OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the value of resistance index(RI) and pulsatility index(PI) to differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian tumors by color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound. METHODS: 129 ovarian tumors identified with ultrasound were referred for color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound evaluation to calculate the lowest RI and PI, and the corresponding histopathologic diagnosis was recorded. RESULTS: The intratumor artery waveforms were obtained in 37.1%(36 of 97) of benign tumors and in 91.0%(29 of 32) of the malignant group. RI and PI were lower in malignant tumors than in benign tumors(p<0.01). Also, there was a significant incremental decrease in both indices value from the benign tumor toward borderline malignancy(p<0.05) and to invasive ovarian cancer(p<0.01). But, there was no significant difference in both indices value according to the FIGO stage of ovarian malignancy. For RI cut-off value of 0.6, sensitivity and specificity were 89.7% and 91.7%; for PI cut-off value of 1.1, 86.2% and 91.7%. Therefore, the most accurate cut-off values of RI and PI were 0.6 and 1.1, respectively. CONCLUSION: RI and PI calculated by color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound can help in the diagnosis and selection of treatment plan of ovarian tumors, especially when the morphological finding of ovarian tumor is equivocal. And during the follow up of benign tumors, both indicies can give us the clue of malignant potential of benign tumors.
Arteries ; Diagnosis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

Tatbion is a tripeptide, reduced form of Glutathione(GSH or p-glutamyl-cysteiny1 -glycine). Glutathione(SH compound)is believed to inhibit melanin formation by combining witb the copper in tyrnsinase whicb is essential in the conversion of tyrosine to DOPA (3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) and DOPA to DOPA-quinone or by forming cornplex with the intermediate in the tyrosine-to-melaa.in reaction. The effect of Tathion in the treatment of melasma has not been reported in Korea. We have observed the effect of Tatbion in 150 patients with melasma. After the average duration of Gwks of treatment(50-100mg tree tirnes/daily), we were abIe to grade the results as follow. Excellent(Pigmentation almost disappeared): 17. 4 % Good (Pigmentation markedly improved): 56. 7% Fair (Pigmentation slightly improved: 7. 3% None (No effect) : 18.6% The result showed relatively good effects of Tathion in the treatment of 122pts (81.4%) with melasma in total. The brief review of literature on the treatment of melasma was undertaken.
Copper ; Dihydroxyphenylalanine ; Glutathione* ; Humans ; Korea ; Melanins ; Melanosis* ; Tyrosine

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a health information web site evaluation categories with items for diabetes mellitus in order to offer verified health information, and to propose directions for development of web sites. METHODS: A preliminary evaluation categories with items was developed using domestic and foreign web site evaluation standards for health information and through a review of the literature. The evaluation categories with items was composed of 'evaluation for web site attributes' and 'evaluation for content information on diabetes mellitus'. Through expert validity tests and a feasibility test of the preliminary tool, the health information Web site evaluation tool for diabetes mellitus was finalized. RESULTS: This evaluation categories with items included 'evaluation for web site attributes' and 'evaluation for content information on diabetes mellitus'. 'Evaluation for web site attributes' included 8 categories with 28 items. The 'evaluation for content information on diabetes mellitus' included 7 categories with 40 items. 'Evaluation component for content' and 'evaluation of category content' included 4 items on 'accuracy', 6 on 'harmfulness' and 3 on 'comprehensibility'. CONCLUSION: From this study guidelines are propose for providing health information for diabetes mellitus, so that health information providers will be able to offer consumers verified good quality health information themselves.
Diabetes Mellitus*

Computer-Assisted Instruction(CAI) is one kind of teaching method to teach leaners knowledge, attitude, and technical aspect of course contents through utilizing a computer as a learning material. CAI is focused on the concept of interaction and individualized learning. Thus in teaching and learning process CAI is considered the individual differences of learners. And learners can study course contents repeatedly through utilizing courseware. Based on the importance of individualized learning program through utilizing a computer the courseware of infection control was developed to acquire and apply the appropriate knowledge for controlling infection for learners.
Individuality ; Infection Control* ; Learning ; Teaching

