Mediation Effect of Self-efficacy between Health Status and Drug Abuse Behavior

BACKGROUND: The appropriate use of drugs is very important for a healthy life, as appropriate medication must be taken correctly for successful treatment of a disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the self-efficacy between health status and drug abuse behavior. METHODS: The subjects of this study were selected from 15 workshops located in Seoul, Incheon, Daejeon, and Chungnam, and, convenience sampling was conducted for each employee between September, 2017 and October 2017. A total of 204 questionnaires were analyzed. The questions evaluated health status, self-efficacy, drug abuse behavior, and general characteristics. RESULTS: First, there was no difference in health status according to the general characteristics of the subjects. The self-efficacy varied according to gender, educational background, and monthly income, but not by marital status and residence area. In addition, drug abuse behaviors differed according to gender, residence area, and monthly income, but not by marital status and education level. Second, drug abuse behavior negatively correlated with health status and self-efficacy. Third, regression analysis showed that the self-efficacy between the health status and drug abuse behavior had a partially mediating effect. CONCLUSION: In patients with poor health status, it is necessary to increase their self-efficacy to reduce reduce drug abuse. Therefore, regular education programs targeting efficacy and drug knowledge are required in the community.

The normal electroretinogram in adult healthy Shih Tzu dogs using the HMsERG

Electroretinography (ERG) is a reliable diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of retinal disease. It measures electric potentials occurring in the retina in response to light stimulation. In this study, we examined the normal electroretinogram using the Handheld Multispecies ERG (HMsERG) in Shih Tzu dogs. ERG recordings were performed in twelve eyes of six healthy Shih Tzu dogs. Dogs were anesthetized with a combination of medetomidine and ketamine. Proparacaine eye drops were also applied as a topical anesthetic. Tropicamide eye drops were applied for mydriasis. After 20 min of dark adaptation, we recorded the amplitudes and implicit times of the b-waves of the rod, standard rod and cone (Std R&C), high-intensity rod and cone (Hi-int R&C), and cone systems, and responses of the cones and inner retina by flicker light stimulation (cone flicker). Results showed that mean the amplitudes of a-waves of Std R&C, Hi-int R&C, and the cone responses were 141.25 microV, 173.00 microV, and 12.92 microV, respectively. The b-waves of the rod responses ranged from 141.58 to 155.25 microV; the Std R&C was 314.75 microV, the Hi-int R&C was 329.42 microV, the cones were 37.75 microV, and the flicker responses were 64.08 microV. The b/a ratios for the Std R&C, Hi-int R&C, and the cone response were 2.29, 1.94, and 3.71, respectively. Mean implicit time of the a-wave of the Std R&C was 15.12 ms, of Hi-int R&C was 13.42 ms, and of the cone response was 7.22 ms. The b-wave of the rod responses ranged from 68.12 to 72.68 ms, of Std R&C were 37.28 ms, of Hi-int R&C were 41.90, of the cone responses were 38.12 ms, and of the cone flicker responses were 22.80 ms. We believe that these parameters can be used as reference "normal" ERGs ranges for Shih Tzu dogs using the HMsERG under medetomidine and ketamine anesthesia.

The Safety and efficacy of a new self-expandable intratracheal nitinol stent for the tracheal collapse in dogs

To evaluate the potential utility of a self-expandable intratracheal nitinol stent with flared ends for the treatment of tracheal collapse in dogs, endotracheal stenting therapy was performed under fluoroscopic guidance in four dogs with severe tracheal collapse. During the 4 to 7 month followup, after stent implantation, clinical signs, including dyspnea and respiratory distress, dramatically improved in all dogs. The radiographs showed that the implanted stents improved the tracheal collapse, and there were no side effects such as collapse, shortening or migration of the stents. In conclusion, the self-expandable intratracheal nitinol stents provided adequate stability to the trachea and were effective for attenuating the clinical signs associated with severe tracheal collapse.