PURPOSE: This was a correlational study to identify effects of perception of clinical ladder system on job satisfaction and intention to leave in perioperative nurses. METHODS: Participants were 154 of perioperative nurses from larger general hospitals in Seoul. Data were collected from April, 16 to 22, 2013 using self-report questionnaires which included items on perception of clinical ladder system, job satisfaction, and intention to leave. Data were analyzed using frequency, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe? test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple stepwise regression. RESULTS: The average mean score for perception of clinical ladder system was midline at 2.69 point out of 4 point. Perception of clinical ladder system correlated positively with job satisfaction (r=.38, p<.01) and negatively with intention to leave (r=-.88, p<.01). Perception of clinical ladder system was the factor which most influenced job satisfaction explaining 17.1% of the variance, also perception of clinical ladder system was the factor which most influenced intention to leave, explaining 12.7% of the variance. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that there is a need to enhance the perception of the clinical ladder system and to find ways to fulfill the expected effects for improving perioperative nurses' job satisfaction and reducing the intention to leave.
Career Mobility* ; Hospitals, General ; Intention* ; Job Satisfaction* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seoul

This study investigated the effect of temporary cement and desensitizer on the bond strength of luting cements. Total 96 dentin specimens were divided into two groups with and without temporary cementation. For temporary cement-treated group, specimens were cemented with Temp-bond(R) and all specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 celsius degrees for 7 days. Each group was further divided into 3 subgroups with Gluma(R), One-step(R) application and without desensitizer. After desensitizer application, Ni-Cr specimens were luted to dentin surface with Panavia-F(R) and Vitremer(R). Specimens were placed in distilled water at 37 celsius degrees for 24 hours and shear bond strength between metal and dentin was measured by a universal testing machine. The results were as follows: 1. In Panavia-F(R) cemented groups, the combination of One-step(R) without temporary cement showed the greatest strength. Among the desensitizer types, One-step(R) showed the highest bond strength, followed by No-desensitizer, Gluma(R). 2. In Vitremer(R) cemented groups, the combination of no temporary cement and without desensitizer showed the greatest bond strength. Among the desensitizer types, No-desensitizer group showed the highest bond strength. 3. The use of Gluma(R) significantly reduced the shear bond strength in Panavia-F(R) and Vitremer(R) groups. 4. All temporary cement-treated groups showed a significant lower shear bond strength than without temporary cement groups. 5. Desensitizer application significantly influenced the bond strength of the resin cement and resin modified glass ionomer cement.
Cementation ; Dentin ; Glass Ionomer Cements ; Resin Cements ; Water

Psoriasis is a multi-factorial disease with various clinical manifestations. We present a case of unilateral psoriasis associated with ipsilateral lymphedema that developed after mastectomy for breast cancer. A 42-year-old Korean woman was referred to our clinic with a 1-month history of multiple erythematous scaly patches on the right arm, back, and breast and was diagnosed with psoriasis by a skin biopsy. Three years previously, she had been diagnosed with breast cancer (T1N2), underwent a right quadrantectomy and axillary lymph node dissection, and completed adjuvant chemotherapy followed by high-dose adjuvant radiotherapy. She had started rehabilitation therapy on the right arm for secondary lymphedema 30 months previously. Because of the long interval between radiation and psoriasis, we speculated that changes in the local milieu caused by the lymphedema might be a causative factor. We hereby report a rare case of unilateral psoriasis following post-mastectomy lymphedema.
Adult ; Arm ; Biopsy ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphedema ; Mastectomy ; Psoriasis ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte transfusion therapy has been used as supportive care for patients with prolonged neutropenia after intensive chemotherapy or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Here, we investigated clinical factors of granulocyte transfusion therapy for neutropenic patients with infection to evaluate its efficacy and safety. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 25 neutropenic patients treated with 99 granulocyte collection and granulocyte transfusion therapy from October 2011 to April 2016 at the National Cancer Center was conducted. Two groups, a count recovery group with a cut off of >1,000/µL and a no recovery group were compared and symptoms related with granulocyte transfusion were analyzed. RESULTS: Granulocyte collection and transfusions were performed in 99 procedures. After granulocyte transfusion therapy, 21 patients (84%) showed count recovery, whereas 4 patients (16%) had no response. Significant differences in pre-absolute neutrophil count (29/µL vs. 0/µL, P=0.048), duration of neutropenia before granulocyte transfusion (11 days vs. 26 days, P=0.011), and total number of granulocyte transfusion (2 times vs. 11 times, P=0.049) were observed between groups. Temporary symptoms related granulocyte transfusion were observed in seven patients (28%); however, all patients showed clinical improvement. The median of the single transfusion volume was 220 mL (200 to 397 mL) and the mean total granulocyte content was 4.92×10¹⁰. CONCLUSION: Granulocyte transfusion therapy is safe and effective for patient with life threatening neutropenia and infection, also considerable for early onset trial for granulocyte transfusion.
