• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.319-334
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze various nursing services of delivery room nurses by hospital level, and identify importance and frequency to provide baseline data to establish delivery room nurses' roles. Methods: Through DACUM analysis technique, service descriptions, duties, and tasks were derived from the literature. A survey was done of 242 nurses from delivery rooms of hospitals, general hospitals, superior general hospitals, and special hospitals. Importance and frequency of each service were measured using a 4point scale, and results were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Nursing services for delivery room nurses consisted of 18 duties and 86 tasks. Duties with the highest importance were 'labor support' and 'infection management', and those with lowest importance were 'collaborative care' and 'communication'. The duty with the highest frequency was 'labor support', and lowest frequency was 'communication'. There were differences between importance and frequency depending on the size of hospitals. Conclusion: Results of this first study on nursing services of delivery room nurses. delivery room nurses are performing a wide range of nursing services and the various types are clarified including importance and frequency.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5805-5809
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• 2012

Aims: The study aimed to compare treatment compliance and nutritional outcomes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients during chemoradiation. Methods: Clinical information of patients with NPC that underwent chemoradiation during 2004-2009 were retrieved from the hospital database and retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorised into a prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PPEG) group and a non-PPEG group. Clinical information including treatment compliance, weight, haematological and renal toxicity was compared. Results: A total of 219 patients were reviewed and categorised into PPEG (n=77) and non-PPEG (n=142). Significant differences in absolute percentage weight loss between groups were found from the $3^{rd}$ cycle of chemotherapy. There were 24.2, 20.3 and 24.8% in the third, the fourth and the fifth cycles of chemotherapy, respectively. Migration of grade 2 to grade 3 weight loss was obviously seen in the $3^{rd}$ cycle as well. A significant difference of grade 3 or more hypokalemia was found with values of 14.3% and 50% in the PPEG and non-PPEG groups, respectively. Other toxicity parameters and treatment compliance were not different between the groups. Conclusions: Use of PPEG resulted in decreased severe weight loss, reduced migration from grade 2 to grade 3 weight loss and reduced hypokalaemia. However, benefits in treatment compliance could not be detected. So consideration of PPEG in NPC patients requires care.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2565-2570
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• 2014

H19 is an imprinted oncofetal gene, and loss of imprinting at the H19 locus results in over-expression of H19 in cancers. Aflatoxin B1(AFB1) is regarded as one of the most dangerous carcinogens. Exposure to AFB1 would most easily increase susceptibility to diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) but any possible relationship between AFB1 and H19 is not clear. In present study, we found that AFB1 could up-regulate the expression of H19 and promote cell growth and invasion by hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Knocking down H19 RNA co ld reverse the effects of AFB1 on cell growth and invasion. In addition, AFB1 induced the expression of E2F1 and its knock-down could down-regulate H19 expression and suppress cell growth and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Furthermore, E2F1 over-expression could up-regulate H19 expression and promote cell growth and invasion, with binding to the H19 promoter being demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays (ChIP). In summary, our results suggested that aflatoxin B1could promote cell growth and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells through actions on H19 and E2F1.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8321-8325
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• 2016

Background: The incidence of hydatidiform mole (HM) differs among regions but has declined significantly over time. In Thailand, the initiation of universal health coverage in 2002 has resulted in a change of medical services countrywide. However, impacts of these policies on gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) cases in Thailand have not been reported. This study aimed to find the incidence of hydatidiform mole (HM) in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) from 1994-2013, comparing before and after the implementation of the universal coverage health policy. Materials and Methods: All cases of GTD in KCMH from 1994-2013 were reviewed from medical records. The incidence of HM, patient characteristics, treatment and remission rates were compared over two study decades between 1994-2003 and 2004-2013. Results: Hydatidiform mole cases decreased from 204 cases in the first decade to 111 cases in the seond decade. Overall incidence of HM was 1.70 per 1,000 deliveries. The incidence of HM in the first and second decades were 1.70 and 1.71 per 1,000 deliveries, respectively (p=0.65, 95%CI 1.54-1.88). Referred cases of nonmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) increased from 12 (4.4%) to 23 (14.4%, p<0.01). Vaginal bleeding was the most common presenting symptom which decreased from 89.4% to 79.6% (p=0.02). Asymptomatic HM patients increased from 4.8% to 10.2% (p=0.07). Rate of postmolar GTN was 26%. Conclusions: The number of HM cases in this study decreased over 2 decades but incidence was unchanged. Referral rates of malignant cases were more common after universal health coverage policy initiation. Classic clinical presentation was decreased significantly in the last decade.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2163-2170
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• 2012

Aim: This one group semi-experimental study was performed to develop and adapt flow charts of nursing practices applied to gynecologic oncology patients to the field. Methods: The research was conducted between October 2008 and March 2009 in 6 hospitals in Istanbul (3 health ministry hospitals, 2 private hospitals and 1 university hospital) with effective programs. The scope of the study included 97 midwives/nurses who had been working as caregivers of gynecologic oncology patients in this unit at least for 6 months and who participated in this study voluntarily; 87 people composed the sample because of the absence of others on vacation or sick leave when the data were collected or who did not wish to participate. The data were in descriptive information form collected via "Forms to Determine the Efficiency of Flow Charts". Before data collection, risks related to gynecologic oncology problems were identified, a literature scanning was made for existing flow charts based on actual practices and the discovered charts were reviewed. As a result of the evaluations, it was decided to create 15 flow charts intended for risks, symptoms, operation processes and discharge. Questionnaires to determine activity were applied to participants before and after practice. Results: As a result of the study, it was determined that the efficiency of the flow charts increased significantly (p <0.01) after practice of the participants, nosignificant relationships (p>0.01) being apparent with age group, education level, occupational period in the job and in the gynecologic oncology field and evaluations of the practice before and after it was applied. Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that nursing participants in university and private hospitals and who supported the existence of a flow chart in the field evaluated the flow charts positively.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to define the content of the requisite knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs needed for clinical knowledge for nursing practice. Contents of knowlege on pathological physiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs were constructed from syllabus of basic nursing subjects in 4 colleges of nursing, and textbooks. The degree of need of 72 items was measured with a 4 point scale. The subjects of this study were college-graduated 136 nurses from seven university hospital in Seoul and three in Chonnam Province, Kyungbook Province, and Inchon. They have been working at internal medicine ward, surgical ward, intensive care unit, obstetrics and gynecology ward, pediatrics ward, opthalmology ward, ear, nose, and throat ward, emergency room, rehabilitation ward, cancer ward, and hospice ward. The results were as follows : 1. The highest scored items of the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs necessary for nursing practice were side effects of drugs, anticoagulants, mechanisms of drugs, antihypertensive drugs, tolerance and addiction of drugs, interactions among drugs, hospital infection in the order of importance. The lowest scored item was structure of microorganisms. 2. The highest order of need according to unit was repair in tissue injury unit, definition etiology classification of inflammation in inflammation unit, transplantation and immunologic response in alterations in immunity unit, thrombus and thrombosis in disorders of cardiovascular function unit, gene disorders in genetic disorders unit, hospital infection in infection unit, virus in microorganisms unit, side reactions of drugs in introduction unit, anticonvulsants in drugs for central nervous system unit, local anesthesia in anesthesia unit, anticoagulants in drugs for cardiovascular system unit, anti-inflammatory drugs in antibiotics unit, anti-ulcer drugs in drugs for digestive system unit, and bronchodilators in drugs for respiratory system unit. 3. The common content of the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs needed for all clinical areas in nursing were side effects of drugs, anticoagulants, interactions among drugs, and hospital infection. However, the degree of need of each pathological physiology, clinical microbiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs was different depending on clinical areas. 4. Significant differences in the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs necessary for nursing practice such as tissue changes due to injurious stimuli, degenerative changes of tissue, alterations in metabolism of carbohydrates, ischemia, hyperemia and congestion, hospital infection, structure of microorganism, classification of microorganism, bacteria, virus, antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, antiemetic drugs, antiparkinsonism drugs, antianxiety drugs, antibiotics, tuberculostatics, antiviral drugs, antifungal drugs, parasiticides, antiulcer drugs, antidiarrheais, and anti constipation drugs were shown according to the work area. 5. Significant differences in the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs necessary for nursing practice such as transplantation and immunologic response, alterations in the metabolism of uric acid, structure of microorganism, classification of microorganism, immunosuppressants, drugs for congestive heart failure were demonstrated according to the duration of work. Based on these findings, all the 72 items constructed by Korean Academic Society of Basic Nursing science should be included as contents of the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-24
