No abstract available.
Child* ; Eosinophils* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Skin Tests* ; Skin*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus* ; Maxillary Sinusitis*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Twins*

Purpose: The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the health problems and coping experiences of middle-aged and elderly women in the community. Methods: A total of five focus group interviews were conducted with three groups of middle-aged and two groups of elderly women. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using the content analysis method. Results: Health problems were categorized as confusion caused by problems that are difficult to handle alone in the middle-aged group and suffering originated by confronting changes in roles and environment in the elderly group. The health problems included stress, suffering, anxiety and social withdrawal as subcategories for the middle-aged women, and the stress, sense of loss, fear, and limited social activities caused by their life events for the elderly women. Meanwhile, the contents of categories about coping were revealed as the beginning of care for the body and mind for healthy life in the middle-aged group and active practice with insight into a healthy lifestyle in the elderly group. While the middle-aged women focused on themselves, attempted changes and started to take care of themselves, the elderly women interacted with the outside world, hardened their mind, made efforts for a dignified death, and managed health by their own methods. Conclusion There were differences in the experiences of middle-aged and elderly women in accepting their health problems and coping. Nursing interventions reflecting these findings can help to manage and promote the health of middle-aged and elderly women based on an integrated perspective.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The advances in the diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke increase the importance of providing these patients with timely medical attention. This study was designed to assess time delays in neurological evaluation and neuroimaging and to determine whether they are important obstacles to performing thrombolytic therapy. METHODS: Data were obtained between May 2004 and September 2006 from 195 consecutive patients who were admitted to Cheju National University Hospital for acute ischemic stroke within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. We determined the time of the onset of symptoms, arrival time at the emergency department (ED), and times of neurology notification, neurology evaluation, and neuroimaging using interviews and by reviewing the medical record. RESULTS: Short onset-to-door time, performing computed tomography rather than magnetic resonance imaging, presence of aphasia or motor weakness, and severe initial neurological deficit were significantly associated with reduced in-hospital delays. Seventeen (20%) of the 85 patients who arrived within 3 hours of the onset of symptoms received intravenous thrombolysis. Mild neurological deficit, rapidly improving symptoms, and insufficient time to workup were the main causes of the nonreceipt of thrombolytic therapy in these patients. Only one patient did not receive thrombolytic therapy due to delay in neurology consultation. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst in-hospital delays were not major obstacles to performing thrombolytic therapy in this study, there is still a high probability of missing patients with mild-to-moderate stroke symptoms. More effective in-hospital organization is required for the prompt evaluation and treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Aphasia ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Jeju-do ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medical Records ; Neuroimaging ; Neurology ; Stroke* ; Thrombolytic Therapy* ; Time Factors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate effects of a critical pathway (CP) for stroke patients seen in emergency rooms (ER). METHODS: The CP developed by the CP committee consisted of 8 criteria: behavior of doctors and nurses, laboratory tests, Image testing, medication, treatment, activity, and nutrition. According to application of CP, a control group (n=17) and experimental group (n=17) were defined. Time was checked by the electronic medical records. RESULTS: Use of CP for stroke patients in the ER, resulted in a decreased length of stay in ER (t=2.341, p=.026), and time required for image testing (t=2.623, p=.021), and an increased number of patients using rtPA (chi2=4.802, p=.049). Time required for neurology doctor contact, for neurology doctor to see patient in the ER, and for report of blood tests decreased, but there were no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Quick responses are most important in the ER, so CP for these patients is a very effective patient management tool. To reduce delay in stroke diagnosis, continuous education programs for similar symptoms are necessary. CPs for other patients in the ER should be developed, and studies on cost and satisfaction, as well as length of stay, should be done.
Critical Pathways ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Emergencies ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Neurology ; Stroke

Sine 1976, 2380 eases of ERCP were performed at the Kwangju Chrietian Hospital. Nighty eight patients with periampullary choledochaduodenal fistula diagnosed at ERCP were revewed, Following result were obtained 1) Cases were most commonly noted from fifth decade to seventh decade, and sex distribution was similar. 2) Right upper quadrant abdominal was most common clinical manifestation, and duration of illness prior to diagnosis were from 2 months to 20 years. Several weeks or days before ERCP, sudden disappearance of pain suggeeted spontaneous extrustion of a stone from the common bile duct to the duodenum with resultant PACD formation. 3) On past history, various types biliay operations had carried out in 26 patients. Subtotal gastrectomy with gastrojejunostomy in 1 patients, operation for CBD ascaris removal in 1 patient. 4) Most PACDF had finding formed recently on ERCP and fibrosis, inflamation, granulation, atrophic change, adhesive stenosis were noted additionally. 5) Most common cause of PACD by ERCP was biliary teact stone. 6) Endoscopic sphincteropapillotomy(EST) were performed in 39 patients with PACDF due to CBD stone and surgical intervention were done in 36 patients due to CBD stone also. It was interesting that EST were performed in 3 patients with old stenotic fistula.
Adhesives ; Ascaris ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Common Bile Duct ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Duodenum ; Fibrosis ; Fistula* ; Gastrectomy ; Gastric Bypass ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Sex Distribution

PURPOSE: We performed transtibial single and double bundle reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament using the allo-achilles tendon and compared the results of single bundle reconstruction and double bundle reconstruction both clinically and radiologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 41 cases of posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between February 2000 and June 2007 that had data available for at least 2 years of follow-up. Twenty-two cases (53.7%) underwent single bundle reconstruction and 19 cases (46.3%) underwent double bundle reconstruction. Clinical results were analyzed by Lysholm score and IKDC standards scale, and the radiologic results were analyzed by the Telos(R) posterior translation test. RESULTS: The average Lysholm score at last follow-up was 85.4+/-4.7 in the single bundle group and 87.5+/-5.1 in the double bundle group. IKDC scores were grade A in 4 (18.2%), grade B in 14 (63.6%) and grade C in 4 (18.2%) in the single bundle group; they were 1 (15.3%), 15 (78.9%) and 3 (15.8%) in the double bundle group. Telos(R) posterior translation test scores were 5.06 mm (3.04-7.43 mm) in the single bundle group, and 4.04 mm (2.18-7.20 mm) in the double bundle group. There was significant improvement in clinical and radiological scores in both groups (p<0.001). However, these differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Further study with longer term follow-up is needed.
Follow-Up Studies ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; Tendons

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of a low vision aid using a virtual reality device (LVA-VR) in patients with low vision. Methods: Forty low vision patients were enrolled in this prospective study. All subjects participated in a two-session LVA-VR training course. The binocular best-corrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuities (BCDVA, BCIVA, and BCNVA, respectively) were measured, along with contrast sensitivity and reading performance, at baseline and after 2 weeks of LVA-VR use. All subjects also provided a self-rated functional score (SFS) and completed a satisfaction questionnaire following the study. Results: Thirty-nine subjects (mean age, 54.6 ± 22.7 years) completed the study. Significant improvements in BCDVA, BCIVA, BCNVA, and contrast sensitivity were observed after 2 weeks of LVA-VR use (p < 0.001). Reading accuracy also improved significantly (p = 0.027); however, the reading speed did not change. Subject functionality improved, as indicated by the increase in the SFS (11.8 ± 4.5 vs. 19.6 ± 5.3) (p < 0.001). Most patients were satisfied with their visual function improvement and found LVA-VR to be useful in their daily activities. No device-related adverse events were observed or indicated. Conclusions This study suggests that LVA-VR is beneficial for visual rehabilitation. Future technological advances are expected to improve LVA-VR performance and acceptability further for a better quality of life in low vision patients.