This study was designed to test the effects of nursing intervention on anxiety level, on the change of physiologic data of the patients undergoing endoscopy. The subjects for the study consisted of 50 hospitalized patients on internal medicine unit in Chonbuk University Hospital during the period between August 1. 1996 and October 3. 1996. Sample were selected according to reestablished criteria. 25 patients were enrolled in experimental group and the other 25 patients were enrolled inthe control group. Experimental group was nursing information and short-term relaxation technique used visual imagination did control group did not given. State anxiety level was measured, using the tool developed by Spielberger(1972) and modified by Kim and Shin(1978), and physiologic data were monitored by blood pressure, pulse rate, serum cortisol level. Data analysis was done by X2-test, t-test, paired t-test, repeated measure of ANOVA using the SAS program. The results were as follows: 1. The first hypothesis that 'the experimental group given nursing information and short-term relaxation technique will be less change of state anxiety level before and after endoscopy than the control group without nursing intervention' was accepted (Experimental group t=-3.65, p=.831; Control group t=-6.34, p=.002). 2. The second hypothesis that 'The experimental group given nursing information and short-term relaxation technique will be loss change of systolic blood pressure before and after endoscopy than the control group without nursing intervention' was accepted(Experimental group F=1.346, p=.12; Control group F=4.590 p=.02). 3. The third hypothesis that 'The experimental group given nursing information and short-term relaxation technique will be loss change of diastolic blood pressure before and after endoscopy than the control group without nursing intervention' was rejected(Experimental group F=.210, p=.76; Control group F=.180 p=.89). 4. The fourth hypothesis that 'The experimental group given nursing information and short-term relaxation technique will be loss change of pulse rate before and after endoscopy than the control group without nursing intervention' was accepted(Experimental group F=.952, p=.17; Control group f=3.997 p=.04). 5. The fifth hypothesis that 'The experimental group given nursing information and short-term relaxation technique will be loss change of serum cortisol level before and after endoscopy than the control group without nursing intervention' was accepted(Experimental group t=1.184, p=.124; Control group t=2.042 p=.034). As seen above, it was concluded that the nursing information and short-term relaxation Technique were effective to reduce anxiety level, physiologic and serum cortisol change in patients undergoing endoscopy. So furthermore, we should continue the Experimental study for testing effectiveness of nursing intervention of anxiety every setting and the results of the study is sure to be useful in clinical field.
Anxiety* ; Blood Pressure ; Endoscopy* ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Imagination ; Internal Medicine ; Jeollabuk-do ; Nursing* ; Relaxation* ; Statistics as Topic

BACKGROUND: It has been estimated that 1 unit per 493,000 blood donations could transmit HIV by infected persons in seroconversion window in America. The 4th generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kits which are designed to detect HIV antigen and antibody simultaneously, could reduce the period of seroconversion window and thereby increase the safety of donated bloods without additional expenses. METHODS: Sensitivity and specificity of Vironostika HIV Uni-Form II Ag/Ab (Organon Technika, Boxtel, Netherlands) were evaluated using 53 samples (11 western blot positive samples and 42 sera from BBI panel) and 391 samples (282 healthy donors, 20 anti-HCV positive sera and 89 FANA positive sera), respectively. Seroconversion window was compared with that of COBAS CORE Anti-HIV-1/HIV-2 EIA DAGS (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland) using 6 kinds of BBI seroconversion panel. RESLUTS: Sensitivity was 100% (53/53). Aggregated specificity was 99.5% (389/391), while all the samples from the healthy donors showed negative (282/282). COBAS CORE Anti-HIV-1/HIV-2 EIA DAGS also showed 100% sensitivity (53/53) and 100% specificity (391/391). Vironostika HIV kit detected HIV-1 infection earlier about 9.8 days than COBAS CORE Anti-HIV-1/HIV-2 EIA DAGS. CONCLUSION: Sensitivity and specificity of Vironostika HIV kit were as good as those of COBAS CORE kit. Vironostika HIV kit, however, could get more safety of donated bloods than the 3rd generation EIA such as COBAS CORE Anti-HIV-1/HIV-2 EIA DAGS, in that it can reduce seroconversion window of HIV infection.
Americas ; Blood Donors ; Blotting, Western ; HIV Infections ; HIV* ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tissue Donors

This study was conducted to identify the attributes constituting Korean social support and to validate the results of the previous study 'Search for the meaning of social support in Korean Society.' The informants were 41 Korean middle-aged women in three cities : Seoul, Dagjun and Daeku. The data were collected through indepth interviews using the interview guide from Jun. 1994 to Jun. 1995. The interview guide was developed in the simulated situations of 'Stroke attack' which expected to be in need of social support. The women were asked to answer what they felt and the appropriated terms representing the situations. Data analysis were conducted by content analysis. consequently, the Koran social support pyramid was modified as follows ; Support is the apex of the pyramid. The four sides of the pyramid are made up of 'Jung'(Bound by ties of affection, regard or shared common experience, Connectedness), Do-oom(both emotional and material help), Mi-dum(Faith or belief in) and Sa-Rang(Love). The base of the pyramid is 'yun'(the basic network of relationships in Korean culture) that connote the meaning of Eunhae(Benevolence), Euimu(duty, responsibility) and Dori(obligation).
Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged* ; Seoul ; Statistics as Topic

