Effects of a Multicomponent Cognitive Stimulation Program on Cognitive Function Improvement Among Elderly Women

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the effect of a multicomponent cognitive stimulation program (MCSP) on the improvement of older people's cognitive abilities. It also aimed to determine whether the effectiveness of the MCSP is related to age.METHODS: A one-group pretest-posttest design was used. The program was conducted once a week for 10 weeks. The Korean-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (K-MoCA) was used to measure cognitive functions before and after the MCSP. Participants included 37 people aged over 65 years with normal cognitive functions and living in I city. A paired t-test was used to compare K-MoCA scores before and after the MCSP, and a two-way analysis of variance was performed to confirm whether there is an interaction between the MCSP and age.RESULTS: It was found that the MCSP had a significant effect on improving cognitive functions (t = −5.15, p < .001). Regarding the subdomains, visuospatial/executive ability, recall, naming, and language ability showed significant effects; however, abstractive ability—which was not a focus of the program—showed no significant effect. There were differences in visuospatial/executive functions, language skills, and memory between the 65–79 years age group and the aged over 80 group. Further, regarding the relationship between the MCSP and age, it was found that their interaction was significant only with regard to visuospatial/executive ability.CONCLUSION: The MCSP helps to improve the cognitive functions of the elderly; however, its effect differs between the young-old group and the old-old group. Therefore, age should be considered when developing MCSPs.

Nursing Student Academic Achievement depending on College Entrance System-related Factors / 한국간호교육학회지

PURPOSE: This study aims to understand the influence of college entrance system-related factors and scores of college scholastic ability test on a first year nursing student's academic achievement. METHODS: Data collected include both a descriptive survey designed to assess college entrance system-related factors with respect to 182 nursing students attending a 4-year nursing college program and their test scores in the first year. The data were analyzed via descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni's correction, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient through an SPSS 18.0 program. RESULTS: Student academic achievement with regard to college entrance system-related factors exhibited significant divergence from first year grade point averages (hereafter GPA) and natural science grades. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the existence of significant differences, depending on the factors regarding the college entrance system. As a result, conducting assessment to evaluate the level of basic knowledge before college entrance is highly recommended. Also recommended is the development of a support program for students projected to have difficulties with respect to their academic achievement.

Latent Mean Analysis of Health Behavior between Adolescents with a Health Problem and Those without: Using the 2009 Korean Youth Health Behavior Survey

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the construct equivalence of the general five factors of health behavior and to compare the latent means between adolescents with a health problem and those without in Korea. METHODS: The 2009 KYRBS (Korean Youth Risk Behavior Survey) data were used for the analysis. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test whether the scale had configural, metric, and scalar invariances across the existence of health problems in adolescents. RESULTS: Configural, metric, and factor invariances were satisfied for the latent mean analysis (LMA) between adolescents with health problem and those without. Adolescents with health problem and those without were not different in the LMA of all factors. CONCLUSION: Health providers should give more interest to the group of adolescents with health problems and consider prudential school life to the same group.

The Effects of Medical Staffing Level on Length of Stay / 간호행정학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of medical staffing level as bed-to-medical staff ratio on patient outcomes as length of stay (LOS) among hospitals in Korea. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty one hospitals participated in the study between January and March 2008. Data for the study was requested by an electronic data interchange from the Health Insurance Review Agency in 2008. In data analysis, SPSS WIN 15.0 program was utilized for descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression. RESULTS: The mean score for length of stay was 13.6 days. The mean of operating bed-to-nurse ratio was 7.93:1. The predicting factors for LOS were bed-to-nurse's aide ratio, bed-to doctor's ratio, severely ill patient rate, and hospital type. These factors explained 28.9% of the variance in patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study results indicate that the relationship between medical staffing level and patient outcomes is important in the improvement of the quality of patient care. Thus, improvements in the quality of the nurse practice environment could improve patient outcomes for hospitalized patients.

Development of a Resource-based Relative Value Scale and Its Conversion Factor for Advanced Nursing Practices in the National Health Insurance

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a resource-based relative value scale (RBRVS) and its conversion factor for advanced nursing practices carried out by critical care nurse practitioners (CCNP) in intensive care units. METHODS: The methodology was developed by calculating CCNP's RBRVS for 32 advanced nursing services based on CCNP's workload and time spent in the context of national health insurance. A cost analysis was performed to estimate the conversion factor of CCNP's RBRVS. The share of CCNP's contribution to fee-for-service in intensive care units was also analyzed. RESULTS: Calculation of the RBRVS of 32 advanced nursing practices showed a range of points from 100.0 to 1,181.4 and an average of 296.1 points. The relevant conversion factor for advanced nursing practices in CCNP were estimated at 37.3-48.4 won. The contribution rate of CCNP's advanced nursing practices in the relative value scale of the national health insurance was estimated at 0.1-31.3%. CONCLUSION: Measuring the economic value of advanced nursing services will be a basis for esta-blishing a reimbursement system for CCNP's practices and thus encourage a social demand for advanced nurse practitioners.

The Correlates of Influenza Vaccination among Korean Elderly Men and Women

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the rate of and factors associated with influenza vaccination in Korean elderly people. METHODS: For this retrospective cross-sectional study, we used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008. A total of 1,516 men and women aged 65 or above were included. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. RESULTS: The overall rate of influenza vaccination in 2008 was 73.6%. The vaccination rate was lower in women (73.2%) than in men (74.2%; p<.001). It was lower in the elderly aged 80 and above, those living in metropolitan areas, smokers, those who did not receive regular health screening, those who had no history of hospitalization within one year, and those who had liver diseases than in the other groups. The rate of vaccination was higher in those with cancer. Logistic regression analysis revealed that for both men and women, the significant correlates associated with vaccination were demographic factors, chronic disease and health behavior. CONCLUSION: The influenza vaccination coverage needs to be improved. Efforts should be made to reach the elderly population with relatively low influenza vaccination rates and to increase awareness about the importance of vaccination at a personal and community level.

Development of Standards and Criteria for Accreditation of a Baccalaureate Nursing Education Program: Reflections on the Unique Characteristics of the Nursing Profession / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine characteristics of nursing science and identify expected outcomes from baccalaureate graduates, and to develop accreditation standards and criteria reflecting the characteristics of the nursing profession. METHODS: A methodological research design was utilized in this study. Related literature reviews and the nursing education program goals and objectives of the 99 nursing schools in Korea were analyzed. A cross-sectional survey research design was utilized to test the validity of the developed characteristics of the nursing profession and their accreditation criteria and standards. The face validity was from the advisory committee and public committee hearing. RESULTS: The characteristics of nursing science were defined with five concepts including humanity, scientific knowledge, professionalism, therapeutic relationship, and facilitating well-being. The expected outcomes from graduates were identified as providing holistic nursing, critical thinking, establishing professionalism and leadership, construction of a therapeutic relationship, and skilled nursing practice. Finally6 standards and 14 criteria reflecting the unique characteristics of the nursing profession were developed for accreditation. These proposed accreditation standards and criteria are a challenge to promote the quality of nursing science.

Nitric Oxide (NO) Inhibites the Neuronal Activities in the Rat Nucleus Tractus Solitarius

