PURPOSE: This study was to identify behaviors preventing the recurrence of breast cancer and the level of quality of life. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire from November 1, 2006 to December 25, 2006 . One hundred and twenty two women breast cancer survivors were recruited by convenience sampling. RESULTS: The most frequent behavior for preventing recurrence of the breast cancer was dietary treatment (90.9%) and exercise (86.8%) was the second behavior. In addition, most of them perceived these behaviors as 'very effective' (82.8%). The degree of the quality of life of a breast cancer survivor was 5.34 point indicating a 'medium level'. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer survivors pursued various behaviors for preventing recurrence of breast cancer. Therefore, the nursing interventions should be focused on a systematic educational approach considering healthy behaviors to prevent breast cancer recurrence for breast cancer survivors.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms/prevention & control/*psychology/therapy ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Demography ; Dietary Supplements ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; *Health Behavior ; Humans ; Life Style ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/*prevention & control ; *Quality of Life ; Questionnaires ; Recurrence ; Survivors/*psychology

PURPOSE: Genetic modification technique is widely used in plants for improving crop yields and qualities, and reducing pesticide use. Zoysia japonica is one of the widely planted grasses for lawning. Pollenless herbicide-tolerant genetically modified (GM) grasses (JG21-MS1 and JG21-MS2) were developed under surveillance for possible biohazard. Grasses may cause allergic contact dermatitis with direct contact on human skin. Patch testing with allergens was adopted to compare the incidences of allergic contact dermatitis to GM grass leaves with those of wild-type grass. METHODS: Patch testing with controls and leaves of wild-type and GM grasses was performed in individuals with informed consent. RESULTS: Ninety-seven individuals (mean age, 32+/-8 years; 48% males) were enrolled. For nickel sulfate as a positive control, 38 subjects (39.2%) were positive. For GM grasses, 10 (10.3%) showed positive patch test results and 11 (11.3%), for wild-type grass, the proportions of which were similar among the tested grasses. CONCLUSION: JG21-MS1 and JG21-MS2 are not more biohazardous than wild-type grass in the risk of allergic contact dermatitis.
Allergens ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Incidence ; Informed Consent ; Nickel ; Patch Tests* ; Plants ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; Poaceae* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: The testes are one of the most common extramedullary sites of relapse in boys with acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL). The reported incidence of isolated testicular relapse varies from 3 to 40%. If these patients are treated exclusively with testicular irradialion, a systemic relapse occurs within a few months. Recently, the use of intensive chemotherapy and testicular irradiation improved the survival rate for boys with testicular leukemia. So, we performed this study to identify clinical manifestations, disease free survival and prognostic factors of testicular leukemia in children. METHODS: We reviewed 33 patients of testicular leukemia among total 410 boys with ALL diagnosed at the Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital from Jan. 1970 to Aug. 1996. Testicular leukemia was confirmed by testicular biopsy in all 33 patients. These patients were treated with combined local testicular irradiation(2,400~2,500 cGy/8~12fractions) and systemic chemotherapy. Two patients, in whom testicular relapse was diagnosed before 1979, unilateral orchiectomy of the involved site and testicular irradiation of the opposite site were performed. Probability estimates of disease free survival (DFS) were calculated by the method of Kaplan and Meier, and the relationship of prognostic factors to DFS was compared using the chi-square test in survival analysis. RESULTS: In 410 boys with ALL, testicular leukemia occurred in 33 patients(8%). Of 33 patients, 6 patients presented with testicular involvement at initial diagnosis, 16 patients had testicular relapse while still receiving chemotherapy and 11 patients had testicular relapse 3 to 57 months(median : 15 months) after cessation of chemotherapy. The median age of 33 patients was 7.4 yrs(9 months~18 yrs) and median WBC count 7,600/ L(2,700~270,000/L). All patients presented with painless testicular enlargement and testicular leukemia was confirmed by testicular biopsy. Among 33 patients, 2 had prior CNS relapse and 11 had concomitant bone marrow and/or CNS relapse. Twenty nine patients were treated with combined local testicular irradiation and systemic chemotherapy. Eleven had second relapse(6 bone marrow, 3 CNS, 2 opposite testis). Seventeen have been followed until now: 6 patients on chemotherapy and 11 patients(37.9%) in complete remission for 48.5+/-22.3 months(19~86 months). The 3 year DFS for 29 patients was 55.3%+/-10.1%. The following prognostic factors showed no significant association with DFS in testicular relapse : age and WBC count at initial diagnosis, age at testicular relapse, and concomitant relapse. Whether testicular relapse occurred on initial therapy or off initial therapy has prognostic value in predicting DFS. The 3 year DFS for boys with testicular relapse on and off initial therapy were 40.0%+/-12.9% and 78.8%+/-13.4%, respectively(P: 0.046). CONCLUSION: With the use of chemotherapy and testicular irradiation, prolonged second re mission can be achieved in many patients with testicular leukemia. The patients with testicular relapse off initial therapy fared significantly better than patients on therapy. So, to improve the DFS for boys with testicular leukemia, a better understanding of its biology and prognostic factors is needed.
Biology ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leukemia ; Missions and Missionaries ; Orchiectomy ; Pediatrics ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma* ; Recurrence ; Seoul ; Survival Rate ; Testis

We report a case of early resolution of convergence spasms following the addition of antipsychotic medications and present it as a possible alternative to the conventional treatment for convergence spasms. The cessation of atropinization of the eyes and the use of reading glasses was achieved after only 2 months following the initiation of antipsychotic medications for childhood emotional disorder.
Affective Symptoms/*drug therapy ; Anti-Anxiety Agents/therapeutic use ; Antipsychotic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Child ; Diazepam/therapeutic use ; E ; Female ; Fixation, Ocular ; Humans ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; Sertraline/therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of MRI in the evaluation of vascular changes of the meningioma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied the MRI findings in 20 cases of intracranial meningiomas. The images were assessed for vascular hilum, vascular rim, sinus invasion, and vascular encasement. Cerebral angiograms were obtained in 15 cases and compared with MRI findings. RESULTS: MRI was as accurate as angiography in detection of vascular hilum(MRl=8/20, Anglogram=9/15), vascular rim(MRl=14/20, Angiogram=9/15) and dural sinus invasion(MRl=4/6, Angiogram=5/6). MRI was superior to angiography in detection of vascular encasement(MRl=2/3, Angiogram=0/2) and cavernous sinus invasion(MRI=3/3, Angiogram=0/2). CONCLUSION: MRI is an excellent noninvasive imaging modality in evaluating vascular changes of omas.
Angiography ; Cavernous Sinus ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Meningioma ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the factors influencing the competence in intensive and critical care nursing of senior nursing students. METHODS: A descriptive survey was used to examine the factors that influence competence in intensive and critical care nursing. The data were collected using self-administered questionnaires; 237 senior nursing students were asked about general characteristics, critical thinking, communication competence, self-esteem, self-resilience, and self-leadership. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis indicated that self-leadership, self-esteem, and confidence in intensive care unit practice predicted the competence in intensive and critical care nursing (37.8% of explanatory power). Critical thinking, communication competence, and self-resilience were not shown to be significant predictors of, but were positively correlated with, the competence in intensive and critical care nursing. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it is suggested that self-leadership, self-esteem, and confidence in intensive care unit practice should be considered in nursing education in order to improve nursing students' level of competence in intensive and critical care nursing.
Clinical Competence ; Critical Care Nursing* ; Critical Care* ; Education, Nursing ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Mental Competency* ; Nursing* ; Students, Nursing* ; Thinking

The nuclear receptor superfamily consists of the steroid and non-steroid hormone receptors and the orphan nuclear receptors. Small heterodimer partner (SHP) is an orphan family nuclear receptor that plays an essential role in the regulation of glucose and cholesterol metabolism. Recent studies reported a previously unidentified role for SHP in the regulation of innate immunity and inflammation. The innate immune system has a critical function in the initial response against a variety of microbial and danger signals. Activation of the innate immune response results in the induction of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines to promote anti-microbial effects. An excessive or uncontrolled inflammatory response is potentially harmful to the host, and can cause tissue damage or pathological threat. Therefore, the innate immune response should be tightly regulated to enhance host defense while preventing unwanted immune pathologic responses. In this review, we discuss recent studies showing that SHP is involved in the negative regulation of toll-like receptor-induced and NLRP3 (NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3)-mediated inflammatory responses in innate immune cells. Understanding the function of SHP in innate immune cells will allow us to prevent or modulate acute and chronic inflammation processes in cases where dysregulated innate immune activation results in damage to normal tissues.
Chemokines ; Child ; Child, Orphaned ; Cholesterol ; Cytokines ; Glucose ; Humans ; Immune System ; Immunity, Innate ; Inflammasomes ; Inflammation ; Metabolism ; Orphan Nuclear Receptors ; Social Control, Formal ; Toll-Like Receptors

