The subjects in this study were the directors in charge of article inspection from 127 academies that are registered with the Korea Academy of Medical Science. After a questionnaire was prepared covering the examination process, judging committee organization, problems with examination and possible reform measures, a survey was conducted by e-mail and facsimile from October 4 through 20, 2001. The responses from 79 academies were gathered, a response rate of 62.2%, and the collected data were analyzed with SAS. The most common examination process was C type, which convenes publishing committees, employed by 59 academies_(74.6%), and these institutes found it satisfactory. Thirty-four academies_(43.0%) had 10 to 19 judges, and these judges were separately in charge of different fields, whereas 79 academies_(77.3%) allocated five or less judges to each field. Thirty_(38.0%) academies had their judges comply with related official directions or guidelines, and 50 academies_(63.3%) conducted investigation just twice. Fifty-four academies_(68.4%) weren't satisfied with their examination process. As for the problems with the examination process, many_(41.8%) pointed out that it's time-consuming work and that a lot of procedures were repeated. Concerning the benefit of the online examination program, 41 academies_(51.9%) thought that it was more efficient and less time-consuming. Forty-one academies_(51.9%) were aware of the online examination program, but only 23 academies_(29.1%) were willing to use it. In order to realize an online paper review, there should be appropriate criteria and guidelines for the construction of an online paper review system that suits various types of paper review process employed by the academies. The usability of online information and technology for more efficient and higher-quality judgment should be widely be publicized, and consideration should be given for the types of paper review system that might be suitable for those who are neither aware of the use of the internet nor willing to utilize.
Academies and Institutes ; Electronic Mail ; Internet ; Judgment ; Korea ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Societies, Medical*

No abstract available.
Stomach Neoplasms* ; Stomach*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to introduce a method of obtaining the oscillation graphs of the dental x-ray tube heads relative to time using an accelerometer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An Accelerometer, Piezotron type 8704B25 (Kistler Instrument Co., Amherst, NY, USA) was utilized to measure the horizontal oscillation of the x-ray tube head immediately after positioning the tube head for an intraoral radiograph. The signal from the sensor was transferred to a dynamic signal analyzer, which displayed the magnitude of the acceleration on the Y-axis and time lapse on the X-axis. The horizontal oscillation of the tube head was measured relative to time, and the settling time was also determined on the basis of the acceleration graphs for 6 wall type, 5 floor-fixed type, and 4 mobile type dental x-ray machines. RESULTS: The oscillation graphs showed that tube head movement decreased rapidly over time. The settling time varied with x-ray machine types. Wall-type x-ray machines had a settling time of up to 6 seconds, 5 seconds for fixed floor-types, and 11 seconds for the mobile-types. CONCLUSION: Using an accelerometer, we obtained the oscillation graphs of the dental x-ray tube head relative to time. The oscillation graph with time can guide the operator to decide upon the optimum exposure moment after xray tube head positioning for better radiographic resolution.
Acceleration ; Head Movements ; Head* ; Radiography

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to introduce a method of obtaining the oscillation graphs of the dental x-ray tube heads relative to time using an accelerometer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An Accelerometer, Piezotron type 8704B25 (Kistler Instrument Co., Amherst, NY, USA) was utilized to measure the horizontal oscillation of the x-ray tube head immediately after positioning the tube head for an intraoral radiograph. The signal from the sensor was transferred to a dynamic signal analyzer, which displayed the magnitude of the acceleration on the Y-axis and time lapse on the X-axis. The horizontal oscillation of the tube head was measured relative to time, and the settling time was also determined on the basis of the acceleration graphs for 6 wall type, 5 floor-fixed type, and 4 mobile type dental x-ray machines. RESULTS: The oscillation graphs showed that tube head movement decreased rapidly over time. The settling time varied with x-ray machine types. Wall-type x-ray machines had a settling time of up to 6 seconds, 5 seconds for fixed floor-types, and 11 seconds for the mobile-types. CONCLUSION: Using an accelerometer, we obtained the oscillation graphs of the dental x-ray tube head relative to time. The oscillation graph with time can guide the operator to decide upon the optimum exposure moment after xray tube head positioning for better radiographic resolution.
Acceleration ; Head Movements ; Head* ; Radiography