Nitric oxide (NO) system has been implicated in a wide range of physiological functions in the nervous system. However, the roleof NO in regulating the neural activity in the gustatory zone of nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) has not been established. The present study was aimed to investigate the role of NO in the gustatory NTS neurons. Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing about 50 g, were used. Whole cell patch recording and immunohistochemistry were done to determine the electrophysiological characteristics of the rostral gustatory nucleus of the tractus solitarius and distribution of NO synthases (NOS). Neuronal NOS (nNOS) immunoreactivity was strongly detected along the solitary tract extending from rostral to caudal medulla. Resting membrane potentials of NTS neurons were -49.2+/-2 mV and action potential amplitudes were 68.5+/-2 mV with a mean duration measured at half amplitude of 1.7+/-0.3 ms. Input resistance, determined from the response to a 150 ms, -100 pA hyperpolarizing current pulse, was 385+/-15 MOmega. Superfusion of SNAP or SNP, NO donors, produced either hyperpolarization (68%), depolarization (5%), or no effect (27%). The hyperpolarization was mostly accompanied by a decrease in input resistance. The hyperpolarization caused by SNAP or SNP increased the time to initiate the first action potential, and decreased the number of action potentials elicited by current injection. SNP or SNAP also markedly decreased the number of firing neural discharges of the spontaneous NTS neural activity under zero current. Superfusion of L-NAME, a NOS inhibitor, slightly depolarized the membrane potential and increased the firing rate of NTS neurons induced by current injection. ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ameliorated the SNAP-induced changes in membrane potential, input resistance and firing rates. 8-Br-cGMP, a non-degradable cell-permeable cGMP, hyperpolarized the membrane potential and decreased the number of action potentials. It is suggested that NO in the gustatory NTS has an inhibitory role on the neural activity of NTS through activating soluble guanylate cyclase.

Nociceptive and Trigeminal Cardiovascular Reflex Mechanisms after Noxious Intrapulpal Stimulation of the Rat Incisors / 대한해부학회지

Expression of c-Fos, an immediate early gene, has accepted to be a marker of functional activity in neurons. This study was aimed to investigate the dental pain pathway and the affection of dental pain on other brain regions such as the cardiovascular regulation center using c-Fos immunohistochemistry. Expression of c-Fos in Sprague Dawley rats weighting 300 ~350 gm was examined 1.5 hr after dental pain elicited by intrapulpal injecton of 2 M KCl into upper and lower incisor pulps exposed by bone cutter. c-Fos positive neurons were demonstrated in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis and the ventroposterior medial nucleus of thalamus known to be a sharp pathway. Dental pain enhanced mean arterial pressure and heart rate. In addition, c-Fos expression was induced in the rostral ventrolateral nucleus of medulla oblongata, nucleus tractus solitarius, paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus of hypothalamus, central presser areas of systemic blood pressure. These results suggest that trigeminal nucleus caudalis and ventroposterior medial nucleus of thalamus plays vital roles in the transmission of dental pain besides, dental pain affected the central cardiovescular regulation centers, resulting to the elevation of systemic blood pressure.

Distribution of Aquaporins (Water Channels) in the Rat Salivary Glands / 대한해부학회지

The salivary glands produce 1.5 l of fluid per day. As in other organs, the general paradigm in the salivary glands is that water movement occurs secondary to osmotic driving forces created by active salt transport. Therefore, high water permeability in salivary glands is expected to need a variety of aquaporin (AQP), a water channel. Although four AQPs have been known to reside in salivary glands, the precise location and roles of AQPs have been not well examined. This study is aimed to investigate the distribution of AQPs in 3 major salivary glands and their changes after cholinergic stimulation using immunohistochemical study in Sprague Dawley rats weighing 300 g under pentobarbital sodium anesthesia. AQP1 was localized in the endothelial cells of all salivary capillary vessels and the myoepithelial cells. AQP4 was demonstrated in the epithelium of the excretory ductal cells of all salivary glands. AQP5 and 8 were abundantly present in the basolateral membrane and apical membranes of the serous acini including intercellular secretory canaliculi, whereas AQP5 was weakly present in mucous acini. In addition, AQP5 was found in the epithelium of the intercalated and striated ducts. Upon stimulation of carbachol (10 micro gram/kg, I.P). AQP5 and 8 tended to translocate from basolateral membrane to the apical membrane, appearing as clusters of dots. These results suggest that AQP5 and 8 are the candidate molecules responsible for the water movement in salivary acinar cells.

A Survey of the Consumption of Convenience Foods / 대한지역사회영양학회지

No abstract available.

The Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching(Korean Translation) / 성인간호학회지

Nausea, vomiting and retching are universal symptoms that affect individuals' state of health and self-care activities of individuals. Accurate measurements of individual symptoms are required to gather more definitive data, and enhance understanding, planning, and implementation of self-care actions. Recently the Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching(INVR), a new format of the INV-2(the Rhodes Index of Nausea and Vomiting), was developed to measure the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and retching in an English speaking population. To determine the reliability and validity of the INVR, and the possibility of using the instrument in Korea, the Korean translation of the INVR and the INV-2 were administered to a convenient sample of 105 patients at two University Hospitals in Kwangju, Korea. The Cronbach's alpha to estimate the internal consistency of reliability for INVR was 0.844. Equivalent measures of reliability were conducted to determine the percentage of agreement and the Spearman rank correlation coefficients for responses on the two instruments. The percent agreement was 83% and the correlation coefficient was 0.906 over all. A significant differences between the INVR scores of the patients with and without nausea, vomiting, or retching were seen, which indicated a construct validity. The INVR was found to be more user friendly for the patient and the healthcare providers. As a result, it is suggested that the INVR can provide a scientific base for measuring the symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and retching for nurses to improve patients' care and quality of life.

Clinical Observation of Neonatal Group B B-Hemolytic Streptococcal Meningitis

Neonatal meningitis caused by the Group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus was first reported in 1958. In recent years this organism has assumed major importance in the etiology of neonatal infection. In Korea, this organism is likely to play an increasing role in neonatal infection. So this investigation was designed to report the 9 cases of Group Bbeta-hemolytic streptococcus infected neonates admitted to the NICU, department of Pediatrics, Hanil Hospital from January 1990 to June 1993. The results were as followings. 1) Onset of disease was between 12days and 32 days of age and male to female ratio is 1:2. 2) Two cases were delivered by c-section, seven cases were by NFSD and all of the infants had normal birth weight with full term at delivery. Maternal obstetric and neonatal complications were not detected in all cases. 3) The common presenting symptoms were fever in all cases, seizure in 6 cases, feeding difficulty, lethargy, vomiting, etc. 4) Group Bbeta-hemolytic streptococcus was isolated in CSF of all cases and in blood of 6 cases. 5) There were abnormal brain CT findings in 4 cases of group Bbeta-hemolytic streptococcal meningitis. 6) The sensitive antibiotics were Cefotaxime, Cefazoline, Erythromycin, Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Clindamyucin and Penicillin. 7) All cases were reconvered except one case that expired on the 1st day of admission and 6 cases were followed up for the period of 2months to 33months without neurologic sequelae, of which 1 case revealed decreased wave on Lt. hemisphere in ABR.

A case of idiopathic precocious puberty treated with a luteinizing hormone relaeasing hormone analog

No abstract available.

Morbidity and Mortality on Infant Admissions

Total 2,815ufants less than one year of age were subjected to his clinical and statistical observation on morbidity and mortality. These infants were the sum of all admissions to the department of pediatrics, Chonnam University Medical School Hospital forthe six-year period from 1971. Highestincidence of morbidity and mortality and mortality could be noted in the male infants and in summer. Of all the the admission, the nenates were 40 %, and 60% of these neonates belonged to the early neonates . Half of them all were from Kwangju city. Overall mortality rate was 13.5 %. The two-thirds of 380 infant deaths were neonates and the early neonateso ccupied two-thirds of neonates. The incidence of death in each age group was approximately one in five early neonate admissions, one in six late neonates, and one in ten infancy proper. The individual disease entity proved to have the highest incidence of morbidity and mortality in each age group was pneumonia in all, prematurity in the early neonates, and tetanus in thelate neoatets. Sepsicemia, however, showed the highest mortality rate among all the diseases , and the late neonates the highest death rate was noted in tetanus. It can be said from this study that about two-thirds of the infant deaths occurred within two days of hospitalization andderived from the preventable and curble diseases with prompt and adequatamanagement.