PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand the meditation experiences of breast cancer survivors. METHODS: The participants were 20 breast cancer survivors who participated in 8 weeks of mind subtraction meditation at a tertiary hospital in Korea 2013. The data was collected by in-depth individual interviews, personal logs about the meditation experiences, and field diaries. Data were analyzed using Giorgi's phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: A total of 13 subthemes and 4 themes were derived from the analysis. Participants began to meditate with some doubts initially but were soon comfortable as they became familiar with the meditation method. As they discarded their negativity, they experienced positive changes in their mindset. The experiences of discarded negativity were summarized as "discarding the hate, resentment, and obsession," "discarding the depression, anxiety, and stress," and "discarding the false me." The change after meditation was named "from restraint to freedom," "from negativism to positivism," "from closed doors to the wide open world." and "looking forward to the true happiness." CONCLUSION: Breast cancer survivors reflected on their lives and experienced positive changes as they discarded their negativity through meditation. It is recommended to perform the nursing interventions utilizing the meditation and conduct further studies to examine its beneficial effects.
Anxiety ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Depression ; Hate ; Humans ; Korea ; Meditation* ; Methods ; Negativism ; Nursing ; Qualitative Research ; Survivors ; Tertiary Care Centers

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of tailored case management using a gatekeeper on depression and life satisfaction in the single-household elderly population. METHODS: The design of Quasi experiment was applied to compare the variables before and after the management. Ninety-seven people who had depression categorized by the Korean Geriatric Depression Scale. RESULTS: Depression (t=11.22, p<.001) and life satisfaction (t=-5.36, p<.001) were improved after management in comparison to the results of pre-tests, and the differences were statistically significant. The difference in the pre-test and post-test scores of the support system (chi2=13.89, p<.001) were significant, while the differences in the perception of depression (chi2=.02, p=.891) and coping methods (chi2=.34, p=.558) were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Tailored case management using a gatekeeper is effective to reduce the degree of depression and improve life satisfaction in the single-household elderly population having depression. This study offers a model of individualized as well as systemic mental health care for the community of single-house hold elderly people as an effective means for prevention of and early intervention in depression.
Aged ; Case Management ; Depression ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Gatekeeping ; Humans ; Mental Health

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The purpose of this study was to investigate the HAV vaccination status and related factors among college students. METHODS: The study subjects were 503 students conveniently sampled from C university located in one district of Jeollanamdo. General characteristics and HAV vaccination related factors were collected by a self-reported questionnaire in October 2013. Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate related factors with HAV vaccination. RESULTS: Of the 503 subjects without a history of HAV infection, 65 subjects (12.9%) reported that they were vaccinated. In multiple analyses, subjects who have had health screening (adjusted odds ratio, aOR=2.44 and 95% confidence interval, 95% CI=1.26-4.73) and those who were aware of HAV infection (aOR=6.00, 95% CI=1.81-19.91) or who perceived the benefits of HAV vaccine (aOR=2.05, 95% CI=1.07-3.93) were more likely to be vaccinated than those not involved in these factors. With regard to intention for HAV vaccine, 314 subjects (71.9%) reported that they have the intention to be vaccinated against HAV. In multiple analyses, higher grade level, high monthly allowance, awareness of HAV vaccine, perceived susceptibility of HAV, perceived seriousness of HAV and perceived benefits of HAV vaccine were significantly associated with the intention for HAV vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: The vaccination rate for HAV was found to be low in our sample of college students. To reduce health risks related with HAV, prevention efforts should consider these results.
Communicable Diseases ; Hepatitis A ; Hepatitis A virus* ; Humans ; Intention ; Jeollanam-do ; Liver ; Logistic Models ; Mass Screening ; Odds Ratio ; Risk Factors ; Vaccination* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to accumulate basic data for nursing intervention development by evaluating the stress and emotional status of patients and their families after receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), illucidating and analysing related factors in order to decrease the negative effects of HSCT on their emotion. METHODS: Data were collected using a questionnaire to 53 HSCT patients and 50 families, who were older than 18 at tertiary-care institutions in Seoul, from January, 2000 to August, 2003. RESULTS: There was a significant score difference in stress (t=-2.302, p<0.05). Correlation between stress and emotional status was statistically significant (r=0.486, p<0.01; r=0, p<0.05). Economical burden of cost had significant effects on stress of patients (F=4.194, p<0.05). The series of emotional status of patients without jobs were higher (T=-2.583, p<0.05). The emotional status of families were influenced by monthly income (F=4.036, p<0.05) and patients' diagnosis (F=3.088, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the cares for families should be considered with great concern as well as the ones for patients. In addition, such factors as economical burden by medical cost, monthly income and job status should not be excluded in transplantation nursing plans.
Diagnosis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells* ; Humans ; Nursing ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seoul

Background: The role of the cervix in female sexual functioning is controversial. The loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) induces structural changes in the cervix. This study aimed to investigate whether LEEP affected sexual dysfunction in Korean women. Methods: A prospective cohort study enrolled 61 sexually active women with abnormal Papanicolaou smear or cervical punch biopsy results and required LEEP. The patients were assessed before and six to twelve months after LEEP using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS). Results: The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction according to FSFI scores before and after LEEP was 62.5% and 66.7%, respectively. LEEP-related changes in total FSFI and FSDS scores were not significant (P = 0.399 and P = 0.670, respectively). The frequency of sexual dysfunction in the desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain subdomains of the FSFI was not significantly altered by LEEP (P > 0.05). The proportion of women experiencing sexual distress according to FSDS scores did not significantly increase after LEEP (P = 0.687). Conclusion A large proportion of women with cervical dysplasia experience sexual dysfunction and distress both before and after LEEP. LEEP itself may be not associated with negative effects on female sexual function.