This study was designed to analyze the research methodology and the key concepts used in articles published in each nursing journal of seven branches of the Korean Academy of Nursing. The purpose of this study was for reflecting the trends of nursing research and suggesting the direction of future nursing research in Korea. One thousand three hundred seventy two articles published in seven nursing journals from the beginning year of 2000 were analyzed. The prevailing research designs for these journals were the non-experimental design ranging from 54.3% to 75.7%, the experimental design ranging from 6.2% to 30.4%, and qualitative research design ranging from 3.7% to 10.6%. Research subjects were 10.0% to 46.0% for clients with health problems, 2.1% to 42.4% for generally healthy persons, 1.4% to 43.9% for primary care-givers, 7.0% to 53.5% for nurses or nursing students, and 3.1% to 7.3% for health organizations or nursing organizations. The data collection method used most often self-report questionnaires using psychosocial measures. Interviewing methods and physiologic measures were used relatively few times. The domains of the key concepts that prevailed was personal domain and health domain. This study has the limitation of focusing on only the superficial structural analysis rather than in-depth content analysis of each article. However, this study is the first study for reflecting the trends of nursing research based on each journal of seven branches of the Korean Academy of Nursing.
Data Collection ; Humans ; Korea ; Nursing Research* ; Nursing* ; Qualitative Research ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Research Design ; Research Subjects ; Students, Nursing

BACKGROUND: Currently the most common treatment modality of refractory ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis was large volume paracentesis, but this procedure usually needed albumin infusion and occasionally developed unwanted complications. By reason of albumin shortage in Korea and occasional unfavorable complications, we studied the usefulness of dialytic ultrafiltration as an another treatment modality of refractory ascites. METHODS: Dialytic ultrafiltration was done in 10 patients (total 48 times) with liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Two drainage conduit (via 16 gauge angio-catheter) of input and output were made by puncture of patient's right and left lower quadrant abdomen. The initial ultrafiltration rate of dialyser was 250mL/min. Ascitic fluid was removed continuously until the filtration rate down at 50mL/min. After ultrafiltration, ascitic fluid contained concentrated albumin and large molecules was reinfused via input conduit. Pre-treatment and post-treatment level of blood chemistry, plasma renin concentration, aldosterone, and electrolytes in serum; total protein and albumin in ascites were measured. During the ultrafiltration, we closely observed the change of blood pressure, heart rates and mental status. RESULTS: The mean ultrafiltration time was 231+/-28min, ultrafiltrated volume was 5.15+/-1.41 L. During dialytic ultrafiltration, patient's blood pressure and heart rate were stable and there was no change of mental status. After dialytic ultrafiltration, blood urea nitrogen level significantly decreased from 30.5+/-23.7mg/dL to 25.7+/-20.2mg/dL; serum aldosterone level decreased from 807.3+/-301.1pg/ml to 431.1+/-187.2pg/ml in serum (P<0.01). The albumin level in the ascitic fluid significantly increased from 0.67+/-0.28g/dL to 1.90+/-1.16g/dL (P<0.01). Plasma renin concentration level tend to decreased (P=0.06). The patient's serum total protein, albumin, electrolytes, and creatinine were not changed. Complications of dialytic ultrafiltration were peritonitis (one case) and hypotension (one case). But these unwanted complications were readily managed by adequate antibiotics and intravenous fluid therapy. CONCLUSION: The dialytic ultrafiltration can be used effectively without albumin infusion in the treatment of refrartory ascites in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.
Abdomen ; Aldosterone ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ascites* ; Ascitic Fluid ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Chemistry ; Creatinine ; Drainage ; Electrolytes ; Filtration ; Fluid Therapy ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Korea ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Paracentesis ; Patient Rights ; Peritonitis ; Plasma ; Punctures ; Renin ; Ultrafiltration*

