Purpose: This study examined the mediating effect of bowel function symptoms in the relationship between social support and uncertainty in rectal cancer patients. Methods: In total, 132 rectal cancer patients were recruited online. Data were collected from October 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020 using on-line questionnaires and were analyzed using the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients and bootstrapping for mediation. Results: Social support had a significant and positive effect on bowel function symptoms and a negative effect on uncertainty. Bowel function symptoms had a significant negative effect on uncertainty; and showed a statistically significant mediating effect in the relationship between social support and uncertainty. In other words, social support had direct and indirect effects on uncertainty. Conclusion In rectal cancer patients, social support attenuated bowel function symptoms and showed direct and indirect effects on uncertainty. Therefore, to increase the social support of rectal cancer patients, the patients’ family, friends, and meaningful others should be involved in providing nursing. In order to reduce bowel function symptoms, which have a mediating effect, rectal cancer patients need to be well aware of the symptoms of bowel function that change after surgery. Systematic pre- and post- operative education would be help reduce uncertainty.

Purpose: This study aimed to verify the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Health Care Empowerment Questionnaire (K-HCEQ) after translating it into Korean. Methods: Items were verified after translating the HCEQ into Korean, followed by back-translation and evaluation of content validity. The questionnaire survey was administered to 200 community-dwelling individuals aged≥65 years. Construct validity and criterion validity were evaluated, and Cronbach’s a was used to assess the reliability of the scale. Results: The final instrument consisted of three sub-factors and 10 items, as shown by confirmatory factor analysis. Moreover, the criterion-related validity showed a correlation coefficient of .50 (p<.001), confirming the validity of the developed instrument. Cronbach’s a for all items was .94, and Cronbach’s a of the sub-factors ranged between .88 and .93. Conclusion The Korean version of the HCEQ for the elderly is an objective indicator that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of health education programs aimed at older adults, thereby improving their health care empowerment.

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one mechanism by which cells with mesenchymal features can be generated and is a fundamental event in morphogenesis. Recently, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells from the primary tumor are now thought to be initiated by the developmental process termed the EMT, whereby epithelial cells lose cell polarity and cell-cell interactions, and gain mesenchymal phenotypes with increased migratory and invasive properties. The EMT is believed to be an important step in metastasis and is implicated in cancer progression, although the influence of the EMT in clinical specimens has been debated. This review presents the recent results of two cell surface proteins, the functions and underlying mechanisms of which have recently begun to be demonstrated, as novel regulators of the molecular networks that induce the EMT and cancer progression.
Cell Polarity ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition* ; Membrane Proteins* ; Membranes* ; Morphogenesis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Phenotype

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify role ambiguity of comprehensive nursing care unit nurses. METHODS: A concept analysis method by Walker and Avant was used to understand role ambiguity of comprehensive nursing care unit nurses. RESULTS: The antecedents of role ambiguity of nurses at comprehensive nursing units were shortage of nurses, unclear admission criteria, and demands for customized nursing care according to severity. Attributes include ambiguity in role delegation, patient placement ambiguity, and professional ambiguity among nursing staff. The consequences were diminished job satisfaction due to excessive workload, difficulty in resolving role ambiguity due to the lack of work analysis studies, and poor outcome of nursing indicators. CONCLUSION Improvement of nationwide awareness for comprehensive nursing care unit is required. Clear division at scope of practice for nursing staff in accordance of each medical institution's characteristics is essential. Nurses at comprehensive nursing care unit should understand nature of role ambiguity that occurs as they work in large groups. Nurses should promote communications between nursing staff and they must have volition to improve status quo. An additional research of comprehensive nursing care on the causes of role ambiguity in the practice of nursing care for ward nurses is needed, and management measures should be sought at the organizational level.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of infectious diarrheal disease in Korea has decreased over the past decade, but traveler's diarrhea (TD) is increasing in frequency. We therefore investigated the distribution of the causative agents of TD. METHODS: A total of 132 rectal swab specimens were acquired from TD patients who entered the country via Gimhae International Airport. The specimens were screened for 12 bacterial pathogens by real-time PCR, and target pathogens were isolated from the PCR positive specimens using conventional microbiological isolation methods. RESULTS: A total of 93 specimens (70.5%) showed positive PCR screening results, and of these specimens, nine species and 50 isolates (37.9%), including Vibrio parahaemolyticus (18 isolates) and ETEC (17 isolates), were isolated. No specimens were PCR positive for Listeria monocytogenes or Campylobacter jejuni, and no pathogenic Bacillus cereus were isolated. CONCLUSION: Even though viruses and EAEC were not included as target pathogens, the high isolation rate of these pathogens in this study provides indirect evidence that most cases of pathogen-negative TD are caused by undetected bacterial agents. Furthermore, our study results confirm the effectiveness of real-time PCR-based screening methods. This study is the first report in Korea to demonstrate that ETEC and V. parahaemolyticus are the major causative pathogens of TD, and this knowledge can be used to help treat and prevent TD.
Airports ; Bacillus cereus ; Campylobacter jejuni ; Diarrhea ; Dysentery ; Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Listeria monocytogenes ; Mass Screening ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vibrio parahaemolyticus

