Allergic contact dermatitis is a prototype of delayed hypersensitivity reaction. Langerhans cells, keratinocytes and T lyrnphocytes play major roles in the pathogenesis of allergic contact dermatitis. We observed Langerhans cells and keratinocytes in contact sensitized epidermal sheets of mice and performed mixed epidermal cell lymphocytes reaction with normal epidermal cells and contact sensitized epidermal cells to determine the lymphocyte stimulating capacity of contact sensitized epidermal cell. We obtained following results : 1. The Langerhans cells were decreased in number and morphologically damaged in contact sensitized epidermis. 2. Ia antigen expression on keratinocytes was detected in almost all contact sensitized epidermal sheets. 3. The allogeneic lymphocyte stimulating capacity of contact sensitized epidermal cells was greater than that of normal epidermal cells. 4. The allogeneic lymphocyte stimulating capacity of contact sensitized epiderrnal cells was lost after treatment of epidermal cells with anti Ia antibody and complement. From these results, it is conceivable that the contact sensitized epidermal cells can amplify the immune reactions by stimulating the lynphocytes which are infiltrated in contact sensitized epidermis.
Animals ; Complement System Proteins ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Epidermis ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; Keratinocytes ; Langerhans Cells ; Lymphocytes ; Mice*

Pigmented Bowen's disease (PBD) is a rare variant of Bowen's disease(BD). Most of the reported cases showed pigmented patches or thin plaques. Thus its clinical manifestations may simulated other various pigmented skin lesions. We experienced 2 cases of PBD in patients with multiple BD developed after taking Korean proprietary pills (KPP, "Hwan-Yak"), which were suspected to contain certain amount of arsenics. Both patients also showed arsenical keratosis on their palms and soles. The darker pigmentation of the PBL led us to differentiated them from melanoma.
Bowen's Disease* ; Humans ; Keratosis ; Melanoma ; Pigmentation ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Compliance with self-care and lifestyle modification is recommended for all patients with acute coronary syndrome to prevent a secondary attack. Data is limited regarding the association between compliance with self-care and restenosis. This study was conducted to examine the association between compliance with self-care and restenosis and to determine the predicting factors for restenosis and low compliance with self-care. METHODS: A total of 166 acute coronary syndrome patients (64.2+/-10.8 years) hospitalized for an angiogram during routine follow-up or symptom management were conveniently recruited from a university hospital cardiovascular care unit. Self-administered questionnaires were used to evaluate the level of compliance with self-care and symptom-related satisfaction. RESULTS: In-stent restenosis was found in 40.4% of the subjects and 36.1% were persistently smoking. There was no significant relationship between low compliance with self-care and restensosis. A lower symptom-related satisfaction significantly predicted restenosis and low compliance with self-care. A longer period after initial diagnosis predicted restenosis and a shorter period after initial diagnosis predicted low compliance with self-care. Persistent smoking was independently associated with low compliance with self-care. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who continued to smoke and had lower symptom-related satisfaction with daily living showed a stronger tendency for lower compliance with self-care and lifestyle modification. Effective educational strategy focusing on smoking cessation is needed to increase compliance with self-care in patients with ACS, especially during admission with a first heart attack.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Compliance ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart ; Humans ; Life Style ; Patient Compliance ; Self Care ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study was designed to identify meaningful themes related to the recognition of lifestyle risk factors and barriers in seeking treatment following an acute event of first-time acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: A methodological mixed method of thematic content analysis and a quantitative analysis was used. The sample consisted of 120 male patients < 65 years of age who agreed to be in the study were interviewed using a semi-structured during 2008-2009. Data were analyzed according to the procedure of thematic content analysis and the meaningful themes were coded into SPSS data for quantitative analysis. RESULTS: Pre-hospital delay greater than three hours reported by 58.3% (n=70) of the sample and similarly 63.3% had no recognition about their symptoms as cardiac in origin. The mean number of risk factors was 3.9+/-1.8 out of 11 when lifestyle and psychosocial factors were included. From the interview data among the 70 patients delayed greater than three hours, thirty-five themes categorized into 12 main themes influenced the delayed decision which was identified according to personal-cognitive, socio-cultural, and contextual factors. CONCLUSION: Health care providers should consider these themes in designing individual interventions to make lifestyle changes and to facilitate more prompt decisions to seek care.
Health Personnel ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: This study was to measure and identify the differences of perceived confidence in practice of core basic nursing skills performed by new graduate nurses in Korea. METHODS: The tool used in this study was a questionnaire for measuring the confidence in 20 items of core basic nursing skills which was structured based on Korean Accreditation Board of Nursing Education tool. 231 new graduate nurses participated in this study. The reliability of this questionnaire had Cronbach's alpha .918. RESULTS: Subjects who experienced simulation education and standard patient education were 86.6% and 35.9%, respectively. Item enema intervention, tracheostomy care, and blood transfusion showed low practice confidence level. These items showed significant differences on whether the subjects experienced simulation and clinical practicum or not. CONCLUSION: Developing and managing clinical education program under deep cooperation between practicum agency and clinical instructor are needed. Simulation practicum will complement insufficient core basic nursing skills between newly graduated nurses before they allocate at the clinical department.
Accreditation ; Blood Transfusion ; Clinical Competence ; Complement System Proteins ; Education ; Education, Nursing ; Enema ; Korea ; Nursing* ; Patient Education as Topic ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tracheostomy

