No abstract available.
Acetylcysteine* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Healthy Volunteers* ; Humans ; Skin* ; Water Loss, Insensible

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In clinical practice, colonoscopy has been regarded as the gold standard for the evaluation of disease severity as well as mucosal healing in ulcerative colitis (UC). Some activity indices incorporating patient symptoms as parameters have been shown to reflect the endoscopic activity of UC. The aim of this study was to examine whether self-reported symptoms with visual analog scales (VAS) can predict endoscopic activity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 150 UC patients who underwent colonoscopy with submission of VAS scores of 4 symptoms: general condition, bloody stools, stool form, and abdominal pain (0: no symptoms, 10: the most severe symptoms). Each VAS score was compared with colonoscopic activity assessed with the Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES). RESULTS: All VAS scores were significantly correlated with the endoscopic severity (Spearman correlation coefficients of general condition, bloody stools, stool form, and abdominal pain: 0.63, 0.64, 0.58, and 0.43, respectively). Mucosal healing defined as MES 0 alone was predicted by VAS score < 1.5 on general condition or 0 on bloody stools with sensitivity of 0.84 and 0.76 and specificity of 0.66 and 0.76, respectively. Additionally, VAS score < 2.5 on stool form predicted active lesions in distal colorectum alone with sensitivity of 0.67 and specificity of 0.66, suggesting that this item could predict the indication of topical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported VAS scores on symptoms were correlated with endoscopic activity of UC. To clarify the relationship between VAS and mucosal healing, further validation studies are needed.
Abdominal Pain ; Colitis, Ulcerative* ; Colonoscopy ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ulcer* ; Visual Analog Scale*

Background: In 2015, training of nurses qualified to perform specified medical procedures began.　Method: Interviews with specified nurses regarding their practice of tracheostomy cannula replacement.　Results: The following seven outcomes were identified: [expectation of an increased number of cases with no occurrence of cannula obstruction] , [thorough cannula replacement by developing an understanding of the feel on their hands] , [comprehensive observation and judgment on breathing status] , [appropriate continued nursing care based on observation] , [improved cooperation with doctors] , [improved cooperation with nurses] , and [gaining of trust from patients and their family members] .　Discussion: The study indicates that the breathing of patients can be maintained safely through procedures performed by the nurses and that the improved observation and judgment skills have a positive impact on nursing care as well. Further contribution to the improvement of patients’ QOL is possible through cooperation with doctors.

Information pertaining to self-regulated learning strategies for nurses in distance learning is scarce, There is also insufficient information regarding suitable learning support. We conducted a survey, exploring the demographic data and self-regulated learning strategies of 183 nurses who used distance learning; 159 nurses responded. In this study, nurses tended to use “asking peers” as their primary learning support. Additionally, “developing learning plans,” “devising learning methods,” and “reflecting on learning methods” showed a positive correlation. “Developing learning plans,” “devising learning methods,” and “rewarding oneself” also showed a positive correlation. Finally, a positive correlation was found between “asking peers” and “rewarding oneself.” A bulletin board for exchanging opinions among learners and the implementation of a pre-course were suggested as ways to support distance learning for nurses.