Competition ELISA test using sparganum specific monoclonal antibodies (Mab) was investigated to improve the diagnostic specificity of sparganosis. By cell fusion, one hybridoma clone secreting anti-sparganum specific Mab was selected (Sp-20), which reacted on bands of 32 kDa and 38 kDa. Sp-20 reacted on calcium corpuscles on IFA. By micro-ELISA, 16 of 17 sparganosis cases (95%) were found positive, but 1 of 18 clonorchiasis cases (5%), 4 of 16 cysticercosis cases (25%) and 2 of 16 normal controls (11%) showed false positive reactions. On the other hand, by competition ELISA using a sparganum specific Mab (Sp-20), 16 out of 17 (95%) of sparganosis cases were found positive, but 2 of 18 clonorchiasis cases (10%), 2 of 16 cysticercosis cases (12%), 3 of 16 paragonimiasis cases (18%) and 1 of 16 normal controls (6%) showed false positive reactions.
Animal ; Antibodies, Helminth ; Binding, Competitive ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Human ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sparganosis/*diagnosis ; Sparganum/immunology ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Purpose: Various intervention strategies are needed to reduce the suicide rate among late adolescents. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the factors that can help overcome suicidal tendencies in late adolescents from the perspective of case managers. Methods: This qualitative study explored the reinforcing factors that can help overcome suicidal behaviors in late adolescents, by conducting focus group interviews with case managers from the local community. Interviews with 10 case managers were recorded and transcribed, and the data were analyzed using the content analysis method. Results: The main theme of this study was “a step in a new direction”. Three categories were derived: “inner changes”, “another possibility opened up by the interest of significant others”, and “connecting with community resources to help overcome”. Each category had subcategories that influenced the intention and course of action of behaviors to overcome the suicide crises. Conclusion Our findings, from the exploration of the experiences of case managers, provide an in-depth understanding of the reinforcing factors for overcoming suicide among late adolescents. They provide useful preliminary data for the development of effective suicide prevention programs for the adolescents.

With an increasing trend toward low birth rates and premature births, the importance of managing the health of high-risk infants has received constant emphasis. It is necessary to establish a family-centered care culture in neonatal intensive care units where high-risk infants are hospitalized. This study is intended to examine the current status of family-centered care and the direction of the role played by healthcare professionals, focusing on the characteristics of high-risk infants and their families. Healthcare professionals should listen to the needs of the family and facilitate their involvement to improve the performance of family-centered care and systematic support. Specific guidelines are required to strengthen the competence and leadership of healthcare professionals. The paradigm shift toward family-centered care for high-risk infants is a challenge for healthcare professionals and parents, but it will serve as a vision and strategy to improve the health of high-risk infants and their families by including the family in the healthcare process.

Purpose: The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the health problems and coping experiences of middle-aged and elderly women in the community. Methods: A total of five focus group interviews were conducted with three groups of middle-aged and two groups of elderly women. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using the content analysis method. Results: Health problems were categorized as confusion caused by problems that are difficult to handle alone in the middle-aged group and suffering originated by confronting changes in roles and environment in the elderly group. The health problems included stress, suffering, anxiety and social withdrawal as subcategories for the middle-aged women, and the stress, sense of loss, fear, and limited social activities caused by their life events for the elderly women. Meanwhile, the contents of categories about coping were revealed as the beginning of care for the body and mind for healthy life in the middle-aged group and active practice with insight into a healthy lifestyle in the elderly group. While the middle-aged women focused on themselves, attempted changes and started to take care of themselves, the elderly women interacted with the outside world, hardened their mind, made efforts for a dignified death, and managed health by their own methods. Conclusion There were differences in the experiences of middle-aged and elderly women in accepting their health problems and coping. Nursing interventions reflecting these findings can help to manage and promote the health of middle-aged and elderly women based on an integrated perspective.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the parenting image of modern Korean society through modern novels published during in the stage of modern change in Korea. METHOD: The data were analyzed through latent content analysis. Modern Korean novels (N=138) written during the Korean modernization stage were chosen for analysis. Five categories and seventeen meaningful sub-categories were drawn out from 636 significant sentences. RESULTS: The parenting images expressed in modern Korean society were as follows: From the category of [Devotional love], 5 sub-categories were drawn: Hedgehog's love, Lavish love, Sacrificial care, Exertion of the mind, and Prayer for the future of their children. From the category of [Stern father and affectionate mother], 3 sub-categories were drawn: Stern and Strict father, Tender and loving mother, and Strong maternal love. From the category of [Enthusiasm for their children's education], 3 sub-categories were drawn: Sense of duty to provide good education for their children, Zeal for their children's education, and Satisfaction with their hard-working children. From the category of [The head of family], 3 sub-categories were drawn: Person who has the right to make decisions, Reliable protector, and Object of filial devotion. From the category of [sexual discrimination], 3 sub-categories were drawn: Preference and favoritism to sons, Attaching importance to education of sons, Regarding daughters as those who help support the family. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will help to improve the basic understanding the parenting image and parent-child relationship in present day Korea.
Child ; Education ; Fathers ; Head ; Humans ; Korea ; Love ; Mothers ; Nuclear Family ; Parent-Child Relations ; Parenting* ; Parents* ; Religion ; Social Change ; Child Health

