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Purpose@#This study aimed to assess the factors influencing the political participation of nursing students who, as they become future leaders in the nursing field, will need to increase their participation in health policy decisions. @*Methods@#Data were collected using web-based questionnaires answered by 157 nursing students between March 13 and 27, 2023. Those data were analyzed using t-test, a one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and a multiple linear regression. @*Results@#The average score of political participation was 2.77±0.70 out of 5 points. Political participation showed positive correlations between political efficacy (r=.48, p<.001) and nursing professionalism (r=.27, p<.001). Furthermore, sex (female) and political efficacy were identified as influencing factors on political participation among nursing students, which explained it with 24.0% power. @*Conclusion@#Providing timely nursing education is necessary for enhancing political efficacy, which could promote political participation among nursing students.
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Objective@#Computed tomography enterography (CTE) and magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) are considered substitutes for each other for evaluating Crohn’s disease (CD). However, the adequacy of mixing them for routine periodic follow-up for CD has not been established. This study aimed to compare MRE alone with the mixed use of CTE and MRE for the periodic follow-up of small bowel inflammation in patients with CD. @*Materials and Methods@#We retrospectively compared two non-randomized groups, each comprising 96 patients with CD. One group underwent CTE and MRE (MRE followed by CTE or vice versa) for the follow-up of CD (interval, 13–27 months [median, 22 months]), and the other group underwent MRE alone (interval, 15–26 months [median, 21 months]). However, these two groups were similar in clinical characteristics. Three independent readers from three different institutions determined whether inflammation had decreased, remained unchanged, or increased within the entire small bowel and the terminal ileum based on sequential enterography of the patients after appropriate blinding. We compared the two groups for inter-reader agreement and accuracy (terminal ileum only) using endoscopy as the reference standard for enterographic interpretation. @*Results@#The inter-reader agreement was greater in the MRE alone group for the entire small bowel (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.683 vs. 0.473; p = 0.005) and the terminal ileum (ICC: 0.656 vs. 0.490; p = 0.030). The interpretation accuracy was higher in the MRE alone group without statistical significance (70.9%–74.5% vs. 57.9%–64.9% in individual readers; adjusted odds ratio = 3.21; p = 0.077). @*Conclusion@#The mixed use of CTE and MRE was inferior to MRE alone in terms of inter-reader reliability and could probably be less accurate than MRE alone for routine monitoring of small bowel inflammation in patients with CD. Therefore, the consistent use of MRE is favored for this purpose.
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Objective@#To analyze the characteristics and trends of scientific publications on thyroid ultrasound (US) from 2001 to 2020, specifically examining the differences among disciplines. @*Materials and Methods@#The MEDLINE database was searched for scientific articles on thyroid US published between 2001 and 2020 using the PubMed online service. The evaluated parameters included year of publication, type of document, topic, funding, first author’s specialty, journal name, subject category, impact factor, and quartile ranking of the publishing journal, country, and language. Relationships between the first author’s specialty (radiology, internal medicine, surgery, otorhinolaryngology, and miscellaneous) and other parameters were analyzed. @*Results@#A total of 2917 thyroid US publications were published between 2001 and 2020, which followed an exponential growth pattern, with an annual growth rate of 11.6%. Radiology produced the most publications (n = 1290, 44.2%), followed by internal medicine (n = 716, 24.5%), surgery (n = 409, 14.0%), and otorhinolaryngology (n = 171, 5.9%). Otorhinolaryngology and internal medicine published significantly more case reports than radiology (p < 0.001, each). Radiology published a significantly higher proportion of publications on imaging diagnosis (p < 0.001 for all) and a significantly lower proportion of publications on biopsy (p < 0.001 for all) than the other disciplines. Publications produced by radiology authors were less frequently published in Q1 journals than those from other disciplines (p < 0.005 for internal medicine and miscellaneous disciplines and < 0.01 for surgery and otorhinolaryngology). China contributed the greatest number of publications (n = 622, 21.3%), followed by South Korea (n = 478, 16.4%) and the United States (n = 468, 16.0%). @*Conclusion@#Radiology produced the most publications for thyroid US than any other discipline. Radiology authors published more notably on imaging diagnosis compared to other topics and in journals with lower impact factors compared to authors in other disciplines.
