PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the predictive ability of three mortality scoring systems; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation(APACHE) III, Simplified Acute Physiology Score(SAPS) II, and Mortality Probability Model(MPM) II in discriminating in-hospital mortality for intensive care unit(ICU) patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients admitted to the ICU at a university hospital in Daejeon Korea were recruited for this study. Medical records of the subject were reviewed by a researcher from January 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004, retrospectively. Data were analyzed using SAS 8.1. General characteristic of the subjects were analyzed for frequency and percentage. RESULTS: The results of this study were summarized as follows. The values of the Hosmer-Lemeshow's goodness-of-fit test for the APACHE III, the SAPS II and the MPM II were chi-square H=4.3849 p=0.7345, chi-square H= 15.4491 p=0.0307, and chi-square H=0.3356 p=0.8455, respectively. Thus, The calibration of the MPM II found to be the best scoring system, followed by APACHE III. For ROC curve analysis, the areas under the curves of APACHE III, SAPS II, and MPM II were 0.934, 0.918 and 0.813, respectively. Thus, the discrimination of three scoring systems were satisfactory. For two-by-two decision matrices with a decision criterion of 0.5, the correct classification of three scoring systems were good. CONCLUSION: Both the APACHE III and the MPM II had an excellent power of mortality prediction and discrimination for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage patients in ICU.
APACHE ; Calibration ; Cerebral Hemorrhage* ; Classification ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Critical Care ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Mortality* ; Physiology ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve

This research was performed to evaluate the effects of nutrition education on food waste reduction at school food service. A dietitian conducted nutrition education on environmental protection and proper eating attitude and poor eating habits for 3rd and 5th graders at an elementary school in Seoul. The effectiveness of the education was evaluated by surveying the students before and after the education; 375 responses were analyzed. A questionnaire was designed to compare changes of the students' attitudes and plate waste before and after education. Plate wastes of boiled black rice(p<0.05), potato soup(p<0.05), amaranthus herb salad(p<0.01), and cabbage kimchi(p<0.05) decreased significantly after education. Students' eating attitudes improved significantly(t= -6.22, p<0.01) after nutrition education. Major reasons the students did not eat all foods they were served were large portion sizes (30.59%), low menu preference (29.79%), and tastes (17.82%). The menus with high plate waste rates were cooked vegetable items (35.64%) and soup items (26.6%). After education, students' attitudes on 'food waste pollutes the Earth(p=0.013)', 'food preparation for birthday parties(p<0.01)', and 'restaurant selection for eating out (p<0.01)' changed significantly. After education, plate waste and portion sizes that the students perceived were not negatively correlated. In conclusion, nutrition education on proper eating habits and source reduction is an effective method to reduce food waste generation and to improve students' eating attitudes and awareness on environment.
Amaranthus ; Brassica ; Natural Resources ; Eating ; Education* ; Food Services ; Humans ; Nutritionists ; Portion Size ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seoul ; Solanum tuberosum ; Vegetables

Purpose: To evaluate long-term visual prognosis and changes in the retinal microstructure in patients with macular telangiectasia type 2. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records were performed for 61 eyes (32 patients) diagnosed with macular telangiectasia type 2. The visual acuity at diagnosis was compared with that at the final visit. In addition, cases were classified into three grades based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings: grade 1, inner retinal cavities only; grade 2, outer retinal cavities with ellipsoid zone disruption; and grade 3, ellipsoid zone disruption with proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium. Change in the grade during the follow-up was verified. In addition, visual acuities were compared between eyes with and without a change in grade. Results: The mean follow-up period was 41.5 ± 33.2 months. Visual acuity had deteriorated significantly from the mean logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution 0.23 ± 0.26 at diagnosis to a mean of 0.31 ± 0.31 at the final visit (p < 0.001). When classified using OCT, 65.6%, 22.9%, and 11.5% were grades 1, 2, and 3, respectively, at diagnosis and 47.5%, 36.1%, and 16.4% at the final visit. Progression of grade was noted in 22.9%. A higher degree of visual deterioration was noted in eyes showing progression than in eyes without (p = 0.002). Conclusions During the long-term follow-up period, visual deterioration was noted in patients with macular telangiectasia type 2. However, the degree of deterioration was not high. Progression in the disruption of the retinal microstructure was the likely cause of visual deterioration.

Purpose: To evaluate long-term visual prognosis and changes in the retinal microstructure in patients with macular telangiectasia type 2. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records were performed for 61 eyes (32 patients) diagnosed with macular telangiectasia type 2. The visual acuity at diagnosis was compared with that at the final visit. In addition, cases were classified into three grades based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings: grade 1, inner retinal cavities only; grade 2, outer retinal cavities with ellipsoid zone disruption; and grade 3, ellipsoid zone disruption with proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium. Change in the grade during the follow-up was verified. In addition, visual acuities were compared between eyes with and without a change in grade. Results: The mean follow-up period was 41.5 ± 33.2 months. Visual acuity had deteriorated significantly from the mean logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution 0.23 ± 0.26 at diagnosis to a mean of 0.31 ± 0.31 at the final visit (p < 0.001). When classified using OCT, 65.6%, 22.9%, and 11.5% were grades 1, 2, and 3, respectively, at diagnosis and 47.5%, 36.1%, and 16.4% at the final visit. Progression of grade was noted in 22.9%. A higher degree of visual deterioration was noted in eyes showing progression than in eyes without (p = 0.002). Conclusions During the long-term follow-up period, visual deterioration was noted in patients with macular telangiectasia type 2. However, the degree of deterioration was not high. Progression in the disruption of the retinal microstructure was the likely cause of visual deterioration.

The study was designed to investigate food waste management practices and to identify factors affecting food waste generation at school food services. A total of 202 dietitians employed at elementary schools participated in the survey. The mean food waste weight per school was 77.54 kg, forty percent of the schools generated food waste of 50~100 kg every day and 53% generated plate waste less than 50 kg. Three quarters of the dietitians perceived plate waste as a major component of the food waste and vegetable dishes were a major source of the plate waste. Half of the dietitians used a food waste pick-up service for waste disposal, which was the most preferred waste disposal method. Approximately 90% of the dietitians conducted education on plate waste reduction for students but their perceptions on the effectiveness of the education was inconsistent. The contents were environmental issues (70.3%) and unbalanced food choice (56.7%). According to factor analysis based on performance score, solid waste management practices were grouped into 'information collecting and education', 'supervision of production process', 'cooperation with related groups', and 'control over production planning'. Practices appertaining to 'cooperation with related groups', 'information collecting and education' factor need to be improved. Dietitians should pay attention to 'recycle and reuse of left over' practice. Waste generation differed significantly by dietitians' ages and working experience. In order to reduce plate waste, more effective education materials and methods need to be developed and support from principals, teachers, and parents is necessary.
Education ; Food Services* ; Humans ; Nutritionists ; Parents ; Solid Waste ; Vegetables ; Waste Management*

PURPOSE: This study was performed to analyze effects of the power and empowerment on job satisfaction and organizational commitment. This study was based on the Kanter's theory of organizational empowerment. METHOD: A predictive, non-experimental design was used to test the model in a sample of 688 nurses working in 7 university hospitals that have over 500 beds in Seoul, Kyunggi and Kangwon provinces. The data were collected from December, 2003 to January, 2004. It was analyzed with descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation of SPSS and with path analysis of LISREL. RESULT: The formal and informal power had direct effects on empowerment. Formal power also had direct effects on informal power. Empowerment had direct effects on job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Organizational commitment had direct effects on job satisfaction. There was positive effects in all of the variables. CONCLUSION: The positive changes show on personal behaviors and attitudes when the nurses who have formal and informal power are empowered. These findings would be important resource to nurse administrators for clinical implication.
*Attitude of Health Personnel ; Humans ; *Job Satisfaction ; Models, Organizational ; Models, Psychological ; Nurse Clinicians/*psychology ; Personnel Loyalty ; *Professional Autonomy

Purpose: We report a conjunctival myxoid stromal tumor (CMST), which is a rare benign conjunctival mass.Case summary: A 70-year-old man with a history of hypertension and cerebral infarction visited our hospital with a clear mass ofthe conjunctiva in the left eye. His visual acuity was normal, and no other abnormal findings were noted. A transparent, yellowish,jelly-like, 4 × 3 mm mass with a clear border between it and the surrounding tissue was found at the lower temporal part of theconjunctiva. The mass was mobile and there was no pain or tenderness. Excisional biopsy was performed on the mass.Histopathological examination showed reticular fibers located in an abundant mucus-like matrix with fusiform, astrocytic andscattered inflammatory cells. Immunologic examination revealed CD34 positive and SMA negative findings and we diagnosedthe mass as a CMST. Conclusions When there is a clear pale yellow to light pink mass with a clear border and a distinct vascular distribution or pigmentationin the conjunctiva, the possibility of a CMST must be considered. Histopathologic and immunologic examinationshould be performed through biopsy and evaluation for systemic disease should be performed as necessary.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the duration of therapy in amblyopic children with anisometropia and/or strabismus who had been successfully treated with a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 1.0. METHODS: The duration of amblyopic treatment was compared according to the cause of amblyopia (anisometropia, strabismus, combined), the initial BCVA of amblyopic eye, the age at treatment, and the prediction of a further duration of treatment needed. RESULTS: The mean age of amblyopic treatment in 66 amblyopic children with anisometropia and strabismus was 5.4 years and the mean duration of treatment to gain BCVA of 1.0 was 15.9 months. The duration of treatment was longer in children with initially poorer BCVA and in younger aged children than in older aged children at diagnosis. However, there was no statistical significance according to the cause of amblyopia. In occlusion therapy, the patching time from the initial BCVA to 1.0 was not statistically different from the patching time from the midpoint VA (between the initial visual acuity and 1.0) to 1.0. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of treatment to gain a VA of 1.0 was dependent on the degree of the initial BCVA in the amblyopic eye and the age at treatment. In occlusion therapy, the duration of further treatment to gain a BCVA of 1.0 was necessary as much as the duration to gain a midpoint VA from the initial BCVA.
Aged ; Amblyopia ; Anisometropia ; Child ; Eye ; Humans ; Strabismus ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: Prevalence of food allergy and perceptions on food allergen labeling in school foodservice among elementary, middle, and high school students were investigated in Korea. METHODS: A total of 1,000 elementary, middle, and high schools were selected in 16 cities and provinces of Korea and students attending the schools were surveyed using a questionnaire modified from the Korean International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire in July 2012. Responses from 27,679 students were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The ratio of the students who had experienced food allergy was 12.6%; 7.6% of the responding students had food allergy reactions last 12 months and 6.8% of the students had been diagnosed for food allergy by doctors. Eggs, milk, peach, and crabs were the most frequent allergenic foods for the elementary school 1st graders, 5th graders, middle, and high school students, respectively, who had experienced food allergy last 12 months. The students with food allergy read menus more frequently and were more interest in food allergen labeling in school foodservice than their counterparts. Both of the student groups with and without food allergy perceived food allergen labeling important for the students with food allergy and their parents. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of food allergy and major allergenic foods varied by school years. The Korean students had positive perception on allergic food labeling in school foodservice. An effective food allergen labeling system for school foodservice should be developed and implemented that reflects prevalence, symptoms, and food allergens among Korean students.
Allergens ; Asthma ; Eggs ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Food Labeling ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Milk ; Ovum ; Prevalence ; Prunus persica ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Congenital intrapericardial left atrial appendage aneurysms (LAAA) are very rare. Most cases are asymptomatic and this malady is generally incidentally diagnosed in older patients. LAAAs are usually accompanied with supraventricular arrhythmias and life-threatening systemic embolism. Complete surgical correction is recommended immediately after the diagnosis to prevent significant complications, and even for the asymptomatic patients. We report here on the case of a 45-year-old man who presented with cerebral embolism due to LAAA. The patient was successfully treated with a resection of the aneurysm.
Aneurysm ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Appendage ; Embolism ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Intracranial Embolism ; Middle Aged ; Stroke