PURPOSE: This study aims to determine obstetrics nurses knowledge, attitude, and practice about breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE), and to contribute to the early detection of breast cancer during breastfeeding periods. METHODS: For the survey, 163 individuals (obstetric nurses) were chosen by convenience sampling and agreed to participate in the study. Their knowledge, attitude, and practice about breast cancer and BSE. RESULTS: Knowledge and attitude averaged 70.45+/-10.90 (of 100) and 3.64+/-0.27 (of 5), respectively. While most nurses (99%) recognized the importance of BSE, only 58.9% experienced BSE. BSE practice level averaged 8.35+/-1.96 (of 12). Only 20.2% had recommended BSE to their clients. Practice level varied significantly for different marital status, breastfeeding experience, and education, while knowledge and attitude remained independent. Nurses who had experienced mammogram or breast ultrasonogram themselves scored higher in knowledge. Attitude was higher for nurses who received recommendation for BSE, performed BSE, received BSE education, or recommended BSE to clients. Practice level was higher for nurses who received BSE education or willing to perform BSE in future. Practice level had a positive correlation with attitude but no correlation to knowledge. CONCLUSION: Obstetric nurses need continuing education for practicing BSE. Practical BSE education can not only promote preventive behavior of nurses, but it can also improve the breast health management of obstetrical clients.
Breast ; Breast Feeding ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast Self-Examination ; Education, Continuing ; Marital Status ; Obstetrics

Purpose: We aim to assess infertility stress, gratitude, and changes in couple relationship of the women under reproductive treatments and to identify the relationships between variables. Methods: The subjects were 212 infertile women receiving reproductive treatments. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaires from June to August in 2019. The questionnaire consisted of the questions about infertility stress, gratitude and changes in their couple relationships. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, 1-way analysis of variance, and correlation coefficient were analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 Windows program. Results: The level of Infertility stress, gratitude, and changes in couple relationship averaged 3.23±0.59 (range of 1 to 6), 4.85±1.06 (range of 1 to 6), 3.03±0.55 (range of 1 to 5), respectively. Infertility stress had a negative correlation with gratitude (r=-0.322, p<0.001) and changes in couple relationship (r= -0.371, p<0.001). Gratitude also had a negative correlation with changes in couple relationship (r=-0.370, p<0.001). Conclusion The results revealed that infertility stress has a negative correlation with gratitude and changes in couple relationship. Thus, psychological interventions that can alleviate negative emotions should be provided.

Purpose: We aim to assess infertility stress, gratitude, and changes in couple relationship of the women under reproductive treatments and to identify the relationships between variables. Methods: The subjects were 212 infertile women receiving reproductive treatments. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaires from June to August in 2019. The questionnaire consisted of the questions about infertility stress, gratitude and changes in their couple relationships. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, 1-way analysis of variance, and correlation coefficient were analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 Windows program. Results: The level of Infertility stress, gratitude, and changes in couple relationship averaged 3.23±0.59 (range of 1 to 6), 4.85±1.06 (range of 1 to 6), 3.03±0.55 (range of 1 to 5), respectively. Infertility stress had a negative correlation with gratitude (r=-0.322, p<0.001) and changes in couple relationship (r= -0.371, p<0.001). Gratitude also had a negative correlation with changes in couple relationship (r=-0.370, p<0.001). Conclusion The results revealed that infertility stress has a negative correlation with gratitude and changes in couple relationship. Thus, psychological interventions that can alleviate negative emotions should be provided.

Purpose: : The aim of this study was to propose appropriate nurse staffing of adult intensive care units considering patients’ nursing care needs according to the Workload Management System for Critical Care Nurses (WMSCN). Methods: : In a cross-sectional survey conducted in September 2017, 1,786 patients’ WMSCN scores, surveys from 2,145 nurses, and administrative data from 118 units in 41 hospitals were analyzed. The means (standard deviations) of the aforementioned scores and nursing hours per patient day were presented. Nurse-to-patient ratios and nurse-to bed ratios for staffing to meet patients’ nursing care needs were calculated. Results: : The mean WMSCN scores were 109.50±17.17 in tertiary hospitals and 96.38±19.26 in general hospitals. Nursing hours per patient day were 12.47±2.80 in tertiary hospitals and 11.01±2.45 in general hospitals. Nursing hours per patient day correlated with WMSCN scores. Nurse-to-bed ratios required for the provision of ICU nursing care ranged from 1: 0.36 to 1: 0.48. Conclusion : Our findings provide evidence that current ICU nurse staffing is insufficient for meeting patients’ nursing care needs. We suggest adjusting the legal standards for adequate nurse staffing considering these needs.

Purpose: : The aim of this study was to propose appropriate nurse staffing of adult intensive care units considering patients’ nursing care needs according to the Workload Management System for Critical Care Nurses (WMSCN). Methods: : In a cross-sectional survey conducted in September 2017, 1,786 patients’ WMSCN scores, surveys from 2,145 nurses, and administrative data from 118 units in 41 hospitals were analyzed. The means (standard deviations) of the aforementioned scores and nursing hours per patient day were presented. Nurse-to-patient ratios and nurse-to bed ratios for staffing to meet patients’ nursing care needs were calculated. Results: : The mean WMSCN scores were 109.50±17.17 in tertiary hospitals and 96.38±19.26 in general hospitals. Nursing hours per patient day were 12.47±2.80 in tertiary hospitals and 11.01±2.45 in general hospitals. Nursing hours per patient day correlated with WMSCN scores. Nurse-to-bed ratios required for the provision of ICU nursing care ranged from 1: 0.36 to 1: 0.48. Conclusion : Our findings provide evidence that current ICU nurse staffing is insufficient for meeting patients’ nursing care needs. We suggest adjusting the legal standards for adequate nurse staffing considering these needs.

Aspergillus tracheobronchitis, an uncommon form of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, is characterized by the development of a pseudomembrane, ulcers, or an obstruction that is predominantly confined to the tracheobronchial tree. Pseudomembranous Aspergillus tracheobronchitis is the most severe form of Aspergillus tracheobronchitis, and only a few cases have been reported in Korea. We report the characteristic chest CT findings in a patient diagnosed with pseudomembranous Aspergillus tracheobronchitis after bronchoscopy and successfully treated by proper antifungal treatment.

Pain accompanied by depressive symptoms is a common reason for seeking medical assistance, and many chronic pain patients experience comorbid depression. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a well-known neurotrophin expressed throughout the nervous system, playing a crucial role in neuronal growth and neuroplasticity. This study aimed to examine the effects of exercise on BDNF expression in the nervous system and reserpine (RSP)-induced pain-depression dyad. RSP (1 mg/kg) was subcutaneously administered once daily for three days in mice.The exercise was performed using a rota-rod tester for seven consecutive days following RSP administration. Pain responses were evaluated using von Frey filaments, and depression-like behaviors were assessed through forced swimming and open field tests. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to examine the changes in BDNF expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), spinal cord, and hippocampus. Administration of RSP reduced mechanical paw withdrawal threshold, increased immobility time in the forced swimming test, and decreased movement in the open field test. The immunoreactivity of BDNF was increased in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions, and decreased in the hippocampus after RSP administration. Physical exercise significantly reduced the RSP-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and depression-like behaviors. In addition, exercise suppressed not only the increased expression of BDNF in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions but also the decreased expression of BDNF in the hippocampus induced by RSP administration. These findings suggest that repetitive exercise could serve as an effective and non-invasive treatment option for individuals experiencing both pain and depression by modulating BDNF expression.

Pain accompanied by depressive symptoms is a common reason for seeking medical assistance, and many chronic pain patients experience comorbid depression. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a well-known neurotrophin expressed throughout the nervous system, playing a crucial role in neuronal growth and neuroplasticity. This study aimed to examine the effects of exercise on BDNF expression in the nervous system and reserpine (RSP)-induced pain-depression dyad. RSP (1 mg/kg) was subcutaneously administered once daily for three days in mice.The exercise was performed using a rota-rod tester for seven consecutive days following RSP administration. Pain responses were evaluated using von Frey filaments, and depression-like behaviors were assessed through forced swimming and open field tests. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to examine the changes in BDNF expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), spinal cord, and hippocampus. Administration of RSP reduced mechanical paw withdrawal threshold, increased immobility time in the forced swimming test, and decreased movement in the open field test. The immunoreactivity of BDNF was increased in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions, and decreased in the hippocampus after RSP administration. Physical exercise significantly reduced the RSP-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and depression-like behaviors. In addition, exercise suppressed not only the increased expression of BDNF in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions but also the decreased expression of BDNF in the hippocampus induced by RSP administration. These findings suggest that repetitive exercise could serve as an effective and non-invasive treatment option for individuals experiencing both pain and depression by modulating BDNF expression.

Pain accompanied by depressive symptoms is a common reason for seeking medical assistance, and many chronic pain patients experience comorbid depression. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a well-known neurotrophin expressed throughout the nervous system, playing a crucial role in neuronal growth and neuroplasticity. This study aimed to examine the effects of exercise on BDNF expression in the nervous system and reserpine (RSP)-induced pain-depression dyad. RSP (1 mg/kg) was subcutaneously administered once daily for three days in mice.The exercise was performed using a rota-rod tester for seven consecutive days following RSP administration. Pain responses were evaluated using von Frey filaments, and depression-like behaviors were assessed through forced swimming and open field tests. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to examine the changes in BDNF expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), spinal cord, and hippocampus. Administration of RSP reduced mechanical paw withdrawal threshold, increased immobility time in the forced swimming test, and decreased movement in the open field test. The immunoreactivity of BDNF was increased in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions, and decreased in the hippocampus after RSP administration. Physical exercise significantly reduced the RSP-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and depression-like behaviors. In addition, exercise suppressed not only the increased expression of BDNF in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions but also the decreased expression of BDNF in the hippocampus induced by RSP administration. These findings suggest that repetitive exercise could serve as an effective and non-invasive treatment option for individuals experiencing both pain and depression by modulating BDNF expression.

Pain accompanied by depressive symptoms is a common reason for seeking medical assistance, and many chronic pain patients experience comorbid depression. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a well-known neurotrophin expressed throughout the nervous system, playing a crucial role in neuronal growth and neuroplasticity. This study aimed to examine the effects of exercise on BDNF expression in the nervous system and reserpine (RSP)-induced pain-depression dyad. RSP (1 mg/kg) was subcutaneously administered once daily for three days in mice.The exercise was performed using a rota-rod tester for seven consecutive days following RSP administration. Pain responses were evaluated using von Frey filaments, and depression-like behaviors were assessed through forced swimming and open field tests. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to examine the changes in BDNF expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), spinal cord, and hippocampus. Administration of RSP reduced mechanical paw withdrawal threshold, increased immobility time in the forced swimming test, and decreased movement in the open field test. The immunoreactivity of BDNF was increased in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions, and decreased in the hippocampus after RSP administration. Physical exercise significantly reduced the RSP-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and depression-like behaviors. In addition, exercise suppressed not only the increased expression of BDNF in the DRG and spinal dorsal regions but also the decreased expression of BDNF in the hippocampus induced by RSP administration. These findings suggest that repetitive exercise could serve as an effective and non-invasive treatment option for individuals experiencing both pain and depression by modulating BDNF expression.