Background: Despite the popularity of the NeoBase 2 Non-derivatized MSMS assay (PerkinElmer, Turku, Finland), there are no reports of its comprehensive evaluation, including the ability to distinguish transient tyrosinemia of the newborn (TTN) from tyrosinemia type 1 (TYR 1) using succinylacetone (SUAC). No newborn screening (NBS) cutoffs for preterm neonates in the Korean population have been suggested. We evaluated the NeoBase 2 assay and identified analytes requiring different cutoffs in preterm neonates. Methods: Residual NBS dried blood spot samples and proficiency testing (PT) materials of the Newborn Screening Quality Assurance Program and the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service were used. Precision, accuracy, limit of detection (LOD), lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), linearity, recovery, carryover, and performance of SUAC were evaluated. Cutoffs were determined, and analytes requiring different cutoffs in preterm neonates were investigated. Results: Mean CVs for within-run and between-day precision were within 15%. Accuracy analysis indicated high agreement with in-house derivatized assay results and results of other PT participants. All analytes demonstrated acceptable LOD, LLOQ, and linearity. Recoveries were acceptable, except for SUAC. Carryover was negligible. Cutoffs were established for all analytes; Tyr, adenosine, and C20:0-lysophosphatidylcholine required different cutoffs in preterm neonates. Differential diagnosis of TYR 1 and TTN was successful with simultaneous Tyr and SUAC measurement. Conclusions The NeoBase 2 assay demonstrated satisfactory performance. The additional analytes provide a wider diagnostic coverage, and the simultaneous measurement of Tyr and SUAC is efficient in excluding TYR 1. The new cutoffs for preterm neonates may decrease false-positive rates, without compromising diagnostic sensitivity.

Purpose: This study examined the factors affecting mortality and clinical severity score (CSS) of male and female patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) using clinical epidemiological information provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational cohort study. From January 21 to April 30, 2020, a total of 5624 patients who were released from quarantine or died were analyzed. Results: The factors influencing release or death that differed by sex were high heart rate and malignancy in males and chronic kidney disease in females. In addition, the factors influencing progression to severe CSS were high BMI (severe obesity) and rheumatic disease in males and high temperature, sputum production, absence of sore throat and headache, chronic kidney disease, malignancy, and chronic liver disease in females. Older age, low lymphocyte count and platelets, dyspnea, diabetes mellitus, dementia, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission affected mortality in all the patients, and older age, low lymphocyte count and platelets, fever, dyspnea, diabetes mellitus, dementia, and ICU admission affected progression to severe stage of CSS. Conclusions This study is expected to contribute to the general results by analyzing nationally representative data. The results of this study present an important basis for development of differentiated nursing and medical management strategies in consideration of factors that influence treatment effects and outcomes according to sex of patients with COVID-19.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the acquisition and retention effects on diabetes knowledge and academic self-efficacy of patient simulation-based hypoglycemia scenario using a high-fidelity simulator. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group pretest/posttest repeated measures quasi-experimental design determined if nursing simulation using a high-fidelity simulator helps students acquire and retain diabetes knowledge and academic self-efficacy. A total of 101 nursing students from two universities participated in this study, comprising the experimental and control groups. The experimental group (n=52) at a university in S city comprised participants in an adult nursing class, nursing practicum, and simulation education. The control group (n=49) at a university in C city participated in an adult nursing class and nursing practicum without simulation education. RESULTS: The experimental group had statistically significant group-time interaction effects on diabetes knowledge (p=.044) and self-confidence (p<.001) of academic self-efficacy compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the patient simulation-based hypoglycemia scenario using a high-fidelity simulator applied to nursing education is useful in encouraging nursing students to engage in strategies with acquisition and retention effects, enhancing their diabetes knowledge and self-confidence of academic self-efficacy. Therefore, educators should use simulation programs effectively with nursing classes and practicum to enhance the effects of nursing competencies.
Adult ; Education ; Education, Nursing ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia* ; Nursing* ; Patient Simulation ; Self Efficacy ; Students, Nursing*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of simulation in nursing education based on caring for elderly cognition disorder patients. The education consisted of a caring program for patients that included a process of assessment of a patient's mental status, diagnosis of the patient's health condition, and intervention to address the problems by using therapeutic communication. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. A total of 69 subjects (undergraduate students) participated in the education and they were assigned to two groups: the experimental group (n=32) and the control group (n=37). Data-gathering structured questionnaires that included communication competence, academic self-efficacy, and attitudes about the elderly. The data were collected from October 2013 to December 2013, and statistical analyses were conducted with-test and t-test using the SPSS 21.0 program. RESULTS: With respect to education, there was significant improvement in communication competence in the experiment group (t=2.41, p=.022) compared with in the control group (t=.69, p=.494). However, there was no statistically significant difference in academic self-efficacy and attitude about the elderly. CONCLUSION: Simulation-based education should continue to be developed further for better elderly-patient care. Integrated education in particular using a high-fidelity simulator will contribute to improvements in nursing competence in this area.
Aged* ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Education* ; Education, Nursing ; Humans ; Learning* ; Mental Competency* ; Nursing ; Patient Simulation ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Students, Nursing*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify interpersonal relation disposition, critical thinking disposition, and communication competence in undergraduate students in nursing practicums. METHODS: Study participants were 170 junior and senior nursing students who were in a nursing practicum. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression with IBM SPSS statistics version 21. RESULTS: Dominant-ascendant (beta=.25, p=.011), sympathetic-acceptable (beta=.34, p<.001) and social-friendly (beta=.18, p=.024) of the interpersonal relation dispositions and Intellectual integrity (beta=.17, p=.027), open-mindedness (beta=.15, p=.024), Prudence (ss=.16, p=.016), and Inquisitiveness (beta=.21, p=.008) of the Critical thinking dispositions were identified as important predictors of communication competences. CONCLUSION: Considering the rapidly changing variation of dispositions according to generation, research on interpersonal relation disposition, critical thinking disposition, and communication competence through in-depth study with multi-faceted approaches should be continued.
Humans ; Interpersonal Relations* ; Mental Competency* ; Nursing* ; Students, Nursing ; Thinking*