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to define the content of requisite human structure and function knowledge needed for clinical knowledge of nursing practice. Subjects of human structure and function were divided into 10 units, and each unit was further divided into 21 subunits, resulting in a total of 90 items. Contents of knowledge of human structure and function were constructed from syllabus of basic nursing subjects in 4 college of nursing, and textbooks published by nurse scholars prepared with basic nursing sciences. The degree of need of 90 items was measured with a 4 point scale. The subjects of this study were college graduated 136 nurses from seven university hospitals in Seoul and three university hospitals located in Chonnam Province, Kyungbook Province, and Inchon. They have been working at internal medicine ward, surgical ward, intensive care unit, obstetrics and gynecology ward, pediatrics ward, opthalmology ward, ear, nose, and throat ward, emergency room, rehabilitation ward, cancer ward, hospice ward, and their working period was mostly under 5 years. The results were as follows: 1. The highest scored items of human structure and function knowledge necessary for nursing practice were electrolyte balance, blood clotting mechanism and anticoagulation mechanism, hematopoietic function, body fluid balance, function of plasma, and anatomical terminology in the order of importance. The lowest scored items of human structure and function knowledge necessary for nursing practice was sexual factors of genetic mutation. 2. The highest order of need according to unit was membrane transport in the living unit, anatomical terminology in movement and exercise unit, mechanism of hormone function in regulation and integration unit, component and function of blood in oxygenation function unit, structure and function of digestive system in digestive and energy metabolism unit, temperature regulation in temperature regulation unit electrolyte balance in body fluid and electrolyte unit, concept of immunity in body resistance unit, and genetics terminology in genetics unit. The highest order of importance according to subunit was membrane transportation in cell subunit, classification of tissues in tissue unit, function of skin and skin in skin subunit, anatomical derivatives of the skeleton subunit, classification of joints in joint subunit, an effect of exercise on muscles in muscle subunit, function of brain in nervous system subunit, special sense in sensory subunit mechanism of hormone function in endocrine subunit, structure and function of female reproductive system in reproductive system unit, structure and function of blood in blood unit, structure of heart, electrical and mechanical function in cardiovascular system unit, structure of respiratory system in respiratory system subunit, structure and function of digestive system in digestive system subunit, hormonal regulation of metabolism in nutrition and metabolism subunit, function of kidney in urologic system subunit, electolyte balance in body fluid, electolyte and acid-base balance subunit. 3. The common content of human structure and function knowledge need for all clinical areas in nursing was structure and function of blood, hematopoietic function, function of plasm, coagulation mechanism and anticoagulation mechanism, body fluid, electrolyte balance, and acid-base balance. However, the degree of need of each human structure and function knowledge was different depending on clinical areas. 4. Significant differences in human structure and function knowledge necessary for nursing practice such as skin and derivatives of the skin, growth and development of bone, classification of joint, classification of muscle, structure of muscle, function of muscle, function of spinal cord, peripheral nerve, structure and function of pancrease, component and function of blood, function of plasma, structure and function of blood, hemodynamics, respiratory dynamics, gas transport, regulation of respiration, chemical digestion of foods, absorption of foods, characteristics of nutrients, metabolism and hormonal regulation, body energy balance were demonstrated according to the duration of work. 5. Significant differences in human structure and function knowledge necessary for nursing practice such as classification of tissue, classification of muscles, function of muscles, muscle metabolism, classification of skeletal muscles, classification of nervous system, neurotransmitters, mechanism of hormone function, pituitary and pituitary hormone, structure and function of male reproductive organ, structure and function of female reproductive organ, component and function of blood, function of plasma, coagulation mechanism and anticoagulation mechanism, gas exchange, gas transport, regulation of respiration, characteristics of nutrients, energy balance, function of kidney, concept of immunity, classification and function of immunity were shown according to the work area. Based on these findings, all the 90 items constructed by Korean Academic Society of Basic Nursing Science should be included as contents of human structure and function knowledge.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.604-615
