Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze articles published in the Journal of the Korean Academy of Nursing (JKAN) between 2010 and 2019, along with those published in three international nursing journals, to improve JKAN’s international reputation. Methods: The overall characteristics of JKAN’s published papers and keywords, study participants, types of nursing interventions and dependent variables, citations, and cited journals were analyzed. Additionally, the keywords and study designs, publication-related characteristics, journal impact factors (JIF), and Eigenfactor scores of International Journal of Nursing Studies (IJNS), International Nursing Review (INR), Nursing & Health Sciences (NHS), and JKAN were analyzed and compared. Results: Among the four journals, JKAN’s score was the lowest in both the journal impact factor and Eigenfactor score. In particular, while the JIF of INR and NHS has been continuously increasing; JKAN’s JIF has remained static for almost 10 years. The journals which had cited JKAN and those which JKAN had cited were mainly published in Korean. Conclusion JKAN still has a low IF and a low ranking among Social Citation Index (E) journals during the past 10 years, as compared to that of four international journals. To enhance JKAN’s status as an international journal, it is necessary to consider publishing it in English and to continuously improve the conditions of other publications.

Purpose: This year 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Society of Nursing Science (KSNS). This study wasaimed to explore development of caring and describe the 50 years of history of KSNS within the sociocultural context of Korea regardingacademic footsteps, meanings, and implications for the future. Methods: This study used a historical research methodology using a literaturereview and bibliometric analysis. Relevant literature was reviewed and the published abstracts in the Journal of Korean Academy ofNursing (JKAN) were analyzed using VOSviewer. Results: Birth control and family planning in the 1970s was the main research topic. In the1980s, the development of nursing concepts, theories, and philosophies was the mission of KSNS to extend the disciplinary boundary. In the1990s, the progress of KSNS to become one of the woman-dominant healthcare professionals was the mission in the given period. Expandingthe frontiers of KSNS to the extent of global standards was the undertaking of the nursing scholars in the 2000s. Lastly, in the 2010s,the quality and quantity improvement of KSNS and JKAN is expected to make our future even prosperous. The map visualization of the 50years of research accumulation showed the comparable opposition of quantitative vs. qualitative research methodologies, equation modeling,and instrument development. Conclusion These clusters of research demonstrates the efforts to make nursing evidence by Koreannursing scholars for the last five decades. The growth in the slope of KSNS and outcomes of JKAN are to carry on to an unimaginable extentin the future.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the advantages and complications of triamcinolone acetonide (TA)-assisted pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: We retrospectively examined 110 eyes with vitreous hemorrhage or tractional retinal detachment resulting from a PDR after surgery. The TA-assited PPV [TA(+)] consisted of 58 eyes, and the conventional PPV[TA(-)]group consisted of 52 eyes. The improvement in vision, residual vitreous cortex (VC) pattern, and postoperative complications were studied. RESULTS: The residual VC pattern was divided into 3 groups: the focal type in 34 eyes (58.6%): the diffuse type in 22 eyes (37.9%): and no residual VC, seen in 2 eyes (3.4%). The TA (+) group had a lower incidence of rebleeding (p=0.0149) and of a preretinal membrane (p=0.0138) than the TA (-) group. No apparent persistant ocular hypertension occurred in any eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Triamcinolone-assisted PPV appears to be potentially useful to remove residual VC and to protect from postoperative complications.
Diabetic Retinopathy* ; Incidence ; Membranes ; Ocular Hypertension ; Postoperative Complications ; Retinal Detachment ; Retrospective Studies ; Traction ; Triamcinolone Acetonide ; Vitrectomy* ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

Retroperitoneal Schwannoma is relatively rare and benign tumor originating from Schwann cell. Schwannomas arising in the retroperitoneum are infrequently reported. The majority of Schwannoma is found incidentally and misdiagnosed for other benign conditions both clinically and radiologically. We report a case of a benign retroperitoneal pelvic Schwannoma which was preoperatively misdiagnosed as an ovarian tumor with brief review of literatures.
Neurilemmoma*

BACKGROUND: Biodegradable polymers have increasingly been recognized for various biological applications in recent years. Here we examined the immunostimulatory activities of the novel poly(aspartic acid) conjugated with L-lysine (PLA). METHODS: PLA was synthesized by conjugating L-lysine to aspartic acid polymer. PLA-nanoliposomes (PLA-NLs) were prepared from PLA using a microfluidizer. The immunostimulatory activities of PLA-NLs were examined in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs). RESULTS: PLA-NLs increased the number of BM-DCs when added to cultures of GM-CSF-induced DC generation on day 4 after the initiation of cultures. Examination of the phenotypic properties showed that BM-DCs generated in the presence of PLA-NLs are more mature in terms of the expression of MHC class II molecules and major co-stimulatory molecules than BM-DCs generated in the absence of PLA-NLs. In addition, the BM-DCs exhibited enhanced capability to produce cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions also confirmed that the BMDCs were more stimulatory on allogeneic T cells. PLA- NL also induced further growth of immature BM-DCs that were harvested on day 8. CONCLUSION: These results show that PLA-NLs induce the generation and functional activities of BM-DCs, and suggest that PLA-NLs could be immunostimulating agents that target DCs.
Animals ; Aspartic Acid ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Immunomodulation ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Lysine ; Mice ; Polymers ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: Biodegradable polymers have increasingly been recognized for various biological applications in recent years. Here we examined the immunostimulatory activities of the novel poly(aspartic acid) conjugated with L-lysine (PLA). METHODS: PLA was synthesized by conjugating L-lysine to aspartic acid polymer. PLA-nanoliposomes (PLA-NLs) were prepared from PLA using a microfluidizer. The immunostimulatory activities of PLA-NLs were examined in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs). RESULTS: PLA-NLs increased the number of BM-DCs when added to cultures of GM-CSF-induced DC generation on day 4 after the initiation of cultures. Examination of the phenotypic properties showed that BM-DCs generated in the presence of PLA-NLs are more mature in terms of the expression of MHC class II molecules and major co-stimulatory molecules than BM-DCs generated in the absence of PLA-NLs. In addition, the BM-DCs exhibited enhanced capability to produce cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions also confirmed that the BMDCs were more stimulatory on allogeneic T cells. PLA- NL also induced further growth of immature BM-DCs that were harvested on day 8. CONCLUSION: These results show that PLA-NLs induce the generation and functional activities of BM-DCs, and suggest that PLA-NLs could be immunostimulating agents that target DCs.
Animals ; Aspartic Acid ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Immunomodulation ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Lysine ; Mice ; Polymers ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis are well-recognized osmotic demyelination syndromes related to the rapid correction of hyponatremia, chronic alcoholism, and malnutrition. They are reported to show brain stem signs and various movement disorders. A 58-year-old man with a history of chronic alcoholism was admitted for dysarthria, dysphagia, and gait disturbance that had developed five days after a right forearm cellulitis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed demyelinating patterns in the central portion of the pons and both thalami. He showed severe extrapyramidal symptoms with truncal swaying and postural instability that resulted in severe gait disturbance. Postural instability showed little improvement after conventional physical therapy, but his symptoms markedly improved after five days of dopamine administration. Cessation of dopamine agents was attempted two times, but postural instability and gait disturbance recurred. Therefore, medication was continued for one year. The patient showed stable gait and no further deterioration of postural instability during dopamine therapy.
Alcoholism ; Brain Stem ; Cellulitis ; Deglutition Disorders ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Dopamine ; Dopamine Agents ; Dysarthria ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Forearm ; Gait ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Malnutrition ; Middle Aged ; Movement Disorders ; Myelinolysis, Central Pontine* ; Pons

To report a case of Boucher-Neuhauser syndrome, which is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the triad of spinocerebellar ataxia, chorioretinal dystrophy, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. An 18-year-old man was seen for visual problems, which had been diagnosed as retinitis pigmentosa at the age of 12 years. His puberty was delayed. At 16 years of age, the patient experienced progressive deterioration of his balance and gait disturbance. Then he was referred to our clinic because Boucher-Neuhauser syndrome was suspected. He had no specific family history; his visual acuity was 0.04 in both eyes. We observed broad retinal pigment epithelium atrophy and degeneration in both fundi. Both fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography showed choriocapillaris atrophy in the posterior pole area and midperiphery. Macular optical coherence tomography showed thinning of the neurosensory retina. An electroretinographic examination showed no photopic or scotopic responses. The Boucher-Neuhauser syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with retinitis pigment epithelium atrophy and degeneration.
Adolescent ; Atrophy ; Cerebellum/pathology ; Coloring Agents/diagnostic use ; Electroretinography ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Humans ; Hypogonadism/*diagnosis/genetics ; Indocyanine Green/diagnostic use ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate/physiology ; Retinal Degeneration/*diagnosis/genetics ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium/*pathology ; Retinitis Pigmentosa/*diagnosis/genetics/physiopathology ; Spinocerebellar Degenerations/*diagnosis/genetics ; Syndrome ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of cyclosporin A, corticosteroid, autologous serum in patients with severe dry eye syndrome. METHODS: Patients (72 eyes) with severe dry eye syndrome were classified into four groups were treated for 3 months. Each group was treated with 0.05% cyclosporin A, 1% rimexolone, 20% autologous serum, and artificial tears. Before and after treatment (2, 4, 8, 12 weeks), Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear film break-up time (BUT), Schirmer test, corneal sensitivity, and lissamine green staining score were measured. RESULTS: After treatment, OSDI, tear film BUT, Schirmer test, corneal sensitivity, and the lissamine green staining score were improved in groups using cyclosporin A, autologous serum and corticosteroid(p<0.05), but clinical effects did not improve in the group using artificial tears except for corneal sensitivity (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Antiinflammatory theraphy is more effective than the conventional symptomatic theraphy in patients with severe dry eye syndrome.
Cyclosporine ; Dry Eye Syndromes* ; Humans ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Tears

PURPOSE: We evaluated whether lipoic acid as antioxidant could inhibit expression of VEGF and STAT3 in experimental diabetic rat retina. METHODS: Diabetes was induced chemically by injection of streptozotocin in 12 rats of 18 Sprague-Dawley rats. After induction of diabetes, lipoic acid was injected into the peritonium in 6 rats. So all rats were divided into 3 groups, normal group (n=6), diabetes mellitus (DM) group (n=6), lipoic acid treated group (n=6). The ocular tissue of the rats were collected on 8 weeks after diabetes induction. Difference of VEGF and STAT3 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, western blot. The change of VEGF and STAT3 in lipoic acid treated group were evaluated in these experimental model. RESULTS: The VEGF and STAT3 expression was elevated in diabetic rat retina. The active form STAT3, phosphorylated STAT3 was also elevated. The VEGF and STAT3 expression in lipoic acid treated group was lower than DM group. CONCLUSIONS: The lipoic acid could inhibit the VEGF and STAT3 expression in diabetic rat retina.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Immunohistochemistry ; Models, Theoretical ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Retina* ; Streptozocin ; Thioctic Acid* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*