PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the experience and perception of sexual harassment during the clinical practice of Korean nursing students. METHODS: The descriptive study was conducted using a self-report questionnaire from December 2009 to January 2010. Participants were 542 nursing students recruited from 12 nursing colleges in Korea, who had finished 1,000 hours of clinical practice which is the minimum requirement for graduation. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Ninety-seven participants (17.9%) reported that they experienced sexual harassment during clinical practice and 36 participants (6.7%) answered whether it was a sexual harassment or not. When sexual harassment was asked by the specific 18 items in the sexual harassment checklist, 52.0% (n = 282) of participants reported that they experienced at least 1 item among 18 items of sexual harassment. Sexual harassments were frequently made by the persons in their 40s (41.2%), men (97.9%) and patients (96.9%) and in the psychiatric wards (67.0%). Many respondents recognized that sexual harassment during clinical practice was caused by abnormal sexual desire of a pervert (34.5%) or men's sexual impulse (26.2%). Also, sexual harassment was perceived as a serious problem (19.4%) and education was necessary for prevention (88.3%). CONCLUSION: Education program is needed to prevent sexual harassment and enhance the gender sensitivity of nursing students, who are in the high-risk group of sexual harassment during clinical practice. This will in turn contribute to a safe educational environment for clinical practice.
Checklist ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Sexual Harassment ; Students, Nursing ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: No valuable early marker exists for the prognosis of patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We compared post-resuscitation levels of several biochemical candidates and correlated them with outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS: Eligible resuscitated patients with OHCA were prospectively enrolled from December 1, 2004 to November 30, 2005. Demographic data were collected and early levels of biochemical candidates were measured both at the time of initiation of CPR and immediately after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), including those of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), procalcitonin, and S-100 protein. The ROSC over 20 minutes, survival from the emergency room (ER), survival after 1 month, and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) after 1 month were evaluated for outcome. Levels of early biochemical candidates were correlated with those outcomes. RESULTS: 126 patients were eligible for analysis. 81 (64.3%) were male, and the mean age was 59.6+/-17.2 years. The rate of ROSC, survival from ER, and survival after 1 month were 40.5%, 33.3%, and 8.7%, respectively. 4 patients whose GOS was more than 4 showed good neurological outcome. The levels of S-100 protein were significantly lower in the survival group than in the non-survival group after 1 month: 1.6+/-0.8 versus 3.9+/-4.9 microgram/L at the time of initiation of CPR (p<0.01), and 1.6+/-1.1 versus 4.5+/-5.0 microgram/L immediately after ROSC (p=0.01), respectively. IMA and procalcitonin did not show any predictive value. CONCLUSION : The levels of S-100 protein was found to be useful as an early biochemical marker for prognosis following OHCA. S-100 concentrations were significantly lower in the survival group than in the non-survival group after 1 month after successful resuscitation from OHCA.
Biomarkers* ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Ischemia* ; Male ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest* ; Prognosis* ; Prospective Studies ; Resuscitation ; S100 Proteins*

PURPOSE: No valuable early marker exists for the prognosis of patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We compared post-resuscitation levels of several biochemical candidates and correlated them with outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS: Eligible resuscitated patients with OHCA were prospectively enrolled from December 1, 2004 to November 30, 2005. Demographic data were collected and early levels of biochemical candidates were measured both at the time of initiation of CPR and immediately after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), including those of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), procalcitonin, and S-100 protein. The ROSC over 20 minutes, survival from the emergency room (ER), survival after 1 month, and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) after 1 month were evaluated for outcome. Levels of early biochemical candidates were correlated with those outcomes. RESULTS: 126 patients were eligible for analysis. 81 (64.3%) were male, and the mean age was 59.6+/-17.2 years. The rate of ROSC, survival from ER, and survival after 1 month were 40.5%, 33.3%, and 8.7%, respectively. 4 patients whose GOS was more than 4 showed good neurological outcome. The levels of S-100 protein were significantly lower in the survival group than in the non-survival group after 1 month: 1.6+/-0.8 versus 3.9+/-4.9 microgram/L at the time of initiation of CPR (p<0.01), and 1.6+/-1.1 versus 4.5+/-5.0 microgram/L immediately after ROSC (p=0.01), respectively. IMA and procalcitonin did not show any predictive value. CONCLUSION : The levels of S-100 protein was found to be useful as an early biochemical marker for prognosis following OHCA. S-100 concentrations were significantly lower in the survival group than in the non-survival group after 1 month after successful resuscitation from OHCA.
Biomarkers* ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Ischemia* ; Male ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest* ; Prognosis* ; Prospective Studies ; Resuscitation ; S100 Proteins*

