ABSTRACT
Purpose@#This study aimed to estimate the risk of cancer incidence and mortality according to adherence to lifestyle-related cancer prevention guidelines. @*Materials and Methods@#Men and women who participated in the general health screening program in 2002 and 2003 provided by the National Health Insurance Service were included (n=8,325,492). Self-reported smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity habits and directly measured body mass index were collected. The participants were followed up until the date of cancer onset or death or 31 December 2018. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the hazard ratio (HR) for cancer incidence and mortality according to different combinations of lifestyle behaviors. @*Results@#Only 6% of men and 15% of women engaged in healthy behavior at baseline, such as not smoking, not drinking alcohol, being moderately or highly physically active, and within a normal body mass index range. Compared to the best combination of healthy lifestyle behaviors, the weak and moderate associations with increased all cancer incidence (HR < 1.7) and mortality (HR < 2.5) were observed in those with heavy alcohol consumption and in former or current smokers. HRs of cancer mortality were significantly increased among current smokers in most combinations. @*Conclusion@#Compared to full adherence to cancer prevention recommendations, unhealthy behaviors increase cancer risk. As few people meet these recommendations, there is a great opportunity for cancer prevention.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#Rational planning and efficient management of the oral health workforce is essential for the promotion of oral health. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the distribution characteristics of dentists, using public big data. The results of this study could contribute to the development of the oral healthcare policies proposal and desirable dental services. @*Methods@#The data of dentists working in medical institutions were analyzed by type and region from 2010 to 2020 using the Korean Statistical Information Service. Python version 3.10 was employed for data analysis and visualization, and the matplotlib and seaborn libraries were used to create graphs. @*Results@#The average age of dentists working in medical institutions was 47.4 years in 2020 ― an increase by 5.3 years compared to the 2010 data. When considering different regions, the average age of dentists in major cities, including Seoul (49.7 years), was higher than in their surroundings areas (47.2-49.5 years). @*Conclusions@#A continuous increase in the average age of dentists over the past 10 years and a difference in age distribution among different regions were observed. This is probably because new dental clinics are opening predominantly in smaller cities. Therefore, institutional support for new dental clinics in these areas is necessary to promote high-quality dental healthcare within regions.Additionally, oral healthcare services to vulnerable populations should be provided through a national oral healthcare policy utilizing these local dental clinics.
ABSTRACT
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at risk for extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) over the course of their disease. As EIMs can involve nearly every organ, and strongly influence the quality of life, early recognition and adequate treatment are necessary to prevent severe morbidity and mortality in affected patients. Pyoderma gangrenosum is a highly severe and debilitating skin condition that occurs in 1% to 10% of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Thromboembolic events are also serious EIMs and usually present as deep vein thromboses in the legs or as pulmonary embolisms. A 19-year-old woman presented with bloody diarrhea lasting for 3 months and deep ulceration on the right foot. She was diagnosed with UC. The patient's skin lesions did not improve with intravenous corticosteroids and oral mesalazine. After she was started on infliximab, we observed rapid resolution of the skin lesions. She continued to complain of mild dyspnea while in the hospital. Computed tomography performed using the thromboembolism protocol revealed pulmonary thromboembolism and deep venous thrombosis. The patient underwent anticoagulant therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin, and her dyspnea gradually improved. Anticoagulation was continued with warfarin. It is rare for IBD patients to have multiple EIMs; however, this case demonstrates that multiple EIMs are a possible presentation in UC and underscores the importance of a meticulous clinical examination and adequate evaluation in the management of IBD patients presenting with EIMs.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#The aim of this study was to explain the patient assessment experiences of the medical staff responsible for customer satisfaction and quality improvement at their respective medical institutions. @*Methods@#This was a qualitative study using a focus group with quality improvement or custom service department managers. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data collection was conducted with seventeen participants divided into three focus group interviews from July 3 to 5, 2017. Each interview took an average of 1 hour and 40 minutes. Transcribed data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. @*Results@#Base on the analysis, four categories and eight themes were derived. The categories were: 1) what is the quality of hospital service? 