PURPOSE: To evaluate morphologic characteristics of the microcalcifications on mammography that were confirmed pathologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty five cases of microcalcifications on mammography (fifteen cases of benign lesion, thirty cases of maiignancy) were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The number of microcalcifications within 1 cm2 were more than 5 in 22 cases (73%) of 30 malignancy and less than 5 in 11 cases (73%) of 15 benignity. The heterogeneity of microcalcifications were seen in 26 cases of malignancy (87%) and the homogeneity of microcaicifications were 11 cases of benignity (73%). The morphologic characteristics of the microcalcifications were linear-V shape in 9 cases (30%), punctate shape in 8 cases (27%), fine stippled shape in 7 cases (23%), and round dot shape in 6 cases (20%) of malignancy and, round dot shape in 11 cases (73%), punctate shape in 2 cases (13%), and linear-V shape in 2 cases (13%) of benignity. CONCLUSION: Numerous irregular microcalcifications that are heterogenous in size and morphology were strong indicators of malignancy.
Mammography ; Population Characteristics ; Retrospective Studies

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of death anxiety, end-of-life nursing competency, and empathy with regard to end-of-life care stress among new nurses. Methods: Data were collected 143 new nurses who experienced end-of-life care in the university hospital located in G Province. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient, and Multiple Regression Analysis with SPSS/WIN 25.0. Results: Factors influencing end-of life care stress in the participants were death anxiety (β=.66, p<.001), end-of-life competency (β=-.25, p=.003). The total explanatory power was 57.8%. Conclusion In this study, death anxiety and end-of-life competency were found to be influential factors affecting end-of-life care stress in new nurses. A systematic intervention program to address death anxiety and end-of-life competency is needed to decrease end-of-life nursing stress among new nurses.

Purpose: : This study aimed to provide basic data for developing strategies to improve the nursing performance of nurses working in the intensive care unit by identifying the degree of their communication ability, job satisfaction, organization commitment, and nursing performance, and the relation between each of these variables in the intensive care unit by examining the factors affecting nursing performance. Methods: : The participants comprised of 150 nurses working in the intensive care unit in two advanced general hospitals. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using a t-test, ANOVA, the Scheffé test, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis using the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program. Results: : Nursing performance of the participants was positively correlated with communication ability (r=.64, p<.001), job satisfaction (r=.26, p<.001), and organization commitment (r=.29, p<.001). Factors significantly influencing the participants’ nursing performance included academic background (β=.16, p=.032) and communication ability (β=.50, p<.001). The explanatory power of these variables for nursing performance was recorded at 49.9% (F=19.04, p<.001). Conclusion : The use of various programs in the hospital and the development of effective communication ability with medical staff and other departments among nurses will help improve nursing performance, cooperation with other departments, and patient care.

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are traditionally recognized as distinct diseases, with some clearly separate characteristic. Asthma originates in childhood, is associated with allergies and eosinophils, and is best treated by targeting inflammation, whereas COPD occurs in adults who smoke, involves neutrophils, and is best treated with bronchodilators and the removal of risk factors. However, the distinction between the two is not always clear. Patients with severe asthma may present with fixed airway obstruction, and patients with COPD may have hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilia. Recognizing and understanding these overlapping features may offer new insight into the mechanisms and treatment of chronic airway inflammatory diseases.
Adult ; Airway Obstruction ; Asthma ; Bronchodilator Agents ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; Neutrophils ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Risk Factors ; Smoke

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in and implications of preoperative and postoperative serum uric acid levels in patients with living donor nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 207 patients between 1998 and 2007 at our hospital undergoing living-donor nephrectomy for kidney transplantation. The serum uric acid level and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were measured preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. We also analyzed multiple independent variables such as age, sex, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), serum total cholesterol, hemoglobin, hematocrit, total protein, albumin, calcium, and phosphorus. RESULTS: The mean age of the study patients was 38.3+/-10.8 years. The mean serum uric acid concentration at 1 year after kidney donation was higher than preoperatively (5.05+/-1.39 mg/dl preoperatively vs. 5.85+/-1.14 mg/dl postoperatively) and was significantly greater in patients with hyperuricemia (uric acid> or =6.8 mg/dl) than in patients without hyperuricemia (uric acid < 6.8 mg/dl): 1.63+/-0.75 mg/dl vs. 0.69+/-0.66 mg/dl, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that preoperative serum uric acid was the primary predictive factor of postoperative serum uric acid (r=1.136, p=0.001), and preoperative GFR was an independent secondary predictive factor (r=-0.004, p=0.047). The receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curves for the preoperative serum uric acid cutoff of 5.7 mg/dl showed the highest sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 86%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that preoperative serum uric acid and GFR were important predictive factors of postoperative serum uric acid after living-donor nephrectomy. Therefore, in the selection and management of kidney donors, not only patients with a low GFR but also those with high uric acid (serum uric acid > or =5.7 mg/dl) require careful observation before and after living-donor nephrectomy.
Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nephrectomy ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tissue Donors ; Uric Acid

PURPOSE: To evaluate, if possible, the radiographic features of tuberculous osteitis in the greater trochanter and ischium, and to determine the cause of the lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the plain radiographic findings of 14 ptients with histologically proven tuberculous osteitis involvingthe greater trochanter and ischium. In each case, the following were analyzed : morphology of bone destruction, including cortical erosion; periosteal reaction ; presence or abscence of calcific shadows in adjacent softtissue. On the basis of an analysis of radiographic features and correlation of the anatomy with adjacent structures we attempted to determine causes. RESULTS: Of the 14 cases evaluated, 12 showed varrious degrees of extrinsic erosion on the outer cortical bone of the greater trochanter and ischium ; in two cases, bone destruction was so severe that the radiographic features of advanced perforated osteomyelitis were simulated. Inaddition to findings of bone destruction, in these twelve cases, the presence of sequestrum or calcific shadows was seen in adjacent soft tissue. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous osteitis in the greater trochanter and ischium showed the characteristic findings of chronic extrinsic erosion. On the basis of these findings we can suggest that the selesions result from an extrinsic pathophysiologic cause such as adjacent bursitis.
Bursitis ; Femur* ; Ischium* ; Osteitis* ; Osteomyelitis