PURPOSE: This study was to develop an online 'alternative therapy and health promotion' class for university students and to evaluate its changes. METHOD: The online class was developed based on the Instructional Systems Development (ISD) model and model of Web-Based Instruction (WBI) developmental process. This was a quasi- experimental, one group pretest-posttest design. The subjects of this study were 130 students in 3 universities, and they were provided the cyber class for 16 weeks. Data was analyzed by descriptive and plural answer statistics, and paired t-test. RESULTS: The cyber class was developed in five steps : analysis, design, data collection and reconstruction, programing and publishing, and evaluation. The results of program evaluation were positive, which included learning 3.47, system 3.57, and learning satisfaction 3.64 on the scale of 5. The posttest scores of cognition and reliability of alternative therapy were higher than pretest scores. The posttest score of health promoting lifestyle (t=-5.051, p=.000) and perceived health status (t=2.979, p=.003) were significantly higher than those of the pretest. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the cyber class is a positive method in increasing a cognition, reliability of alternative therapy, and is effective to improve a health promotion lifestyle and perceived health status for the university students.
Complementary Therapies/*education/standards ; *Computer-Assisted Instruction ; *Health Promotion ; Humans ; Internet

Paecilomyces sinclairiis (PS) is known as a functional food or human health supplement. However concerns have been raised about its kidney toxicity. This study was performed to investigate the kidney toxicity of PS by 13 week-oral administration to rats. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and kidney damage biomarkers including beta-2-microglobulin (beta2m), glutathione S-transferase alpha (GST-alpha), kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), calbindin, clusterin, cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and osteopontin were measured during or after the treatment of PS. BUN, creatinine and kidney damage biomarkers in serum were not changed by PS. However, kidney cell karyomegaly and tubular hypertrophy were observed dose-dependently with higher severity in males. KIM-1, TIMP-1 and osteopontin in kidney and urine were increased dose dependently in male or at the highest dose in female rats. Increased urinary osteopontin by PS was not recovered at 2 weeks of post-exposure in both genders. Cystatin C in kidney was decreased at all treatment groups but inversely increased in urine. The changes in kidney damage biomarkers were more remarkable in male than female rats. These data indicate that the PS may provoke renal cell damage and glomerular filtration dysfunction in rats with histopathological lesions and change of kidney damage biomarkers in kidney or urine. Kidney and urinary KIM-1 and cystatin C were the most marked indicators, while kidney weight, BUN and creatinine and kidney damage biomarkers in serum were not influenced.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Calcium-Binding Protein, Vitamin D-Dependent ; Clusterin ; Creatinine ; Cystatin C ; Female ; Filtration ; Fruit ; Functional Food ; Glutathione Transferase ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Isoenzymes ; Kidney ; Lipocalins ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; Neutrophils ; Osteopontin ; Paecilomyces ; Rats ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

BACKGROUND: Investigating the blood usage and blood wastage in Korea hospitals national wide, and including all types of medical institutes, has not been sufficient with the only study having been carried out by the KCDC thorough an Academic Research Contract in 2007. Yet that study was limited due to lack of participation from hospitals. Our study tried to establish a fundamental database for blood transfusion management by investigating the current status of blood products usage, under the KCDC's supervision, to improve participation from medical institutes. METHODS: From January to December in 2008, the Blood Bank, Red Cross of the Republic of Korea looked into the blood product supply of all the medical institutes and we conducted a national survey using questionnaires distributed via the local public health centers on the blood use, blood waste, the reasons for waste and the inventory of the remaining blood. The supply, as compared to the actual use of blood products in the same period, was analyzed by the Korean Red Cross. RESULTS: The total amount of blood products distributed by the Korean Red Cross to medical institutes in 2008 increased by 13.8% for platelets, 11.5% for RBC products, 8.4% for apheresis products and 2% for FFPs, as compared with that of 2006. A total of 2,500 institutions participated in the questionnaire and 60.7% (1,517 out of 2,500 institutes) of the institutes sent feed-back. The total amount of blood use was 3,483,636 units and 52% of the consumption was focused in metropolitan areas like Seoul, Geong-Ki and Busan. The total wastage rate for blood was 1.2% and it was 4.8% for institutes with admitting capacities of 100 beds or less, with expiration of the storage date being the main reason for wastage, while the wastage rate was 1.1% for general hospitals with admitting capacities of 500 beds or more, with an improving patient status or death being the main reason. CONCLUSION: The results of this study were similar to those of 2007, but the participation rate from medical institutes was much increased. Establishment of an investigational system for the use of blood products in medical institutes on a national level is needed to secure data for dealing with the increased projected demand of blood/blood products in the future.
Academies and Institutes ; Blood Banks ; Blood Component Removal ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion ; Contracts ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Korea ; Organization and Administration ; Public Health ; Red Cross ; Republic of Korea ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Platelet refractoriness has been reported to occur in 30-70% of multitransfused patients. This can result by either immune or nonimmune mechanisms. The predominant immune cause of platelet refractoriness is alloimmunization to HLA class I antigens. Recently, acid-treated platelets have been used in a few patients with platelet refractoriness due to HLA alloantibodies. However, the effect of acid-treated platelets has not been consistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo survival of acid-treated, HLA-eluted platelets in HLA-immunized rabbits. METHODS: For in vivo survival test, 14 New Zealand White rabbits were studied. Four rabbits were in the nonimmunized control and 10 were immunized by weekly transfusions of human pooled platelets for six weeks. The HLA-immunized group was separated into two groups with transfusion of acid-treated platelets and untreated platelets. The survival of transfused platelets in rabbits with immunization and control group was estimated by a flow cytometer using FITC-labeled anti-CD42a. We also examined the HLA re-expression in acid-treated platelets due to regeneration and adsorption of HLA from human plasma. RESLUTS: The half-life of untreated platelets in nonimmunized rabbits was 11.8 +/- 3.7 hr. The half-life of acid-treated platelets in rabbits with HLA antibodies was 9.5 +/- 5.5 hr and the half-life of untreated platelets in rabbits with HLA antibodies was 5.9 +/- 2.9 hr. The difference between untreated platelets in the nonimmunized control group and acid-treated platelets in rabbits with HLA antibodies was statistically insignificant (p=0.221). Re-expression of HLA-A,B,C by endogenous resynthesis occurred continuously, and after 24 hrs it reached 84% of pre-elution level. Adsorption of HLA antigens from human plasma was completed within four hrs. CONCLUSIONS: Acid-treated, HLA-eluted platelets may be applicable for the patients with refractoriness to platelet transfusion, especially, in case of unavailability of HLA-compatible donors and fatal bleeding such as intracranial hemorrhage and pulmonary hemorrhage. However, the post-transfusion increment of the platelet count could not be maintained over 24 hrs because of the endogenous resynthesis of HLA antigens.
Adsorption ; Antibodies ; Blood Platelets ; Half-Life ; Hemorrhage ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; HLA Antigens ; Humans ; Immunization ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Isoantibodies ; Plasma ; Platelet Count ; Platelet Transfusion ; Rabbits* ; Regeneration ; Tissue Donors

