Background: University students have been known as having a higher rate of problem drinking than the general population in South Korea. In particular, the university freshmen may experience problem drinking from increased occasions of frequent social gatherings at the first school year as they have increased time to freely use compared to the high school days. Problem drinking among university freshmen may be influenced by multiple factors. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of problem drinking and to identify individualand family-level factors associated with university freshmen's problem drinking. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlation study was conducted. Participants were 227 university freshmen (70 men and 157 women) under the parenting of mother and father from 10 universities in Seoul. The problem drinking was evaluated by using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale and Parental Authority Questionnaire for parenting behaviors were used. Results: The prevalence of problem drinking was 58.6% among university freshmen. An individual-level factor of alcohol abstinence self-efficacy was significantly associated with the prevalence of problem drinking (odds ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.91-0.96) among university freshmen. However, any of family-level factors including types of parenting behaviors were not significantly associated with the prevalence of problem drinking. Conclusions Alcohol abstinence self-efficacy may be a strong protective factor against university freshmen's problem drinking. University-based alcohol abstinence programs should comprise of nursing strategies including the enhancement of abstinence self-efficacy at the first school year.

Background: University students have been known as having a higher rate of problem drinking than the general population in South Korea. In particular, the university freshmen may experience problem drinking from increased occasions of frequent social gatherings at the first school year as they have increased time to freely use compared to the high school days. Problem drinking among university freshmen may be influenced by multiple factors. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of problem drinking and to identify individualand family-level factors associated with university freshmen's problem drinking. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlation study was conducted. Participants were 227 university freshmen (70 men and 157 women) under the parenting of mother and father from 10 universities in Seoul. The problem drinking was evaluated by using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale and Parental Authority Questionnaire for parenting behaviors were used. Results: The prevalence of problem drinking was 58.6% among university freshmen. An individual-level factor of alcohol abstinence self-efficacy was significantly associated with the prevalence of problem drinking (odds ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.91-0.96) among university freshmen. However, any of family-level factors including types of parenting behaviors were not significantly associated with the prevalence of problem drinking. Conclusions Alcohol abstinence self-efficacy may be a strong protective factor against university freshmen's problem drinking. University-based alcohol abstinence programs should comprise of nursing strategies including the enhancement of abstinence self-efficacy at the first school year.

Purpose: DNA damage and repair responses are induced by metabolic diseases and environmental stress. The balance of DNA repair response and the antioxidant system play a role in modulating the entire body’s health. This study uses a high-fat and high-calorie (HFC) drink to examine the new roles of a plant-based multivitamin/mineral supplement with phytonutrients (PMP) for regulating the antioxidant system and cellular DNA repair signaling in the body resulting from metabolic stress. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, parallel-arm, and placebo-controlled trial, healthy adults received a capsule containing either a PMP supplement (n = 12) or a placebo control (n = 12) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at 0, 1, and 3 hours after consuming a HFC drink (900 kcal). The blood samples were analyzed for the following oxidative stress makers: areas under the curve reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocytes MDA, urinary MDA, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and the glutathione:oxidized glutathione ratio at the time points. We further examined the related protein levels of DNA repair signaling (pCHK1 (Serine 345), p-P53 (Serine 15), and γH2AX expression) in the plasma of subjects to evaluate the time-dependent effects of a HFC drink. Results: In a previous study, we showed that PMP supplementation for eight weeks reduces the ROS and endogenous DNA damage in human blood plasma. Results of the current study further show that PMP supplementation is significantly correlated with antioxidant defense. Compared to the placebo samples, the blood plasma obtained after PMP supplementation showed enhanced DNA damage response genes such as pCHK1(Serine 345) (a transducer of DNA response) and γH2AX (a hallmark of DNA damage) during the 8 weeks trial on metabolic challenges. Conclusion Our results indicate that PMP supplementation for 8 weeks enhances the antioxidant system against oxidative stress and prevents DNA damage signaling in humans.

