PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to identify job definition, duties and tasks of Korean oncology Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) and assess frequency, importance, and difficulty for each of duty and task using the DACUM method. METHODS: The DACUM committee was organized with nine oncology APNs. The committee documented the job definition, duties and tasks based on their daily job descriptions. Validity of the elicited duties and tasks was tested by a study team and 6 oncology APNs. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey from 53 oncology APNs. RESULTS: The job description of oncology APNs was identified 12 duties and 66 tasks. Among the twelve duties, 'education for patients/ families' was the most frequently performed and was the most important duty. 'Case management' was the most difficult duty. Among 66 tasks, 'providing education for patients/families' was most frequently performed. 'Providing education for patients/families' and 'assessing patient condition comprehensively' were the most important tasks. 'Implementation research' as the principal investigator was perceived as the most difficult task. CONCLUSION: In this study, Korean oncology APNs' job performances were identified and analyzed. It is recommended that job description for oncology APNs needs to be standardized and reshaped in advanced way in future.
Humans ; Job Description ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Research Personnel

PURPOSE: The purpose of study was to identify how patients experienced chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and quality of life related to CIPN. METHODS: This was a descriptive research. We collected data from 105 patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. They completed a self-reported questionnaire including Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (EORTC) CIPN20 and items related to their disease and peripheral neuropathy. The investigators filled in part of items about disease and treatment. RESULTS: In the study, duration of peripheral neuropathy was 9.4 month and 54.3% of patients used pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions. Patients reported the highest score for sensory scale and it's score was 38.74+/-20.24. The scores for motor scale and autonomic scale were 21.95+/-19.19 and 26.61+/-21.0 respectively. This showed that patients more suffered from sensory neuropathy than any other domain of neuropathy. The most frequently selected two items were 'did you have tingling fingers or hands?' and 'did you have tingling toes or feet?'. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will provide useful information for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Fingers ; Humans ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Research Personnel ; Toes

Purpose: Allomyrina dichotoma larvae are one of the approved edible insects with nutritional value and various functional and medicinal properties. Previously we have demonstrated that the Allomyrina dichotoma larval extract (ADLE) ameliorates hepatic insulin resistance in highfat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic mice through the activation of adenosine monophosphateactivated protein kinase (AMPK). This study investigated the effects of ADLE on insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle and explored mechanisms for enhancing the glucose uptake in palmitate (PAL)-treated C2C12 myotubes. Methods: To induce insulin resistance, the differentiated C2C12 myotubes were treated with PAL (0.5 mM) for 24 hours, and then treated with a 0.5 mg/ml concentration of ADLE, and the resultant effects were measured. The expression levels of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4), AMPK, and the mitochondrial metabolism-related proteins were analyzed by western blotting. The mRNA expression levels of lipogenesis- related genes were determined by quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR. Results: The exposure of C2C12 myotubes to 0.5 mg/ml of ADLE increased cell viability significantly compared to PAL-treated cells. ADLE upregulated the protein expression of GLUT4 and enhanced glucose uptake in the PAL-treated cells. ADLE increased the phosphorylated AMPK in both the PAL-treated C2C12 myotubes and HFD-treated skeletal muscle. The reduced expression levels of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1 alpha (PGC1α) and uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) due to the PAL and HFD treatment were reversed by the ADLE treatment. The citrate synthase activity was also significantly increased with the PAL and ADLE co-treatment. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expressions of fatty acid synthesis-related factors were reduced in the PAL and HFDtreated muscle cells, and this effect was significantly attenuated by the ADLE treatment. Conclusion ADLE activates AMPK, which in turn induces mitochondrial metabolism and reduces fatty acid synthesis in C2C12 myotubes. Therefore, ADLE could be useful for preventing or treating insulin resistance of skeletal muscles in diabetes.

PURPOSE: To describe the changes in diagnostic methods and reassess the role of core biopsy compared with needle localization biopsy (NLB) in the evaluation of non-palpable breast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 930 non-palpable breast lesions which underwent either core biopsy or NLB between January 1996 and December 2000. NLB involved 511 lesions in 482 patients, and core biopsy, 419 lesions in 365 patients. For a given lesion, NLB was guided by either mammography (n=213) or ultrasonography (US) (n=298), but only US was used to guide a core biopsy. Over the five-year period, we calculated the total number of biopsies per year relating to non-palpable breast lesions, also determining the mammographic findings in cases involving NLB and the percentage of malignancies seen at histopathology. RESULTS: The total number of biopsies increased with time: 1996: n=91, 1997: n=118, 1998: n=144, 1999: n=245, 2000: n=332. The implementation of core biopsy, however, led to a decrease in the proportion of NLB (1996: 97.8%, 1997: 84.7%, 1998: 75.7%, 1999: 47.8%, 2000: 28.9%). Among nonpalpable lesions which underwent mammography-guided NLB, 46.5% (20/43) were a mass or density in 1996, while in 2000 the proportion was 5.7% (2/35). During this period, however, the finding of calcification without a mass increased from 48.8% in 1996 to 94.3% in 2000. The proportion of cases in which NLB demonstrated malignancy increased from 13.5% in 1996 to 49% in 2000; where US-guided NLB was used, the increase was remarkable: from 15.2% in 1996 to 65.6% in 2000. CONCLUSION: In the evaluation of non-palpable breast lesions, the appropriate use of core biopsy can decrease the need for a more invasive method such as NLB. Furthermore, because most benign lesions diagnosed by core biopsy do not also undergo NLB, the use of the latter increases the yield of malignancies.
Biopsy ; Breast* ; Humans ; Mammography ; Needles ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

We report here the cases of two females with Graves' disease who developed insulin autoimmune syndrome after treatment with methimazole. The patients exhibited a sudden altered mental state after treatment with methimazole for approximately 4 weeks. Patients had hypoglycemia with serum glucose below 70 mg/dL, and laboratory findings showed both high levels of serum insulin and high titers of insulin autoantibodies. The two women had never been exposed to insulin or oral antidiabetic agents, and there was no evidence of insulinoma in imaging studies. After glucose loading, serum glucose, and total insulin levels increased abnormally. One of the patient was found to have HLA-DRB1*0406, which is known to be strongly associated with methimazole-induced insulin autoimmune syndrome. After discontinuation of methimazole, hypoglycemic events disappeared within 1 month. Insulin autoantibody titer and insulin levels decreased within 5 months and there was no further development of hypoglycemic events. We present these cases with a review of the relevant literature.
Autoantibodies ; Female ; Glucose ; Graves Disease ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; Insulin ; Insulinoma ; Methimazole

PURPOSE: Marathon running is a unique long-distance sport with respect to injuries because it involves continuous movement allowing for different types of injuries that appear at each distance achieved. We initiated this study to analyze the types of injury patterns associated with marathon running to better predict the types of injuries expected at different points of a marathon course in order to provide more efficient emergency medical care. METHODS: The analysis is based on two international marathons that involved 12,356 runners in the 2004 Seoul International Marathon on March 14, 2004, and 3.873 runners in the 2004 Korea Open Marathon on March 28, 2004. We designed medical recording paper and applied it to the patients during the marathon course, and we finally analyzed the different injuries that occurred from the start to finish lines. RESULTS: The results revealed that injuries varied with respect to different distances achieved. From the start line to 10 km, minor contusions and abrasions formed the majority of injuries. However, from the 25 km area to the finish line, cardiovascular symptoms and heat related disorders manifested. CONCLUSION: As seen in our study, given that severity of injury patterns differ from point to point during a marathon course, emergency medical care should be also allocate appropriate resources at differing points on a marathon course in anticipation of probable escalating medical needs.
Contusions ; Emergencies ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Running* ; Seoul ; Sports

