Repeatability and Agreement of Chord Mu between Scheimpflug Tomography and Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose@#To evaluate repeatability and agreement of chord mu between Scheimpflug tomography (Pentacam HR) and sweptsource optical coherence tomography–based optical biometer (IOLMaster 700). @*Methods@#In this retrospective study, 63 eyes from 33 patients were included. Chord mu, X and Y Cartesian distances between the corneal vertex and the pupil center (Px and Py), and the pupil diameter were compared using two instruments. Repeatability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CoV), and within-subject standard deviation (Sw). Interdevice agreement was evaluated using paired t-tests and Bland-Altman plots. @*Results@#Although Sw values for all parameters were similar between the two devices, CoV values of chord mu and pupil diameter were lower, and ICC values of those parameters were higher, in the IOLMaster 700 than in the Pentacam HR. Chord mu and pupil diameter values were higher in IOLMaster 700 than Pentacam HR (p < 0.01). The width of the 95% limit of agreement was wide for all parameters. @*Conclusions@#IOLMaster 700 showed better repeatability than Pentacam HR in chord mu, Px, Py, and pupil diameter values. Because there were statistically significant differences and a low level of agreement in chord mu and pupil diameter values between the two devices, they cannot be used interchangeably.

Perceptions on Pharmacy Students on Consumers’ Demand for Transparent Dispensing Room in Community Pharmacies

Background@# Dispensing of prescription drugs is the most important task for community pharmacists. However, the public’s satisfaction with pharmacist services is not high, and distrust due to dispensing by unqualified person and/or under unsanitary conditions led to demands for transparent dispensing room (TDR) in pharmacies. @*Objective@#This study was conducted to investigate how pharmacy students perceive pharmacists’ credibility and professional ethics in conjunction with the TDR issue. @*Methods@#A survey using 20-items questionnaire was conducted from July 12 to 20, 2019 in pharmacy students nationwide. @*Results@#Among 218 respondents, 84.1% attended pharmacy school located in the metropolitan area, 61.1% were the 3rd or 4th graders, and 81.2% had no practical training in community pharmacy. 56.2% were unaware of the TDR issue, and 66.8% agreed on the public’s demand for TDR. 68.8% disagreed that TDR was the best way to solve the problem of unqualified dispensing, while 51.9% agreed that TDR was the best way in solving unsanitary dispensing problem. Publics’ confidence level of community pharmacists was mean 5.84 (range 1-10). In a question asking how expertise and professional ethics affect pharmacist confidence, 50% said expertise was more important, 31.7% the same, and 18.3% said professional ethics was more important. @*Conclusions@#To overcome the demand for TDR which began with public distrust in pharmacists, it is necessary to seek measures to increase the credibility of pharmacists, and as part of this, pharmacist ethics should be systematically educated at pharmacy school.

Changes in Diagnostic Performance of Thyroid Cancer Screening before and after the Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System Revision / 가정의학회지

Background@#Since the era of “thyroid cancer epidemic,” many Korean academic societies discouraged the use of ultrasonography in healthy individuals and revised the Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System to address the overscreening and overdiagnosis issues. This study aimed to evaluate the change in the diagnostic effectiveness of thyroid cancer screening over the last decade. @*Methods@#This single-center, retrospective observational study analyzed the data of 125,962 thyroid nodules obtained during cancer screening at the health promotion center of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from 2010 to 2019. Only 327 thyroid cancer cases pathologically confirmed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) were included in the study. The strength of the association between the number of FNA and (1) the number of thyroid cancer diagnoses, (2) the positive predictive values (PPVs), and (3) the difference in PPV from the previous year were evaluated using Pearson’s correlation analysis. @*Results@#The number of thyroid FNA biopsies as well as the thyroid cancer diagnoses decreased from 2010 to 2019 (166 to 48 [-71.1%] vs. 43 to 22 [-48.8%]). The PPV of FNA biopsies increased from 25.9% to 45.8% (+76.8%) and was negatively correlated with the number of FNA biopsies performed (R=-0.87, P<0.001). The difference in PPV from the previous year increased similarly but without statistical significance (R=-0.59, P=0.09). @*Conclusion@#The diagnostic efficiency of thyroid cancer screening has increased over the last decade, as evidenced by the increasing PPV of FNA biopsies.