Drug Therapy ; Granulocytes* ; Humans ; Leukocyte Transfusion ; Neutropenia* ; Neutrophils ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: We evaluated the concordance of laterality of the paretic eye and the torsional eye in unilateral superior oblique palsy showing an inferior oblique overaction. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients diagnosed as having a unilateral superior oblique palsy were evaluated for visual acuity, refractive manifestation, ocular movement, prism cover test, and fundus photograph. Of these patients, 32 derived from congenital causes and 7 acquired the condition from trauma. An ocular movement exam was performed to check an inferior oblique overaction, and a fundus photograph was used to measure the ocular torsional amount. Inferior oblique myectomy or recession was performed along with horizontal strabismus surgery. RESULTS: Objective extorsion was presented in paretic eyes of 29 patients (74.4%) and nonparetic eyes of 10 patients (25.6%). The congenital superior oblique palsy patients were divided into two groups by the concordance of laterality of paretic eyes and torsional eyes. In the concordance group of 22 patients, the torsional amount was decreased from +17.69 degrees to +7.98 degrees and inferior oblique overaction from +2.27 degrees to +0.25 degrees after an inferior oblique muscle weakening procedure. In the discordance group of 10 patients, torsional amount was decreased from +16.97 degrees to +8.73 degrees and inferior oblique overaction from +2.50 degrees to +0.21 degrees postoperatively. In acquired oblique palsy patients, all patients showed the concordance of laterality, and the torsional amount was decreased from +16.76 degrees to +8.80 degrees and inferior oblique overaction from +2.5 degrees to +0.21 degrees after inferior oblique weakening procedure. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the paretic eye and the torsional eye may not coincide in congenital superior oblique palsy but always coincide in acquired oblique palsy after trauma. After an inferior oblique muscle weakening procedure, ocular torsional amount of paretic or sound eye is decreased in every case.
Humans ; Paralysis* ; Strabismus ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: Leigh syndrome (LS) is a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disorder with characteristic abnormalities in the central nervous system. Such patients present with heterogeneous clinical symptoms and genetic abnormalities; thus, prognosis is difficult to anticipate. The present study investigates whether distinct patient characteristics are associated with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation in LS patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients diagnosed with LS at our hospital who were assessed using genomic sequencing of mtDNA. A subgroup analysis was performed to divide patients according to the mtDNA sequencing results. RESULTS: Among the 85 patients enrolled, 18 had mtDNA mutations. Most patients had lactic acidosis and a lactate/pyruvate ratio above 20, indicating respiratory chain abnormalities. In the subgroup analysis, the mutation group had a significantly higher female-to-male ratio, alanine level, ocular involvement, and midbrain and medulla abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CONCLUSION: The subgroup analysis indicates that mtDNA sequencing is recommended for female patients, or those who exhibit ocular involvement, high alanine levels, or MRI findings with lesions in the midbrain and medulla.
Acidosis, Lactic ; Alanine ; Brain Stem ; Central Nervous System ; DNA, Mitochondrial* ; Electron Transport ; Female ; Humans ; Leigh Disease* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mesencephalon ; Mitochondria ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: In vitro study systems for research of placental hypoxia are needed, among which human placental villous explant culture technique under experimentally variable condition is commonly used. So we performed this study to assess the viability of placental villous explant in normoxic and hypoxic culture that can provide validity for that system. METHOD: Placental villous explant tissues obtained from 9 cases of normal term pregnancies were incubated in normoxic (20% O2) and hypoxic (2~5% O2) condition for 72 hours. The viability of tissue was evaluated morphologically by microscopic examination and biochemically by LDH assay at variable time interval (0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 hours). The apoptosis of the tissue was assessed by TUNEL assay. RESULT: By light microscope, all of H&E stained placental explant tissue sections in normoxic and hypoxic culture showed intact villous integrities without definitive syncytial sloughing and fibrinoid necrosis as time elapsed. Tissue viability of LDH assay during 6, 24, 48, 72 hours of placental villous explants showed over all 52.3~67.6% and didn't show statistically significant difference between normoxic and hypoxic culture. Tissue viability in both groups maintained 61.2~67.6% for the first 24 hours and eventually decreased with time. TUNEL assay showed over all negative findings in normoxic and hypoxic culture at different time periods. CONCLUSION: In vitro human placental explant culture system can be a useful and feasible technique for research of placental hypoxia which is related to development of obstetrical complications such as preeclampsia, intrauterine fetal growth restriction and preterm labor and so on. But our in vitro placental explant system needs some modification in culture condition and technique for maximizing viability of the tissue.