This study investigated the clinical effectiveness and safety of sealed bleaching compared to conventional in-office bleaching using a randomized clinical trial of split arch design. Ten participants received a chairside bleaching treatment on the upper anterior teeth, and each side was randomly designated as sealed or control side. A mixture of Brite powder (PacDent, Walnut, USA), 3% hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide (KoolWhite, PacDent, Walnut, USA) were used as bleaching agent. The control side was unwrapped and the experimental side was covered with a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) wrap for sealed bleaching. The bleaching gel was light activated for 1 hour. The tooth shades were evaluated before treatment, after treatment, and at one week check up by means of a visual shade (VS) assessment using a value oriented shade guide and a computer assisted shade assessment using a spectrophotometer (SP). The data were analyzed by paired t-test. In the control and sealed groups, the visual shade scores after bleaching treatment and at check up showed statistically significant difference from the preoperative shade scores (p < .05). The shade scores of the sealed group were significantly lighter than the control immediately after bleaching and at the check-up appointment (p < 0.05). Compared to prebleaching status, the DeltaE values at post-bleaching condition were 4.35 +/- 1.38 and 5.08 +/- 1.34 for the control and sealed groups, respectively. The DeltaE values at check up were 3.73 +/- 1.95 and 4.38 +/- 2.08 for the control and sealed groups. DeltaE values were greater for the sealed group both after bleaching (p < .05) and at check up (p < .05). In conclusion, both DeltaE and shade score changes were greater for the sealed bleaching group than the conventional bleaching group, effectively demonstrating the improvement of effectiveness through sealing.
Hydrogen Peroxide ; Juglans ; Light ; Peroxides ; Polyethylene ; Tooth ; Urea

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to determine the effect of glycopyrrolate or atropine on attenuating hemodynamic responses such as bradycardia and hypotension during anesthetic induction with remifentanil and sevoflurane in elderly patients, in a randomized placebo-controlled double blinded manner. METHODS: 60 patients over 65 years with ASA physical status 1 or 2 were allocated to one of three groups of 20 each. Each group received saline placebo (group C) or glycopyrrolate 4microgram/kg (group G) or atropine 0.5 mg (group A) immediately after induction of anesthesia, and then remifentanil 1microgram/kg bolus was given over 30s. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured before anesthetic induction, before intubation, and during 5 minutes after intubation at 1 minute interval. RESULTS: MAP remained stable and HR increased significantly 1 min after intubation in all groups. MAP decreased significantly during 2-5 minute after intubation in all groups. HR decreased in the group C, remained stable in the group G, and increased in the group A significantly during 3-5 minute after intubation. Hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg checked twice) occurred in 8 patients in the group C, 1 patient in the group G, and none in the group A. CONCLUSIONS: Glycopyrrolate and atropine attenuated the hemodynamic responses to laryngoscropy and intubation during anesthetic induction with remifentanil 1microgram/kg bolus dose and sevoflurane.
Aged* ; Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure ; Atropine* ; Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Glycopyrrolate* ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Intubation