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of topical cyclosporine A 0.05% (Restasis) in the treatment of dry eye symptoms caused by various ocular surface inflammatory disorders. METHODS: Thirty three patients with ocular surface diseases, including 17 with Sjogren syndrome, 8 with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), 4 with Thygeson's keratitis, and 4 with atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) were treated with Restasis twice a day for 3 months. During follow up, the symptom severity assessment (burning, itching, foreign body sensation, blurring, photophobia, and pain), TBUT (tear break up time), Schirmer score, frequencies of artificial tear use, onset of symptomatic relief, subjective satisfaction score, and side effects were evaluated. RESULTS: In patients with Sjogren syndrome, foreign body sensation, blurring, photophobia, and pain were reduced after treatment, and the mean Schirmer score, TBUT increased and frequencies of artificial tear use decreased significantly. In patients with MGD, photophobia was reduced after treatment, TBUT and artificial tear use improved after 2 months, and the Schirmer score increased at 3 months. In patient's with Thygeson's keratitis, foreign body sensation and photophobia reduced, and the Schirmer score was increased at 3 months. No significant changes in symptoms, Schirmer score, or TBUT were observed in patients with AKC. Of all subjects, 55% reported symptomatic relief between 3 and 5 weeks after treatment. The mean satisfaction score after treatment was the highest for patients with Sjogren syndrome. Two subjects reported a temporary burning sensation, and one subject quit using Restasis because of bitter taste and a burning sensation. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with Restasis appeared to be effective in treating dry eye symptoms in patients with Sjogren syndrome. It was shown to be partially helpful in patients with MGD and Thygeson's keratitis, while it showed no beneficial effect in patients with AKC.
Burns ; Cyclosporine ; Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Keratoconjunctivitis ; Meibomian Glands ; Photophobia ; Pruritus ; Sensation ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; Tears

The purpose of this study was to explore the parents and child relationship in traditional Korean society through the Korean classic novels. The Data were analyzed through latent content analysis in focusing on the parents and child relationship. Forty-six Korean classic novels written in Chosun Dynasty (from 1392 to 1910 AD) were chosen to analyze and they were represented the characteristic Confucian ideas. The sentences containing the expression of child-care and parent-child relationship were selected during intensive reading line by line and analyzed. Sixty-nine meaningful concepts were drawn out from 258 significant sentences by the similar meaning and common theme and classified as 3 categories and 11 sub-categories. The important parent-child relationship expressed in Korean traditional society were as follows: From the category of the Meaning of Child, 4 sub-categories were drawn; gift of heaven, successor of the family line, driving power of life, and rewards from the offspring. From the category of attitude to the child, 3 sub- categories were drawn; a notion of preferring a son to a daughter, close maternal-child relation, and expectation to the future of child. From the category of nurturing behavior, 4 subjects were drawn; Tae-Gyo(fetal education), affective behavior, socialization, and health management behavior. Above result helps to improve the basic understanding the relationship of parent and child in modern society. And by the understanding of child in the family, unhealthy relationship of parent and child can be prevented and furthermore family centered child health promotion can be achieved.
Child ; Humans ; Nuclear Family ; Parent-Child Relations* ; Parents ; Reward ; Socialization ; Child Health

