Background and Objectives: Blood pressure (BP) measurement using an auscultatory sphygmomanometer is recommended for diagnosing hypertension in children. As mercury sphygmomanometers (MSs) are banned owing to environmental concerns, it is crucial to determine the accuracy of mercury-free sphygmomanometers to replace them. We analyzed the accuracy of these devices to guide the National Survey selection. Methods: BP was measured thrice each with MS, auscultatory device (AD), and oscillometric device (OD) in 104 participants aged 10–18 using the National Survey data. The difference in BP was defined as the difference between MS and other devices. The BP differences, correlations, and influencing factors were analyzed. The frequencies of hypertension were also compared. Results: Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) differences between MS and AD were 0.88±3.36 mmHg and 0.63±3.95 mmHg, and those between MS and OD were 0.43±5.83 mmHg and 4.57±6.89 mmHg, respectively. The absolute error of <10 mmHg for DBP between MS and OD was 76%. The concordance correlation coefficient between MS and AD was 0.94 for SBP and 0.90 for DBP, and 0.81 and 0.67, respectively for MS and OD. Arm circumference negatively correlated with BP differences except for SBP between the MS and OD. The frequency of hypertension was not different between MS and AD but was underestimated by OD. Conclusions AD correlated well with MS, while OD did not, especially for DBP. The superiority of AD over OD suggests AD as a possible alternative for MS in the National Survey.

Background and Objectives: Blood pressure (BP) measurement using an auscultatory sphygmomanometer is recommended for diagnosing hypertension in children. As mercury sphygmomanometers (MSs) are banned owing to environmental concerns, it is crucial to determine the accuracy of mercury-free sphygmomanometers to replace them. We analyzed the accuracy of these devices to guide the National Survey selection. Methods: BP was measured thrice each with MS, auscultatory device (AD), and oscillometric device (OD) in 104 participants aged 10–18 using the National Survey data. The difference in BP was defined as the difference between MS and other devices. The BP differences, correlations, and influencing factors were analyzed. The frequencies of hypertension were also compared. Results: Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) differences between MS and AD were 0.88±3.36 mmHg and 0.63±3.95 mmHg, and those between MS and OD were 0.43±5.83 mmHg and 4.57±6.89 mmHg, respectively. The absolute error of <10 mmHg for DBP between MS and OD was 76%. The concordance correlation coefficient between MS and AD was 0.94 for SBP and 0.90 for DBP, and 0.81 and 0.67, respectively for MS and OD. Arm circumference negatively correlated with BP differences except for SBP between the MS and OD. The frequency of hypertension was not different between MS and AD but was underestimated by OD. Conclusions AD correlated well with MS, while OD did not, especially for DBP. The superiority of AD over OD suggests AD as a possible alternative for MS in the National Survey.

Background and Objectives: Blood pressure (BP) measurement using an auscultatory sphygmomanometer is recommended for diagnosing hypertension in children. As mercury sphygmomanometers (MSs) are banned owing to environmental concerns, it is crucial to determine the accuracy of mercury-free sphygmomanometers to replace them. We analyzed the accuracy of these devices to guide the National Survey selection. Methods: BP was measured thrice each with MS, auscultatory device (AD), and oscillometric device (OD) in 104 participants aged 10–18 using the National Survey data. The difference in BP was defined as the difference between MS and other devices. The BP differences, correlations, and influencing factors were analyzed. The frequencies of hypertension were also compared. Results: Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) differences between MS and AD were 0.88±3.36 mmHg and 0.63±3.95 mmHg, and those between MS and OD were 0.43±5.83 mmHg and 4.57±6.89 mmHg, respectively. The absolute error of <10 mmHg for DBP between MS and OD was 76%. The concordance correlation coefficient between MS and AD was 0.94 for SBP and 0.90 for DBP, and 0.81 and 0.67, respectively for MS and OD. Arm circumference negatively correlated with BP differences except for SBP between the MS and OD. The frequency of hypertension was not different between MS and AD but was underestimated by OD. Conclusions AD correlated well with MS, while OD did not, especially for DBP. The superiority of AD over OD suggests AD as a possible alternative for MS in the National Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the rate and etiologies of second trimester pregnancy loss in monochorionic (MC) or dichorionic (DC) twins, and natural or assisted reproductive technology (ART) twins. METHODS: Between January 1997 and December 2008, there were 146 cases of second trimester twin pregnancy losses (between 12 and 24 weeks gestation) from 2,467 twin pregnancies. They were divided into four groups according to chorionicity and fertilization. Chorionicity was established by ultrasound at early gestation and confirmed by histologic examination after delivery. From a total of 2,467 twin deliveries, 392 MC, 2058 DC, and 17 unknown chorionicity were observed. Fertilization methods were classified as 736 natural, 1,590 ART, and 141 unknown conceptions. The pregnancy loss rate and possible mechanisms were compared in each group. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 43 MC, 86 DC, and 17 unknown chorionicities and 45 natural, 78 ART, and 23 unknown fertilizations. Total twin pregnancy loss rate was 5.9% (146/2,467), with 11.0% (43/392) and 4.2% (86/2,058) for MC twin group and DC twin group, respectively. Likewise, it was 6.1% (45/736) and 4.9% (78/1,590) for natural twin group and ART twin group. The most common cause was intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) in 22 (51.2%) in MC twin group and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) in 40 (46.5%) in DC twin group, followed by preterm labor (PTL) in 37 (43%). In natural pregnancy, IUFD was the most common etiology in 20 (44.5%) and for ART twin group, it was PTL in 35 (44.9%). CONCLUSION: Twin pregnancy loss rate was higher in MC twin group compared with DC twin group in the second trimester. MC twin group had a higher incidence of IUFD as a cause of second trimester pregnancy loss. The etiologies in DC twin group were PPROM and PTL. It is suggested that antenatal care in twin pregnancy should be explored for preventing fetal loss and promoting neonatal well-being.
Chorion ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fetal Death ; Humans ; Incidence ; Membranes ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Rupture ; Twins

