PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate successful aging (SA) in elderly individuals and to determine the factors that influence SA. METHODS: The subjects included 207 elderly individuals from D city, Korea. The data were obtained between July 1 and August 30, 2008. The participants were assured of anonymity and confidentiality. For the evaluation, Kim & Shin's SA scale, Lawton's instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scale, Jon's self-esteem scale, Kee's geriatric depression scale short form-Korean (GDSSF-K), and Hong's productive activities scale were used. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation coefficients; multiple regression analysis was performed using the SPSS/WIN 10.0 program. RESULTS: The maximum score for SA was 34, and the mean score was 22.62. It was found that SA was significantly correlated to IADL, self-esteem, depression, and productive activity. Depression was the most powerful predictor of SA and it accounted for 40.6% of the total variance in SA. Self-esteem, productive activity, living situation, economic status, and age together accounted for 62.1% of the total variation in SA. CONCLUSION: Depression, self-esteem, and productive activity were identified as variables that influence SA. On the basis of these results, we conclude that nurses should assist elderly individuals in order to facilitate SA. Moreover, individualized nursing management strategies must be developed in order to facilitate SA.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Aging ; Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Confidentiality ; Depression ; Humans ; Korea

No abstract available.
Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory* ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries* ; Peripheral Nerves*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the essential structure of the postmortem- examination experiences of nurse career coroners (forensic investigators), to have a profound understanding of their experiences, and ultimately to lay the foundation for nurses' entry into the field of forensic nursing. METHODS: The subjects in this study were six coroners. After an in-depth interview from January to June 2007, the collected data were analyzed by Colaizzi as qualitative research. RESULTS: Four categories emerged from seven theme clusters. The four categories were: attracted by being dubbed a stabilized public official, a sense of achievement due to having clarified false death, self-confidence after distinguishing the victim and the wrongdoer, eternal developmental potential is seen. CONCLUSION: It is expected that this study will provide useful information for nurses who are interested in becoming coroners. It will be helpful for career nurses to extend their nursing science into emerging fields like coroners and select a follow-up career.
Adult ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Coroners and Medical Examiners/*psychology ; Family Relations ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Job Satisfaction ; Nurses/*psychology ; Qualitative Research ; Social Perception

Streptococcus anginosus is a member of Streptococcus milleri group, and is found in the oral mucosa, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract as normal flora. It can develop into a disease in patients with deteriorating clinical condition or with clinical risk factors. A previously healthy 15-year-old boy was admitted due to fever, abdominal discomfort and vomiting which lasted for 7 days. He had a history of dental procedure 1 day before the development of fever. He was diagnosed with acute acalculous cholecystitis based on the clinical, laboratory, and imaging finding, and S. anginosus was isolated from the blood culture. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotic therapy.
Acalculous Cholecystitis ; Adolescent ; Bacteremia ; Cholecystitis ; Fever ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Mouth Mucosa ; Respiratory System ; Risk Factors ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus anginosus ; Streptococcus milleri Group ; Vomiting

Cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis is a rescently described histiocytic disorder. It is characterized by the presence of fever, pancytopenia, and subcutaneous nodules resulting from the infiltration of lympho-histiocytes in the dermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue. The characteristic findings is presence of bean-bag histiocytes containing phagocytized red blood cells, lymphocytes, and platelets. We experienced two cases of cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis with hard and erythematous subcutaneous nodules. These skin lesions exhibited infiltration of the subcutaneous tissue by large, benign histiocytes with cytophagic features. Hemophagocytic histiocytes were observed in the cervical lymph node in case 1, and bone marrow in case 2. One patient is alive, while the other one died with hemorrhagic complications.