We investigated serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of pneumococcal carriage isolates from children after optional immunization with the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in Korea. From June 2009 to June 2010, 205 (16.5%) pneumococcal isolates were obtained from 1,243 nasopharyngeal aspirates of infants and children at Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Korea. Serotype was determined by Quellung reaction and antibiotic susceptibility was tested by E-test. The results were compared to previous studies done in the pre-PCV7 period. In this study, the most common serotypes were 6A (15.3%), 19A (14.7%), 19F (10.2%), 35B (7.3%), and 6D (5.6%). The proportion of PCV7 serotypes decreased from 61.9% to 23.8% (P < 0.001). The overall penicillin nonsusceptibility rate increased from 83.5% to 95.4% (P = 0.001). This study demonstrates the impact of optional PCV7 vaccination in Korea; the proportion of all PCV7 serotypes except 19F decreased while antimicrobial resistant serotypes 6A and 19A further increased.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial/drug effects ; Humans ; Infant ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Nasopharynx/*microbiology ; Pneumococcal Infections/immunology/prevention & control ; Republic of Korea ; Serotyping ; Streptococcus pneumoniae/classification/*isolation & purification ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Conjugate/*immunology

PURPOSE: Brain-based learning has become increasingly important in nursing education. The purpose of this study is to (a) synthesize the literature on brain-based learning in nursing education using Whittemore and Knafl's integrative review method, and (b) discuss teaching strategies for nursing educators. METHOD: Searches were made through the CINAHL, OVID, PubMED, and SCOPUS databases using the terms nurs* AND (brain based OR neuroscience) AND (educa* OR learn* OR teach*). Included were original articles in the domain of undergraduate nursing education written in English in peer-reviewed journals between January 1984 and December 2013. Twenty-four papers met the criteria. RESULTS: Three themes were retrieved: (a) activate whole-brain functions, (b) establish supportive educational environments, and (c) encourage learners to be more active. CONCLUSION: Brain-based learning enhances the learning capabilities of undergraduate nursing students.
Brain ; Education ; Education, Nursing ; Humans ; Learning ; Nursing ; Students, Nursing

PURPOSE: The survey was aimed to provide basic data to develop a certification system for hospice and palliative care professionals. METHODS: National Cancer Center (NCC) and the Korean Society for Hospice & Palliative Care (KSHPC) conducted the survey for hospice and palliative care professionals who worked at 34 Palliative care units designated by the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Family Affairs (MW) and the members of the KSHPC. The survey was conducted via e-mail from June 17 to 23, 2009. Total 220 professionals were surveyed. RESULTS: Most of the hospice and palliative care professionals reported a great need for certification system: Physician, 90% (n=51) nurse, 84% (n=134) social worker, 89% (n=35). In regard with the requirement for the certification, a majority of physicians (46%) preferreddiploma course, while social workers (46%) preferred training course for medical social workers. Concerning the certification body, physician (45%) preferred the KSHPC and the MW almost equally, while nurses (50%) and social workers (60%) preferred the MW highly. As for the body to develop and accredit advance training course for each professionals, most of the physicians (51%) preferred the KSHPC, whereas nurses and social workers preferred collaboration of the MW (or NCC) with the professional society, such as the KSHPC (23%), the Korean Hospice & Palliative nurses association for nurses (21%), or the Korean association of (medical) social workers (37%). Lastly, all respondents preferred the course format of once a week, full day, and some field study at weekend. CONCLUSION: Korean hospice and palliative care professionals identified the great need for the certification system, therefore, the adequate system development must be followed to reflect their voice.
Accreditation ; Certification ; Cooperative Behavior ; Curriculum ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Electronic Mail ; Hospices ; Humans ; Palliative Care ; Program Development ; Social Workers ; Voice

To perform the Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART), a high degree of deformable registration accuracy is essential. The purpose of this study is to identify whether the change of MV CBCT intensity can improve registration accuracy using predefined modification level and filtering process. To obtain modification level, the cheese phantom images was acquired from both kilovoltage CT (kappaV CT), megavoltage cone-beam CT (MV CBCT). From the cheese phantom images, the modification level of MV CBCT was defined from the relationship between Hounsfield Units (HUs) of kappaV CT and MV CBCT images. 'Gaussian smoothing filter' was added to reduce the noise of the MV CBCT images. The intensity of MV CBCT image was changed to the intensity of the kappaV CT image to make the two images have the same intensity range as if they were obtained from the same modality. The demon deformable registration which was efficient and easy to perform the deformable registration was applied. The deformable lung phantom which was intentionally created in the laboratory to imitate the changes of the breathing period was acquired from kappaV CT and MV CBCT. And then the deformable lung phantom images were applied to the proposed method. As a result of deformable image registration, the similarity of the correlation coefficient was used for a quantitative evaluation of the result was increased by 6.07% in the cheese phantom, and 18% in the deformable lung phantom. For the additional evaluation of the registration of the deformable lung phantom, the centric coordinates of the mark which was inserted into the inner part of the phantom were measured to calculate the vector difference. The vector differences from the result were 2.23, 1.39 mm with/without modification of intensity of MV CBCT images, respectively. In summary, our method has quantitatively improved the accuracy of deformable registration and could be a useful solution to improve the image registration accuracy. A further study was also suggested in this paper.
Cheese ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Intention ; Lung ; Noise ; Respiration

