Purpose: This study aimed to understand nurses’ lived experiences of caring for patients with COVID-19. Methods: The phenomenological research method was used. The study participants were 16 Korean nurses who had experiences in caring for patients with COVID-19 in clinical settings. Data was collected using one-on-one in-depth interviews, from June 30 to September 30, 2020. During the interview, the quarantine rules were observed. Results: The study derived four themes clusters and thirty-eight sub themes. Four theme clusters were identified, i.e., ‘a repetitive sense of crisis’, ‘enduring a drastic change,’ ‘sacrifice of personal life,’ and ‘pride in nursing’. The nurses’ experiences of caring for patients with COVID-19 were an uneasy, unfamiliar, and threatening experiences for an individual, but it is an opportunity for a nursing organization to renew. Accordingly, it was found that nurses faithfully fulfill their individual roles with a vocation and responsibility. Conclusion The study provides an in-depth understanding of the situational, psychological, and environmental aspects of challenges facing nurses in the pandemic situation. Based on the findings, institutional follow-up measures should be provided to establish support systems for better nursing care. In addition, studies are needed to track nurses' experiences in the prolonged COVID-19 situation.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of self-efficacy promoting program on self-efficacy, self-care behavior and psychosocial adaptation in patients with a colostomy. METHOD: A non-equivalent control group pre test post test design was used. The self efficacy promoting programs was composed of a CD image program based on varicaious experience, education and telephone coaching program based on verbal persuasion, and Stoma care practice, and Self care performance based on performance accomplishment. This study was carried out from July 2, 2005 to April 20, 2006 and 21 patients with a colostomy at one of 2 hospitals participated. Descriptive statistics, chi-square-test, and Mann-whitney U test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: There were significantly different for specific self efficacy, self care and psychosocial adaptation between the experimental group and control group. CONCLUSION: The self efficacy promoting program for patients with stomas was effective in improving degree of specific self efficacy, self care and psychosocial adaptation.
Colostomy* ; Education ; Humans ; Persuasive Communication ; Self Care* ; Self Efficacy* ; Telephone

This study investigated the effects of xylooligosaccharide on feces bifidobacteria proliferation, lactic acid concen-tration and lipid metabolism in healthy woman. Fourteen volunteers were randomly assigned to 2 groups : 1.4 g/day xylooligosaccharide intake group, 2.8 g/day xylooligosaccharide intake group. The duration of the study was 28 days. The amount of feces and excretion time were not affected by xylooligosaccharide intake. The color of feces changed to yellow brown, and hardness of stool and effort to evacuation were reduced by xylooligosaccharide intake. Xylooligo-saccharide intake reduced the fecal pH significantly after 14 days in 2.8 g/day intake group (p <0.05 ). The number of fecal bifidobacteria were significantly increased after 28 days in 1.4 g/day intake group (p <0.05 ), and in 2.8 g/day in-take group, the number of fecal bifidobacteria significantly increased after 14 days (p <0.05 ). Water contents of feces were not affected by xyloolgosacchride intake. The fecal triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were increased in 2.8 g/day intake group (p <0.05 ), and in 1.4 g/day intake group, fecal cholesterol concentration only was increased (p <0.05 ). The fecal lactic acid concentration was significantly increased in 2.8 g/day intake group (p <0.05 ). Serum trigly-ceride, cholesterol and glucose concentration were significantly decreased in 2.8 g/day intake group (p <0.05 ). In conclusion, xylooligosaccharide dietary supplementation may be beneficial to gastrointestinal health and lipid metabolism, and 2.8 g/day intake was more effective than 1.4 g/day intake.
Cholesterol ; Dietary Supplements ; Feces ; Female ; Glucose ; Hardness ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lactic Acid ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Triglycerides ; Volunteers

OBJECTIVE: To establish intrauterine growth curve for the birth weight of twins on the basis of gestational age. METHODS: The medical records of twin gestations delivered between 1980 and 2001 were reviewed. 610 Twin pairs (1,220 infants) were comprised our study population. The newborns were grouped according to gestational age and the median, 10th, 50th, and 90th percentile birth weight for each gestational week were calculated. Intrauterine growth curve of twins was compared with that of singletons of Wonju Christian Hospital. We studied the differences of birth weights of twins as sex, parity, chorionicity in twins. RESULTS: The birth weights of twins fall below that of singleton after 32-33 weeks. The 50th percentile for twins falls below the 10th percentile for singleton after 37 weeks, and 90th percentile for twins falls below the 50th percentile for singleton. The mean birth weight in male twin infant was heavier than in female twin infant through all gestational week. The mean brith weight in multiparity was heavier than in nulliparity through all gestational week. The mean birth weight in dichorionic twins was heavier than in monochorionic twins through all gestational week. CONCLUSION: We presented twin specific birthweight curve on the basis of gestational age. The growth pattern of twins was different from that of singleton. We recommend the twin specific birthweight curve in the management of twin gestations.
Birth Weight* ; Chorion ; Female ; Gangwon-do ; Gestational Age* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Medical Records ; Parity ; Parturition* ; Twins*

