Esophageal perforation can lead to serious complications, and rapid diagnosis and treatment significantly affect the prognosis. Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure (EndoVAC) therapy is widely accepted as a safe, well-tolerated, effective, versatile and practical procedure for the management of esophageal perforation in selected patients. We report the successful use of EndoVAC therapy for management of an esophageal perforation secondary to foreign body removal. A 56-year-old man presented to the emergency department for evaluation of chest pain after swallowing the plastic shell of a pill. Emergency endoscopy revealed an esophageal wall laceration (approximately 3 cm) and microperforation. The esophageal laceration and microperforation were limited to the mid-esophagus. The patient underwent EndoVAC therapy, which was repeated every 3–4 days for a total of six sessions over a period of 21 days. We observed improvement in the esophageal injury with granulation tissue formation during the fifth session. Subsequent follow-up evaluation, including esophagography and chest computed tomography confirmed complete healing of the esophageal injury. Following resumption of diet, the patienton a was discharged without any complications.

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) can be classified into two distinct molecular subtypes, BRAF-like (BL) and RASlike (RL). However, the molecular characteristics of each subtype according to clinicopathological factors have not yet been determined. We aimed to investigate the gene signatures and tumor microenvironment according to clinicopathological factors, and to identify the mechanism of progression in BL-PTCs and RL-PTCs. Methods: We analyzed RNA sequencing data and corresponding clinicopathological information of 503 patients with PTC from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. We performed differentially expressed gene (DEG), Gene Ontology, and molecular pathway enrichment analyses according to clinicopathological factors in each molecular subtype. EcoTyper and CIBERSORTx were used to deconvolve the tumor cell types and their surrounding microenvironment. Results: Even for the same clinicopathological factors, overlapping DEGs between the two molecular subtypes were uncommon, indicating that BL-PTCs and RL-PTCs have different progression mechanisms. Genes related to the extracellular matrix were commonly upregulated in BL-PTCs with aggressive clinicopathological factors, such as old age (≥55 years), presence of extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastasis, advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and high metastasis-age-completeness of resection- invasion-size (MACIS) scores (≥6). Furthermore, in the deconvolution analysis of tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts were significantly enriched. In contrast, in RL-PTCs, downregulation of immune response and immunoglobulin-related genes was significantly associated with aggressive characteristics, even after adjusting for thyroiditis status. Conclusion The molecular phenotypes of cancer progression differed between BL-PTC and RL-PTC. In particular, extracellular matrix and cancer-associated fibroblasts, which constitute the tumor microenvironment, would play an important role in the progression of BL-PTC that accounts for the majority of advanced PTCs.

Background: The fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) test is useful in asthma patients. However, a few studies on its usefulness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients have been reported. We analyzed the FENO level distribution and clinical characteristics according to the FENO level in COPD patients. Methods: From December 2014 to June 2019, COPD patients who underwent pulmonary function and FENO tests at Chonnam National University Hospital were retrospectively evaluated for FENO, comorbidities, asthma history, blood eosinophil, and pulmonary function test. The high FENO group was defined as those with FENO level>25 parts per billion (ppb). Results: A total of 849 COPD patients (mean age, 70.3±9.4 years) were included. The mean forced expiratory volume at 1 second was 66.5±21.7% and the mean FENO level was 24.3±20.5 ppb. Patients with FENO ≤25 ppb were 572 (67.4%) and those with FENO >25 ppb were 277 (32.6%). Blood eosinophil percentage was significantly higher (4.2±4.8 vs. 2.7±2.5, p<0.001) in patients with the high FENO group than the low FENO group. The high FENO group revealed a significantly higher frequency of patients with blood eosinophil percentage >3% (46.9% vs. 34.8%, p=0.001) and asthma history (25.6% vs. 8.6%, p<0.001) than the lower FENO group. Asthma history, blood eosinophil percentage >3%, and positive bronchodilator response (BDR) were independent risk factors for the high FENO level (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.85; p<0.001; aOR, 1.46; p=0.017; and aOR, 1.57, p=0.034, respectively) in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion The FENO level distribution varied in COPD patients and the mean FENO value was slightly elevated. Asthma history, eosinophil percent, and positive BDR were independent risk factors for the high FENO level.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of diaper dermatitis (DD), knowledge of DD prevention and treatment, and diaper hygiene practices among mothers with diaper-wearing children. METHODS: The participants were 176 mothers who presented to an outpatient clinic at a children's hospital with diaper-wearing children. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The percent of correct answer for knowledge about DD was 59.7%. Almost half of the participants' children had experienced at least 1 episode of DD during the last 6 months. Inappropriate diaper hygiene practices, such as using talcum powder on DD and rubbing with a dry towel after cleansing, were reported. Moreover, only 37% of mothers used the recommended skin barrier to prevent DD. Although many children suffer from DD, levels of educational experience and perceived need for education on this topic were low. Almost 70% of mothers obtained DD-related information through internet sites. CONCLUSION: Educating parents about the etiology of DD and evidence-based diaper hygiene practices is an important aspect of effective DD prevention and treatment. Internet sites or smartphone apps may be effective methods for education on DD prevention and treatment considering parents' preferences for ways to obtain health information.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Child ; Dermatitis ; Diaper Rash ; Education ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Infant ; Internet ; Mothers ; Parents ; Prevalence ; Skin ; Smartphone ; Talc

