The Impact of Salutogenic Factors on the Quality of Life in Climacteric Women

Purpose@#The objective of this study was to develop a structural model to assess and forecast the quality of life in climacteric women, focusing the concept of salutogenesis. @*Methods@#Participants were sourced from two urban locations through convenience sampling. Data collection involved questionnaires, analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 20.0. Assessment instruments comprised the Menopause Rating Scale, New General Self-Efficacy Scale, Sense of Coherence Scale, and the Korean version of the WHOQOL-BREF. @*Results@#The fit indices of the proposed model met recommended standards. The sense of coherence, menopausal symptoms, and self-efficacy accounted for 58% of the quality of life variance, with sense of coherence emerging as the most significant predictor. Menopausal symptoms directly and negatively affected quality of life (β=-0.30, p<0.001), and had an indirect influence through self-efficacy and integration (β=-0.30, p<0.001). Self-efficacy positively influenced quality of life directly (β=0.27, p<0.001) and indirectly through integration (β=0.14, p=0.001). Integration positively affected quality of life directly (β=0.36, p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#Interventions to bolster sense of coherence are crucial for enhancing the quality of life among climacteric women.

Circulating microRNA expression profiling in young obese Korean women

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#This study investigates correlations between circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) and obesity-related parameters among young women (aged 20–30 years old) in Korea. @*SUBJECTS/METHODS@#We analyzed TaqMan low density arrays (TLDAs) of circulating miRNAs in 9 lean (body mass index [BMI] 25 kg/m2) women. We also performed gene ontology (GO) analyses of the biological functions of predicted miRNA target genes, and clustered the results using the database for annotation, visualization and integrated discovery. @*RESULTS@#The TLDA cards contain 754 human miRNAs; of these, the levels of 8 circulating miRNAs significantly declined (> 2-fold) in obese subjects compared with those in lean subjects, including miR-1227, miR-144-5p, miR-192, miR-320, miR-320b, miR-484, miR-324- 3p, and miR-378. Among them, miR-484 and miR-378 displayed the most significant inverse correlations with BMI (miR-484, r = −0.5484, P = 0.0056; miR-378, r = −0.5538, P = 0.0050) and visceral fat content (miR-484, r = −0.6141, P = 0.0014; miR-378, r = −0.6090, P = 0.0017). GO analysis indicated that genes targeted by miR-484 and miR-378 had major roles in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. @*CONCLUSION@#Our result showed the differentially expressed circulating miRNAs in obese subjects compared to lean subjects. Although the mechanistic study to reveal the causal role of miRNAs remains, these miRNAs may be novel biomarkers for obesity.

Evaluation of the SD Bioline Strep A Ultra Test in Relation With Number of Colony Forming Units and Color Intensity

BACKGROUND: The SD Bioline Strep A Ultra (SD, Yongin, Korea) is a recently developed rapid antigen detection test (RADT) for diagnosing bacterial pharyngitis caused by Group A Streptococcus, We evaluated the performance of SD Bioline Strep A Ultra, using the number of colony forming units and color intensity. METHODS: Three throat swabs each were taken from 343 children with pharyngitis who visited pediatric clinics. We evaluated the performance of SD Bioline Strep A Ultra and compared its positive rate with the number of colony forming units, using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (95% confidence interval) were 97.4% (94.0–99.1%), 90.8% (85.0–94.9%), 93.0% (88.5–96.1%), and 96.5% (92.0–98.9%), respectively. Positive rate significantly differed by number of colony forming units (P=0.021). ROC plot for color intensity showed 0.938 of AUC (area under curve). CONCLUSIONS: SD Bioline Strep A Ultra showed excellent performance, and its positive rate differed by the number of colony counts. This RADT could be used as a sensitive and semi-quantitative method detecting bacterial pharyngitis.

Immune enhancement effect of an herb complex extract through the activation of natural killer cells and the regulation of cytokine levels in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression rat model

Objective: To investigate the effects of a herb complex extract (HCE) prepared from Cornus officinalis Sieb. Et Zucc., Eriobotrya japonica Lindley, and olive leaves on immune response of mouse spleen NK cells in vitro and in vivo analysis. Methods: The activity of natural killer (NK) cells was measured in splenocytes and YAC-1 cells. Mice were immunosuppressed using cyclophosphamide (5 mg/kg body weight). Three different doses of HCE (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight) and red ginseng extract (800 mg/kg body weight) which was used as standard immunomodulatory herb were administered orally for 4 weeks. The body weight, dietary, water intake, organs (liver, thymus, and spleen) weight, completed blood count, and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and interleukin-2) production was measured. Results: At the maximum concentration of HCE, the activity of NK cells was increased by 48.5%. HCE increased liver, spleen, and thymus weights without altering numbers of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and neutrophils in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression rat model. However, HCE recovered the inhibited cytokine expression; HCE (800 mg/kg) increased cytokines levels. The results indicate the immune enhancement potential of this HCE. Conclusion: The HCE enhances immunity by increasing NK cell activity, regulating cytokine levels, and maintaining spleen weight. Therefore, it may be used as a potential immunity enhancer.

Risk Factors of Dyslipidemia and Related Factors of Medication Adherence in Korea Adults: KNHANES 2013-2015

PURPOSE: Dyslipidemia was a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and was a leading cause of mortality in worldwide. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with prevalence and medication treatment of dyslipidemia in Korean adult population. METHODS: In this study, based on the criteria set by the Korean Society of Lipidology and Atherosclerosis, the factors associated with prevalence and medication treatment of dyslipidemia was evaluated in a population of 12,506 people (age≥20), who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2015). The findings were tested by using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Dyslipidemia prevalence rate was 36.5%. Among populations with dyslipidemia, 17.5% were treated with lipid-lowering drugs. In the multivariate logistic regression model, male, increase in age, lower education level, non-drinker, current smoking, less physical activity, increase of body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes were associated with an increased odd of dyslipidemia. Female, increase in age, higher income, excess fat intake, hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction, and angina were associated with an increased odd of medication treat. CONCLUSION: The results of this study could be used to screen patients at the high risk for dyslipidemia or to predict medication adherence.

Persistence of Group B Streptococcus in the Urogenital Area

No abstract available.

Prevalence of Bacteria in the Nationwide Survey of Stool Culture Performed in 2015, Korea / 대한임상미생물학회지

BACKGROUND: The spectrum of bacteria causing diarrhea is highly affected by geographic area, sanitation, travel, food consumption, and previous antibiotic use. A nationwide databank for stool cultures is undeveloped. The aim of our study was to investigate the current prevalence of gastroenteritis bacterial pathogens in Korea. METHODS: We requested microbiological data via questionnaire emails sent to 98 hospitals. The frequency of each pathogen was acquired from 32 institutes. Numbers of stool cultures performed ranged from 193 to 14,296 (mean 2,724, SD 3,261) in 2015. RESULTS: Among 86,744 requested stool specimens, 917 (1.06%, range 0-4.59%, 95% confidence interval 0.63-1.48%) were positive. Salmonella was most prevalent (59.0%), followed by Candida (12.4%), Campylobacter (4.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (4.0%), Vibrio (4.0%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.75). Yersinia (0.3%) and Shigella (0.2%) were rarely isolated. CONCLUSION: As the positive rate of the stool cultures is very low (1.06%), more effort and concern should be provided to enhance the isolation of pathogens. Salmonella was the most prevalent pathogen and Campylobacter and Vibrio were relatively common pathogens causing bacterial gastroenteritis in Korea.

Corrigendum to "Affecting Fatigue in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus in Korea" Asian Nurs Res 9 (2015) 60-64

The author regrets that the second author's name should read Jong Ryeal Hahm as shown here, not Jong-Ryeal Hahm as in the original version.

Factors Affecting Fatigue in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus in Korea

PURPOSE: This study aimed to characterize and identify the factors affecting fatigue in patients with type II diabetes mellitus in Korea. METHODS: A total of 180 patients with type II diabetes mellitus were recruited from the outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital. For data collection, a questionnaire survey of diabetes history, hypoglycemia symptoms, and fatigue was conducted between January and February 2011. Data were analyzed using t test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: The mean fatigue and hypoglycemia symptom scores of patients with type II diabetes mellitus were 2.88 +/- 0.61 and 6.18 +/- 12.60, respectively. Hypoglycemia symptoms (p = .004), disease duration (p < .001), and age (p < .001) correlated positively with fatigue. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that hypoglycemia symptoms was the variable positively influencing fatigue in patients with type II diabetes mellitus after adjustment for influences of demographic and clinical characteristic variables. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoglycemia symptoms were confirmed to be a predictor of fatigue. Consequently, it is essential to consider age, and disease duration as well as hypoglycemia symptoms to intervene fatigue effectively among patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

An fMRI Study Investigating Adolescent Brain Activation by Rewards and Feedback

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the adolescent brain activation patterns in response to performance feedback (PF), social reward (SR) and monetary reward (MR) and their association with psychological factors. METHODS: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed while middle school boys (n=15) performed tests pertained to PF, SR and MR. The brain activation pattern in each condition was investigated, and the extent of brain activation in each of the three conditions was compared at once. RESULTS: The caudate and the dorsal prefrontal area were activated in all three conditions. Furthermore, the cuneus showed significantly greater activation in the PF condition than the SR or MR condition. And the self - related areas, such as the right precentral gyrus and paracenral lobule, were more activated in the SR condition than the PF or MR condition. The left middle frontal gyrus was more activated in the MR condition than the PF or SR condition. CONCLUSION: Not only various reward stimuli but also feedback stimulus might commonly activate dorsal prefrontal and subcortical area in adolescents. Moreover, several different brain activation patterns were also observed in each condition. The results of this study could be applied to planning of learning and teaching strategy for adolescents in various ways.

Comparison of Respiratory Morbidity in Late Preterm and Term Infants at a Single Institution

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to evaluate short-term respiratory morbidity in late preterm births compared with term births at a single center in Korea. METHODS: In retrospective study, we reviewed medical records of neonates that were born at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital from January 2002 to January 2011 and their mothers. The neonates were divided into two groups by their gestational age (GA): 535 late preterm births (GA, 34+0 to 36+6 weeks) and 3,037 term births (GA, 37+0 to 41+6 weeks). We compared late preterm births and term births in regard to maternal characteristics, neonatal characteristics, respiratory morbidities, and respiratory supports. RESULTS: Of 535 late preterm births, 117 (21.9%) had respiratory tract disease. Of 3,037 term births, 105 (3.5%) had respiratory tract disease. Compared term births, late preterm births had significantly more respiratory diseases such as apnea (odds ratio [OR], 37.3), respiratory distress syndrome (OR, 34.0), transient tachypnea of newborn (OR, 5.9), and pneumonia (OR, 2.2). Duration of oxygen supply was longer in term than in preterm births. Oxygen supply through isolette and use of surfactant were more frequent in late preterm than term births. It was not differ from two groups to use continuous positive airway pressure and mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSION: This study showed that late preterm births had significantly higher respiratory morbidity than term births. Therefore, we should have more attention to evaluate and manage when late preterm birth occur than before. Also it is necessary to study long-term respiratory outcomes of late preterm births and discuss about perinatal care system.

Clinical Significance of the Presence of Autonomic and Vestibular Dysfunction in Diabetic Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy

BACKGROUND: We investigated the prevalence of diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN) and vestibular dysfunction (VD) in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: Thirty-five diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy were enrolled from August 2008 to July 2009. All subjects underwent autonomic function tests. Nineteen of the patients (54.3%) underwent videonystagmography. RESULTS: Diabetic autonomic neuropathy was observed in 28 patients (80%). A mild degree of autonomic failure was observed in 18 patients (64.3%), and a moderate degree of autonomic failure was observed in ten patients (35.7%). Factors related to DAN included diabetic nephropathy (P=0.032), degree of chronic kidney disease (P=0.003), and duration of diabetes (P=0.044). Vestibular dysfunction was observed in 11 of 19 patients (57.9%). There was no significant association between DAN and VD. CONCLUSION: Diabetic autonomic neuropathy was observed in 28 diabetic patients (80%) with peripheral neuropathy. Vestibular dysfunction was observed in nearly 60% of diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy who complained of dizziness but showed no significant association with DAN. Diabetic patients who complained of dizziness need to examine both autonomic function and vestibular function.

A Predictive Model on Self Care Behavior for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Based on Self-Determination Theory

PURPOSE: The study was conducted to develop and test a hypothetical model which explains self-care behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes was established based on the Self-Determination Theory. METHODS: The participants were 218 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus enrolled in an outpatient clinic of one endocrine center in Korea. The data were collected using questionnaires from April 5 through May 7, 2010. The descriptive and correlation statistics were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 15.0 and the structural equation modeling procedure was performed using the AMOS 7.0 program. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that competence and autonomous motivation were the strong factors influencing self-care behavior in patients in this sample. Support from health provider for autonomy was a significant indirect factor on self-care behavior. These factors explained 64.9% of variance in the participants' self care behavior. The proposed model was concise and extensive in predicting self-care behavior of the participants. CONCLUSION: Findings may provide useful assistance in developing effective nursing interventions for maintaining and promoting self-care behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes.