Background: Melasma shows characteristic histological features of photoaged skin. Objective: We evaluated the effect of dermal rejuvenation using a temperature-controlled continuous non-invasive radiofrequency (RF) device on melasma. Methods: Continuous skin heating at the temperature of 43°C for 20 minutes was performed in ten subjects with melasma who underwent 3 tri-weekly RF sessions. Pigmentation was evaluated with Mexameter® and investigator’s global assessment (IGA). Immunohistochemical staining and image analysis was performed to evaluate biopsies from melasma skin before and after the treatment. Results: The lesional melanin index was decreased by 13.7% at week 9. IGA score was improved from 3.50 at baseline to 2.95 at week 9. No significant adverse event was reported. Histologic analysis revealed reduced melanin and increased collagen density and thickness.The expression of procollagen-1 and type IV collagen was increased after the treatment. The number of p16 INK4A -positive senescent fibroblasts was reduced after the treatment, while the expression of heat shock protein 70 and 90 was increased. Stromal derived factor-1, a senescence-associated anti-melanogenic factor secreted from the fibroblasts, was up-regulated after the treatment, while the level of c-kit was not changed. Conclusion Thermal skin stimulation by the temperature-controlled continuous RF device improved melasma through dermal rejuvenation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the most appropriate shelf life for sterilized products according to their packaging material. METHODS: Samples were prepared to target six nursing units in one general hospital in Seoul. After steam and E.O gas sterilization, sterilized product, samples were supplied to wards. Data collection was conducted for 3 months, after the expiration date of 3 months had passed for samples packaged with crepe paper and nonwoven wraps. For samples packaged with paper-plastic pouches, data collection conducted for 3 months when the expiration date of 9 months had passed. The sterilized products were collected and tested for microbial contamination. Identification of the storage environment was done as samples were collected. RESULTS: This study confirmed that the storage environment met international standards such as CDC, except for temperature. For steam sterilized crepe paper packaging samples and steam and E.O gas sterilized for nonwoven packaging samples no contamination in all products was found for 3 months past the expiration date. However, in the E.O gas sterilized paper-plastic pouch packaging sterile samples, Gram-positive bacilli were detected in one sample from a surgical intensive care unit at 45 weeks and another sample from an operating room at 47 weeks. Furthermore, the results did not show any microorganisms for up to 52 weeks in all products. CONCLUSION According to the results of this study, sterilized product packaging made with crepe paper and nonwoven wraps is better able an extended shelf life from 3 months to 6 months, reducing unnecessary costs.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify multidimensional factors influencing burnout in intensive care unit(ICU) nurses. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Data were collected during February 2016 from a convenience sample of 222 tertiary hospital ICU nurses and analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Burnout correlated positively with compassion fatigue (CF)(r=.37, p < .001), and negatively with compassion satisfaction (CS)(r=-.66, p < .001). The regression model explained 57% of the variance in burnout. For individual characteristics in the model, perceived health status (β=-.27, p < .001) and gender (β=.14, p=.028) were the most influential factors for ICU nurses' burnout. In the model with added work-related characteristics, nursing environment (β=-.22, p=.001), perceived health status (β=-.20, p=.001), and satisfaction with department (β=-.19, p=.007) were the most influential factors. Finally, for the model with psychological characteristics added, CS (β=-.56, p < .001) and CF (β=.35, p < .001) were the most influential factors. CONCLUSION: Results reveal that most ICU nurses have a moderate level of CF and a moderate to high level of CS and burnout, and that individual, work-related and psychological factors are relevant in ICU nurses' burnout. Programs or interventions to reduce burnout should be developed taking into account these multidimensional factors.
Compassion Fatigue ; Critical Care ; Empathy ; Intensive Care Units ; Nursing ; Personal Satisfaction ; Psychology ; Tertiary Care Centers

The long-term clinical issues in Kawasaki disease are concerned with the coronary artery lesions that result in aneurysmal formation, thrombotic occlusion, progression to ischemic heart disease, and premature atherosclerosis. We here report a 3 month old infant with Kawasaki disease complicated by giant coronary aneurysm with thrombosis. After urokinase(10,000 IU/kg) and heparin(400 IU/kg) were injected for two days as thrombolytic agents, thrombi were successfully dissolved. Even though long-term oral anticoagulation with low-dose aspirin, dipyridamole and coumadin were administered, thrombosis of the left main coronary artery was slowly increased. five years later, coronary angiography showed nearly total occlusion of the left anterior descending artery and collaterals from the right posterior branch and radionuclide scan demonstrated complete reversible perfusion defect of several portions of the left ventricle.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Aspirin ; Atherosclerosis ; Child* ; Coronary Aneurysm* ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels ; Dipyridamole ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Infant ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Perfusion ; Thrombolytic Therapy* ; Thrombosis* ; Warfarin

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of simvastatin on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells under oxidative stress. METHODS: RPE cell viability was measured using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay after 24 hours of incubation with various concentrations of simvastatin or H2O2. Cultured human RPE cells were pretreated with various concentrations of simvastatin and then incubated with 100 microm H2O2. After 24 hours of incubation, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to evaluate the expression of VEGF. RESULTS: Simvastatin showed no toxicity up to 10 microm, but cell viability gradually decreased with increased concentration of simvastatin. Human RPE cells showed increased VEGF expression when exposed only to H2O2. When RPE cells were preincubated with simvastatin and later exposed to H2O2, VEGF expression was relatively lower. CONCLUSIONS: Simvastatin downregulated the expression of VEGF in human RPE cells under oxidative stress. Simvastatin may have some clinical benefits in preventing retinal diseases associated with VEGF.
Cell Survival ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Macular Degeneration ; Oxidative Stress ; Retinal Diseases ; Retinaldehyde ; Simvastatin ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Thiazoles ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Selective termination can be used to preserve normal fetus from the other fetus with chromosomal, structural abnormality in multifetal pregnancy. This case is about twin pregnant patient who had undergone in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. In 18 weeks of gestation, we found that one of the fetus had cranical encephalocele and was in concern for the termination by using ultrasound guided intrcardiac injection of 2.5 ml of potassium chloride solution. After performing this procedure the other healthy female newborn was naturally delivered at 38 weeks gestation with weight of 2.8 kg.
Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Encephalocele* ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Fetus ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Potassium Chloride ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Twins, Dizygotic* ; Ultrasonography