Use of Topical Cyclosporin and Tacrolimus for Recurrent Subepithelial Infiltrates after Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis

Purpose@#To report a case of recurrent subepithelial infiltrates (SEIs) after epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), which improved with the use of topical cyclosporin and tacrolimus.Case summary: A 33‐year‐old female patient with bilateral EKC developed multiple SEIs, which were worse in the left eye, after applying topical antibiotics and steroid for 3 weeks. She was administered 0.5% loteprednol etabonate every 2 hours, which was gradually tapered to once a day, and 0.1% cyclosporine once daily. However, the SEIs recurred. Therefore, 0.1% cyclosporine was administered twice a day in both eyes and the frequency of administration of steroid eye drops was increased. The dose of steroid eye drops was reduced, but two attempts to taper the dose failed. SEIs in the right eye improved with the use of 0.1% cyclosporine. However, SEIs in the left eye recurred on tapering the steroid dose. Therefore, topical 0.02% tacrolimus ointment was administered once daily in the left eye. After 2 weeks of using tacrolimus, the topical steroids were discontinued. SEIs were well‐controlled for 6 months with 0.1% cyclosporine administered 1‐2 times/day in the right eye and 0.02% tacrolimus administered 1 time/3 days in the left eye. @*Conclusions@#Topical cyclosporine and tacrolimus can minimize the requirement for steroids, and treat chronic and recurrent SEIs after EKC.

The Extract of Couroupita guianensis Aubl. Ameliorates Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia In Vitro and In Vivo

The therapeutic effects of the leaves of Couroupita guianensis, a large tropical tree in the family of Lecythidaceae improving testosterone-induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) were tested In Vitro and In Vivo. In BPH rats induced by castration and testosterone treatment, the prostate index was improved in groups administered with the extracts of C. guianensis extracted with 50%-, 100%-ethanol or boiling water, which was comparable with positive control, finasteride. The extract C. guianensis leaves showed significant inhibition on the expressions of type 2 5-alpha reductase (5αR) in RWPE-1 human prostatic epithelial cells, and effectively attenuated the expressions of androgen receptor, type 2 5αR and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in LNCap human prostatic adenocarcinoma cells. The leaves of C. guianensis that exerted evident suppression on BPHrelated biomarkers In Vitro and improvement of prostate index In Vivo has a potential therapeutic use for the treatment of BPH.

Metastasis prognostic factors and cancer stem cell-related transcription factors associated with metastasis induction in canine metastatic mammary gland tumors

Background@#Canine mammary gland tumor (MGT) is the most common cancer in aged female dogs. Although it's important to identify reliable metastasis or prognostic factors by evaluating related to cell division, adhesion, and cancer stem cell-related transcription factor (TF) in metastasis-induced canine MGT, but there are limited studies. @*Objectives@#We aimed to identify metastasis prognostic factors and cancer stem cell-TFs in canine MGTs. @*Methods@#Age-matched female dogs diagnosed with MGT only were classified into metastatic and non-metastatic groups by histopathological staining of MGT tissues. The mRNA levels of cancer prognostic metastasis molecular factors (E-cadherin, ICAM-1, PRR14, VEGF, HPRT1, RPL4 and hnRNP H ) and cancer stem cell-related TFs (Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog ) were compared between metastatic and non-metastatic canine MGT tissues using qRT-PCR analysis. @*Results@#The mRNA levels of ICAM-1, PRR14, VEGF, hnRNP H, Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog in metastatic MGT group were significantly higher than those in non-metastatic MGT group. However, mRNA level of RPL4 was significantly lower in metastatic MGT group. Loss of E-cadherin and HPRT1 was observed in the metastatic MGT group but it was not significant. @*Conclusions@#Consistent expression patterns of all metastasis-related factors showing elevation in ICAM-1, PRR14, VEGF, hnRNP H, Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog, but decreases in RPL4 levels occurred in canine MGT tissues, which was associated with metastasis. Thus, these cancer prognostic metastasis factors and TFs of cancer stem cells, except for E-cadherin and HPRT1 , can be used as reliable metastasis factors for canine MGT and therapeutic strategy.