Purpose: To explore the scope and method of applying standardized nursing terminologies to nursing diagnosis and problems used in nursing practice. Methods: A descriptive study was done with a retrospective analysis of the nursing records of 141,420 patients that were hospitalized in 4 tertiary hospitals. The nursing diagnosis and problems collected from the records were standardized, and the standardized nursing diagnosis and problems cross mapped with NANDA-I, confirmed in a nursing focus group. Results: 65 (67.7%) of the 96 standardized nursing diagnosis and problems were equal with NANDA-I and included in the 10 domains of NANDA-I. Among 86 nursing diagnosis and problems excluded from the cross mapping with NANDA-I, the 63 terms (73.3%) related to surgery/procedure were the most common. Conclusion It is meaningful that multi-tertiary hospital nursing diagnosis and problems were standardized and cross mapping with standard nursing terminologies was performed. As for the method of applying standardized nursing terminologies in nursing practice, it is appropriate to use several standardized nursing terminologies complementarily.

Cytoplasmic Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is an antioxidant enzyme that converts superoxide to hydrogen peroxide in cells. Its spatial distribution matches that of superoxide production, allowing it to protect cells from oxidative stress. SOD1 deficiencies result in embryonic lethality and a wide range of pathologies in mice, but little is known about normal SOD1 protein expression in developing embryos. In this study, the expression pattern of SOD1 was investigated in post-implantation mouse embryos and extraembryonic tissues, including placenta, using Western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses. SOD1 was detected in embryos and extraembryonic tissues from embryonic day (ED) 8.5 to 18.5. The signal in embryos was observed at the lowest level on ED 9.5-11.5, and the highest level on ED 17.5-18.5, while levels remained constant in the surrounding extraembryonic tissues during all developmental stages examined. Immunohistochemical analysis of SOD1 expression on ED 13.5-18.5 revealed its ubiquitous distribution throughout developing organs. In particular, high levels of SOD1 expression were observed in the ependymal epithelium of the choroid plexus, ganglia, sensory cells of the olfactory and vestibulocochlear epithelia, blood cells and vessels, hepatocytes and hematopoietic cells of the liver, lymph nodes, osteogenic tissues, and skin. Thus, SOD1 is highly expressed at late stages of embryonic development in a cell- and tissue-specific manner, and can function as an important antioxidant enzyme during organogenesis in mouse embryos.
Animals ; Cerebral Cortex/embryology/enzymology ; Copulation ; Cytoplasm/*enzymology ; Embryonic Development/*physiology ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung/embryology/enzymology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Organogenesis/*physiology ; Pregnancy ; Stomach/embryology/enzymology ; Superoxide Dismutase/deficiency/genetics/*metabolism

We report a case of catheter-related bacteremia due to Tsukamurella pulmonis. T. pulmonis is a rare cause of opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed patients and in cases of indwelling foreign materials. This infection was nearly impossible to identify using conventional phenotyping methods because of its similarities to the related genera Nocardia, Rhodococcus, Gordonia, Streptomyces, Corynebacterium, and Mycobacterium. This organism was initially misidentified as Mycobacterium aubagnense through PCR-RFLP analysis. We correctly identified this organism using 16S rRNA sequencing combined with phenotyping tests.
Bacteremia ; Catheters ; Corynebacterium ; Humans ; Korea ; Mycobacterium ; Nocardia ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Opportunistic Infections ; Rhodococcus ; Streptomyces

PURPOSE: Venous reflux in primary varicose vein arises from the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ), and the saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ) and it can arise from the non-junctional great saphenous vein (GSV) tributaries and, the non-saphenous veins. Superficial venous surgery (SVS) is associated with a significant improvement in the lower leg venous hemodynamics. We performed a retrospective study to examine the prevalence of the reflux pattern in the primary varicose veins and, to observe any change of non-junctional GSV reflux. METHOD: From May 2004 to July 2005, 481 patients (766 limbs) were diagnosed with venous incompetence by performing a duplex ultrasound examination. A follow-up duplex ultrasound examination was performed for a group of non-junctional GSV reflux patients and for a group of patient having both superficial vein reflux and deep vein reflux. RESULT: The prevalence of SFJ reflux, SPJ reflux, below the knee GSV reflux with competent SFJ and, non saphenous vein reflux was 82%, 13%, 10% and, 4.5% respectively. In the patients with SVS who had deep vein reflux (DVR), DVR was absent in only on two patients (6%). Eight patients (9.1%) of the 88 primary varicose vein patients had asymptomatic left iliac vein obstruction detected by performing an ascending venogram during radiofrequency ablation (RFA). On the duplex findings after SVS, the reflux pattern of left deep venous system was not different from the right deep venous system. CONCLUSION: Varicose veins may occur in any vein, even if junctional reflux is predominant. Careful duplex ultrasound evaluation will delineate the changing pattern of venous reflux with/without SVS. Although superficial venous surgery must fit the patient's map, the results might be variable. Prospective studies are needed to analyze the dynamics of venous reflux after SVS.
Catheter Ablation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Iliac Vein ; Knee ; Leg ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Saphenous Vein ; Ultrasonography ; Varicose Veins* ; Veins

No abstract available.
Catheters* ; Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital* ; Fetal Therapies* ; Lung*