PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe stage distribution of current and former smokers and to analyze significant variables that used by adolescents at each stage using the Transtheoretical Model. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 145 students attended to five high schools in one rural area. The survey instruments included stages and processes of change, decisional balance, self-efficacy, and knowledge related to smoking. RESULTS: Among the participants, 47.6% were in the precontemplation and contemplation stages, 20.7% were in the preparation stage, and the other 31.7% were in the action and maintenance stages. Analysis of variance tests revealed that behavioral processes, pros and cons of smoking, and self-efficacy were significantly associated with the stages of smoking cessation, while among 10 processes of change, self-reevaluation, self-liberation, and reinforcement management were significantly different by the stages. CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggest that smoking cessation programs should emphasize behavioral strategies, self-efficacy, and decisional balance to help students adopt and maintain smoking cessation
Adolescent ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Rural Population* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation*

BACKGROUND: The cell mediated immunity has an important role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. sIL-2R has been known as a sensitive marker of T lymphocyte activation. Elevated serum levels of sIL-2R have been found in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, organ transplantation, autoimmune diseases, and various granulomatous diseases. Elevated levels of sIL-2R have been also found in the seam and pleural fluid of the patients with tuberculosis. To evaluate the diagnostic value of sIL-2R in the differentiation of tuberculous pleurisy and. nontuberculous pleurisy. We measured the level of sIL-2R in the sera and pleural fluids of 12 patients with tuberculous pleurisy and 32 patients with nontuberculous pleurisy. METHOD: Samples of pleural fluid and serum were centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 10 min to remove cell pellets. Soluble R-2R was measured with a sandwitch enzyme immunoassay using the Cellfree r Interleukin-2 Receptor Test kit( T-cell science, Inc. Cambridge, MA). RESULTS: The results obtained were as follows: 1) The sIL-2R level in pleural fluid of the patients with tuberculous pleurisy was higher than that of patients with nontuberculous pleurisy(P<0.005). 2) When the sIL-2R level above 5,000 u/ml in pleural fluid was used as the cut-off value to diagnose tuberculous pleurisy, it had a sensitivity of 84.6% and a specificity of 90.9%. 3) The sIL-2R level in the sera of the patients with tuberculous pleurisy was higher than that of patients with bacterial pleural effusions and normal control group(P<0.05) and there was no difference of levels compared with malignant pleural effusions and transudative pleural effusions(P>0.05). 4) In patients with tuberculous pleurisy, the mean concentration of sIL-2R in pleural fluid was higher than that in serum(P<0.005). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the measurement of elevated levels of pleural fluid sIL-2R in tuberculous pleurisy may be useful in the differential diagnosis between patients with tuberculous pleurisy and nontuberculous pleurisy.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Interleukin-2* ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Organ Transplantation ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; Pleurisy* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; T-Lymphocytes ; Transplants ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pleural*

PURPOSE: This study was done to verify the reliability and validity of the Korean version of DMCI in Korean adolescents. METHODS: A methodological study design was used with Cronbach's alpha for reliability, and an exploratory factor analysis and contrasted groups approach for construct validity. DMCI was translated into Korean and tested with a sample of 406 adolescents in Korea. The data were analyzed using Cronbach's alpha, item correlation with total, principal component factor analysis, and t-test. RESULTS: The translated content of the DMCI was validated by nursing faculty members and translation equivalency was obtained. The Cronbach's alpha of the DMCI simplified with 18 items was .78. The factor analysis revealed three factors explaining 41.5% of total variance and the corresponding factors were self-observation (21.6%), self-judgement (11.4%), and self-confidence (8.6%). The mean score for the DMCI in the aggression group was significantly lower than the non-aggression group. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that the Korean version of DMCI can used as a reliable and valid measure to assess decision making competency in Korean adolescents.
Adolescent ; Aggression ; Decision Making ; Faculty, Nursing ; Humans ; Korea ; Reproducibility of Results ; Child Health

PURPOSE: Regarding the respiratory function of patients with an artificial airway, this study compared the effects between normal saline with chest vibration and normal saline with expectorant mixture, administered before endotracheal suction. METHODS: The study was conducted in the ICUs of one university hospital located in Incheon. The experimental group I received normal saline with chest vibration administered before endotracheal suction while the experimental group II received normal saline with expectorant mixture administered before endotracheal suction. For respiratory function, PaO2, PaCO2, and O2 saturation were measured by ABGA at 3 minutes after endotracheal suction for both pre-test and post-test. RESULTS: The two groups were not different significantly regarding PaO2 level and O2 saturation after the treatments, while, the experimental group II had lower PaCO2 level than the experimental group I after the treatments (t = 2.075, p = .042). For experimental group II, post-test score of PaCO2 level was significantly lower than that of the pre-test score (t = 1.842, p = .075). CONCLUSION: The administration of normal saline with expectorant mixture before endotracheal suction reduced PaCO2 level and improved the respiratory function.
Humans ; Suction ; Thorax ; Vibration

PURPOSE: Regarding the respiratory function of patients with an artificial airway, this study compared the effects between normal saline with chest vibration and normal saline with expectorant mixture, administered before endotracheal suction. METHODS: The study was conducted in the ICUs of one university hospital located in Incheon. The experimental group I received normal saline with chest vibration administered before endotracheal suction while the experimental group II received normal saline with expectorant mixture administered before endotracheal suction. For respiratory function, PaO2, PaCO2, and O2 saturation were measured by ABGA at 3 minutes after endotracheal suction for both pre-test and post-test. RESULTS: The two groups were not different significantly regarding PaO2 level and O2 saturation after the treatments, while, the experimental group II had lower PaCO2 level than the experimental group I after the treatments (t = 2.075, p = .042). For experimental group II, post-test score of PaCO2 level was significantly lower than that of the pre-test score (t = 1.842, p = .075). CONCLUSION: The administration of normal saline with expectorant mixture before endotracheal suction reduced PaCO2 level and improved the respiratory function.
Humans ; Suction ; Thorax ; Vibration

