PURPOSE: This study examined Korean clinical nurses' intentions to care for SARS patients and identify determinants of the intentions. Theory of planned behavior was the framework to explain the intentions of Korean nurses for SARS patients care. METHODS: A convenient sample of six hundreds and seventy nine clinical nurses from four university-affiliated hospitals located in Seoul and in Kyung-gi province was used. Self-administered (83-items) questionnaire was used to collect data. Intentions, attitude, subjective norm, perceive behavioral control, behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs were the study variables. All items were measured using 7-point Likert scale (-3 to +3). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation method, and stepwise multiple regression methods. RESULTS: Intentions and attitudes toward SARS patient care among Korean clinical nurses were moderate, but their subjective norm and perceive behavioral control of SARS patients care were negative. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that attitude toward SARS patient care, perceived behavioral control, subjective norm were the determinants of the intentions for SARS patients care as theory proposed. Among the behavioral beliefs, "SARS-patient caring would be a new experience", "during SARS-patient caring, I should be apart from my family", "after completing SARS-patient caring, I would be proud of myself being able to cope with a stressful event" and "with my SARS-patient caring, patients could recover from SARS" were the significant determinants. Among the normative beliefs, colleague approval, spouse approval, and physician approval were significant determinants of the intentions. Among the control beliefs, "SARS-patient caring would be a challenge" "SARS-patient caring is a professional responsibility", "tension during the care of SARS patients" and "support from team members" were the significant determinants of the intentions. CONCLUSIONS: Korean clinical nurses in this study were not willing to care for SARS patients and showed negative attitude toward the care. They believed their friends and family were not approved their care for SARS patients. Nurses were in conflicts between professional responsibilities to care for SARS patients and personal safety. This study was the first to understand stress and burden of Korean clinical nurses who are in front line to care for newly developed communicable disease such as SARS. Under the circumstance where several fatal communicable diseases are predictable, conflicts between professional responsibility and their personal risks should be taken into considerations by nurses themselves and by nursing administrators in order to improve quality of care.
Adult ; *Attitude of Health Personnel ; Female ; Humans ; *Intention ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nursing Staff, Hospital/*psychology ; Psychological Theory ; Regression Analysis ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/*nursing

No abstract available.
Catheters* ; Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital* ; Fetal Therapies* ; Lung*

Background: Korean dental hygienists perform various tasks under the supervision of dentists in addition to the tasks listed in the law. Many meaningful studies have been conducted to determine the actual tasks of dental hygienists, but these studies did not show common results due to the differences in research methods or designs. Hence, this study aimed to review the reported data on the tasks of dental hygienists in Korea and to clarify them based on a systematic literature review. Methods: For the literature search, the COre, Standard, and Ideal model presented by the National Library of Medicine was referenced. Seven databases were searched for literatures published in Korea, including PubMed, and Google Scholar. Of the 352 studies found using key words, titles, and abstracts, 46 were finally extracted based on the first and second exclusion criteria. After confirming the tasks of Korean dental hygienists in 46 literatures, 136 tasks were listed and calculated as appearance rate in the literature. Results: The most common tasks in 46 studies were fluoride application (67.2%), radiography (65.4%), scaling (65.4%), sealant (60.7%), patient management and counseling (56.7%), tooth-brushing education (52.2%), impression taking with alginate (50.1%), and making temporary crowns (47.9%). The most mentioned tasks of dental hygienists in public health centers were fluoride application (100%), sealant (100%), oral health education (71.4%), public oral health program evaluation (71.4%), school fluoride mouth-rinsing program (71.4%), water fluoridation (57.1%), tooth-brushing education (57.1%), school oral health programs (57.1%), and public elderly oral health programs (57.1%). Conclusion This study showed that Korean dental hygienists had 136 tasks by reviewing 46 related studies and that the main job of Korean dental hygienists was oral disease prevention including scaling, sealant, and fluoride application.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to identify the effect of oral care using 0.1% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the intensive care unit (lCU). METHODS: A total of 82 ventilated patient were enrolled in this prospective clinical trial performed during the 6-month period from October, 2005 through March, 2006. oral care was performed on the patients three times a day with 0.1% CHG for the study group and with 0.9% saline for the control group. To evaluate the colonization of potential pathogens, sputum cultures were taken on the first day of ventilation and followed on days 3, 5, 7, and 14. RESULTS: The overall incidence rate of YAP was 0.359 in the CHG-treated group compared to 0.116 in the NaCI-treated group (P=0.017). Likewise, 1000 device-day incidence rate of YAP was significantly lower in the CHG-treated group than in the NaCI-treated group (P=0.0396). However, among the patients whose initial sputrm cultures were positive , both the incidence rate (P=0.114) and 1000 device-day incidence rate (P=0.361) were not statistically significant. The average time from the day of ventilation to the onset of VAP among the patients whose initial sputrm cutures were positive was 14 days in the CHG-treated group and 9 days in the NaCI-treated group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.169). CONCLUSION: An oral care with 0.1% CHG was helpful in controlling VAP in the ICU patients, but the effectiveness of CHG could not be confirmed in the patients whose initial sputrm cultures were positive.
Chlorhexidine* ; Colon ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care* ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated* ; Prospective Studies ; Sputum ; Ventilation

