PURPOSE: We performed this study to evaluate the incidence of thoracic inlet pathologies. We also evaluated the extension of the thoracic inlet lesions to neck and/or mediastinum to determine anatomic connections between neck and mediastinum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: we evaluated chest radiographs and CT scans of the 41 patients with various pathologies involving this region. RESULTS: Thyroid lesions and malignant lymphomas were the most common pathologic lesions in this region (54%). Thoracic inlet lesions extending from mediastinum included various pathologies including thymic lesion (n=8) in the anterior mediastinum, neurogenic tumor(n=2) in the posterior mediastinum and malignant lymphoma(n=5) in the multiple compartment. Thoracic inlet lesions extending from the neck(n=9) were mostly thyroid lesions(n=8) arising in the visceral space of the neck. Thoracic inlet lesions(n=11) involving both neck and mediastinum were thyroid lesions, abscesses, thymic lesion, malignant lymphomas and cavernous hemangiomas. Thyroid lesions and cavernous hemangiomas showed remarkable enhancement on post contrast enhanced CT. Teratoma contained fat density and Two cases of abscesses contained air density. CONCLUSION: Thyroid lesions and malignant lymphomas were the most common pathologies in the thoracic inlet. There was anatomic connection between neck and mediastinum through the thoracic inlet. CT was valuale in evaluation of the location, extension, and density of the mass for the differential diaguonis of the thoracic inlet lesions.
Abscess ; Bays* ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymphoma ; Mediastinum ; Neck ; Pathology ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Teratoma ; Thyroid Gland ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: This study focused on in vitro cell differentiation and surface characteristics in a magnesium coated titanium surface implanted on using a plasma ion source. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 commercially made pure titanium discs were prepared to produce Ti oxide machined surface (M) and Mg-incorporated Ti oxide machined surface (MM). Surface properties were analyzed using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). On each surface, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red S staining for mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells, and quantitative analysis of osteoblastic gene expression, were evaluated. Actin ring formation assay and gene expression analysis of TRAP and GAPDH performing RT-PCR were performed to characterize osteoclast differentiation on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). RESULTS: MM showed similar surface morphology and surface roughness with M, but was slightly smoother after ion implantation at the micron scale. M was more hydrophobic than MM. No significant difference between surfaces on ALP activity at 7 and 14 days were observed. Real-time PCR analyses showed similar levels of mRNA expression of the osteoblast phenotype genes; osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and collagen 1 (Col 1) in cell grown on MM at 7, 14 and 21 days. Alizarin red S staining at 21 days showed no significant difference. BMMs differentiation increased in M and MM. Actin ring formation assay and gene expression analysis of TRAP showed osteoclast differentiation to be more active on MM. CONCLUSION: Both M and MM have a good effect on osteoblastic cell differentiation, but MM may speed the bone remodeling process by activating on osteoclast differentiation.
Actins ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Remodeling ; Cell Differentiation ; Collagen ; Gene Expression ; Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein ; Macrophages ; Magnesium* ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoclasts* ; Osteopontin ; Phenotype ; Plasma ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Surface Properties ; Titanium*

No abstract available.
Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis*

PURPOSE: This research was done to explore the meaning of 'well-being' as experienced by middle aged people. METHOD: The data were collected by individual in-depth interviews with 107 middle aged adults and it was analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: 4 components of the meaning of well-being as perceived by the participants were identified as follows: the life of free without physical discomfort and psychosocial distress; the life of comfort with plenty of time, space, material, and mind; the life of purity with natural material and honest mind; the life of harmony with extended consciousness. CONCLUSION: Therefore the identified meanings of the well-being in this study should be reflected to the nursing education and the nursing practice.
Adult* ; Consciousness ; Education, Nursing ; Humans ; Middle Aged* ; Nursing ; Qualitative Research

