OBJECTIVE: Several psychological characteristics of medical students were investigated, the relationhip between these characteristics and academic achievement was identified, and futhermore some significant predictors of their academic achievement were explored. METHOD: Subjects were a total of 489 medical students, 1st, 2nd, 3rd year in Chosun university as of in 1998. We administered self-report questionnaires including age, sex, grade failure, and transfer experience. And Beck Depression Inventory, Achievement Self-Discrepancy Scale, Self-Efficacy Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(state) Test Anxiety Scale, and the Inventory of Performance Anxiety were handed out to them on April 1998. After the semester, we examined the academic achievement according to grade point average. Pearson's correlations were calculated to explore the relationships between grade failure and other psychological variables, as well as the relationships between academic achievement and other psychological variables. The amount that academic achievement was explained by the psychological variables was obtained using multiple regression analysis. RESULT: 1)In 489 students, grade failure was 168(34.3%) non-failure was 321(65.7%) and transfer was 33(6.7%) 2)While G.P.A., performance anxiety, and self-efficacy, respectively, were negatively correlated with the failure, test anxiety was positively correlated with the grade failure. There were no statistically significant correlations between grade failure and depression, self-discrepancy, or state anxiety. 3)Academic achievement was positively correlated with both gender and self-efficacy, whereas it was negatively correlated with depression, self-discrepancy, test anxiety, and state anxiety, respectively. Female students were better than males in academic achievement. 4)The amount that age, gender, grade failure, transfer, depression, self-discrepancy, test anxiety, state anxiety, performance anxiety, and self-efficacy accounted for academic achievement was 10.86% totally. CONCLUSION: Gender, grade failure, and depression in medical students affected their academic achievement significantly.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Performance Anxiety ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Students, Medical* ; Test Anxiety Scale

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a preceptor educational program in a children’s hospital. The program’s impact was assessed by measuring improvements in clinical competency, communication competency, and leadership competency. Methods: Four day pediatric nurse preceptor education program was developed using the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) model. A single-group pretest-posttest design was employed to assess the program’s effects with seventeen participants who were newly trained preceptors. Additionally, participant satisfaction with the program was measured. Results: Following the implementation of the program, significant improvements were observed in clinical competency (Z=-3.62, p<.001), communication competency (Z=-2.77, p=.006), leadership competency (Z=-2.08, p=.038), other competence (Z=-2.64, p=.008), and total competency (Z=-3.52, p<.001) among participants. The overall satisfaction score was 4.41±0.62 on a 5-point scale. Conclusion The pediatric nurse preceptor educational program significantly enhances the overall nursing competencies of preceptor nurses in a children’s hospital. Further research is needed to evaluate the effects of this preceptorship on newly graduated nurses.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of monaural headset to the hearing threshold shifts of the female communication workers. METHODS: Hearing threshold shifts of total 642 subjects, selected after excluding workers with history of ear disease, of ototoxic drug administration, and of neuropsychiatric disease, were determined by pure tone audiometric tests. Each worker's personal and work history was taken by the self-administrative questionnaire. In addition, occupational noise exposure levels in the workplace were assessed by noise dosimetry and each worker's noise exposure from the headset was measured by placing the microphone of a noise dosimeter to the external portion of the headset which was coupled by a silicon tube. The hearing threshold shifts were compared between groups of the alternate and the fixed headset user. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1> The noise levels in the workplace ranged from 62.1 dBA to 63.9 dBA. The mean equivalent sound levels (LEQ) by the headset volume (minimum, middle, and maximum) were 90.8 dBA, 94.6 dBA, and 97.8 dBA, respectively. The maximum sound level (Lmax) of the headset was from 109.1 to 128.6 dBA. 2> The degree of hearing difference of the one side users was higher than that of the alternate users. Comparing the hearing loss of two groups of subjects, hearing loss was statistically significantly higher in the left-ear fixed and in the alternate headset users with more than 15 years than those with less than 15 years of headset taking duration. 3> Based on the hearing loss evaluation criteria by the Korean Ministry of Labor, 25 required follow-up cases (3.89%) and 16 suspected cases (2.49%) out of the 642 subjects were screened. Although statistically not significant, the required follow-up cases were higher among fixed users (4.3%) than those of alternate users (3.7%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study ascertained the possibility of hearing loss due to monaural-headsets among female workers. Thus, it is recommended that an effective hearing conservation program should be provided for the headset-wearing communication workers.
Ear Diseases ; Female* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Noise ; Noise, Occupational ; Silicones ; Surveys and Questionnaires

A false aneurysms of the head and neck are rare lesions. Their histologic characteristic is quite different from that of true aneurism in that their wall consists of false endothelial lining only. Until recently their treatment was by a variety of surgical approaches or angiographic embolization. But, because of their aggressive behavior and possible complications, more consevative approach like a sono-guided compression has been sucessfully reported by some authors. The advantages of this method is that it is safe, less aggressive and not complicated procedure. We report a case of false aneurysm of facial artery after BSSRO, which was successfully treated by sono-guided compression.
Aneurysm, False* ; Arteries ; Head ; Neck

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of gait training with rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) on both kinematic and temporospatial gait patterns in patients with hemiplegia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen hemiplegic patients diagnosed with either cerebral palsy or stroke participated in this study. All participants underwent the 4-week gait training with RAS. The treatment was performed for 30 minutes per each session, three sessions per week. RAS was provided with rhythmic beats using a chord progression on a keyboard. Kinematic and temporospatial data were collected and analyzed using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. RESULTS: Gait training with RAS significantly improved both proximal and distal joint kinematic patterns in hip adduction, knee flexion, and ankle plantar flexion, enhancing the gait deviation index (GDI) as well as ameliorating temporal asymmetry of the stance and swing phases in patients with hemiplegia. Stroke patients with previous walking experience demonstrated significant kinematic improvement in knee flexion in mid-swing and ankle dorsiflexion in terminal stance. Among stroke patients, subacute patients showed a significantly increased GDI score compared with chronic patients. In addition, household ambulators showed a significant effect on reducing anterior tilt of the pelvis with an enhanced GDI score, while community ambulators significantly increased knee flexion in mid-swing phase and ankle dorsiflexion in terminal stance phase. CONCLUSION: Gait training with RAS has beneficial effects on both kinematic and temporospatial patterns in patients with hemiplegia, providing not only clinical implications of locomotor rehabilitation with goal-oriented external feedback using RAS but also differential effects according to ambulatory function.
Acoustic Stimulation/*methods ; Aged ; Ankle Joint/physiopathology ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cerebral Palsy/*diagnosis/physiopathology ; Female ; Foot Joints/physiopathology ; *Gait ; Gait Disorders, Neurologic/etiology/physiopathology/*rehabilitation ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Knee/physiopathology ; Knee Joint/physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke/*diagnosis/physiopathology

We report the case of a 4 year-old boy with Menetrier's disease, who was presented with edema and hypoalbuminemia. Gastroduodenal endoscopy showed the characteristic features of giant hypertrophy of the gastric rugae and large quantities of adherent gelatinous material. Histologic findings revealed foveolar hyperplasia. The presence of CMV infection was identified by serology. His symptoms resolved spontaneously, and he has fared well.
Child, Preschool ; Cytomegalovirus Infections* ; Cytomegalovirus* ; Edema ; Endoscopy ; Gastritis, Hypertrophic* ; Gelatin ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Hypertrophy ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Male

BACKGROUND: Anemia is still the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide, especially in adolescence because of an insufficient supply of iron, an increased iron requirement due to accelerated physical growth and blood loss due to menstruation in girls. This study was designed to assess the anemia and serum iron status of middle school girls. METHODS: Hematologic examinations, physical examinations and questionnaires were performed for middle school girls in 1990, 1997, 1999 and 2000. Anemia was defined as a serum hemoglobin level of less than 11.5 g/dL. Iron deficiency was defined as a serum ferritin level of less than 10 ng/mL. Iron deficiency anemia was defined as anemia plus one of the following; MCV less than 78 fL, Ferritin level less than 10 ng/mL or Transferrin saturation rate less than 10%. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in mean Hb between urban and rural areas and decreases in mean Hb as with age. The prevalence of anemia decreased by year; 13.5% in 1990, 6.9 % in 1997, 6.0% in 1999, and 5.7% in 2000. It was high in high school girls(10.1% in 1997 and 12.6% in 2000). The prevalence of iron deficiency decreased by year; 36.1% in 1990, 13.9% in 1997, 13.3% in 1999, and 23.2% in 2000. It was 21.3% in 1997 high school girls and 37.8% in 2000. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia(IDA) decreased by year; 10.0% in 1990, 4.6% in 1997, 8.3% in 1999, and 6.1% in 2000. It was 11.6% in 1997 high school girls and 18.6% in 2000. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of iron deficiency decreased during this period, the prevalence of anemia in the elder adolescence girls was high. Two things are recommended; first, it is necessary to screen for anemia in middle school girls and high risk groups, second, it is important to evaluate the knowledge of nutrition and to enforce effective nutritional education, leading to subjects receiving adequate nutrition.
Adolescent* ; Anemia* ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Education ; Female* ; Ferritins ; Humans ; Iron* ; Menstruation ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Transferrin

We conducted the screening of sexually transmitted infections to define the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections and status of sexual risk behavior among homeless adolescents (10-19 yr old) in Korea. Adolescents who ran away from home and are under the care of youth shelters in ten cities in Korea served as the study population. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire related to sexuality. First-void urine was analyzed for chlamydial and gonococcal infection by strand displacement amplification (BDProbTec(TM)ET, BD Diagnostic Systems, MD, U.S.A.). A total of 175 adolescents from 15 youth shelters took part in the study. Their median age was 16 yr, and 54.9% of them reported having sexual intercourse at least once. The prevalence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae among homeless adolescents was 12.6% and 15.4%, respectively. Factors significantly associated with the infections were number of sexual partners during the past year and lifetime. This is the first community-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening among adolescent in Korea. Screening programs targeting sexually active adolescents are important for detection of STIs. They should be considered an alternative population-based surveillance system in order to control STIs nationally.
Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior ; Adult ; Child ; Chlamydia Infections/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Chlamydia trachomatis/*genetics ; Female ; Gonorrhea/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; *Homeless Youth ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Mass Screening/*methods ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae/*genetics ; Population Surveillance/methods ; Questionnaires ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Risk Factors ; Sexual Behavior

