A C6 beta-chemokine, CKbeta8-1, suppressed the colony formation of CD34 + cells of human cord blood (CB). Molecular mechanisms involved in CKbeta8-1-medicated suppression of colony formation of CD34 + cells are not known. To address this issue, the level of various G1/S cell cycle regulating proteins in CKbeta8-1-treated CD34 + cells were compared with those in untreated CD34 + cells. CKbeta8-1 did not significantly alter the expression of the G1/S cycle regulation proteins (cyclin D1, D3, and E), CDK inhibitor (p27and Rb), and other cell proliferation regulation protein (p53) in CB CD34 + cells. Here we describe an in vitro system in which CB CD34 + cells were committed to a multipotent progenitor lineage of colony forming units-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) by a simple combination of recombinant human (rh) GM-CSF and rhIL-3. In this culture system, we found that cyclin E protein appeared later and disappeared faster in the CKbeta8-1-treated cells than in the control cells during CFU-GM lineage development. These findings suggested that cyclin E may play a role in suppressing the colony formation of CFU-GM by CKbeta8-1.
Antigens, CD34/metabolism ; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism ; Cell Lineage ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokines, CC/*pharmacology ; Cyclin E/*metabolism ; Fetal Blood/*cytology ; G1 Phase/drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation/*drug effects ; Granulocytes/cytology/*drug effects/metabolism ; Growth Substances/pharmacology ; Humans ; Macrophages/cytology/*drug effects/metabolism ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Stem Cells/cytology/*drug effects/metabolism

No abstract available.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen* ; Colon* ; Exons* ; Humans*

PURPOSE: There is little information about the treatment of carpometacarpal (CMC) fracture-dislocations. The purpose of this study was to investigate treatment methods and times between diagnosis and surgery in CMC fracture-dislocations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 18 cases treated by surgery, the 4, 5th CMC joints were found to be the most frequently involved in 13 cases. Comminution of the carpal or metacarpal bone was present in 8 cases. The time to surgery was within 3 days in 10 patients, within 5 days in 6, within 9 days in one patient and more than 4 weeks in one. All the injuries were managed by closed reduction and K-wire fixation except for one which was detected after 4 weeks since initial trauma. RESULTS: A painless full hand function was restored in 13 cases. Intermittent pain was present in 5 cases in which there was comminution in 4. However, clinically full hand function was restored in 4 cases except for one in whom the treatment was delayed. CONCLUSION: If the treatment of CMC fracture-dislocation is not delayed a successful result can be gained using the closed method even though comminution occurs.
Carpometacarpal Joints* ; Diagnosis ; Hand ; Humans ; Joints

Purpose: The career ladder system is a pivotal strategy for securing excellent nurses. The aim of this study is to understand hospital nurses’ experiences of participating in the career ladder system and to explore the essence of this system. Methods: In February 22 to March 3, 2022, nurses employed at a general hospital in South Korea were selected for this study using snowball and purposive sampling. Data were collected from interviews with three focus groups, the compositions of which are as follows: group 1, 6 participants; group 2, 5 participants; and group 3, 6 participants. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subsequently analyzed using qualitative research methods. Results: The following six categories were derived under the overall theme of “the arduous journey to discovering a nurse’s true name”: (1) rites of passage to becoming the ideal nurse; (2) unexpected challenges in the promotion preparation process; (3) biased criteria for evaluating nursing competencies; (4) unclear changes in roles and perceptions after promotion; (5) self-discovered pride and fulfillment as a nurse; and (6) the unspoken struggles of evaluators. Conclusion The findings suggest that the career ladder system fosters nurses’ professional growth and self-actualization. However, for effective implementation, nurses’ deep understanding and systematic management of the career ladder system are essential. This study offers valuable insights and benchmarks for healthcare institutions aiming to adopt the system.

