PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations among emotional intelligence, interpersonal relationship, and job satisfaction among clinical nurses. METHODS: Data were collected from 315 nurses who had worked for more than 6 months at five general hospitals by a self-reported questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe-test, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchial regression using SPSS 18.0 program. RESULTS: The mean score of emotional intelligence was 3.42 and the score of self emotional appraisal was the highest. The mean score of interpersonal relationship was 3.44 and the score of intimacy was the highest. The mean score of job satisfaction was 3.04. Emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationship were positively correlated with the job satisfaction. Hierarchial multiple regression analysis showed that use of emotion was the main factor of affecting job satisfaction, which explained 30.8% of the variance for the nurses' job satisfaction together with intimacy, regulation of emotion, position, and monthly salary. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated that emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationship, especially use and control of emotion and intimacy contributed to nurses' job satisfaction. It is necessary to develop and implement the program for increasing emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationship for improving job satisfaction.
Emotional Intelligence* ; Hospitals, General ; Job Satisfaction* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of LH receptor in folliculogenesis, we confirm the expression level of LH receptor (LH-R) mRNA in human granulosa cells (GCs) and its expression levels were analyzed by comparison to embryo developmental rate and pregnancy rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GCs were obtained at the time of oocyte retrieval from the patients undergoing IVF-ET program. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n=20) is poor responder (retrieved oocyte(s)< or =3ea), Group II (n=80) is normal responder (retrieved oocytes>3ea). After the extraction of total RNA, semiquantitative RT-PCR was performed and the expression level of LH-R mRNA was normalized by beta-actin. Statistical analysis was performed by using Chi(2) test, Student's t-test and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: In Group II, the relative values of LH-R mRNA (0.680 vs. 0.463, p<0.005) and pregnancy rate (54.7% vs. 23.1%, p<0.05) were significantly higher than in Group I. Number of retrieved oocyte(s) was gradually increased when the expression of LH-R mRNA was increased (p<0.05). But the quality of retrieved oocyte and transferred embryo were not related with the expression of LH-R mRNA. When the pregnancy rate was compared with FSH only group and FSH combined with hMG group in the ovarian stimulation protocol, FSH combined with hMG group was significantly higher than FSH only group in Group I (37.5% vs. 0%), and the expression of LH-R mRNA was significantly higher in hMG combined group than FSH only group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Expression level of LH-R mRNA has important role in ovarian function related with the response to gonadotrophin in human folliculogenesis. Furthermore these data might provide the evidence that additional use of hMG is helpful to poor responders.
Actins ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Granulosa Cells ; Humans ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Oocytes ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy Rate ; Pregnancy* ; Receptors, LH* ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger

BACKGROUND: It is said that tuberculous pleuritis responds well to anti-tuberculous drug in general, so no further aggressive therapeutic management is unnecesarry except in case of diagnostic thoracentesis. But in clinical practice, we often see some patients who need later decortication due to dyspnea caused by pleural loculation or thickening despite several months of anti-tuberculous drug therapy. Therefore, we want to know the clinical difference between a group who received decortication due to complication of tuberculous pleuritis despite of anti-tuberculous drug and a group who improved after 9 months of anti-tuberculous drug only. METHODS: We reviewed 20 tuberculous pleuritis patients(group 1) who underwent decortication due to dyspnea caused by pleural loculation or severe pleural thickening despite of anti-tuberculous drug therapy for 9 or more months, and 20 other tuberculous pleuritis patients(group 2) who improved by anti-tuberculous drug only and had similar degrees of initial pleural effusion and similar age,sex distribution. Then we compared between the two groups the duration of symptoms before anti-tuberculous drug treatment and pleural fluid biochemistry like glucose, LDH, protein and pleural fluid cell count and WBC differential count, and we also wanted to know whether there was any difference in preoperative PFT value and postoperative PFT value in the patients who underwent decortication, and obtained following results. RESULTS: 1) Group 1 patients had lower glucose level{63.3+/-30.8(mg/dl)} than that of the group 2{98.5+/-34.2(mg/dl), p<0.05}, and higher LDH level{776.3+/-266.0(IU/L)} than the group 2 patients{376.3 +/-123.1(IU/L), p<0.05), and also longer duration of symptom before treatment{2.0+/-1.7(month)} than the group 2{ 1.1 +/-1.2(month), p<0.05)}, respectively. 2) In group 1, FVC changed from preoperative 2.55+/-0.80(L) to postoperative 2.99+/-0.78(L)(p<0.05), and FEV1 changed from preoperative 2.19 +/- 0.70(L/sec) to postoperative 2.50+/-0.69(L/sec) (p<0.05). 3) There was no difference in pleural fluid protein level(5.05+/-1.01(gm/dL) and 5.15+/-0.77 (gm/dl), p>0.05) and WBC differential count between group 1 and group 2. CONCLUSION: It is probable that in tuberculous pleuritis there is a risk of complication in the case of showing relatively low pleural fluid glucose or high LDH level, or in the case of having long duraton of symptom before treatment. We thought prospective study should be performed to confirm this.