Metastasis prognostic factors and cancer stem cell-related transcription factors associated with metastasis induction in canine metastatic mammary gland tumors

Background@#Canine mammary gland tumor (MGT) is the most common cancer in aged female dogs. Although it's important to identify reliable metastasis or prognostic factors by evaluating related to cell division, adhesion, and cancer stem cell-related transcription factor (TF) in metastasis-induced canine MGT, but there are limited studies. @*Objectives@#We aimed to identify metastasis prognostic factors and cancer stem cell-TFs in canine MGTs. @*Methods@#Age-matched female dogs diagnosed with MGT only were classified into metastatic and non-metastatic groups by histopathological staining of MGT tissues. The mRNA levels of cancer prognostic metastasis molecular factors (E-cadherin, ICAM-1, PRR14, VEGF, HPRT1, RPL4 and hnRNP H ) and cancer stem cell-related TFs (Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog ) were compared between metastatic and non-metastatic canine MGT tissues using qRT-PCR analysis. @*Results@#The mRNA levels of ICAM-1, PRR14, VEGF, hnRNP H, Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog in metastatic MGT group were significantly higher than those in non-metastatic MGT group. However, mRNA level of RPL4 was significantly lower in metastatic MGT group. Loss of E-cadherin and HPRT1 was observed in the metastatic MGT group but it was not significant. @*Conclusions@#Consistent expression patterns of all metastasis-related factors showing elevation in ICAM-1, PRR14, VEGF, hnRNP H, Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog, but decreases in RPL4 levels occurred in canine MGT tissues, which was associated with metastasis. Thus, these cancer prognostic metastasis factors and TFs of cancer stem cells, except for E-cadherin and HPRT1 , can be used as reliable metastasis factors for canine MGT and therapeutic strategy.

Secondhand smoke exposure and mental health problems in Korean adults / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between secondhand smoke exposure (SHSE) and mental health problems among Korean adults. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2011 Korean Community Health Survey. From the total of 229,226 participants aged 19 years or above, we excluded 48,679 current smokers, 36,612 former smokers, 3,036 participants with a history of stroke, 2,264 participants with a history of myocardial infarction, 14,115 participants who experienced at least one day in bed per month due to disability, and 855 participants for whom information regarding SHSE or mental health problems was not available. The final analysis was performed with 22,818 men and 100,847 women. Participants were classified into four groups according to the duration of SHSE: none, <1 hr/d, 1-<3 hr/d, and ≥3 hr/d. The presence of depressive symptoms, diagnosed depression, and high stress were measured by questionnaire. RESULTS: After adjusting for demographic factors, lifestyle, and chronic disease, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of depressive symptoms with 1-<3 hr/d and ≥3 hr/d SHSE were 1.44 (95% CI, 1.14 to 1.82) and 1.59 (95% CI, 1.46 to 1.74), respectively. However, SHSE ≥3 hr/d had a higher OR of 1.37 (95% CI, 1.20 to 1.58) for diagnosed depression. SHSE was also associated with high stress (1-<3 hr/d: OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.38 to 1.76; ≥3 hr/d: OR, 1.33 95% CI, 1.28 to 1.40). However, the association between SHSE and symptoms of depression and stress did not differ significantly by region. CONCLUSIONS: SHSE may be associated with mental health problems such as depression and stress in Korean adults.

Dihydrobenzofuran Neolignans Isolated from Euonymus alatus Leaves and Twigs Attenuated Inflammatory Responses in the Activated RAW264.7 Macrophage Cells

Anti-inflammatory effects of dihydrobenzofuran neolignans isolated from Euonymus alatus leaves and twigs were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Six neolignans, (+)- simulanol (1), (+)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (2), (-)-simulanol (3), (-)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (4), (+)-dihydrodehyrodiconiferyl alcohol (5), threo-buddlenol B (6) effectively inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) induced by LPS, and the activity of iNOS. (-)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (4), which showed the most potent inhibitory activity, attenuated the activity of iNOS enzyme and also the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins. The subsequent production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and prostaglandin E2 were also inhibited by the pretreatment of RAW264.7 cells with (-)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (4). These neolignans are thought to contribute to anti-inflammatory effects of E. alatus, and expected to be potential candidates to prevent/treat inflammation-related diseases.