Purpose: The career ladder system is a pivotal strategy for securing excellent nurses. The aim of this study is to understand hospital nurses’ experiences of participating in the career ladder system and to explore the essence of this system. Methods: In February 22 to March 3, 2022, nurses employed at a general hospital in South Korea were selected for this study using snowball and purposive sampling. Data were collected from interviews with three focus groups, the compositions of which are as follows: group 1, 6 participants; group 2, 5 participants; and group 3, 6 participants. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subsequently analyzed using qualitative research methods. Results: The following six categories were derived under the overall theme of “the arduous journey to discovering a nurse’s true name”: (1) rites of passage to becoming the ideal nurse; (2) unexpected challenges in the promotion preparation process; (3) biased criteria for evaluating nursing competencies; (4) unclear changes in roles and perceptions after promotion; (5) self-discovered pride and fulfillment as a nurse; and (6) the unspoken struggles of evaluators. Conclusion The findings suggest that the career ladder system fosters nurses’ professional growth and self-actualization. However, for effective implementation, nurses’ deep understanding and systematic management of the career ladder system are essential. This study offers valuable insights and benchmarks for healthcare institutions aiming to adopt the system.

Purpose: The career ladder system is a pivotal strategy for securing excellent nurses. The aim of this study is to understand hospital nurses’ experiences of participating in the career ladder system and to explore the essence of this system. Methods: In February 22 to March 3, 2022, nurses employed at a general hospital in South Korea were selected for this study using snowball and purposive sampling. Data were collected from interviews with three focus groups, the compositions of which are as follows: group 1, 6 participants; group 2, 5 participants; and group 3, 6 participants. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subsequently analyzed using qualitative research methods. Results: The following six categories were derived under the overall theme of “the arduous journey to discovering a nurse’s true name”: (1) rites of passage to becoming the ideal nurse; (2) unexpected challenges in the promotion preparation process; (3) biased criteria for evaluating nursing competencies; (4) unclear changes in roles and perceptions after promotion; (5) self-discovered pride and fulfillment as a nurse; and (6) the unspoken struggles of evaluators. Conclusion The findings suggest that the career ladder system fosters nurses’ professional growth and self-actualization. However, for effective implementation, nurses’ deep understanding and systematic management of the career ladder system are essential. This study offers valuable insights and benchmarks for healthcare institutions aiming to adopt the system.

STUDY DESIGN: Nineteen of 20 cases that underwent a mono-segment pedicle-screw instrumentation and fusion, following vertebroplasty for lumbar and thoracolumbar fractures, were reviewed retrospectively. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of a mono-segment pedicle-screw instrumentation and fusion, following an anterior column reconstruction, using bone cement for a fractured lumbar and thoracolumbar spine. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: With lumbar and thoracolumbar fractures, the untreated anterior instability and pre-stressing of the screws, following reduction, resulted in a high failure rate of the hardware, and posterior screw fixation alone may be not adequate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 19 of 20 cases that underwent a mono-segment pedicle-screw instrumentation and fusion, following vertebroplasty for lumbar and thoracolumbar fractures, between Feb. 2000 and Mar. 2002, with an average follow-up of 1.6 years. The mean age of the patients was 39.2 years, and the male female ratio as 10:9. The criteria for inclusion to the study (McAfee classification) were flexion-distraction injury, burst fracture, translational injury and burst conversion after an osteoporotic compression fracture, in 9, 7, 2 and 2 cases, respectively. We assessed the radiographic results of the local kyphotic angle correction of the fused segment and anterior body height restoration, preoperative, postoperative and at the last follow up, from the lateral views of the spine. The clinical results were evaluated according to Kumano's criteria. RESULTS: The mean local kyphotic angles of the instrumented segment, preoperatively, postoperatively and at the last follow-up were 16.5, 1.1 and 2.1 degrees, with a mean correction gain of 15.4 degrees(p<0.05) and a gain loss of 1.0 degrees(p>0.05). The mean anterior body heights for each period were 60.4, 89.6 and 85.0%, with a mean restoration gain of 29.2% (p<0.05) and a gain loss of 4.6% (p>0.05). The clinical results were assessed as good in 18 patients (19 cases) and fair in the other one. There were 3 cases of asymptomatic leakage of the bone cement, but no fixation failures during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A mono-segment pedicle-screw instrumentation and fusion, following the treatment of anterior instability, using vertebroplasty for lumbar and thoracolumbar fractures, can be an effective alternative for preserving the maximal motion segment, without fixation loss through the restoration of the immediate postoperative weight-bearing capability.
Body Height ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Vertebroplasty* ; Weight-Bearing

