PURPOSE: For the production and evaluation of the tissue-equivalent phantom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used agarous gel and oil as a basic component of the mixture and added Tween 80 for the stabilization of phantoms. We did the test for homogeneity and measured T1 and T2 relexation times of each phantom tube. RESULTS: T1 relaxation time ranged from 642 to 2781 msec and T2 relaxation times from 42 to 157 msec. Each phantom was significantly different in T1 relaxation time and T2 relaxation time (p < .0001). CONCLUSION: Tissue equivalent phantom may provide good information on the optimal sequence before MR imaging of patients and may be valuable if it is used with the patients' MR imaging.
Agar ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Polysorbates ; Relaxation

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To explore the pattern of pain distribution in HNP and spinal stenosis with or without degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS), and to evaluate the diagnostic value of pain drawings in predicting the presence of a painful nerve root. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The usefulness of pain drawing as a tool to predict the presence of painful nerve root compression is unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven patients (27 HNP, 21 pure spinal stenosis, and 9 spinal stenosis with DS) with leg pain were recruited. The presence of painful nerve root compression was judged based on MRI and clinical findings. Each grid of the pain drawing is assigned an area code, and discriminant analysis was performed to explore indications of painful nerve root. Diagnostic values were evaluated by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). RESULTS: Pain distribution was characterized by a dermatomal pattern in HNP and variable in the spinal stenosis group. Paresthesia on the sole was extracted as a discriminant factor indicating painful compression of the S1 nerve root. In HNP, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of this factor were 62%, 100%, 100%, and 74% respectively. In the spinal stenosis group, they were 80%, 56%, 27%, and 93%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The pain drawing can help assess painful nerve root compression as well as confirm the pattern of pain distribution.
Humans ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Paresthesia ; Radiculopathy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spondylolisthesis ; Spondylosis*

BACKGROUND: Opioids not only exert an antinociceptive effect, but also modulate central N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, resulting in hyperalgesia and acute opioid tolerance. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of the NMDA receptor antagonist, magnesium in preventing remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia. METHODS: For this study, 75 patients scheduled for robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy were randomly allocated into three groups of patients whose incision sites were infiltrated: Group M, with 25% magnesium sulfate 80 mg/kg; Group S, with the same volume of saline under remifentanil-based anesthesia, and Group D, with the same volume of saline under desflurane based anesthesia. All three groups were infiltrated into incision sites after pneumoperitoneum. Intraoperative evaluation included mean remifentanil dose, and postoperative evaluation included pain severity at time intervals of 30 min, 6, 12, 24 and 36 hours, time to first postoperative analgesic requirement, and analgesic dosage required during 24 hours. RESULTS: Mean remifentanil doses during the intraoperative periods in group M were significantly lower than those in group S (P < 0.001). The time to first postoperative analgesic requirement in postoperative period in groups M and D was significantly longer than that in group S (P < 0.001). Visual analog scale scores for pain in groups M and D were significantly lower than those in group S for 12 hours after operation. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively high dose and continuous infusion of remifentanil were associated with opioid induced hyperalgesia. Wound infiltration with magnesium sulfate decreased opioid consumption and reduces opioid induced hyperalgesia.
Analgesics, Opioid ; Anesthesia ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Intraoperative Period ; Isoflurane ; Magnesium ; Magnesium Sulfate ; N-Methylaspartate ; Piperidines ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Postoperative Period ; Prostatectomy