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine effects of a small group-based cardiocerebrovascular disease (CVD) prevention education program on knowledge, stage of change and health behavior among male bus drivers with CVD risk factors. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 68 male bus drivers recruited from two urban bus companies. Participants from the two groups were selected by matching age, education and risk factors. Experimental group (n=34) received a small group-based CVD prevention education program 8 times over 6 weeks and 3 times through telephone interviews at 2-week intervals. Data were collected between December, 2010 and March, 2011, and were analyzed using chi-square test, t-test, and repeated measure analysis of variance with SPSS/Win18.0. RESULTS: Experimental group showed significantly higher scores in CVD prevention knowledge (p<.001) and health behavior (p<.001) at 6 and 12 weeks after intervention. Participants in pre-contemplation and contemplation stages made progress to contemplation and action. This was significantly better at 6 and 12 weeks after intervention (p<.001). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that small group-based education programs for CVD prevention are effective in increasing knowledge, stage of change, and health behavior to prevent CVD among male bus drivers with CVD risk.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Automobile Driving/*psychology ; Cardiovascular Diseases/*prevention & control ; Dietary Fats ; Exercise ; Health Behavior ; *Health Education ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Program Development ; *Program Evaluation ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; Time Factors

Purpose: To compare sociodemographic and health-related characteristics of individuals at risk of suicidal behavior and those of non-risk individuals through propensity score matching (PSM) and to identify predictive factors influencing suicidal behavior. Methods: A secondary analysis was performed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2013 to 2021. Among young adults aged 19 to 34 years, individuals at risk of suicidal behavior and non-risk individuals were matched at a 1:4 ratio using the R program for PSM. x2 analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS. Results: Significant differences were found in current smoking, two-week physical illness, depression diagnosis, subjective health status, two-week depressive mood, and perceived stress. Factors influencing suicidal behavior included two-week depressive mood, depression diagnosis, subjective health status, and perceived stress. Conclusion This study emphasizes the need to manage depressive mood to prevent suicidal behavior. Additionally, it suggests that preventive education programs should be provided according to subjective health status and opportunities to participate in stress management programs.

Purpose: To compare sociodemographic and health-related characteristics of individuals at risk of suicidal behavior and those of non-risk individuals through propensity score matching (PSM) and to identify predictive factors influencing suicidal behavior. Methods: A secondary analysis was performed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2013 to 2021. Among young adults aged 19 to 34 years, individuals at risk of suicidal behavior and non-risk individuals were matched at a 1:4 ratio using the R program for PSM. x2 analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS. Results: Significant differences were found in current smoking, two-week physical illness, depression diagnosis, subjective health status, two-week depressive mood, and perceived stress. Factors influencing suicidal behavior included two-week depressive mood, depression diagnosis, subjective health status, and perceived stress. Conclusion This study emphasizes the need to manage depressive mood to prevent suicidal behavior. Additionally, it suggests that preventive education programs should be provided according to subjective health status and opportunities to participate in stress management programs.

Purpose: To compare sociodemographic and health-related characteristics of individuals at risk of suicidal behavior and those of non-risk individuals through propensity score matching (PSM) and to identify predictive factors influencing suicidal behavior. Methods: A secondary analysis was performed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2013 to 2021. Among young adults aged 19 to 34 years, individuals at risk of suicidal behavior and non-risk individuals were matched at a 1:4 ratio using the R program for PSM. x2 analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS. Results: Significant differences were found in current smoking, two-week physical illness, depression diagnosis, subjective health status, two-week depressive mood, and perceived stress. Factors influencing suicidal behavior included two-week depressive mood, depression diagnosis, subjective health status, and perceived stress. Conclusion This study emphasizes the need to manage depressive mood to prevent suicidal behavior. Additionally, it suggests that preventive education programs should be provided according to subjective health status and opportunities to participate in stress management programs.

Purpose: To compare sociodemographic and health-related characteristics of individuals at risk of suicidal behavior and those of non-risk individuals through propensity score matching (PSM) and to identify predictive factors influencing suicidal behavior. Methods: A secondary analysis was performed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2013 to 2021. Among young adults aged 19 to 34 years, individuals at risk of suicidal behavior and non-risk individuals were matched at a 1:4 ratio using the R program for PSM. x2 analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS. Results: Significant differences were found in current smoking, two-week physical illness, depression diagnosis, subjective health status, two-week depressive mood, and perceived stress. Factors influencing suicidal behavior included two-week depressive mood, depression diagnosis, subjective health status, and perceived stress. Conclusion This study emphasizes the need to manage depressive mood to prevent suicidal behavior. Additionally, it suggests that preventive education programs should be provided according to subjective health status and opportunities to participate in stress management programs.