PURPOSE: To compare the anterior segment measurements with a Galilei® dual Scheimpflug analyzer and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (Cirrus OCT®). METHODS: Forty-eight eyes of 24 normal young adults were assessed for repeatability with two identical measurements of the central corneal thickness, minimum corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, and anterior chamber angle using the Galilei® dual-Scheimpflug analyzer and Cirrus OCT®. RESULTS: The central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, and anterior chamber angle were highly reproducible and repeatable (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.90). Repeatability of the minimum corneal thickness was slightly lower (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.69). The mean corneal thickness measured using the Galilei® dual Scheimpflug analyzer was 0.26 ± 7.11 µm thinner than that measured using the Cirrus OCT®, and the mean corneal thickness was 0.37 ± 7.35 µm thicker, but was not statistically significant. The anterior chamber depth was 0.22 ± 0.08 mm deeper than the Cirrus OCT® (p < 0.007), and the anterior chamber angle was 7.87°± 1.32° larger than the Cirrus OCT® (p = 0.04). The 95% agreements of the central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, and anterior chamber angle between instruments were 85.30 µm, 1.43 mm, and 27.90°, respectively, and showed a high correlation (r ≥ 0.90; p < 0.001). The repeatability of the minimum corneal thickness was slightly low (r = 0.69; p < 0.001), and the range of agreement was larger (109.58 µm). CONCLUSIONS: The anterior segment measurements obtained with the dual rotating Scheimpflug camera and new anterior segment OCT in normal eyes was comparable and reproducible. However, the agreement ranges of the measured values were relatively large, so it was difficult to exchange values between instruments.
Anterior Chamber ; Humans ; Tomography, Optical Coherence* ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Lymphangioma* ; Orbit*

The cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction model has been developed based on information on CVD-free subjects, including age, hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and smoking status. A methodological review on whether the CVD risk prediction model is appropriate for diabetes patients is necessary. In general, the prediction model consists of three components-relative risk (RR), mean of risk factors, and survival rate. The prediction model would be useable if no differences in those components are found between the general population and diabetes patients. However, in our results, differences were found in the mean of risk factors and survival rate of CVD between the general population and diabetes patients, while no difference was found in RR. In other words, diabetes patients had a significantly increased mean of risk factors and decreased survival rates for CVD. Since the existing CVD risk prediction model for the general population is not applicable to diabetes patients, it is critical to develop a new model for them.
Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Forecasting ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Survival Rate

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the job performance, importance, and difficulty in Surgical Clinical Practice Nurses (SCPNs), and to identify the priority of job tasks using Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA). Methods: One hundred SCPNs were recruited from two university hospitals and two general hospitals during November 2021 to April 2022. A total of 97 data were analyzed excluding 3 data due to missing responses. The data were analyzed by two groups, with Ward-Based SCPNs (W-SCPNs) and Operation Room-Based SCPNs (OR-SCPNs) according to different characteristics of job tasks. Results: There were differences of job performance between W-SCPNs and OR-SCPNs. As a result of the IPA, tasks of ‘working practices in the ward’ for W-SCPNs and those of ‘surgery and treatments’ for OR-SCPNs were included in the first quadrant (keep up the good work). ‘Resarch’ and ‘leardership’ were included in the third quadrant (low priority). Conclusion Since there are differences in job tasks between W-SCPNs and OR-SCPNs, health care institutions should consider the differences in defining the scope of job performance. Furthermore, it is necessary to develop customized continuing education program based on our findings of IPA.

The formation of cysts in the parameatal area has been reported as rare. A parameatal urethral cyst is a congenital anomaly and has been reported even more rarely in adults. In this study, we present two cases of parameatal urethral cyst and aim to investigate their causes and treatment methods. The extent of cyst spread was assessed using a urethroscope prior to cyst excision, and the excision range was determined accordingly. Complete excision of the cyst was performed as the treatment for parameatal urethral cyst. Both patients were adults who presented with urinary symptoms related to the cyst, necessitating the excision of the congenital parameatal urethral cyst.