A study of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in dogs as a disease model for canine necrotizing encephalitis

In the present study, the use of dogs with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a disease model for necrotizing encephalitis (NE) was assessed. Twelve healthy dogs were included in this study. Canine forebrain tissues (8 g), including white and grey matter, were homogenized with 4 mL of phosphate-buffered saline for 5 min in an ice bath. The suspension was emulsified with the same volume of Freund's complete adjuvant containing 1 mg/mL of killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra. Under sedation, each dog was injected subcutaneously with canine brain homogenate at four sites: two in the inguinal and two in the axillary regions. A second injection (booster) was administered to all the dogs using the same procedure 7 days after the first injection. Clinical assessment, magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analyses, necropsies, and histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed for the dogs with EAE. Out of the 12 animals, seven (58%) developed clinically manifest EAE at various times after immunization. Characteristics of canine EAE models were very similar to canine NE, suggesting that canine EAE can be a disease model for NE in dogs.

The Effects of Case-Based Learning (CBL) on Learning Motivation and Learning Satisfaction of Nursing Students in a Human Physiology Course

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of case-based learning (CBL) on learning motivation and learning satisfaction of nursing students in a human physiology course. METHODS: The development and application of CBL scenarios was conducted from February to June, 2013. Nursing students (n=142) who registered for a human physiology course were assigned into either a control or CLB group. The control group received traditional lectures for 14 weeks. The CBL group received the same 14-week lectures and an additional 5 CBL sessions. The learning motivation and satisfaction were measured by questionnaires at the beginning and the end of the semester. Seven students in the CBL group were randomly selected for a focus-group interview. Quantitative data were analyzed by chi2-test and t-test, and qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. RESULTS: The learning motivation and learning satisfaction were not significantly different between the two groups. However, 59% of the CBL group answered with a positive impression on the CBL approach as it helped them to feel a sense of achievement, excitement, to form their identity as nursing students, and so on. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the CBL could be a challenging but useful learning method in a physiology course for nursing students. Further studies with guidance, such as instructors' questions and feedback design are needed to utilize CBL more effectively.

The Extract of Limonium tetragonum Protected Liver against Acute Alcohol Toxicity by Enhancing Ethanol Metabolism and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities

The protective effect of EtOAc fraction of Limonium tetragonum extract (EALT) against alcoholinduced hepatotoxicity was assessed following acute ethanol intoxication in Spraque-Dawley rats. EALT (200 mg/kg p.o.) was administrated once before alcohol intake (8 g/kg, p.o.). Blood ethanol concentration, and the activities of alcohol metabolic enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in the liver were measured. Also, the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), catalase were determined after acute alcohol exposure. Pretreatment of rats received ethanol with EALT significantly decreased blood ethanol concentration and elevated the activities of ADH and ALDH in liver. The increased MDA level was decreased, and the reduced activities of SOD, GSH-px and catalase were markedly preserved by the treatment with EALT. This study suggests that EALT prevent hepatic injury induced by acute alcohol which is likely related to its modulation on the alcohol metabolism and antioxidant enzymes activities.

The Clinical Features and Progression of the Disease in Posterior Polymorphous Corneal Dystrophy (PPCD)

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical features and the relationship between endothelial cell changes and progression of posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD) disease by evaluating a case series of 74 eyes in 37 patients. METHODS: From 1995 to 2012, patients were selected from those referred with a probable clinical diagnosis of PPCD to a special study group. Selection was based on the slit-lamp appearance of each case. A total of 37 patients who were diagnosed as PPCD were assessed with respect to gender, age of onset, genetic influences, and affected eyes (unilateral or bilateral). Additionally, we observed the relationship between the changes of the patients' lesions, progression of disease and the rate of loss of corneal endothelial cells. RESULTS: On slit lamp examination, a tram-track line appearance of posterior corneal surface was detected in a majority of patients. Most lesions lied horizontally except for 1 patient (vertically located). At the time of initial diagnosis, the patients' endothelial cell count was under 2,000 cells/mm2, a slow unilateral progressive loss of endothelial cells was observed over 10 years and there was no associated gender differences. Most patients were diagnosed after their 30's during incidental visits. No specific gene mutations were found in screening of the coding sequence of genes for mutations. Most patients were asymptomatic, although 1 patient underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) due to bullous keratopathy and 2 patients had glaucoma surgery because of iridocorneal adhesion. CONCLUSIONS: In PPCD, there was no gender difference and most lesions were unilateral. Additionally, no remarkable gene mutations were observed. When significantly different endothelial cell counts between patient's eyes were detected, a tram-track line appearance on a patient's cornea surface was observed. Some patients had corneal dysfunction and glaucoma, but the frequency was lower.