PURPOSE: Marathon running is a unique long-distance sport with respect to injuries because it involves continuous movement allowing for different types of injuries that appear at each distance achieved. We initiated this study to analyze the types of injury patterns associated with marathon running to better predict the types of injuries expected at different points of a marathon course in order to provide more efficient emergency medical care. METHODS: The analysis is based on two international marathons that involved 12,356 runners in the 2004 Seoul International Marathon on March 14, 2004, and 3.873 runners in the 2004 Korea Open Marathon on March 28, 2004. We designed medical recording paper and applied it to the patients during the marathon course, and we finally analyzed the different injuries that occurred from the start to finish lines. RESULTS: The results revealed that injuries varied with respect to different distances achieved. From the start line to 10 km, minor contusions and abrasions formed the majority of injuries. However, from the 25 km area to the finish line, cardiovascular symptoms and heat related disorders manifested. CONCLUSION: As seen in our study, given that severity of injury patterns differ from point to point during a marathon course, emergency medical care should be also allocate appropriate resources at differing points on a marathon course in anticipation of probable escalating medical needs.
Contusions ; Emergencies ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Running* ; Seoul ; Sports

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of ultrasound-guided core biopsy for the diagnosis of non-palpable beast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 1996 and December 2000, 932 lesions in 901 patients were the object of ultrasound-guided core biopsy. Of these, 440 non-palpable lesions ranging in size from 0.3 to 3.0 (average, 0.9)cm, and found in 428 patients (all women aged, on average, 43.9 years), were included in this study. The pathologic results of core biopsy were compared with the available surgical data, and clinical and radiologic follow-up data were also reviewed. A 16-gauge needle was used in 197 lesions, and a 14-gauge neadle in the other 243. RESULTS: At core biopsy, 53 lesions were diagnosed as invasive carcinoma, and 45 of these were excised. Forthfour were confirmed as invasive carcinoma, and in one case there was no residual tumor. Seven lesions, diagnosed as ductal carcinoma in situ at core biopsy, were surgically removed, and the final diagnosis was ductal carcinoma in four cases and invasive carcinoma in two. Two of four cases initially diagnosed as atypical ductal hyperplasia were finally diagnosed as invasive carcinoma after surgery. Six lesions diagnosed at core biopsy asbenign were later found to be malignant (false-negative rate, 8.3%). Radiologic imaging suggested that all six lesions-for two of which, a 14-gauge needle was used, and for four, a 16-gauge needle-were malignant. The false-negative rate was 5.1% and 12%, respectively, whithout statistical significance (p=0.26). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy for non-palpable breast lesions is useful and can replace surgical excision. To avoid false-negative assessment, however, strict radiologic-histopathologic correlation is required.
Biopsy ; Biopsy, Large-Core Needle* ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Needles ; Neoplasm, Residual

The incidence of type 2 diabetes is rising rapidly because of an increase in the incidence of being overweight and obesity. Identification of genetic determinants for complex diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, may provide insight into disease pathogenesis. The aim of the study was to investigate the shared genetic factors that predispose individuals to being overweight and developing type 2 diabetes. We conducted genome-wide linkage analyses for type 2 diabetes in 386 affected individuals (269 sibpairs) from 171 Korean families and association analyses with single-nucleotide polymorphisms of candidate genes within linkage regions to identify genetic variants that predispose individuals to being overweight and developing type 2 diabetes. Through fine-mapping analysis of chromosome 4q34-35, we detected a locus potentially linked (nonparametric linkage 2.81, logarithm of odds 2.27, P=6 x 10-4) to type 2 diabetes in overweight or obese individuals (body mass index, BMI> or =23 kg m-2). Multiple regression analysis with type 2 diabetes-related phenotypes revealed a significant association (false discovery rate (FDR) P=0.006 for rs13144140; FDR P=0.002 for rs6830266) between GPM6A (rs13144140) and BMI and waist-hip ratio, and between NEIL3 (rs6830266) and insulin level from 1314 normal individuals. Our systematic search of genome-wide linkage and association studies, demonstrate that a linkage peak for type 2 diabetes on chromosome 4q34-35 contains two type 2 diabetes-related genes, GPM6A and NEIL3.
Body Mass Index ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4/*genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*complications/*genetics ; Female ; Genetic Linkage ; *Genetic Loci ; *Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Overweight/*complications/*genetics ; Phenotype ; Physical Chromosome Mapping ; Statistics, Nonparametric