Biochemistry ; Cell Count ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Glucose ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion* ; Pleurisy ; Prospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Pleural*

We report here on a case of a recurrent left anterior neck infection and focal left suppurative thyroiditis that were associated with a congenital pyriform sinus fistula (PSF) in an 18-year-old male. Acute suppurative thyroidits is a very rare clinical condition and it is usually caused by infection that's derived from infected perithyroidal tissue or a congenital internal fistula. The PSF can lead to recurrent episodes of neck inflammation and abscess, and it is the most common cause of acute suppurative thyroiditis in young man. In this current case, the CT scan showed an air-containing tract of a PSF from the left pyriform sinus to the left thyroid gland and the perithyroidal soft tissue. The CT scan also showed a neck inflammatory infiltration or abscess along the course of the sinus tract. The focal low density of the thyroid parenchyma was seen and this was suggestive of suppurative thyroiditis. Barium esophagography demonstrated the fistulous tract in the PSF. We performed laryngoscopy, and the internal opening of the pyriform sinus fistula was successfully cauterized with AgNO3 and the post procedure course was fair. When an air-containing tract and a recurrent inflammatory infiltration or abscess are present at the left anterior neck with including the thyroid and perithyroidal soft tissue, a PSF should be strongly suspected.
Abscess ; Adolescent ; Barium ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Laryngoscopy ; Male ; Neck ; Pyriform Sinus* ; Soft Tissue Infections* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis ; Thyroiditis, Suppurative ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Chronic postoperative pain (CPOP) is defined as pain of at least 2 months duration after a surgical procedure. Until recently, it has been a neglected topic, because it can occur after a wide spectrum of operations; however, little is known regarding its underlying mechanism, prevalence, risk factors, and treatments. We investigated characteristics of CPOP after various operations via a questionnaire. METHODS: Patients were contacted at > 2 months after surgery, irrespective of sex, type of operation or anesthesia method, and a follow-up pain questionnaire was administered by phone. RESULTS: One hundred forty-five of 400 patients (36.3%) described CPOP. The prevalence of CPOP was significantly lower in laparoscopic surgery (29/159, 18.2%) than open surgery (116/241, 48.1%). The prevalence of CPOP was higher with the use of PCA (patient controlled analgesia), (45.3%) than without PCA (24.6%). There were no significant differences regarding sex, anesthetic method, or duration of operation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the prevalence of CPOP may be related to use of an endoscope and PCA. However, it is difficult to completely explain the correlation, because this is a complex area of research. More research is needed to improve the quality of pain relief.
