OBJECTIVES: Shift work is a stressful situation. It is important to know the factors associated with the ability to adapt to a shift work schedule. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between sleep, as well as personality variables, and the resilience of shift work nurses. METHOD: Self-report questionnaires were administered to 95 nurses who worked in one national university hospital. Connor-Davidson resilience scale, hospital anxiety and depression scale, morningness-eveningness scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, other sleep-related questionnaires, and Korean defense style questionnaires were used. RESULTS: Age, shift work duration, off-day oversleep, depression, anxiety, adaptive defense style, and self-suppressive defense style were significantly associated with resilience (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that age (beta = 0.34, p < 0.05), depression (beta = -0.25, p < 0.05), adaptive defense style (beta = 0.45, p < 0.001), and self-suppressive defense style (beta = -0.19, p < 0.05) significantly predicted the resilience of shift work nurses. Concerning individual defense mechanisms, resignation (beta = -0.20, p < 0.05), sublimation (beta = 0.19, p < 0.05), omnipotence (beta = 0.19, p < 0.05), and humor (beta = 0.20, p < 0.05) significantly predicted the resiliency. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that a specific defense style and other mechanisms were associated with the resilience of shift work nurses. A future prospective study with more participants could further clarify the relationship between sleep-related variables, as well as personality factors, and resilience of shift work nurses.
Anxiety ; Appointments and Schedules ; Defense Mechanisms ; Depression ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sublimation

In this study, the performance of a hematology analyzer, DxH 800 (Beckman Coulter, USA) was evaluated. The precision, carry-over, linearity, and comparison studies were performed according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The test items were white blood cell, red blood cell, hemoglobin, red blood cell index, platelet, and reticulocyte counts. The 6C control and Retic-X cell control (Beckman Coulter) were used for precision evaluation. For the correlation study, the test results were compared with those obtained from the ADVIA 2120i (Siemens, USA) using 120 blood samples. The results of precision and carry-over evaluations were within acceptable range. The coefficient of determination (R 2) for linearity was good, being more than 0.99. The correlation coefficient (R) ranged from 0.945 to 0.996. DxH 800 was evaluated as an acceptable hematology analyzer for the automation of large volume of laboratory samples.
Automation ; Blood Platelets ; Erythrocytes ; Hematology* ; Leukocytes ; Reticulocyte Count ; Statistics as Topic

The fungiform papillae are generally described as being pink or red in colour. Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue (PFPT) are characterized clinically by pigmentation confined to these papillae and histopathologically by melanophages in the lamina propriae. PFPT appears to be relatively common among the black population, whereas this entity has rarely been reported in Asians. We report a case of PFPT in a 35-year-old Korean woman who had black dots, exclusively involved with fungiform papillae, on the anterior dorsolateral side of the tongue. The patient also had iron deficiency anemia. Histopathologic findings revealed an increase of melanophages in the upper dermis within the fungiform papillae.
Adult ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Dermis ; Female ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Pigmentation ; Tongue*

PURPOSE:Aeroallergens are generally known to us as risk factors for the persistence of asthma. House dust mites are major aeroallergens in Korea. However, the associations between house dust mites sensitization, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary function are still controversial. METHODS:One hundred eighteen children aged 5-12 years with mild to moderate asthma were enrolled. Each subject underwent the pulmonary function test, the methacholine challenge test, and the skin prick test with aeroallergens, and total serum immunoglobin (Ig)E levels. The non-sensitization group was defined when skin prick test results are all negative for common aeroallergens. The sensitization group was defined when skin test results are positive for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus or Dermatophagoides farinae. RESULTS:In the house dust mites sensitization group, increased serum total IgE and decreased methacholine PC(20) were noted. There was no significant difference in pulmonary functions between sensitization and non-sensitization groups. In the sensitization group, methacholine PC(20) correlated with prebronchodilator %FEF(25-75%) (r=0.346, P=0.008) but did not correlate with %FVC, %FEV(1) and FEV(1)/FVC. In the sensitization group, methacholine PC(20) and pulmonary function did not correlate with total IgE or age. CONCLUSION:The house dust mites sensitization in asthmatic children correlated with increased bronchial responsiveness but did not correlate with decreased pulmonary functions. These findings support the role of house dust mite sensitization in the modulation bronchial responsiveness.
Asthma ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; Child* ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dust* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Korea ; Lung* ; Methacholine Chloride ; Pyroglyphidae* ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Risk Factors ; Skin ; Skin Tests