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate cancer-specific survival (CSS) and associated risk factors in elderly gastric cancer (EGC) patients. SUBJECTS/METHODS: EGC patients (≥ 70 yrs) who underwent curative gastrectomy between January 2013 and December 2017 at our hospital were included. Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival data were collected. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to extract the best cutoff point for body mass index (BMI). A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the risk factors for CSS. RESULTS: In total, 290 EGC patients were included, with a median age of 74.7 yrs. The median follow-up time was 31 (1-77) mon. The postoperative 1-yr, 3-yr and 5-yr CSS rates were 93.7%, 75.9% and 65.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed risk factors for CSS, including age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.15), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (HR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.08-2.79), nutritional risk screening (NRS 2002) score ≥ 5 (HR = 2.33; 95% CI, 1.49-3.75), and preoperative prognostic nutrition index score < 45 (HR = 2.06; 95% CI, 1.27-3.33). The ROC curve showed that the best BMI cutoff value was 20.6 kg/m². Multivariate analysis indicated that a BMI ≤ 20.6 kg/m² (HR = 2.30; 95% CI, 1.36-3.87), ICU admission (HR = 1.97; 95% CI, 1.17-3.30) and TNM stage (stage II: HR = 5.56; 95% CI, 1.59-19.43; stage III: HR = 16.20; 95% CI, 4.99-52.59) were significantly associated with CSS. CONCLUSIONS: Low BMI (≤ 20.6 kg/m²), ICU admission and advanced pathological TNM stages (II and III) are independent risk factors for CSS in EGC patients after curative gastrectomy. Nutrition support, better perioperative management and early diagnosis would be helpful for better survival.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.481-492
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and imaging characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection in hospitalized immunocompromised patients in comparison with immunocompetent patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed consecutive adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19 who received at least one dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine at two academic medical centers between June 2021 and December 2022. Immunocompromised patients (with active solid organ cancer, active hematologic cancer, active immune-mediated inflammatory disease, status post solid organ transplantation, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome) were compared with immunocompetent patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of immune status on severe clinical outcomes (in-hospital death, mechanical ventilation, or intensive care unit admission), severe radiologic pneumonia (≥ 25% of lung involvement), and typical CT pneumonia. Results: Of 2218 patients (mean age, 69.5 ± 16.1 years), 274 (12.4%), and 1944 (87.6%) were immunocompromised an immunocompetent, respectively. Patients with active solid organ cancer and patients status post solid organ transplantation had significantly higher risks for severe clinical outcomes (adjusted odds ratio = 1.58 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.01-2.47], P = 0.042; and 3.12 [95% CI, 1.47-6.60], P = 0.003, respectively). Patient status post solid organ transplantation and patients with active hematologic cancer were associated with increased risks for severe pneumonia based on chest radiographs (2.96 [95% CI, 1.54-5.67], P = 0.001; and 2.87 [95% CI, 1.50-5.49], P = 0.001, respectively) and for typical CT pneumonia (9.03 [95% CI, 2.49-32.66], P < 0.001; and 4.18 [95% CI, 1.70-10.25], P = 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Immunocompromised patients with COVID-19 breakthrough infection showed an increased risk of severe clinical outcome, severe pneumonia based on chest radiographs, and typical CT pneumonia. In particular, patients status post solid organ transplantation was specifically found to be associated with a higher risk of all three outcomes than hospitalized immunocompetent patients.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2009

Purpose: We undertook this study to find out the recognitions of terminal cancer patients and doctors about advance directives (ADs), of how they would do in non-response medical conditions and whether ADs could be one of medical options for their dying with dignity. Methods: One hundred thirty four cancer patients in the Hospice Unit, St. Vincent's Hospital, and 97 medical doctors in the Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Medical Center, were asked about ADs, including Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR), medical power of attorney, living will and medical options. Results: One hundred thirty patients (97%) and 38 doctors (39.2%) were unfamiliar with ADs, however, 128 patients (95.5%), 95 doctors (97.9%) agreed with it. Seventy nine patients (59.0%) and 96 doctors (99.0%) wanted DNR rather then intensive treatments if they were in non-response medical conditions. Eighty four patients (62.7%) and 75 doctors (77.3%) were agreeable to medical power of attorney. One hundred Thirty four patients (100.0%) and 94 doctors (96.9%) did not want medical options to be in terminal conditions, and hoped to die in peace. Conclusion: Most of patients did not know about ADs and how to make it. However, they showed positive attitudes about it. If we advertise it properly, it is highly likely that a large number of cancer patients would make their living wills easily by ADs. Nevertheless, many legal and ethical problems have to be solved. Doctors should engage their patients in an ongoing communication about the end-of-life. Therefore, let the patients have opportunities to plan their own deaths.