Morphometry of nuclei of the benign and malignant prostatic lesions was performed to study the relationship between nuclear size and shape and the prognosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma. Fifty one cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma and 13 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia were included to evaluate area, perimeter, Dmax, Dmin, and 5 form factors of the nuclei by image analyzer (Zeiss Ibas 2000) using hematoxylin-eosin stained slides. All analytic factors of nuclear size and shape were significantly different between benign lesions and adenocarcinomas. Increased nuclear size was associated with nu- clear irregularity, presence of metastasis, advanced clinical stage, and high Gleason's grade and score of prostatic adenocarcinoma. On Kaplan-Meier method, survival was decreased with older age, no hormonal treatment, stage D, high Gleason's grade and stage as well as with larger size and irregular shape of the nuclei. In conclusion, morphometry of nuclei of the prostate can be a helpful tool to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. Nuclear morphology is thought to be associated with prognosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma ; Breast ; Fibroadenoma ; Hepatitis B e Antigens* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to propose and test a predictive model that could explain and predict the core competencies of nursing students. METHODS: A survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted with 361 nursing students. The data was analyzed using SPSS Windows 21.0 and AMOS 21.0. RESULTS: The elements that directly influence the core competencies of nursing students were satisfaction with their academic discipline (nursing) and critical thinking disposition in which the disposition toward critical thinking directly influenced their satisfaction with nursing as an academic discipline and clinical practice. Conversely, satisfaction with clinical practice indirectly influenced core competencies through critical thinking disposition. CONCLUSION: This result provides the basic data for a competence-based curriculum intent on strengthening the core competencies (communication, problem-solving, and self-directed learning) by improving satisfaction with both clinical practice with their major and disposition toward critical thinking on the part of nursing students.
Curriculum ; Humans ; Learning ; Nursing ; Problem Solving ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Students, Nursing* ; Thinking

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED)-related infections within the first post-procedural year after CIED insertion. Methods: This study included 509 adult patients undergoing CIED implantation procedures between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015. The data were analyzed by t-test, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 23.0. Results: Fifteen infections and 494 non-infections were examined. The CIED-related infection rate was 2.9%; patients with 14 pocket infections and one bacteremia were included in the CIED-related infection. The risk factors of CIED-related infections were the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≤ 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 (Odds ratio [OR] = 4.03, 95% confidence interval [CI],1.15-14.10) and taking a new oral anticoagulant (NOAC) (OR = 4.50, 95% CI 1.09-18.55). Conclusion These results identified the CIED infection rate and risk factors of CIED-related infection. It is necessary to consider these risk factors before the CIED implantation procedure and to establish the relevant nursing interventions.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand and explore the work experiences of Generation Y nurses in hospital organizations. Methods: Participants were nine nurses with generation Y working in the hospital. Data were collected through individual interviews from December 2, 2022 to June 30, 2023. The transcripts were coded and analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Results: A total of 33 formulated meanings were derived from the meaningful 50 statements of nine study participants, and then categorized them into 12 themes with a collection of five theme clusters. Conclusion This study found that Generation Y nurses experienced role confusion and physical and mental burden as they caught in the middle in other generations. Even they were wondering whether to continue working as a nurse, which seems that it is crucial to establish a recognition and compensation system to maintain Generation Y nurses in the field. In addition, Generation Y nurses have been found to endure difficult hospital work and demonstrate patience even when working alone, while also deriving strength from their colleagues. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a program for intergenerational harmony among nurses.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV core protein has been shown to modulate various cellular signaling pathways including the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway which is associated with inflammation, cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, there have been conflicting reports about the effect of HCV core protein on NF-κB pathway, and the mechanism by which the core protein affects NF-κB activity remains nuclear. In this study, the functional interaction of HCV core protein and IκB kinase γ (IKKγ) was investigated using the expression plasmids of core and the components of IKK complex. The data revealed that HCV core protein activates NF-κB. Also, HCV core protein up-regulated the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. The activating effect of HCV core protein on NF-κB was synergistically elevated by IKKγ. It was noticed that the N-terminal IKKβ binding site, C-terminal leucine zipper, and zinc finger domains of IKKγ are not necessary for its synergistic effect. HCV core protein and IKKγ appeared to activate NF-κB by up-regulating the IKKβ activity resulting in the degradation of IκBα. As expected, HCV core protein induced the expression of NF-κB-targeted pro-inflammatory genes such as iNOS, IL-1β and IL-6 in the transcription level. These results suggest that HCV core protein induces NF-κB through the interaction with IKKγ and may play a critical role in the development of inflammation and related liver diseases.
Apoptosis ; Binding Sites ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cell Proliferation ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Leucine Zippers ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Plasmids ; Zinc Fingers

Objectives: This study aimed to identifying the relationship between exposure to secondhand smoking and oral diseases in adolescents, based on the web-based youth health risk behavior survey from 2020. Methods: Among the 54,948 adolescent respondents to the 16th youth health risk behavior survey in 2020, this study included a total of 48,867 non-smoking adolescent participants who had never used regular cigarettes, vapes, or e-cigarettes. Analysis of the complex sample survey data was performed by applying weights according to the complex sample provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Cross-tabulation analysis by complex sampling using the RaoScott chi-square test and complex-sample t-test was then performed to identify the relationship between subject characteristics and gingival pain and bleeding prevalence. Finally, a binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of secondhand smoking on symptoms of gingival pain and bleeding in non-smoking adolescents. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 version, and the statistical significance level was defined as P<0.05. Results: Among the participants, periodontal disease symptoms were reported 1.201 times (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.101-1.310) more often in those with exposure to secondhand smoking exposure at home and 1.281 times (95% CI: 1.173-1.398) more often in those with exposure to secondhand smoking in public places than in those who did not report exposure to secondhand smoking. Conclusions The study results suggest that exposure to secondhand smoking increases the risk of gingival pain and bleeding in non-smoking South Korean adolescents and is a risk factor for periodontal diseases.