PURPOSE:Aeroallergens are generally known to us as risk factors for the persistence of asthma. House dust mites are major aeroallergens in Korea. However, the associations between house dust mites sensitization, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary function are still controversial. METHODS:One hundred eighteen children aged 5-12 years with mild to moderate asthma were enrolled. Each subject underwent the pulmonary function test, the methacholine challenge test, and the skin prick test with aeroallergens, and total serum immunoglobin (Ig)E levels. The non-sensitization group was defined when skin prick test results are all negative for common aeroallergens. The sensitization group was defined when skin test results are positive for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus or Dermatophagoides farinae. RESULTS:In the house dust mites sensitization group, increased serum total IgE and decreased methacholine PC(20) were noted. There was no significant difference in pulmonary functions between sensitization and non-sensitization groups. In the sensitization group, methacholine PC(20) correlated with prebronchodilator %FEF(25-75%) (r=0.346, P=0.008) but did not correlate with %FVC, %FEV(1) and FEV(1)/FVC. In the sensitization group, methacholine PC(20) and pulmonary function did not correlate with total IgE or age. CONCLUSION:The house dust mites sensitization in asthmatic children correlated with increased bronchial responsiveness but did not correlate with decreased pulmonary functions. These findings support the role of house dust mite sensitization in the modulation bronchial responsiveness.
Asthma ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; Child* ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dust* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Korea ; Lung* ; Methacholine Chloride ; Pyroglyphidae* ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Risk Factors ; Skin ; Skin Tests

Epidural hemangioma is a rare neoplasm which consists of 4% of epidural tumors and 12% of hemangiomas of vertebral column. But most of them are secondary involvement of epidural space by vertebral hemangioma and pure epidural hemangioma is very rare. Reported cases involve thoracic & lumbar level. Neural foramen & paraspinal region are usually invaded by the tumor mass. Clinical symptoms are similar to simple low back pain or disc herniation. Myelography, CT & MRI are helpful to make diagnosis but pathologic finding is important for final diagnosis. Authors are reporting a case of epidural hemangioma which was difficult to differentiate from HIVD by symptomatology & radiologic findings alone.
Diagnosis ; Epidural Neoplasms ; Epidural Space ; Hemangioma ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myelography ; Spine

In 1971, for purpose of reduction of peak stress occuring in cement and trabecular bone of the acetabulum, Harris reported a series of metal-backed acetabular components with removable polyethylene liners that could be replaced if excessive wear occured. Modular designs of hip prostheses have become popular recently, but they introduce the risk of disassembly of the components postoperatively. And introduce of loosening and infection of femoral or acetabular components by debris of polyethylene liner. We report a case of mechanical disassembly of polyethylene liner in cementless metal backed cup, and review previously reported articles.
Acetabulum ; Hip Prosthesis ; Polyethylene

PURPOSE: Delayed treatment of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a common cause of mental retardation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate intellectual outcomes in preschool children with treated CH. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 43 children (age range: 13 to 60 days of life; 22 girls and 21 boys) diagnosed with CH. Children aged 5 to 7 years were examined using the Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children or the Korean Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence. RESULTS: The patients started treatment between 13 and 60 days of age. The mean intelligence quotient (IQ) of patients tested at age 5 to 7 years was 103.14±11.68 (IQ range: 76–126). None had intellectual disability (defined as an IQ <70). Twenty-one subjects were treated with a low dose (6.0–9.9 µg/kg/day) and 22 with a high dose of levothyroxine (10.0–16.0 µg/kg/day). There was no significant difference in the mean full-scale IQ (FSIQ), verbal IQ (VIQ), and performance IQ (PIQ) scores between the 2 groups. FSIQ, PIQ, and VIQ scores were not significantly correlated with initial dose of L-T4, initial fT4, age at treatment in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: IQ scores of subjects with early treated CH diagnosed through a neonatal screening test were within normal range, regardless of etiology, thyroid function, initial dose of levothyroxine, and age at start of treatment.
Child ; Child, Preschool* ; Congenital Hypothyroidism* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Infant, Newborn ; Intellectual Disability ; Intelligence ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neonatal Screening ; Reference Values ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroxine

A 36-year-old male patient with no remarkable medical history was admitted to our hospital for a health check up. On chest radiography, bilateral aortic notches at the level of aortic arch were shown suggesting aortic arch anomaly without any clinical symptoms. Two aortic arches were almost same-in-size on suprasternal view of transthoracic echocardiography. In addition, multidetector computed tomography showed balanced type double aortic arch forming a complete vascular ring which encircled the trachea and esophagus. The trachea was slightly compressed by the vascular ring whereas the esophagus was intact. Nevertheless, the pulmonary function test was normal. The patient was discharged from hospital with instructions for periodic follow-up.
Adult ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Echocardiography ; Esophagus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Thorax ; Trachea

OBJECTIVES: Klinefelter syndrome is the most common genetic cause of male infertility and presents with 47, XXY mainly or 46, XX/47, XXY mosaicism. It is characterized by hypogonadism and azoospermia due to testicular failure, however, sporadic cases of natural pregnancies have been reported. With the development of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), sperm can be retrieved successfully and ART is applied in these patients for pregnancy. It has been suggested that the risk of chromosome aneuploidy for both sex chromosome and autosome is increased in the sperms from 47, XXY germ cells. Considering the risk for chromosomal aneuploidy in the offspring, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) could be applied as a safe and more effective treatment option in Klinefelter syndrome. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of PGD cycles by using FISH for sex chromosome and autosome in patients with Klinefelter syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2003, PGD was attempted in 8 cases of Klinefelter syndrome but TESE was failed to retrieve sperm in the 3 cases, therefore PGD was performed in 8 cycles of 5 cases (four 47, XXY and one 46, XY/47, XXY mosaicism). In one case, ejaculated sperm was used and in 4 cases, TESE sperm was used for ICSI. After fertilization, blastomere biopsy was performed in 6~10 cell stage embryo and the chromosome aneuploidy was diagnosed by using FISH with CEP probes for chromosome X, Y and 17 or 18. RESULTS: A total of 127 oocytes were retrieved and ICSI was performed in 113 mature oocytes. The fertilization rate was 65.3+/-6.0% (mean+/-SEM) and 76 embryos were obtained. Blastomere biopsy was performed in 61 developing embryos and FISH analysis was successful in 95.1% of the biopsied blastomeres (58/61). The rate of balanced embryos for chromosome X, Y and 17 or 18 was 39.7+/-6.9%. The rate of aneuploidy for sex chromosome (X and Y) was 45.9+/-5.3% and 43.2+/-5.8% for chromosome 17 or 18, respectively. Embryo transfer was performed in all 8 cycles and mean number of transferred embryos was 2.5+/-0.5. In 2 cases, clinical pregnancies were obtained and normal 46, XX and 46, XY karyotypes were confirmed by amniocentesis, respectively. Healthy male and female babies were delivered uneventfully at term. CONCLUSION: The patients with Klinefelter syndrome can benefit from ART with TESE and ICSI. Considering the risk of aneuploidy for both sex chromosome and autosome in the sperms and embryos of Klinefelter syndrome, PGD could be offered as safe and more effective treatment option.
Amniocentesis ; Aneuploidy ; Azoospermia ; Biopsy ; Blastomeres ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Fertilization ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Infertility, Male ; Karyotype ; Klinefelter Syndrome* ; Male ; Mosaicism ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Preimplantation Diagnosis* ; Prostaglandins D ; Sex Chromosomes ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Spermatozoa