BACKGROUND: Recent studies and case reports have shown that recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) treatment is effective for reversing coagulopathy and reducing blood transfusion requirements in trauma patients with life-threatening hemorrhage. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of rFVIIa treatment on clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness in trauma patients. METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2010, we reviewed the medical records of patients who were treated with rFVIIa (N=18) or without rFVIIa (N=36) for life-threatening hemorrhage due to multiple traumas at the Emergency Department of Pusan National University Hospital in Busan, Korea. We reviewed patient demographics, baseline characteristics, initial vital signs, laboratory test results, and number of units transfused, and then analyzed clinical outcomes and 24-hr and 30-day mortality rates. Thromboembolic events were monitored in all patients. Transfusion costs and hospital stay costs were also calculated. RESULTS: In the rFVIIa-treated group, laboratory test results and clinical outcomes improved, and the 24-hr mortality rate decreased compared to that in the untreated group; however, 30-day mortality rate did not differ between the groups. Thromboembolic events did not occur in both groups. Transfusion and hospital stay costs in the rFVIIa-treated group were cost effective; however, total treatment costs, including the cost of rFVIIa, were not cost effective. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, rFVIIa treatment was shown to be helpful as a supplementary drug to improve clinical outcomes and reduce the 24-hr mortality rate, transfusion and hospital stay costs, and transfusion requirements in trauma patients with life-threatening hemorrhage.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Factor VIIa/*therapeutic use ; Hemoglobins/analysis ; Hemorrhage/complications/*drug therapy/mortality ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Trauma/*complications ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Platelet Count ; Prothrombin Time ; Recombinant Proteins/therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: The presence of chronic low oxygen delivery to the tissues (blood flow X Hb concentration X arterovenous oxygen content difference) in patients with chronic lung disease (CLD) leads to a aggravated dyspnea. Therefore, total oxygen delivery to the tissues is a reverse correlation with severity of dyspnea. So far, the treatment of patients with CLD has been limited to only the increase of ventilation and perfusion capacity. However, this study focused on the capacity of oxygen delivery to the tissues in patients with CLD. We measured blood oxygen parameters as one of the extended approaches. METHOD: Simultaneous arterial and venous blood samples from 15 patients with CLD at rest were evaluated for 2.3-DPG, CO-Hb (Carboxy-monohe-moglobin), Met-Hb (methomoglobin), ABGA (Arterial blood gas analysis), VBGA (Venous blood gas analysis) and Hb (Hemoglobin). Smokers and patients with other disease were excluded from the study in order to avoid the factors (2.3-DPG, CO-Hb etc.) which can shift the oxygen dissociation curve. There were 12 men and 3 women, ranging in age from 40 to 75 years. The disease onset varied from 3 years to more than 30 years. RESULTS: 1) As total oxygen delivery to the tissues decreased, Ao2(Arterial oxygen partial pressure) and A-VCb (Arteriovenous oxygen content difference) decreased, while 2.3-DPG increased. Total oxygen delivary to the tissues showed a significant correlation with more A-V and 2.3-DPG than AO2. 2) AO2 had a correlation with A-VO2 but AO2 did not clearly reflect A-VO2. 3) 2.3-DPG activity depended on more A-VO2 than AO2. 4) As A-VO2 decreased, there was more significant relationship among 2.3-DPG, A-VO2 and tissue oxygen delivery. 5) A-VO2 showed a significant reverse correlation with 2.3-DPG as well as Met-Hb % + CO-Hb %. 6) ACO2 (arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure) showed a correlation with 2.3-DPG as well as A-VO2. 7) Arterial PH did not correlate with 2.3-DPG as well as A-V. CONCLUSION: 1) AO2 in patient with CLD correlated with A-VO2 but AO2 did not clearly reflect A-V. 2) Total oxygen delivery (severity of dyspnea) showed a significant correlation with more A-VO2 and 2.3-DPG than AO2. 3) 2.3-DPG activity depended on more A-VO2 than AO2. 4) 2.3-DPG activity had a reverse correlation with A-V in spite that 2.3-DPG shifts the oxygen dissociation curve to the right, because 2.3-DPG shift is secondary change associated with the low oxygen delivery to the tissues, More extensive k prospective investigations are needed to clearly define correlation among A-VO2, 2.3-DPG and prognosis of patients with CLD.
Carbon Dioxide ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lung Diseases* ; Lung* ; Male ; Oxygen* ; Perfusion ; Prognosis ; Ventilation