Anoxia ; Apoptosis ; Culture Techniques ; Female ; Fetal Development ; Humans* ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Necrosis ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Tissue Survival*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the autonomic imbalance in syncope by comparing the baseline heart rate variability (HRV) between healthy children and those with vasovagal syncope. METHODS: To characterize the autonomic profile in children experiencing vasovagal syncope, we evaluated the HRV of 23 patients aged 7-18 years and 20 healthy children. These children were divided into preadolescent (<12 years) and adolescent groups. The following time-domain indices were calculated: root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD); standard deviation of all average R-R intervals (SDNN); and frequency domain indices including high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), normalized high frequency, normalized low frequency, and low frequency to high frequency ratio (LF/HF). RESULTS: HRV values were significantly different between healthy children and those with syncope. Student t test indicated significantly higher SNDD values (60.46 ms vs. 37.42 ms, P=0.003) and RMSSD (57.90 ms vs. 26.92 ms, P=0.000) in the patient group than in the control group. In the patient group, RMSSD (80.41 ms vs. 45.89 ms, P=0.015) and normalized HF (61.18 ms vs. 43.19 ms, P=0.022) were significantly higher in adolescents, whereas normalized LF (38.81 ms vs. 56.76 ms, P=0.022) and LF/HF ratio (0.76 vs. 1.89, P=0.041) were significantly lower in adolescents. In contrast, the control group did not have significant differences in HRV values between adolescents and preadolescents. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that children with syncope had a decreased sympathetic tone and increased vagal tone compared to healthy children. Additionally, more severe autonomic imbalances possibly occur in adolescents than in preadolescents.
Adolescent* ; Child* ; Heart Rate* ; Humans ; Syncope ; Syncope, Vasovagal*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of delirium on clinical outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) patients in a Korean general hospital. METHODS: All patients admitted to ICU from March 1, 2013 to October 31, 2013 were assessed by Confusion Assessment Method adapted for use in the ICU for delirium daily, and consistently comatose patients were excluded for analysis. Differences in clinical outcomes (mortality, length of hospital stay, length of ICU stay) were analyzed between delirious patients and non-delirious patients. Subsequently, the impact of delirium on clinical outcomes was analyzed with adjusting for covariates including surgery, age, emergent admission, presence of surgery, and severity of illness. RESULTS: The analysis included 129 delirious patients and 469 non-delirious patients. As primary outcome, mortality, length of stay (hospital day, ICU-stay) were significantly high in the delirious group. The association remained the same after adjusting for the covariates. CONCLUSION: The results correspond with those of previous research studies conducted in foreign ICU. Based on this observation that delirium also has an impact on clinical outcomes in Korean ICU, integrative and in-depth investigation on ICU delirium will be needed.
Coma ; Delirium* ; Hospitals, General* ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units* ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Observational Study*

Spontaneous intramuscular hematoma of the abdominal wall is a rare condition characterized by acute abdominal pain. It is often misdiagnosed as a surgical condition. It used to be associated with risk factors such as coughing, pregnancy, and anticoagulant therapy. Most cases of abdominal wall hematomas were rectus sheath hematomas caused by the rupture of either the superior or inferior epigastric artery, but spontaneous internal oblique hematoma was extremely rare. In this report, we present a case of spontaneous internal oblique hematoma in a 69-year-old man with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease who was taking cilostazol. The patient complained of abrupt abdominal pain with a painful palpable lateral abdominal mass while sleeping. The abdominal computed tomography showed an 8 cm-sized mass in the patient's left internal oblique muscle. The administration of cilostazol was immediately stopped, and the intramuscular hematoma of the lateral oblique muscle disappeared with conservative management.
Abdominal Muscles ; Abdominal Pain ; Abdominal Wall ; Aged ; Cough ; Epigastric Arteries ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* ; Risk Factors ; Rupture