Objectives: This study aimed to identifying the relationship between exposure to secondhand smoking and oral diseases in adolescents, based on the web-based youth health risk behavior survey from 2020. Methods: Among the 54,948 adolescent respondents to the 16th youth health risk behavior survey in 2020, this study included a total of 48,867 non-smoking adolescent participants who had never used regular cigarettes, vapes, or e-cigarettes. Analysis of the complex sample survey data was performed by applying weights according to the complex sample provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Cross-tabulation analysis by complex sampling using the RaoScott chi-square test and complex-sample t-test was then performed to identify the relationship between subject characteristics and gingival pain and bleeding prevalence. Finally, a binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of secondhand smoking on symptoms of gingival pain and bleeding in non-smoking adolescents. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 version, and the statistical significance level was defined as P<0.05. Results: Among the participants, periodontal disease symptoms were reported 1.201 times (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.101-1.310) more often in those with exposure to secondhand smoking exposure at home and 1.281 times (95% CI: 1.173-1.398) more often in those with exposure to secondhand smoking in public places than in those who did not report exposure to secondhand smoking. Conclusions The study results suggest that exposure to secondhand smoking increases the risk of gingival pain and bleeding in non-smoking South Korean adolescents and is a risk factor for periodontal diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical findings upon initial diagnosis and extraglandular manifestations in Korean patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS: We collected clinical and laboratory data from 238 pSS patients enrolled at Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Seoul Medical Center from March 2011 to December 2014. All patients met the American-European Consensus Group criteria for pSS. RESULTS: Upon initial diagnosis, sicca symptoms (xerophthalmia or xerostomia) as the chief complaint were only observed in 129 (54.2%) pSS patients, while extraglandular manifestation was more common as the chief complaint in male patients or those with younger age (<40 years) than female or older patients (both p<0.05). Extraglandular manifestations were found in 178 (74.8%) patients, with musculoskeletal manifestations being most common (53.8%). Peripheral neuropathy in pSS patients was associated with Raynaud phenomenon and elevated serum total immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels (both p<0.05). Serum beta2-microglobulin (beta2-M) levels were significantly correlated with European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjogren's syndrome disease activity index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum total IgG (all p<0.001), and were higher in patients with extraglandular manifestations than those without (p<0.05). Serum C3 levels were decreased in patients with extraglandular manifestation, compared to those without (p<0.05). Malignant lymphoma was found in Korean pSS patients (1.7%) and associated with elevated serum beta2-M levels (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Extraglandular manifestations were common in pSS patients and may be a diagnostic tool for male or younger pSS patients. Serum beta2-M levels can be useful markers for monitoring pSS patients.
beta 2-Microglobulin ; Consensus ; Diagnosis ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Raynaud Disease ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Seoul ; Sjogren's Syndrome*

Surgical resection is mainstay treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its prognosis is poor, because of the high incidence of HCC recurrence (cumulative 5-year HCC recurrence rate of 70-80%). The most common site of HCC recurrence is the remnant liver, and extrahepatic recurrence occurs in 6.7-13.5% of patients. Because the tumor characteristics in extrahepatic recurrence are usually multiple and aggressive, the optimal treatment modality has not yet been determined. We report a case of complete remission and long term survival over 60 months in patient with extrahepatic metastasis after curative resection of HCC by aggressive treatment, which include lung resection for lung metastasis, radiotherapy for mediastinal lymph node metastasis, and systemic chemotherapy.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Drug Therapy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver ; Lung* ; Lymph Nodes ; Metastasectomy ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy* ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: To determine the major reasons that diabetics decide to undergo their first fundus examination, and the factors influencing such reasons. METHODS: Of the patients with type II diabetes who presented to the Department of Ophthalmology in Gachon University Gil Medical Center, 164 patients who underwent their first fundus examination after being diagnosed with diabetes were included in the study. Face-to-face and phone interviews with these patients were conducted. RESULTS: The average prevalence period from the diagnosis of diabetes to the first fundus examination was 8.3 ± 7.5 years. Of the diabetics who underwent their first fundus examination, 52.4% had diabetic retinopathy, with no significant difference in prevalence between the male and female patients (p = 0.118). The most common reason for deciding to undergo the first fundus examination was recommendation by a doctor (53.7%). For those patients who received their first fundus examination after recommendation by a doctor, the prevalence period from diabetes was the shortest among all patients (p < 0.001), and the prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy were the lowest (p < 0.001 and p = 0.017, respectively). The number of fundus examinations conducted following recommendation by a doctor was significantly higher in secondary and tertiary hospitals than in primary hospitals (p < 0.001). Education on diabetes and knowledge of diabetic ocular complications were found to be significantly correlated (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: For patients who are diagnosed with diabetes and treated in primary hospitals, who are older, or who did not receive education on diabetes, recommendation by a doctor for early fundus examination is particularly important regardless of subjective visual disturbance. Moreover, patient education should be offered and ophthalmic examination should be recommended in primary hospitals.
Diabetic Retinopathy ; Diagnosis ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Ophthalmology ; Patient Education as Topic ; Prevalence ; Tertiary Care Centers