No abstract available.
Epidermal Cyst* ; Melanins*

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether self-educational intervention on patient safety via a smartphone application could improve the level of self-efficacy and safety behaviors of patients. In addition the effect of change in self-efficacy on the improvement of safety behaviors after self-educational intervention was investigated. Methods: A one-group pre- and post-test design and convenience sampling were implemented. Self-educational intervention via smartphone application was provided to 94 participants in a tertiary university hospital in South Korea. The smartphone application included learning contents on why the participation of patients is critical in preventing hospital-acquired infections and surgery-related adverse events during hospitalization. Paired t-tests and hierarchical regression analysis were conducted to assess the effect of selfeducational intervention and self-efficacy on the improvement of safety behaviors of patients. Results: After the intervention, the level of self-efficacy and safety behaviors significantly increased from 2.53 to 2.95 and from 2.00 to 2.62, respectively. In the hierarchical regression analysis, the change in self-efficacy accounted for 35.4% of the variance in the improvement of safety behaviors. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrated that self-education on patient safety via a smartphone application was an effective strategy to enhance patients’ self-efficacy and safety behaviors. This process could ultimately enhance patient safety by promoting patient involvement during hospitalization and preventing the occurrence of medical errors.

OBJECTIVE: The International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) was designed to provide a common language by describing the function and disability of clients for health care professionals. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) in nursing and investigate its applicability in fall risk assessment. METHODS: The Fall risk assessment system using the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) is based on the Downton fall risk assessment tool which is most commonly used to assess the risk of falls across populations in any health care setting. To develop system, we used NetBeans 5.0 within JAVA SE Development Kit 1.4.2 (JDK 1.4.2) and Microsoft Access 2003 database was used for the information storage. RESULT: The International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) items can cover all items of the Downton fall risk assessment tool except for medication because there is no medication related items in the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF). We mapped patient's sensory deficit, mental state, and gait state in the Downton fall risk assessment with sensory function & pain, mental function, and mobility in the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) respectively. We also adapted the qualifier to measure the degree of impairment of patients in terms of performance and capacity. CONCLUSION: Using the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF), nurses can assess functional and environmental factors of fall risk in more detail. This study proved the applicability of the International Classification of the Function, Disability and Health (ICF) in the nursing practice. Using the system we developed, nurses can better communicate with other healthcare specialists in the area of fall risk. We suggest further studies that are applying the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) in other areas of the nursing practice to more clearly describe the status of patients.
Delivery of Health Care ; Gait ; Humans ; Indonesia ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Nursing Assessment ; Risk Assessment ; Sensation ; Specialization

Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to restrictions on daily living including social distancing. These restrictions had an impact on the individual's healthy lifestyle and health status. We investigated the associated factors with changes of metabolic abnormalities among general population in COVID-19. Methods: The participants were 43,639 people who received health check-ups twice in 2019 and 2021 during COVID-19 pandemic, at 16 health promotion centers. Metabolic abnormalities were identified according to the third report of the cholesterol education program criteria. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the factors related to changes of metabolic abnormalities during COVID-19. Results: Metabolic syndrome and metabolic abnormalities increased overall during the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase was mostly appeared in males. The occurrence of metabolic syndrome during COVID-19 was associated with 50s and older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.130; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.019-1.254), attempt to quit smoking (OR, 1.467; 95% CI, 1.171-1.839), start smoking (OR, 1.251; 95% CI, 1.110-1.412), decrease in aerobic exercise (OR, 1.328; 95% CI, 1.162-1.517), and increase in strength exercise (OR, 0.704; 95% CI, 0.592-0.838). Conclusions The metabolic syndrome is closely related to smoking experience and lack of exercise during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is a major health problem in postmenopausal women, along with psychological issues. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and mental health properties targeting middle-aged menopausal women, and analyzed the psychological factors affecting the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. METHODS: The study subjects were 479 postmenopausal women aged 45-64 years, who had taken their routine health screenings from August to October in 2012. The presence of 3 or more of 5 risk factors constitutes diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Depression, trait anxiety, and stress level were measured by Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Inventory, and Brief Encounter Psychological Instrument, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and psychological characteristics. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women was 16.5%. Metabolic syndrome was significantly related with trait anxiety (odds ratio [OR]=16.53, P=0.007) and depression (OR=0.16, P=0.012), after adjusting for age, marital status, educational level, monthly income, body mass index, eating habits and exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Trait anxiety and depression were found to be related with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.
Anxiety ; Body Mass Index ; Depression ; Diagnosis ; Eating ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Marital Status ; Mass Screening ; Mental Health ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Postmenopause ; Prevalence ; Psychology ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to monitor changes of prescription patterns for bipolar disorder in clinical settings during the last five years in four psychiatric treatment centers. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of data of 601 patients with bipolar disorder was performed between January 2001 and December 2005 from four psychiatric centers in Seoul and GyeongGi-Do. Data on demograpnic variables, clinical characteristics, and the types and dosages of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics, and the patterns of prescriptions over the five-year period were analyzed. RESULTS: The use of valproate has increased, whereas the percentage of lithium use has decreased. The combined prescription of valproate and lithium remained constant at 12% over the five-year period. The prescription of newer-class of mood stabilizers such as lamotrigine and topiramate was few. Most of the patients in our study were on more than two psychotropic agents, with the most common discharge medication being a combination of a mood stabilizer and an antipsychotic (81.9%). The use of atypical antipsychotics has increased its share from 71.4% in 2001 to 92.3% in 2005. Among the atypical antipsychotics, Quetiapine use showed the most rapid increase since year 2001 and ranked as the most frequenctly used antipsychotics for bipolar disorder in 2005 (38.5% of antipsychotics). Especially, in those without psychotic features, quetiapine was the most frequently used antipsychotics (51.2% in 2005). In those with psychotic features, risperidone (39.1%) was more frequently used than quetiapine (28.3%). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that significant changes have occurred in the prescription patterns of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics and the rate of combination therapy for patients with bipolar disorder in the last five years. These results seem to reflect the introduction of new agents and the accumulating evidencebased data for the treatment of bipolar disorder, and will provide the useful information to clinicians for the establishment of better treatment guidelines for patients with bipolar disorder.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Bipolar Disorder* ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Inpatients* ; Lithium ; Prescriptions* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risperidone ; Seoul ; Valproic Acid ; Quetiapine Fumarate