A Study of Covert Narcissism in Adolescent Internet Addiction : Relationshipto Anonymity, Presence, Interactivity, and Achievement Motivation

OBJECTIVES: This study compared covert narcissistic propensity in adolescents with internet addiction tendency to normal adolescents. Further, we investigated the correlation between such propensities and anonymity in cyberspace, presence feeling and interactivity in internet gaming, and achievement motivation in adolescents with internet addiction tendencies. METHODS: Male middle school students with internet addiction tendencies (Addiction Tendency Group, N=27) and normal students (Control Group, N=29) were recruited. The scale of internet use, Covert Narcissism Scale, scale of achievement motivation, scale of anonymity in cyberspace, scale of presence feeling in internet games, and the scale of interactivity in internet games were administered. A comparison of the average scores and correlation analyses were performed. RESULTS: 1) Compared with Control Group, the Addiction Tendency Group showed significantly higher scores on all subscales of the Covert Narcissism Scale, and both the scale of presence feeling and that of interactivity in internet games. Further, the score on the scale of achievement motivation for the Addiction Tendency Group was significantly lower than that of the Control Group. 2) In the Addiction Tendency Group, the scores on several subscales of the Covert Narcissism Scale were significantly positively correlated with the scores on the scale of presence feeling in internet games, anonymity in cyberspace, and interactivity in internet games. However, in the Control Group, the scores of several subscales on the Covert Narcissism Scale were significantly negatively correlated with the score on the scale of achievement motivation, and was significantly positively correlated with the score on the scale of interactivity in internet games. There were no other significant correlations between the scores on the subscales of the Covert Narcissism Scale and the scores of either presence feeling in internet games or anonymity in cyberspace. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that adolescents with a tendency to be addicted to the internet exhibited higher covert narcissistic propensities than normal adolescents and that the covert narcissistic tendencies were related with presence feeling in cyber games as well as with anonymity in cyberspace.

An Example of Development and Application of PBL Package / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) package, test its application and evaluate students' recognition of the effectiveness of PBL in nursing colleges. METHOD: Thirteen steps were used in the process developing the PBL package. After its application, the first questionnaire for self-evaluation and satisfaction with PBL class was given to 94 nursing students in December, 2005. To further evaluate the students' recognition of the effectiveness of PBL, a second questionnaire was given to 83 nursing students out of the 96 in May, 2007 after clinical practice. Data analysis was conducted using means with standard deviation. RESULTS: The results of students' self-evaluation showed high achievement in learning outcome and process using the PBL method. Also, they expressed satisfaction with the subject management, the lecturer and their peers after the PBL class. Students recognized that the PBL class had positive effectiveness in clinical practice and wanted more PBL classes and the inclusion of complex cases from well designed packages. CONCLUSION: PBL class could be considered as an opportunity to fortify student nurses' abilities to adjust to the real clinical situation.

Cribriform-Morular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Report of Two Cases

Cribriform-morular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma is an unusual and peculiar subtype of papillary thyroid carcinomas. It occurs both sporadically and in association with familial adenomatous polyposis. We report here on two cases of cribriform-morular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma in a 33-year-old woman and in a 21-year-old woman. On gross examination, both cases were multicentric. The first case showed two well-encapsulated yellow solid masses in the right (2.0 cm) and the left lobes of the thyroid gland (0.5 cm). The second case showed four well-encapsulated gray-white solid lobulating masses and nodules in the right (4.5 and 1.2 cm) and the left lobes (1.1 and 0.8 cm) of the thyroid gland. Microscopically, both cases exhibited an intricate blending of papillary, cribriform, trabecular, spindle, and solid patterns of growth with morular areas. Typical nuclear features of papillary carcinomas were focally seen. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for thyroglobulin, thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), and beta-catenin, but were negative for calcitonin.

Morphologic Study of Renal Arteries in Rats Fed High-salt Diet / 영남의대학술지

To evaluate the morphologic changes of the renal arteries in the condition of high-salt diet, we scheduled the control group which fed routine animal diet added 0.06% of Sodium chloride, low-salt group which fed with 2.0% of sodium chloride, and high-Salt group which fed with 8.0% of sodium chloride. The experimental animals were sacrificed every two weed until 20 weeks of final experimental week. The results obtained were as follow; 1. Slight intimal thickening of the renal arteries is observed from 16th experimental week and continued the end of the experiment in the rats of control group. 2. In low-salt group slight intimal thickening of the renal arteries is observed from 12th experimental week and continued to the end of the experiment. 3. In high-salt group the intimal thickening began from 6th experimental week and its degree was hasten with week, and provoked moderate to high degree of lesion at the end of the experiment. Medial proliferation and degeneration of the intima and media, though their quality is mild, also associated at the end of the experiment.

Immunohistochemical Study on the Expression of Bcl-2 and p53 Protein in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

This study was carried out to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of bcl-2 and p53 protein in the intestinal type and the diffuse type of gastric adenocarcinoma by Lauren's classification. A total of 100 cases, including 50 cases of the intestinal type and 50 cases of the diffuse type from paraffin embedded gastrectomy specimens, were immunohistochemically stained for bcl-2 and p53 protein. Bcl-2 protein was expressed in 38% (19/50) of intestinal type and 30% (15/50) of diffuse type. The incidence of bcl-2 protein expression was higher in the intestinal type than in the diffuse type, but no significant correlation was present (p>0.05). p53 protein was expressed in 68% (34/50) of the intestinal type and 60% (30/50) of the diffuse type. The incidence of p53 protein expression was higher in the intestinal type than in the diffuse type, but no significant correlation was present (p>0.05). And an expression of bcl-2 and p53 protein did not correlate with depth of invasion, lymph node meatastasis and TNM stage, respectively (p>0.05). These results suggest that bcl-2 and p53 gene alteration appear to play a more important role in the carcinogenesis of the intestinal type than the diffuse type. However, there is no significant difference between the intestinaPU: The Korean Society of Pathologistsl type and the diffuse type in bcl-2 and p53 protein expression.

Early and Late Effect of External Abdominal Irradiation on Small Intestine of Mice at various Total Dose and Intervals: Histopathologic Aspects of Damage and Recovery / 대한치료방사선과학회지

Total 396 mice were irradiated with 2' cm abdominal field and 200'/wk regimen with orthovoltage x-ray machine. All animals were divided into 2 large groups, damage and recovery, and histopathologic changes were analyzed at various total dose level (1,000 cCy-5,000 cCy) and intervals (1 week-15 weeks). Almost acute changes such as decreased mitotic activity, villi shortening and focal erosion of mucosa recovered within 1-2 weeks in 1,000-3,000 cGy irradiated group but mild changes persisted in 4,000 and 5,000 cCy irradiated groups. Chronic delayed changes such as thickening of vessel wall with focal thrombosis, submucosal fibrosis, mucosal atrophy and chronic ulcer were observed from 2-3 week specimens in 4,000 and 5,000 cGy groups. These late changes recovered slightly, as increasing time intervals after irradiation but mild, persistant changes were observed throught all follow up period. These data suggest hat even 4,000 cCy is not completely safe for possible permanent damage and judicious modificiation of total dose, dose rate, fraction size, and field size should be considered for better results.

Functioning Parathyroid Carcinoma: A case report

Parathyroid carcinoma is a relatively rare endocrine tumor, accounting for approximately 1 to 5% of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Patients with parathyroid carcinomas are often symptomatic, have markedly elevated calcium levels, and have a palpable cervical mass. They are equally distributed between the sexes and usually present 10 years before their benign counterparts. The diagnosis is suspected when the tumor is large, parathyroid hormone levels are high, and a palpable mass is present in the neck. Parathyroid carcinoma is often misdiagnosed preoperatively, suspected intraoperatively, and only confirmed postoperatively. We experienced a case of hyperfunctioning parathyroid carcinoma in a 36 year old man, which was confirmed microscopically. The tumor showed: 1) capsular and blood vessel invasion; 2) frequent mitotic figures in the parenchymal cells; 3) a trabecular pattern, and 4) intervening thick fibrous bands. Immunohistochemical stain of p53 may be one of the useful methods in identifying malignancy of parathyroid gland.