This article has been retracted following a review by the Editorial Board.

BACKGROUND: Keratinocytes are the major cells in epidermis, providing barrier components such as cornified cells through the sophisticated differentiation process. In addition, keratinocytes exerts their role as the defense cells via activation of innate immunity. It has been known that pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) including double-strand RNA and nucleotides can provoke inflammatory reaction in keratinocytes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Ampelopsis japonica Makino extract (AE) on PAMPs-induced inflammatory reaction of keratinocytes. METHODS: The effects of AE were determined using poly (I:C)-induced inflammation and imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis models. RESULTS: In cultured keratinocytes, AE significantly inhibited poly(I:C)-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α. AE significantly inhibited poly(I:C)-induced release of caspase-1 active form (p20), and down-regulated nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway. In imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis model, topical application of AE resulted in significant reduction of epidermal hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that AE may be a potential candidate for the treatment of skin inflammation.
Ampelopsis* ; Cytokines ; Dermatitis ; Epidermis ; Hyperplasia ; Immunity, Innate ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukins ; Keratinocytes* ; Necrosis ; Nucleotides ; Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules* ; RNA ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis is one of the common causes of cervical mass in adult (espe cially in woman) in korea. Sometimes it appears to be difficult in defining the role of surgery and duration of antituberculous chemotherapy. METHOD: To clarify the proper duration and/or combination of regimens, we analyzed the clinical data of 31 patient with cervical lymphadenitis diagnosed at Chungnam National University Hospital from March 1996 to December 1996 and all patients were prospectively randomized into two groups(2HREZ/4HRE and 6HREZ) by treatment method. RESULT: Prevalent age, male to female ratio, association with pulmonary tuberculosis and history of previous antituberculous medication were not statiscally different between two groups. The average size of the largest lymph node before teatment was 2.43+/-0.98cm and 3.15+/-1.74cm, respectively and was 0.63cm and 0.6cm after treatment, respectively. In both groups, 2 patients have engrowing node or not changed node during tratment and no recurrence was found during follow up period upto 12 months. In both groups, no significant side reaction resulting in discotinuation or changing the regimens was noticed. CONCLUSION: Short course antituberculosis therapy(2HREZ/4HRE) could be recommanded as effective standard therapy for superficial lymph node tuberculosis. Longterm follow up at least 36 months to observe recurrence might be needed to confirm this conclusion.
Adult ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphadenitis ; Male ; Prospective Studies* ; Recurrence ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Kidney length is the most useful parameter for clinical measurement of kidney size, and is useful to distinguish acute kidney injury from chronic kidney disease. In this prospective observational study of 437 normal children aged between 0 and < 13 years, kidney length was measured using sonography. There were good correlations between kidney length and somatic values, including age, weight, height, and body surface area. The rapid growth of height during the first 2 years of life was intimately associated with a similar increase in kidney length, suggesting that height should be considered an important factor correlating with kidney length. Based on our findings, the following regression equation for the reference values of bilateral kidney length for Korean children was obtained: kidney length of the right kidney (cm) = 0.051 × height (cm) + 2.102; kidney length of the left kidney (cm) = 0.051 × height (cm) + 2.280. This equation may aid in the diagnosis of various kidney disorders.
Age Factors ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Height ; Body Surface Area ; Body Weight ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Growth Charts ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Kidney/*diagnostic imaging ; Kidney Diseases/diagnosis ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Reference Values ; Republic of Korea ; Ultrasonography

Bezoars are the most common foreign bodies in the stomach as seen endoscopically with a frequency of approximately 0.4%. They consist of persistent concretions or hard accumulations of non-digestible vegetable matter, hair or more unusual materials. Gastric bezoars develop in patients with previous gastric surgery, gastric outlet obstruction, or poor gastric emptying such as gastroparesis due to hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus or mixed connective tissue disease. The clinical presentations of gastric bezoars include epigastric pain, a palpable mass, a gastrointestinal obstruction and peptic ulceration. The treatment options include surgery, enzymatic dissolution or endoscopic mechanical fragmentation and/or removal. Recently, the efficacy of the administration or lavage of 'Coca-Cola' for the effective dissolution of gastric bezoars has been reported. We report a case of a 27-year-old woman with a large gastric bezoar that was successfully removed by the direct endoscopic injection of a carbonated beverage ('Coca-Cola light', a sugar free product; Coca cola Co., Seoul, South Korea) into the bezoar, which led to fragmentatio
Adult ; Bezoars* ; Carbonated Beverages ; Coca ; Cola ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; Gastric Emptying ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; Gastroparesis ; Hair ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Mixed Connective Tissue Disease ; Peptic Ulcer ; Seoul ; Stomach ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; Vegetables

BACKGROUND: The differential diagnosis of psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis can be difficult when both conditions are localized to the scalp without the involvement of other skin sites. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the histopathological differences between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp and identify favorable criteria for their differential diagnosis. METHODS: We evaluated 15 cases of psoriasis and 20 cases of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp that had been clinicopathologically diagnosed. Skin biopsy sections stained with H&E were examined. Additional immunohistochemistry was performed, including Ki-67, keratin 10, caspase-5, and GLUT-1. RESULTS: On histopathological examination, mounds of parakeratosis with neutrophils, spongiform micropustules of Kogoj, and clubbed and evenly elongated rete ridges were significantly more frequently observed in psoriasis. Follicular plugging, shoulder parakeratosis and prominent lymphocytic exocytosis were significantly more common in seborrheic dermatitis. Moreover, significantly higher mitotic figures were observed in psoriatic lesions than in seborrheic dermatitis. Immunohistochemistry did not show any difference between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. CONCLUSION: Histopathological features favoring psoriasis include mounds of parakeratosis with neutrophils, spongiform micropustules of Kogoj, clubbed and evenly elongated rete ridges, and increased mitotic figures (≥6/high-powered field). Features indicating seborrheic dermatitis are follicular plugging, shoulder parakeratosis and prominent lymphocytic exocytosis. Immunohistochemistry was not helpful in differentiating psoriasis from seborrheic dermatitis.
Biopsy ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic* ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Exocytosis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-10 ; Neutrophils ; Parakeratosis ; Psoriasis* ; Scalp* ; Shoulder ; Skin

PURPOSE: The association between tobacco smoking and thyroid cancer remains uncertain. We evaluated the associations of active and passive smokingwith the risk of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), the most common type of thyroid cancer, and with the BRAF(V600E) mutation, the most common oncogenic mutation in PTC related to poor prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted this study with newly diagnosed PTC patients (n=2,142) and community controls (n=21,420) individually matched to cases for age and sex. Information on active and passive smoking and potential confounders were obtained from structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and medical records. BRAF(V600E) mutation status was assessed in PTC patients. We evaluated the associations of active and passive smoking with PTC and BRAF(V600E) mutation risk using conditional and unconditional logistic regression models, respectively. RESULTS: We did not find associations between exposure indices of active and passive smoking and PTC risk in both men and women, except for the association between current smoking and lower PTC risk. Cumulative smoking ≥ 20 pack-years was associated with lower BRAF(V600E) mutation risk in male PTC patients (odds ratio [OR], 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30 to 1.00). The CI for the association was wider in female PTC patients (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.02 to 2.62), possibly owing to a smaller sample size in this stratum. CONCLUSION: We did not find consistent associations between active and passive smoking and PTC risk. Cumulative smoking ≥ 20 pack-years was associated with lower BRAF(V600E) mutation risk in male PTC patients.
Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Medical Records ; Prognosis ; Sample Size ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution