No abstract available.
Rectal Prolapse* ; Surgical Procedures, Operative*

The paraproteinemia is a disorder in which a single clone of plasma cells (monoclonal gammopathy) is responsible for the proliferation of monoclonal proteins (M-proteins). Approximately 10% of patients with idiopathic peripheral neuropathy have monoclonal gammopathy. Some M-proteins have the properties of an antibody to the components of peripheral nerve myelin, but the pathophysiological relationship between the neuropathy and the M-protein is often obscure. The relationship between peripheral neuropathy and monoclonal gammopathy requires the appropriate neurological and hematological investigations for precise diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we provide an update on the causal associations between peripheral neuropathy and monoclonal gammopathy as well as characteristics of clinical and electrophysiologic features.
Clone Cells ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Myelin Sheath ; Paraproteinemias ; Peripheral Nerves ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Plasma Cells ; Polyneuropathies

PURPOSE: In this study an examination was done of nursing students' knowledge, awareness and performance of standard precaution guidelines designed to prevent medical-related infections. METHODS: Participants in this study were 184 junior and senior college nursing students who completed a clinical practice. Data collection was done from December 3 to 21, 2016 and was analyzed using SPSS/WIN 18.0. RESULTS: The mean score for awareness of standard precautions was 4.77±0.35, and the mean score for performance of standard precautions was 4.45±0.41. Performance was lower than awareness. Knowledge of standard precautions had a positive correlation with performance of standard precautions (r=.23, p=.002). There was also a positive correlation between awareness and performance of standard precautions (r=.49, p<.001). Stepwise regression analysis showed that the factors affecting the performance of standard precaution totaled 27.3% of determination coefficient due to the degree of observation and knowledge, awareness of standard precautions. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that factors influencing performance of standard precautions are the degree of observation of the students themselves and their knowledge and awareness of standard precautions and also provide basic data necessary to develop education programs for nursing students to improve their performance of standard precautions.
Data Collection ; Education ; Humans ; Infection Control* ; Nursing* ; Students, Nursing

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) can cause serious morbidity and mortality, and differentiating between this disease and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can prove challenging. Although rare, TTP accompanied by SLE is linked to several complications and a higher mortality rate. Herein, we report a case of a 16-year-old boy who presented with systemic symptoms, such as petechiae, and was diagnosed with acquired TTP following a laboratory test. Steroid treatment was initiated and a diagnosis of SLE was reached after the symptoms had improved. Treatment with low-dose prednisone in addition to hydroxychloroquine was continued. The patient did not develop renal failure or neurologic deficit. No specific symptoms were observed after treatment and during the follow-up period. Early treatment of SLE is crucial, but it is difficult to reach an early diagnosis because the symptoms are similar to those of TTP. In the current study, an early diagnosis of TTP led to prompt treatment, thereby avoiding the fatal symptoms that could be caused by SLE.

so that team approaches with other medical departments are recommended for its appropriate diagnosis and treatment.]]>
Accidents, Traffic ; Diagnosis ; Facial Injuries ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Jeollanam-do ; Lacerations ; Male ; Mandibular Fractures ; Neck ; Postoperative Complications ; Social Environment ; Surgery, Oral ; Violence

BACKGROUND: More than 90% of acute stroke patients have measurable cardiovascular sequelae, but we have been often overlooked in formal discussions of treatment. If we estimate the incidence of myocardial injury in patient with spontaneous SAH, we may figure the possibility of cardiac dysfunction in such patients. This study was designed to investigate the incidence of myocardial injury in patients with spontaneous SAH using cardiac troponin I(cTnI). METHODS: A prospective single emergency center study was performed to determined preoperative incidence of unrecognized cardiac injury in patients suffering spontaneous SAH. We include the spontaneous SAH patients who underwent serum measurements of the cardic troponin I immediately upon admission last six month period. ECG, CK, CK-MB and myoglobin were also performed at admission. We excluded the spontaneous SAH patients who had past history of myocardial ischemia and ECG abnormality. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients(34 females, 18 males) with spontaneous SAH were studied prospectively. 18 patients(34.6% of the total study population) had cTnI level above 0.5ng/ml. ECG was performed in 52 patients and was abnormal in 15 of the 52 patients(28.8%). CONCLUSION: The measurement of cTnI has provided physicians with a myocardial marker that has a cardiac sensitivity for cardiac injury equal to that of CK-MB yet with greater specificity. So, cardiac troponin I is useful to estimate the incidence of myocardial injury in patients with spontaneous SAH. And we may estimate the possibility of cardiac dysfunction in such patients. This knowledge will hopefully aid in the care and improve the outcome.
Electrocardiography ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Myoglobin ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stroke ; Troponin I* ; Troponin*

