PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of Clinical Research Nurses (CRNs) and the importance of their roles at the Regional Clinical Trial Centers (RCTCs). Method: A questionnaire focused on the role of CRNs was crafted by a researcher and the content validity was verified by a panel of experts on clinical research. The subjects of this study were 91 CRNs and Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs), who were Korean registered nurses working at nine RCTCs. 77 subjects yielded valid data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's rank order correlation coefficient, and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The performance of CRNs and the recognition in the importance of their roles were statistically significant different in age, education, CRN careers, positions, employment status and the phase of clinical trial. The role of direct caregiver was performed most often by CRNs. The role of coordinator of care and research (pre-study) was considered the most important role but performed the least frequent. CONCLUSIONS: The role of CRNs can easily be differentiated from CRCs who are not registered nurses. The domains of CRNs should be clearly identified and established. Moreover, research should be carried out on CRN training programs to cultivate competence in CRNs.
Calcium Hydroxide ; Caregivers ; Employment ; Humans ; Mental Competency ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Zinc Oxide

No abstract available.
Granular Cell Tumor*

Background: Although the orofacial-function improvement exercise (OFIE; oral exercise) was first introduced in Korea 10 years prior, it is still not covered by medical insurance, and no detailed survey on the dissemination of related programs has been conducted. Therefore, this study investigated the actual status of the education and practice of OFIE among the elderly and at elderly welfare institutions in the Seoul and Gyeonggi Provinces. Methods: Senior citizens aged more than 65 years old, public health centers (total of 69) and elderly welfare institutions (including nursing homes and elderly welfare centers, total of 56) per administrative area in the Seoul and Gyeonggi Provinces were targeted. We analyzed 200 elderly people and 93 institutions who agreed to participate in the survey. For the elderly, general characteristics, experience and route, current practice, and necessity regarding OFIE were investigated. For institutions, the history and plan of education programs on OFIE were investigated. Results: Regardless of the general characteristics, both the rate of experience and practice for OFIE were low overall; moreover, although they felt it was necessary, they had insufficient motivation for its implementation. Moreover, only a few institutions which were operating the education about OFIE regardless of the COVID-19 situation. Conclusion Although OFIE is necessary for the elderly, its distribution remains insufficient. Therefore, further efforts are needed to expand the education and raise the awareness of oral exercise among elderly individuals and senior welfare institutions.

Regarding to preserve the cadaver, formaldehyde has been used as a major preservative. However, the usage of formaldehyde has been considered by its harmful effects such as the disturbing ordor, toxicities and limitations to use. Therefore we studied the effect of decomposition-inhibition which is a natural product, grapefruit seed extract (GSE). Concerning the preservative activity, we sacrificed 8 week old male SD rat and collected liver. Using liver tissues, we treated GSE as a time dependant manner under 37degrees, 80+/-5% humidity conditions. To confirm GSE effects, we applied light and electron microscopic analysis. In results, we observed GSE attenuated the morphological changes and putrefaction of liver tissues more than 3 days. Herein, we introduced the potential substitute of formaldehyde to preserve the cadaver as well as animal tissues.
Animals ; Cadaver ; Citrus paradisi ; Electrons ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Humidity ; Light ; Liver ; Male ; Rats ; Seeds

Retrocaval ureter is a rare congenital anomaly. We experienced a case of retrocaval ureter with double inferior vena cava and with intermittent right flank pain in 54 years old female. We performed IVU, RGP, Venacavogram, MRI, and diuretic DTPA renal scan. MRI is the best single study to delineate the anatomy clearly and noninvasively. She was treated with conservative treatment.
Female ; Flank Pain ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Pentetic Acid ; Retrocaval Ureter* ; Vena Cava, Inferior*

The fourth branchial pouch sinus is a developmental anomaly which most freqently manifests itself by recurrent episodes of neck abscess or acute suppurative thyroiditis. The most common developmental anomalies of the branchial apparatus are second cleft remnant, which constitute almost 95% of all anomalies. The remaining 5% are comprised almost exclusively of first and third arch remnants. So the fourth arch remnants are exceedingly rare. A high index of suspicion, combined with barium swallow pharyngogram and computed tomography scan can aid in diagnosis. Complete excision of the entire epithelial tract combined with ipsilateral thyroid lobectomy remains the mainstay of treatment. Authors experienced a case of lateral neck mass which was pathologically presumed to be the fourth branchial pouch sinus. We report this case with the related literature.
Abscess ; Barium ; Branchial Region ; Diagnosis ; Fistula ; Hypopharynx ; Neck ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroiditis, Suppurative