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the nurses' knowledge about and attitude toward cancer pain management. METHOD: Study subjects of this retrospective cross-sectional survey study were 343 nurses sampled conveniently in a tertiary teaching hospital in Seoul. Seven measurement tools were used to collect data on demographic data, knowledge about and attitude toward cancer pain management, barrier to cancer pain management, knowledge about and concerns for the opioid use, and professional education of cancer pain management. RESULT: Nurses showed knowledge deficit when their knowledge on the cancer pain management and the opiod use was evaluated using two case scenarios and the 15-item questionnaire respectively. Ninety-five percent of the nurses believed that cancer pain management is a major problem. However, inadequate staff knowledge of pain management was rated as the single most important barrier to adequate pain management by 20.4% of nurses. Only 10.9% and 23.2% of the nurses replied that nursing school's education and professional education in cancer pain management respectively, were adequate. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the existence of knowledge deficits and attitudinal barriers among Korean nurses that can impede cancer pain manage- ment. This study suggests a need for professional education for nurses on cancer pain management.
Analgesics, Opioid ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Education, Professional ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Nursing ; Pain Management* ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To report the case of delayed suprachoroidal hemorrhage after Ahmed valve implantation in a neovascular glaucoma (NVG) patient. CASE SUMMARY: A 74-years-old male visited the hospital with ocular pain in the left eye. He had a history of vitrectomy and Intraocular lens (IOL) scleral fixation due to trauma in the left eye. NVG was diagnosed and Ahmed valve was implanted in his left eye. Three days later, hypotony occurred with all quadrant choroidal detachment. Next day, raised intraocular pressure (IOP) was checked and anterior chamber was flat on slit lamp examination. Vitreous hemorrhage and suprachoroidal hemorrhage were suspected. We performed anterior chamber formation with viscoelastics. The anterior chamber became deeper and hemorrhage gradually decreased. A month later, the patient visited us with severe ocular pain. Raised IOP and shallow anterior chamber due to moderate hyphema and anteriorly placed IOL were found. Retinal detachment was suspected on B-scan. Vitrectomy, IOL removal, silicone oil insertion, and Ahmed valve removal were performed. CONCLUSIONS: We report we experienced one patient of delayed suprachoroidal hemorrhage after Ahmed valve implantation and he had poor prognosis.
Anterior Chamber ; Choroid ; Eye ; Glaucoma, Neovascular ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyphema ; Intraocular Pressure ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retinal Detachment ; Silicone Oils ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

Presentation of antigen in a suitable form to lymphocytes is prerequsite for the initiation of primary immune response. Dendritic cells (DC) provide an effective pathway for presenting antigens to lymphocytes in situ. The aim of this study was to establish a dendritic cell-line from human tonsils and to investigate the changes in surface phenotype during culture. Immunohistochemical studies using various surface markers indicated that cultured DC were follicular dendritic cells (FDC) from human tonsils. Cultured DC showed typical dendritic morphology at early stage of culture. Their shape changed into fibroblast-like cells over culture time. Surface phenotype study suggested that cultured DC were distinct from human fibroblast. Antigenic pattern of FDC was changed during culture; I-ILA-DR antigens decreased and HJ2 antigens increased with aging of culture. Functional characteristics of human tosillar FDC will be investigated in the future.
Aging ; Dendritic Cells ; Dendritic Cells, Follicular* ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Palatine Tonsil ; Phenotype

OBJECTIVES: This study estimated the magnitude of malignant mesothelioma and its epidemiologic features in Korea. We collected data on 160 cases for the 5-year period from 2001 to 2005. METHODS: We established a surveillance system for malignant mesothelioma in 2001. The important participants were pathologists, and respiratory and occupational physicians. We reclassified these cases according to the date of diagnosis and calculated fatality by comparing National Mortality Data. We actively surveyed 18 cases which were diagnosed in 2004 and 2005 to evaluate their work-relatedness. RESULTS: Among 160 cases, 18 were initially diagnosed before 1995, 57 from 1996 to 2000, 11 in 2001, 18 in 2002, 11 in 2003, 29 in 2004 and 16 in 2005. After 2001, 17cases were reported annually. Among the 86 cases which were diagnosed before 2003, 60 cases (69.8%) had died and 46(53.5%) had died within 1 year. Among the 18 cases which we surveyed, 5 were related with the construction industry, 2 with asbestos textile manufacturing industries and 1 with asbestos painting. There was no evident work relatedness in the other 10 cases, but 6 were related to environmental exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Although this surveillance system revealed the magnitude of malignant mesothelioma in Korea, it needs to be supplemented by an active surveillance system using death certificate data and cancer registry data etc.
Asbestos ; Construction Industry ; Death Certificates ; Diagnosis ; Environmental Exposure ; Korea* ; Mesothelioma* ; Mortality ; Paint ; Paintings ; Textiles