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of muscle relaxants (atracurium) on the outcomes of intermittent exotropia surgery under general anesthesia, with a focus on resection procedures. METHODS: Thirty four patients who underwent recession and resection (R&R) were divided into two groups: atracurium usage (group A, n=18) and no atracurium usage (group B, n=16). Patients were divided into two subgroups according to the amount of resection of the medial rectus (MR): less than 5 mm (group 1, n=13) or 5 mm and greater (group 2, n=21). Deviation angles were compared between groups and subgroups. Surgical outcome was defined as successful if distant deviation angles were equal to or less than 10 prism diopters. RESULTS: The overall postoperative deviation angles did not show statistically significant differences between groups A and B. However, in patients with larger MR resections (> or = 5 mm), the 1 week postoperative distant deviation was significantly larger in group A (1.8+/-2.6 PD) than in group B (-1.6+/-4.6 PD, p=0.048 by t-test). The overall undercorrection rate at 3 months postoperatively for group A was 16.7%, which was higher than that of group B (6.3%), and the difference was even larger in subgroups with larger MR resections (> or =5 mm): 18.2% in group A and 0% in group B. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent R&R procedures under general anesthesia with a muscle relaxant tended to be less corrected than those without muscle relaxant, especially in the early postoperative period and with a larger MR resection equal to or greater than 5 mm. However, there was no significant difference in the later postoperative period.
Anesthesia, Inhalation ; Atracurium/*administration & dosage ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Exotropia/*physiopathology/*surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Muscle Relaxation ; Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents/*administration & dosage ; Oculomotor Muscles/*physiopathology ; Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Leukoreduced blood components are recommended for prevention of non-hemolytic febrile transfusion reactions, HLA alloimmunization, platelet transfusion refractoriness, and transfusion-transmissible diseases. In addition, prestorage leukoreduction may be advantageous to poststorage leukoreduction. The authors investigated the current status of usage of leukoreduced blood components in Korea. METHODS: We surveyed 2,373 medical facilities, where blood components were supplied from Korean Red Cross blood centers and/or Hanmaeum blood center during one year period between January and December 2009. The survey was conducted about the current situation of usage of leukoreduction by web-based program (http://bms.cdc.go.kr), and 743 facilities answered and were analyzed. RESULTS: The leukoreduced RBC components comprised 10.3% (prestorage leukoreduction, 91,066 units, 5.7%; poststorage leukoreduction 73,192 units, 4.6%) of the total 1,593,098 units of RBC components used in 743 medical facilities. The leukoreduced platelet concentrates comprised 33.1% (458,552 units) of the total 1,386,184 units of platelet concentrates used in 397 medical facilities. If 1 single donor platelet is counted as 6 platelet concentrates, 48.9% of the total platelet components used were leukoreduced. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of leukoreduced blood components to the total blood components used in Korea was much lower than that in Unites States of America, especially lower in the use of prestorage leukoreduction of RBC components. Further studies are required for cost-effectiveness and demand-supply amounts of leukoreduced blood components, and appropriate prestorage leukoreduction has to be performed in Korea based on these studies.
Americas ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Blood Platelets ; Glycolates ; Humans ; Korea ; Platelet Transfusion ; Red Cross ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: This prospective phase II trial was performed to determine the efficacy and toxicity of mitomycin C, vinorelbine and cisplatin combination chemotherapy for patients with previously untreated stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Between January 1999 and April 2001, 30 patients with chemotherapy- naive stage IIIB or IV NSCLC were entered into this study. Mitomycin C at a dose of 7 mg/m2, vinorelbine at a dose of 25 mg/m2 and cisplatin at a dose of 75 mg/m2 on day 1 and vinorelbine at a dose of 25 mg/m2 on day 8 were administered. This regimen was repeated every 4 weeks. RESULTS: 29 patients out of 30 patients were assessable. Among the assessable patients, 15 (51.7%) patients had a partial response. The median duration of response and survival was 22 weeks and 39 weeks, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 28.3% and 4.7% of all the cycles, respectively. Nausea and vomiting of grade 3 occurred only in 2.4% of all the cycles. CONCLUSION: The regimen of mitomycin C, vinorelbine and cisplatin for non-small cell lung cancer is active against advanced NSCLC with tolerable toxicities.
Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/*therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/*drug therapy/pathology ; Cisplatin/*administration & dosage ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Human ; Lung Neoplasms/*drug therapy/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitomycin/*administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome ; Vinblastine/*administration & dosage/*analogs & derivatives

Red cells that express extremely low levels of D antigen that cannot be detected by routine serologic tests are designated as DEL. Most DEL blood donors are typed as D-negative. However, DEL red blood cells can be recognized by serological adsorption and elution test or molecular RHD genotyping. Anti-D production in patients with D-negative who received transfusion containing DEL blood has reported, therefore distinction between DEL variant and true D- negative is clinically important. This review highlights a transfusion strategy and laboratory update on the DEL variant in the Korean population.
Adsorption ; Blood Donors ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Serologic Tests