OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between serum vitamin D level and clinical outcomes after repair of rotator cuff tears. METHODS: A total 122 patients who met the inclusion criteria and were followed up for 12 months from March 2018 to March 2020 were analyzed retrospectively, including 50 males and 72 females with an average age of(62.10±8.39) years old (ranged, 34 to 82 years old). All patients were divided into deficiency group(vitamin D<20 μg/L) and control group(vitamin D≥20 μg/L), including 62 cases in the deficiency group, with vitamin D (14.80±3.18) μg/L;60 cases in the control group, with vitamin D(25.17±5.64) μg/L. The two groups were compared in terms of age, gender, body mass index(BMI), tear size, degree of retraction, degree of fatty infiltration, injury factors, postoperative pain VAS score, postoperative shoulder joint function score, and re-tear rate. The age of all patients was divided into two categories:<60 years old and ≥60 years old;BMI was divided into <24 kg/m² and ≥ 24 kg/m²;tear size was divided into ≤3 cm and >3 cm;retraction degree was divided into ≤2 cm and >2 cm;fat infiltration was divided into ≤2 grade and >2 grade;and the course of the disease was ≤3 months and >3 months. The correlation between Sugaya re-tear type and the variables listed above were analyzed and calculated. RESULTS: There were no major complications such as joint infection, anchor withdrawal and revision surgery in any of the 122 patients who were followed up on. There were no statistical differences in age, gender, injury factor, BMI, tear size, degree of retraction, degree of fatty infiltration, and duration of disease between the two groups (P>0.05). The Constant-Murley scores, UCLA scores, and ASES scores of the two groups all improved considerably after surgery(P<0.05);however, there was no statistical differences in the postoperative shoulder function scores between the two groups (P>0.05). There was significant difference in VAS between the two groups 1 month and 3 months after operation, with vitamin D deficiency group scoring higher, and there was no significant differences 6 and 12 months after operation. Tear size(>3 cm), degree of retraction(>2 cm), degree of fatty infiltration(>2 degree) were all shown to be the independent risk factors for retear after surgery by Logistic regression analysis(P<0.05). The comparison between the two groups of patients using a 2×5 row list showed that the Sugaya classification of rotator cuff re-tear(grade Ⅰto Ⅴ) between the vitamin D deficiency group and the control group was statistically different(t=14.228, P=0.007). It was discovered that the Sugaya classification after surgery was statistically different between the two groups. CONCLUSION Vitamin D deficiency is not correlated with clinical function scores and re-tear rate, however it is associated with the early postoperative pain (1 and 3 months) and the quality of rotator cuff healing (Sugaya classification) after surgery.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Rotator Cuff Injuries/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin D

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic value of serum angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) level in pancreatic cancer patients.

METHODSSerum Ang-2 level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in samples from 116 patients with pancreatic cancer, 50 patients with chronic pancreatitis, and 50 normal control subjects.

RESULTSThe serum Ang-2 level in patients with pancreatic cancer [(1539.0 ± 449.3) ng/L] was significantly higher than those in patients with pancreatitis [(1044.6 ± 246.1) ng/L, P < 0.01] and normal control subjects [(1075.6 ± 228.2) ng/L, P < 0.01]. There was no significant difference of serum Ang-2 levels between patients with pancreatitis and normal controls. Pancreatic caner patients with lymph node metastasis had a significantly higher serum Ang-2 level [(1890.1 ± 354.9) ng/L] than those without metastasis [(1212.1 ± 224.2) ng/L, P < 0.01]. The area under ROC curve of serum Ang-2 level for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was 0.819.

CONCLUSIONThe serum Ang-2 level can be a useful indicator for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiopoietin-2 ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Pancreatitis ; blood ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore essences and meaning in experiences of women who have had spontaneous abortion. METHODS: A phenomenological methodology was used for the study. A total of five women with the spontaneous abortion participated in the study. In-depth interviews were done for data collection, and the data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method. RESULTS: Five theme clusters, along with 32 sub-themes and 13 themes. The five theme clusters were: ‘Waiting and expecting pregnancy’, ‘Desire to overcome the spontaneous abortion’, ‘My baby makes me cry and laugh’, ‘My precious baby’, and ‘Want to hear with sympathy and talk with you’. CONCLUSION: The women who have had the spontaneous abortion experiences can prevent potential physical and psychological complications after miscarriage by getting education and intervention in nursing. Moreover, they may experience that negative factors of the spontaneous abortion can be turned into positive things through emotional support of family and medical teams.
Abortion, Spontaneous* ; Data Collection ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Methods ; Nursing ; Pregnancy ; Qualitative Research

PURPOSE: This study explores the experience of university life in an unfamiliar department by first-year graduate students. METHODS: Data were collected from participants through focus group interviews between July and August 2013 using phenomenological research methods. Colsizzi's method was used for analysis after the institutional review board of the university approved the study and informed consent was obtained from the participants. All interviews were recorded on an MP3 recorder and transcribed. RESULTS: The analysis revealed 51 meanings that were categorized by 15 key words into 6 themes: "sense of isolation," "feeling of solidarity," "limitations," "benefits," "overcoming" and "renewing." CONCLUSION: First-year graduate students experience both positive and negative feelings toward "university life"; however, they eventually overcome their difficulties and adapt to the conditions of their field of study and new department.
Ethics Committees, Research ; Focus Groups ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Nursing* ; Qualitative Research

