No abstract available.
Aged ; Aneurysm/surgery ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Brain Diseases/surgery ; Craniotomy/adverse effects ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry/genetics/metabolism ; Female ; Flavobacteriaceae Infections/etiology/microbiology ; Flavobacterium/classification/drug effects/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Meningitis/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Phylogeny ; Postoperative Complications ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictor associated transitions with each stage of smoking cessation based on the Transtheoretical Model, and to provide basic data for smoking cessation programs for adolescents. METHODS: The participants were 297 current and former smokers, obtained from stratified random sampling of 2nd graders from 127 high schools in B cities. The data were collected between April 6th and 16th 2002, using a structured self-report questionnaire, and analyzed using a multiple logistic regression, with the SPSS program for Windows (Version 10.0). RESULTS: The predictors of transition from precontemplation to contemplation were consciousness raising (OR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.07-1.40), coping pros (OR=.84, 95% CI: .70-1.00) and attitude of parents to smoking (OR=2.97, 95% CI: 94-9.24). The predictors of transition from contemplation to preparation were helping relationships (OR=.83, 95% CI: 72-.96), self-liberation (OR=1.15, 95% CI: 99-1.33) and nicotine dependence (OR=.76, 95% CI: 56-1.03). The only predictor of transition from preparation to action was the social pros (OR=.66, 95% CI: .57-.82). The predictors of transition from action to maintenance were self-reevaluation (OR=.81, 95% CI: .71-.92) and negative affective situation (OR=.85, 95% CI: .72-1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Adequate examination on the factors for predicting the transitional stages of change for smoking cessation in Koreans are presented in this study. The results of this study will become the pillar of smoking cessation planning and application programs.
Adolescent* ; Consciousness ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Parents ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation* ; Smoking* ; Tobacco Use Disorder

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the effect of metacognition, communication skills, and confidence in the performance of core basic nursing skills on clinical competency in nursing students.METHODS: A total of 158 students were recruited from two nursing colleges in B metropolitan city. Data were collected by means of self-reported questionnaires from December 3–31, 2018 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression with SPSS 21.0.RESULTS: Metacognition, communication skills, and confidence in the performance of core basic nursing skills were higher than normal and the relationship between the variables metacognition (r=.69, p=<.001), communication skills (r=.69, p=<.001), and confidence in the performance of core basic nursing skills (r=.59, p=<.001) were highly positively correlated with clinical performance. Factors influencing these three variables accounted for 64.4% of clinical competency.CONCLUSION: Further research on the development of the curriculum and intervention program, and the verification of the effect are needed.
Clinical Competence ; Curriculum ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Metacognition ; Nursing ; Students, Nursing

Purpose: Obesity among children from low-income families is becoming a social problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an obesity prevention program that included physical activity, nutrition education, behavioral modification, and primary caregiver participation components among children from low-income families. Methods: The study analyzed a nonequivalent control group using a pretest-posttest design. A total of 77 children were recruited from six community childcare centers using purposive sampling. For the intervention group (n=40), the pretest was administered before the combined intervention program involving the participants' primary caregivers was conducted for 8 weeks. The posttest was conducted immediately after the program and again four weeks after the program. Results: Flexibility (F=4.64, p=.020), muscular endurance (F=11.22, p<.001), nutritional knowledge scores (F=4.79, p=.010), body image satisfaction scores (F=4.74, p=.012), and self-esteem scores (F=3.81, p=.029) showed significant differences and interactions between group and time for the intervention and control groups. Conclusion Strategies to actively engage the primary caregivers of low-income families in children's obesity programs are needed. Obesity prevention programs for children based on the program in this study should be routinely developed, and continuing attention should be given to children from low-income families.

PURPOSE: Skin graft is the gold standard surgical treatment in burn wound management. Until now, wet to dry dressing is regarded as the traditionally standard dressing for skin graft. But it needs to be changed daily, burdens the patients and medical caring team and is time consuming. The authors apply VAC to skin graft to secure the skin and compared the outcomes with previous standard dressing technique. METHODS: 38 burn patients who underwent skin graft were included in this study. Patients were selected with their consent for inclusion in an experimental group and a control group. Patients in the experimental group received a VAC appliance after split-thickness skin graft, while those in the control group received wet to dry dressing after the procedure. Time to complete epithelization, rates of skin graft taken areas, satisfaction of patients and medical caring team was evaluated. RESULTS: A shorter time to complete epithelization (12.5 days) was observed in the experimental group than in the control group (14.6 days), and a higher rates of skin graft taken areas (89%) was observed in the experimental group when compared with the control group (84.5%), A higher satisfaction of both the patients and doctors was observed in the experimental group, compared to the control group, with all statistical significance (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: VAC shortens epithelization period and elevate skin graft taken rates. It also makes the patients and doctors the comfortable in burn patients. The VAC is an excellent alternative for securing skin graft.
Bandages ; Burns ; Humans ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Skin ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Skin graft is the gold standard surgical treatment in burn wound management. But it has functional and aesthetic limitations, such as burn scar contracture, low quality of the grafted skin, unnatural looking skin, loss of skin elasticity, especially in extensive deep burn wound which has tendon or bone exposed. The authors used Matriderm(R), a dermal analogue, with split-thickness skin graft simultaneously in burn wound and evaluate the effectiveness of Matriderm(R) for treatment of burn wounds, in comparison with the skin graft only. METHODS: 40 burn patients with skin graft were included in this study. Patients were selected with their consent for inclusion in an experimental group and a control group. Patients in the experimental group received a meshed Matriderm(R) appliance and a split-thickness skin graft, while those in the control group received only a split-thickness skin graft. Time to complete epithelization, rates of skin graft taken areas, Vancouver scar scale assessment, skin elasticity was evaluated. RESULTS: A better scores of Vancouver scar scale assessment (3 points) were observed in the experimental group with the control group (6 points) with statistical significance (P<0.05). A higher elasticity ratio of the affected side to the non-affected side was observed in the experimental group, compared with the control group (P<0.05), and a similar time to complete epithelization and rates of skin graft taken areas were observed in the experimental group when compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Meshed Matriderm(R) enables effective healing and improves functional and aesthetic results in split thickness skin graft treatment of burn wounds.
Burns ; Cicatrix ; Contracture ; Elasticity ; Humans ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; Tendons ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Facial abrasions have been treated by moist occlusive dressing for many years. But previous dressing methods have several disadvantages such as difficulty of fixation due to varied contours, too frequent dressing changes with pain, discomfort due to volume of the dressing materials. The authors applied dried bovine amniotic membrane (Amnisite BA(R)) to facial abrasions as a new therapeutic option and compared its efficacy with previous foam dressing treatments. METHODS: From June 2010 to May 2011, thirty two patients suffering from facial abrasions were included in this study, with a mean age of 32.4. Patients were divided into two groups by patient preference. One group was treated with dried bovine amniotic membrane while the other group was treated with ointment and foam dressings. Subjects were followed by regular outpatient clinic visits until complete epithelization. Healing time, treatment costs, scar formation, skin elasticity and moisture content were evaluated to compare the efficacy of dried bovine amniotic membrane in comparison to foam dressing groups. RESULTS: All of thirty two patients were well healed after appliance of dried bovine amniotic membrane or foam dressing without any complication. The healing time for patients treated with dried bovine amniotic membrane was significantly shorter (P<0.05) and no significant difference between the two groups regarding treatment costs, scar formation, skin elasticity or moisture content was shown. CONCLUSION: Facial abrasion can be effectively treated with dried bovine amniotic membrane with a shortening of epithelization period and similar effectiveness as previous foam dressings. In addition, dried bovine amniotic membranes have several benefits. easy appliance to any parts of face, reducing the frequency of dressing changes, early adaptation to social life and so on, These presented benefits make this material a new standard for treatment of facial abrasion.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Amnion ; Bandages ; Biological Dressings ; Cicatrix ; Elasticity ; Health Care Costs ; Humans ; Occlusive Dressings ; Patient Preference ; Skin ; Stress, Psychological ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the levels of and relationships among health literacy, knowledge about diabetes, and self-care activities in the Korean low-income elderly with diabetes and to identify factors influencing the self-care activities of this vulnerable population. METHODS: This study surveyed a total of 151 low-income elderly patients with diabetes registered at 16 Visiting Health Care Services in B City, Korea. Health literacy was measured with the Newest Vital Sign. Diabetes knowledge was measured with the Diabetes Knowledge Test. The Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities Questionnaire was used to assess diabetes self-care activities. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify significant factors influencing diabetes self-care activities in these patients. RESULTS: In the regression model, diabetes knowledge (beta=.322, p<.001), exercise (beta=.337, p<.001), and experiences of diabetes education (beta=.241, p=.001) were significantly associated with increased diabetes self-care activities in low-income elderly patients with diabetes when gender, education, health literacy, and subjective health state were controlled. CONCLUSION: To improve diabetes self-care activities in the low-income elderly with diabetes, it is important to develop a customized program considering their knowledge, exercise, and diabetes education experience.
Aged ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Education ; Health Education ; Health Literacy* ; Humans ; Korea ; Self Care* ; Vital Signs ; Vulnerable Populations ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Background: The objective of this study was to determine whether manually performed calibration and quality control (QC) processes could be replaced with an automated laboratory system when installed analyzers fail to provide automated calibration and QC functions. Methods: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), creatinine (Cr), direct bilirubin (DB), and lipase (Lip) items were used as analytes. We prepared pooled serum samples at 10 levels for each test item and divided them into two groups; five for the analytical measurement range (AMR) group and five for the medical decision point (MDP) group. Calibration and QC processes were performed for five consecutive days, and ALT, TC, Cr, DB, and Lip levels were measured in the two groups using automated and manual methods. Precision and the mean difference between the calibration and QC methods were evaluated using the reported values of the test items in each group. Results: Repeatability and within-laboratory coefficients of variation (CVs) between the automated system and the conventional manual system in the AMR group were similar. However, the mean reported values for test items were significantly different between the two systems. In the MDP group, repeatability and within-laboratory CVs were better with the automation system. All calibration and QC processes were successfully implemented with the Aptio total laboratory automation system. Conclusion The Aptio total laboratory automation system could be applied to routine practice to improve precision and efficiency.

Tuberculosis can occur in various organ systems and may present with diverse manifestations. We report an unusual case of mediastinal tuberculoma in a 3-month-old boy who presented to the hospital after experiencing fever, cough, and progressive pneumonia for two weeks. The chest computed tomography scan indicated a mediastinal mass suggesting lymphoma. However, histological analysis confirmed that the mass was caused by tuberculosis. The present report describes the delayed diagnosis of a disease due to an uncommon presentation. Misdiagnosing unusual cases of tuberculosis results in treatment delays and may lead to an increase in morbidity. Therefore, we suggest that tuberculosis should be included in the differential diagnosis for children presenting with a mediastinal mass, especially in areas with a high prevalence of tuberculosis.
Child ; Cough ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fever ; Humans ; Infant* ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Mediastinum ; Pneumonia ; Prevalence ; Thorax ; Tuberculoma ; Tuberculosis*