Purpose: This study was done to analyze effects of leader-member exchange as perceived by nurses who returned to work after parental leave: conflict between work and family via job stress. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adopted and data were collected from 140 nurses. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 23.0 program (descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis). Results: Mean scores were 3.44±0.64 out of 5 for leader-member exchange, 3.45±0.59 out of 5 for job stress, and 2.82±0.80 out of 5 for conflict between work and family. The leader-member exchange had negative correlations with job stress (r=-.31, p=.003) and conflict between work and family (r=-.36, p<.001). The leader-member exchange had direct impacts on conflict between work and family (β=-.26, p=.002) and indirect via job stress (β=.35, p<.001). Job stress had partial mediating effects on relations between leader-member exchange and conflict between work and family (Z=-3.00, p<.001). The leader-member exchange and job stress explained 41% of the conflict between work and family. Conclusion The findings from this study indicate that active human resource management policies should be established in order to increase the leader-member exchange.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is considered a primary driver of global mortality and is estimated to be responsible for approximately 17.9 million deaths annually. Consequently, a substantial body of research related to CVD has developed, with an emphasis on identifying strategies for the prevention and effective treatment of CVD. In this review, we critically examine the existing CVD literature, and specifically highlight the contribution of Mendelian randomization analyses in CVD research. Throughout this review, we assess the extent to which research findings agree across a range of studies of differing design within a triangulation framework. If differing study designs are subject to non-overlapping sources of bias, consistent findings limit the extent to which results are merely an artefact of study design. Consequently, broad agreement across differing studies can be viewed as providing more robust causal evidence in contrast to limiting the scope of the review to a single specific study design. Utilising the triangulation approach, we highlight emerging patterns in research findings, and explore the potential of identified risk factors as targets for precision medicine and novel interventions.
Artifacts ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Mortality ; Precision Medicine ; Random Allocation ; Risk Factors

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is considered a primary driver of global mortality and is estimated to be responsible for approximately 17.9 million deaths annually. Consequently, a substantial body of research related to CVD has developed, with an emphasis on identifying strategies for the prevention and effective treatment of CVD. In this review, we critically examine the existing CVD literature, and specifically highlight the contribution of Mendelian randomization analyses in CVD research. Throughout this review, we assess the extent to which research findings agree across a range of studies of differing design within a triangulation framework. If differing study designs are subject to non-overlapping sources of bias, consistent findings limit the extent to which results are merely an artefact of study design. Consequently, broad agreement across differing studies can be viewed as providing more robust causal evidence in contrast to limiting the scope of the review to a single specific study design. Utilising the triangulation approach, we highlight emerging patterns in research findings, and explore the potential of identified risk factors as targets for precision medicine and novel interventions.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify employment experiences of nurses caring for hospitalized foreign patients. METHODS: For this study, 10 nurses caring for foreign patients for more than 6 months were chosen purposively. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews from July to September 2013 and analyzed in terms of Giorgi's phenomenological methodology. RESULTS: Five themes-clusters were identified from fifteen themes; 1) Awesome challenges; 2) Laborious dealing with barriers; 3) Acceptance of cultural differences; 4) Complete concentration of personal energy; 5) Taking a powerful step towards tomorrow. CONCLUSION: Results of this study reveal the significance of nurses' experiences in caring for foreign patients for the first time in Korea. The following are suggested: First, facilitation and training is necessary for language proficiency, communication skills and ability to understand cultural traits of foreign patients. Second, manuals and international guidelines for caring for foreign patients should be systematically developed to improve quality of healthcare services.
Employment* ; Humans ; Korea ; Quality of Health Care

OBJECTIVE: To investigate longitudinal changes in the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren's syndrome patient reported index (ESSPRI) and to study the clinical features associated with favorable ESSPRI changes in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS: At baseline and after a median period of 6.6 years, 41 pSS patients were evaluated using the ESSPRI, EULAR Sjögren's syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI), short-form 36, xerostomia inventory (XI), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for symptoms. The favorable subgroup included patients who were stable or showed improved to satisfactory symptom status (ESSPRI<5) and the unfavorable subgroup included those with stable or worsening to an unsatisfactory symptom status (ESSPRI ≥5). RESULTS: Median ESSPRI increased from 4.11 to 5.33 (p<0.05), although XI scores (p=0.01) and oral dryness (p<0.05) were significantly decreased. Serum immunoglobulin G level was significantly reduced (p<0.001) but ESSDAI scores were unchanged. Six (14.6%) patients showed clinical improvement in ESSDAI, and 11 (26.8%) showed improvement in ESSPRI. On comparing the favorable (n=17) and unfavorable (n=24) subgroups, the former exhibited significantly lower VAS scores for sicca and depression and XI and ESSPRI scores at baseline (all p<0.05) and more lacrimal flow (p<0.05). The favorable subgroup received a significantly lower cumulative dose of pilocarpine and glucocorticoids (both p<0.05). CONCLUSION: About 25% of pSS patients showed clinically significant ESSPRI improvement and about 40% showed a favorable ESSPRI course. Because the favorable subgroup had more lacrimal flow and less sicca symptoms at baseline, long-term patient-derived outcomes could depend on residual exocrine function at pSS diagnosis.
Depression ; Diagnosis ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Patient Outcome Assessment ; Pilocarpine ; Quality of Life ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Visual Analog Scale ; Xerophthalmia ; Xerostomia