2) between directionality and timeliness, 3) variations in recognition and application, and 4) changing in hospital culture @*Conclusion@#The assessment of patient's experience has spread a patient-centered culture and elicited significant changes in the behavior of medical and hospital staff. However, the survey instruments and procedures for assessing patient experiences need to be continuously improved, and additional research is required to secure evidence related to patient experiences.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#Occupational exposure to pesticides is thought to be associated with lung cancer, but studies have yielded conflicting results. We performed a propensity score (PS) based analyses to evaluate the relationship between occupational exposure to pesticides and lung cancer risk in the Korea National Cancer Center community-based cohort study (KNCCCS). @*Materials and Methods@#During the follow-up period, 123 incidental lung cancer cases were identified, of the 7,471 subjects in the final statistical analysis. Information about occupational exposure to pesticides and other factors was collected at enrollment (2003-2010). Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were conducted. Four PS-based approaches (i.e., matching, stratification, inverse probability-of-treatment weighting, and the use of the PS as a covariate) were adopted, and the results were compared. PS was obtained from the logistic regression model. Absolute standardized differences according to occupational exposure to pesticides were provided to evaluate the balance in baseline characteristics. @*Results@#In the Cox proportional hazards regression model, the hazard ratio (HR) for lung cancer according to occupational exposure to pesticides was 1.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 2.98). With all the propensity score matching (PSM) methods, the HRs for lung cancer based on exposure to pesticides ranged from 1.65 (95% CI, 1.04 to 2.64) (continuous term with PSM) to 2.84 (95% CI, 1.81 to 4.46) (stratification by 5 strata of the PS). The results varied slightly based on the method used, but the direction and statistical significance remained the same. @*Conclusion@#Our results strengthen the evidence for an association between occupational exposure to pesticides and the risk of lung cancer.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#This study aimed to determine the prognostic roles of several immune-related laboratory parameters in patients with metastatic kidney and bladder cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). @*Materials and Methods@#Overall, 36 patients with either metastatic bladder (N=18) or kidney cancer (N=18) were enrolled retrospectively. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival according to the pretherapeutic serum De Ritis ratio (DRR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and albumin level after ICI treatment, were analyzed. Treatment duration was adjusted using Contal and O’Quigley’s method to explore the cutoff and maximize the log-rank test statistic. Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the laboratory parameters. @*Results@#A total of 9 patients received a combination therapy of multiple ICIs (N=9) and targeted agents (N=7). The median NLR, DRR, and albumin level at baseline were 1.7, 1.2, and 4.2 mg/dL, respectively. In the univariable analysis, combination of immunotherapies, total ICI cycles, baseline DRR, and albumin level were significant for PFS. Sex ratio, total ICI cycles, and baseline NLR and DRR were significant for cancer-specific survival (CSS). DRR and albumin levels, which were measured for up to 10 cycles, were significant in PFS and CSS. NLR was additionally significant in CSS. After adjusting total ICI cycles, DRR was significant in PFS and CSS, albumin level was significant only in PFS, and NLR was significant only in CSS in the multivariable analysis. @*Conclusions@#NLR, DRR, and albumin level are significant factors associated with the survival of patients with metastatic kidney and bladder cancer treated with ICI.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to analyze the content of consultations by an oncology nurse practitioner by period and the characteristics of gastric cancer surgery patients. @*Methods@#Qualitative content analysis research was used. The data of this study consisted of counseling records by an oncology nurse practitioner. Data for analysis comprised a total of 898 counseling records of 118 patients. Counseling patients were gastric cancer patients who were diagnosed and received operations from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019. Data were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method. @*Results@#The data were classified and analyzed as follows: three major categories of physical needs, information needs, and psychosocial needs; five middle categories of symptom management, self-management information, medical information, financial information, emotional support; and 16 subcategories. Regarding the number of consultations by category, the most frequent requests for information were 141 cases (15.7%) for physical needs, 634 cases (70.6%) for information requests, and 123 cases (13.7%) for psychosocial needs. @*Conclusion@#Gastric cancer patients who have undergone operations were wanted the tailored counseling and education are needed for each period from diagnosis to treatment. Oncology nurse practitioners should provide counseling with integrated nursing perception. The recording of all counseling content, including psychosocial needs, is important to illustrate the performance outcome. This research is a meaningful study demonstrating the counseling performed by an oncology nurse practitioner.
ABSTRACT
RESULTS@#The administration of ADLE to HFD-induced diabetic mice reduced the hyperplasia, 4-hydroxynonenal levels, and the number of apoptotic cells while improving the insulin levels compared to the HFD group. Treatment of INS-1 cells with palmitate reduced insulin secretion, which was attenuated by the ADLE treatment. Furthermore, the ADLE treatment prevented palmitate-induced cell death in INS-1 cells and isolated islets by reducing the apoptotic signaling molecules, including cleaved caspase-3 and PARP, and the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. ADLE also reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species generation, lipid accumulation, and nitrite production in palmitate-treated INS-1 cells while increasing the ATP levels. This effect corresponded to the decreased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein. @*CONCLUSIONS@#ADLE helps prevent lipotoxic beta-cell death in INS-1 cells and HFD-diabetic mice, suggesting that ADLE can be used to prevent or treat beta-cell damage in glucose intolerance during the development of diabetes.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#A total of 39 seafood menus were prepared according to the Korean standard recipe, and analyzed for vitamin B 9 (folate) and B 12 (cobalamins) contents, using validated applied analytical methods. The menus included Guk/Tang/Jjigae (boiled or stewed dishes, n = 10), Bokkeum (stir-fried dishes, n = 10), Jjim/Jorim (braised or steamed dishes, n = 7), Gui (baked or grilled dishes, n = 7), Twigim (deep-fried dishes, n = 2) and Muchim (dried or blanchedseasoned dishes, n = 3). @*Methods@#The contents of vitamin B 9 and B12 in all food samples were determined by the trienzyme extraction-Lactobacillus casei and immunoaffinity-high-performance liquid chromatography/photodiode array detection methods. Analytical quality control was performed in order to assure reliability of the analysis. @*Results@#Accuracy (97.4–100.6% recoveries) and precision (< 6% relative standard deviations for repeatability and reproducibility) of vitamin B 9 and B12 analyses were determined to be excellent. The vitamin B 9 and B 12 contents of the 39 seafood menus evaluated, varied in the range of 1.83–523.08 μg/100 g and 0.11–38.30 μg/100 g, respectively, depending on the ingredients and cooking methods. The vitamin B 9 content was highest in Jomi-gim (523.08 μg/100 g), followed by Geonsaeu-bokkeum (128.34 μg/100 g) and Janmyeolchi-bokkeum (121.53 μg/100 g). Vitamin B12 was detected in all seafood menus, with highest level obtained in Kkomack-jjim (41.58 μg/100 g). The seaweed dish was found to have high levels of both vitamin B 9 and B12 . All assays were performed under strict quality control. @*Conclusion@#Guk and Tang menus, which contain a large amount of water, were relatively lower in the vitamin B 9 and B12 contents than the other menus. Bokkeum menus containing various vegetables were high in the vitamin B 9 content, but the vitamin B12 content was dependent on the type of seafood used in the menu.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing oncology unit nurses’ pain management of cancer patients. @*Methods@#This study was a designed descriptive correlation study. The participants of this study were nurses working in an oncology unit at a university hospital. A total of 135 nurses participated and data were collected between October 10 and October 31, 2018. Measures used for this study assessed nurses’ knowledge of cancer pain management, compassion competence, and the performance of cancer pain management. The data were analyzed using independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis. @*Results@#Performance of cancer pain management was significantly correlated with compassion competence (r=0.37, p<.001) and difference according to the experience of cancer by the participants or family members (t=2.22, p=.028). Performance of cancer pain management was influenced by compassion competence (β=.36,p<.001) and the experience of cancer by the participants or family members (β=.17, p=.041). The explanatory power of this model was 14.4%. @*Conclusion@#These results suggest the need for cancer pain management education based on compassion empowerment. The findings shows that continuous cancer pain management education is required in consideration of the oncology nurses’ career and work characteristics.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Short stature is defined as a height below the 3rd percentile or more than two standard deviations below the mean for a given age, sex, and population. There have been inconsistent results regarding craniofacial morphology in short-statured children. This study aimed to analyze the differences between short-statured children with growth hormone deficiency, idiopathic short-statured children, and normal children. @*Methods@#Thirty-one short-statured children with growth hormone deficiency, 32 idiopathic short-statured children, and 32 healthy children were enrolled in this study. The measurements of their craniofacial structures from lateral cephalograms were evaluated. @*Results@#There were statistically significant differences among the three groups seven variables (anterior cranial base length, posterior cranial base length, total cranial base length, upper posterior facial height, posterior total facial height, mandibular ramus length, and overall mandibular length) in the linear measurement and five variables (saddle angle, gonial angle, mandibular plane angle, position of mandible, and maxilla versus mandible) in the angular measurement. @*Conclusion@#Compared to the control group, many linear and angular measurements of the craniofacial structures were significantly different in the two short-statured groups (p<0.05). Treatment plans by orthodontists should include these craniofacial structure characteristics.