Background: Osteomyelitis resulting from bacterial strains, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that are resistant to multiple drugs, brings further clinical challenges. There is currently no model of osteomyelitis induced by MRSA using rats with calvaria defects. So, We induced osteomyelitis in rat models with the calvaria bone defect. Methods: The rats were randomly divided into six groups according to inoculation dose levels, which ranged from 6 × 100 to 6 × 105 CFU/5 µl. Bone tissues were retrieved from all rats used in the study and assessed using histology, microbiology, and radiobiology 4 weeks after surgery to evaluate the relationship between inoculation dose and infectivity. Results: In Histological results, high levels of inflammatory responses, bone necrosis, and bacteria were observed in treatment groups G3 to G5. In IHC staining, high levels of cox-2 expression were observed in treatment groups G3. Microbiological observations also indicated that significantly higher numbers of CFUs were found in G3 to G5. In radiography results, the bone mineral density in G3 to G5 was significantly higher than in the control group, G1, and G2. Our results indicate that an inoculating dose of 6 × 103 CFU/5 μl is sufficient to induce the development of osteomyelitis in rat models. Conclusion This study suggests that the minimum dose (6 × 103CFU/5 µl) can induce osteomyelitis in calvaria rat model. This can offer information and ability of more accurately modeling osteomyelitis and simulating the challenge of osteomyelitis treat.

Background: Osteomyelitis resulting from bacterial strains, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that are resistant to multiple drugs, brings further clinical challenges. There is currently no model of osteomyelitis induced by MRSA using rats with calvaria defects. So, We induced osteomyelitis in rat models with the calvaria bone defect. Methods: The rats were randomly divided into six groups according to inoculation dose levels, which ranged from 6 × 100 to 6 × 105 CFU/5 µl. Bone tissues were retrieved from all rats used in the study and assessed using histology, microbiology, and radiobiology 4 weeks after surgery to evaluate the relationship between inoculation dose and infectivity. Results: In Histological results, high levels of inflammatory responses, bone necrosis, and bacteria were observed in treatment groups G3 to G5. In IHC staining, high levels of cox-2 expression were observed in treatment groups G3. Microbiological observations also indicated that significantly higher numbers of CFUs were found in G3 to G5. In radiography results, the bone mineral density in G3 to G5 was significantly higher than in the control group, G1, and G2. Our results indicate that an inoculating dose of 6 × 103 CFU/5 μl is sufficient to induce the development of osteomyelitis in rat models. Conclusion This study suggests that the minimum dose (6 × 103CFU/5 µl) can induce osteomyelitis in calvaria rat model. This can offer information and ability of more accurately modeling osteomyelitis and simulating the challenge of osteomyelitis treat.

Metastatic calcification is rare; it is found during autopsy in patients who underwent hemodialysis. Diffuse calcium precipitation of small and medium-sized cutaneous vessels, known as calciphylaxis, can result in progressive tissue necrosis secondary to vascular calcification. This condition most commonly involves the skin; however, a rare occurrence of visceral calciphylaxis has been reported. Here we report on an autopsy case. Despite a thorough evaluation, and even performing an autopsy, the underlying cause of acute-onset hypercalcemia, resulting in the production of pulmonary calciphylaxis and metastatic renal calcification associated with acute respiratory and renal failure, could not be determined. Metastatic calcification often lacks specific symptoms, and the degree of calcification is a marker of the severity and chronicity of the disease. This unusual autopsy case emphasizes the importance of rapidly progressing visceral calciphylaxis, as well as its early detection.
Autopsy ; Calciphylaxis ; Calcium ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Necrosis ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Vascular Calcification

We report a unique case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) of colon, not associated with neurofibromatosis or parasite infection. The tumor presented as an encircling mass in descending colon causing obstruction with nuberous metastatic lesions in a 43-year-old man. The tumor was largely composed of spindle cells which showed strong positivity for vimemtin, S-100 protein and Leu-7. The tumor often exhibited epithelioid feature where tumor cells were weakly positive for cytokeratin.
Adult ; Colon ; Colon, Descending* ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Humans ; Keratins ; Nerve Sheath Neoplasms ; Neurofibromatoses ; Parasites ; Peripheral Nerves* ; S100 Proteins

BACKGROUND: Pleural eosinophilia is rare and commonly considered to be an indicator of good prognosis. The diagnostic significance of eosinophilic pleural effusions remains controversial despite a century of observation and discussion. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of eosinophilia in 446 consecutive samples of pleural fluid, to review the cause of eosinophilic pleural effusion and to determine whether the presence of eosinophils increases the likehood of benign conditions. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed upon patients that underwent first thoracentesis due to pleural effusion between January 1999 and December 1999. RESULTS: Eosinophilic pleural effusions were identified in 24 of the 446 patients (5.4%). Malignancy, parapneumonic effusion and tuberculosis were determined the major causes of pleural effusion (80.6%). Malignancy was diagnosed as frequently in eosinophilic effusions as in non-eosinophilic effusions (54.2% vs 50.5%, p=0.725). No difference was found in the prevalence of eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic effusion according to the etiology. The mean blood eosinophil ratio in patients with eosinophilic pleural effusion was 5.4% and no significant correlation existed between the blood and pleural eosinophilic count. CONCLUSION: Pleural eosinophilia is not helpful for differentiating benign and malignant etiology and is not related with blood eosinophilia or repeated tapping.
Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion* ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis