Relaxation Effect of Synthetic Ceramide Analogues in Cat Esophageal Smooth Muscle Cells

Ceramide has emerged as a novel second messenger for intracellular signalling. It is produced from sphingomyelin and is involved in the control of cell differntiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. C2- ceramide, short chain ceramide, plays a role in mediating contraction of cat esophageal smooth muscle cells. We examined the effect of synthesized ceramide analogues on the C2-ceramide and ACh-induced contraction in esophageal smooth muscle cells isolated with collagenase. CY3523, CY3525, or CY3723 inhibited C2-ceramide induced contraction, in a time dependent manne. Each analogue also inhibited the contraction in concentration dependent manners. CY 3523, CY 3525, and CY 3723 had no effect to the contraction induced by PMA. The inhibition with CY3523, CY3525 and CY3723 on the C2- ceramide induced contraction was recovered by PMA. These analogues decreased the density of MAPK bands (p44/42 or p38) in the western blot. These results suggest that ceramide analogues can inhibit C2-ceramide induced contraction via PKC and MAPK dependent pathway.

Effects of Telephone Intervention as Supportive Nursing on Self-Care Practices and Qualify of Life for Gynecological Cancer Patients under Chemotherapy / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The effects of telephone intervention on self-care practices and quality of life for gynecological cancer patients under chemotherapy was investigated. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design was used. The subjects were women cancer patients who had received less than two chemotherapy sessions at C university hospital of Chonnam province(26 in the experimental group: 25 in the control group). The patient's self-care practices(Na & Lee, 1999; Jang, 2004) and quality of life(Lee & Jo, 1997) were measured three times. using a questionnaire. The data was analyzed by Repeated Measures ANOVA, the Friedman test, and the Mann-Whitney test using the SPSS window version 12.0 program. RESULTS: This study showed that the score of self-care practices and quality of life for the experimental group under telephone counseling were higher than those of the control group. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that a telephone intervention as supportive nursing care for women cancer patients under going chemotherapy was effective for self-care practices and qualify of life during the recovery period. Futhermore, this study also suggests that telephone counseling can serve as a continuing nursing supportive intervention for women cancer patients for the upcoming stages of further chemotherapy.

Effects of Educational Program of Manual Lymph Massage on the Arm Functioning and the Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of EPMLM(educational program of manual lymph massage) on the arm functioning and QOL(quality of life) in breast cancer patients with lymphedema. METHOD: Subjects in the experimental group(n=20) participated in EPMLM for 6 weeks from June to July, 2005. The EPMLM consisted of training of lymph massage for 2 weeks and encourage and support of self-care using lymph massage for 4 weeks. The arm functioning assessed at pre-treatment, 2weeks, and 6weeks using Arm functioning questionnaire. The QOL assessed at pre-treatment and 6 weeks using SF-36. The outcome data of experimental group was compared with control group(n=20). The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS 10.0 statistical program. RESULT: The arm functioning of experimental group was increased from 2 weeks after(W=.224, p=.011) and statistically differenced with control group at 2 weeks(Z=-2.241, p=.024) and 6 weeks(Z=-2.453, p=.013). Physical function of QOL domain increased in experimental group(Z=-1.162, p=.050), also statistically differenced with control group(Z=-2.182, p= .030) at 6weeks. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the educational program of manual lymph massage can improve arm functioning and physical function of QOL domain in breast cancer patients with lymphedema.

Daytime Sleepiness and Fatigue in Male Adults in relation to Shift Work / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine daytime sleepiness-related factors, including sleeping patterns and daytime activities, in shift and non-shift workers. METHODS: One hundred and twenty two shift workers, and two hundred and fifty four non-shift workers, were selected and identified in terms of their general characteristics, such as age, tenure, educational level, marital status and religion. Screening questionnaires were composed of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for evaluation of daytime sleepiness, the Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (MFS) for fatigue, and the Korean version of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for sleeping patterns. RESULTS: The shift worker group reported significantly higher rates of sleep disturbance and higher fatigue scores compared with the non-shift workers (all p<0.01). The prevalence of daytime sleepiness was higher in the shift workers (19.7%) than the non-shift workers (10.6%) (p<0.05). The significant daytime sleepiness-related factors were found to be shift work, tenure and difficulties in falling back to sleep once woken (p<0.05). Shift work was proved to be an important factor in workers aged less than 40 years (p<0.05). However, this association was not evident in workers aged 40 years and over. CONCLUSIONS: The shift workers showed a significantly higher prevalence of daytime sleepiness compared with the non-shift workers. The present study suggests a need for the implementation of sleeping and fatigue management programs for shift workers in order to improve working efficiency and control safety accidents during shift work.

Effects of a Closed Endotracheal Suction System on Oxygen Saturation, Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia, and Nursing Efficacy / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a closed endotracheal suction system(CES) on oxygen saturation, ventilator associated pneumonia(VAP), and nursing efficacy in mechanically ventilated patients. METHOD: This study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a University Hospital in Gwangju City. Data was collected from July to October, 2003. Seventy mechanically ventilated patients were randomly divided into two groups; 32 for CES and 38 for open endotracheal suction system(OES) protocol. Twenty one nurses were also involved to examine the nurses' attitude of usefulness about CES. RESULT: SaO2 was significantly different between CES and OES. The incidence of VAP in CES was lower than that of OES. Nursing efficacy was related to time, cost, and usefulness of the suction system. Time of suctioning in CES was shorter than that of OES. CES also contributed significantly to lower the cost of treatment than OES. The usefulness score of CES increased after 6 months of use. CONCLUSION: CES prevented VAP, was cost effective, and a safe suctioning system. CES ncan be used with patients with sensitivity to hypoxygenation and with a high risk of VAP.