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.

PURPOSE: To introduce the history and principle mechanism of electrochemical treatment (EChT) with animal study and report two cases successfully treated breast cancer and hemangioma by EChT. METHODS: In animal study, the breast cancer tumor in nude mouse treated with EChT (100 Coulomb/cm3) were reviewed for histologic changes. In the case studies, we reported method of EChT and clinical results after EChT. Case 1: 74 yr old female with locally advanced breast cancer received 3 times EChT with 1,000 Coulomb/time, 8 Volt. Case 2: 51 yr old female with breast hemagioma received one time EChT with 80 Coulomb, 8 Volt. RESULTS: In animal study, There were destructive change including vaculated cell fragment and extensive coagulative necrosis. Case 1 showed no local recurrence during 18 monthes after EChT. Case 2 also showed no evidence of recurrence of hemangioma. CONCLUSION: The EChT is easy to use. It is effective, safe, less traumatic and makes patients recover quickly. This is a new and effective method to treat patients with tumours that are inoperable and can not receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Animals ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Necrosis ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence

Background: Folic acid is involved in inflammatory reactions; however, the association between folic acid and allergic diseases, particularly asthma, remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the association between serum folic acid levels and asthma in Koreans. Methods: This study analyzed the serum folic acid levels of 6,615 individuals included in the 2016–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The prevalence of asthma was determined using a questionnaire that identified cases of physician-diagnosed asthma. The relationship between serum folic acid levels and asthma was analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a 1 ng/mL increase in serum folic acid level significantly reduced the risk of asthma after adjusting for confounding factors including sex, age, household income, current smoking, current alcohol use, and body mass index (odds ratio [OR], 0.930; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.876– 0.987; P=0.017). The relationship between the adjusted odds of asthma and serum folic acid levels were consistently inverse (OR, 2.266; 95% CI, 1.126–4.420; P for trend=0.038). Conclusion Serum folic acid levels are inversely associated with physician-diagnosed asthma in the Korean population.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) has been the alternative treatment in patients who have failed endoscopic removal. Until now, biliary drainage has been performed as a customary practice after LCBDE in order to prevent complication or to prevent remnant stones from draining out; however, the drainage was often caused by other complications. For this reason, we have been performing LCBDE with primary closure. The aim of this study was to report on the efficacy and safety of primary closure. METHODS: Of 207 cases of common bile duct stones with performance of LCBDE from March 2001 to January 2013, 199 cases were included. Eight cases were excluded due to the open conversion. The 199 patients were subdivided into the primary closure group (P-group) and the drainage group (D-group). RESULTS: Of 199 patients, there were 36 (18.1%) with primary closure, and 163 (81.9%) with drainage. No significant difference in characteristics was observed between the two groups, except for smaller stones in the P-group (11.4+/-6.0 mm, 16.2+/-8.0 mm, p<0.01). Mean number of postoperative hospital days was significantly shorter in the P-group (6.0+/-3.1 days, 7.6+/-3.8 days, p=0.019). The rate of postoperative complications was higher in the D-group, but showed no statistical significance. There were six cases of bile leakage in the D-group, and two cases in the P-group, but without statistical significance (p=0.638). The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the P-group (5.6%, 22.1%, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: In the P-group, the number of mean postoperative hospital days was lower, and a lower rate of recurrence was observed. Compared with other types of drainage after LCBDE, the primary closure would be a sufficient method. Therefore, it can be regarded as safe enough and feasible.
Bile ; Common Bile Duct ; Drainage ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence

Peritonsillar abscess is a common deep throat infection. Early diagnosis and prompt, appropriate management of a peritonsillar abscess prevents mortality. A 45-year-old woman on steroids for an ulcerative colitis (UC) exacerbation presented with sore throat and multiple skin ulcers on her left forearm and right foot. Computed tomography of the neck revealed a peritonsillar abscess. Gram staining and culture of the abscess were negative, and a skin biopsy suggested pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). The final diagnosis was peritonsillar involvement of steroid-refractory PG-associated UC. The patient showed a complete response to infliximab. Here, we report a case of successful infliximab treatment for peritonsillar involvement of steroid-refractory PG-associated UC.
Abscess ; Biopsy ; Colitis, Ulcerative* ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Foot ; Forearm ; Humans ; Infliximab ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Neck ; Peritonsillar Abscess ; Pharyngitis ; Pharynx ; Pyoderma Gangrenosum* ; Skin ; Skin Ulcer ; Steroids

Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a chemoresistant intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma with a poor prognosis. The aims of this study were to identify molecular pathways that enhance sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide (PTL)-induced anticancer effects on CC cells. The effects of PTL on apoptosis and hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction were examined in CC cell lines. The enhancement of PTL-mediated apoptosis by modulation of HO-1 expression and the mechanisms involved were also examined in an in vitro cell system. Low PTL concentrations (5 to 10 micrometer) led to Nrf2-dependent HO-1 induction, which attenuated the apoptogenic effect of PTL in Choi-CK and SCK cells. PTL-mediated apoptosis was enhanced by the protein kinase C-alpha inhibitor Ro317549 (Ro) through inhibition of expression and nuclear translocation of Nrf2, resulting in blockage of HO-1 expression. Finally, HO-1 silencing resulted in enhancement of apoptotic cell death in CC cells. The combination of PTL and Ro efficiently improved tumor growth inhibition compared to treatment with either agent alone in an in vivo subcutaneous tumor model. In conclusion, the modulation of HO-1 expression substantially improved the anticancer effect of PTL. The combination of PTL and Ro could prove to be a valuable chemotherapeutic strategy for CC.
Active Transport, Cell Nucleus/drug effects ; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Apoptosis/drug effects/genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Nucleus/*metabolism ; Cholangiocarcinoma/drug therapy/*metabolism/pathology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects/genetics ; Enzyme Activation ; Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics/*metabolism ; Humans ; Lactones/chemistry ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics/*metabolism ; Protein Kinase C-alpha/antagonists & inhibitors ; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics ; Sesquiterpenes/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Signal Transduction/drug effects

OBJECTIVE: To investigate difference in bilateral diaphragm movement of patients with tracheal aspiration according to post stroke residue severity and determine correlations of Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), residue scale, and bilateral diaphragm movement. METHODS: A total of 47 patients diagnosed with hemiplegic stroke were enrolled in this study. PAS, severity of valleculae, and pyriform sinus retention during videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were assessed. Bilateral fluoroscopic diaphragm movements during spontaneous breathing and forced breathing were measured. RESULTS: Patients with tracheal aspiration (PAS≥6) had significantly (p=0.035) lower ipsilateral diaphragm movement during spontaneous breathing. Post-swallow residue severity showed statistically significant (p=0.028) difference in patients with ipsilateral diaphragm movement during forced breathing. In linear regression analysis, PAS showed weak correlations with ipsilateral spontaneous diaphragm movement (r=0.397, p=0.006), ipsilateral forced diaphragm movement (r=0.384, p=0.008), and contralateral forced diaphragm movement (r=0.323, p=0.027). Weak correlation was also observed between post swallow residue severity and ipsilateral diaphragm movement during spontaneous breathing (r=0.331, p=0.023) and forced breathing (r=0.343, p=0.018). CONCLUSION: We confirmed the relationship between swallowing function and bilateral diaphragm movement in this study. The severity of dysphagia after hemiplegic stroke was correlated with bilateral diaphragm movement. Further longitudinal studies are needed to assess the effect of breathing exercise on post-stroke dysphagia.
Deglutition Disorders ; Deglutition ; Diaphragm ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Longitudinal Studies ; Pyriform Sinus ; Respiration ; Stroke

OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis is a common and recurring gynecologic disease which have afflicting females of reproductive age. We investigated the efficacy of long-term, post-operative use of dienogest for ovarian endometrioma. METHODS: We studied 203 patients who had undergone laparoscopic or robotic surgery for ovarian endometrioma, and were administrated dienogest 2 mg/day beginning in July of 2013, and continuing. We evaluated side effects of dienogest and ultrasonography was performed every 6 months to detect potential recurrence of endometrioma (2 cm) in these post-surgical patients. RESULTS: The follow-up observation periods were 30.2±20.9 months from surgery. The mean age was 34.1±7.2 years old. The mean diameter of pre-operative endometrioma was 5.6±3.0 cm2. One hundred eighty-two (89.7%) women received dienogest continuously for 12.0±7.1 months. Of the subjects, 21 (10.3%) patients discontinued dienogest at 2.4±1.0 months. The most common side effect when dienogest was discontinued was abnormal uterine bleeding. The occurrence rate of vaginal bleeding was 15.8%, a number which did not differ significantly in patients with/without post-operative gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist administration. The other side effects were gastrointestinal trouble including constipation, acne, headache, depression, hot flush, weight gain, and edema. However, no serious adverse events or side effects were documented and recurrent endometriomas were diagnosed in 3 patients (1.5%). CONCLUSION: The data indicates that dienogest was both tolerable and safe for long-term use as prophylaxis in an effort to obviate the recurrence of ovarian endometrioma post-operatively, as well as potential need for surgical re-intervention.
Acne Vulgaris ; Constipation ; Depression ; Edema ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genital Diseases, Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Headache ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; Weight Gain

Toxic shock syndrome is an acute, multi-systemic, toxin-mediated illness caused by toxin-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is usually caused by Streptococcus pyogenes but Group G streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is rare. Herein, we report a case of group G streptococcal toxic shock syndrome that was successfully treated with toxin reducing antibiotics and intravenous immunoglobulin therapies.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Immunization, Passive ; Shock, Septic ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus pyogenes

Colon cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors, but there are still a few validated biomarkers of colon cancer. Exosome-mediated microRNAs (miRNAs) have been recognized as potential biomarkers in cancers, and miRNAs can regulate a variety of genes. Recently, Fusobacterium nucleatum was discovered in the tissues of human colon cancer patients. Its role in colon cancer was highlighted. F. nucleatum may contribute to the progression of colon cancer through the mechanism of exosome-mediated miRNAs transfer. However, the exosomal miRNAs regulation mechanism by F. nucleatum in colon cancer is not well known. Thus, we performed next-generation sequencing to investigate the overall pattern of exosomal miRNAs expression in the colon cancer cell culture supernatant. We have confirmed the alterations of various exosomal miRNAs. In addition, to investigate the function of exosomal miRNAs, a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis was performed on the target genes of changed miRNAs. Potential target genes were associated with a variety of signaling pathways, and one of these pathways was related to colorectal cancer. These findings suggested that F. nucleatum can alter exosomal miRNAs released from colorectal cancer cells. Furthermore, exosomal miRNAs altered by F. nucleatum could be potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and therapy of colon cancer.