In response to invading pathogens, the body immune system develops an immediate defense mechanism, i.e., innate immune response, which is detected in almost all living organisms including mammals, plants, insects, etc. Recent studies have identified numerous innate immune receptors that are able to recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns and transduce the essential intracellular signaling cascades to mount early and successful host defenses against infectious challenge. Among innate immune receptors, we will focus on two important receptors, toll-like receptors (TLRs) and nucleotide binding oligomerization domain (Nod)-like receptors, and their major intracellular signaling pathways that culminate to activate innate immune effectors and inflammatory mediators during pathogen infection. In this review, we address the recent advances of understanding intracellular signaling mechanisms by which TLRs and NLRs activate host immune defense and inflammation. The role and regulatory mechanisms by which a subet of NLRs-associated inflammasome activation induce interleukin-1beta secretion and their relevance with host defense will be also discussed. Both TLR- and NLR-mediated intracellular signaling networks serve crucial roles in mounting resistance to bacterial and viral infection through synthesis of immune mediators and antimicrobial chemicals during infection.
Immune System ; Immunity, Innate ; Inflammation ; Insects ; Interleukin-1beta ; Mammals ; Toll-Like Receptors*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine engagement and satisfaction with a mobile web-based education program (HiChart) among pregnant women. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted of 97 pregnant women hospitalized for obstetric care. Data were collected from October 1 to November 30, 2016, and were analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Among participants, 16.5% engaged fully with HiChart, while 43.3% engaged partially. The overall satisfaction with HiChart was high. Some main reasons for not engaging with the education were participants' unawareness of the text messages, lack of time, and poor internet connection. The participants suggested that more educational content needed to be covered, such as coping with infant emergencies and information about the neonatal intensive care unit. CONCLUSION: To increase pregnant women's engagement with mobile web-based education, efforts are needed to strengthen the system of sending text messages as part of mobile web-based education to all patients, to inform pregnant women that an educational web link was sent, and to encourage them to engage with mobile web-based education. Furthermore, it is essential to improve the HiChart service by providing educational content corresponding to users' needs.
Education ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Internet ; Personal Satisfaction ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Education ; Smartphone ; Text Messaging

Purpose: This study identified words closely associated with the keyword “dietary supplement” (DS) using big data in Korean social media and investigated consumer perceptions and trends related to DSs before (2019) and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (2021). Methods: A total of 37,313 keywords were found for the 2019 period, and 35,336 keywords were found for the 2021 period using blogs and cafes on Daum and Naver. Results were derived by text mining, semantic networking, network visualization analysis, and sentiment analysis. Results: The DS-related keywords that frequently appeared before and after COVID-19 were “recommend”, “vitamin”, “health”, “children”, “multiple”, and “lactobacillus”. “Calcium”, “lutein”, “skin”, and “immunity” also had high frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) values. These keywords imply a keen interest in DSs among Korean consumers. Big data results also reflected social phenomena related to DSs; for example, “baby” and “pregnant woman” had lower TD-IDF values after the pandemic, suggesting lower marriage and birth rates but higher values for “joint”, indicating reduced physical activity. A network centered on vitamins and health care was produced by semantic network analysis in 2019. In 2021, values were highest for deficiency and need, indicating that individuals were searching for DSs after the COVID-19 pandemic due to a lack an awareness of the need for adequate nutrient intake. Before the pandemic, DSs and vitamins were associated with healthcare and life cycle-related topics, such as pregnancy, but after the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer interests changed to disease prevention and treatment. Conclusion This study provides meaningful clues regarding consumer perceptions and trends related to DSs before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and fundamental data on the effect of the pandemic on consumer interest in dietary supplements.