BACKGROUND: The skin of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients has a high susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus colonization, and the toxins produced by S. aureus may aggravate AD by acting as superantigens. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the skin barrier function, colonization of S. aureus, and the clinical severity of AD. We also examined the predominant toxin genes produced in Korean AD patients. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with AD were evaluated for clinical severity and skin barrier function by using Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). S. aureus was isolated from the forearm, popliteal fossa, and anterior nares of AD patients (n=39) and age-matched controls (n=40); the toxin genes were analyzed by performing multiplex polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: TEWL showed a statistically significant correlation with clinical severity in patients with AD (p<0.05). TEWL was correlated with the number of S. aureus colonization sites and the presence of nasal colonization, but these results were not statistically significant. S. aureus strains were isolated in 64.1% of the 39 AD patients. The SCORAD index and AD severity were strongly correlated with the number of colonization sites. The predominant toxin gene found in AD patients was staphylococcal enterotoxin a (sea) only, which was produced in 52.6% of patients. The toxin genes sea and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (tsst-1) were found together in 42.1%, while tsst-1 only was found in 5.3% of the patients. CONCLUSION: S. aureus strains were isolated in 64.1% of the 39 AD patients. Skin barrier function, as measured by TEWL, revealed a statistically significant correlation with clinical severity in AD patients. The SCORAD index and severity of AD was strongly correlated with the number of colonization. The most common toxin gene was sea in the Korean AD patients and this gene might have an important role in the pathogenesis of AD.
Bacterial Toxins ; Colon ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Enterotoxins ; Exotoxins ; Forearm ; Humans ; Shock, Septic ; Skin ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Superantigens ; Water Loss, Insensible

PURPOSE: This study was to examine attitude to death and life satisfaction between groups of elderly people with and without cancer. METHODS: This study used a descriptive research design. Data were collected from January to March 2013. Participants were 66 elderly without cancer and 65 elderly with cancer. A questionnaire was used to collect data. RESULTS: The attitude to death of participants was relatively positive and the degree of life satisfaction was medium or greater. There was no significant difference in attitude to death between the groups with and without cancer. However, the score for the life satisfaction of the group without cancer was significantly higher than that of the group with cancer. Attitude to death was significantly different according to sex, living together with family, and intention to prepare for death. Life satisfaction was significantly different according to gender and religion. The correlation between attitude to death and life satisfaction was not significant in both groups. CONCLUSION: As a result of this study the elderly had a generally positive attitude to death and were satisfied with their lives. Cancer influenced elderly people's life satisfaction, not their attitude towards death. To improve life satisfaction for elderly people with cancer, we need to research which factors could be important.
Aged* ; Attitude to Death* ; Humans ; Intention ; Research Design ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Post-traumatic fat embolism was first reported by Zenker in 1862, Von Bergmann reported the first clinical diagnosis of the fat embolism syndrome in 1873. Fat embolism has been associated with traumatic or non-traumatic disorders. Fat embolization after long bone trauma is probably common as a subclinical event. The diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome is based on the patient's history, is supported by clinical signs of pulmonary, cerebral, and cutaneous dysfunction, and is confirmed by the demonstration of arterial hypoxemia in the abscence of other disorders. Two different mechanisms cause fat to embolize: direct entry of deposit fat into the blood stream and agglutination of endogenous or exogenous plasma fat. MRI can detect a cerebral fat embolism with a higher sensitivity than cerebral CT. We report a case of post-traumatic cerebral fat embolism without pulmonary involvement, and we present a review of the literature. A 16-year girl had a traffic accident and pelvic bone fracture. Forty eight hours later severe trauma become stuporous without a focal neurological deficit. The patient received supportive therapy, and her condition improved throughout her hospital course. She was discharged with good condition after a 30-day hospital stay.
Accidents, Traffic ; Agglutination ; Anoxia ; Diagnosis ; Embolism, Fat* ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pelvic Bones ; Plasma ; Rivers ; Stupor

BACKGROUND: Recently it has been suggested that lasers can modulate the biological functions of cells in vitro. It has also been reported that a helium-neon(He-Ne) laser can stimulate wound healing in the absence of thermal effects. However, the results of more recent studies on the influence of He-Ne laser irradiation on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts have been inconclusive. And most experiments have not been performed in a three-dimensional collagen lattice that is the physiologic model for an in vitro experiment. OBJECITVE: In this study we have investigated the nature of the influence of He-Ne laser irradiation on the proliferatior and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts cultured in a monolayer and collagen lattice. METHODS: We used a 10mW He-Ne laser emitting a beam of wavelength 632,8nm. The human dermal fibroblasts were subjected to laser treatment at various energy densities, and the treatment schedule included one daily exposure on three consecutive days. DNA replication was assessed by H-thymidine incorporation, and the collagen production was monitored by the synthesis of H-hydroxyproline following incubation of the culture with H-proline. RESULTS: The results were as follows : In the control group, the proliferation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts sultured in a collagen lattice on day 4 and 7 were significantly reduced compared with conventional manolayer cultures. Although the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts was not remarkable in all experimental irradiation energy except 4 J/cm in a monolayer culture, a statistically significant stimulating effect on fibroblasts proliferation in collagen lattice were noted on days 4 and 7 with an energy density of 1.5J/cm. And we also found that a great er increase of collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts occurred in a monolayer culture on days 4 and 7 in all irradiated energy densities than those in a collagen lattice culture. But statistically significant enhancement of collagen synthesis was showed only at the energy density of 1 J/cm in a collagen lattice culture on days 4. CONCLUSION: These data indicated that the influence of He-Ne laser irradiation on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts cultured in a collagen lattice was remark ably different from those in a monolayer culture. In the clinical application of the He-Ne laser, the control of the amount of irradiation of the He Ne laser may regulate the proliferative activity and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts in wound healing.
Appointments and Schedules ; Collagen* ; DNA Replication ; Fibroblasts* ; Helium* ; Humans* ; Neon* ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: Recently it has been suggested that lasers can modulate the biological functions of cells in vitro. It has also been reported that a helium-neon(He-Ne) laser can stimulate wound healing in the absence of thermal effects. However, the results of more recent studies on the influence of He-Ne laser irradiation on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts have been inconclusive. And most experiments have not been performed in a three-dimensional collagen lattice that is the physiologic model for an in vitro experiment. OBJECTIVE: In this study we have investigated the nature of the influence of He-Ne laser irradiation on the proliferatior and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts cultured in a monolayer and collagen lattice. METHODS: We used a 10mW He-Ne laser emitting a beam of wavelength 632,8nm. The human dermal fibroblasts were subjected to laser treatment at various energy densities, and the treatment schedule included one daily exposure on three consecutive days. DNA replication was assessed by H-thymidine incorporation, and the collagen production was monitored by the synthesis of H-hydroxyproline following incubation of the culture with H-proline. RESULTS: The results were as follows : In the control group, the proliferation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts sultured in a collagen lattice on day 4 and 7 were significantly reduced compared with conventional manolayer cultures. Although the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts was not remarkable in all experimental irradiation energy except 4 J/cm in a monolayer culture, a statistically significant stimulating effect on fibroblasts proliferation in collagen lattice were noted on days 4 and 7 with an energy density of 1.5J/cm. And we also found that a great er increase of collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts occurred in a monolayer culture on days 4 and 7 in all irradiated energy densities than those in a collagen lattice culture. But statistically significant enhancement of collagen synthesis was showed only at the energy density of 1 J/cm in a collagen lattice culture on days 4. CONCLUSION: These data indicated that the influence of He-Ne laser irradiation on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts cultured in a collagen lattice was remark ably different from those in a monolayer culture. In the clinical application of the He-Ne laser, the control of the amount of irradiation of the He Ne laser may regulate the proliferative activity and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts in wound healing.
