No abstract available.
Aorta* ; Pulmonary Artery*

No abstract available.
Coronary Vessels* ; Pulmonary Artery*

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the transition experiences of the elderly from long-term care hospitals to their homes. Methods: The participants were eight elderly medicaid beneficiaries, who had been the subjects from the community care project in Korea. The data were collected with one-on-one interviews from April to November in 2020, and analyzed by phenomenological steps. Results: The seven themes derived in this study were ‘Space to escape’, ‘Reliable supporter opened the way to discharge’, ‘Comfortable life at home’,‘Obstacles to independent life’, ‘Struggling to live alone’, ‘Fence for community life’, and ‘Energizing in daily life’ Conclusion The results revealed the positive aspects of Community Care program in Korea. However, it is suggested that active communication between hospitals and community care institutions, and improvement of home environment to live in the community before discharge should be required. And system revision is needed to adjust activity in their home and support health problems of the elderly in the early stage of discharge. The results of this study can be referred to as the foundation of transitional care for the elderly.

No abstract available.
Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome*

PURPOSE: X-ray microscopy with synchrotron radiation will soon be a useful tool for innovative x-ray imaging in clinical and laboratory settings. It enables us to observe the detailed internal structure of human tissue samples with great magnification power and excellent resolution. So, it has the possibility to be used for the clinical and research purposes to investigate thyroid diseases if it can effectively evaluate the various conditions of thyroid tissue. To determine the relation with their optical microscopic features, we compared the synchrotron X-ray images of unstained normal and thyroid cancer tissue samples with the histopathologic findings of their adjacent, stained thyroid tissue sections. METHODS: An x-ray microscope was installed on a 1B2 beamline with a Pohang Light Source, which is a 3rd generation synchrotron radiation facility with an operating energy of 2.5 GeV at Pohang, Korea. The x-ray energy was set at 11.1 keV and the x-ray beam was monochromatized using a W/B4C monochromator. Formalin-fixed 10µm-thick female thyroid tissues from normal cases and carcinoma cases were attached on Kapton film for the imaging. The sample was positioned 25 m away from the beam source. The x-ray image of the sample was converted into a visual image on the CsI (TI) scintillation crystal, and it was magnified 20 times by the microscopic objective lens. After an additional 10 times digital magnification, this visual image was captured by a full frame CCD camera. RESULTS: The monochromated x-ray microscopic images of the female thyroid tissues of the normal cases and carcinoma cases were obtained with good resolution. These synchrotron images showed the normal follicular structures in the normal thyroid tissue sections and the characteristic severe stromal fibrosis with collagen fiber accumulation in the cancer tissue sections. CONCLUSION: Owing to the great magnification and excellent resolution, the synchrotron x-ray microscopic images of the normal and cancerous thyroid tissues showed good correspondence with the histopathologic findings of their adjacent, stained tissue sections. So, the x-ray microscopic imaging of thyoid tissue using synchrotron radiation has good potential for use in various clinical and research settings in the future.
Collagen ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Korea ; Microscopy ; Synchrotrons* ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship among the G(-634)C polymorphism in interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene, change in production of IL-6 by whole blood cells (WBCs), and bone mineral density (BMD) after hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal Korean women. METHODS: The IL-6 G(-634)C polymorphism was analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphsim (REFLP) in 194 postmenopausal Korean women receiving sequential HRT for 1 year. IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6r) produced by WBCs cultured with lipopolysaccharide for 2 days, and serum CrossLaps (CTX) and osteocalcin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoassay respectively. BMD at the lumbar spine and proximal femur was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The annual percent changes of BMD were not associated with IL-6 genotypes, and the distribution of IL-6 genotypes were not different between HRT-responders and HRT-nonresponders (women who lose more than 3% of bone mass per year). After HRT of 6 months, an increase in IL-6 production by WBCs, without change in sIL-6r production was noted. There were no differences in the 6 month changes of bone turnover markers and IL-6 production by WBCs after HRT across IL-6 genotypes. Change in IL-6 production by WBCs after HRT of 6 month did not correlated with changes of bone turnover markers, but correlated negatively with annual change of BMD at trochanter after HRT. CONCLUSION: The IL-6 G(-634)C polymorphism did not associate with change in BMD after HRT in postmenopausal Korean women, and did not affect change in the production of IL-6 and sIL-6r by WBCs.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Blood Cells ; Bone Density* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Femur ; Genotype ; Hormone Replacement Therapy* ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Interleukin-6* ; Osteocalcin ; Receptors, Interleukin-6 ; Spine

PURPOSE: The circular stapled hemorrhoidectomy established by A. Longo involves reducing the mucous membrane prolapse and blocking the end branches of the upper hemorrhoidal artery through transverse incision of a suitable section of the mucosa between the rectum and the anal canal. This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy and the safety of a circular stapled hemorrhoidectomy by comparing it with a conventional Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: One hundred thirty (130) patients with prolapsed hemorrhoids underwent surgical treatment with either a conventional (n=66)(conventional group) or a circular stapled (n=64) (stapled group) hemorrhoidectomy. The operation time was recorded, and the resected specimen was examined. The patients assessed their postoperative pain. Time to first bowel movement, hospital stay, and postoperative complications were analyzed. All patients received follow-up examinations at the out-patient clinic, and the time to return to work and the degree of their satisfaction were checked. RESULTS: The stapled group had a shorter average operation time (19.2 min. vs 26.1 min., P=0.016). The postoperative pain score in the stapled group was significantly lower than it was in the conventional group (P<0.05). Time to first bowel movement and hospital stay were not significantly different between the groups. Return to work was significantly faster in the stapled group (6.5 days vs 15.8 days, P<0.05). The degrees of satisfaction for the two groups were similar, and postoperative complications in the two groups were both similar and acceptable (6.1% vs 11.0%, P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A circular stapled hemorrhoidectomy offers a significantly less painful alternative to the conventional technique and is associated with an earlier return to normal activity. However, the long-term outcome needs to be evaluated further.
Anal Canal ; Arteries ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhoidectomy* ; Hemorrhoids ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Mucous Membrane ; Outpatients ; Pain, Postoperative ; Postoperative Complications ; Prolapse ; Rectum ; Return to Work

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine whether a mechanical bowel preparation with 90 ml of sodium phosphate (NaP) solution (Group II) increased the acceptability of bowel preparation and reduced discomfort compared with 2 liters of polyethylene glycol (PEG) combined with a bisacodyl 20 mg (Group I). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, single-blinded study. Forty-four patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery in the National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital from March 2002 to November 2002 were included in this study. We assessed the patients' tolerance and cleansing ability, as well as the surgeon's satisfaction, by using a structured questionnaire. Postoperative complications were also evaluated. RESULTS: Patient tolerance to NaP was higher than it was to PEG (P=0.034). The cleansing ability and the surgeon's satisfaction were not different between the two groups (P=0.217, P=0.349). There is no significant postoperative complication except for 1 case of wound infection in both group. CONCLUSIONS: Both oral solutions proved to be equally effective and safe. However, patient tolerance to the small volume of NaP demonstrated a clear advantage over the traditional PEG solution.
Bisacodyl ; Colorectal Surgery* ; Humans ; National Health Programs ; Polyethylene Glycols* ; Polyethylene* ; Postoperative Complications ; Preoperative Care ; Prospective Studies* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sodium* ; Therapeutic Irrigation* ; Wound Infection

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation. The spleen is the largest organ of the lymphatic system and has an important role in immunity.Obesity-induced inflammatory responses are triggered by Toll-like receptor (TLR)-myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) pathway signaling. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM), major dietary glucosinolates present in cruciferous vegetables, have been reported to produce anti-inflammatory effects on various diseases. However, the effects of PEITC and DIM on the obesity-induced inflammatory response in the spleen are unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the antiinflammatory effects of PEITC and DIM on the spleen and their mechanism in high fat/ cholesterol diet (HFCD)-fed C57BL/6 mice.MATERIALS/METHODS: We established an animal model of HFCD-induced obesity using C57BL/6 mice. The mice were divided into six groups: normal diet with AIN-93G diet (CON), high fat diet (60% calories from fat) with 1% cholesterol (HFCD), HFCD with PEITC 30 mg/kg/ day or 75 mg/kg/day (HFCD+P30, HFCD+P75), and HFCD with DIM 1.5 mg/kg/day or 7.5 mg/kg/ day (HFCD+D1.5, HFCD+D7.5). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate proinflammatory cytokine secretion. Western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze protein and mRNA levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65, interleukin 6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), TLR2, TLR4, and MyD88 in spleen tissue. RESULTS: Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the HFCD group than in groups fed a HFCD with PEITC or DIM. Levels of NF-κB p65 protein and TLR2/4, MyD88, NF-κB p65, IL-6, and COX-2 mRNA were significantly higher in the HFCD group than in the CON group and were reduced by the PEITC and DIM supplements. CONCLUSIONS PEITC- and DIM-supplemented diets improved splenic inflammation by modulating the TLR2/4-MyD88 pathway in HFCD-fed mice. We suggest that dietary glucosinolates may at least partially improve obesity-induced inflammation of the spleen.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Unregulated inflammatory responses caused by hyperglycemia may induce diabetes complications. Hesperetin, a bioflavonoid, is a glycoside in citrus fruits and is known to have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. However, the effect of inflammation on the diabetic environment has not been reported to date. In this study, we investigated the effect of hesperetin on proinflammatory cytokine secretion and its underlying mechanistic regulation in THP-1 macrophages with co-treatment LPS and hyperglycemic conditions.MATERIALS/METHODS: THP-1 cells differentiated by PMA (1 μM) were cultured for 48 h in the presence or absence of hesperetin under normoglycemic (5.5 mM/L glucose) or hyperglycemic (25 mM/L glucose) conditions and then treated with LPS (100 ng/mL) for 6 h before harvesting. Inflammation-related proteins and mRNA levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses. RESULTS: Hesperetin (0–100 μM, 48 h) treatment did not affect cell viability. The tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 levels increased in cells co-treated with LPS under hyperglycemic conditions compared to normoglycemic conditions, and these increases were decreased by hesperetin treatment. The TLR2/4 and MyD88 activity levels increased in cells co-treated with LPS under hyperglycemic conditions compared to normoglycemic conditions; however, hesperetin treatment inhibited the TLR2/4 and MyD88 activity increases. In addition, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and Acetyl-NF-κB levels increased in response to treatment with LPS under hyperglycemic conditions compared to normoglycemic conditions, but those levels were decreased when treated with hesperetin. SIRT3 and SIRT6 expressions were increased by hesperetin treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that hesperetin may be a potential agent for suppressing inflammation in diabetes.