Cerebral ischemia exhibits a multiplicity of pathophysiological mechanisms. During ischemic stroke, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration rises to a peak during reperfusion, possibly underlying neuronal death. Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) supplementation is one method of treating neurodegenerative disease by reducing the generation of ROS. We investigated the therapeutic effect of PEGylated EPO (P-EPO) on ischemic stroke. Mice were administered P-EPO (5,000 U/kg) via intravenous injection, and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion was performed to induce in vivo ischemic stroke. P-EPO ameliorated MCAO-induced neurological deficit and reduced behavioral disorder and the infarct area. Moreover, lipid peroxidation, expression of inflammatory proteins (cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase), and cytokine levels in blood were reduced by the P-EPO treatment. In addition, higher activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was found in the brain after MCAO, but NF-κB activation was reduced in the P-EPO-injected group. Treatment with the NF-κB inhibitor PS-1145 (5 mg/kg) abolished the P-EPO-induced reduction of infarct volume, neuronal death, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Moreover, P-EPO was more effective than EPO (5,000 U/kg) and similar to a tissue plasminogen activator (10 mg/kg). An in vitro study revealed that P-EPO (25, 50, and 100 U/mL) treatment protected against rotenone (100 nM)-induced neuronal loss, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and NF-κB activity. These results indicate that the administration of P-EPO exerted neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia damage through anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting NF-κB activation.

BACKGROUND: Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that is widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of infections caused by drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. The aim of this study was to analyze plasma teicoplanin concentrations to determine the percentage of patients in whom therapeutic concentrations of teicoplanin were achieved in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The plasma teicoplanin concentrations of hospitalized patients receiving treatment at a teaching hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The target level was defined as a plasma teicoplanin concentration of 10 mg/L or greater, since this was generally regarded as the lower limit of the optimal concentration range required for the effective treatment of a majority of infections. RESULTS: Patients with sub-optimal (< 10 mg/L) plasma teicoplanin concentrations constituted nearly half of the total study population. The majority of these patients received the recommended loading dose, which were three 400 mg doses administered every 12 hours. Sub-group analysis showed a trend that the group receiving loading dose was more likely to reach the optimal teicoplanin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The data revealed that a significant proportion of patients in clinical practice achieved only sub-optimal teicoplanin concentrations, which emphasizes the importance of the mandatory use of loading dose and routine therapeutic drug monitoring. Treatment reassessment and simulation of individual dose regimens may also be necessary to achieve optimal drug concentrations.
Drug Monitoring ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Plasma ; Retrospective Studies ; Teicoplanin*

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data to describe the characteristics of lesions, extent of disease, and outcomes in patients with neonatal presentation of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).METHODS: Clinical data obtained from neonate diagnosed with LCH at Asan Medical Center between March 1998 and May 2010 were studied. A review of the medical records, analyzing the clinical parameters such as age when signs and symptoms initially manifested, morphologic characteristics of lesions, age at diagnosis, additional organ involvement, therapy administered, course, and outcome, including delayed sequelae was done.RESULTS: Among seventy nine (36 female, 43 males) patients, 6 patients (3 female, 3 male) were presented symptoms within 4 weeks after birth and diagnosed with neonatal LCH (7.6%). Median age of the 6 patients was 11.5 (5-42) days and LCH was diagnosed based on the CD1a positivity. At diagnosis, 4 patients showed single system (SS) LCH (66.7%) whereas 2 patients had multisystem (MS) LCH (33.3%) and skin lesions were the most common initial manifestation (83.3%). The probability of event free survival at 12 years was 83.3%.CONCLUSION: Skin lesion was the most prominent manifestation of the neonatal LCH with complete spontaneous involution. A multi-organ evaluation at the time of diagnosis is important to ascertain the possibility of multisystem involvement with LCH.
Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Medical Records ; Parturition ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin