PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate coping styles for dysmenorrhea and explore factors related with their coping styles according to different health loci of control in middle schoolers. METHODS: Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire for 572 students from three middle schools in Seoul from March 22 to April 2, 2010. The measurement included menstrual distress, coping method questionnaire and health locus of control. The data were analyzed by using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Middle school students used the active behavioral coping style more often than the avoidance style. There was a significant difference in means within each coping style including levels of stress, levels of health, and regular exercise. There were also significant correlations between each coping style and health locus of control. Regression analyses indicated that the health locus of control factor is the most powerful factor in each coping style. CONCLUSION: We observed that various coping methods are used for dysmenorrhea in middle school students. However, the active behavioral coping style is dominant in such a condition. Based on these results, we need to develop a health locus of control to improve coping styles for dysmenorrhea.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Dysmenorrhea* ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; Humans ; Internal-External Control ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the effects of a standardized patients (SP) simulation program for nursing students on nursing competence, communication skill, self-efficacy and critical thinking ability for blood transfusion. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design study was used and included as participants 96 junior nursing students at C University. The SP group (n=48) participated in the teaching class using a SP, while the control group (n=48) received conventional practice education. The outcome measurements were nursing competence, communication skill, self-efficacy, and critical thinking ability for transfusion. RESULTS: Nursing competence, communication skill, self-efficacy, and critical thinking ability improved for students in both groups after training (2.01< or =t< or =13.03, p<.05). Self-efficacy showed greater improvement in students in the SP group compared to the control group (t=3.36, p<.001). CONCLUSION: SP simulation practice may be more effective in enhancing self-efficacy than that of conventional practice education. Whether self-efficacy will contribute to enhancing learning motivation for nursing students needs further examination.
Blood Transfusion* ; Clinical Competence ; Education ; Humans ; Learning ; Mental Competency* ; Motivation ; Nursing* ; Patient Simulation* ; Self Efficacy ; Students, Nursing* ; Thinking*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a newly developed Introduction to Clinical Nursing (ICN) program on critical thinking skills, communication competence, self-efficacy, and clinical performance self-confidence in nursing students in their third year. METHODS: One group pre-test and post-test design was used with three data collection time points (pre-test, post-test1 and post-test2). Participants were 74 third year nursing students approaching their first clinical practicum. The new program included (a) simulated clinical encounters regarding situations of assessing hospitalized patents and caring for patients with oxygenation needs, (b) objective structured clinical examination of skills, (c) lectures, and (e) field trips. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests. RESULTS: After the ICN course, critical thinking skills(significant only between pretest and post-test2), communication competence, and clinical performance self-confidence improved significantly (p<.05). There was no improvement in the self-efficacy total score but there was significant improvement in the subscale, self-regulatory efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicate that the ICN course may be effective in increasing critical thinking skills, communication competence, and clinical performance self-confidence in nursing students. However, the effect size was very small and modifications of this program should be considered to develop more cost-effective educational programs.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Humans ; Lectures ; Mental Competency ; Oxygen ; Students, Nursing ; Thinking

Background/Aims: Despite the increasing need for geriatric assessment prior to chemotherapy, the method for this assessment remains inadequate for older cancer patients. We aimed to propose a simple assessment method to predict the performance of adjuvant chemotherapy in older patients after colon cancer surgery. Methods: This prospective study included patients over 65 years of age who were scheduled for adjuvant chemotherapy after colon cancer surgery. Before initiating chemotherapy, their functional status was assessed on the basis of activities of daily living (ADL)/instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). These parameters were analyzed with clinical characteristics and the patterns of adjuvant chemotherapy. The focus was on the completion rate of adjuvant chemotherapy. Results: A total of 89 patients with a median age of 72 years were analyzed. Among them, 54 (61%) were non-impaired and 35 (39%) were impaired regarding their ADL/IADL classification. Low body mass index and impairment of ADL/IADLs were significantly associated with chemotherapy interruption. Among toxicities, fatigue and hand-foot syndrome were independent prognostic factors for chemotherapy interruption. Impairments of ADL/IADL were significantly associated with fatigue regardless of age. Based on age and ADL/IADL stratification, younger patients (≤ 72 years) and/or those who were ADL/IADL non-impaired were significantly more likely to complete adjuvant chemotherapy than older patients (> 72 years) and ADL/IADL impaired patients (p = 0.038). This was regardless of the chemotherapy regimen. Conclusions Functional assessment using ADL/IADL is a convenient method to predict chemotherapy toxicity and performance. These results suggested that routine screening for ADL/IADLs could guide appropriate patient selection for the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy and predict expected outcomes.

Poisoning by Phytolacca esculenta commonly occurs by misidentification as other edible plants. The root of Phytolacca esculenta is similar to other roots, such as kudzu, balloon flower, codonopsis lanceolata, and ginseng. The author experienced four cases of Phytolacca esculenta intoxication due to misidentification as a ginseng. We report on these cases with a review of the literature.
Codonopsis ; Panax* ; Phytolacca americana ; Phytolacca* ; Plant Poisoning ; Plants, Edible ; Platycodon ; Poisoning ; Pueraria

Distinguishing wild plants in spring from ingestible plants is difficult. Differentiation of budding plants from other plants is particularly difficult. Many people want to find edible plants for health during the spring season. Scopolia japonica can cause symptoms of mania. The author experienced three cases of poisoning by Scopolia japonica. We reported on the cases with literature reviews.
Bipolar Disorder ; Eating* ; Plants* ; Plants, Edible ; Poisoning ; Scopolia ; Seasons

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether serum creatinine levels at 3 days after renal transplantation can predict long-term graft survival and its associated clinical aspects. METHODS: Three hundred and seventy six renal transplant recipients who received grafts from living donors were included. Recipients were classified into two groups according to their serum creatinine levels (1.2 mg/dL group) at 3 days after renal transplantations. Demographic characteristics (age, sex, weight, body mass index, donor/recipient body weight ratio, pre-transplant dialysis type, underlying disease and pre-transplant transfusion), transplant variables (immuno-suppressive agents, HLA mismatch and HLA DR mismatch) and post-transplant variables (routine graft biopsy, number of acute rejection episodes within first year after renal transplantation, serum creatinine level and graft survival at each first, second, and fifth years) were assessed. RESULTS: Among total 376 recipients, serum creatinine 1.2 mg/dL groups were 224 (59.6%) recipients. The characteristics of patients with good graft function (serum creatinine 1.2 mg/dL group (first year, 100% vs. 95.7%; fifth year, 96.7% vs. 89.8%; P<0.05). Conclusion: Serum creatinine levels at 3 days after renal transplantation can predict long-term kidney transplant survival. It was associated with immunological (frequency of acute rejection) and non- immunological aspect (match of kidney size and donor's age).
Biopsy ; Body Weight ; Creatinine* ; Dialysis ; Female ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Living Donors ; Transplantation ; Transplants*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The association between hearing impairment and cognitive function has been established in previous studies. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of conventional hearing aids and middle ear implants on cognitive function. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This study included 22 participants who underwent middle ear implantation between October 2013 and September 2016. Their mean age at surgery was 70 years. Using Pure tone audiometry (PTA), the Speech discrimination test (SDT), and the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire, we compared audiologic benefits of three conditions [without hearing aids, with conventional hearing aids, or with Vibrant Sound bridge (VSB)]. Cognitive ability was evaluated using neuropsychological testings (Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery) at intervals of approximately eight weeks. RESULTS: The results of PTA showed a 7.96 dB HL gain with conventional hearing aids and a 10.00 dB HL gain with the use of VSB. SDT results showed a 4.10% gain with conventional hearing aids and a 10% gain with the use of VSB. Results of the APHAB questionnaire showed a significant increase with the use of VSB compared to conventional hearing aids. In the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, a slight improvement was observed after middle ear implantation. In the Digit Span Test and Korean-Boston Naming Test, a significant improvement was seen with the use of VSB compared to conventional hearing aids. CONCLUSION: The use of middle ear implants in rehabilitation of hearing communication in patients showed improvements in cognitive abilities, compared to the use of conventional hearing aids.
Audiometry ; Cognition* ; Ear, Middle* ; Hearing Aids* ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Methods ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Ossicular Prosthesis* ; Rehabilitation ; Speech Discrimination Tests