The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of job stress and social support on the organizational effectiveness of hospital employees and to examine the role of social support in the experience of job stress among the employees. Previous studies have yielded mixed results regarding the role of social support. Some studies provide supporting evidence for the buffering effect of social support, while others do not. Still others report findings about reverse buffering effects. These inconsistent findings are, in part, accounted for by methodological problems such as poor measurement, small sample size, and the existence of high multicollinearity. To examine more rigorously the role of social support in relation to the negative effects of job stress, this study was carefully designed to overcome methodolgical shortcomings found in the past research. In addition, unlike the previous studies, which were concerned mostly with health-related variables as consequences of job stress, in this study, three work-related variables (job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and intent to stay) which had close relationships with organizational effectiveness were examined as output variables. The sample used in this study consisted of 353 employees from a university hospital in the suburbs of seoul. Data were collected with self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using canonical analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. The results of this study indicate that; (l) job stress has negative main effects on job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and intent to stay; (2) social support has positive main effects on the same three output variables, (3) social support does not moderate the harmful effects of job stress on the three outcome variables, and (4) the three-way interaction effects of (social support * job stress * gender) and of (social support * job stress * education) are not supported The implications of these findings for the management of human resources are discussed.
Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sample Size ; Seoul

One case of malignant acanthosis nigricans associated with internal malignancy has been presented and the suhject of malignant acanthosis nigricans has been revieived. The patient who was 50 year old man had been affected generalized hyperpigmentation with pnpillomatosis especially on forehead, neck, axilla, umbilical area, anogenital area, palm and soles and associated with highly malignant adenocarcinoma of stomach. Diagnosis was confirmed by characteristic clinical appearance, explorative laparatomy and histopathologically
Acanthosis Nigricans* ; Adenocarcinoma ; Axilla ; Diagnosis ; Forehead ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Stomach

BACKGROUND: Histamine, released from mast cells in atheromatous plaque, has been known to cause cardiac ischemia or sudden cardiac death in atherosclerosis patient. Previous reports have suggested that histamine induced coronary vasoconstriction was due to increase in IP(3) and DAG, which induce release of Ca2+ from SR and increase the Ca2+ sensitivity of contractile element via activation of PKC. Recently, it was reported that application of histamine cause depolarization of intestinal smooth muscle, which may contribute to histamine-induced contraction via augmenting Ca2+ influx through activation of Ca2+ channels. However, the underyling mechanism of histamine-induced depolarization and its contribution to the magnitude of coronary vasoconstriction are still uncertain. METHOD: To elucidate the underlying mechanism of Ca2+ influx change during histamine-induced vasoconstriction, we examined the effect of Ca2+ channel antagonist and PKC blocker on histamine-induced contractions, and then measured the effect of PKC antagonist on whole cell K+ current using patch clamping method in rabbit coronary smooth muscle cells. RESULTS: Application of histamine induced phasic and tonic constraction of coronary rings via activation of H(1) receptors. Pretreatment of Ca2+ channel antagonist (nifedipine, 1 microM) or PKC blockers (10 nM staurosporine and 10 microM Go6976) markedly inhibited histamine-induced tonic contraction, which suggest that the magnitude of tonic contraction depend on the Ca2+ influx. Application of 4-AP, a blocker of voltage-dependent K+ channels, increased resting tone of coronary rings, and combined treatment of nifedipine blocked this 4-AP induced increase of resting tone. Application of active analoge of DAG (1,2-DiC(8)) significantly inhibited the activity of voltage-dependent K+ current in single smooth muscle cell, meanwhile the inactive analogue of DAG (1,3-DiC(8)) has no apparent effect on the activity of voltage-dependent K+ current. Furthermore, pretreatment of calphostin C (1 microM), a blocker of PKC, diminished the 1,2-DiC(8)-induced inhibition of K+ current. CONCLUSION: PKC dependent inhibition of voltage-dependent K+ current may be responsible for the maintaining of histamine-induced tonic contraction in rabbit coronary artery.
Atherosclerosis ; Constriction ; Coronary Vessels* ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Histamine ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Mast Cells ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Nifedipine ; Protein Kinase C ; Staurosporine ; Vasoconstriction

No abstract available.
Cryptococcosis* ; Hybridomas* ; Immunity, Cellular* ; T-Lymphocytes*

No abstract available.
Cryptococcosis* ; Hybridomas* ; Immunity, Cellular* ; T-Lymphocytes*

