Purpose: It is important to reduce stress and improve quality of life for shift nurses, who experience high levels of occupational stress. Identifying evidence-based interventions to enhance their well-being is crucial for both individual and healthcare system outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of music therapy and aromatherapy on stress, quality of life, and happiness among shift nurses. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned using computer-generated random numbers. A total of 78 shift nurses who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The experimental treatment involved providing music therapy for one week to the music group and aromatherapy for one week to the aroma group, whereas the control group followed their usual daily routines for one week. Results: No significant differences were observed among the three groups concerning general characteristics and baseline dependent variables, thereby confirming the homogeneity of the groups. Nevertheless, post-intervention analyses demonstrated significant improvements in perceived stress (F = 5.55, p = .006), stress index (F = 3.38, p = .039), quality of life (F = 11.79, p < .001), and happiness (F = 9.29, p < .001) in the experimental groups. Conclusion Both music therapy and aromatherapy were found to be effective in mitigating stress and improving quality of life and happiness among shift nurses. Therefore, these interventions can be regarded as valuable strategies for improving overall well-being within this population.

Purpose: It is important to reduce stress and improve quality of life for shift nurses, who experience high levels of occupational stress. Identifying evidence-based interventions to enhance their well-being is crucial for both individual and healthcare system outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of music therapy and aromatherapy on stress, quality of life, and happiness among shift nurses. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned using computer-generated random numbers. A total of 78 shift nurses who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The experimental treatment involved providing music therapy for one week to the music group and aromatherapy for one week to the aroma group, whereas the control group followed their usual daily routines for one week. Results: No significant differences were observed among the three groups concerning general characteristics and baseline dependent variables, thereby confirming the homogeneity of the groups. Nevertheless, post-intervention analyses demonstrated significant improvements in perceived stress (F = 5.55, p = .006), stress index (F = 3.38, p = .039), quality of life (F = 11.79, p < .001), and happiness (F = 9.29, p < .001) in the experimental groups. Conclusion Both music therapy and aromatherapy were found to be effective in mitigating stress and improving quality of life and happiness among shift nurses. Therefore, these interventions can be regarded as valuable strategies for improving overall well-being within this population.

Purpose: It is important to reduce stress and improve quality of life for shift nurses, who experience high levels of occupational stress. Identifying evidence-based interventions to enhance their well-being is crucial for both individual and healthcare system outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of music therapy and aromatherapy on stress, quality of life, and happiness among shift nurses. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned using computer-generated random numbers. A total of 78 shift nurses who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The experimental treatment involved providing music therapy for one week to the music group and aromatherapy for one week to the aroma group, whereas the control group followed their usual daily routines for one week. Results: No significant differences were observed among the three groups concerning general characteristics and baseline dependent variables, thereby confirming the homogeneity of the groups. Nevertheless, post-intervention analyses demonstrated significant improvements in perceived stress (F = 5.55, p = .006), stress index (F = 3.38, p = .039), quality of life (F = 11.79, p < .001), and happiness (F = 9.29, p < .001) in the experimental groups. Conclusion Both music therapy and aromatherapy were found to be effective in mitigating stress and improving quality of life and happiness among shift nurses. Therefore, these interventions can be regarded as valuable strategies for improving overall well-being within this population.

Purpose: It is important to reduce stress and improve quality of life for shift nurses, who experience high levels of occupational stress. Identifying evidence-based interventions to enhance their well-being is crucial for both individual and healthcare system outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of music therapy and aromatherapy on stress, quality of life, and happiness among shift nurses. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned using computer-generated random numbers. A total of 78 shift nurses who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The experimental treatment involved providing music therapy for one week to the music group and aromatherapy for one week to the aroma group, whereas the control group followed their usual daily routines for one week. Results: No significant differences were observed among the three groups concerning general characteristics and baseline dependent variables, thereby confirming the homogeneity of the groups. Nevertheless, post-intervention analyses demonstrated significant improvements in perceived stress (F = 5.55, p = .006), stress index (F = 3.38, p = .039), quality of life (F = 11.79, p < .001), and happiness (F = 9.29, p < .001) in the experimental groups. Conclusion Both music therapy and aromatherapy were found to be effective in mitigating stress and improving quality of life and happiness among shift nurses. Therefore, these interventions can be regarded as valuable strategies for improving overall well-being within this population.

BACKGROUND: Antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum preventive measures with antiretroviral drugs, appropriate delivery methods, and discouraging breastfeeding significantly decrease the risk of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Herein, we investigated the pregnancy outcomes in HIV-infected Korean women. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of childbearing-age HIV-infected women between January 2005 and June 2017 at four tertiary care hospitals in Korea. RESULTS: Among a total of 95 HIV infected women of child-bearing age with 587.61 years of follow-up duration, 15 HIV-infected women experienced 21 pregnancies and delivered 16 infants. The pregnancy rate was 3.57 per 100 patient-years. Among the 21 pregnancies, five ended with an induced abortion, and 16 with childbirth including two preterm deliveries at 24 and 35 weeks of gestation, respectively. The two preterm infants had low birth weight and one of them died 10 days after delivery due to respiratory failure. Among the 14 full-term infants, one infant was small for gestational age. There were no HIV-infected infants. CONCLUSION: The pregnancy rate of HIV-infected women in Korea is lower than that of the general population. Although several adverse pregnancy outcomes were observed, mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection was successfully prevented with effective preventive measures.
Abortion, Induced ; Breast Feeding ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; HIV ; HIV Infections ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Korea* ; Medical Records ; Parturition ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy* ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Healthcare

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the most common acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining malignancies among human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, and rectal cancer has recently emerged as a prevalent non-AIDS-defining malignancy. We report a case of rectal squamous cell carcinoma that was metachronous with DLBCL in an HIV-infected patient who was receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. The patient was diagnosed with DLBCL and showed complete remission after chemotherapy. Follow-up imaging showed increased uptake at the rectum, previously treated as lymphoma. Repeated biopsy was performed and squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum was reported. After concurrent chemoradiation therapy, curative resection was performed.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; HIV ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, AIDS-Related ; Lymphoma, B-Cell* ; Oncogenic Viruses ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Rectum

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of a peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-mediated PCR clamping method for the detection of BRAFV600E mutations in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). METHODS: One hundred sixty four patients underwent FNAC to evaluate BRAFV600E mutations between April 2011 and November 2011. Among them, forty-two patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma in a permanent pathologic specimen. A PNA-mediated PCR clamping method and a Dual-Priming Oligonucleotide (DPO)-based Real-time PCR method were used to detect the BRAFV600E mutation. We compared the result of mutation between the two methods. RESULTS: A BRAF mutation was found in 31 samples created by the PNA-mediated PCR clamping method, and in 28 samples in the DPO-based Real-time PCR method. The rate of BRAF mutation was 73.8% in association with the PNA-mediated PCR clamping method, and 66.7% in association with the DPO-based Real-time PCR method. There was no statistical differences between the two methods (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The PNA-mediated PCR clamping method may be an alternative to the DPO-based Real-Time PCR method for detection of BRAF mutations in thyroid nodules.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Constriction* ; Humans ; Methods* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule

We have isolated 6 vancomycin resistant (VR) Enterococcus faecium and 5 VR-E. gallinarum. Vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) isolates were resistant to multi-drugs, but susceptible to linezolid and quinupristin/dalfopristin. VRE isolates showed 10 VanA phenotypes and 1 VanB phenotype (E. gallinarum). However, all of them showed vanA genotype. vanA gene was detected on both genomic and plasmid DNA from all VRE isolates. Almost of VR-E. faecium had IS1216V which is worldwide type and almost of VR-E. gallinarum had IS1542 which is European type. IS1216V and IS1542 genes were not related with antibiotic types of VRE. Copy numbers of vanA were decreased in VRE with IS1216V or IS1542 but not in VRE with both ISs in broth without vancomycin. The copy numbers of vanA were significantly decreased in VanB phenotype of VRE with IS1542 in broth without vancomycin. Copy numbers of vanA were recovered in the presence of vancomycin. Growth time of reference E. faecium is faster than that of reference E. faecalis when cultured in the broth containing vancomycin. Reference strains cultured in the broth containing vancomycin showed intermediate resistance or resistance to antibiotics without acquisition of van genes. Naturally, multidrug-resistant E. faecium might be fast adapted in the presence of vancomycin compared to E. faecalis. Taken together, VanA phenotype E. gallinarum as well as E. feacium have been increasing in nosocomial infection and showed acquired inducible resistance. E. faecium and E. faecalis showed intermediate resistance in long exposure of vancomycin without acquisition of vanA.
Acetamides ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Coat Protein Complex I ; Cross Infection ; DNA ; Enterococcus ; Enterococcus faecium ; Genotype ; Oxazolidinones ; Phenotype ; Plasmids ; Vancomycin ; Vancomycin Resistance ; Linezolid

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) is a rare cause of focal abdominal pain in otherwise healthy patients. Patients with acute abdominal pain are often misdiagnosed clinically as acute appendicitis or diverticulitis. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical presentation and characteristic computed tomography (CT) findings of PEA. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records and CT images of 23 consecutive patients in Korea who presented with acute abdominal pain between January 2005 and February 2009 and had radiologic signs of PEA. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (7 females and 16 males; average age, 42+/-14 years) were diagnosed with symptomatic PEA. Abdominal pain localized to the left (8 patients [44.5%]) and right (10 patients [55.5%]) lower quadrants as the leading symptom. CT findings specific for PEA were present in all patients except one. The symptoms resolved within 1 week (mean, 3.5 days) with or without antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with localized, sharp, acute abdominal pain not associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, fever or atypical laboratory values, the diagnosis of PEA should be considered and the diagnosis confirmed by CT scan.
Abdomen, Acute ; Abdominal Pain ; Appendicitis ; Diverticulitis ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Korea ; Nausea ; Peas ; Vomiting

Rehabilitation of young children with hearing impairment can be defined as a teaching/learning process where the role of the clinician is to facilitate the acquisition of listening, speech and language in a normal developmental order. The young children with hearing impairment are helped by hearing aids and cochlear implants to learn language. Auditory (re)habilitation in young children with hearing impairment is to acquire auditory skills at four stages : sound detection, sound identification through imitation, sound discrimination, and comprehension. Without appropriate auditory training and early intervention, children with hearing impairment cannot develop spoken language. Speech acquisition is a perceptual as well as an oral process. To maximize the speech acquisition in children with hearing impairment, indepth understanding of the characteristics of the children, the parents' motivation and cooperation, a well-designed educational program, and the high competence of the health care professionals are important. Therefore, listening is not an isolated skill, and the auditory development in children with hearing impairment should be achieved in a comprehensive approach. Young children with hearing impairment need supports and guidance from health care professionals whose holistic approach balances auditory learning with the parallel development of the children's other learning processes.
Child* ; Cochlear Implants ; Comprehension ; Correction of Hearing Impairment* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Hearing Aids ; Hearing Loss* ; Humans ; Learning ; Mental Competency ; Motivation ; Rehabilitation ; Speech Perception*