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Objective@#Muscle quantity and quality can be measured with an automated system on CT. However, the effects of contrast phases on the muscle measurements have not been established, which we aimed to investigate in this study. @*Materials and Methods@#Muscle quantity was measured according to the skeletal muscle area (SMA) measured by a convolutional neural network-based automated system at the L3 level in 89 subjects undergoing multiphasic abdominal CT comprising unenhanced phase, arterial phase, portal venous phase (PVP), or delayed phase imaging. Muscle quality was analyzed using the mean muscle density and the muscle quality map, which comprises normal and low-attenuation muscle areas (NAMA and LAMA, respectively) based on the muscle attenuation threshold. The SMA, mean muscle density, NAMA, and LAMA were compared between PVP and other phases using paired t tests. Bland-Altman analysis was used to evaluate the inter-phase variability between PVP and other phases. Based on the cutoffs for low muscle quantity and quality, the counts of individuals who scored lower than the cutoff values were compared between PVP and other phases. @*Results@#All indices showed significant differences between PVP and other phases (p < 0.001 for all). The SMA, mean muscle density, and NAMA increased during the later phases, whereas LAMA decreased during the later phases. Bland-Altman analysis showed that the mean differences between PVP and other phases ranged -2.1 to 0.3 cm2 for SMA, -12.0 to 2.6 cm2 for NAMA, and -2.2 to 9.9 cm2 for LAMA.The number of patients who were categorized as low muscle quantity did not significant differ between PVP and other phases (p ≥ 0.5), whereas the number of patients with low muscle quality significantly differed (p ≤ 0.002). @*Conclusion@#SMA was less affected by the contrast phases. However, the muscle quality measurements changed with the contrast phases to greater extents and would require a standardization of the contrast phase for reliable measurement.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to identify the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination intentions in nurses. @*Methods@#The participants were 184 nurses in Korea. Data were collected using a Google Form online survey method in February, 2021, and analyzed using an independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis with the SPSS/WIN 26.0 program. @*Results@#COVID-19 vaccination intention in nurses was correlated significantly with vaccine hesitancy (r = .58, p < .001), risk perception of COVID-19 (r = .22, p = .003), perception of vaccination as a professional duty (r = .59, p < .001), and attitude towards workplace infection control policies (r = .20, p = .007). Vaccine hesitancy (β = .40, p < .001) and the perception of vaccination as a professional duty (β = .44, p < .001) significantly influenced COVID-19 vaccination intention. The model developed in this study explained 50% of the variation in COVID-19 vaccination intention. @*Conclusion@#Improving the perception of vaccination as a professional duty and lowering vaccine hesitancy may enhance nurses’ COVID-19 vaccination intention. Above all, it is necessary to provide programs to encourage voluntary recognition of vaccination as a professional duty and develop strategies to reduce hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccinations.
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Objective@#To evaluate the reliability of CT measurements of muscle quantity and quality using variable CT parameters. @*Materials and Methods@#A phantom, simulating the L2–4 vertebral levels, was used for this study. CT images were repeatedly acquired with modulation of tube voltage, tube current, slice thickness, and the image reconstruction algorithm. Reference standard muscle compartments were obtained from the reference maps of the phantom. Cross-sectional area based on the Hounsfield unit (HU) thresholds of muscle and its components, and the mean density of the reference standard muscle compartment, were used to measure the muscle quantity and quality using different CT protocols. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were calculated in the images acquired with different settings. @*Results@#The skeletal muscle area (threshold, -29 to 150 HU) was constant, regardless of the protocol, occupying at least 91.7% of the reference standard muscle compartment. Conversely, normal attenuation muscle area (30–150 HU) was not constant in the different protocols, varying between 59.7% and 81.7% of the reference standard muscle compartment. The mean density was lower than the target density stated by the manufacturer (45 HU) in all cases (range, 39.0–44.9 HU). The SNR decreased with low tube voltage, low tube current, and in sections with thin slices, whereas it increased when the iterative reconstruction algorithm was used. @*Conclusion@#Measurement of muscle quantity using HU threshold was reliable, regardless of the CT protocol used. Conversely, the measurement of muscle quality using the mean density and narrow HU thresholds were inconsistent and inaccurate across different CT protocols. Therefore, further studies are warranted in future to determine the optimal CT protocols for reliable measurements of muscle quality.