Anesthesia ; Endoscopes ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Pain, Postoperative ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the application rate and effectiveness of endoscopic operations based on 6,017 cases in the field of gynecology. METHODS: Six-thousand-seventeen cases of endoscopic operations were performed from March 1993 to June 2004 in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Endoscopy, Good Moonhwa Hospital. Endoscopic operations were done on the majority of patients who had benign gynecologic diseases. We applied "two-surgeons system" and simplified methods of operation consisted of endoloop-ligation, endosuture and endotying. RESULTS: Our endoscopic operations were successful in 5,994 cases (99.62%) out of 6,017 attempts. Twenty-three cases (0.38%) were converted to laparotomy due to severe pelvic adhesion, excessive bleeding or difficulty in accessibility. In the first year endoscopic operations were done in 29.0% of the total gynecologic operations, but was increased to 52.9% during the next 4 years. In 2003, 93.0% and in 2004, 99.0% of the total gynecologic operations were done by endoscope. While the simple technique surgeries showed a high application rate, the more complicated technique surgeries, which began at a lower rate, showed a steady increase up to 89.3%. Blood loss and operation time were markedly declined during 3 year period and maintained at a low level thereafter. A 3 years' period of endoscopic operations (about 500 cases) is necessary for a hospital learning curve while, 26.4 cases is necessary an individual surgeon's learning curve. The major complications during the study period was 28 cases (0.47%). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic operations can be applied in almost all benign gynecologic diseases. In particular, "two-surgeons system" is a safe method with few complications and minimal learning period. These results suggest that if appropriate techniques could be learned, endoscopic operation might be preferred to laparotomy for both surgeons and patients.
Endoscopes ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Genital Diseases, Female* ; Gynecology ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Learning ; Learning Curve ; Obstetrics

Endobronchial foreign bodies are difficult to diagnose as the cause of obstructive pneumonia and atelectasis, However, once discovered, they can generally be removed, leading to an immediate and dramatic resolution of the symptoms. Occasionally, small foreign bodies that lodge in the peripheral airway are often initially asymptomatic but become symptomatic several years later. We reported a case of obstructive pneumonia and massive hemoptysis caused by a foreign metallic body. The patient knew that the foreign body was lodged in the peripheral airway on the chest X-ray, but did not want treatment. Several years later, he had a massive hemoptysis and obstructive pneumonia. Removal with a flexible bronchoscope failed, but the metallic foreign body was self-expectorated by coughing after the procedure. The pneumonia was resolved after removing the foreign body. The patient improved and was discharged without any sequela.
Bronchoscopes ; Cough ; Foreign Bodies* ; Hemoptysis* ; Humans ; Pneumonia* ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: An earlier index of reperfusion is desirable to determine whether additional therapy is necessary for myocardial salvage. Using the washout phenomenon of biochemical markers, many investigator have reported noninvasive methods for detection coronary reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Recently cardiac Troponin-T has been developed as a new myocardial specific marker, especially myocardial damage. The object of this study is to investigate the utility of cardiac Troponin-T for early assessment of reperfusion therapy. METHODS: The study group comprised 10 patients with acute myocardial infarction and reperfusion therapy that was initiated within 6 hours after the onset of symptoms. Blood samples were taken before treatment, every 30 min interval for 3 hours and then 6, 24, 72 hours after the onset of reperfusion therapy to measuring Troponin-T, Creatin Kinase(CK), and CK-MB level. Serum concentration of cardiac Troponin-T level was measured with immunoassed using ES-300, Boehringer Mannheim. We compared the real reperfusion that was assessed by coronary angiogram, chest pain disappearence and resolusion of St-segment elevation with an index of coronary reperfusion, the increase in Troponin-T(big up tri, open Troponin-T) 60, 90 min after repefusion therapy(Successful Reperfusion Index : Tn-T 60(90)-0>0.3 ng/ml) and the sensitivity, specificity, Positive, and negative predictive value were calculated using this threshold(Successful Reperfusion Index). RESULTS: 1) The studied patients(M/F : 7/3, mean age 54+/-12 year) were treated within 3 hour with thrombolytic therapy(7 patients, t-PA) or emergency angioplasty(3 patients). 2) The cardiac Troponin-T levels in eight patients with successful reperfusion showed early peak within 24 hours after reperfusion therapy were initiated but in 2 patients without successful reperfusion showed sustained increase without early peak within 24 hours. The CK-MB levels in patients with successful reperfusion also showed early peak within 24 hours but 5 of 8 patients showed no significant increase until 2 hours after reperfusion therapy. 3) The sensivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for detecting reperfusion using a threshold value of 0.3 ng/ml of big up tri, open Troponin-T 90 min(60 min) after reperfusion therapy was 100%(56%), 50(100%), 89%(100%), and 100%(20%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Serial measurements of cardiac Troponin-T, especially reperfusion index(0.3 ng/ml of big up tri, open Troponin-T 90 min after reperfusion therapy) are useful for early assessment of reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction.
Biomarkers ; Chest Pain ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Myocardial Reperfusion ; Reperfusion* ; Research Personnel ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Troponin T*

Uterus didelphys with unilateral obstructed hemivagina is indeed a very rare congenital anomaly. Uterus didelphys with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis usually presents after menarche with progressive abdominal pain during menses secondary to hematocolpos. The method of choice for diagnosis is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI can do much for the early diagnosis and the prevention against further complications of this condition because it can demonstrate the mullerian duct anomaly complicated with obstructed hemivagina in detail and even ipsilateral renal agenesis. A greater awareness of the syndrome of uterus didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis should lead to its prompt diagnosis, allowing for early and appropriate surgical intervention as well as decreased long-term morbidity. Early accurate diagnosis after menarche followed by excision and marsupialization of the blind hemivagina offers complete relief of symptoms and preserves reproductive potential. We report a case of uterine didelphys with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agensis with a brief review of the literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Hematocolpos ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Menarche ; Uterus*

PURPOSE: To access the usefulness of newly designed Leven tube inserted drip infusion spiral CT for theevaluation of remnant stomach and anastomosis site in patients who have undergone subtotal gastrectomy for stomachcancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A new technique named Levin tube inserted drip infusion spiral CT was used toprospectively study 23 patients. A 16Fr Levin tube was inserted into the remnant stomach ; 500ml of tap water wasdrip infused just before CT scanning and an additional 500ml of water was infused during IV contrast injection.Water was infused by gravity, using a water bottle suspended at a height of 90cm(Group A). The 31 patients whounderwent conventional spiral CT scanning immediately after the divided ingestion of 900ml diluted gastrografinwere selected as a control group(Group B). The anatomic delineation of the anastomosis site was graded by tworadiologists as excellent(3), good(2), fair(1) or poor(0). To evaluate the degree of distension, the maximaldiameters of remnant stomach and the anastomosis site, and the thickness of the stomach wall, were also measured. RESULTS: In group A, anatomic delineation of the anastomosis site was excellent, compared to group B(mean score:2.91 vs 1.19, P<0.01). In addition, the maximum diameters of remnant stomach and anastomosis site weresignificantly larger in group A than in group B(transverse A-P remnant stomach and anastomosis site : 92.4+/-16.0mm, 97.6+/-26.5mm, 29.7+/-7.3mm vs 50.6+/-12.9mm, 53.5+/-14.4mm, 7.7+/-4.4mm, P<0.01). The mean thickness of distended stomach wallin group A was 3.2+/-1.7mm ; in group B, measurement was possible in only a few cases, but their number was too smallfor comparison. CONCLUSION: In patients who had undergone subtobal gastrectomy, Levin tube inserted drip infusionspiral CT showed excellent anatomic delineation of the site of anastomosis and remnant stomach. We found thatbecause it increases the distension of remnant stomach and the anastomosis site, this technique is effective forthe evaluation of postoperative stomach.
Eating ; Gastrectomy ; Gastric Stump ; Gravitation ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous* ; Stomach ; Tomography, Spiral Computed* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Water