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#: Here, we evaluated whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profiles and their changes after intraventricular chemotherapy for leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) could predict the treatment response or be prognostic for patient overall survival (OS) along with clinical factors. @*Methods@#: Paired 1) pretreatment lumbar, 2) pretreatment ventricular, and 3) posttreatment ventricular samples and their CSF profiles were collected retrospectively from 148 LMC patients who received Ommaya reservoir installation and intraventricular chemotherapy. CSF profile changes were assessed by calculating the differences between posttreatment and pretreatment samples from the same ventricular compartment. CSF cell counts were further differentiated into total and other based on clinical laboratory reports. @*Results@#: For the treatment response, a decreased CSF ‘total’ cell count tended to be associated with a ‘controlled’ increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) (p=0.059), but other profile changes were not associated with either the control of increased ICP or the cytology response. Among the pretreatment CSF profiles, lumbar protein level and ventricular cell count were significantly correlated with OS in univariable analysis, but they were not significant in multi-variable analysis. Among CSF profile changes, a decrease in ‘other’ cell count showed worse OS than ‘no change’ or increased groups (p=0.001). The cytological response was significant for OS, but the hazard ratio of partial remission was paradoxically higher than that of ‘no response’. @*Conclusion@#: A decrease in other cell count of CSF after intraventricular chemotherapy was associated with poor OS in LMC patients. We suggest that more specific CSF biomarkers of cancer cell origin are needed.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#This study aimed to show a correlation between periodontal disease and hypertension. @*Methods@#This study analyzed data of 6794 adults over 19 years based on results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the period 2016-2018. Complex sample analysis and propensity score matching analysis methods were conducted to determine whether a correlation between periodontal disease and hypertension existed. @*Results@#Results of the complex sample logistic regression analysis were: OR=1.4 (95% CI:1.23-1.58). However, the result of the conditional logistic regression analysis after propensity score matching yielded no correlation between periodontitis and hypertension (OR=1.03 (95% CI:0.92-1.16)). @*Conclusions@#It is difficult to conclude that a significant correlation exists between hypertension and periodontal disease, and further studies need to be performed to assess a significant correlation.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of the nurse’s character on care and the sense of coherence (SOC) on the professional quality of life among oncology nurses. @*Methods@#Data were collected from June 2 to July 1, 2020. The participants were 185 oncology nurses caring for cancer patients. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 22.0 program. Nurse’s Character Scale for Care in Clinical Settings (NCS_C) and SOC, Professional Quality Of Life (ProQOL), which is conceptualized with three sub-dimensions (compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress), along with demographic and work-related variables were measured. @*Results@#The compassion satisfaction and burnout results had a significant correlation with the nurse’ s character for care and SOC. In multiple regression analysis, the meaningfulness of sub-dimension SOC (β=.58) accounted for 67.8% of compassion satisfaction and the meaningfulness of sub-dimension SOC (β=-.37) accounted for 55.4% of burnout. @*Conclusion@#Meaningfulness of sub-dimension SOC was an important factor that could be used to improve the professional quality of life among oncology nurses. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and make available programs for oncology nurses to improve compassion satisfaction, and methods to decrease burnout needs to be developed.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#The purpose of this study is to explore the quality of patient-centered nursing care by cancer patients who were hospitalized for operation. @*Methods@#This study was a descriptive research. The subjects were 171 cancer patients who received operation. The quality of patient-centered care was measured including individualization, proficiency, responsiveness, and coordination. @*Results@#The average age of the subjects was 56 years, and the subjects comprised gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer patients. The quality of patient-centered nursing care perceived by cancer patients was 5.18 ± 0.81. The education level was a meaningful variable to the quality of patient-centered nursing care by multivariate analysis ( p=.020). Conclusion: The quality of patientcentered nursing perceived by cancer patients was high in individualization, proficiency, and responsiveness, and relatively low in coordination. The difference in nursing staffing has a great influence on the perception of the quality of nursing. We propose studies for the recognition of oncology nurses in the quality of patient-centered nursing and the development of strategies that can provide patient-centered nursing to improve the quality of oncology nursing.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#The purposes of this study were to develop a case-based video education program for oncology nursing based on clinical reasoning and to identify the clinical reasoning competence and satisfaction with the education of students in an oncology advanced practice nursing program after applying the video education. @*Methods@#This study was a single group before and after designed experiment for identifying the clinical reasoning competence and satisfaction with education after a case-based video education program for oncology nursing based on clinical reasoning. Eight experts developed a case-based video education program based on clinical reasoning. Fifty-seven students from an oncology advanced practice nursing program participated in this education format.The clinical reasoning competence and satisfaction with education were measured with online self-reporting questionnaires. @*Results@#The overall education satisfaction was 4.21±0.67 points (out of 5). The clinical reasoning competence increased from 55.25±6.54 points to 61.18±7.13 points (out of 75) after completing the education program and there was a statistically significant difference (t=-6.52, p<.001). @*Conclusion@#The case-based video education for oncology nursing based on clinical reasoning was effective in improving the students’ clinical reasoning competence. Various education programs should be developed and applied to improve the clinical reasoning competence of students in an oncology advanced practice nursing program.
ABSTRACT
RESULTS@#The administration of ADLE to HFD-induced diabetic mice reduced the hyperplasia, 4-hydroxynonenal levels, and the number of apoptotic cells while improving the insulin levels compared to the HFD group. Treatment of INS-1 cells with palmitate reduced insulin secretion, which was attenuated by the ADLE treatment. Furthermore, the ADLE treatment prevented palmitate-induced cell death in INS-1 cells and isolated islets by reducing the apoptotic signaling molecules, including cleaved caspase-3 and PARP, and the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. ADLE also reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species generation, lipid accumulation, and nitrite production in palmitate-treated INS-1 cells while increasing the ATP levels. This effect corresponded to the decreased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein. @*CONCLUSIONS@#ADLE helps prevent lipotoxic beta-cell death in INS-1 cells and HFD-diabetic mice, suggesting that ADLE can be used to prevent or treat beta-cell damage in glucose intolerance during the development of diabetes.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#: Here, we evaluated whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profiles and their changes after intraventricular chemotherapy for leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) could predict the treatment response or be prognostic for patient overall survival (OS) along with clinical factors. @*Methods@#: Paired 1) pretreatment lumbar, 2) pretreatment ventricular, and 3) posttreatment ventricular samples and their CSF profiles were collected retrospectively from 148 LMC patients who received Ommaya reservoir installation and intraventricular chemotherapy. CSF profile changes were assessed by calculating the differences between posttreatment and pretreatment samples from the same ventricular compartment. CSF cell counts were further differentiated into total and other based on clinical laboratory reports. @*Results@#: For the treatment response, a decreased CSF ‘total’ cell count tended to be associated with a ‘controlled’ increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) (p=0.059), but other profile changes were not associated with either the control of increased ICP or the cytology response. Among the pretreatment CSF profiles, lumbar protein level and ventricular cell count were significantly correlated with OS in univariable analysis, but they were not significant in multi-variable analysis. Among CSF profile changes, a decrease in ‘other’ cell count showed worse OS than ‘no change’ or increased groups (p=0.001). The cytological response was significant for OS, but the hazard ratio of partial remission was paradoxically higher than that of ‘no response’. @*Conclusion@#: A decrease in other cell count of CSF after intraventricular chemotherapy was associated with poor OS in LMC patients. We suggest that more specific CSF biomarkers of cancer cell origin are needed.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#This study aimed to show a correlation between periodontal disease and hypertension. @*Methods@#This study analyzed data of 6794 adults over 19 years based on results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the period 2016-2018. Complex sample analysis and propensity score matching analysis methods were conducted to determine whether a correlation between periodontal disease and hypertension existed. @*Results@#Results of the complex sample logistic regression analysis were: OR=1.4 (95% CI:1.23-1.58). However, the result of the conditional logistic regression analysis after propensity score matching yielded no correlation between periodontitis and hypertension (OR=1.03 (95% CI:0.92-1.16)). @*Conclusions@#It is difficult to conclude that a significant correlation exists between hypertension and periodontal disease, and further studies need to be performed to assess a significant correlation.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of the nurse’s character on care and the sense of coherence (SOC) on the professional quality of life among oncology nurses. @*Methods@#Data were collected from June 2 to July 1, 2020. The participants were 185 oncology nurses caring for cancer patients. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 22.0 program. Nurse’s Character Scale for Care in Clinical Settings (NCS_C) and SOC, Professional Quality Of Life (ProQOL), which is conceptualized with three sub-dimensions (compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress), along with demographic and work-related variables were measured. @*Results@#The compassion satisfaction and burnout results had a significant correlation with the nurse’ s character for care and SOC. In multiple regression analysis, the meaningfulness of sub-dimension SOC (β=.58) accounted for 67.8% of compassion satisfaction and the meaningfulness of sub-dimension SOC (β=-.37) accounted for 55.4% of burnout. @*Conclusion@#Meaningfulness of sub-dimension SOC was an important factor that could be used to improve the professional quality of life among oncology nurses. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and make available programs for oncology nurses to improve compassion satisfaction, and methods to decrease burnout needs to be developed.