Myxofibrosarcomas (MFSs), which consist of multiple nodules with a variable cellular population in a myxoid matrix, are primarily located in subcutaneous tissue. Pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumors (PHATs) are rare soft-tissue tumors characterized by a proliferation of highly pleomorphic spindle or polygonal cells and abundant ectatic blood vessels in cellular or myxoid stroma. We present here an unusual case of a high-grade MFS with a PHAT-like appearance. A 67-year-old man presented with an asymptomatic subcutaneous mass in the right forearm. The tumor had myxoid, hypo-, and hypercellular areas with highly pleomorphic spindle or polygonal tumor cells that showed frequent mitoses and nuclear pseudoinclusions. Foci of punctuate necrosis and inflammatory infiltration were present throughout the tumor, and abundant ectatic, thick-walled vessels containing blood clots were noted. The tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for vimentin but negative for CD34, S-100 protein, smooth muscle actin, desmin, and bcl-2.
Actins ; Aged ; Blood Vessels ; Desmin ; Forearm ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Mitosis ; Muscle, Smooth ; Necrosis ; S100 Proteins ; Sarcoma ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Vimentin

Purpose: Nursing students are susceptible to medication safety incidents in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) related to a lack of communication experience. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of a NICU medication safety simulation (NMSS) focusing on communication clarity, patient hand-off confidence, and patient safety competency in senior-year nursing students. Methods: The study utilized a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. In total, 60 nursing students were assigned to two groups. The experimental group participated in the NMSS, which included three medication error scenarios. Pairs of students completed the scenarios together in 10 to 20 minutes. Data were analyzed using the chi-squared test, independent t test, and ANCOVA. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements in communication clarity (p=.015), and patient safety competency (p<.001) compared to the control group. Using the pretest values as covariates, patient hand-off confidence scores significantly increased (p=.027). Conclusion Implementing the NMSS focusing on communication in the pediatric nursing curriculum helped students to communicate clearly and concisely about medication errors, and its use is recommended to promote patient safety competency in the NICU.

To establish sperm penetrating assay (SPA) with using cryopreserved hamster oocyte, we performed the stepwise SPA with 1) fresh hamster oocyte and hamster sperm, 2) cryopreserved hamster oocyte and hamster sperm, 3) fresh hamster oocyte and human sperm, and 4) cryopreserved hamster oocyte and human sperm, in 4 cases of male hamster and 12 cases of fertile human. In SPA of hamster sperm with fresh hamster oocyte, the oocyte penetration rate (PR) were 100+0%, and the penetration index(mean penetration per oocyte, PI) was 22.4 +/- 1.8. In SPA of hamster sperm with cryopreserved hamster oocyte, the PR were 100 +/- 0%, and the Pl was 14.1 +/- 2.9 (p<0.01). When the oocytes were examined at 1, 2, 3, and 6 hour post insemination, hamster sperm penetration was 1 hour slower in cryopreserved oocytes than in fresh ones. In SPA of human sperm with fresh hamster oocyte, the PR was 79.5 +/- 10%, and the Pl was 2.78 +/- 2.6. In SPA of hamster sperm with cryopreserved hamster oocyte, the PR was 73.9+/- 16%, and the PI was 2.82 +/- 2.7. There`s no significant difference in SPA using human sperm. These results suggest that them may be some functional damages on cryopreserved oocyte, because Pl of fresh oocytes is higher than that of cryopreserved oocytes. However in sperm of human, it dose not make significant difference in Pl between fresh and cryopreserved oocytes. The SPA using cryopreserved hamster oocyte would appear to have wide application of the evaluation of infertility, the assessment of the treatment of infertility and the experiment in infertility field.
Animals ; Cricetinae* ; Humans ; Infertility ; Insemination ; Male ; Oocytes* ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions* ; Spermatozoa*

PURPOSE: In order to evaluate the value of the renal expression of ICAM-1 as a marker of renal injury, we analyzed the relationship between abnormal tubular expression of ICAM-1 and histopathological features and clinical manifestations in children with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). METHODS: The clinical data from 43 patients with IgAN were analyzed retrospectively and compared to the histopathologic subclassification proposed by Haas. ICAM-1 in tubular epithelium was assessed using the LSAB(Labeled streptavidine biotin) kit on the renal biopsy specimens. RESULTS: In 43 patients with primary IgAN, 28 males and 15 females aged 12.2+/-2.2 years were studied. There were no differences of renal tubular expression of ICAM-1 between patients with gross hematuria and without gross hematuria. But renal tubular expression of ICAM-1 in patients with proteinuria was significantly higher than that of in patients without proteinuria(78.72+/-14.19% vs. 55.80+/-32.20%, P<0.05). Renal tubular expression of ICAM-1 was also associated with the severity of histopathological degree using Haas classification method. In subclass I, renal tubular expression of ICAM-1 was significantly lower than those of other subclasses. A significant correlation was found between the tubular expression of ICAM-1 and the total amount of protein in 24 hour collected urine(rs=0.47236, P<0.05). But there were no significant correlations between the renal tubular expression of ICAM-1 and interstitial cellular infiltration, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis respectively(F=0.89, P>0.05; F=0.31, P>0.05; F=0.21, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Renal tubular expression of ICAM-1 can be a useful marker of renal injury in children with IgAN.
Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Child* ; Classification ; Epithelium ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A* ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1* ; Male ; Proteinuria ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptavidin

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) in a large population.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases of 152 biopsy-proven PTMCs from 133 patients who had undergone RFA for PTMC between May 2008 and January 2017 were included in this study. All patients were either of high surgical risk or refused to undergo surgery. They were followed up for at least 6 months after initial RFA. Ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography were performed to evaluate the PTMC and the presence of neck metastasis before treatment. RFA was conducted using an internally cooled thyroid-dedicated electrode system. Follow-up US was performed at 1 week, and 2, 6, and 12 months, after the initial RFA, and then at every 6–12 months. We evaluated serial changes of ablated tumors, newly developed cancers, lymph node (LN) or distant metastasis and complications.RESULTS: Complete disappearance was found in 91.4% (139/152) of ablated tumors. Among the 13 tumors in patients who did not show complete disappearance, no tumor displayed any regrowth of the residual ablated lesion during the follow-up period. The mean follow-up period was 39 months. During the follow-up period, there were no local recurrence, no LN or distant metastasis, and no newly developed thyroid cancers. No patients were referred to surgery. The overall complication rate was 3% (4/133) of patients, including one voice change. There were no life-threatening complications or procedure-related deaths.CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that RFA is an effective and safe option for treating low-risk PTMC patients who are of high surgical risk or refuse surgery.
Catheter Ablation ; Electrodes ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Ultrasonography ; Voice

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the relationship of malnutrition, social network and health-related quality of life and to investigate the main factors influencing health-related quality of life in elders. METHODS: The research design was a descriptive survey design using a convenience sampling. Data were collected by self-report questionnaires from 196 elders. Data analysis was done using SPSS 18.0 pc+ program for descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: The average score for health related quality of life was 3.33 (SD=0.86). Differences in health-related quality of life were statistically significant according to age, gender, occupation, presence of spouse, monthly income, source of income, economic status, medicine, and existence of chronic disease. Health-related quality of life was significantly correlated with malnutrition and social network. Major factors affecting health related quality of life for elders were malnutrition, occupation, age, social network, and economic status which explained 52.0% of the variance in health related quality of life. CONCLUSION: Findings provide a basis for developing nursing interventions to improve health-related quality of life. Future studies are needed a wide variety of variables that might influence health-related quality of life in elders.
Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Malnutrition ; Occupations ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Research Design ; Spouses ; Statistics as Topic

Pulmonary aspergilloma usually arises in preexisting lung cavities characterized by recurrent hemoptysis. Although surgical resection of the aspergilloma is the best treatment, most patients are poor candidates for surgery because of far-advanced underlying pulmonary disease. On the other hand, pulmonary actinomycosis is a chronic, indolent bacterial infection and follows aspiration of oropharyngeal material. Bronchiectasis and obstructive lung disease are often associated underlying conditions. We report a case of pulmonary aspergilloma in bronchogenic cyst associated with an actinomycosis in 21-year-old woman treated by thoracoscopic surgery with a review of literature.
Actinomycosis* ; Bacterial Infections ; Bronchiectasis ; Bronchogenic Cyst* ; Female ; Hand ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive ; Thoracoscopy ; Young Adult

Foreign bodies in the upper esophagus should be removed as soon as possible to avoid serious complications. These foreign bodies can penetrate the bowel wall and cause severe complications. The peristalsis of the esophagus is not strong enough to prevent it from retaining swallowed objects. Hence, perforation from a foreign body is more likely to occur in the esophagus than in the rest of the gastrointestinal tract. A razor blade is a rare foreign body of the esophagus. Its sharpness and large size make it difficult to remove. A razor blade was very firmly impacted in the esophageal wall in our case, and the razor blade had not moved from the upper esophagus. A standard overtube has limitations to remove a razor blade inside the overtube's lumen. We report here on a case of using a wedge resected overtube made it possible to successfully extract a razor blade and no serious complications occurred after extraction of the razor blade.
Esophagus ; Foreign Bodies ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Peristalsis

PURPOSE: This study aimed to uncover the fundamental nature of living alone in female elderly. METHODS: The phenomenological research approach developed by van Manen was adopted. RESULTS: The theme was 'taking a firm stand alone on the edges of life'. The composition elements of living alone experienced by elderly women were as follows: 1) Corporeality: participants perceived their bodies by their health status. Unhealthy participants were suffering with diseases and dependant on other persons, while healthy participants were free from family responsibility and kept on moving. 2) Spatiality: participants felt both freedom and loneliness while they stayed home. 3) Relationality: participants felt pity and yearning for their bereaved husband and sometimes talked to his picture. According to their children's filial piety, participants were pleased or displeased. However, they incessantly devoted themselves to their children. 4) Temporality: participants considered the rest of their life as extra-time which was proceeding to death, and tried to keep themselves busy before they died. CONCLUSION: A nurse should understand the multifarious aspects of elderly women's life, and then intervene to consolidate their strengths for self-supporting the final years of life.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Attitude to Death ; Family ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Life Style ; Loneliness ; *Quality of Life ; Widowhood/*psychology

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of the balloon dilatation in tuberculous bronchial stenosis, we performed balloon dilatation in 13 cases which had airway obstruction in main bronchus with the impairment of pulmonary function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirteen women with tuberculous bronchial stenosis(9cases: left main bronchus, 4 cases: right main bronchus) underwent fluoroscopically guided balloon dilatation under the local anesthesia. Among the these patient, 9 cases were active endobronchial tuberculosis, and 4 cases were inactive. Immediate and long term follow-up(average 15.6months) assessments were done focused on change on PFT. The increase of FVC or FEV1 more than 15% after the procedure was considered effective. Complications after dilatation were evaluated in all patients. RESULT: 1) There were an decrease of self-audible wheezing in 75%(6/8), improvement of dyspnea in 62.5%(5/8), improvement of cough and expectoration in 50%(3/6), and improvement of chest discomfort in 50%(l/2). 2) Significant improvement of PFT was noted in 42.9%(3/7) of which respiratory symptoms duration was below 6 months. But, significant improvement of PFT was noted in only 25% (1/4) of which respiratory symptoms duration was above 12 months. 3) Active stage was 69.2%(9/13) and inactive was 30.8%(4/13). There was an significant improvement of PFT in 44.4%(4/9) of active stage, but, only 25%(l/4) of inactive stage was improved. 4) In 61.5%(8/13), FVC and FEV1 were increased to 35.5%, and 22.2% at post-dilatation 7 days. After 1 month later, FVC and FEV1 were increased to 54.7%, and 31.8% in 5 cases(38.5%). 4 cases in which long-term follow-up(average 19.8months) was possible the improvement of FVC, and FEV1 were 30.5%, and 10.1%. . 5) Just after balloon dilatation therapy, transient leukocytosis or fever was noted in 30.8%(4/13), and blood-tinged sputum was noted in 30.8%(4/13). However, serious complication, such as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum or mediastinitis, was not noted. CONCLUSION: We conclude that tuberculous bronchial stenosis, which is on active stage, and short dulation of respiratory symptoms was more effective on balloon dilatation than inactive stage or long duration of respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, balloon dilatation is easier, much less invasive and expensive than open surgery, and cryotherapy or photoresection. Because of these advantage, we think that balloon dilatation could be the first choice for treating bronchial stenosis and could be done at first in early stage if unresponsiveness with steroid therapy is observed.
Airway Obstruction ; Anesthesia, Local ; Bronchi ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Cough ; Cryotherapy ; Dilatation* ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Leukocytosis ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; Mediastinitis ; Pneumothorax ; Respiratory Sounds ; Sputum ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis*