Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ego-resilience, nursing professionalism and empathy on clinical competency and to suggest strategies for improving the clinical competency of general hospital nurses. Methods: Data collection was performed from Jan. 18th, 2019 to Feb. 14th. A total of 194 nurses from four general hospitals participated in this study. The collected data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Scheffe test, Pearson's correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis using SPSS 23.0. Results: The factors affecting the clinical competency of general hospital nurses included ego-resilience (β=.28, p<.001), nursing professionalism (β=.20, p=.011), empathic concern (β=.19, p=.003), working department (β=-.17, p=.008), total clinical career (β=.15, p=.011), and number of beds (β=.13, p=.033). These factors accounted for 33.0% of the clinical competency (p<.001). Conclusion It is important to find ways to improve the level of empathy of general hospital nurses and there is a need to include education programs or practical interventions to strengthen empathy at the clinical level.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify whether spirituality mediates the relationship between empathy and elderly care performance among Long Term Care (LTC) hospitals nurses in Korea. Methods: The data collection was performed July 1st to August 31th, 2018. Participants were 119 nurses from three long-term care hospitals in Korea. Self-reported questionnaires were administered to assess general characteristics, empathy, spirituality and elderly care performance. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and three-stage simple and multiple regression analysis as proposed by Baron and Kenny. Results: The level of elderly care performance of participants was significantly different based on age (F=3.92, p=.010) and nurse's position (t=−2.18, p=.031). Spirituality had a significant mediating effect on the relationship between empathy and elderly care performance (Z=3.64, p<.001). Conclusion As spirituality completely mediates the relationship between empathy and elderly care performance, it is necessary to develop a nursing education program that applies spirituality and empathy and supports religious activities at an institutional level.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of aromatherapy on agitation in patients with dementia using a meta-analysis and systemic literature review. METHODS: The EMBASE, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and other databases were searched up to November 2017. RESULTS: Of 419 publications identified, 12 met inclusion criteria, and 9 studies were used to estimate the effect size of aromatherapy. A total of 837 participants across all studies were included. The commonly applied methods were massage (50%), type of oil lavender (75%), and instrument Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (75%). A medium effect size of aromatherapy on agitation was identified (d=−0.56, I2=65.0%, p=.001). The massage group has lower effect size than the other group (d=−0.98, I2=0.0%, p=.001). CONCLUSION: Aromatherapy appears to be effective in improving agitation in patients with dementia. However, further studies for home-dwelling patients with dementia and with different types of aroma oil should be conducted in the future. In addition, research with well-designed are needed to assess the effects or aromatherapy on agitation.
Aromatherapy ; Dementia ; Dihydroergotamine ; Humans ; Lavandula ; Massage ; Psychomotor Agitation

Brain diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, depression, schizophrenia, autism, and addiction lead to reduced quality of daily life through abnormal thoughts, perceptions, emotional states, and behavior. While the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, human and animal studies have supported a role of neuroinflammation in the etiology of these diseases. In the central nervous system, an increased inflammatory response is capable of activating microglial cells, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. In turn, the pro-inflammatory cytokines aggravate and propagate neuroinflammation, degenerating healthy neurons and impairing brain functions. Therefore, activated microglia may play a key role in neuroinflammatory processes contributing to the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders and neurodegeneration.
Alzheimer Disease ; Animals ; Autistic Disorder ; Brain ; Brain Diseases ; Central Nervous System ; Cytokines ; Depression ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Microglia ; Necrosis ; Neurodegenerative Diseases* ; Neurons ; Parkinson Disease ; Schizophrenia

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) enzyme can cause inflammation. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is also involved in the inflammatory response through regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). Areca catechu is one of the known fruit plants of the Palmaceae family. It has been used for a long time as a source of herbal medicine in Indonesia. In this study, we explored the effect of Indonesian Areca catechu leaf ethanol extract (ACE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and carrageenan-induced paw edema models. Recently, this natural extract has been in the spotlight because of its efficacy and limited or no toxic side effects. However, the mechanism underlying its anti-inflammatory effect remains to be elucidated. MATERIALS/METHODS: We measured NO production by using the Griess reagent, and determined the expression levels of inflammation-related proteins, such as iNOS, COX2, and NF-kappaB, by western blot. To confirm the effect of ACE in vivo, we used the carrageenan-induced paw edema model. RESULTS: Compared to untreated cells, LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells treated with ACE showed reduced NO generation and reduced iNOS and COX-2 expression. We found that the acute inflammatory response was significantly reduced by ACE in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that ACE can inhibit inflammation and modulate NO generation via downregulation of iNOS levels and NF-kappaB signaling in vitro and in vivo. ACE may have a potential medical benefit as an anti-inflammation agent.
Areca* ; Blotting, Western ; Carrageenan ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Down-Regulation ; Edema ; Ethanol ; Fruit ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Indonesia ; Inflammation ; NF-kappa B ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Artemisinin (AT), an active compound in Arternisia annua, is well known as an anti-malaria drug. It is also known to have several effects including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer activities. To date, the effect of AT on vascular disorders has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of AT on the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB). MATERIALS/METHODS: Aortic smooth muscle cells were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats. PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC migration was measured by the scratch wound healing assay and the Boyden chamber assay. Cell viability was determined by using an EZ-Cytox Cell Viability Assay Kit. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC was measured through H2DCF-DA staining. We also determined the expression levels of signal proteins relevant to ROS, including measures of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 measured by western blot analysis and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: AT (10 microM and 30 microM) significantly reduced the proliferation and migration of PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC in a dose-dependent manner. The production of ROS, normally induced by PDGF-BB, is reduced by treatment with AT at both concentrations. PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC treated with AT (10 microM and 30 microM) have reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and inhibited MMP9 expression compared to untreated PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest, based on these results, that AT may exert an anti-atherosclerotic effect on PDGF-BB stimulated VSMCs by inhibiting their proliferation and migration through down-regulation of ERK1/2 and MMP9 phosphorylation.
Blotting, Western ; Cell Survival ; Down-Regulation ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Wound Healing