BACKGROUND: Recent evidences suggest that anesthetic action within the spinal cord is important in suppressing somatic responses to painful stimuli. Intrathecal endothelin-1 (ET-1) is known to have antinociceptive effect. The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether intrathecal ET-1 may influence the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane in rats and access the role of the spinal cord as the sites of anesthetic action in blocking somatic responsiveness. METHODS: In Sprague-Dawley rats fitted with an indwelling intrathecal catheter, we determined the MAC of isoflurane using a tail-clamp technique as a painful stimulus, combined with end-tidal anesthetic sampling. In experiment 1, the control MAC was determined and changes of control MAC were observed after intrathecal ET-1 (4x10-2 nmol, 4x10-3 nmol) administration. In experiment 2, we observed the effects of L or N type Ca++ channel blocker such as verapamil (50 g) or W-conotoxin (0.5 g) on the MAC after measurement of the control MAC. In experiment 3, after measurement of the control MAC, ET-1 (10-2 nmol) was administered intrathecally and the MAC was determined again. Next, intrathecal verapamil (50 g) or W-conotoxin (0.5 g) was injected. After that, the MAC was determined again. RESULTS: In experiment 1, ET-1 decreased the MAC of isoflurane and its effect was sustained over 2 hours. In experiment 2, the MAC, determined following administration of verapamil or W-conotoxin, was not different from that of the control. In experiment 3, the MAC was decreased after ET-1 administration and then increased following injection of verapamil or W-conotoxin. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that ET-1, in relation to calcium, might play an important role in determining the MAC of isoflurane in the spinal cord.
Animals ; Calcium ; Catheters ; Endothelin-1* ; Isoflurane* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; Verapamil

Femorofemoral bypass was chosen as a primary(n=71) and redo (n=7) procedures for 78 patients with unilateral iliac artery occlusive disease during the period of 4 and a half years at the Department of Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital. The patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the patency of the superficial femoral artery on the recipient-side leg and the performance of concomitant leg arterial bypass: Group I (n=34), patent superficial femoral artery (SFA); Group II (n=19), occluded SFA left untreated; Group III (n=25), occluded SFA treated with leg arterial bypass. Adjuvant procedures during the femorofemoral bypasses included 16 femoral endarterectomies, 5 donor-side iliofemoral interposition grafts, and 4 donor-side iliac balloon angioplasties. The primary cumulative patency rates for all femorofemoral bypasses at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 96.3%, 84.7%, 84.7%, and 74.2%, respectively calculated by the life table method. The primary patency rates were 90.0%, 62.9%, 62.9%, 62.9% in Group II and 95.7%, 89.5%, 89.5%, 89.5% in Group III at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years after bypass grafting. The statistical analysis with log rank test to compare the patency rates between Group II and III revealed no significant (p=0.2425) differences. In summary, femorofemoral bypass was a durable bypass procedure for the patients with unilateral iliac artery occlusion. Further follow-up is required to confirm the effects of concomitant leg arterial bypass to the patency of femorofemoral bypass.
Angioplasty ; Endarterectomy ; Femoral Artery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Leg ; Life Tables ; Transplants

Evaluation of intracranial CSF flow was accomplished by the use of cine MR technique. In the cine MR, there were two methods of evaluation in CSF flow pattern. Qualitative and quantitative methods were called magnitude reconstruction and phase contrast mapping method, respectively. The image of magnitude reconstruction method can demonstrate areas of decreased CSF flow and help explain the cause of hydrocephalus. The image of phase contrast mapping method is more sensitive to fluid motion and may increase utility in the future for analysis of fluid flow. Cine MR is capable of showing both normal and abnormal intracranial CSF flow. Such a study can be easily added as an extra pulse sequence at the end of a routinely acquired MR examination. We evaluated 2 cases of the normal pattern of pulsatile flow within subarachnoid space and 3 cases of abnormal patterns of CSF flow(communicating hydrocephalus: 2 cases, arachnoid cyst in posterior fossa: 1 case). These observations were compared with pre- and post-operative CSF flow state. In conditions which result in alterations of flow, cine MR shows either obstruction or excessively turbulent flow within the CSF pathways. In our studies, the most distinctive pathological finding was bulk flow in the aqueduct of Sylvius. The authors suggest that this technique can be applied in a wide range of conditions where CSF pathway is altered including hydrocephalus, evaluation of the function of the shunt system and communication between arachnoid cyst and subarachnoid space . Moreover correct diagnosis is possible in patients with hydrocephalus, in whom the exact level of CSF obstruction can be determined. We believe that surgical decisions can be aided by careful analysis of these CSF cine MR studies. We discuss the normal and abnormal CSF flow findings and indications of cine MR CSF flow technique with literature review.
Arachnoid ; Cerebral Aqueduct ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pulsatile Flow ; Subarachnoid Space

