In this paper, we reviewed domestic and foreign cases and evaluation methods for validation of sleep products for development of the domestic sleep industry. Foreign companies and organizations are trying to verify products relatively systematically for demonstration purposes, but they are using different methods depending on the institution, and standardized validation guidelines have not been established. In Korea, there has been little evaluation including objective verification for sleep products. Sleep-wake evaluation for validation of sleep products requires expert evaluation of the product and of the product effectiveness by users, and subjective and objective sleep-wake evaluations and circadian rhythm evaluation methods can be used. For more accurate verification, experimental designs such as randomization method, control product utilization method, and cross-experiment design can be used.

In this paper, we reviewed domestic and foreign cases and evaluation methods for validation of sleep products for development of the domestic sleep industry. Foreign companies and organizations are trying to verify products relatively systematically for demonstration purposes, but they are using different methods depending on the institution, and standardized validation guidelines have not been established. In Korea, there has been little evaluation including objective verification for sleep products. Sleep-wake evaluation for validation of sleep products requires expert evaluation of the product and of the product effectiveness by users, and subjective and objective sleep-wake evaluations and circadian rhythm evaluation methods can be used. For more accurate verification, experimental designs such as randomization method, control product utilization method, and cross-experiment design can be used.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify role ambiguity of comprehensive nursing care unit nurses. METHODS: A concept analysis method by Walker and Avant was used to understand role ambiguity of comprehensive nursing care unit nurses. RESULTS: The antecedents of role ambiguity of nurses at comprehensive nursing units were shortage of nurses, unclear admission criteria, and demands for customized nursing care according to severity. Attributes include ambiguity in role delegation, patient placement ambiguity, and professional ambiguity among nursing staff. The consequences were diminished job satisfaction due to excessive workload, difficulty in resolving role ambiguity due to the lack of work analysis studies, and poor outcome of nursing indicators. CONCLUSION Improvement of nationwide awareness for comprehensive nursing care unit is required. Clear division at scope of practice for nursing staff in accordance of each medical institution's characteristics is essential. Nurses at comprehensive nursing care unit should understand nature of role ambiguity that occurs as they work in large groups. Nurses should promote communications between nursing staff and they must have volition to improve status quo. An additional research of comprehensive nursing care on the causes of role ambiguity in the practice of nursing care for ward nurses is needed, and management measures should be sought at the organizational level.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Relocation to new environments can have a negative impact on health by altering body weight and dietary patterns. This study attempted to elucidate changes in body weight, food security, and their current food and nutrient consumption in adult North Korean refugees (NKR) living in South Korea (SK). SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study analyzed data on 149 adult NKR from a North Korean refugee health in SK cohort at four time points (leaving North Korea, entering SK, first examination, and second examination). Body weight was self-reported at the two earlier time points and directly measured at the two later time points. Food security, diet-related behaviors (dietary habits and food consumption), and sociodemographic information were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Nutrient intake information was obtained by one-day 24-hour recall. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS ver 23.0. RESULTS: Body weight increased during relocation by an average of 4 kg, although diversified patterns were observed during the settlement period in SK. Approximately 39.6% of subjects maintained their body weight between the first and second examinations, whereas 38.6% gained and 22.1% lost at least 3% of their body weight at the first examination by the second examination. Food security status improved from 12.1% food secure proportion to 61.7%. NKR showed generally good food and nutrient consumption (index of nutrient quality: 0.77–1.93). The body weight loss group showed the most irregular meal consumption pattern (P < 0.05), and eating-out was infrequent in all three groups. Consumption frequencies of food groups did not differ by group, except in the fish group (P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: This study observed considerable body weight adjustment during the settlement period in SK after initial weight gain, whereas food security consistently improved. More detailed understanding of this process is needed to assist healthy settlement for NKR in SK.
Adult* ; Body Weight Changes ; Body Weight* ; Cohort Studies ; Democratic People's Republic of Korea ; Diet ; Food Supply* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Meals ; Refugees* ; Weight Gain

Most cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) occur without a specific identifiable cause, although vascular factors may serve as potential etiological contributors. Silent infarction refers to ischemic changes observed on imaging studies without accompanying clinical symptoms; however, this condition is clinically significant owing to the increased risk of future stroke. We report a case of left-sided SSNHL accompanied by dizziness in a 62-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with left pontine infarction without any other neurological symptoms. The cochlea and pons receive blood supply from the anterior inferior cerebellar artery; the cochlea lacks collateral vessels and is therefore susceptible to fluctuations in blood flow. This case report provides evidence to support the vascular hypothesis as the etiology underlying SSNHL