Appointments and Schedules ; Collagen* ; DNA Replication ; Fibroblasts* ; Helium* ; Humans* ; Neon* ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: Recently it has been suggested that lasers can modulate the biological functions of cells in vitro. It has also been reported that a helium-neon(He-Ne) laser can stimulate wound healing in the absence of thermal effects. However, the results of more recent studies on the influence of He-Ne laser irradiation on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts have been inconclusive. And most experiments have not been performed in a three-dimensional collagen lattice that is the physiologic model for an in vitro experiment. OBJECITVE: In this study we have investigated the nature of the influence of He-Ne laser irradiation on the proliferatior and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts cultured in a monolayer and collagen lattice. METHODS: We used a 10mW He-Ne laser emitting a beam of wavelength 632,8nm. The human dermal fibroblasts were subjected to laser treatment at various energy densities, and the treatment schedule included one daily exposure on three consecutive days. DNA replication was assessed by H-thymidine incorporation, and the collagen production was monitored by the synthesis of H-hydroxyproline following incubation of the culture with H-proline. RESULTS: The results were as follows : In the control group, the proliferation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts sultured in a collagen lattice on day 4 and 7 were significantly reduced compared with conventional manolayer cultures. Although the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts was not remarkable in all experimental irradiation energy except 4 J/cm in a monolayer culture, a statistically significant stimulating effect on fibroblasts proliferation in collagen lattice were noted on days 4 and 7 with an energy density of 1.5J/cm. And we also found that a great er increase of collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts occurred in a monolayer culture on days 4 and 7 in all irradiated energy densities than those in a collagen lattice culture. But statistically significant enhancement of collagen synthesis was showed only at the energy density of 1 J/cm in a collagen lattice culture on days 4. CONCLUSION: These data indicated that the influence of He-Ne laser irradiation on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts cultured in a collagen lattice was remark ably different from those in a monolayer culture. In the clinical application of the He-Ne laser, the control of the amount of irradiation of the He Ne laser may regulate the proliferative activity and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts in wound healing.
Appointments and Schedules ; Collagen* ; DNA Replication ; Fibroblasts* ; Helium* ; Humans* ; Neon* ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: Recently it has been suggested that lasers can modulate the biological functions of cells in vitro. It has also been reported that a helium-neon(He-Ne) laser can stimulate wound healing in the absence of thermal effects. However, the results of more recent studies on the influence of He-Ne laser irradiation on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts have been inconclusive. And most experiments have not been performed in a three-dimensional collagen lattice that is the physiologic model for an in vitro experiment. OBJECTIVE: In this study we have investigated the nature of the influence of He-Ne laser irradiation on the proliferatior and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts cultured in a monolayer and collagen lattice. METHODS: We used a 10mW He-Ne laser emitting a beam of wavelength 632,8nm. The human dermal fibroblasts were subjected to laser treatment at various energy densities, and the treatment schedule included one daily exposure on three consecutive days. DNA replication was assessed by H-thymidine incorporation, and the collagen production was monitored by the synthesis of H-hydroxyproline following incubation of the culture with H-proline. RESULTS: The results were as follows : In the control group, the proliferation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts sultured in a collagen lattice on day 4 and 7 were significantly reduced compared with conventional manolayer cultures. Although the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts was not remarkable in all experimental irradiation energy except 4 J/cm in a monolayer culture, a statistically significant stimulating effect on fibroblasts proliferation in collagen lattice were noted on days 4 and 7 with an energy density of 1.5J/cm. And we also found that a great er increase of collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts occurred in a monolayer culture on days 4 and 7 in all irradiated energy densities than those in a collagen lattice culture. But statistically significant enhancement of collagen synthesis was showed only at the energy density of 1 J/cm in a collagen lattice culture on days 4. CONCLUSION: These data indicated that the influence of He-Ne laser irradiation on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts cultured in a collagen lattice was remark ably different from those in a monolayer culture. In the clinical application of the He-Ne laser, the control of the amount of irradiation of the He Ne laser may regulate the proliferative activity and collagen synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts in wound healing.
