PURPOSE: This study examined the mediating effect of school nurses' self efficacy, which is one of the significant cognitive factors influencing cultural sensitivity, on the mutual relationships between multicultural attitude and cultural sensitivity in Korean elementary schools. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used. Participants were 157 school nurses in elementary schools located in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The survey instruments included Teacher Multicultural Attitude Survey, Teacher Efficacy Scale, and Multicultural Sensitivity Scale. Data were analyzed using three regression equations to test the mediation model. RESULTS: The mean score of the school nurses' cultural sensitivity was relatively low. A positive correlation among multicultural attitude, self efficacy, and cultural sensitivity was noted. Self efficacy of school nurses showed a significant mediating effect on the relationships between multicultural attitude and cultural sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Given the meaningful influence of positive multicultural attitude on cultural sensitivity and significant mediator effect of self efficacy as a school nurse between the two variables, the strategies to cultivate a positive multicultural attitude and enhance school nurses' self efficacy in their unique role should be considered in a training program. School nurses' health care services will benefit from the improvement of cultural sensitivity toward young children from multicultural families.
Adult ; *Attitude of Health Personnel ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; *Cultural Diversity ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nursing Staff, Hospital/*psychology ; Republic of Korea ; *Self Efficacy ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although there have been some reports that measured the size of the mastoid pneumatization, only a few studies have reported the age-related variations in the mastoid air cell system using three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques of computed tomography (CT) images. This study presents that 3D reconstruction techniques of CT images can be used to measure the volume of mastoid pneumatization. In adddition, normal development of the mastoid air cell system in Koreans was evaluated. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Retrospective study. A 3D reconstruction based on the image data obtained from CT was performed in the 205 ears of 105 patients without otologic diseases in order to measure the volume of mastoid pneumatization by a surface-rendering algorithm on a personal computer. RESULTS: The mastoid pneumatization continued to grow until the third decade. Thereafter, it declined slowly, and then rapidly after the seventh decade. The mean volume of mastoid pneumatization was 7095.2 mm3 in Korean adults. No statistically significant difference was found between males and females or between right and left sides. There was a significant difference between the larger and smaller sides of individuals. CONCLUSION: The volume measurement technique based on the 3D reconstruction technique reported here is widely available, highly accurate, and easy to perform. The results of this study may be helpful in evaluating the mastoid air cell system and for managing mastoid diseases.
Adult ; Ear ; Ear Diseases ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mastoid* ; Microcomputers ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic Ultrasonography(EUS), a combination of endoscopy and ultrasonography is one of the most useful tools for diagnosis of digestive system diseases. EUS is useful in staging the primary tumor invasion and regional lymph node metastasis because of its ability to image the gut wall and adjacent structures in unique detail. We performed a study preoperatively for assessing the accuracy and limitation of EUS in gastric carcinoma. METHODS: In 75 patients(Male 54, Female 21, Mean age 62.3 years) with a gastric carcinoma confirmed by endoscopic biopsy, we performed EUS preoperatively. The results were compared with the postoperative histopathologic staging. RESULTS: 1) In assessing the depth of tumor invasion, EUS accuracy on depth of invasion was 76.0% and overstaging and understaging were 14.7% and 9.3%, respectively. 2) In assessing the lymph node metastasis, the accuracy rate of EUS was 65.3%. A rate of false-positive diagnosis was 27.3%, and a rate of false-negative diagnosis was 24.5%.3) In assessing the incidence of lymph node metastasis for each T stage, the involve rate was 10.5% in pT1, 36.4% in pT2, 95.7% in pT3, 100% in pT4. CONCLUSIONS: EUS is the most accurate diagnostic methods presently available to determine tumor infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Digestive System Diseases ; Endoscopy ; Endosonography* ; Esophagus* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intestines* ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Stomach* ; Ultrasonography

Acoustic tumor which originates from the vestibular nerve is the most common neoplasm to be found at the cerebellopontine angle. The surgical approaches currently used for the acoustic tumor are the middle cranial fossa, the translabyrinthine, the suboccipital, and the combined approaches depending on the size, location, and growth rate of the tumor and the hearing level, age, and general health condition of the patient. The complex and variable anatomy and the proximity of important structures encountered during acoustic tumor surgery especially when using the middle cranial fossa approach, may make it a tough job even for the experienced surgeon. Recently, developed image-guided system may be an important step in reducing the incidence of the complication. In the present research, authors used image-guided system during acoustic tumor surgery via middle cranial fossa approach, and with good result.
Acoustics ; Cerebellopontine Angle ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; Hearing ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neuroma, Acoustic ; Vestibular Nerve

OBJECTIVES: Accurate assessment of the retained or recurrent bile duct stone is important in postcholecystectomy patients who have signs of cholangitis or other pancreatobiliary disease. This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic reliability of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in postcholecystectomy patients. METHODS: From October 1975 through August 1995, we reviewed 311 patients retrospectively who had undergone on cholecystectomy. Our study was based on assessment of their age, sex, symptoms and physical findings, comparison between sonographic and endoscopic retrograde cholangiographic findings, and stone removal rate using endoscopic sphincterotomy, basket, electro-hydraulic lithotripsy. RESULTS: The ratio of male to female was 1:1.67, and the mean age was 56+/-14.3 years. After cholecystectomy, they visited our clinic within 2 years in 25 patients(8.4%), beyond 2 years in 286 patients(91.6%). Most common symptoms and physical findings were epigastric pain or tenderness(63.6%). We detected bile duct stone using endoscopic retrograde cholangiography 219 patients. In case of the bile duct stone, we successfully removed it using endoscopic sphincterotomy, basket, electrohydraulic lithotripsy in 194 patients(88.6%). CONCLUSION: From the above results, we concluded that endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was the most effective diagnostic and therapeutic method in postch- olecystetomy patients who have signs of cholangitis.
Bile Ducts ; Cholangiography* ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangitis ; Cholecystectomy ; Female ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: As the prevalence of chronic diseases has risen, the need for straightforward diagnostic tools for monitoring nutrition status to improve nutrition counseling and disease prevention has likewise increased. This study developed an easily usable dietary behavior pattern diagnosis checklist and investigated its correlation with dietary quality index. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A draft dietary pattern evaluation tool was generated by analyzing previous studies. The draft questionnaire comprised 61 questions for assessing dietary habits. A survey was administered to 320 adults (19 to 64 years old) using the dietary pattern evaluation tool and 24-hour-recall method between March and May of 2014 in Jeonbuk province and the metropolitan area. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation was performed to identify dietary behavior patterns. Nutritional analysis was conducted using CAN-Pro 4.0, and the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) was calculated to assess dietary quality. The correlation between dietary pattern scores and DQI-I scores was also analyzed. RESULTS: The factor analysis resulted in a total of 34 questions mapped to four main dietary behavior patterns: "high fat and calorie" pattern (12 questions), "overeating/binge" pattern (nine questions), "dietary impulse" pattern (eight questions), and "unbalanced food intake" pattern (five questions). The four dietary behavior patterns were negatively correlated with DQI-I adequacy and total scores (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The dietary pattern evaluation tool developed in this study can be used to diagnose a client's dietary behavior problems and is available as a nutrition counseling tool in the field.
Adult* ; Checklist ; Chronic Disease ; Counseling ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Jeollabuk-do ; Methods ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritive Value ; Prevalence ; Principal Component Analysis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: As the prevalence of chronic diseases has risen, the need for straightforward diagnostic tools for monitoring nutrition status to improve nutrition counseling and disease prevention has likewise increased. This study developed an easily usable dietary behavior pattern diagnosis checklist and investigated its correlation with dietary quality index. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A draft dietary pattern evaluation tool was generated by analyzing previous studies. The draft questionnaire comprised 61 questions for assessing dietary habits. A survey was administered to 320 adults (19 to 64 years old) using the dietary pattern evaluation tool and 24-hour-recall method between March and May of 2014 in Jeonbuk province and the metropolitan area. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation was performed to identify dietary behavior patterns. Nutritional analysis was conducted using CAN-Pro 4.0, and the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) was calculated to assess dietary quality. The correlation between dietary pattern scores and DQI-I scores was also analyzed. RESULTS: The factor analysis resulted in a total of 34 questions mapped to four main dietary behavior patterns: "high fat and calorie" pattern (12 questions), "overeating/binge" pattern (nine questions), "dietary impulse" pattern (eight questions), and "unbalanced food intake" pattern (five questions). The four dietary behavior patterns were negatively correlated with DQI-I adequacy and total scores (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The dietary pattern evaluation tool developed in this study can be used to diagnose a client's dietary behavior problems and is available as a nutrition counseling tool in the field.
Adult* ; Checklist ; Chronic Disease ; Counseling ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Jeollabuk-do ; Methods ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritive Value ; Prevalence ; Principal Component Analysis

BACKGROUND: The authors have developed a Digital image chart(DIC) and digital Radiotherapy Record System (DRRS). We have evaluated the DIC and DRRS for reliability, usefulness, ease of use, and efficiency. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The basic design o f the DIC and DRRS was to build an digital image database of radiation therapy patient records for a more efficient and timely flow of critical image in formation throughout the department. This system is a subunit of comprehensive radiation oncology managemert system (C-ROMS) and composed of a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), radiotherapy information database, and a radiotherapy imaging database. The DIC and DRRS were programmed using Delphi under a Windows 95 environment and is capable of displaying the digital images of patients identification photos, simulation films, radiotherapy setup, diagnostic radiology image... Gross lesion photos, and radiotherapy planning isodose charts with beam arrangements. Twenty-three clients in the department are connected by Ethernet (10 Mbps) to the central image server (Sun Ultra-sparc 1 workstation). RESULTS: From the introduction of this system in February 1998 through December 1999, we have accumulated a total of 15,732 individual images for 2,556 patients. We can organize radiation therapy in; paperless environment in 120 patients with breast cancer. Using this system, we have succeeded in the prompt, accurate, and simultaneous access to patient care information from multiple locations throughout the department. This coordination has resulted in improved operational efficiency within the department. CONCLUSION: The authors believe that the DIC and DRRS has contributed to the improvement of radiation oncology department efficacy as well as to time and resource savings by providing necessary visual information throughout the department conveniently and simultaneously. As a result, we can also achieve the paperless and filmless practice of radiation oncology with this system.
Breast Neoplasms ; Dacarbazine ; Hospital Information Systems ; Humans ; Income ; Patient Care ; Radiation Oncology* ; Radiotherapy*

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are increasingly important in immunocompromised patients. Nucleic acid extraction methods could affect the results of viral nucleic acid amplification tests. We compared two automated nucleic acid extraction systems for detecting CMV and EBV using real-time PCR assays. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-three whole blood (WB) samples were tested for CMV detection, and 117 WB samples were tested for EBV detection. Viral nucleic acid was extracted in parallel by using QIAsymphony RGQ and QIAcube (Qiagen GmbH, Germany), and real-time PCR assays for CMV and EBV were performed with a Rotor-Gene Q real-time PCR cycler (Qiagen). Detection rates for CMV and EBV were compared, and agreements between the two systems were analyzed. RESULTS: The detection rate of CMV and EBV differed significantly between the QIAsymphony RGQ and QIAcube systems (CMV, 59.5% [91/153] vs 43.8% [67/153], P=0.0005; EBV, 59.0% [69/117] vs 42.7% [50/117], P=0.0008). The two systems showed moderate agreement for CMV and EBV detection (kappa=0.43 and 0.52, respectively). QIAsymphony RGQ showed a negligible correlation with QIAcube for quantitative EBV detection. QIAcube exhibited EBV PCR inhibition in 23.9% (28/117) of samples. CONCLUSIONS: Automated nucleic acid extraction systems have different performances and significantly affect the detection of viral pathogens. The QIAsymphony RGQ system appears to be superior to the QIAcube system for detecting CMV and EBV. A suitable sample preparation system should be considered for optimized nucleic acid amplification in clinical laboratories.
Automation ; Cytomegalovirus/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Cytomegalovirus Infections/diagnosis/*virology ; DNA, Viral/*blood/isolation & purification/metabolism ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Humans ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

In the post-genomic era, the focus of research is now moving to functional genomics employing the information on predicted gene products provided by genome sequencing. Proteomics, the global analysis of structures, functions, and interactions of whole cellular proteins, draws the special attention as a tool for documenting the disease pathogenesis or progression. The high-throughput technology has become feasible by considerable improvement of two dimensional electrophoresis and mass fingerprinting. Thus proteome techniques can be used as tools to study the disease processes, develop new biomakers for diagnosis and early detection of diseases, and accelerate drug development. In this review, we discuss the background and techniques of proteomics, and potential applications to the research of gastrointestinal diseases.
English Abstract ; *Gastrointestinal Diseases/diagnosis/therapy ; Humans ; *Liver Diseases/diagnosis/therapy ; *Proteomics