We investigated whether amyloid beta (Abeta) aggregates have transforming growth factor beta- like cytokine activity and cause transdifferention of lens epithelial cells, leading to certain types of cataract. In order to mimic Abetaaggregates, Abeta- (1-40) was crosslinked to bovine serum albumin (BSA) with disuccinimidyl suberate according to a previously described procedure. When human lens epithelial B-3 (HLE B-3) cells were treated with the Abeta- (1-40) -BSA conjugates, we observed the translocation of Smad-3, as well as the induced mRNA levels of fibronectin (FN), collagen type I (Col I), smooth muscle actin (SMA) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). In addition, we investigated the morphology of rat whole lens cultured for 5 days in the presence of Abeta- (1-40) -BSA, and the immunohistochemical localizations of Abeta- (1-40) /amyloid precursor protein (APP) in human clinical tissues beneath the anterior capsules. In rat whole lens cultures, treatment with Abeta- (1-40) -BSA produced a transformed morphology that had multiple layers of lens epithelial cells. To compare the anterior capsules in anterior subcapsular cataracts with those in nuclear cataracts, immunohistochemical studies of Abeta/APP in human clinical tissues revealed that the predominant immunostaining of Abeta occurs in the anterior epithelial plaques, which likely produces the abnormal extracellular matrix. Thus, these findings suggest that Abeta aggregates in vivo are possibly involved in the regulatory process by which lens epithelial cells may transdifferentiate into fibroblast-like cells, as well as help understand the mechanisms which lead to certain types of cataractogenesis.
Amyloid beta-Protein/*pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Cataract/*metabolism/pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells/*cytology/*metabolism ; Human ; Lens, Crystalline/*cytology ; Peptide Fragments/*pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Serum Albumin, Bovine/*pharmacokinetics ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to develop simulation scenarios for the management patient falls and to evaluate the effects of using the scenarios with student nurses. METHODS: The research design was a quasi-experimental study using a methodology study. Study participants were 30 students who were in 4th year of nursing at one College of Nursing. RESULTS: When comparing knowledge of falls before and after the simulation program, it was found that knowledge increased by 4.90 (from 24.60 pre-test to 29.50 post-test). For clinical performance of fall management, the score for assessment was 10.17 out of 16, for intervention 5.97 out of 10, and for evaluation 7.33 out of 8. The average score for reporting a fall to the doctor was 19.87 out of 30 based on SBAR. Prior to the implementation of the simulation program, the confidence of reporting to the physician was less than 5 in all four areas, but self-confidence improved by more than 6 points in all four areas after the program was implemented. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that results of fall management simulation practice can contribute to nursing students' knowledge of falls, as well as to nursing interventions and post-treatment following a patient fall.
Accidental Falls ; Humans ; Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Nursing ; Patient Care Management ; Research Design ; Self Report ; Simulation Training ; Students, Nursing

PURPOSE: Rabies is one of the most fatal diseases, but it is 100% preventable in animals by vaccination. In this study, we present the epidemiological features of, and national preventive measures against, rabies in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data related to rabies and the population density of raccoon dogs in Korea were collected from the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute of Environmental Research. Rabies diagnosis was confirmed with a fluorescent antibody test using brain samples of animals in accordance with the procedures described by the World Organization for Animal Health. Serological assays for dogs and cattle were conducted using the fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test. RESULTS: From 1993 to 2016, a total of seven human rabies cases and 437 animal rabies cases in five different species were reported. An increase in the distribution of bait vaccine seemed to be related to a dramatic decrease in rabies prevalence in endemic rabies regions. Two Korean provinces and the capital city, Seoul, were involved in rabies outbreaks. Korean rabies strains are most closely related to the eastern Chinese strain belonging to the Arctic-like lineage. The yearly seropositive rates ranged from 50.4% to 81.2% in dogs and from 25% to 60.5% in cattle residing in endemic rabies regions. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that national preventive measures, including mass vaccination and distribution of bait vaccines, have contributed to a substantial decrease in the number of rabies cases in Korea.
Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Brain ; Cattle ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Diagnosis ; Disease Eradication ; Disease Outbreaks ; Dogs ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mass Vaccination* ; Neutralization Tests ; Plants ; Population Density ; Prevalence ; Quarantine ; Rabies* ; Raccoon Dogs ; Seoul ; Vaccination ; Vaccines

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the financial performance research trends in medical institutions and to suggest the necessity and future research direction for financial management from the perspective of nursing organizations. Methods: Financial performance research in medical institutions was extracted by combining the keywords ‘finance’, ‘nursing’, ‘medical’, and ‘hospital’ in three domestic and foreign online databases. 55 studies were finally extracted. Results: Of the 55 studies selected, 41.8% have been published after 2010, and 79.6% have been published in Korea. 83.6% of the studies used financial statements, and 74.5% used the financial ratio. Among the studies on the use of financial statements, 40 balance sheets and 41 profit and loss statements were used. Conclusion There were some limitations in deriving implications for financial performance management at the level of nursing organization. When establishing strategies for future financial performance improvement, it is recommended to prioritize nursing cost optimization and profitability enhancement at the nursing organization level.