Appointments and Schedules ; Collagen* ; DNA Replication ; Fibroblasts* ; Helium* ; Humans* ; Neon* ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: It is mandatory to measure the minimal phototoxic dose(MPD) in order to determine adequate irradiation of UV-A in photochemotherapy. However, the measurement of MPD is not easy in some cases due to inadequte size and site of lesions, time and manpower. OBJECTIVE: The purspose of this study was to standardize the minimal phototoxic dose for a vitiliginous lesion. METHODS: The minimal phototoxic dose of UV-A was measured in 82 vitiligo patients. Then we analyzed the MPD according to the sex, age, site of the vitiliginous lesions, duration of disease, and administration route of the photosensitizer. RESULTS: 1. There were no significant differences between exposed and unexposed areas in MPD in both cases of topical and systemic administration of the photosensitiser. 2. There was no significant correlation between disease duration and MPD in both cases of topical and systemic administration of the photosensitiser. 3. In the group of topical application of 8-methoxypsoralen cream, MPD for males and females were 0.53+0.38J/cm2 and 0.48+0.32J/cm2 respectively without significant difference in sex. 4. In the group of systemic administration of 8-methoxypsoralen, there was a significant difference between males and females in MPD. The MPD in males and females were 1.38+0.72J/cm2 and 2.51 + 1.40J/cm2, respectively. 5. In the group of topical application of 8-methoxypsoralen cream, the MPD in 2nd decade patients was the highest(0.80+0.55J/cm2). The MPD had a tendency to decrease gradually as age receded from the 2nd decade. 6. In the group of systemic administration of 8-methoxypsoralen, there was a tendency for the MPD to be increased according to age without statistical significance. 7. MPD in the group systemically administrated with 8-methoxypsoaralen was four-fold to that of the topical application group. CONCLUSION: It may be valuable to keep in mind that there was a statistical differrence in MPD between sexes in systemic administration of the photosensitizer, and that MPD was different according to patients age in the topical application group.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methoxsalen ; Photochemotherapy ; Skin* ; Vitiligo

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effects of a video low intensity exercise program provided during hemodialysis on fatigue, activity of daily living, positive psychological capital and blood pressure of patients being treated. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pre-post test design was used. Participants were 85 hemodialysis patients assigned to either the experimental group (n=41) or the control group (n=44). The experimental group exercised for about 25 minutes 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Data analyses involved descriptive statistics, χ2 test, t-test, multiple regression and repeated measure ANOVA using SPSS/WIN 23.0. RESULTS: The exercise intervention significantly reduced post hemodialysis fatigue and significantly increased positive psychological capital. There was a significant interaction effect on time by group in blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure changes in the experimental group were stable but, changes in the control group tended to increase gradually. CONCLUSION: To reduce fatigue and increase positive psychological capital for hemodialysis patients, providing exercise during hemodialysis is recommended. Furthermore individualized exercise in terms of intensity, time, duration, etc should be developed and tested. Also, to reduce drastic blood pressure changes during hemodialysis, exercise should be provided.
Blood Pressure ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Renal Dialysis ; Statistics as Topic

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to develop an empowering education program for Maternal-Fetal Intensive Care Unit (MFICU) nurses who provide intensive care to high-risk mother and fetus at hospitals, to test effects of the education program on nursing care confidence and nursing knowledge, and to examine program satisfaction. METHODS: This study comprised of 2 phases: program development and evaluation. First, we have followed a process of program development to develop and refine an empowering education program for MFICU nurses through collaborative works among clinical obstetrics and gynecology doctors and nurses and academic nursing professors. Second, the empowering education program was provided to 49 nurses and evaluated from July 5 to 6, 2019. Levels of MFICU nursing care confidence and knowledge were measured. RESULTS: The empowering education program included 18 hours of lectures, discussion, and Q & A, which continued for 2 days. This program significantly improved high-risk maternal-fetal nursing care confidence and knowledge of nurses. The program was well met with nurses' education need and goals, and found to be highly satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The empowering education program was observed to be effective in terms of improve nursing care confidence and knowledge of nurses in MFICU. It is proposed that this program should be open regularly for nurses to obtain and improve their clinical knowledge, confidence, and competency. Further study is needed to develop and run 2-levels of education such as basic and advanced levels based on nurses' clinical background and competency.
Critical Care ; Education ; Fetus ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Lectures ; Mothers ; Nursing ; Nursing Care ; Obstetrics ; Pregnancy, High-Risk ; Program Development