No abstract available.
Liver* ; Paratyphoid Fever* ; Typhoid Fever*

Total 9 cases of extraintestinal amoebiasis, amebic liver abscess and amebic lung abscess, were treated with metronidazole. The diagnosis and progress check were done by (1) stool examination, (2) size and pain of liver, (3) hematological examination, (4) urinanalysis, (5) X-ray or liver scanning (6) examination of aspirated pus from liver and (7) immobilization test of E. histolytica. Results are summarized as follows: Amebic hepatitis: Metronidazole was given to 3 cases with daily dose of 0.9-1.2 gm for 3-7 days. Clinical symptoms were completely restored by the treatment. Amebic lung abscess: One case was treated with metronidazole for 3 days with the daily dose 1.2 gm. X-ray findings showed remarkable improvement by the treatment. An additional administration of the drug for 6 days resulted complete resolution of the pneumonic changes. Amebic liver abscess: Four cases were treated with metronidazole. The daily doses were 0.4-2.4 gm and continued for 2-10 days. Aspiration of the abscess for 1-10 times or continuous drainage of pus were performed during the course supplementarily. All cases were recovered to normal by the combining treatment. No remarkable side effect was noticed by the drug administration, and no relapse was experienced up to date.
parasitology-protozoa-Entamoeba histolytica ; chemotherapy ; metronidazole ; liver ; lung ; amoebiasis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore adult diabetics' eating styles and factors which influence them. METHOD: The study adopted an ethnographic method based on a perspective which views the eating style as a cultural phenomenon. Data was collected through a personal interview, participant observation, and documented materials from Oct.2001 to Sept. 2002. In this study, fifteen adult diabetics, with an average age of 57, participated. Data analysis was done by the Spradley's taxonomic analysis technique. RESULT: The patients' eating styles were rooted in their viewpoint on illness as well as the meaning of food. Eating styles were classified into 4 types: Pathology-centered, symptom-centered, need-centered, and role-centered. CONCLUSION: A conventional approach to the treatment and management of diabetes did not consider the patient's inner world which may play an important role in the successful management of the disease. We found that it was critical for health care personnel to understand patients' values, beliefs and their way of life in order to facilitate the most successful self-care diet.
Middle Aged ; Male ; Korea ; Humans ; *Food Habits ; Female ; *Eating ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*diet therapy/nursing/psychology ; Culture ; *Attitude to Health ; Aged

The authors reviewed findings of enhanced abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scans to the difference between a higher dose of conventional ionic contrast media(iothalamate meglumine) and a lower dose of a new, nonionic contrast material (ioversol). One hundred adult patients were divided into two groups. Each group consisted of 50 patients. Iothalamate meglumine and ioversol were intravenously administered in each group. The ratio of the male to female in the former was 28.22, and the latter 29:21. We examine the degree of renal streak artifact and measure the Hounsfield number of urine in renal collecting system. There were significant differences of the degree of the streak artifact depending upon the osmolality of contrast media used and that was related with urine CT number (P value<0.005). We authors conclude that nonionic low osmolar contrast media is prone to cause streak artifacts and distortions of renal image than conventional ionic high osmolar contrast media.
Adult ; Artifacts* ; Contrast Media* ; Female ; Humans ; Iothalamate Meglumine ; Kidney* ; Male ; Osmolar Concentration

No abstract available.
Fractures, Bone*

Ganglion is a common clinical entity, usually superficial in location, therefore easily diagnosed and most common tumors of the hand which represent 50 to 70% of all soft tissue tumors of the hand. The soft mucin filled cyst is attached to the adjacent underlying joint capsule, tendon, or tendon sheath. The most common ganglion is the ganglion on the dorsal side of wrist, with its origin at the scapulolunate ligament and is usually located between the extensor digitorum communis of the index finger and the extensor pollicis longus tendons. Intratendinous ganglion is very rare lesion that originates within the tendon, which has been reported 10 cases in earliest articles and 1 case in Korean article. We report one case of ganglion that arose within the extensor digitorum communis of the middle finger.
Fingers ; Ganglion Cysts ; Hand ; Joint Capsule ; Ligaments ; Mucins ; Tendons ; Wrist