pros and Cons of mammography) and Stages of Adoption of Mammography Scale by Rakowski et al. (1992) and the revised Health Belief Model Scale (Perceived Seriousness, Perceived Susceptibility and Health Motivation) by Champion (1993) were used. RESULTS: According to the stage of adoption of mammography, 17.4% of the women were in pre-contemplation, 45.5% in contemplation, 24.5% in action, and 12.6% in maintenance. The mean differences for pros, and the decisional balances between the stages of mammography adoption were significant (F=8.84, p=.000; F=7.20, p=.000). Education related to prevention of breast cancer was the most important variable. Prevention education, history of breast disease and pros of mammography explained the stages of mammography adoption (R2=26%). CONCLUSION: Findings support TTM as a useful tool for improving mammography adherence. Behavioral interventions that target decisional balance and health belief can effectively promote adherence to mammography.
Breast Diseases ; Breast Neoplasms ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Mammography* ; Mass Screening*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to different stages of mammography screening based on the transtheoretical model (TTM) and health belief model (HBM). METHOD: 143 women were recruited from community centers in W city. The mean age was 44.08 (SD=7.78) and 74 (51.7%) had experienced education on preventative behavior related to breast cancer. The Decisional Balance Scale (Pros and Cons of mammography) and Stages of Adoption of Mammography Scale by Rakowski et al. (1992) and the revised Health Belief Model Scale (Perceived Seriousness, Perceived Susceptibility and Health Motivation) by Champion (1993) were used. RESULTS: According to the stage of adoption of mammography, 17.4% of the women were in pre-contemplation, 45.5% in contemplation, 24.5% in action, and 12.6% in maintenance. The mean differences for pros, and the decisional balances between the stages of mammography adoption were significant (F=8.84, p=.000; F=7.20, p=.000). Education related to prevention of breast cancer was the most important variable. Prevention education, history of breast disease and pros of mammography explained the stages of mammography adoption (R2=26%). CONCLUSION: Findings support TTM as a useful tool for improving mammography adherence. Behavioral interventions that target decisional balance and health belief can effectively promote adherence to mammography.
Breast Diseases ; Breast Neoplasms ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Mammography* ; Mass Screening*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to identify knowledge of, attitude toward, and the importance of, sexuality in the elderly. METHOD: By convenience sampling, 152 elderly people aged 60 and over who registered at 3 elderly schools located in W city were selected. Knowledge and attitude toward sexuality were measured with ASKAS. Perceived importance toward sexuality was measured with an instrument developed by the investigator. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: Elderly males, elderly couples, and elders perceiving themselves as healthy reported higher scores in knowledge on and the importance of sexuality. Elderly males, elders with higher education, and elders perceiving themselves as healthy showed a more acceptable attitude toward sexuality. The higher knowledge of sexuality, the more acceptable the sexuality. The higher knowledge of and more acceptable attitude toward sexuality, the higher significance of sexuality. CONCLUSIONS: Sexuality is an important issue in elderly life. To improve knowledge, positive views of sexuality, recognition of its importance, education and consulting programs on sexuality need to be developed, reflecting characteristics of the elderly. These programs should be provided not only to the elderly but also to people caring for the elderly and their families.
Aged ; Education ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Male ; Research Personnel ; Sexuality*

Mucin-hypersecreting biliary neoplasm excretes excessive mucin that fills the biliary tree and results in marked dilatation of the bile ducts and obstructive jaundice. In these neoplasm, the mucin produced by the tumor rather than the tumor itself plays an important role in clinical course and radiologic patterns. The purpose of this paper is to report characteristic radiologic patterns of mucin-hypersecreting biliary neoplasms in two cases. These neoplasms were characterized by not only multilocular cystic hepatic mass or extra-hepatic bile duct mass resulting in marked biliary dilatation distal to the mass on US or CT, but also change of shape and extent of amorphous filling defects in the markedly dilated bile duct on serial cholangiograms.
Bile Ducts ; Biliary Tract ; Dilatation ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; Mucins

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for breast cancer and early screening behavior in women in the community. METHOD: The participants were 125 women residing in W city. Data was collected using an instrument developed by the researchers. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics, and the x2 test. RESULT: For risk based on the Gail Model, age (above 50 years) had a distribution of 24.8%, first degree family history, 4.9%, age at first full term pregnancy, 13.8%, and benign breast cancer history, 4.9%. For risk based on other common risk factors, menopause had a distribution of 20.7%, did not breast feed, 15.4%, history of HRT, 7.3%, meat preference, 35.0%, and history of smoking or drinking, 2.4% and 43.5%, respectively. There was a significant difference in BSE and mammography screening behavior (x2=22.5, p< .00), but no difference in distribution of risk factors and screening behavior. CONCLUSION: For effective prevention of breast cancer, it is necessary to develop an instrument for risk assessment and, through assessment, select women at high risk. It is also necessary to provide education and appropriate recommendations on screening behavior.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast Self-Examination ; Breast* ; Drinking ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Mammography ; Mass Screening* ; Meat ; Menopause ; Pregnancy ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors* ; Smoke ; Smoking