The original article contained an error in Figure 1.

Background/Aims: Maintaining vascular access (VA) is very important in the management of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Therefore, the identification of risk factors for decreased vascular access flow has clinical relevance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of serum phosphorus (P) on autologous arteriovenous fistula flow in HD patients. Methods: Sixty-two maintenance HD patients who visited the dialysis unit of CHA Bundang Medical Center between November 2016 and December 2017 were included in the study. Serum P levels were obtained every month, and time-averaged serum P was calculated. All patients had left arm arteriovenous fistulas (AVF; side-to-side anastomosis). AVF flow was assessed by Transonic HD 03. Decreased AVF flow was defined as < 600 mL/min. Results: Decreased AVF flow was observed in 14 of 62 patients. In univariate analysis and multivariable analysis, higher serum P had a significant independent association with decreased AVF flow. Advanced age, reduced ejection fraction, low blood flow rate in dialysis, and higher serum calcium were not associated with AVF flow. Conclusions The present study demonstrated that higher serum P was an independent risk factor for decreased autologous AVF flow in maintenance HD patients. Serial monitoring of serum P may be helpful in stratifying patients by risk of AVF dysfunction, and proper management of serum P levels may be helpful in maintaining flow through autologous AVFs.

The original article contained an error in Figure 1.

Purpose: The study was examined to investigate the influence of nurse manager and peer group caring behaviors on organizational socialization and nursing performance Methods: The subjects were 286 clinical nurses from a general hospital in S city. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression analysis with the SPSS 25.0 program. Nurse manager and peer group caring behaviors, organizational socialization, and nursing performance were measured using organizational climate for caring scale, peer group caring interaction scale, organizational socialization and performance measurement scale for hospital nurses. Results There was no significant difference in organizational socialization between nurse manager and peer group caring behaviors. The significant predictors of nursing performance were position (β=-.26), nurse manager caring behaviors (β=.23), and peer group caring behaviors (β=.17). These variables explained 23% of the variance in nursing performance. Conclusion: The results suggest that it is necessary to increase both manager and peer group caring behaviors in order to improve nursing performance.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging ) had been the most up-to-dated modality in evaluating white matter disease in recent years, whereas US (ultrasonogram) has been used extensively in diagnosis of neonatal PVL(periventricular leukomalacia) conventionally. We evaluated the diagnostic value of MRI by reviewing the MR findings and correlation of MR and US of PVL in II preterm infants. Evaluation criteria were MR signal intensity and discrimination of PVL on each pulse sequences land comparision between MR and US findings performed simultaneously, on the extent of PVL, size of the largest cyst and detectability of hemorrhagic lesion. MR findings of 11 cases of PVL were of low signal patterns on T1WI (T1weighted image) in 7, low signal patterns of PDWI (proton density weighted image) in 9, iso signal patterns on T2WI(T2weighted image) in 8 and low signal patterns on STIR(short time inversion recovery) in 7 cases. The lesions of 11 PVL were well discriminated in all 11 cases of T1WI, 7 cases of STR, 5 case of PDWE and 2 cases of T2WI. The lateral ventricle was diffuse dilated (n=1) and focally dilated (n=3) in atrial area. In the comparative study, MR presented more extensive lesions in 7 cases, larger cysts in 6 cases out of 7 PVL and more definitive hemorrhage in 3 cases out of 4 cases than sonography. In conclusion MR was more valuable than sonography in evaluating the extent of lesions, size of the largest cystic lesion and detetion of hemorrhage. TIWI and STIR images were more useful in detection of PVL than T2WI and PDWI.
Diagnosis ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Lateral Ventricles ; Leukoencephalopathies ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Conjoined twins are uncommon complications of monoamniotic twinning. Among them, cephalopagus twins are very rare. The accurate prenatal diagnosis of conjoining is essential for the optimal obstetric counseling and management. We describe a case where prenatal sonographic diagnosis of cephalopagus associated with multiple anomalies including meningomyelocele, diaphragmatic hernia, omphalocele, and club feet was made at 18 weeks of gestation.
Counseling ; Diagnosis* ; Foot ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic ; Hernia, Umbilical ; Humans ; Meningomyelocele ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Twins, Conjoined ; Ultrasonography*