PURPOSE: This study was done to explore deeply the essence and meaning of abortion related experience of nurses. METHODS: Data were collected through in-depth informal interviews, observation, and field records with two nurses from July 1 to July 30, 2015. Data were analyzed using narrative inquiry methodology. RESULTS: Three fundamental themes were derived from data analysis: 'Considering women with abortion-experience as women to be nursed', 'to be absolutely understood', and 'to make us to think how to help'. CONCLUSION: It is significant that this study was carried out holistically on the experience and change in physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of nurses with abortion-experience, simultaneously interpreting from the prospective of nurses. Therefore the basis of nursing interventions are suggested; holistic aspects as education, counseling, group meetings, and program assistance for the women, the families, and those concerned with abortion- experience.
Counseling ; Education ; Female ; Group Processes ; Humans ; Nursing ; Prospective Studies ; Qualitative Research ; Statistics as Topic

PURPOSE: This study explores male nursing students' experiences with returning to school after military service. METHODS: Data were collected from 18 male nursing students who returned from military service between 2015 and 2017 through focus group interviews. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method. RESULTS: From the 325 meanings obtained from the study participants, 18 themes and 5 theme clusters were identified. The 5 theme clusters were found to be “way one has to go because he is a man,” “endurance despite hard work,” “gazing from the highland,” “different feeling of the same place,” and “expectation and desire.” CONCLUSION: Male nursing students' experiences in the army had continuous meaning in the adaptive process of them leaving from and return to the university. Therefore, interest and effort within nursing schools and universities are needed so that the military experience can be beneficial to the university life, including the male students' departure and return.
Focus Groups ; Humans ; Male ; Methods ; Military Personnel ; Nursing ; Qualitative Research ; Schools, Nursing ; Students, Nursing

PURPOSE: The objective of this phenomenological study was to explore nursing students' emotional experiences in the school life. METHODS: Twenty-four nursing students participated in the study. Data were collected from May 2017 to February 2018 using focus group interviews and later analyzed using the Colaizzi's method. RESULTS: In our study, 311 meanings were obtained from the participants, including 19 sub-themes and seven theme clusters. The seven theme clusters were; ‘looking back on the past,’ ‘face to reality,’ ‘recognizing me,’ ‘anxiety about uncertainty,’ ‘nursing student's way,’ ‘looking around,’ and ‘patting for my mind.’ The emotional experiences of nursing students in college life were classified into four categories: ‘self-reflection for growth,’ ‘discovery for growth,’ ‘hoping for growth,’ and ‘search for the growth.’ CONCLUSION: Although nursing students may be equally exposed to anxious and stressful situations, their activities, adaptability and levels of achievement vary depending on emotional experiences of each person. Considering the continuous curriculum of nursing, it is necessary to develop emotional management strategies and relevant training programs considering different types and levels of emotional issues for the nursing students.
Curriculum ; Education ; Focus Groups ; Humans ; Methods ; Nursing ; Qualitative Research ; Students, Nursing

Purpose: The objective of this phenomenological study was to explore senior nursing students' experiences with the process of getting a job. Methods: Twenty-one nursing students participated in the study. The data were collected from May 2018 to October 2018 using focus group interviews and later analyzed using Colaizzi's method. Results: In our study, four categories, 11 theme clusters, and 32 themes were identified. The four categories were change in becoming a senior, losing strength in own heart, slightly recovering strength, and expectations and wishes from others. Conclusion This study is meaningful because it provides basic data for multidisciplinary alternatives and the evolution of present senior nursing students to reduce job stress by understanding personal, relational, and social experiences in preparation for employment.

OBJECTIVETo study diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy of transient oeteoporods of the hip (TOH).

METHODSFrom January 2005 to February 2010, 5 patients with TOH were treated with traditional methods. All the patients were male, with an average age of 38.6 years (ranged, 27 to 46 years). The clinical manifestation, physical examination and imageology characteristic was investigated. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by Harris hip score.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, the duration ranged from 12 to 36 months (averaged, 24 months). The Harris hip score before treatment were 63.1, 86.0, 74.9, 63.6 and 64.8 respectively, while after 6 months treatment, the scores improved to 90.5, 94.5, 89.7, 93.9 and 87.8 respectively. Moreover, 6 months later, the abnormal signal disappeared in MR imaging and X-ray.

CONCLUSIONTransient osteoporosis of the hip is a self-resolving condition and a self-limited disease, the expectant treatment is useful for it.

Adult ; Female ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

The repair of bone defects poses a great challenge for reconstructive surgeons. Although the development of tissue engineering has exhibited promise in replacing damaged bone, the fabrication of large constructs with functional blood vessels remains an obstacle. From the orthopedic surgeon's point of view, the generation of axially vascularized bone, which can anastomose with the recipient vessel, might be a solution to this medical problem. In this study, we aimed to prefabricate an axially vascularized bone by combining a β-TCP scaffold, arteriovenous loop (AVL), and cell sheet in a bioreactor in vivo. Twelve rabbits were randomly allocated into two groups: the experimental group (presence of AVL) and the control group (absence of AVL). The constructs were explanted at 8 weeks postoperatively. The histomorphometric results showed 42.8±5.9% of the bone area in the AVL group and 26.6±3.5% in the control group. Similarly, vessel analysis revealed the average vessel density in the AVL group (12.5±3.3) was significantly more than that in the control group (6.1±1.5, p<0.05). Our research indicated that the combination of a β-TCP scaffold, AVL and cell sheet might engineer vascularized bone. This prefabrication strategy might facilitate clinical translation of bone tissue engineering in reconstructing large bone defects.
Bioreactors ; Blood Vessels ; Bone and Bones ; Orthopedics ; Rabbits ; Surgeons ; Tissue Engineering