Some studies have reported a decrease in the natural killer (NK) cell activity in smokers. However, large-scale data on the relationshipbetween NK cell activity and smoking are unavailable. A cross-sectional study was performed on 12,249 asymptomatic examineeswho underwent an NK cell activity test, between January 2016 and May 2017. The test quantitated the amount of interferon-γsecreted into the plasma by NK cells, using a patented stimulatory cytokine. The mean age of the study population was 39.1 years,and the proportions of “never”, “former”, and “current” smokers were 65.5%, 20.9%, and 13.6%, respectively. Current smokers (1,422pg/mL) had a lower median level of NK cell activity than never smokers (1,504 pg/mL, P = 0.039) and former smokers (1,791 pg/mL, P < 0.001). Among current smokers, NK cell activity decreased with increase in the number of cigarettes smoked among currentsmokers (median, 1,537, 1,429, and 1,175 pg/mL at <10, 10-19, and ≥ 20 pack-years, respectively; P < 0.001). Additionally, itdecreased linearly with increasing quartiles of cotinine levels (median, 1,707, 1,636, 1,348, and 1,292 pg/mL at cotinine levels < 292,292-879, 880-1,509, and ≥ 1,510 ng/mL, respectively; r = –0.122, P < 0.001). NK cell activity was lower in current smokers. It alsodecreased with an increase in the number of cigarettes smoked, and it was negatively correlated with cotinine levels among currentsmokers. Our findings indicate a clear relationship between smoking and decreased NK cell activity.

PURPOSE: Several studies have reported relationships among physical activity, healthy metabolic status, and increased natural killer (NK) cell activity. However, large-scale data thereon are lacking. Thus, the present study aimed to assess NK cell activity according to physical activity and metabolic status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 12014 asymptomatic examinees. Using a patented stimulatory cytokine, NK cell activity was quantitated by the amount of interferon-γ secreted into the plasma by NK cells. Physical activity levels were assessed using the validated Korean version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. RESULTS: The physically inactive group showed lower NK cell activity than the minimally active group (median, 1461 vs. 1592 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and health-enhancing physically active group (median, 1461 vs. 1712 pg/mL, p=0.001). Compared to women with a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5–27.5 kg/m2, those with a BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 had significantly lower NK cell activity (1356 vs. 1024 g/mL, p < 0.001), and those with a BMI ≥27.5 kg/m2 tended to have lower NK cell activity (1356 vs. 1119 g/mL, p=0.070). Subjects with high hemoglobin A1c levels and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, as well as men with high blood pressure and women with high triglyceride levels, exhibited lower NK cell activity. Moreover, physical inactivity and metabolic abnormalities were independently associated with low NK cell activity, even after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION: Physical inactivity and metabolic abnormalities are associated with reduced NK cell activity. Immune systems may become altered depending on physical activity and metabolic status.
Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Immune System ; Killer Cells, Natural* ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Plasma ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the reference accuracy in major nursing journals in Korea. METHODS: The references in articles from eight nursing journals from 2006 were compared with PubMed for authors, year, title, journal, volume, and page accuracy. Four hundred sixty-six references were reviewed. Errors were classified as major or minor and categorized by bibliographic headings (author, title, journal, year, volume and page). RESULTS: Of the 466 references, 223(47.9%) had citation errors. The reference error rates ranged from 28.6% to 58.7%. Most errors occurred in the author element (37.9%), followed by title (20.9%), journal (19.0%), page (13.9%), volume (5.9%), and year (2.4%). CONCLUSION: This study identified a considerable error rate in the references of nursing journals. Inaccuracy of references is a reflection on scholarly work of authors and journals. Authors and Editorial committees are responsible for the accuracy of references.
*Bibliography as Topic ; Humans ; Korea ; *Nursing ; Peer Review, Research ; Periodicals as Topic

PURPOSE: This study was to determine the current trend of nursing research as exploring both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and to provide the explicit direction to improve the quality of published papers. METHODS: Total of 366 articles published between 2004 and 2006 was reviewed using the criteria of analysis. RESULTS: There was more number of quantitative studies than qualitative studies. More studies were conducted with subjects who had health problems, and studies that targeted women and elderly population have been significantly increased. In quantitative methodology, utilization of experimental and quasi-experimental designs has been increased, however descriptive study was dominant as yet. In qualitative methodology, studies using grounded theory and phenomenology were frequently published. It was noted that theoretical framework and rational for sample size were rarely presented in quantitative study. Philosophical position and the process of preparation for study, which guided the research, were not clearly described in qualitative study. CONCLUSION: The findings of this review suggest that published studies have been improved and diversified, however, detailed and clear evaluation tool that assesses study process and method should be developed as a way to further improve the quality of published papers.
Bibliometrics ; Humans ; Korea ; Nursing Methodology Research/*standards ; *Periodicals as Topic ; Qualitative Research

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify current characteristics of the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and to explore a way to elevate it to an international level and to critique the overall review process so as to delineate the advanced, objective paper appraisal in this journal. METHODS: Data was collected using self administered questionnaires to 75 journal reviewers belonging to the Korean academy of nursing and its division academy of nursing from August 15th to September 30th, 2006. RESULTS: The majority of reviewers pointed out a lack of discrimination between the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and other journals. Among the main answers of reviewers, Creativeness(52.3%) and excellence of nursing(38%) will be critical factors to develop in order to elevate to an the journal to an international level. In specific evaluation areas, reviewers preferred a subjective critique method(60%), and the condition of the decision making process regarding paper acceptance as a combination of checklist and subjective evaluation(84%). Subjective evaluation opinions with major categories will occur in the next revised evaluation format. 76% of reviewers agreed with the current objective evaluation form. CONCLUSIONS: The journal review process should be evaluated on a regular basis to elevate the journal level and a mutual agreement of the journal's scope, range, and purpose will be necessary. As a recommendation, an attempt at various approaches in journal reviews and reviewer training should be made.
Adult ; Advisory Committees/standards ; Editorial Policies ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Nursing Research ; *Peer Review, Research ; Periodicals as Topic/*standards

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify current characteristics of the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and to explore a way to elevate it to an international level and to critique the overall review process so as to delineate the advanced, objective paper appraisal in this journal. METHODS: Data was collected using self administered questionnaires to 75 journal reviewers belonging to the Korean academy of nursing and its division academy of nursing from August 15th to September 30th, 2006. RESULTS: The majority of reviewers pointed out a lack of discrimination between the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and other journals. Among the main answers of reviewers, Creativeness(52.3%) and excellence of nursing(38%) will be critical factors to develop in order to elevate to an the journal to an international level. In specific evaluation areas, reviewers preferred a subjective critique method(60%), and the condition of the decision making process regarding paper acceptance as a combination of checklist and subjective evaluation(84%). Subjective evaluation opinions with major categories will occur in the next revised evaluation format. 76% of reviewers agreed with the current objective evaluation form. CONCLUSIONS: The journal review process should be evaluated on a regular basis to elevate the journal level and a mutual agreement of the journal's scope, range, and purpose will be necessary. As a recommendation, an attempt at various approaches in journal reviews and reviewer training should be made.
Adult ; Advisory Committees/standards ; Editorial Policies ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Nursing Research ; *Peer Review, Research ; Periodicals as Topic/*standards

A 31-year-old woman had a history of fatigue and hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis and hypocalciuria. The patient had a subtotal thyroidectomy and denied ingestion of diuretic medication. Her clinical and laboratory findings were consistent with Gitelman's syndrome. Normal blood pressure, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, hypocalciuria were present. She confessed to us that she had been taking a pill due to constipation for 7 years. She was afraid that her husband know it. But we don't know the reason why she had concealed it Surreptious ingestion of diuretics must be excluded in any adult patient in whom a diagnosis of Bartter's or Gitelman's syndrome is considered.
Adult ; Alkalosis ; Bartter Syndrome ; Blood Pressure ; Constipation ; Diagnosis ; Diuretics ; Eating ; Fatigue ; Female ; Gitelman Syndrome* ; Humans ; Hypokalemia ; Spouses ; Thyroidectomy

PURPOSE: By virtue of advances in scientific methods and technical systems, there has been a rapid growth in the number of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients treated using continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) as their primary renal replacement therapy. However, there are various catheter related complications that are limiting factors in patient and catheter maintenance. This study was aimed at introducing of the techniques of CAPD catheter implantation designed for reducing the complication rate, as well as conducting an investigation of the incidence of CAPD catheter related complications and patient survival and catheter survival rates. METHODS: We performed 234 cases of CAPD catheter implantation using a conventional surgical method (n=162, between January 1993 and December 1997) or a modified surgical method (n=72, between January 1998 and December 1999), and retrospectively reviewed the patient's medical records to elucidate the incidence of early catheter related complications and the catheter removal rate in relation to the surgical methods. RESULTS: There were 21 cases (23.8%) of peritonitis in the modified group, which was less than that in the conventional group (79 cases, 48.8%) (P=0.036). There were 9 cases (12.5%) of exit site and tunnel infection in the modified group, which was less than that in the conventional group (36 cases, 22.2%) (P=0.019). We were able to reduce the peritonitis as well as exit site and tunnel infection by a long segment of tunneling and immobilization of the catheter to the skin. Nine cases of leakage (5.5%) have occurred in the conventional group and one case (1.3%) in the modified group; the difference was statistically significant (P=0.046). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that our modified surgical methods can reduce the rate of early catheter related complications.
Catheters* ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Incidence ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Medical Records ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Peritonitis ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Survival Rate ; Virtues

PURPOSE: We report the results of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft and a bioab-sorbable interference screw (Bioscrew, poly L-lactic acid, Linvatec co., USA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1998 to December 1998, we performed 39 cases of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using BPTB autograft and a bioabsorbable interference screw. The average follow-up period was 2 years and 8 months. We performed KT-2000 testing and measured the IKDC, Tegner and Lysholm scores preoperatively and compared these with the results of a final evalua-tion. We performed second-look arthroscopy on 4 cases and observed the degree of degradation of the bioabsorbable interference screw. RESULTS: Preoperative evaluation revealed an average range with a KT-2000 of 8.1 +/-3.4 mm, a Lysholm score of 66.2 +/-16.3, an IKDC score below C in all cases and a Tegner score of 3.7 +/-0.9, but final results showed a KT-2000 of 2.8 +/-2.2 mm, a Lysholm score of 91.7 +/-7.5, an IKDC score above B in all except 3 cases and a Tegner score of 6.9 +/-1.1. Second-look arthroscopy at 3 and 12 months post-operatively showed no degradation of the bioabsorbable interference screw, but there was partial degradation of the bioabsorbable inteference screw at 21 and 33 months. CONCLUSION: Bioabsorbable interference screws seems a reasonable alternative to metallic screws in ACL reconstruction. Bioab-sorbablescrew implanted in humans may take much longer to degrade than expected, more study is needed.
Arthroscopy ; Autografts* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lactic Acid

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the effects of the critical pathway (CP) on the quality of medical care, and to determine means of reducing costs for lumbar posterolateral fusion in patient with lumbar spinal stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 25 control patients with lumbar posterolateral fusion, and 25 experimental patients with application of CP. We compared the patients' functional status using the Oswestry disability index, patients'satisfaction by quality patient care scale, the length of hospitalization and the medical charges between the two groups. RESULTS: Differences between the Oswestry disability index of the experimental and control groups were not significant. No differences were found between two groups regarding general care, but the experimental group was more satisfied with specific care related to spinal fusion. The mean length of stay of the experimental group was shorter than that of the control group, and the charge of medication and treatment of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: Critical pathway improves the quality of care and reduces medical charges.
Critical Pathways* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Patient Care ; Spinal Fusion ; Spinal Stenosis*