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the short-term effect of dynamic cardiomyoplasty on circulatory function and detect the related factors that can affect it, experimental cardiomyoplasties were performed under the state of normal cardiac function and heart failure. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 10 mongrel dogs weighing 20 to 30kg were divided arbitrarily into two groups. Five dogs of group A underwent cardiomyoplasty with latissimus dorsi(LD) muscle mobilization followed by a 2-week vascular delay and 6-week muscle training. Then, hemodynamic studies were conducted. In group B, doxorubicin was given to 5 dogs in an IV dose of 1 mg/kg once a week for 8 weeks to induce chronic heart failure, and simultaneous muscle training was given for preconditioning during this period. Then, cardiomyoplasties were performed and hemodynamic studies were conducted immediately after these cardiomyoplasties in group B. RESULT: In group A, under the state of normal cardiac function, only mean right atrial pressure significantly increased with the pacer-on(p<0.05) and the left ventricular hemodynamic parameters did not change significantly. However, with pacer-on in group B, cardiac output(CO), rate of left ventricular pressure development(dp/dt), stroke volume(SV), and left ventricular stroke work(SW) increased by 16.7+/-7.2%, 9.3+/-3.2%, 16.8+/-8.6%, and 23.1+/-9.7%, respectively, whereas left ventricular end-diastole pressure(LVEDP) and mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure(mPCWP) decreased by 32.1+/-4.6% and 17.7+/-9.1%, respectively(p<0.05). In group A, imipramine was infused at the rate of 7.5mg/kg/hour for 34+/-2.6 minutes to induce acute heart failure, which resulted in the reduction of cardiac output by 17.5+/-2.7%, systolic left ventricular pressure by 15.8+/-2.5% and the elevation of left ventricular end-diastole pressure by 54.3+/-15.2%(p<0.05). With pacer-on under this state of acute heart failu e, CO, dp/dt, SV, and SW increased by 4.5+/-1.8% and 3.1+/-1.1%, 5.7+/-3.6%, and 6.9+/-4.4%, respectively, whereas LVEDP decreased by 11.7+/-4.7%(p<0.05). Comparing CO, dp/dt, SV, SW and LVEDP that changed significantly with pacer-on, both under the state of acute and chronic heart failure, augmentation widths of these left ventricular hemodynamic parameters were significantly larger under the state of chronic heart failure(group B) than acute heart failure(group A)(p<0.05). On gross inspection, variable degrees of adhesion and inflammation were present in all 5 dogs of group A, including 2 dogs that showed no muscle contraction. No adhesion and inflammation were, however, present in all 5 dogs of group B, which showed vivid muscle contractions. Considering these differences in gross findings along with the following premise that the acute heart failure state was not statistically different from the chronic one in terms of left ventricular parameters(p>0.05), the larger augmentation effect seen in group B is presumed to be mainly attributed to the viability and contractility of the LD muscle. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the positive circulatory augmentation effect of cardiomyoplasty is apparent only under the state of heart failure and the preservation of muscle contractility is important to maximize this effect.
Animals ; Atrial Pressure ; Capillaries ; Cardiac Output ; Cardiomyoplasty* ; Dogs ; Doxorubicin ; Heart Failure* ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics* ; Imipramine ; Inflammation ; Muscle Contraction ; Stroke ; Ventricular Pressure

PURPOSE: The superior orbital fissure syndrome is a complex of impaired function of the cranial nerves that enter the orbit through this fissure. It is a very rare disease which is characterized by ophthalomoplegia, ptosis and proptosis of the eye, reflex dilation of the pupil, and anesthesia of the upper eyelid and forehead. This syndrome may be the result of craniofacial bone fractures as well as neoplasm of the retrobulbar space, hematomas in the orbital muscle cone and retrobulbar space, and hematoma and infection of the cavernous sinus. In this case, 12 year-old boy was stung at his medial side of the right upper eyelid by fishing-rod. This patient is described with features of a superior orbital fissure syndrome. Superior orbital fissure syndrome is a very rare disease. We report a case of superior orbital fissure syndrome. METHODS: Ptosis and complete external ophthalmoplegia were found in that eye. Snellen acuity of the right eye was 20/20. Dilation of the right pupil with loss of sensation on the right upper side of eyelid and forehead was noted. Under the impression of superior orbital fissure syndrome, systemic steroid was administered orally. RESULTS: A month after trauma, the patinet had no limit of motion at extraocular muscle except upward gaze and improved ptosis. Three months after the trauma, the patient had no signs and symptoms except sluggish pupillary reflex on the right eye.
Anesthesia ; Cavernous Sinus ; Child ; Cranial Nerves ; Exophthalmos ; Eyelids ; Forehead ; Fractures, Bone ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Male ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Orbit* ; Pupil ; Rare Diseases ; Reflex ; Reflex, Pupillary ; Sensation