Neurodegenerative diseases are often associated with oxidative damage in neuronal cells. This study was conducted to investigate the neuro-protective effect of methanolic (MeOH) extract of Perilla frutescens var. japonica and its one of the major compounds, rosmarinic acid, under oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in C6 glial cells. Exposure of C6 glial cells to H2O2 enhanced oxidative damage as measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance assays. The MeOH extract and rosmarinic acid prevented oxidative stress by increasing cell viability and inhibiting cellular lipid peroxidation. In addition, the MeOH extract and rosmarinic acid reduced H2O2-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at the transcriptional level. Moreover, iNOS and COX-2 protein expression was down-regulated in H2O2-indcued C6 glial cells treated with the MeOH extract and rosmarinic acid. These findings suggest that P. frutescens var. japonica and rosmarinic acid could prevent the progression of neurodegenerative diseases through attenuation of neuronal oxidative stress.
Cell Survival ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Methanol* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neuroglia* ; Neurons ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Oxidative Stress* ; Perilla frutescens* ; Perilla*

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology that is based on the presence of non-caseating granulomas. Sarcoidosis commonly involves the lungs, skin, and eyes. Gastrointestinal tract involvement in sarcoidosis is uncommon. Gastrointestinal tract sarcoidosis commonly occurs subclinically, with clinical manifestations present in only 0.1-0.9% of patients with the disease. There are rare case reports of an individual with symptomatic gastrointestinal sarcoidosis. In Korea, gastrointestinal sarcoidosis without pulmonary involvement has not been reported previously. Here, we describe a case of gastrointestinal sarcoidosis in a 37-year-old male with symptoms of weight loss, fever, and abdominal pain. He was diagnosed based on the presence of non-caseating epithelioid granulomas in the stomach, duodenum, and colon by multiple biopsies.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Biopsy ; Colon ; Duodenum ; Fever ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung ; Male ; Sarcoidosis* ; Skin ; Stomach ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and plays a key role in cognitive dysfunction. Perilla frutescens var. japonica extract (PFE) and its major compound, rosmarinic acid (RA), have shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. We investigated whether administration of PFE and RA contributes to cognitive improvement in an Aβ25-35-injected mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male ICR mice were intracerebroventricularly injected with aggregated Aβ25-35 to induce AD. Aβ25-35-injected mice were fed PFE (50 mg/kg/day) or RA (0.25 mg/kg/day) for 14 days and examined for learning and memory ability through the T-maze, object recognition, and Morris water maze test. RESULTS: Our present study demonstrated that PFE and RA administration significantly enhanced cognition function and object discrimination, which were impaired by Aβ25-35, in the T-maze and object recognition tests, respectively. In addition, oral administration of PFE and RA decreased the time to reach the platform and increased the number of crossings over the removed platform when compared with the Aβ25-35-induced control group in the Morris water maze test. Furthermore, PFE and RA significantly decreased the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain, kidney, and liver. In particular, PFE markedly attenuated oxidative stress by inhibiting production of NO and MDA in the Aβ25-35-injected mouse brain. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PFE and its active compound RA have beneficial effects on cognitive improvement and may help prevent AD induced by Aβ.
Administration, Oral ; Alzheimer Disease ; Animals ; Brain ; Cognition* ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Humans ; Kidney ; Learning ; Liver ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; Memory* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nitric Oxide ; Oxidative Stress ; Perilla frutescens* ; Perilla* ; Water

