BACKGROUND: In patients with myocardial infarction, one needs to know the location, extent and severity of wall motion abnormalities to assess prognosis and guide therapy. Thus more precise quantatative estimates of regional ventricular function are required. Regional wall motion has generally been assessed by displaying the multiple cardiac images of RVG as endless-loop movie, but the cinematic display was not objective. We used the usefulness of the phase analysis in evaluating the global left ventricular function and regional wall motion abnormalities of patients with myocardial infarction. The accuracy of the RVG cinematic display in detecting regional wall motion abnormalities in patients with myocardial infarction was also evaluated. METHODS: Studied cases were 97 patients with myocardial infarction and 20 normals with low likelihood of coronary artery disease. Coronary angiography and contrast left ventriculography were performed in all patients with myocardial infarction. The regional wall myocardial infarction(presence) is defined when the EKG presented the evidence of myocardial infarction, left ventriculogram showed RWMA(regional wall motion abnormality) along with stenosis of 50% or greater of the regional supplying coronary artery. Each patient was imaged in 45 left anterior oblique(LAO) view, anterior(Ant) view and left lateral(Lt Lat) view. We evaluated Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) from time-activity curve. We constructed the histogram for the left ventricle and both ventricle separately to obtain the global and total phase angle(GPA, TPA), standard deviation of phase angle(GSDPh, TSDPh), full width half maximum(GFWHM, TFWHM). The left ventricle was divided into 7 segments. LAO projection ; septal, apical, basal lateral, apical lateral, Ant projection ; anterolateral, Lt Lat projection ; inferior, posterior, Phase angle(RPA) and full width half maximum(RFWHM) from the histogram (regional 7 segments) were examined. On the RVG cinematic display, the standard 4 grading system was used, normal, hypokinesia, akinesia, dyskinesia. The observer evaluated regional wall motion abnormality of the 7 segments for all cases. The sensitivity of the above parameters and RVG cinematic display was evaluated. We analyzed the regional parameters among the patents with regional wall myocardial infarction(presence), those without regional wall myocardial infarction(absence) and control group using the t-test. The statistical analysis was done by one way ANOVA between regional phase analysis and RVG cinematic display. RESULTS: The sensitivity of LVEF was lowest(70.1%) and the GFWHM was highest among the global parameters(89.1%). But RFWHM showed even higher sensitivity(96.9%), thus regional phase analysis was also required. The RVG cinematic display was also sensitive(92.7%), but less sensitive than the RFWHM. On regional phase analysis the RPA of septal, apical, inferior, posterior walls of the left ventricle was able to separate presence group from absence group and also presence group from control group and the RPA of the apical lateral wall could separate presence group from absence group. The RPA of basal lateral and anterolateral wall was inaccurate in diagnosing the regional wall myocardial infarction, because basal lateral wall was overlapped by adjacent vascular structures, and the area of anterolateral wall dose not correlate completely beteen the RVG & the left ventriculogram, also the anterolateral wall can be supplied by the obtuse marginal branch of left circumflex artery. The RFWHM of all regional walls of left ventricle could separate presence group from absence group and presence group from control group. We found good correlation between regional phase analysis & left ventriculogram for detection of regional wall myocardial infartion. On RVG cinematic display, the RPA of the normal group was different from that of dyskinesia, akinesia and hypokinesia groups. The RPA of the dyskinesia group was also different from that of skinesia and hypokinesia groups by oneway ANOVA(p<0.05). The RFWHM of the dskinesia group was different from that of the normal group and hypokinesia group. RVG cinematic display correlated well with regional phase analysis and also quantitation of wall motion. CONCLUSIONS: Thus RVG cinematic display was useful and can not be replaced by phase analysis. But the regional phase analysis was sensitive and objective in diagnosing the wall motion abnormality in myocardial infarction.
Ants ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Dyskinesias ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypokinesia ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Prognosis ; Radionuclide Ventriculography ; Ventricular Function ; Ventricular Function, Left

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing on practice of healthcare-associated infection control among clinical nurses. METHODS: The subject of this study were 118 nurses who worked in medical . surgical ward and ICU of 2 general hospital in Gwangju city. Data were collected with a questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 12.0. RESULTS: The major findings of this study were as follow: There were significant positive correlation between knowledge, recognition, empowerment and practice of healthcare-associated infection control. The significant factors influencing practice of healthcare-associated infection control were recognition and empowerment, which explained 68.8% of the practice of healthcare-associated infection control. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that recognition on healthcare-associated infection control and empowerment among clinical nurses should be reinforcement via consistent education, administrative and organizational support at the level of hospital.
Education ; Gwangju ; Hospitals, General ; Infection Control* ; Power (Psychology) ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the life experiences of patients with a severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). METHODS: The data were collected through in-depth interviews of six patients suffering from severe COPD. The interviewed data were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and checked for accuracy. The Giorgi method of phenomenology was used for analyzing data. RESULTS: Eight themes forming the, units of meaning, were: Repeated and Unpredictable Suffering of Dyspnea, Confidence Loss/Exhaustion Life due to non-efficient breathing, Gradually Deprived Liberty, Absolute Being to Sustaining my life, Source of Burden but Significant Person I am in the Family, Endless Tug-of-War-Capability/Endeavor to Breath, Longing for my Life, and Dead-end of breathing. CONCLUSION: The study results provide an in-depth understanding of life experiences of patients suffering from severe COPD. The findings will be useful to nurses caring for this population.
Dyspnea ; Freedom ; Humans ; Ice ; Life Change Events ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Respiration ; Stress, Psychological

