Purpose: The objectives of this study were to categorize the conflict management types of preceptor nurses and determine the effects of these types on preceptors’ role perception and core competencies. Methods: Data was collected from 192 preceptor nurses with at least two years experiences in general hospitals, from July 1 to July 31, 2022. Conflict management type, preceptor role perception, and core competency were investigated using structured instruments. The data was analyzed using K-means cluster analysis, Independent samples t-test, One-way ANOVA with Scheffé‘s test, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The conflict management types were categorized into four types; comprehensive type (cluster 1), integrating, obliging, compromising type (cluster 2), undifferentiated type (cluster 3) and obliging, avoiding type (cluster 4). The effect of conflict management types on preceptors’ role recognition occurred in the following order of cluster 2 (integrating/obliging/compromising type), cluster 1 (comprehensive type), and cluster 4 (obliging/avoiding type). Next, cluster 1 (comprehensive type), cluster 2 (integrating/obliging/compromising type), and cluster 4 (obliging/avoiding type) were shown in the order of the impact on the core competencies of the preceptor. Conclusion When preceptor nurses use a mixture of various attributes of conflict management evenly, they have been shown to demonstrate effective preceptor role recognition and core competencies. Therefore, it is proposed that future development of conflict management training programs for preceptor nurses should begin with identifying their conflict management type, followed by creating a program that addresses any deficiencies.

Purpose: s: Sepsis is a critical condition in which nurses should detect clinical manifestations and provide early intervention to prevent unwanted serious conditions in the patients. The initial occurrence and management of sepsis take place in general units, but there is a lack of knowledge in nurses. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a case-based sepsis education program and compare the case-based education program with and without smartphone applications. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-testpost-test design with a control group was used. We provided a case-based education program with and without smartphone applications to the nurses and tested the effects of the program on knowledge, the accuracy of sepsis assessment, and self-efficacy as outcome variables. A total of 60 nurses in general units participated. To test differences in knowledge, the accuracy of sepsis assessment, and self-efficacy regarding sepsis between the groups over time, a mixed-design ANCOVA was used for parametric analysis, and generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used for nonparametric analysis. Results: There were significant differences in knowledge, the accuracy of sepsis assessment, and self-efficacy between the groups and within the groups over time. The intervention groups treated with the case-based education program showed improved outcome variables compared to the control group. There was no difference between case-based education with the smartphone application or without the application. Conclusions The case-based education improved knowledge, the accuracy of sepsis assessment, and self-efficacy in the care of sepsis by nurses working in the general wards. The results suggest that the case-based education program for nurses was effective and eventually improved patient health outcomes.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an old disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although it has been known for humans for thousands of years, the treatment of this disease still requires a lengthy therapy with multiple antibiotics. Also, the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains made it more difficult to treat TB, calling for a novel treatment approach. In Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a photosensitizer, such as methylene blue (MB), is irradiated by a laser, generating reactive oxygen species and killing microorganisms. Here, using M. smegmatis as a model mycobacterium, we examined the utility of PDT in TB treatment. The photosensitizer MB alone showed weak antimicrobial activity; however, when irradiated by a laser, it efficiently killed M. smegmatis (> 97% killing with 30 mg/ml MB and 54 J/cm2 irradiation). Surprisingly, PDT showed more efficient killing activity toward drug-resistant strains of M. smegmatis than the drug-sensitive wild-type strain. In PDT, when the irradiation step alone (Intermittent PDT) or the entire PDT process was repeated (Repeated PDT), the bactericidal activity was significantly enhanced. Since PDT can be applied locally in a short period of time and kills mycobacterium irrespective of its antibiotic resistance status, we conclude that PDT can be a viable option for TB treatment.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic damage during transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a critical complication in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Apart from its role in preventing HBV reactivation, there is some evidence for the benefits of preemptive antiviral therapy in TACE. This study evaluated the effect of preemptive antiviral therapy on acute hepatic deterioration following TACE. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included a prospectively collected cohort of 108 patients with HBV-related HCC who underwent TACE between January 2007 and January 2013. Acute hepatic deterioration following TACE was evaluated. Treatment-related hepatic decompensation was defined as newly developed encephalopathy, ascites, variceal bleeding, elevation of the bilirubin level, prolongation of prothrombin time, or elevation of the Child-Pugh score by ≥2 within 2 weeks following TACE. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors influencing treatment-related decompensation. Preemptive antiviral therapy involves directing prophylaxis only toward high-risk chronic hepatitis B patients in an attempt to prevent the progression of liver disease. We regarded at least 6 months as a significant duration of preemptive antiviral treatment before diagnosis of HCC. RESULTS: Of the 108 patients, 30 (27.8%) patients received preemptive antiviral therapy. Treatment-related decompensation was observed in 25 (23.1%) patients during the follow-up period. Treatment-related decompensation following TACE was observed more frequently in the nonpreemptive group than in the preemptive group (29.5% vs. 6.7%, P=0.008). In the multivariate analysis, higher serum total bilirubin (Hazard ratio [HR] =3.425, P=0.013), hypoalbuminemia (HR=3.990, P=0.015), and absence of antiviral therapy (HR=7.597, P=0.006) were significantly associated with treatment-related hepatic decompensation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that preemptive antiviral therapy significantly reduces the risk of acute hepatic deterioration. Preventing hepatic deterioration during TACE by applying such a preemptive approach may facilitate the continuation of anticancer therapy and thus improve long-term outcomes.
Aged ; Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use ; Bilirubin/blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/*adverse effects ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology ; Guanine/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B/complications/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia/etiology ; Incidence ; Liver/physiopathology ; Liver Diseases/epidemiology/*etiology ; Liver Neoplasms/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of tissue harmonic imaging (THI) and pulse-inversion harmonic imaging (PIHI) in the evaluation of normal and abnormal fetuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one pregnant women who bore a total of 31 normal and ten abnormal fetuses underwent conventional ultrasonography (CUS), and then THI and PIHI. US images of six organ systems, namely the brain, spine, heart, abdomen, extremities and face were compared between the three techniques in terms of overall conspicuity and the definition of borders and internal structures. RESULTS: For the brain, heart, abdomen and face, overall conspicuity at THI and PIHI was significantly better than at CUS (p < 0.05). There was, though, no significant difference between THI and PIHI. Affected organs in abnormal fetuses were more clearly depicted at THI and PIHI than at CUS. CONCLUSION: Both THI and PIHI appear to be superior to CUS for the evaluation of normal or abnormal structures, particularly the brain, heart, abdomen and face.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of hysterosonography (HS) as a screening method in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) and HS for 105 patients whose diagnosis was confirmed pathologically. All 105 patients were initially evaluated on the same day with both TVS and HS. On TVS and HS examination, endometrial cavitary lesions were classified as diffuse hyperplasia, endometrial polyp, endometrial cancer, uterine synechia and submucosal leiomyoma. Hysteroscopy with biopsy (n=35), curettage (n=60) or hysterectomy (n=10) was performed, and the results of TVS and HS examination were correlated with the pathological findings. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity were 79.0% and 45.8% for TVS, and 95.1% and 83.3% for HS, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 83.0% and 39.3% for TVS, and 95.1% and 83.3% for HS, respectively. Twenty-seven showed a discrepancy between the TVS and HS, and eight cases showed a discrepancy between HS and the pathologic diagnosis. CONCLUSION: TVS is a sensitive method to evaluate the endometrial cavitary lesions, but it often does not provide the physician with sufficient diagnostic information. With its higher sensitivities, specificities and positive and negative predictive values, HS can be better used than TVS in evaluating those patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.