No abstract available.
Pemphigus*

PURPOSE: To report a case of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN 2B) diagnosed early based on conjunctival neuroma. CASE SUMMARY: A 15-year-old female presented with red eye and conjunctival mass in both eyes. A 5 x 5 mm-sized yellowish conjunctival mass adjacent to the limbus was observed in her right eye and a 3 x 3 mm-sized mass in her left eye. Excisional biopsy was performed and the patient was diagnosed with conjunctival neuroma. Other abnormalities were not found on the ophthalmic examination, but she had characteristic appearances such as thickened upper eyelid, mild telecanthus and nodular edematous upper lip. She was transferred to the Endocrinology Department for systemic evaluation in consideration of multiple endocrine neoplasia. Abdominal pelvic computed tomography and a 24-hr urine collection analysis showed asymptomatic pheochromocytoma. Thyroid ultrasonography and fine-needle biopsy revealed medullary thyroid carcinoma. Finally, MEN type 2B was confirmed by using a RET mutation gene test. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid carcinoma can occur in MEN 2B in combination with pheochromocytoma and mucosal neuroma. Thickened corneal nerve fiber and perilimbal conjunctival mass have been regarded as ophthalmologic characteristics of MEN 2B and may be accompanied by telecanthus, thickened upper eyelid and marfanoid habitus. A biopsy of the mass is required for pathological diagnosis. Medullary thyroid carcinoma is the most significant clinical component of MEN 2B syndrome and thyroidectomy is indicated. MEN 2B may be a rare syndrome, but its consequences are serious and the ophthalmologist may play a lifesaving role in its diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis* ; Endocrinology ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Lip ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2b* ; Nerve Fibers ; Neuroma* ; Pheochromocytoma ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy ; Ultrasonography ; Urine Specimen Collection

No abstract available.
Asia* ; Seoul*

PURPOSE: Instead of a chaotic non circadian environmental approach, continuing regular day-night rhythm in neonatal nurseries may benefit the development of preterm infants. The purpose of this study was to define the effects of cycled lighting on circadian rhythms of premature infants. METHODS: The experimental group included 15 preterm infants, and the control group, 15 premature infants in the NICU of a general hospital in Seoul. All infants were between 32 and 37 weeks' postconceptional age. The experimental group infants were provided with cycled lighting before discharge. The incubator or bassinet cover of the experimental group was off between 7 AM and 7 PM, and was covered between 7 PM and 7 AM. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the NNNS score (p=.039), and some significant differences in the sleep-activity pattern between the experimental group and the control group, but distinct differences in sleep-activity patterns between the two groups could not be defined. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that cycled lighting can be helpful in the neurobehavioral development of preterm infants. By modifying the NICU environment to provide a more developmentally supportive milieu, nursing professionals can better meet the infants' physiologic and neurobehavioral needs.
Circadian Rhythm ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incubators ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Light ; Lighting ; Nurseries ; Child Health

Author reviewed the patients with temperature over 38.5 degress C for longer than two weeks and of undetermined etiology who were admitted and treated in Yonsei Medical Center during the period from Jan. 1974 to Aug. 1978. There have been 120 cases of prolonged fever in that period. The following results were obtained; 1. The children who were admitted with prolonged fever occupied 1.3% of total in-patients at the same period. 2. 16 cases were less than 1 year of age at admission and 64 were 1 to 6 years. So 2/3 of total cases were less than 6 years of age. The ratio of Male to Female was 1.6:1. 3. There Was no apparent difference in seasonal incidence. But from May to September slightly increased number was noted. 4. In 58 cases(48.3%), the fever persisted 2 to 3 weeks before admission and 27 cases lasted longer than a month. . Three patterns of fever were observed; intermittent type 75 cases(62.5%), daily spiking 32(26.7%) and constant 13(10.8%) 5. The final diagnoses as a cause of fever were as follows. Infections accounted for 81 cases(67.5%), malignancy 17(14.2%), collagen diseases 7(5.8%) and miscellaneous cause 1(0.8%). 14 cases(11.7%) remained undiagnosed at the cenclusion of their hospitalization. . Certain relationships between diagnosis and age were noted. Infection was the most common etiology in all age groups but 72.5% of these children were less than 6 years old. 71.4% of collagen diseases were older than 6 years. Malignancy had no age predilection. 6. Over 80% of all cases the diagnosis were made within a week and the fever disappeared in a week in 70% So most of them(75%) discharged within 2 weeks after admission. 7. Careful history suggested the final diagnosis in 84 cases(70%) and repeated physical examinations were helpful in 70 cases(58.3%) Abnormal findings in routine chest P-A were present in 47.5% Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly increased in 26/34 cases(76.5%). 47 cases(39.2%) were anemic for age and all children with malignancy were anemic. Lumbar puncture, bone marrow aspiration, tissue biopsy and explo. Laparotomy were performed only in suspected cases. 8. Outcome on discharge were as follows; 90 cases(75.0%) were much improved, 21(17.5%) discharged without improvement and 9 cases(7.5%) expired.
Biopsy ; Blood Sedimentation ; Bone Marrow ; Child* ; Collagen Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fever* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Seasons ; Spinal Puncture ; Thorax