Dogs have long shared close relationships with many humans. Due to the large number of dogs in human populations, they are often involved in crimes. Occasionally, canine biological evidence such as saliva, bloodstains and hairs can be found at crime scenes. Accordingly, canine DNA can be used as forensic evidence. The use of short tandem repeat (STR) loci from biological evidence is valuable for forensic investigations. In Korea, canine STR profiling-related crimes are being successfully analyzed, leading to diverse crimes such as animal cruelty, dog-attacks, murder, robbery, and missing and abandoned dogs being solved. However, the probability of random DNA profile matches cannot be analyzed because of a lack of canine STR data. Therefore, in this study, 10 STR loci were analyzed in 600 dogs in Korea (344 dogs belonging to 30 different purebreds and 256 crossbred dogs) to estimate canine forensic genetic parameters. Among purebred dogs, a separate statistical analysis was conducted for five major subgroups, 97 Maltese, 47 Poodles, 31 Shih Tzus, 32 Yorkshire Terriers, and 25 Pomeranians. Allele frequencies, expected (Hexp) and observed heterozygosity (Hobs), fixation index (F), probability of identity (P(ID)), probability of sibling identity (P(ID)(sib)) and probability of exclusion (PE) were then calculated. The Hexp values ranged from 0.901 (PEZ12) to 0.634 (FHC2079), while the P(ID)(sib) values were between 0.481 (FHC2079) and 0.304 (PEZ12) and the P(ID)(sib) was about 3.35 × 10⁻⁵ for the combination of all 10 loci. The results presented herein will strengthen the value of canine DNA to solving dog-related crimes.
Animal Welfare ; Animals ; Crime ; DNA ; Dogs* ; Forensic Genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Hair ; Homicide ; Humans ; Korea* ; Microsatellite Repeats* ; Saliva ; Siblings

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the reference accuracy in major nursing journals in Korea. METHODS: The references in articles from eight nursing journals from 2006 were compared with PubMed for authors, year, title, journal, volume, and page accuracy. Four hundred sixty-six references were reviewed. Errors were classified as major or minor and categorized by bibliographic headings (author, title, journal, year, volume and page). RESULTS: Of the 466 references, 223(47.9%) had citation errors. The reference error rates ranged from 28.6% to 58.7%. Most errors occurred in the author element (37.9%), followed by title (20.9%), journal (19.0%), page (13.9%), volume (5.9%), and year (2.4%). CONCLUSION: This study identified a considerable error rate in the references of nursing journals. Inaccuracy of references is a reflection on scholarly work of authors and journals. Authors and Editorial committees are responsible for the accuracy of references.
*Bibliography as Topic ; Humans ; Korea ; *Nursing ; Peer Review, Research ; Periodicals as Topic

PURPOSE: This study was to determine the current trend of nursing research as exploring both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and to provide the explicit direction to improve the quality of published papers. METHODS: Total of 366 articles published between 2004 and 2006 was reviewed using the criteria of analysis. RESULTS: There was more number of quantitative studies than qualitative studies. More studies were conducted with subjects who had health problems, and studies that targeted women and elderly population have been significantly increased. In quantitative methodology, utilization of experimental and quasi-experimental designs has been increased, however descriptive study was dominant as yet. In qualitative methodology, studies using grounded theory and phenomenology were frequently published. It was noted that theoretical framework and rational for sample size were rarely presented in quantitative study. Philosophical position and the process of preparation for study, which guided the research, were not clearly described in qualitative study. CONCLUSION: The findings of this review suggest that published studies have been improved and diversified, however, detailed and clear evaluation tool that assesses study process and method should be developed as a way to further improve the quality of published papers.
Bibliometrics ; Humans ; Korea ; Nursing Methodology Research/*standards ; *Periodicals as Topic ; Qualitative Research