Study of the Sexual Behaviors and Influential Factors Affecting Premenopausal Women with Breast Cancer: Application of the Method of Triangulation

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate sexual behaviors and influencing factors affecting premenopausal women who have breast cancer and have undergone surgery. METHODS: Seventy premenopausal women, ranging between 35~55 years of age, were included in this study. Sexual behaviors were evaluated using the WSBQ-F (Wilmoth Sexual Behaviors Questionnaire-Female). The in-depth interview was analyzed utilizing content analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences regarding the type of surgery, age, time of marriage, education level, occupation, chemotherapy, use of Tamoxifen, and radiotherapy in the sexual activities of premenopausal women with breast cancer. However, quality-related information utilizing qualitative in-depth interviews, revealed 3 issues regarding sexual behaviors.. Participants reported physical discomfort such as vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, emotional changes such as decrease in sexual confidence, and interaction-related changes such as mandatory sexual life, sexual intimacy with one's partner, and being more active sexual behaviors. CONCLUSION: There were complex changes associated with sexual behavior after surgery for women with breast cancer which included various events related to stress regarding sexual behavior. Communication between women with breast cancer, their partners, and medical caregivers has a ability to maximize the sense of sexual wellbeing while minimizing the sexual crises.

A Phenomenological Study on Nurses' Experiences of Accidents in Patient Safety / 간호행정학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe nurses' experiences of accidents in patient safety. METHODS: Data were collected from October 8, 2011 to January 31, 2012 through in-depth interviews with seven nurses who had worked on wards or in the ICU in a university hospital. Data were analyzed by applying Colaizzi's phenomenological methodology. RESULTS: The following six categories were extracted: Fear of the patient's condition caused by the accident, Conflict in the accident report, Blame on others and circumstances, Feeling guilty and sorry as the patient's condition is improving, Being disappointed with the unfavorable atmosphere in dealing with the accident, After the accident, being sensitive in performing nursing duties and being faithful to the principles. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the organizational culture in the hospital related to accidents in patient safety is still closed and punitive, and such an atmosphere causes nurses to feel seriously hurt, but through this experience nurses are likely to mature as nursing professionals. Programs on prevention of accidents in patient safety and a system to guard against these accidents should be established. Also the organizational safety culture should be improved.

A Case of Pigmented Free-Floating Posterior Vitreous Cyst

PURPOSE: To report a case of a 59-year-old female with a free-floating monolateral vitreous cyst localized in the posterior vitreous in the left eye. CASE SUMMARY: A 59-year-old female who complained of an intermittent floater in the left eye for 3 months visited our clinic. She had been suffering from visual disturbance for approximately 3 months. There was no previous history of trauma, infection, or inflammatory disorders. The best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. On fundoscopic exam, a 3-4 disc diameter (DD) sized, brown-colored pigmented vitreous cyst was detected at the inferior temporal side of the posterior vitreous in her left eye. B-scan ultrasound confirmed the presence of an echo-free cystic formation that was free from surrounding vitreous strands or other adhesions located at the posterior vitreous. No specific findings or leakage were observed on fluorescein angiography. We followed-up the patient periodically (1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the initial visit) and monitored whether the size or location of the cyst had changed. At every follow-up exam, the size or location of the cyst was stationary and the patient's visual acuity was 20/20 in the affected eye, thus we suggested she should be followed-up periodically for her cyst without any intervention. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of a patient with no previous ocular history or impaired vision who had a free-floating vitreous cyst localized in the posterior vitreous in the left eye. The disease did not appear to progress or become aggravated over a short-term follow-up period and no specific treatment was required.