Adult ; Aged ; Comparative Study ; *Endosonography/methods ; Female ; Human ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Uterine Hemorrhage/etiology/*ultrasonography

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used for the clinical staging of bladder cancer. However, a previous transurethral resection (TUR) often results in an overestimation of a proper muscle and perivesical fat invasion in the CT. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a TUR on CT staging in patients with bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 67 patients who underwent a radical cystectomy for primary bladder cancer were included in this study. CT was performed before a TUR in 38 patients (group 1) and after a TUR in 29 (group 2). In each patient, CT evaluated the presence or absence of a proper muscle and perivesical fat invasion and the findings were then compared with the histopathologic findings following the radical cystectomy. RESULTS: CT had an overall staging accuracy of 79.1% for a proper muscle invasion and 67.2% for a perivesical fat invasion. For a proper muscle invasion, there was a significant difference between both groups in the CT specificity (76.9% vs. 30.0%, p=0.024) while no difference in the sensitivity (92.0% vs. 89.5%) was noted. For a perivesical fat invasion, there was also a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the CT specificity (75.0% vs. 35.7%, p=0.022) while there was no difference in the sensitivity (72.2% vs. 80.0%). CONCLUSIONS: A TUR before a CT may cause a false positive result in the clinical staging of bladder cancer using CT. Therefore, to minimize the confounding effect of a TUR on CT staging, it is strongly recommended that a CT be performed before a TUR in the case of a highly suspicious invasive bladder cancer.
Cystectomy ; Humans ; Neoplasm Staging ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder*

Anticoagulants ; Fibrinogen ; Heparin ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; Plasma ; Reference Values

Background: Injury is a social problem that causes health and property losses, and it is important to identify the size and trend of injury for efficient prevention and management.Therefore, this study analyzed the trends in injury mortality and hospitalization rates from 2005 to 2019 in Korea. Methods: Using mortality data by Statistics Korea and Korea National Hospital Discharge In-depth injury survey by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), age standardized rates were calculated for death and hospitalization to analyze trends and annual changes with the joinpoint regression model. In addition, annual changes in the hospitalization rate of the transport accident and fall injuries by age group were analyzed, which are the major causes of injuries. Results: From 2005 to 2019, the injury mortality rate has been on the decline, but the injury hospitalization rate has been on the rise. The annual rate of change varied depending on the injury mechanism, but the mortality rate tended to decrease or remain similar level, while the rate of hospitalization has steadily increased. In addition, by age group, injury mortality and hospitalization rates were high in the elderly. In particular, the hospitalization rate of the elderly was higher when comparing the hospitalization rate of the children in transport accidents and falls. Pedestrian transport accidents tended to decrease under the age of 15, but remained similar for those aged 65 and older, and bicycle accidents tended to increase in both groups. In addition, hospitalization rates were higher in the fall, with both groups showing a statistically significant increase in hospitalization rates caused by falls. Conclusion This study analyzed the trend of injury mortality and hospitalization and found that transport accidents and falls may vary depending on the means or age of the accident.Since injury is a big social problem that is a burden of disease, safety education and legal sanctions for injury prevention should be further improved in the future, especially by prioritizing vulnerable groups by age and detailed mechanisms of injury.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard locoregional treatment in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Angiogenesis and inflammation play important roles in tumor growth in HCC. In this study, we evaluated the associations between the levels of growth factors and inflammatory markers and clinical prognosis in patients with unresectable HCC treated with TACE. METHODS: The clinical outcomes of 58 HCC patients treated with TACE at the Catholic Medical Centers from January, 2012 to February 2015 were evaluated. Baseline levels of the growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-17 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were compared with the treatment outcomes. The primary endpoint was time to progression (TTP); the secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS). RESULTS: During the 20.8 months of follow-up, TTP was significantly delayed in patients with low levels of hs-CRP (≤0.15) and IL-17 (≤0.94) and a maximal tumor diameter ≤5 cm (P=0.010, P=0.015, and 0.048, respectively). Patients with HCC with low hs-CRP and IL-17 levels had a longer survival than that of those with high hs-CRP levels and IL-17 (35.1 vs. 22.5 months, P=0.000; 41 vs. 21.8 months, P=0.000, respectively). However, any baseline growth factors were not significantly correlated with TTP and OS. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated IL-17 and hs-CRP may be predictive of a poor outcome in patients with HCC treated with TACE. A better understanding of this relationship will require further investigation of the immune mechanisms underlying tumor progression.
C-Reactive Protein* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Cytokines ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Interleukin-17* ; Interleukins ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A