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to translate the Spiritual Perspective Scale (SPS) and Self-transcendence Scale (STS) into Korean and test the psychometric properties of the instruments with Korean elders. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used to implement the three stages of the study. Stage I consisted of translating and reviewing the scales by six experts. In Stage II, equivalence was tested by comparing the responses between the Korean and English versions among 71 bilingual adults. Stage III established the psychometric properties of the Korean versions SPS-K and STS-K among 154 Korean elders. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha of the SPS-K and the STS-K .97, and .85 respectively with Korean elders. Factor analysis showed that the SPS-K had one factor; the STS-K had four factors with one factor clearly representing self-transcendence as theorized. Both scales showed good reliability and validity for the translated Korean versions. However, continued study of the construct validity of the STS-K is needed. CONCLUSION: Study findings indicate that the SPS-K and the STS-K could be useful for nurses and geriatric researchers to assess a broadly defined spirituality, and to conduct research on spirituality and health among Korean elders. Use of these scales within a theory-based study may contribute to further knowledge about the role of spirituality in the health and well-being of Korean people facing health crises.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Psychometrics ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; *Self Concept ; *Spirituality ; Translating

Background: Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was associated with increased mortality and decreased quality of life in previous studies. In Korean adults, the prevalence rates of cardiometabolic risk factors are higher in women than in men after middle age. We evaluated the association between cardiometabolic risk factors and decreased GFR in Korean women. Methods: We evaluated 2,339 subjects using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII-1 (2016) after excluding participants with GFRs of <15 mL/min/1.73 m2. Normal GFR was ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and decreased GFR was 15–59 mL/min/1.73 m2. Socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, body mass index, waist circumference, and comorbidities were evaluated to analyze the association between cardiometabolic risk factors and decreased GFR. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: As age increased, the OR for decreased GFR increased. In comparison with women with waist circumferences of <85 cm, the women with waist circumferences of ≥85 cm (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.22–3.10) had a significant increase in the OR for decreased GFR. In women with diabetes mellitus, the OR for decreased GFR significantly increased (OR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.70–5.81). Conclusion Decreased GFR was associated with age, abdominal obesity, and diabetes mellitus in Korean women. Control of abdominal obesity and appropriate management of diabetes mellitus are needed to prevent chronic kidney disease in Korean women.

PURPOSE: We aimed primarily to investigate the level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and depression in older adults and secondly to identify the impact of LUTS and depression on HRQoL. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to November 2010. Participants were recruited from five community senior centers serving community dwelling older adults in Jeju city. Data analysis was based on 171 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to guide interviews; the data were collected including demographic characteristics, body mass index, adherence to regular exercise, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and osteoarthritis), depression, urinary incontinence, LUTS (measured via the International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS]), and HRQoL as assessed by use of the EQ-5D Index. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to test predictors of HRQoL. RESULTS: Eighteen percent (18.6%) of the respondents reported depressive symptoms. The mean LUTS score was 8.9 (IPSS range, 0 to 35). The severity of LUTS, was reported to be mild (score, 0 to 7) by 53% of the respondents, moderate (score, 8 to 19) by 34.5%, and severe (score, 20 to 35) by 12.5%. HRQoL was significantly predicted by depression (Partial R2=0.193, P<0.01) and LUTS (Partial R2=0.048, P=0.0047), and 24% of the variance in HRQoL was explained. CONCLUSIONS: LUTS and depression were the principal predictors of HRQoL in older adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Comorbidity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Prostate ; Quality of Life ; Statistics as Topic ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urinary Incontinence