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a spirituality promotion program on spirituality, empathy and stress in nursing students. METHODS: This study used one-group pretest-posttest design. Participants were 162 nursing students who participated in the spirituality program at C University in Seoul between 2014 and 2016. The effects of this study were measured using the Spirituality Assessment Scale, Toronto Empathy Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale-10. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: Spirituality increased significantly (Z=−8.06, p<.001), empathy also increased significantly (Z=−2.05, p=.040) and perceived stress decreased significantly (t=5.59, p<.001) after the spirituality promotion program. CONCLUSION Results show that the spirituality promotion program is an effective intervention to improve spirituality and empathy and reduce stress for nursing students. Therefore, this study proposes utilization of this spirituality promotion program with nursing students so that they can take care of themselves and develop the ability to perform holistic nursing care for patients.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)–guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) of mediastinal lymph nodes, the incidence of histopathologically-confirmed sarcoidosis has increased. METHODS: The electronic medical records of Chonnam National University (CNU) Hospital and CNU Hwasun Hospital (CNUHH) were searched for confirmed cases of sarcoidosis diagnosed between 1996 and 2014. Cases were selected using a combination of clinical, radiological, and pathological evidence. Of 115 cases with the relevant disease codes, 16 cases were excluded, as they had not been confirmed pathologically or had no definitive clinical features of sarcoidosis. RESULTS: Among 99 cases of confirmed sarcoidosis, only nine patients were diagnosed with sarcoidosis before 2008; the rest were diagnosed from 2008 onward, after the introduction of EBUS-TBNA. EBUS-TBNA was used in 75.8% of patients, open surgical biopsy in 13.2%, and mediastinoscopic biopsy in 5.1%. At the time of diagnosis, 42.4% of sarcoidosis cases were at stage I, 55.6% at stage II, and 2% at stage III. Spontaneous remission of sarcoidosis was observed in 33.3% of cases, and stable disease in 37.4%; systemic steroid treatment was initiated in 23.2% of cases. Of the patients treated with systemic steroids, 69.6% showed improvement. The median duration of steroid treatment was 5 months. CONCLUSION: Following the introduction of EBUS-TBNA, the number of newly diagnosed sarcoidosis patients has increased. Clinical features of sarcoidosis were similar to those previously reported. Spontaneous remission occurred in about one-third of patients, while one-fourth of patients required systemic steroid treatment.
Biopsy ; Bronchoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Electronic Health Records ; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration ; Humans ; Incidence ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea* ; Lymph Nodes ; Needles ; Remission, Spontaneous ; Sarcoidosis* ; Steroids ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Spirituality Promotion Program(SPP) for young nurses working in the stressful university hospital environment. METHODS: The study included 41 nurses in the experimental group, nurses who had worked less than 5 years and completed 8 weeks of SPP between June and July in 2011. The control group, 44 nurses, also received the same program after the study was completed. For the study, a survey was conducted of all participants concerning spirituality, perceived stress, positive and negative affect, empathy, job satisfaction, and leadership practice. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the two groups on study variables. Perceived stress decreased significantly in the experimental group (p=.012). Spirituality (p=.019), positive affect (p=.014), empathy (p=.004), job satisfaction (p=.016), and leadership practice (p=.021) increased significantly in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The results show that the Spirituality Promotion Program has positive effects on the spiritual and psychosocial aspect of young nurses. Continuation of this program for nurses is recommended in order to help them develop their selfcare ability and improve nursing competency.
Adult ; Empathy ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Leadership ; Nursing Staff, Hospital/*psychology ; *Program Evaluation ; *Spirituality ; Stress, Psychological