This study was performed to determine the effects of dietary calcium (Ca) intake, milk and dairy product intake, and serum vitamin D level on bone mineral density. The survey data from the 2008-2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) for adults (3,819 males, 5,625 females) aged > 20 years were examined; osteoporosis was defined according to the standards for Asian populations (T-score < -2.5). The risk for osteoporosis significantly decreased as Ca intake increased; this effect persisted (quartile 4 vs. quartile 1 of Ca intake: odds ratio [OR] 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50-0.87) even after adjustment for gender, age, and other factors (body mass index, serum vitamin D, menstruation, female hormone intake, menopausal status, and the number of days per week of muscular strength exercise). Additionally, the risk for osteoporosis significantly decreased as the Ca/P ratio increased (quartile 4 vs. quartile 1: OR 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58-0.98). The degree of risk was 0.96 (0.66-1.38) in those who consumed < 1 portion of milk or dairy products daily, and 0.71 (0.53-0.96) in those who consumed > 1 portion per day, compared with those who had zero intake. The risk for osteoporosis significantly decreased as the serum 25(OH) vitamin D level increased. From these results, we advocate an increase in Ca, milk, and dairy product intake, and that serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels be maintained within the normal range, for the maintenance of bone health and the prevention of osteoporosis in adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; Calcium, Dietary ; Dairy Products ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Menstruation ; Milk ; Nutrition Surveys ; Odds Ratio ; Osteoporosis ; Reference Values ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the spiritual well-being and quality of life between hospital and home hospice patients. METHODS: A total of 116 patients from 4 hospice hospitals in D city and P city participated in this study from January to April 2012. To measure spiritual well-being, an instrument developed by Paloutzian and Ellison (1982) and revised by Park (2005) was used. To measure quality of life, an instrument developed by Cho (1993) and revised by Sun (2003) was used. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi2-test, and ANCOVA. RESULTS: Spiritual well-being and quality of life were higher in home hospice patients than in hospital hospice patients, but they were not statistically significant. Higher education and having religion were significantly related to higher spiritual well-being in both groups. Having religion and pain history for the past one week were significantly related to higher quality of life in both groups. CONCLUSION: For hospice patients, participation in religious activities needs to be encouraged to improve their spiritual well-being and quality of life. Assessing the hospice patients' pain history with close observation and managing the pain are suggested.
Hospice Care ; Hospices* ; Humans ; Quality of Life* ; Solar System ; Spirituality

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate agitation in home-dwelling persons with dementia and coping behaviors of primary family care-givers to agitation. METHODS: The research was designed as a descriptive study. A total of two hundred and five subjects had participated in this study. To measure agitation in persons with dementia, Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory was used. To measure coping behaviors of primary family care-givers to the agitation, a questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test were used to answer the research objectives. RESULTS: 'Repetitive mannerisms' and 'repeating sentences' were the most commonly occurred agitation in home-dwelling persons with dementia. 'Leaving the situation', 'allowing certain time', and 'soothing by talking' were the most common coping behaviors occurred in primary care-givers. CONCLUSION: The findings of the current study would provide meaningful data to develop nursing programs to control agitation for home-dwelling persons with dementia and education programs for primary care-givers to cope with persons' agitation.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Caregivers ; Dementia ; Dihydroergotamine ; Humans ; Phosphatidylethanolamines ; Psychomotor Agitation ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study was conducted to examine the dietary behaviors with 510 high school students (260 males and 250 females) residing in Seoul. The average age of male and female students were 16.3 and 16.4 years old, respectively. Mean height and weight of male students were 174.1 cm and 65.9 kg and those of female students were 161.6 cm and 52.5 kg. The body mass index (BMI) of male and female students were 21.7 kg/m2 and 20.1 kg/m2, respectively, which were within the normal range. Students skipped breakfast more than once a week were 41.1% of males and 44.4% of females. More than 40% of the male and female students skipped breakfast frequently. The mean mini dietary assessment index score of male and female students were 30.6 and 29.6 out of total 50 index scores, respectively. Female students perceived significantly less healthy and fatter than male students. Furthermore, body image satisfaction of the female students was lower than that of male students. Female students were more significantly concerned with body image and desired a thin body shape. Only 22.7% of male students and 6.4% of female students exercised regularly, and the frequency, time, and intensity of exercise in the male students were significantly higher than those of female students.
Body Image ; Body Mass Index ; Breakfast ; Consciousness ; Female ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Male ; Reference Values