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of intra-appendiceal air at CT for the evaluation of appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 458 patients (216 men, 242 women; age range, 18-91 years) who underwent CT for suspected appendicitis. Two independent readers reviewed the CT. Prevalence, amount, and appearance of intra-appendiceal air were assessed and compared between the patients with and without appendicitis. Performance of CT diagnosis was evaluated in two reading strategies: once ignoring appendiceal air (strategy 1), and the other time considering presence of appendiceal air as indicative of no appendicitis in otherwise indeterminate cases (strategy 2), using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: Of the 458 patients, 102 had confirmed appendicitis. The prevalence of intra-appendiceal air was significantly different between patients with (13.2%) and without (79.8%) appendicitis (p < 0.001). The amount of appendiceal air was significantly lesser in patients having appendicitis as compared with the normal group, for both reader 1 (p = 0.011) and reader 2 (p = 0.002). Stool-like appearance and air-fluid levels were more common in the appendicitis group than in the normal appendix for both readers (p < 0.05). Areas under the ROC curves were not significantly different between strategies 1 and 2 in reader 1 (0.971 vs. 0.985, respectively; p = 0.056), but showed a small difference in reader 2 (0.969 vs. 0.986, respectively; p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Although significant differences were seen in the prevalence, amount, and appearance of intra-appendiceal air between patients with and without appendicitis, it has a limited incremental value for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Appendicitis/pathology/*radiography ; Appendix/pathology/*radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify current characteristics of the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and to explore a way to elevate it to an international level and to critique the overall review process so as to delineate the advanced, objective paper appraisal in this journal. METHODS: Data was collected using self administered questionnaires to 75 journal reviewers belonging to the Korean academy of nursing and its division academy of nursing from August 15th to September 30th, 2006. RESULTS: The majority of reviewers pointed out a lack of discrimination between the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and other journals. Among the main answers of reviewers, Creativeness(52.3%) and excellence of nursing(38%) will be critical factors to develop in order to elevate to an the journal to an international level. In specific evaluation areas, reviewers preferred a subjective critique method(60%), and the condition of the decision making process regarding paper acceptance as a combination of checklist and subjective evaluation(84%). Subjective evaluation opinions with major categories will occur in the next revised evaluation format. 76% of reviewers agreed with the current objective evaluation form. CONCLUSIONS: The journal review process should be evaluated on a regular basis to elevate the journal level and a mutual agreement of the journal's scope, range, and purpose will be necessary. As a recommendation, an attempt at various approaches in journal reviews and reviewer training should be made.
Adult ; Advisory Committees/standards ; Editorial Policies ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Nursing Research ; *Peer Review, Research ; Periodicals as Topic/*standards

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify current characteristics of the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and to explore a way to elevate it to an international level and to critique the overall review process so as to delineate the advanced, objective paper appraisal in this journal. METHODS: Data was collected using self administered questionnaires to 75 journal reviewers belonging to the Korean academy of nursing and its division academy of nursing from August 15th to September 30th, 2006. RESULTS: The majority of reviewers pointed out a lack of discrimination between the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and other journals. Among the main answers of reviewers, Creativeness(52.3%) and excellence of nursing(38%) will be critical factors to develop in order to elevate to an the journal to an international level. In specific evaluation areas, reviewers preferred a subjective critique method(60%), and the condition of the decision making process regarding paper acceptance as a combination of checklist and subjective evaluation(84%). Subjective evaluation opinions with major categories will occur in the next revised evaluation format. 76% of reviewers agreed with the current objective evaluation form. CONCLUSIONS: The journal review process should be evaluated on a regular basis to elevate the journal level and a mutual agreement of the journal's scope, range, and purpose will be necessary. As a recommendation, an attempt at various approaches in journal reviews and reviewer training should be made.
Adult ; Advisory Committees/standards ; Editorial Policies ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Nursing Research ; *Peer Review, Research ; Periodicals as Topic/*standards

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compared unenhanced helical computerized tomography (CT) with intravenous urography (IVU) in the evaluation of acute flank pain. MATERIALS AND MTHODS: Between April 2000 and April 2001, 59 patients with acute flank pain suspected of having urolithiasis underwent an unenhanced helical CT followed by an IVU. Two independent consultation urologic radiologists randomly assessed these patients for the presence, size and location of the calculus, ureteral dilatation and secondary sign of a ureteral obstruction. Of the 59 patients, 45 had a calculus confirmed on removal or a documented passage of a stone. The absence of a calculus was based on a clinical and radiological follow up with clinical resolution. RESULTS: CT revealed all 62 calculi from 45 patients and no calculus in 14 of the patients with a 98.4% sensitivity and a 100% specificity. IVU demonstrated 36 calculi from 35 patients and no calculus in 14 of the patients with a 57.1% sensitivity and a 100% specificity. Both CT and IVU demonstrated the secondary signs of a ureteral obstruction in 34 and 31 patients, respectively. The cost of the helical CT was 4-5 times higher than that of the IVU. CONCLUSIONS: Unenhanced helical CT is an accurate, safe, and a rapid technique for assessing acute flank pain and evaluate the choice for patients who would otherwise require a IVU for diagnosis but with a lower cost.
Calculi ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Flank Pain* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Ureteral Calculi ; Ureteral Obstruction ; Urography* ; Urolithiasis