The coeneal endothelium is essential for the maintenance of normal corneal hydration, thickness, and transparency. However, corneal endothelial cells are incapable of significant proliferation in vivo. As we age, the density of corneal endothelial (CEN) cells gradually decreases. The goal of our study is to explore the possibility of enhancing the proliferation of corneal endothelial cells by introduction of SV 40 large T antigen, a transforming protein. To this end, introduction of protein into CEN cells was assessed by liposome assisted beta-galactosidase transfection in vivo, ex vivo, and in vivo. In all cases, cells treated with liposome-protein complex have shown dramatic blue stain in beta-galactosidase activity staining. This result convinced us that we could artificially introduce a foreign protein into a cell. To ascertain where SV 40 large T antigen is localized in the cell, purified SV 40 large T antigen was transfected into the cells using liposome and its presence was determined immunohistochemically. We show that the liposome delivered SV 40 large is localized in the nucleus and mitotic figures which may suggest its functional activity.
Antigens, Viral, Tumor* ; beta-Galactosidase ; Endothelial Cells* ; Endothelium ; Liposomes ; Transfection*

BACKGROUND: Heat tobacco products (HTPs) are emerging in Korea. There are few studies that investigated the rates of HTPs use among military personnel in Korea. This study was performed to identify the prevalence of HTPs experience and use. Also this study aimed to evaluate the related factors of HTPs experience and use among military personnel in Korea.METHODS: The study subjects were 3,878 military personnel participated health survey for Korean soldiers from November to December in 2018. Binominal logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the related factors of HTPs experience and use among military personnel in Korea.RESULTS: The HTPs experience and current use rates of study subjects were 17.4% and 8.7%, respectively. And the HTPs experience and current use among military personnel was associated with college/university degree (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.441, 1.377), lance-corporal (aOR 2.049, 5.636), superiors' smoking in military camp (aOR 1.516, 1.567), interest in health (aOR 1.637, 1.571), ever used smoking (aOR 2.817, 3.575), and ever used electronic cigarette (E-cigarette) (aOR 3.129, 1.587).CONCLUSIONS: The HTPs experience and current use among military personnel are closely related to educational level, military level, smoking status of the superiors, interests in health, conventional cigarette smoking, and E-cigarette use.
Electronic Cigarettes ; Health Surveys ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Military Personnel ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco Products ; Tobacco

BACKGROUND: Microalbuminuria (MA) is a predictor for diabetic nephropathy and mortality of cardiovascular disease. Diabetic nephropathy can be prevented by blood glucose and blood pressure control. Koreans have been found to have a significantly higher risk of type 2 diabetes than Caucasians, despite having normal weights. It is necessary to consider obesity status in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to determine the relationship between MA and hypertension according to obesity status in prediabetes.METHODS: This study was retrospectively conducted in 1,183 prediabetes, aged 30-70 years with fasting blood glucose levels of 100-125 mg/dL or hemoglobin A1c levels of 5.7–6.4% who health examinees at 16 health promotion centers from 2015 to 2016. Study subjects were classified according to obesity and hypertension. Obesity is defined as body mass index of ≥25 kg/m². Blood pressure was categorized as follows: normal blood pressure, <120/80 mmHg; prehypertension, 120–139/80–89 mmHg; and hypertension, ≥140/90 mmHg. We analyzed the relationship between MA and hypertension according to obesity using multivariable logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: While both prehypertensive and hypertensive subgroups were significantly associated with MA in the nonobese, the hypertensive subgroup was only associated with MA in the obese. In the combined effects of obesity and hypertension, prediabetes with normal weight and hypertension had the highest risk of MA (adjusted odds ratio, 6.39; 95% confidence interval, 2.90–14.10) compared to those with nonobese and normal blood pressure.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that nonobese prediabetes with hypertension would need to be more concerned about MA than do obese prediabetes with hypertension.
Albuminuria ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Fasting ; Health Promotion ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Mortality ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Prediabetic State ; Prehypertension ; Retrospective Studies ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: Heat tobacco products (HTPs) are emerging in Korea. There are few studies that investigated the rates of HTPs use among military personnel in Korea. This study was performed to identify the prevalence of HTPs experience and use. Also this study aimed to evaluate the related factors of HTPs experience and use among military personnel in Korea. METHODS: The study subjects were 3,878 military personnel participated health survey for Korean soldiers from November to December in 2018. Binominal logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the related factors of HTPs experience and use among military personnel in Korea. RESULTS: The HTPs experience and current use rates of study subjects were 17.4% and 8.7%, respectively. And the HTPs experience and current use among military personnel was associated with college/university degree (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.441, 1.377), lance-corporal (aOR 2.049, 5.636), superiors' smoking in military camp (aOR 1.516, 1.567), interest in health (aOR 1.637, 1.571), ever used smoking (aOR 2.817, 3.575), and ever used electronic cigarette (E-cigarette) (aOR 3.129, 1.587). CONCLUSIONS The HTPs experience and current use among military personnel are closely related to educational level, military level, smoking status of the superiors, interests in health, conventional cigarette smoking, and E-cigarette use.