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Objective@#To evaluate the reliability of CT measurements of muscle quantity and quality using variable CT parameters. @*Materials and Methods@#A phantom, simulating the L2–4 vertebral levels, was used for this study. CT images were repeatedly acquired with modulation of tube voltage, tube current, slice thickness, and the image reconstruction algorithm. Reference standard muscle compartments were obtained from the reference maps of the phantom. Cross-sectional area based on the Hounsfield unit (HU) thresholds of muscle and its components, and the mean density of the reference standard muscle compartment, were used to measure the muscle quantity and quality using different CT protocols. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were calculated in the images acquired with different settings. @*Results@#The skeletal muscle area (threshold, -29 to 150 HU) was constant, regardless of the protocol, occupying at least 91.7% of the reference standard muscle compartment. Conversely, normal attenuation muscle area (30–150 HU) was not constant in the different protocols, varying between 59.7% and 81.7% of the reference standard muscle compartment. The mean density was lower than the target density stated by the manufacturer (45 HU) in all cases (range, 39.0–44.9 HU). The SNR decreased with low tube voltage, low tube current, and in sections with thin slices, whereas it increased when the iterative reconstruction algorithm was used. @*Conclusion@#Measurement of muscle quantity using HU threshold was reliable, regardless of the CT protocol used. Conversely, the measurement of muscle quality using the mean density and narrow HU thresholds were inconsistent and inaccurate across different CT protocols. Therefore, further studies are warranted in future to determine the optimal CT protocols for reliable measurements of muscle quality.
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Ansa pancreatic is a rare variation of pancreas duct. Ansa pancreatica is characterized by focal accessory duct atrophy and an additional curved duct linking main and accessory ducts replacing atrophied duct. Ansa pancreatica is considered as a predisposing factor of recurrent pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can be localized in pancreas head and uncinate process, because pancreas head and uncinate process might be drained through the additional hooked duct of ansa pancreatica. We reports three cases of localized chronic or recurrent pancreatitis cases with underlying ansa pancreatica type anatomic variation.
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Clear cell hidradenoma (HA) is a rare tumor of sweat glands. Although this tumor is benign, local recurrence often occurs when the resection margin is insufficiently obtained. The common imaging finding of HA is a mixed solid and cystic mass with or without increased vascularity in the solid portion. Malignant transformation of the tumor is also recognized. Hidradenocarcinoma (HAC), which is a malignant counterpart of benign HA, can develop de novo or arise from benign HA. However, imaging findings of HAC are not well established because these tumors are rare and they are commonly excised without imaging study. We present two cases of benign HA and HAC arising from benign HA with characteristic ultrasonography and computed tomography imaging features.
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PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the factors involved in ageism in nurses.METHODS: The participants in this study were 178 general hospital nurses. Data were collected in March 2019 using self-report questionnaires, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, and stepwise multiple linear regression.RESULTS: The total score for ageism was 39.75±5.44 out of a maximum of 72. Ageism had a statistically significant relationship with contact experience (r=-.47, p < .001), attitude (r=.40 p < .001), and aging anxiety (r=.35 p < .001). The determining factors affecting ageism were contact experience (β=-.45, p < .001), attitude(β=.20, p=.002), work place (β=.22, p < .001), marital status (β=.21, p < .001), geriatric nursing preference (β=.18, p=.006), geriatric education (β=.17, p=.006), and aging anxiety (β=.14, p=.041). The explanation power of these variables was 39%.CONCLUSION: The results suggest that contact experience with elders had the largest influence on ageism in nurses. Therefore, it is necessary to develop tailored education programs by hospital type to increase positive contact experience and promote understanding of older patients in acute care settings. Furthermore, the importance of the perception of ageism needs to be highlighted in nursing education and continuing education for nurses.
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Humans , Ageism , Aging , Anxiety , Education , Education, Continuing , Education, Nursing , Geriatric Nursing , Hospitals, General , Linear Models , Marital Status , WorkplaceABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the factors related to the social distance toward older adults in nursing college students.METHODS: The participants comprised 137 students in a nursing college. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires in March 2019. The measurement instruments included social distance scales, the Fact on Aging Quiz (FAQ I), a 20-item semantic differential scale (to assess attitudes), and the perceived elderly stigma scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson's correlation coefficient, and a multiple regression analysis.RESULTS: The total score for social distance toward older adults was 3.98±0.54 out of a maximum of 5. Social distance had a statistically significant relationship with knowledge (r=.20, p=.022), attitudes toward older adults (r=−.31, p < .001), and elderly stigma (r=−.27 p=.008). The factors affecting social distance were education in geriatrics (β=.33, p=.004), grade (β=-.29, p=.014), attitudes (β=−.21, p=.018), academic major satisfaction (β=.19, p=.028), and knowledge (β=.15, p=.048); the explanatory power of the model was 34%.CONCLUSION: There is a need for departmental efforts that nursing students acquire correct knowledge about the life and health of the elderly with the aging process and develop positive attitudes toward older adults through various experiences in gerontological nursing practicum and community senior-college student link programs.