Benign partial epilepsy of childhood is the most common type of epilepsy in school-aged children and is typically well controlled with antiepileptic drug, thus having an excellent prognosis. Recently, we have encountered one case of atypical benign partial epilepsy of childhood with the following atypical clinical and EEG features : predominant atypical absence seizure in addition to partial motor seizure, unusual awake EEG tracings of focal sharp waves in the frontocentrotemporal location, while the sleep tracings showed nearly continuous slow spike and wave activity. The administration of various antiepileptic drugs adversely provoked a drowsy mental state without seizure control. The patient dramatically improved after steroid therapy.
Anticonvulsants ; Child ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsies, Partial* ; Epilepsy ; Epilepsy, Absence ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Seizures

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify factors affecting the functional status in disabled persons in the Jeju Province. METHOD: Data were collected from 318 disabled persons in the Jeju province during the period from the 6th of July to the 11th of October in 2006. The functional status was assessed by the disability assessment schedule II(Whodas II) of the World Health Organization and collected data were analyzed using the SAS 8.0 program. RESULT: The mean score of WHODAS II was 29.9. According to the results of multiple regression, factors affecting the functional status were perceived health condition(t=3.44, p<.001), brain disorder disability(t=2.55, p<.001), treatment status(t=-1.95, p=.05), drinking(t=2.09, p=.04), stress(t=-2.72, p=.01), depression(t=-2.70, p=.01), heart disease(t=2.62, p=.01) and anemia(t=2.20, p=.03). CONCLUSION: The functional status was affected by health behaviors, diseases, and the type of disability. Thus, future efforts to promote the functional status of disabled persons may need to take into account all these factors.
Appointments and Schedules ; Brain Diseases ; Disabled Persons* ; Health Behavior ; Heart ; Humans ; World Health Organization

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing on practice of healthcare-associated infection control among clinical nurses. METHODS: The subject of this study were 118 nurses who worked in medical . surgical ward and ICU of 2 general hospital in Gwangju city. Data were collected with a questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 12.0. RESULTS: The major findings of this study were as follow: There were significant positive correlation between knowledge, recognition, empowerment and practice of healthcare-associated infection control. The significant factors influencing practice of healthcare-associated infection control were recognition and empowerment, which explained 68.8% of the practice of healthcare-associated infection control. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that recognition on healthcare-associated infection control and empowerment among clinical nurses should be reinforcement via consistent education, administrative and organizational support at the level of hospital.
Education ; Gwangju ; Hospitals, General ; Infection Control ; Power (Psychology) ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: The differentiation of syphilids from other skin decreases is frequently difficult due to considerable variations of clinical and histologic pattern. The most common histologic changes in secondary syphilis are swelling & proliferation of endothelial cells and the presence of a perivascular infiltrate containing plasmia cells. But often, these findings are absert or inconspicuous. OBJECTIVE: We examined the histopathologic findings of secondary syphilis in relation to the clinical types of the skin lesion. MEHTODS: 36 biopsy specimens from twenty-nine serologically and clinically confirmed cases of secondary syphilis (15 macules, 8 papules, 2 condylomata latas and 11 papulosquamous lesions) were examined. RESULTS: The histopath,ologic findings of secondary syphilis showed comparative differences according to the clinical types of the skin lesion. The plasms cell infltrates were absent or sparse in 14 csses(39%) and the plasma cell infiltration was significantly correhted with the age of skin lesions(p=0.02197). Vascular changes were seen in 32 cases (89%), but the incidence of endothelial proliferation was less(25%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the histopathologic findirigs of secondary syphilis in accordance to the clinical morphology of the eruption and thus, help to differentiate syphilids from other skin diseases.
Biopsy ; Endothelial Cells ; Incidence ; Plasma Cells ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Syphilis ; Syphilis, Cutaneous*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to evaluate stress in elderly patients with coronary artery diseases (CAD) and to examine validity and reliability of the scale. METHODS: The development process for the preliminary scale included construction of a conceptual framework and initial items, verification of content analysis, sentence correction, and pilot study. This study was conducted using a questionnaire survey with one-to-one interviews during January and February, 2012. Participants were 240 elderly patients with CAD. Data were analyzed using item analysis, factor analysis, criterion related validity, and internal consistency. RESULTS: The developed scale consisted of 32 items and 6 factors - aging and disease (7 items), family relations (5 items), anxiety and withdrawal (9 items), management of daily living (3 items), compliance of medical regimen (4 items), poverty and finance (4 items), and explained 68.5% of total variance. The scale had significantly positive correlation with the Korean Perceived Stress Scale (KPSS). Cronbach's alpha was .96, and Guttman split half coefficient was .91. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that the Stress Scale for Elderly Patients with CAD has validity and reliability, and is a suitable scale in health care settings to assess stress in elderly patients with CAD.
Adaptation, Physiological ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anxiety ; Coronary Artery Disease/*psychology ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Program Development ; Questionnaires ; Socioeconomic Factors ; *Stress, Psychological

No abstract available.
Liver* ; Paratyphoid Fever* ; Typhoid Fever*

We successfully closed the isolated patent ductusarteriosus(PDA) in 2 female patients using the Rashkind Double-Disc Occlusion system. nonsurgical closure of PDA usin plug was introduced by Porstmann in 1968 through transfemoral artery catheter and using umbrella by Rashkind in 1977 througth venous site. There has been continued improvement and simplification of the equipment as well as in the implantation technique. Nowaday, a multicenter study was conducted to test the safety and effectiveness of this interventioal method in States. Successful closure rate was high but some problems were reported such as embolization, abnormal deployment and residual shunt. Residual shunt was visualized by aortography in our both cases immediately after intervention but continuous murmur could not be heard in both cases. Oxygen step-up disappeared immediately after occluder implantation in both cases. Complete occlusion was expected with thrombus in near future.
Aortography ; Arteries ; Catheters ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent* ; Female ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Thrombosis