OBJECTIVE: Hyperuricemia is known as a risk factor that causes and worsens kidney diseases through a variety of mechanisms. Recent animal studies reported that the correction of hyperuricemia improved the renal function, but there have been few human studies. This study examined whether a hypouricemic treatment affects the renal function in Korean patients with gout. METHODS: Two hundred sixty-seven gout patients who were prescribed uric acid lowering agents for more than 1 year were enrolled at the Division of Rheumatology in the National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital and Yonsei University Severance Hospital from January 2005 to January 2010. The following were examined: the levels of serum uric acid and serum creatinine, the amount of 24-hour urine uric acid, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and abdominal ultrasound findings at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: Mean age of the study subjects was 54.4+/-13.9 years. Two hundred forty-seven patients were male and 20 patients were female. The mean treatment duration was 35.0+/-19.5 months. Among the 267 patients, 219 and 19 patients received monotherapy with allopurinol and benzbromarone respectively, and 29 patients received combination therapy with allopurinol and benzbromarone. After the treatment with uric acid lowering agents, the serum uric acid and creatinine levels decreased significantly (8.05+/-1.96 mg/dL vs 6.16+/-1.46 mg/dL, p<0.001, 1.25+/-0.46 mg/dL vs 1.18+/-0.42 mg/dL, p=0.001, respectively) and the GFR increased significantly (74.4+/-27.0 mL/min/1.73 m3 vs 80.2+/-31.6 mL/min/1.73 m3, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Treatment with hypouricemic agents reduced the levels of serum uric acid and improved the renal function. These results suggest that a hypouricemic treatment might improve the kidney function in gout patients.
Allopurinol ; Animals ; Benzbromarone ; Creatinine ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Gout ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; Male ; National Health Programs ; Rheumatology ; Risk Factors ; Uric Acid

Purpose: This study investigated changes in psychological and physiological indices in cancer survivors who participated in a forest therapy camp in Korea. Methods: A total of 37 cancer survivors (19 and 18 in the experimental and control groups, respectively) participated in this study. Over a 2-night and 3-day period, the participants in the experimental group took part in a forest therapy camp that included activities such as gymnastics, walking, five-senses experiences, and meditation. Both groups completed self-report questionnaires that measured their stress levels and profile of mood states, both before and after the forest therapy camp. Blood samples were collected to measure the levels of cortisol, serotonin, and natural killer (NK) cells. Results: After the forest therapy camp, the experimental group exhibited reduced stress levels (p = .031) and a significant improvement in total mood disturbance (p = .047) when compared with the control group. The level of serotonin also significantly increased (p < .001). However, in contrast to the prediction, a significant increase in cortisol was noted in the experimental group relative to the control group (p = .016). Moreover, no significant difference in NK cells was noted between the two groups. Conclusion Forest therapy can be easily applied to cancer survivors. The positive psychological effects of the forest therapy camp were confirmed by improvements in stress and mood states and the increased level of serotonin in forest therapy camp participants. However, there is a need for a follow-up evaluation of cortisol and NK cells due to the absence of significant between-group differences.

Purpose: This study investigated changes in psychological and physiological indices in cancer survivors who participated in a forest therapy camp in Korea. Methods: A total of 37 cancer survivors (19 and 18 in the experimental and control groups, respectively) participated in this study. Over a 2-night and 3-day period, the participants in the experimental group took part in a forest therapy camp that included activities such as gymnastics, walking, five-senses experiences, and meditation. Both groups completed self-report questionnaires that measured their stress levels and profile of mood states, both before and after the forest therapy camp. Blood samples were collected to measure the levels of cortisol, serotonin, and natural killer (NK) cells. Results: After the forest therapy camp, the experimental group exhibited reduced stress levels (p = .031) and a significant improvement in total mood disturbance (p = .047) when compared with the control group. The level of serotonin also significantly increased (p < .001). However, in contrast to the prediction, a significant increase in cortisol was noted in the experimental group relative to the control group (p = .016). Moreover, no significant difference in NK cells was noted between the two groups. Conclusion Forest therapy can be easily applied to cancer survivors. The positive psychological effects of the forest therapy camp were confirmed by improvements in stress and mood states and the increased level of serotonin in forest therapy camp participants. However, there is a need for a follow-up evaluation of cortisol and NK cells due to the absence of significant between-group differences.

Purpose: This study investigated changes in psychological and physiological indices in cancer survivors who participated in a forest therapy camp in Korea. Methods: A total of 37 cancer survivors (19 and 18 in the experimental and control groups, respectively) participated in this study. Over a 2-night and 3-day period, the participants in the experimental group took part in a forest therapy camp that included activities such as gymnastics, walking, five-senses experiences, and meditation. Both groups completed self-report questionnaires that measured their stress levels and profile of mood states, both before and after the forest therapy camp. Blood samples were collected to measure the levels of cortisol, serotonin, and natural killer (NK) cells. Results: After the forest therapy camp, the experimental group exhibited reduced stress levels (p = .031) and a significant improvement in total mood disturbance (p = .047) when compared with the control group. The level of serotonin also significantly increased (p < .001). However, in contrast to the prediction, a significant increase in cortisol was noted in the experimental group relative to the control group (p = .016). Moreover, no significant difference in NK cells was noted between the two groups. Conclusion Forest therapy can be easily applied to cancer survivors. The positive psychological effects of the forest therapy camp were confirmed by improvements in stress and mood states and the increased level of serotonin in forest therapy camp participants. However, there is a need for a follow-up evaluation of cortisol and NK cells due to the absence of significant between-group differences.