Purpose: Nursing students are susceptible to medication safety incidents in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) related to a lack of communication experience. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of a NICU medication safety simulation (NMSS) focusing on communication clarity, patient hand-off confidence, and patient safety competency in senior-year nursing students. Methods: The study utilized a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. In total, 60 nursing students were assigned to two groups. The experimental group participated in the NMSS, which included three medication error scenarios. Pairs of students completed the scenarios together in 10 to 20 minutes. Data were analyzed using the chi-squared test, independent t test, and ANCOVA. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements in communication clarity (p=.015), and patient safety competency (p<.001) compared to the control group. Using the pretest values as covariates, patient hand-off confidence scores significantly increased (p=.027). Conclusion Implementing the NMSS focusing on communication in the pediatric nursing curriculum helped students to communicate clearly and concisely about medication errors, and its use is recommended to promote patient safety competency in the NICU.

BACKGROUND: Tinea faciale is a dermatophyte infection of glabrous skin of the face except bearded areas of the adult male. Tinea faciale usually has been classified as tinea corporis but recently recognized as a separate disease entity. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation of clinical and mycological features of tinea faciale. METHODS: We performed clinical and mycological study on 46 cases of tinea faciale at the department of dermatology, Konkuk University Hospital from September 2001 to August 2004. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: 1. The age distribution of patients was highest in the age group of 10 years or under (34.8%). The ratio of male to female patient was 1: 1.4. The seasonal distribution of patients was highest in autumn. 2. Among 46 cases, dermatophytes were isolated in 37 cases. They were Trichophyton (T.) rubrum (19 cases), Microsporum (M.) canis (9 cases), T. mentagrophytes (6 cases), M. gypseum (2 cases), and Epidermophyton (E.) floccosum (1 case). 3. Although there was no notable discrepancies among the age groups, in both T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes. M. canis was found to be more frequent as the main causative organism in the age group of 10 years or under. According to seasonal variation, there were no significant differences among T. rubrum species. M. canis was seen more frequently during winter season, and T. mentagrophytes in spring. 4. There were no significant difference in clinical variations of tinea faciale according to the type of dermatophytes. Coexisting fungal infections were found in 10 patients and tinia corporis was most frequently.
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Arthrodermataceae ; Dermatology ; Epidermophyton ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsporum ; Seasons ; Skin ; Tinea* ; Trichophyton

Mesotherapy was first introduced in France by Pistor in 1952. This is a widely used technique of intradermal or subcutaneous microinjections of a highly diluted drug, or cocktail of drugs. The use of mesotherapy is commonplace in medicine, especially in painful disorders of the locomotory apparatus. The technique has also been employed in cutaneous affections and esthetical conditions such as keloids and hypertrophic scars, acne, psoriasis, vitiligo, wrinkles, alopecia areata and hair loss, cellulitis, lipodystrophy, obesity, telangiectasias, lymphedemas, peripheral vascular diseases, and leg ulcers. A 24-year-old woman presented with painful eczematous subcutaneous nodules located at the points where mesotherapy had been applied. Histologically, it showed panniculitis with acute inflammation, aggregation of neutrophils, and fat necrosis. We report an unusual case of panniculitis after mesotherapy.