Purpose: This study was done clarify the concept of illness acceptance in patients with chronic disease. Methods: This study was conducted using a hybrid model of concept analysis that consists of three phases. In the theoretical phase, a working definition was formulated through a systematic review. In the fieldwork phase, five participants who had diabetes or hypertension for at least one year were interviewed. In the third phase, the results were combined in the final analysis. Results: There are three phases of accepting an illness: experiencing the limits, disease management, and designing new life. At the experience of the limits and disease management stages, the attributes of physical, psychological and social domains were derived, but at the stage of designing their new life, integrated attributes of these three domains were derived. Conclusion Illness acceptance of chronic disease was defined as a continuous and dynamic process in three phases. First, patients experience limitations due to the disease, such as physical illness, psychological instability, and difficulty performing social roles. Second, patients manage the disease by engaging in self-management, psychological coping strategies, and establishing social support. Third, patients design their new life by seeking better health-related quality of life and integrating the illness into their everyday life. However, patients experienced negative changes when disease management was not performed properly. The fact that illness acceptance could be cyclic means the difference between illness and loss/death acceptance. Nurse should develop and provide an integrated nursing intervention that is appropriate for phases of illness acceptance.

In pseudohypoparathyroidism as reported by Albright in 1942, the parathyroid gland can normally synthesize and secrete parathyroid hormone(PTH). Pseudohypoparathyroidism has a similar biochemical finding with hypoparathyroidisms like hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia due to target tissue resistance to PTH. Administered PTH does not raise the serum levels of calcium and urinary phosphate. PTH activates G-protein in peripheral tissue and adenylate cyclase through a second messenger, cAMP. Pseudohypoparathyroidism produces hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia because of the resistance to PTH in peripheral tissue due to a defect of G-protein, although it releases PTH normally. According to the mechanism of resistance, pseudohypoparathyroidism is classified into types: Ia, Ib, Ic and psedopseudohypoparathyroism. Type Ia is accompanied by congenital growth retardation and abnormal bony development that shows mental retardation, obesity, low height, round face, short metacarpal bone and metatarsal bone, ectopic calcification, etc. We report a case of pseudohypoparathyroidism in a premature who shows hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, elevation of serum PTH and 24 hr urinary basal c-AMP in biochemical tests without Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy at physical examination, accompanied by a spontaneous fracture in the femur.
Adenylyl Cyclases ; Calcium ; Femur ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; Humans ; Hyperphosphatemia ; Hypocalcemia ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intellectual Disability ; Metatarsal Bones ; Obesity ; Parathyroid Glands ; Physical Examination ; Pseudohypoparathyroidism* ; Second Messenger Systems

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to predict spontaneous labor onset delivery within 7 days in low risk pregnant women at 38 weeks' of gestation by ultrasonographic examination of cervical changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study included 110 singleton low risk pregnancies between 37(+0) and 37(+6) weeks of gestation. Fifteen cases were lost during follow-up and finally 95 pregnant women (58 nulliparous, 37 multiparous) were analysed. The study period was from Oct/2005 to May/2007. Four cervical changes (length, gland thickness, funneling and canal formation) were evaluated. Main outcome was remaining day to delivery after the examination. Remaining days to actual delivery with spontaneous labor onset were recorded and the pregnancies were divided into two groups according to remaining days (within 7 days, over 7 days) to compare predicting power of delivery within 7 days. ROC curves were drawn to find out cut-off values of cervical length and gland thickness. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were extracted from four cervical changes. RESULTS: Mean cervical length of pregnant women at 38 weeks' of gestation was 25.8 (+/-10.0) mm and mean cervical gland thickness was 4.3 (+/-1.2) mm. Funnelings of uterine cervix were detected in 13 cases (13.7%), canal formations in 6 cases (6.3%). All four cervical changes were statistically valuable to predict delivery within 7 days and the cervical length showed highest sensitivity. When the cervical length was measured under 20 mm, the possibility of delivery within 7 days was 78.6% (p<0.001). The cervical gland thickness less than 4 mm could predict the delivery within 7 days with sensitivity of 57.1% (p<0.01). Sensitivities of funneling and canal formation for delivery within 7 days were 54.5%, 36.4% each. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic examination of the cervical changes in low risk singleton pregnancy at 38 weeks' of gestation are valuable for predicting spontaneous labor onset delivery within 7 days. Among four cervical changes, cervical length is most sensitive ultrasonographic marker.
Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Labor Onset ; Parturition* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

To foster humanistic physician, and to support medical students with the many adjustment problems which they commonly encounter in medical school, more personal and closer relationships between faculty members and students are warranted. This study was carried out to investigate faculties' and student's perceptions of the mentoring program in Gachon medical school. A total of 90 faculty members and 131 students responded to questionnaires. Most of the faculties and students believe this program to hold an important role in medical education. While majority of faculty members thought that the most important purpose of the program is to develop student attitudes by being a positive role model, most students perceived the development of personal relationships with faculties as being the most important. In addition, both faculty members and students listed an interest in education, as well as compassion for students as being important characteristics of a good mentor. With regard to perceived or anticipated problems of this program, many faculty members pointed to a lack of time and experience, while students indicated faculty members' passive attitudes and lack of interest in cultivating relationships with students. Findings from this study suggest several directions for improvement. First, to encourage active participation, students and faculties must understand the purpose of this program. Second, a training program to develop mentoring abilities should be provided for faculty. Third, a network among cooperating services should be introduced to keep this program running more effectively. Further, mentors and students should have regular meetings to promote closer relationships between them. This improved faculty mentoring program can serve as a continuing basis to facilitate personal and professional development of medical students.
Education ; Education, Medical ; Empathy ; Humans ; Mentors* ; Running ; Schools, Medical* ; Students, Medical ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study aimed to investigate the cusp size and morphological characteristics of permanent mandibular molars in Koreans with reference to the hypoconulid, and to analyze the differences and correlations between both sexes as well as between first and second mandibular molars. We obtained data from dental casts of 110 adults (78 males and 32 females). Mesiodistal and buccolingual diameters of first and second mandibular molars, the area of five cusps (protoconid, metaconid, hypoconid, entoconid, and hypoconulid), as well as the total cusp area and occlusal table area were measured. Paired t-test was performed to analyze the morphological differences between first and second mandibular molars and the sex differences between both sexes using SPSS program. Crown diameters and cusp areas of mandibular first molars were larger than those of mandibular second molars in both sexes. The hypoconulid was the most variable in size and morphological pattern among the five cusps, and the first molars showed a higher incidence of hypoconulid than the second molars. Except for the entoconid area of the first molar (p=0.06) and the hypoconulid area of the second molar (p=0.24), all other mean values were larger in males than in females, demonstrating a significant sexual dimorphism. These data suggest that the teeth which develop late in ontogeny tend to be smaller in size and more variable in morphological characteristics.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Crowns ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Molar* ; Sex Characteristics ; Tooth

The recent prevalence of syphilis has known to be increased progressively throughout the world, since middle of 1950. In Korea, current trend of increased syphilic infection has became a major public health problem. The authors selected sero-positive patients, among the outpaients of department of dermatology, urology, OB & GY, and physical examination, and performed statistical analysis of this sero-positive patients. Results are as following; 1) Of the 2,007 patients taken physical examination, 30 patient(1.49%) were reactive to VDRL. 2) 0.71% of the total out patients of the dermatologic dcpartment were sero-positive. Annual ratio of the syphilitic patient were increased progressively. 3) Ratio of the syphilitic patients to the total outpatients of OB & GY department was 0.55% and somewhat increased since 1976. 4) In the age distribution, the third decade shared 51.8% of the total sero-positive patients 5) In the sexual ratio. male:female=l: l. 62 in the total sero-positive patients. (male:female=l: 1.06 in the dermatologic department.) 6) In the stage distribution, latent syphilis patients were 59.14% of the total syphilitic patients.
Age Distribution ; Dermatology ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Outpatients ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Syphilis ; Syphilis, Latent ; Urology