No abstract available.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Cardiac Tamponade/etiology ; Drainage ; Empyema, Pleural/diagnosis/*etiology/microbiology/therapy ; Heart Diseases/diagnosis/*etiology/microbiology/therapy ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/*therapy ; Male ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification ; Middle Aged ; Pericardial Effusion/etiology ; Pericardial Window Techniques ; Pericardiocentesis ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory/*adverse effects ; Peritonitis/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology/microbiology ; Pleural Effusion/etiology ; Staphylococcal Infections/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology/microbiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

We report four cases of unilateral pulmonary vein atresia without associated congenital intracardiac anomalies to illustrate a part of the clinical and radiological characteristics and its diagnosis. Pulmonary vein atresia was in right side in all cases. Narrowing of contralateral pulmonary vein and pure red cell anemia were combined in one cases. In four cases, initial presentations were hemoptysis and lower respiratory tract infection. The simple chest X-ray revealed loss of volume, increased reticular interstitial markings of the involved lung and the shift of mediastinal structures to the involved side, and hilar prominency in the contralateral side. Lung perfusion scan revealed no visualization of involved lung. Cardiac Catheterization revealed pulmonary artery hypertension 2/4 and pulmonary artery wedge pressure 1/2. On pulmonary angiogram, nonvisualiaztion of pulmonary vein in the involved side in 3: partial visualization of pulmonary vein not connected to atrium in 1: dysmorphic pulmonary artery on the contralateral side in 1. Right pneumonectomy was done without specific problems in two cases. In conclusion, Unilateral pulmonary vein atresia should be suggested when the clinical and radiological characteristics are present.
Anemia ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Diagnosis ; Hemoptysis ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Lung ; Perfusion ; Pneumonectomy ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Veins* ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Thorax

PURPOSE: To correlate the final assessment of ultrasound and histologic grade in patients with invasive breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of one hundred eighty-six women with breast masses that were evaluated by ultrasound and subsequently found to have invasive ductal carcinoma not previously diagnosed. Two radiologists prospectively analyzed the results of the ultrasounds and issued an American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) assessment category which indicates the probability of malignancy. The histologic grade of the 186 invasive ductal carcinomas were separated as follows, low grade in 22 lesions (9%), intermediate grade in 91 lesions (50%), and high grade in 73 lesions (41%). RESULTS: In the 186 invasive ductal carcinomas not previously diagnosed, a circumscribed margin was seen in 4% (three of 73) of high-grade tumors compared to none in intermediate-grade and low-grade tumors. A spiculated margin was seen in 59% (13 of 22) of low-grade tumors compared, to 20% (18 of 91) in intermediate-grade and 7% (five of 73) in high-grade tumors. Posterior acoustic enhancement was seen in 33% (24 of 73) of high-grade tumors compared, to 20% (18 of 91) in intermediate-grade and none in low-grade tumors. Posterior acoustic shadowing was seen in 59% (13 of 22) of low-grade tumors compared, to 34% (31 of 91) in intermediate-grade and 15% (11 of 73) in high-grade tumors. The final BI-RADS assessment of the 186 cases separated as follows, three lesions (2%) were category 3 probably benign, 115 lesions (62%) were category 4 suspicious, and 68 lesions (37%) were category 5 highly suggestive of malignancy. The three cases misclassified as probably benign were high-grade tumors. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer showing a spiculated margin and posterior acoustic shadowing on ultrasound were mainly low-grade tumors whereas breast cancer showing benign features were high-grade tumors.
Acoustics ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Prospective Studies ; Shadowing (Histology) ; Ultrasonography*