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and plays a key role in cognitive dysfunction. Perilla frutescens var. japonica extract (PFE) and its major compound, rosmarinic acid (RA), have shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. We investigated whether administration of PFE and RA contributes to cognitive improvement in an Aβ25-35-injected mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male ICR mice were intracerebroventricularly injected with aggregated Aβ25-35 to induce AD. Aβ25-35-injected mice were fed PFE (50 mg/kg/day) or RA (0.25 mg/kg/day) for 14 days and examined for learning and memory ability through the T-maze, object recognition, and Morris water maze test. RESULTS: Our present study demonstrated that PFE and RA administration significantly enhanced cognition function and object discrimination, which were impaired by Aβ25-35, in the T-maze and object recognition tests, respectively. In addition, oral administration of PFE and RA decreased the time to reach the platform and increased the number of crossings over the removed platform when compared with the Aβ25-35-induced control group in the Morris water maze test. Furthermore, PFE and RA significantly decreased the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain, kidney, and liver. In particular, PFE markedly attenuated oxidative stress by inhibiting production of NO and MDA in the Aβ25-35-injected mouse brain. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PFE and its active compound RA have beneficial effects on cognitive improvement and may help prevent AD induced by Aβ.
Administration, Oral ; Alzheimer Disease ; Animals ; Brain ; Cognition* ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Humans ; Kidney ; Learning ; Liver ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; Memory* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nitric Oxide ; Oxidative Stress ; Perilla frutescens* ; Perilla* ; Water

BACKGROUND: Since metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing isolates can hydrolyze carbapenem and also easily transfer the resistance genes to other bacteria, a rapid and accurate detection of MBL has become very important. We evaluated the utility of Mueller Hinton agar (MHA) biplate containing dipicolinic acid (DPA) as a screening method to detect IMP-1 and VIM-2 type MBL-producing isolates. METHODS: Based on our preliminary tests using various concentrations of DPA, 200 and 300 microg/mL concentration of DPA were chosen for further study. Bacterial lawns were grown on MHA biplate, one half of which contained DPA while the other did not. The inhibition zone around the imipenem (IPM) disk on both sides of this plate was compared. The stability of DPA in the stored DPA-MHA biplate was also evaluated during three months using two MBL- and one non-MBL-producing isolates. RESULTS: When the criterion of a > or =7 mm increase of inhibition zone around the IPM disk on the MHA containing DPA compared to MHA without DPA was used, the sensitivities and specificities were 94.7% and 97.6% for 200 microg/mL DPA-MHA biplate, and 98.2% and 97.6% for 300 microg/mL DPA-MHA biplate, respectively. The activity of the DPA in this biplate was stable for three months. CONCLUSIONS: Assays using DPA 300-MHA biplate were highly sensitive and specific for the detection of IMP-1 and VIM-2 type MBL-producing bacteria. In addition, it is easy to perform; so, it may be useful to apply this method for detection of IMP-1 and VIM-2 type MBL in clinical laboratories.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Bacteriological Techniques ; Chelating Agents/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects/enzymology/*isolation & purification ; Imipenem/*pharmacology ; Picolinic Acids/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; beta-Lactamases/*analysis/biosynthesis

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is extensively used to improve neutrophil count during anti-cancer chemotherapy. We investigated the effects of G-CSF on several leukemic cell lines and screened for the expression of the G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) in various malignant cells. METHODS: We examined the effects of the most commonly used commercial forms of G-CSF (glycosylated lenograstim and nonglycosylated filgrastim) on various leukemic cell lines by flow cytometry. Moreover, we screened for the expression of G-CSFR mRNA in 38 solid tumor cell lines by using real-time PCR. RESULTS: G-CSF stimulated proliferation (40-80% increase in proliferation in treated cells as compared to that in control cells) in 3 leukemic cell lines and induced differentiation of AML1/ETO+ leukemic cells. Among the 38 solid tumor cell lines, 5 cell lines (hepatoblastoma, 2 breast carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, and melanoma cell lines) showed G-CSFR mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study show that therapeutic G-CSF might stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of malignant cells with G-CSFR expression, suggesting that prescreening for G-CSFR expression in primary tumor cells may be necessary before using G-CSF for treatment.
Breast ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Larynx ; Melanoma ; Neutrophils ; Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Recombinant Proteins ; RNA, Messenger