Posterior Polymorphous Corneal Dystrophy (PPCD) Combined with Traumatic Descemet's Membrane Fold

PURPOSE: To present a case of a 72-year-old woman with posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD) combined with traumatic Descemet's membrane fold due to forceps injury in Birth. CASE SUMMARY: A 72-year-old woman without significant ocular history presented complaining of ocular discomfort in her right eye. She had a history of birth that required forceps delivery and poor vision in the right eye since childhood. The rest of perinatal ophthalmic history was unremarkable (no past ophthalmic or family history). The best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy showed distinctive, vertical, semitranslucent Descemet's membrane breaks situated on the superior temporal side of the posterior surface of the cornea in her right eye. Also, a horizontal, tram-track line appearance of posterior cornea surface was detected at middle and inferior side of cornea. The fellow eye was normal. The endothelial cell densities were 945 cells/mm2 and 2481 cells/mm2 in right and left eyes, respectively. After 11 years later, (routine follow up exams every 1 year), the endothelial cell densities were 901 cells/mm2 and 2481 cells/mm2 in right and left eyes, respectively, which means there were no significant changes of endothelial densities in both eyes. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of a patient with posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD) combined with traumatic Descemet's membrane fold due to forceps injury in Birth. The disease does not seem to progress or aggravated in long term follow up and no specific treatment was required.

Cholesterol Depletion in Cell Membranes of Human Airway Epithelial Cells Suppresses MUC5AC Gene Expression

PURPOSE: If cholesterol in the cell membrane is depleted by treating cells with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD), the activities of transmembrane receptors are altered in a cell-specific and/or receptor-specific manner. The proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta is potent inducers of MUC5AC mRNA and protein synthesis in human airway epithelial cells. Cells activated by IL-1beta showed increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Thus, we investigated the effects of cholesterol depletion on the expression of MUC5AC in human airway epithelial cells and whether these alterations to MUC5AC expression were related to MAPK activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with 1% MbetaCD before adding IL-1beta for 24 hours, MUC5AC mRNA expression was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real time-PCR. Cholesterol depletion by MbetaCD was measured by modified microenzymatic fluorescence assay and filipin staining. The phosphorylation of IL-1 receptor, ERK and p38 MAPK, was analyzed by western blot. RESULTS: Cholesterol in the cell membrane was significantly depleted by treatment with MbetaCD on cells. IL-1beta-induced MUC5AC mRNA expression was decreased by MbetaCD and this decrease occurred IL-1-receptor-specifically. Moreover, we have shown that MbetaCD suppressed the activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in cells activated with IL-1beta. This result suggests that MbetaCD-mediated suppression of IL-1beta-induced MUC5AC mRNA operated via the ERK- and p38 MAPK-dependent pathway. CONCLUSION: Cholesterol depletion in NCI-H292 cell membrane may be considered an anti-hypersecretory method since it effectively inhibits mucus secretion of respiratory epithelial cells.

A Phenomenological Study on the Experiences of Parenting Burden of Working Mother with Young Children in Korea

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the essential structure of the lived experience of working mothers' parenting burden in Korea. METHODS: Eight working mothers with young children were interviewed. The Colaizzi analysis of phenomenological research was applied. RESULTS: Seven theme clusters were extracted: a life with constant conflict, sense of guilt, feeling anxious because of lack of information about education for their children, social stigma as a deficient mother, family relationship becoming distant, a life being exhausted, day to day struggle. CONCLUSION: These results provide an opportunity to have a better understanding of the experiences of working mothers related to parenting their young children. It would also serve as a medium for the formulation of appropriate nursing intervention relevant to burdens of parenthood.

Relationship among Nurses' Attitude on Job Rotation, Job Stress and Organizational Commitment / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of study was to identify the relationships among attitude on job rotation, job stress and organizational commitment of hospital nurses. METHODS: The data were collected from the self-reported questionnaire responses of 430 nurses from Sep. 1 to Sep. 30, 2010 at a university hospital in D city and analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test and Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Nurses who experienced job rotation showed negative attitude on job rotation (t=-4.84, p<.001), high level of job stress (t=3.81, p<.001) and low level of organizational commitment (t=-1.99, p= .047). There was a significantly negative correlation between nurses' attitude on job rotation and job stress (r=-.13, p<.01). Also, there was a significantly positive correlation between nurses' attitude on job rotation and organizational commitment (r=.32, p<.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that job rotation in nurses needs to be planned based on the individual attitude, opinion, specialty and capability in nurse for reducing their job stress and enhancing organizational commitment of hospital nurses.