Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of self-directed learning ability and self-leadership on the learning satisfaction and academic achievement of nursing students who experienced blended learning. Methods: This research was conducted from June 29 to July 17, 2023, targeting nursing students from three universities in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon who had experienced blended learning. The collected data were analyzed using a independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression utilizing IBM SPSS 25.0. Results: Self-directed learning ability, self-leadership, learning satisfaction, and academic achievement were all found to have positive correlations. The research variables that showed a significant effect on learning satisfaction were self-directed learning ability (β=.34, p<.001) and self-leadership (β=.19, p=.041), and the explanatory power was 28.0%. The research variable that showed a significant effect on academic achievement was self-directed learning ability (β=.56, p<.001), with an explanatory power of 40.0%. Conclusion To effectively apply blended learning to nursing students in the rapidly changing field of nursing education, it is important to analyze learner factors such as self-directed learning ability and self-leadership. Continuing research is needed to explore the learner factors that influence learning satisfaction and academic achievement, and systematic educational programs that can improve these factors will have to be applied.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of self-directed learning ability and self-leadership on the learning satisfaction and academic achievement of nursing students who experienced blended learning. Methods: This research was conducted from June 29 to July 17, 2023, targeting nursing students from three universities in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon who had experienced blended learning. The collected data were analyzed using a independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression utilizing IBM SPSS 25.0. Results: Self-directed learning ability, self-leadership, learning satisfaction, and academic achievement were all found to have positive correlations. The research variables that showed a significant effect on learning satisfaction were self-directed learning ability (β=.34, p<.001) and self-leadership (β=.19, p=.041), and the explanatory power was 28.0%. The research variable that showed a significant effect on academic achievement was self-directed learning ability (β=.56, p<.001), with an explanatory power of 40.0%. Conclusion To effectively apply blended learning to nursing students in the rapidly changing field of nursing education, it is important to analyze learner factors such as self-directed learning ability and self-leadership. Continuing research is needed to explore the learner factors that influence learning satisfaction and academic achievement, and systematic educational programs that can improve these factors will have to be applied.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of self-directed learning ability and self-leadership on the learning satisfaction and academic achievement of nursing students who experienced blended learning. Methods: This research was conducted from June 29 to July 17, 2023, targeting nursing students from three universities in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon who had experienced blended learning. The collected data were analyzed using a independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression utilizing IBM SPSS 25.0. Results: Self-directed learning ability, self-leadership, learning satisfaction, and academic achievement were all found to have positive correlations. The research variables that showed a significant effect on learning satisfaction were self-directed learning ability (β=.34, p<.001) and self-leadership (β=.19, p=.041), and the explanatory power was 28.0%. The research variable that showed a significant effect on academic achievement was self-directed learning ability (β=.56, p<.001), with an explanatory power of 40.0%. Conclusion To effectively apply blended learning to nursing students in the rapidly changing field of nursing education, it is important to analyze learner factors such as self-directed learning ability and self-leadership. Continuing research is needed to explore the learner factors that influence learning satisfaction and academic achievement, and systematic educational programs that can improve these factors will have to be applied.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of self-directed learning ability and self-leadership on the learning satisfaction and academic achievement of nursing students who experienced blended learning. Methods: This research was conducted from June 29 to July 17, 2023, targeting nursing students from three universities in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon who had experienced blended learning. The collected data were analyzed using a independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression utilizing IBM SPSS 25.0. Results: Self-directed learning ability, self-leadership, learning satisfaction, and academic achievement were all found to have positive correlations. The research variables that showed a significant effect on learning satisfaction were self-directed learning ability (β=.34, p<.001) and self-leadership (β=.19, p=.041), and the explanatory power was 28.0%. The research variable that showed a significant effect on academic achievement was self-directed learning ability (β=.56, p<.001), with an explanatory power of 40.0%. Conclusion To effectively apply blended learning to nursing students in the rapidly changing field of nursing education, it is important to analyze learner factors such as self-directed learning ability and self-leadership. Continuing research is needed to explore the learner factors that influence learning satisfaction and academic achievement, and systematic educational programs that can improve these factors will have to be applied.

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures suspected at clinical evaluation require radiological confirmation. Most radiologists make the diagnosis of vertebral fracture on the basis of a qualitative impression. However, unlike other fractures, vertebral fractures are commonly found on radiographs obtained for other reasons in patients who do not show signs or symptoms suggestive of fractures. Radiologists qualitatively analyze radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine to identify vertebral fractures in patients whose clinical indications suggest trauma, osteoporosis, malignancy, or acute back pain. The accuracy of decision-making process can be enhanced by additional radiographic projections or by complementary examinations including DXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) morphometry, bone scan, CT, or MRI. The importance of imaging is highlighted by the fact that only about one in four vertebral fractures is recognized on the basis of clinical evaluations without radiographs. Radiographs may include lateral and AP (anterior/posterior) X-rays of the affected spinal segments. The physician may request bone scan and/or CT to help identify the location of the fracture, its status (stable versus unstable). Furthermore, an MRI scan may be performed if neurologic deficit, soft tissue trauma or hematoma are suspected.
Back Pain ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Spine

Cannabinoids have been proposed to possess neuroprotective properties; though their mechanism of action remains contentious, they are posited to prevent neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease, the pathogenesis of which has not been established. Recent studies have demonstrated that induction of proteasomal dysfunction in animal models results in a phenotype similar to Parkinson's disease. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective function of a synthetic cannabinoid-receptor agonist (WIN55.212.2) in dopaminergic neuronal death induced by a proteasomal synthase inhibitor (PSI), additionally testing the hypothesis that WIN55.212.2 modulates cytoplasmic accumulation of parkin and alpha-synuclein, a key feature of proteasomal dysfunction in Parkinson's. WIN55.212.2 protects PC12 cells from PSI-induced cytotoxicity, concomitantly inhibiting PSI-induced polyADP ribose polymerase expression and activation of caspase-3. While PSI induces cytoplasmic accumulation of alpha-synuclein and parkin, WIN55.212.2 counters these effects. Interestingly, however, while PSI induces the activation and nuclear translocalization of nuclear factor kappaB, WIN55.212.2 potentiates this effect. These data are suggestive that WIN55.212.2 might confer a neuroprotective benefit in PSI-induced proteasomal dysfunction, and could further protect against neuronal degeneration stemming from cytoplasmic accumulation of alpha-synuclein and parkin. These results indicate that WIN55.212.2 may be a candidate for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease.
alpha-Synuclein ; Animals ; Cannabinoids ; Caspase 3 ; Cytoplasm ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; Models, Animal ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neurons ; NF-kappa B ; Parkinson Disease ; PC12 Cells ; Phenotype ; Receptors, Cannabinoid ; Ribose

Various anomalies of the inferior vena cava (IVC) can arise from a failure in the normal embryogenic processes. Agenesis of the intrahepatic segment of the IVC with azygos continuation, which is caused by failure of formation of the right subcardinal–hepatic anastomosis, is a rare IVC anomaly. In this paper, we report a case of interrupted IVC with azygos vein continuation, combined with polysplenia, intestinal malrotation, and truncated pancreas, which was incidentally found on abdominal CT and thoracic aorta CT angiography.

OBJECTIVES: This paper proposes a measurement method to quantify the abnormal characteristics of the broken parts of ribs using local texture and shape features in chest radiographs. METHODS: Our measurement method comprises two steps: a measurement area assignment and sampling step using a spline curve and sampling lines orthogonal to the spline curve, and a fracture-ness measurement step with three measures, asymmetry and gray-level co-occurrence matrix based measures (contrast and homogeneity). They were designed to quantify the regional shape and texture features of ribs along the centerline. The discriminating ability of our method was evaluated through region of interest (ROI) analysis and rib fracture classification test using support vector machine. RESULTS: The statistically significant difference was found between the measured values from fracture and normal ROIs; asymmetry (p < 0.0001), contrast (p < 0.001), and homogeneity (p = 0.022). The rib fracture classifier, trained with the measured values in ROI analysis, detected every rib fracture from chest radiographs used for ROI analysis, but it also classified some unbroken parts of ribs as abnormal parts (8 to 17 line sets; length of each line set, 2.998 +/- 2.652 mm; length of centerlines, 131.067 +/- 29.460 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Our measurement method, which includes a flexible measurement technique for the curved shape of ribs and the proposed shape and texture measures, could discriminate the suspicious regions of ribs for possible rib fractures in chest radiographs.
Decision Support Techniques ; Rib Fractures ; Ribs ; Thorax

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present experiences in localization and removal of non-palpable subdermal contraceptive implants with ultrasonography. METHODS: Medical records from January 1, 2016, to April 30, 2018, were retrospectively reviewed for 21 patients who were referred to a single institution and had an impalpable implant despite following the removal instruction. In all the cases, more than one attempt was made to remove the implant before referral. The rod was detected using radiography and ultrasonography. In all the cases, localization of the single implant was achieved with ultrasonography. The distal depth of the rod was measured, and skin marking was made following the echogenicity. The implants were subsequently removed under anesthesia. RESULTS: In 18 cases, the rods were localized using ultrasonography and successfully removed under local anesthesia. In the other three cases, removal with local anesthesia failed. Although the rod was detected successful with ultrasonography, the implants were removed under general anesthesia in the operating room. The depth from skin to rod, measured with ultrasonography, was >12.0 mm in all the cases and located deep in the muscular layer in the failure cases. The depth of the implants positively correlated with the time spent for removal (r=0.525; P=0.015). CONCLUSION: High frequency ultrasonography is a highly accurate tool for localization and measurement of the skin-to-rod depth. It is also useful for removing non-palpable implants. If the depth of the implant is >12.0 mm, removal of the implant in the operating room under general anesthesia is recommended.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Local ; Contraception ; Device Removal ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Operating Rooms ; Radiography ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a relatively rare disease. Because of ambiguous clinical symptom, it is difficult for early diagnosis of OLF and subsequent treatment can be delayed or missed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to comprehensively assess the prevalence and distribution of thoracic OLF by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and coexisting spinal disease in Korean patients with back pain or leg pain. METHODS: The sample included 2134 Korean patients who underwent MRI evaluation for back pain. The prevalence and distribution of thoracic OLF were assessed using lumbar MRI with whole spine sagittal images. Additionally, we examined the presence of coexisting lumbar and cervical diseases. The presence of thoracic OLF as well as clinical parameters such as age, sex, and surgery were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The prevalence of thoracic OLF in total patients was 16.9% (360/2134). The prevalence tended to increase with aging and was higher in women than in men. The lower thoracic segment of T10-11 was the most frequently affected segment. Of the 360 patients with OLF, 31.9% had coexisting herniated thoracic discs at the same level. Approximately 74% of the patients with OLF had coexisting lumbar and cervical disease. Nine (2.5%) of 360 OLF patients underwent surgery for thoracic lesion. CONCLUSION: The prevalenceof thoracic OLF was relatively higher than those of previous reports. And coexisting lumbar and cervical disease were very frequent. Therefore, we should check coexisting spinal diseases and the exact diagnostic localization of ossification besides lumbar disease.
Aging ; Back Pain ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Leg* ; Ligamentum Flavum* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Prevalence* ; Rare Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Diseases ; Spine