Acne Vulgaris ; Alopecia Areata ; Cellulitis ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Fat Necrosis ; Female ; France ; Hair ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Keloid ; Leg Ulcer ; Lipodystrophy ; Lymphedema ; Mesotherapy* ; Microinjections ; Neutrophils ; Obesity ; Panniculitis* ; Peripheral Vascular Diseases ; Psoriasis ; Telangiectasis ; Vitiligo ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To evaluate MR characteristics of periosteal reactions and subperiosteal abscesses in osteomyelitis as compared with radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 28 patients(18 males, 10 females) with osteomyelitis. Nineteen patients underwent MR imaging with 0.5 T. We analyzed for morphologic patterns, intervals of appearance and disappearance of periosteal reactions after symptom onset. Twenty-three patients were confirmed by surgery and 5 patients by the radiologic findings, clinical and laboratory data. RESULTS: Periosteal reaction appeared as low signal intensity arc on the T1- and T2-weighted axial images. In 3-7 days after symptom onset, periosteal reactions and subperiosteal abscesses were noted on MR imaging, and only two of eleven patients were noted in radiographs. Periosteal reactions of 8-14 days after symptom onset were demonstrated in all of 13 patient on MR, and 9 on plain radiographs. All patients with 2 weeks after symptom onset showed perioste.al reaction in plain film and MR. The periosteal reactions persisted until approximately 2 to 3 months after treatment on follow up radiographs. CONCLUSION: Periosteal reactions in osteomyelitis are detected on the MR imaging earlier than plain film. MR is valuable in detecting subperiosteal abscess which is not appecent in simple radiographs. Periosteal reactions can be seen on MR in 3 days after symptom onset and persist for 2-3 months after treatment.
Abscess ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Osteomyelitis* ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: Deficit schizophrenia (DS) constitutes a disease separate from non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS). The aim of the current study was to compare the quantitative EEG and low resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) imaging between DS and NDS. METHODS: This study was performed by 32 channels EEG for 42 schizophrenia patients who we categorized into DS and NDS using proxy instrument deficit syndrome (PDS). We performed the absolute power spectral analyses for delta, theta, alpha, low beta and high beta activities. We compared power spectrum between two groups using Independent t-test. Partial correlation test was performed with clinical parameters. Standardized LORETA (sLORETA) was used for comparison of cortical activity, and statistical nonparametric mapping (SnPM) was applied for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: DS showed significantly increased delta and theta absolute power in fontal and parietal region compared with NDS (p<0.05). Power spectrum showed significant correlation with 'anergia' and 'hostility/suspiciousness' subscale of brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS)(p<0.05). sLORETA found out the source region (anterior cingulate cortex/limbic part) that delta activity was significantly increased in DS (p=0.042). CONCLUSIONS: DS showed different cortical activity compared with NDS. Our results may suggest QEEG and LORETA could be the marker in differentiating between DS and NDS.
Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale ; Electroencephalography ; Humans ; Magnets ; Naphthalenesulfonates ; Proxy ; Schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: The yeasts of the genus Malassezia are members of the normal flora on human skin and they are found in 75~80% of healthy adults. Since its association with various skin disorders have been known, there have been a growing number of reports that have implicated Malassezia yeast in atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to isolate the various Malassezia species from AD patients by using 26S rDNA (ribosomal Deoxyribonucleic acid) PCR-RFLP and to investigate the relationship between a positive Malassezia culture and the severity of AD. METHODS: Cultures for Malassezia yeasts were taken from the scalp, cheek, chest, arm and thigh of 60 patients with atopic dermatitis. We used a rapid and accurate molecular biological method 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP, and this method can overcome the limits of the morphological and biochemical methods. RESULTS: Positive Malassezia growth was noted on 51.7% of the patients with atopic dermatitis by 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP analysis. The overall dominant species was M. sympodialis (16.3%). M. restricta was the most common species on the scalp (30.0%) and cheek (16.7%). M. sympodialis (28.3%) was the most common species on the chest. The positive culture rate was the highest for the 11~20 age group (59.0%) and the scalp showed the highest rate at 66.7%. There was no significant relationship between the Malassezia species and SCORing for Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD). CONCLUSION: The fact that the cultured species was different for the atopic dermatitis lesion skin from that of the normal skin may be due to the disrupted skin barrier function and sensitization of the organism induced by scratching in the AD lesion-skin. But there was no relationship between the Malassezia type and the severity score. The severity score is thought to depend not on the type, but also on the quantity of the yeast.
Adult ; Arm ; Cheek ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Humans ; Malassezia ; Scalp ; Skin ; Thigh ; Thorax ; Yeasts

BACKGROUND: The intense pulsed light (IPL) system is a high-intensity pulsed light source which emits noncoherent, defocused, polychromatic light is a broad wavelength spectrum of 400-1200 nm. The mechanism of action of the light system corresponds to selective photothermolysis. Nowaday, the IPL system is widely used in the dermatologic field for the removal of unwanted hairs, epidermal melanocytic lesions, vascular lesions, and for photorejuvenation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of diverse vascular lesions after treatment with an IPL source. METHOD: Forty Asian patients with vascular lesions were enlisted. The IPL treatment was administered to patients in 4-week sessions. Irradiation wavelength was controlled using cutoff filters ranging from 555 to 950 nm, with a fluence of 15-16J/cm2 (except forehead and zygomatic arch area), with single pulse illumination and a pulse width of 7 msec. RESULTS: At the end of the study, three physicians assessed the results and concluded that 72.5 % of the patients showed excellent or good results from the treatment. However, no difference was observed in 62.5 % of the patients after treatments. Furthermore, no specific adverse effects, except two cases of purpura and crust, were observed after the treatment. CONCLUSION: The treatment of vascular lesions on Asian skin using IPL is an effective, safe, and rapid treatment, with relatively few side effects and high patient satisfaction.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Forehead ; Hair ; Humans ; Lighting ; Patient Satisfaction ; Purpura ; Skin ; Zygoma

Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a major role in coordinating stress responses. We aimed to test whether blocking endogenous CRF activity can prevent the stress-induced dilation of intercellular spaces in esophageal mucosa. Eighteen adult male rats were divided into 3 groups: 1) a non-stressed group (the non-stressed group), 2) a saline-pretreated stressed group (the stressed group), 3) and an astressin-pretreated stressed group (the astressin group). Immediately after completing the experiments according to the protocol, distal esophageal segments were obtained. Intercellular space diameters of esophageal mucosa were measured by transmission electron microscopy. Blood was sampled for the measurement of plasma cortisol levels. Mucosal intercellular spaces were significantly greater in the stressed group than in the non-stressed group. Mucosal intercellular spaces of the astressin group were significantly smaller than those of the stressed group. Plasma cortisol levels in the stressed group were significantly higher than in the non-stressed group. Pretreatment with astressin tended to decrease plasma cortisol levels. Acute stress in rats enlarges esophageal intercellular spaces, and this stress-induced alteration appears to be mediated by CRF. Our results suggest that CRF may play a role in the pathophysiology of reflux-induced symptoms or mucosal damage.
Animals ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/*antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism/pharmacology ; Esophagus/anatomy & histology/*drug effects ; Extracellular Space/*drug effects ; Hydrocortisone/blood ; Male ; Mucous Membrane/anatomy & histology/*drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology ; Peptide Fragments/*pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; *Stress, Psychological/blood/physiopathology

BACKGROUND: Dematophytes are classified into geophilic, zoophilic and anthrophilic fungi, based on their ecological traits. Zoophilic dermatophytosis primarily is responsible for infection in animals, and the inflammatory reaction often tends to be more severe than skin lesions inflicted by anthrophilic species. For the clinical manifestation of superficial dermatophytosis caused by these zoophilic dermatophyte are highly variable, a through review of history about the contact with these animals is often solicited. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical and epidemiological zoophilic dermatophytosis associated with animal contact, in an effort to elucidate the link between the causative organism and the route of infection. METHOD: We performed clinical and mycological study on 63 cases of dermatophytosis associated with prior animal contact at the department of dermatology, Konkuk University Hospital from September 2004 to August 2005. RESULT: The ratio of male to female patient was 1: 1.17 and showed more prevalence in female. The age distribution of patients was highest in the age group of 10 years (22.2%). The exposed area (71.4%) was more frequently affected than unexposed area (28.6%) and the most common site was face and forearm. Single lesions were 41 cases (65.1%). Dogs, cats, and rabbits were the most common culprits in animal contact-associated dermatophytosis, each comprising 19, 15, and 10 respectively, of total cases. Hamsters, Guinea pigs, miniature pigs, and miscellaneous (cattles and birds) were among other causative animals. Twenty nine patients with dermatophytosis had accompanying diseases. In the age group of under 10 years old, 6 patients were being treated with atopic dermatitis; in the age group of under 40 yrs, 15 were being treated with diabetes, and 3 with pulmonary tuberculosis, and 1 with rheumatoid arthritis. These evidences support the fact that underlying conditions renders patients susceptible to opportunistic infections. In all age groups, M. canis and T. mentagraphytes var. mentagraphytes were the most predominant species, with most of them in the age groups of teens and twenties. In patients who had contact with dogs, M. canis was recovered in 8 cases, T. mentagraphytes var. mentagraphytes in 7 and M. gypseum in 3. In those patients who had contact with cats, M. canis was found in 6, and T. mentagraphytes var. mentagraphytes in 3, M. gypseum in 2, and T. verrucosum in 1 case. In those who had contact with hamsters, 2 cases each of M. canis, T. mentagraphytes var. mentagraphytes, and M. gypseum were recovered. CONCLUSION: As evidenced above, contact with specific animals play an important role in the pathogenesis of dermatomycosis. As the leisure and recreational activities of people become more diverse and more extensive, and as the influx of exotic domestic animals increases, and frequent contact with people from abroad makes the manifestation of this disease more complex, it would be wise for us to strive to come up with an effective strategy for prevention and epidemiological studies.
Adolescent ; Age Distribution ; Animals* ; Animals, Domestic ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Arthrodermataceae ; Cats ; Child ; Cricetinae ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatology ; Dermatomycoses ; Dogs ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Forearm ; Fungi ; Guinea Pigs ; Humans ; Leisure Activities ; Male ; Opportunistic Infections ; Prevalence ; Rabbits ; Skin ; Swine ; Tinea* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND: The yeasts of genus Malassezia are dimorphic and lipophilic and are numbers of the normal flora in humans. Malassezia yeasts are implicated in various diseases, including pityriasis versicolor, Malassezia folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis and the systemic fungal infections. OBJECTIVE: The study was done to perform a comprehensive survey of the distribution of Malassezia yeasts on the normal human skin to provide a baseline for a companion study of Malassezia yeasts in patients with various dermatoses. METHODS: Malassezia yeasts were cultured from the clinically normal skin using the scrub-wash technique at four sites in sixty subjects, age range, 11~40 years. Malassezia yeasts were also cultured from the scalp of the same groups using the swabbing technique. The obtained strains were placed into the one of the seven species by their colony morphologies, microscopic morphologies and physiological characteristics. We also examined the relationship between the Malassezia species, age groups and the body sites. RESULTS: An overall positive culture rate was 75% (225/300). A positive culture rate was highest (88%) in the age groups 21~25 and 26~30 and lowest (50%) in the age group 11~15. M. restricta was recovered more frequently from the age groups 21~25 (62%), 26~30 (66%), and 31~35 (54%) and interestingly lowest in the age group 11~15 (40%). In the age group 16~20, M. globosa was the predominant species (42%). For the various age groups, body sites were more related with the kind of Malassezia yeasts and the recovery rate. A positive culture rate was highest from the chest (91%) and lowest from the thigh (60%). From the chest, M. globosa (44%) and M. restricta (35%) was recovered more frequently; from the forehead, M. restricta (75%). CONCLUSION: This study shows that Malassezia yeasts are a major component of the microbial flora of the clinically normal skin of the young adults. The kind of Malassezia species that can be recovered from the human skin varies with the age and the body site. The results of our study replicate and expand on the finding of some of the earliest studies and would be of value to investigate the role of Malassezia yeast in the related diseases.
Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Folliculitis ; Forehead ; Friends ; Humans ; Malassezia* ; Scalp ; Skin Diseases ; Skin* ; Thigh ; Thorax ; Tinea Versicolor ; Yeasts* ; Young Adult*