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was: 1) To investigate health status(health behavior, health problem and cognition), depression and social support of elderly beneficiaries of the National Basic Livelihood Security System. 2) To identify the relationships among health status, depression and social support. METHODS: This descriptive study used a cross-sectional design. The study sample was a total of 883 elderly recipients supported from the National Basic Livelihood Security System. Quotas for sampling were designed and conducted nationwide throughout Korea. RESULTS: The mean age was 76.2 and the 79.6% of the sample were female. The scores for the health behavior, health problem, ADL, and cognition were 23.9, 4.4, 39.6 and 24.9, respectively. Additionally, the depression score was 19.8 and the social support score was 63.2. Gender, age, education, religion, marital status and monthly income were found as important variables in increasing health status and in decreasing depression among the elderly. Furthermore, depression showed a positive correlation with health problems, but showed negative correlations with health behavior, ADL, and cognition. The upper 25% of social support recipients suffered less depression than the lower 25% of the recipients. Subjects with more social supports had higher ADL scores and less health problem. CONCLUSION: These findings provide significant practical implications for nursing intervention, including social support for the elderly receiving assistance from the National Basic Livelihood Security System.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Cognition ; Depression ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Marital Status

PURPOSE: Research related to social support in Korea has been hampered by paucity of measurement tools reflecting Korean culture. The aim of the study was to develop Korean social support questionnaire (KSSQ) based on the Korean social support pyramid and to test psychometric properties of the KSSQ. METHODS: The questionnaire was administered to 701 subjects and 658 college students. Psychometric analyses included factor analyses, expert validity, criterion-related validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. RESULTS: A principal components analysis support for construct validity, eliciting a three factor solution accounting for 65.46% of variance in scores. Concurrent and discriminant validity supported criterion-related validity. Internal consistency of reliability was support with Cronbach's alpha of .97-.98 for the entire scale. Test-retest reliability was .76. CONCLUSION: This initial testing of KSSQ to measure Korean social support demonstrates evidence of reliability and validity. Assessment of known-group validity and norm establishment of KSSQ are suggested to provide further sound psychometric properties and practical measurement tools.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Psychometrics ; *Questionnaires ; *Social Support ; Students/psychology ; Universities ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the quality of life and its predictors in low income Korean aged. METHODS: This was a predictive correlational study. An accessible sample from the population of people who were 65 and over and were supported by the basic livelihood security system was 1,040. Quota sampling with strata of state division in the nation was chosen. Quality of life and its predictors in the subjects were measured. RESULTS: The mean quality of life in the subjects was 47.0+/-10.7. Predictors of this study significantly explained 54.3% of the total variance of quality of life. Depression was the most significant predictor of quality of life. Health problems, district, social support, leisure activity, and health behavior had effects on quality of life. CONCLUSION: This finding indicates that quality of life in lower income Korean aged is different from other populations by economic status. Demographics, health status and social status were predictors of quality of life in the aged with a small income.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Demography ; Depression ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Health Status ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; *Poverty ; Predictive Value of Tests ; *Quality of Life ; Social Welfare

OBJECTIVE: We intended to know how the cryoprotectant ethylene glycol (EG) would affect the outcome of the embryo development when used in slow freezing method. And to know if there is any difference in the outcome of frozen-thawed embryos according to freezing methods and the timing. METHODS: We used 5-6 weeks old ICR female mice and T6 containing 0.4% BSA for basic culture media. The embryos at the developmental stages of 1-cell, 8-cell and blastocyst were cryopreserved respectively by slow freezing method using EG, propylene glycol (PROH), and glycerol as a cryoprotectant. We also compared the results of slow freezing and vitrification methods with the same cryoprotectant, EG. And finally, we evaluated the quality of blastocysts by counting the cell numbers in each group. RESULTS: The post-thaw embryo development were better in EG group when they were frozen at 1-cell and blastocyst stage (P<0.05). Although there were no differences in the recovery rate, the survival rate in vitrification group was significantly higher (P<0.05). Post-thaw embryo development to morula and blastocyst were better in vitrification group when frozen at 1-cell embryo (P<0.05), not at 8-cell and blastocyst group. The cell counts of blastocyst derived from 1-cell stage frozen EG group were significantly increased than that of PROH-glycerol groups (P<0.05), however, there was no difference between the two freezing methods. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that EG may be advantageous comparing with the conventional cryoprotectants, PROH and glycerol in slow freezing method for mouse embryo cryopreservation. In terms of freezing method, vitrification is better than slow freezing.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Cell Count ; Cryopreservation ; Culture Media ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures* ; Ethylene Glycol* ; Female ; Freezing* ; Glycerol ; Humans ; Mice* ; Morula ; Pregnancy ; Propylene Glycol ; Survival Rate ; Vitrification

Glycyrrhizic acid is a component of licorice. It can cause hypokalemia through the inhibition of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The severity of symptoms depends on the dose and duration of licorice intake, as well as the individual susceptibility. The safe dose of licorice is 10 mg per day. Even a small amount of licorice can cause side effects, including hypokalemia in patients taking diuretics, with diarrhea, or congestive heart failure. We experienced a 59-year-old male with muscle weakness. He had ingested losartan and indapamide due to hypertension. At presentation, he had ingested 8 mg of licorice daily for the previous 17 days. The patient presented with severe hypokalemia (1.8 mEq/L) and rhabdomyolysis. His renin activity was 0.44 ng/mL/h, and his aldosterone level was 6.0 pg/mL. After cessation of licorice and indapamide, his potassium level recovered. In conclusion, even a small amount of licorice can induce hypokalemia in patients who are taking diuretics.
11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases ; Aldosterone ; Diarrhea ; Diuretics ; Glycyrrhiza ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypokalemia ; Indapamide ; Losartan ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Weakness ; Potassium ; Renin ; Rhabdomyolysis

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) is the Staphylococcal infections in blood, one of the most common and fatal bacterial infectious diseases worldwide in adults as well as children or neonates. Recently, some studies have yielded inconsistent findings about the association between methicillin-resistance and mortality in patients with SAB. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the impact of methicillin-resistance on mortality in children or neonates with S. aureus bacteremia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched using electronic databases such as Ovid-Medline, EMBASE-Medline, and Cochrane Library, as well as five local databases for published studies during the period of 1 January 2000 to 15 September 2011. Two reviewers independently selected articles in accordance with predetermined criteria and extracted prespecified data based on standardized forms. All cohort studies, which compared in-hospital mortality or SAB-related mortality in children and neonates with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection to those with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), were included. We conducted meta-analysis using the fixed-effect model to obtain pooled estimates of effect. RESULTS: Of 2,841 screened studies, seven cohort studies were finally selected for analysis. In children or neonates, MRSA bacteremia was associated with a higher mortality compared with MSSA bacteremia (pooled odds ratio [OR] 2.33, P = 0.0008, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42 to 3.82, I2 = 0%). Four studies reported SAB-related mortality, the pooled OR of these studies was 2.03 (P = 0.29, 95% CI 0.55 to 7.53, I2 = 0%). A significant increase in mortality associated with methicillin resistance was found in the subgroup analyses of the studies with only neonates (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.46 to 4.85, P = 0.001), prospectively design ones (OR: 3.20, 95% CI: 1.66 to 6.15, P = 0.0005,), the larger studies (OR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.62 to 5.16, P = 0.0003) and the higher quality studies (OR: 2.76, 95% CI: 1.50 to 5.06, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: MRSA bacteremia is associated with increased mortality compared with MSSA bacteremia in children or neonates. Due to limited studies for mortality in children or neonates with SAB, further research is needed to evaluate the impact of methicillin resistance on mortality in those populations.
Adult ; Bacteremia ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Communicable Diseases ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Odds Ratio ; Staphylococcal Infections ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus

Purpose: We analyzed the learning curve of single-port robotic (SPR)-assisted rectal cancer surgery. Methods: Fifty-seven consecutive SPR-assisted rectal cancer surgery cases performed by the same surgeon were considered in surgical interventions for rectal cancer. Total operation time (OT), docking time (DT), and surgeon console time (SCT) measured during surgery were used to parametrize the learning curve. The parameters representing the learning curve were evaluated using the cumulative sum (CUSUM). Results: The mean value of total OT was 241.8 ± 91.7 minutes, the mean value of DT was 20.6 ± 19.1 minutes, and the mean value of SCT was 135.9 ± 66.7 minutes. The learning curve was divided into phase 1 (initial 16 cases), phase 2 (second 16 cases), and phase 3 (subsequent 25 cases). The peak on the CUSUM graph occurred in the 21st case. The longest OT among phases was in phase 2. Complications were most frequent in phase 2. However, complications of Clavien-Dindo (CD) grade IIIb were most frequent in phase 3 with 2 patients. The most common complications were fluid collection and urinary retention (7 patients each). Complications of CD grade IIIb required one stomal revision due to stoma obstruction and one irrigation and loop ileostomy due to anastomosis leakage. Conclusion Improvement in surgical performance of SPR assisted rectal cancer operation was achieved after 21 cases.The three phases identified in the cumulative sum analysis showed a significant decrease in operative time after the middle stage of the learning curve without an increase in the complication rate.