Polycystic kidney disease 2-like-1 (PKD2L1), also known as polycystin- L or TRPP3, is a non-selective cation channel that regulates intracellular calcium concentration. Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium binding protein, consisting of N-lobe and C-lobe with two calcium binding EF-hands in each lobe. In previous study, we confirmed that CaM is associated with desensitization of PKD2L1 and that CaM Nlobe and PKD2L1 EF-hand specifically are involved. However, the CaM-binding domain (CaMBD) and its inhibitory mechanism of PKD2L1 have not been identified. In order to identify CaM-binding anchor residue of PKD2L1, single mutants of putative CaMBD and EF-hand deletion mutants were generated. The current changes of the mutants were recorded with whole-cell patch clamp. The calmidazolium (CMZ), a calmodulin inhibitor, was used under different concentrations of intracellular. Among the mutants that showed similar or higher basal currents with that of the PKD2L1 wild type, L593A showed little change in current induced by CMZ. Co-expression of L593A with CaM attenuated the inhibitory effect of PKD2L1 by CaM. In the previous study it was inferred that CaM C-lobe inhibits channels by binding to PKD2L1 at 16 nM calcium concentration and CaM N-lobe at 100 nM. Based on the results at 16 nM calcium concentration condition, this study suggests that CaM C-lobe binds to Leu- 593, which can be a CaM C-lobe anchor residue, to regulate channel activity. Taken together, our results provide a model for the regulation of PKD2L1 channel activity by CaM.

Polycystic kidney disease 2-like-1 (PKD2L1), also known as polycystin- L or TRPP3, is a non-selective cation channel that regulates intracellular calcium concentration. Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium binding protein, consisting of N-lobe and C-lobe with two calcium binding EF-hands in each lobe. In previous study, we confirmed that CaM is associated with desensitization of PKD2L1 and that CaM Nlobe and PKD2L1 EF-hand specifically are involved. However, the CaM-binding domain (CaMBD) and its inhibitory mechanism of PKD2L1 have not been identified. In order to identify CaM-binding anchor residue of PKD2L1, single mutants of putative CaMBD and EF-hand deletion mutants were generated. The current changes of the mutants were recorded with whole-cell patch clamp. The calmidazolium (CMZ), a calmodulin inhibitor, was used under different concentrations of intracellular. Among the mutants that showed similar or higher basal currents with that of the PKD2L1 wild type, L593A showed little change in current induced by CMZ. Co-expression of L593A with CaM attenuated the inhibitory effect of PKD2L1 by CaM. In the previous study it was inferred that CaM C-lobe inhibits channels by binding to PKD2L1 at 16 nM calcium concentration and CaM N-lobe at 100 nM. Based on the results at 16 nM calcium concentration condition, this study suggests that CaM C-lobe binds to Leu- 593, which can be a CaM C-lobe anchor residue, to regulate channel activity. Taken together, our results provide a model for the regulation of PKD2L1 channel activity by CaM.

This study investigates the potential of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-generated cephalograms as a replacement for conventional lateral cephalograms (LCs) in children and adolescents. This retrospective study included 60 individuals, equally divided into permanent and mixed dentition groups. Both groups underwent conventional LCs and CBCT scans on the same day. LCs were then derived from CBCT scans. The same examiner performed digital measurements twice, with a week’s interval, identifying landmarks and obtaining 7 angular and 5 linear measurements. In the permanent dentition group, significant differences were observed between the two imaging modalities for 6 angular and 2 linear measurements. In the mixed dentition group, significant differences were observed for 3 angular and 2 linear measurements. However, none of these differences exceeded the clinically acceptable limit of 2.0º or 2.0 mm. No significant differences in any measurement were found between the two groups (p < 0.05). CBCT-generated LCs demonstrated comparable results with good reliability in both dentition groups, suggesting their potential as suitable alternatives for children and adolescents who require CBCT for clinical purposes.

This study investigates the potential of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-generated cephalograms as a replacement for conventional lateral cephalograms (LCs) in children and adolescents. This retrospective study included 60 individuals, equally divided into permanent and mixed dentition groups. Both groups underwent conventional LCs and CBCT scans on the same day. LCs were then derived from CBCT scans. The same examiner performed digital measurements twice, with a week’s interval, identifying landmarks and obtaining 7 angular and 5 linear measurements. In the permanent dentition group, significant differences were observed between the two imaging modalities for 6 angular and 2 linear measurements. In the mixed dentition group, significant differences were observed for 3 angular and 2 linear measurements. However, none of these differences exceeded the clinically acceptable limit of 2.0º or 2.0 mm. No significant differences in any measurement were found between the two groups (p < 0.05). CBCT-generated LCs demonstrated comparable results with good reliability in both dentition groups, suggesting their potential as suitable alternatives for children and adolescents who require CBCT for clinical purposes.