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate knowledge, attitude, and experience regarding suicidal behavior among mental health workers in Gangwon province of Korea to use as a basis for development of suicide prevention and education programs. METHODS: Questionnaires consisted of 31 questions including general knowledge regarding suicide statistics and suicide related legislation, attitude toward suicide, awareness of suicide, and individual experiences of suicidal behaviors. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine differences and association among attitude toward suicide, individual experience of suicide, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Taboo attitude toward suicide showed association with age and male. Males thought that social responsibility for suicide is necessary. Religiously non-affiliated group and people who had previous suicidal ideation and attempts showed a more permissive attitude toward suicide. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that demographic characteristics and previous individual experience of suicidal behaviors might influence attitude toward suicide. These personal characteristics should be considered in development of suicide prevention programs for mental health workers.
Education ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mental Health* ; Social Responsibility ; Suicidal Ideation ; Suicide ; Taboo

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate knowledge, attitude, and experience regarding suicidal behavior among mental health workers in Gangwon province of Korea to use as a basis for development of suicide prevention and education programs. METHODS: Questionnaires consisted of 31 questions including general knowledge regarding suicide statistics and suicide related legislation, attitude toward suicide, awareness of suicide, and individual experiences of suicidal behaviors. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine differences and association among attitude toward suicide, individual experience of suicide, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Taboo attitude toward suicide showed association with age and male. Males thought that social responsibility for suicide is necessary. Religiously non-affiliated group and people who had previous suicidal ideation and attempts showed a more permissive attitude toward suicide. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that demographic characteristics and previous individual experience of suicidal behaviors might influence attitude toward suicide. These personal characteristics should be considered in development of suicide prevention programs for mental health workers.
Education ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mental Health* ; Social Responsibility ; Suicidal Ideation ; Suicide ; Taboo

Malignant obstruction develops frequently in advanced gastric cancer. Although it is primarily the gastric outlet that is obstructed, there are occasional reports of colonic obstruction. Treating intestinal obstruction usually requires emergency surgery or stent insertion. There are several kinds of complications with stent insertion, such as bowel perforation, stent migration, bleeding, abdominal pain and reobstruction. Nevertheless, endoscopic stent insertion could be a better treatment than emergency surgery in cases of malignant bowel obstruction in cancer patients with poor performance status. We report a case of advanced gastric cancer with carcinomatosis in which a recurrent colonic stent was inserted at the same site because of cancer growth into the stent. The patient maintained a good condition for chemotherapy, thus improving their chances for survival.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction/etiology/radiography/*surgery ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prosthesis Implantation/*methods ; *Stents ; Stomach Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Cholera is a representative water-borne disease that is caused by V. cholera ctx (+). V. cholera El Tor was previously the primary pathogen, but after the seventh pandemic outbreak, it was replaced by a V. cholera El Tor variant with a classical phenotype and genotype. In this study, we investigated the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of imported V. cholerae El Tor in Korea. METHODS: Forty-nine V. cholerae O1 El Tor strains isolated from 2004 to 2011 were used in this study. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of the ctxB and rstR genes was used for biotype determination. An antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed for phenotypic analysis, and pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used for analysis of genetic relatedness. RESULTS: Classical ctxB genes were found in all of the isolates, while classical, El Tor, and combined rstR genes were found. Twenty strains showed antimicrobial resistance against streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, nalidixic acid, and ciprofloxacin. Based on PFGE, all isolates were grouped as cluster B. The country of origin and resistance pattern were highly related, although the time of influx and serogroup were not. CONCLUSION: Isolates of V. cholera El Tor imported since 2004 were hybrids of V. cholera El Tor, which has the classical ctxB gene and is considered to be a CTX prophage. The SXT element plays an important role in antimicrobial resistance. PFGE patterns, which can be used for analysis of imported V. cholera, revealed the relatedness of the resistant isolates.
Chimera ; Cholera ; Ciprofloxacin ; Electrophoresis ; Genotype ; Korea ; Nalidixic Acid ; Pandemics ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prophages ; Streptomycin ; Vibrio ; Vibrio cholerae ; Vibrio cholerae O1

A gastropericardial fistula, defined as penetration of a gastric lesion into the pericardium, is a rare occurrence. Such a fistula is usually associated with a huge ulcer in the gastric fundus, an ulcer within a hiatus hernia, a history of esophagogastric surgery, the concurrent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The patient in this case presented with shoulder pain and melena, caused by a gastropericardial fistula that had occurred as a late complication of postoperative esophagogastrostomy and a refractory gastric ulcer. Despite the severity of the condition, the patient showed great improvement after medical treatment and the fistula was cured at the end.
Esophagectomy/*methods ; Gastric Fistula/*diagnosis/*etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pericardium/*pathology ; Stomach Ulcer/*complications/*surgery