PURPOSE: This study is to explore the relationships among spirituality, death anxiety and burnout level of nurses caring for cancer patients. METHODS: Participants were 210 nurses from a cancer hospital in Seoul. Data were collected from April until June 2012 and analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe's test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The mean score for spirituality was 3.51 out of six. Among sub-categories, the one that scored the highest was the purpose and meaning of life, followed by unifying interconnectedness, inner resources and transcendence. The mean score for death anxiety was 3.22, and the sub-categories in the order of high score were denial of death, awareness of the shortness of time, pure death anxiety and fear of matters related to death. For the burnout, the mean was 4.10. Among sub-categories, highest mark was found with emotional exhaustion, followed by depersonalization and personal accomplishment. The spirituality level was negatively correlated with those of death anxiety and burnout. Death anxiety was positively correlated with burnout levels. Nurses with the higher spirituality level also had a higher level of education and experience of spiritual education, believed in the existence of God. In contrast, death anxiety and burnout levels were higher among those with a lower level of education, atheists, and for those who answered that religion has little influence on life. CONCLUSION: Thus, it is necessary to provide spiritual interventions for nurses who care for cancer patients to develop their spirituality, reduce death anxiety and prevent them from burning out easily.
Anxiety* ; Burnout, Professional ; Burns ; Cancer Care Facilities* ; Denial (Psychology) ; Depersonalization ; Education ; Humans ; Spirituality*

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate relationships among distress, depression, anxiety, and spiritual needs of hospitalized patients with stomach cancer. METHODS: The participants were 120 in-patients with stomach cancer for surgery or chemotherapy at C University in Seoul from December 2010 to February 2011. To measure emotional and spiritual states was used Distress management version 1 (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, NCCN), the Hospital anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Spiritual Needs Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0, specifically descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, and Pearson's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Distress showed positive correlations with anxiety (r=.49, p<.001), and depression (r=.44, p<.001). Anxiety showed positive correlations with depression (r=.59, p<.001). While, depression showed negative correlations with spiritual needs (r=-.25, p<.001). CONCLUSION: This study's findings show that hospitalized patients with stomach cancer experienced distress, anxiety, depression and high spiritual needs. Distress, anxiety, and depression of patients with stomach cancer were positively correlated with each other. While the level of depression was negatively correlated with the level of spiritual needs, indicating the higher the level of depression, the lower the spiritual needs. Therefore, nursing interventions for emotional and spiritual support need to be developed for stomach cancer patients.
Anxiety* ; Depression* ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Nursing ; Seoul ; Spirituality ; Stomach Neoplasms*

PURPOSE: This study was to test a theoretical model examining the relationships among social support, illness demands, marital adjustment, family coping and family functioning in couples more than three years after breast cancer diagnosis. METHODS: A causal modeling methodology was used to test the specified relationships in the recursive theoretical model. A total of 60 couples with breast cancer were recruited from January to April 2005. Five standardized questionnaires were used to measure the theoretical concepts: social support (ISSB), illness demands (DOII), marital adjustment (DAS), family coping (F-COPES), and family functioning (FACESII). RESULTS: Path analysis results from the wives and the husbands revealed different patterns. Three hypotheses were supported in the wife model as predicted: social support and family coping, family coping and family functioning, and social support and marital adjustment (trend). Five hypotheses were supported in the husband model as predicted: social support and illness demands, also social support and marital adjustment, illness demands and marital adjustment, marital adjustment and family coping, and family coping and family functioning. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable information for developing various interventions with social support for improving family functioning of breast cancer couples in the middle adaption stage (more than three years after diagnosis).
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Chronic Disease ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Spouses ; Surveys and Questionnaires