Background: To compare the muscle strength of patients with a hip fracture according to the presence of sarcopenia after surgery and the correlation of measured values between a Biodex and surface electromyography (sEMG) in postoperative measurement of muscle strength. Methods: Seventy-one patients who underwent hip fracture surgery were included in this study. Muscle mass was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and the grip strength was evaluated using a dynamometer. The diagnosis of sarcopenia followed the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria. We evaluated the Biodex to assess muscle strength according to the presence of sarcopenia and at the same time measured the sEMG to evaluate the correlation of muscle strength between Biodex and sEMG. Results: We assigned 34 patients with sarcopenia and 37 without sarcopenia to 2 groups. In the comparison of muscle strength using Biodex and sEMG between the 2 groups, it was confirmed that muscle strength of sarcopenia group was decreased compared with that of the non-sarcopenia group, although there was no statistical significance between the groups. However, Biodex and sEMG showed very close correlation with muscle strength in all variables. Conclusions We suggest that using sEMG for the evaluation of muscle strength after hip fracture surgery may be an excellent tool alternative to isokinetic testing machines such as the Biodex.

PURPOSE: With the improved surgical techniques and immunosuppression available today, conventional prognostic factors have taken on less significance. Accordingly, the native renal function of the donor is thought to be more important. Thus, we analyzed the prognostic significance of the donor's renal function as assessed by 24-hour urine creatinine clearance on kidney graft survival for 10 years after living kidney transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1998 to July 2000, 71 living kidney transplantations were performed at a single institution. From among these, 68 recipients were followed for more than 6 months and were included in the present analysis. We analyzed kidney graft survival according to clinical parameters of the donor and the recipient. RESULTS: Mean follow-up duration of recipients after living kidney transplantation was 115.0+/-39.4 months (range, 10 to 157 months), and 31 recipients (45.6%) experienced kidney graft loss during this time period. Estimated mean kidney graft survival time was 131.8+/-6.2 months, and 5-year and 10-year kidney graft survival rates were estimated as 88.2% and 61.0%, respectively. Donor's mean 24-hour urine creatinine clearance (Ccr) before kidney transplantation was 122.8+/-21.2 ml/min/1.73 m2 (range, 70.1 to 186.6 ml/min/1.73 m2). The 10-year kidney graft survival rates for cases stratified by a donor's Ccr lower and higher than 120 ml/min/1.73 m2 were 39.0% and 67.2%, respectively (p=0.005). In univariate and multivariate analysis, donor's Ccr was retained as an independent prognostic factor of kidney graft survival (p=0.001 and 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Donor's 24-hour urine Ccr before living kidney transplantation was an independent prognostic factor of kidney graft survival. Therefore, it should be considered before living kidney transplantation.
Creatinine ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Multivariate Analysis ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute*

A 43-year-old male presented with effort angina. Ammonia positron emission tomography (PET) revealed reversible perfusion defect in left anterior descending artery (LAD) and left circumflex artery (LCX) territories with decreased coronary flow reserve. Coronary angiogram showed significant stenosis in proximal LAD and intermediate diffuse stenosis in LCX and right coronary artery (RCA). Fractional flow reserve (FFR) showed similar results with ammonia PET. After percutaneous coronary intervention for LAD and LCX, flow and pressure checked by PET and FFR showed improvement. Simultaneously use of ammonia PET and FFR could be useful for determining ischemia-inducible lesion especially in diffuse intermediate lesion with discrepancy between functional studies.
Adult ; Ammonia ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Male ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention* ; Perfusion ; Positron-Emission Tomography*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to propose a common scope of practice (SOP) for 13 specialties of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in Korea.METHODS: The first draft of a common SOP was extracted from domestic and international laws with a literature review by 17 experts from the Korean Association of Advanced Practice Nurses (KAAPN). Then, the common SOP was finalized after comparing the activities of APNs in clinical settings.RESULTS: A total of 70 duties were identified and six categories were suggested for the common SOP. The SOP proposed by the KAAPN featured the following: 1) identification of and discrimination between health problems; 2) prescription and implementation of diagnostic tests; 3) treatment of injuries and diseases while implementing measures to prevent exacerbation; 4) prescription of medicinal products in line with 1) to 3); 5) referral and consultation; and 6) education and counseling. It was then confirmed that the proposed six categories in the common SOP reflected all the duties performed by APNs in clinical practice, including all 40 activities.CONCLUSION: The results of this study can be used as evidence for the legalization of a common SOP for APNs. Given the increasing multidisciplinary team approach adopted in Korean hospitals, it may be desirable to establish a broader SOP to reflect the diverse duties of APNs.
Counseling ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Education ; International Law ; Korea ; Prescriptions ; Professional Practice ; Referral and Consultation