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Aims and objectives This study aims to identify the effects of type D personality on symptom control and quality of life and to explore factors influencing quality of life among asthma patients in Korea. Background Psychological factors such as depression and stress are well known to be related to medical outcomes and quality of life in asthma patients. People with type D personality are vulnerable to stress, show poor prognosis in disease and experience low quality of life. Design A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Methods A total of 144 patients with asthma participated in this study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires: the Type D Personality Scale-14, Asthma Control Test and Asthma-Specific Quality of Life. Results About 33% of participants were classified into the type D personality group. The type D personality group showed statistically significantly lower symptom control and asthma-specific quality of life compared to the non-type D personality group. Based on forward stepwise multiple regression, the most significant factor of quality of life was symptom control, followed by type D personality, hospitalisation within the previous one year, and lifetime hospitalisation experiences. Conclusions The prevalence of type D personality in asthma patients was high, and type D personality was significantly associated with poor symptom control and low quality of life. Psychosocial interventions might be beneficial to improve symptom control and quality of life in asthma patients with type D personality. Relevance to clinical practice Nurses should be aware of the high prevalence of type D personality and the effects on symptom control and quality of life in asthma patients. Nurses should also provide personality-specific interventions to improve quality of life in such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the long-term effects of comprehensive hand repetitive intensive strengthening training (CHRIST) on strength, morphological muscle size, kinematics, and associated motor functional changes in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Ten children (5 boys, 5 girls; age range, 6-11 years, mean age, 8.6 years) participated in the study. The children were classified according to the Manual Ability Classification System: 5 were Level II, 2 were Level III, and 3 were Level IV. Quantitative biomechanical measurements were performed to determine muscle strength, muscle size, kinematics (normalized jerk score), and motor function using a dynamometer, ultrasound, Vicon motion analysis, and standardized clinical tests (Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, Functional Independence Measure, and Pediatric Motor Activity Log), respectively. Muscle strength, muscle size, kinematics, and motor function significantly improved after a 10-week intervention (3 times a week), and the long-term effects remained even at the 3-month follow-up. In conclusion, this is the first study highlighting the long-term efficacy of upper extremity strength training using the novel CHRIST system in children with CP, which will potentially open up new horizons for effective management in pediatric neurorehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Toxicities of 10 insecticides were examined against late third instars of Culex pipiens pallens, the northern house mosquito, using a direct-contact mortality bioassay. Several strains of mosquitoes were tested (insecticide-susceptible KS-CP strain and five geospatially distant field-collected strains (DG-CP, US-CP, BS-CP, GS-CP, and SG-CP)) and identified by polymerase chain reaction. Marked regional variations of insecticide susceptibility were observed. Extremely high to low levels of resistance were measured: bifenthrin, resistance ratio (RR)=1–521; β-cyfluthrin, RR=16–397; α-cypermethrin, RR=9–343; deltamethrin, RR=1–40; etofenprox, RR=2–42; permethrin, RR=3–46; chlorpyrifos, RR=2–675; fenitrothion, RR=0.5–364; and fenthion, RR=2–360. All strains were susceptible to one or more of the insecticides examined. These results indicate that careful selection and rotational use of these insecticides may result in continued satisfactory control against field populations of northern house mosquitoes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Field-collected populations of mayflies, Ephemera orientalis were tested for susceptibility to 10 different insecticides using a direct-contact mortality bioassay. Ephemera orientalis subimagoes were susceptible to the insecticides chlorpyrifos, fenitrothion and chlorfenapyr with LD50 values of 69.7, 78.8 and 81.9μg/♀, and adults had LD50 values of 71.9, 78.8 and 85.4μg/♀, respectively. Susceptibility ratios (SRs) of subimagoes and adults of E. orientalis to the 10 insecticides were 1.0 to1.2 folds. The mayflies showed higher susceptibility to organophosphates than to pyrethroids. The SRs of Anopheles sinensis to E. orientalis were 514 to 1438 folds higher for organophosphates (LD50 values of 0.05 to 0.23μg/♀) and 62 to 1155 folds higher for pyrethroids (LD50 values of 0.13 to 2.41μg/♀). The SRs of Culex pipiens to E. orientalis were 606 to 3595 folds higher for organophosphates with LD50 values of 0.02–0.17μg/♀ and 81 to 1365 folds higher for pyrethroids with LD50 values of 0.11–1.83μg/♀. These results indicate that the use of ineffective insecticides will result in unsatisfactory control against field populations of the subimagoes and adults of E. orientalis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: The prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis infection was investigated among residents of the five major river basins, that is, Hangang, Nakdonggang, Seomjingang, Yeongsangang, and Geumgang River basins in Korea. Methods: From January to December 2007, a total of 31,268 stool samples were collected from 29 localities and examined by the formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Results: Intestinal parasite eggs and/or protozoan cysts were detected from 2957 (9.5%) inhabitants. Number of residents harbouring helminth eggs in the faeces was 2542 (8.1%) for C. sinensis, 255 (0.8%) for Heterophyes spp., 36 (0.1%) for Echinostoma spp., 30 (0.1%) for Trichuris trichiura, 8 (0.03%) for Ascaris lumbricoides, 7 (0.02%) for Gymnophalloide seoi, and 50 (0.02%) for Trichostrongylus orientalis. Number of residents harbouring protozoan cysts in the faeces was 133 (1.3%) for Entamoeba spp. and 50 (0.2%) for Giardia lamblia. The positive rates of C. sinensis in Nakdonggang, Seomjingang, Yeongsangang, Geumgang, and Hangang River basins were 12.2%, 9.5%, 3.3%, 3.0%, and 1.0%, respectively. The egg positive rate of C. sinensis was higher in male (10.6%) than in female (6.1%), and the age group of 50s had the highest positive rate (10.4%). Conclusion: The result of this study revealed little decrease in positive rate of C. sinensis compared with the result of southern endemic areas of Korea in 2006. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The clinical course of non-severe aplastic anemia is variable, and risk factors related to disease progression are not well known. We reviewed clinical and laboratory data of the patients who were diagnosed with non-severe aplastic anemia from 1997 to 2007 at Seoul National University Hospital and analyzed the clinical course and outcomes in these patients. We defined non-severe aplastic anemia as hypocellular marrow with cytopenia in the peripheral blood, which does not meet the criteria for severe aplastic anemia (at least two of the following: ANC < 500/μl, platelet < 20,000/μl or reticulocyte < 20,000/μl). Among a total of 96 patients, 53 (55.2%) were male and the median age was 37.6 years old. As much as 41.7% (40) of the patients were initially asymptomatic. Sixty-two patients who were treated with oxymetholone, ATG/ALG, cyclosporin or other agents after initial diagnosis showed significantly lower levels of initial hemoglobin, red blood cell count and platelet count than those who did not receive any treatment. During the follow-up period, 18 patients progressed to severe aplastic anemia. Their median age was 29.9 years and the median progression time was 18 months. Initial white blood cell count and absolute neutrophil count in the evolution group tended to be lower than in the other group. The patients whose thrombocytopenia did not respond to treatment showed markedly higher frequency of progression to severe aplastic anemia. Treatment itself and responsiveness in reticulocyte and absolute neutrophil count were not correlated with their clinical courses. Sixteen patients showed overall improvement, whereas three patients developed secondary hematologic disease, acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Non-severe aplastic anemia has a relatively indolent and mild clinical course. However, 18.8% of the study population progressed to severe disease. White blood cell and absolute neutrophil count at diagnosis and treatment responsiveness of thrombocytopenia were associated with disease progression. Careful monitoring and early management are needed for patients at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rapidly increasing number of nursing doctoral programs has caused concern about the quality of nursing doctoral education, including in Korea. Objectives: To describe the perceived quality of Korean nursing doctoral education in faculty, student, curriculum and resources. Design: Focus group. Settings: Fourteen Korean nursing doctoral programs that are research focused and include coursework. Participants: Four groups of deans, faculty, students and graduates; students completed three semesters of doctoral program; and graduates completed doctoral programs within the most recent 3 years. Methods: Focus groups examined the strengths and weaknesses of faculty, students, curriculum, and resources. Results: Faculty strengths were universities’ recognition of faculty research/scholarship and the ability of faculty to attract extramural funding. Faculty weaknesses were aging faculty; high faculty workload; insufficient number of faculty; and teaching without expertise in nursing theories. Student strengths were diverse student backgrounds; multidisciplinary dissertation committee members, and opportunities to socialize with peers and graduates/faculty. Students’ weaknesses were overproduction of PhDs with low academic quality; a lower number and quality of doctoral applicants; and lack of full-time students. Curriculum strengths were focusing on specific research areas; emphasis on research ethics; and multidisciplinary courses. Curriculum weaknesses were insufficient time for curriculum development; inadequate courses for core research competencies; and a lack of linkage between theory and practice. Resources strengths were inter-institutional courses with credit transfer. Weaknesses were diminished university financial support for graduate students and limited access to school facilities. Variations in participant groups (providers [deans and faculty] vs. receivers [students and graduates]) and geographical location (capital city vs. regional) were noted on all the four components. Conclusions: The quality characteristics of faculty, students, curriculum, and resources identified in this first systematic evaluation of the quality of nursing doctoral education can inform nursing schools, universities, and policy-makers about areas for improvement in Korea and possibly in the world. Geographical variations found in these four components of doctoral education warrant attention by policy-makers in Korea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disrupter used widely. Despite the potential risk of human exposure to BPA, little information exists concerning maternal and fetal exposure to BPA during pregnancy in Korea. This study purposed to evaluate the correlation between maternal and fetal exposure, and to determine exposure levels to BPA in Korean pregnant women and their fetuses. Maternal blood and umbilical cord blood were collected from 300 subjects, and total BPA levels were measured. Blood BPA concentrations ranged from non-detectable to 66.48μg/L in pregnant women and from non-detectable to 8.86μg/L in umbilical cords. Serum BPA levels in most pregnant women were higher than in corresponding fetal umbilical cords and a positive correlation was found between in maternal and fetal BPA concentrations (p <0.05). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Perilla frutescens, which belonging to the Labiatae family, is widely cultivated oil crop and have been used traditional herbal medicine in East Asia such as Korea, China, and Japan. Especially, the leaves and the seeds of this species are important in Korean traditional cooking, as one of the popular garnish and food colorants. Numerous studies have revealed that the beneficial health effects of perilla are due to its several phytochemicals contents, such as rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, luteolin, and apigenin. For this reason, increasing the content of phytochemicals in perilla hasbecome a major breeding objective. The genetic diversity of the rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, luteolin, and apigenin content in perilla seed is poorly documented. We analyzed the rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, luteolin, and apigenin content of 203 accessions of perilla germplasm by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The rosmarinic acid and luteolin contents ofgermplasms were ranged from 15.7 μg/g to 2717.1 μg/g and from 1.6 μg/g to 582.4 μg/g respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: This study examined whether the polymorphisms at the promoter region of RET gene are associated with the risk of lung cancer in the Korean population., Patients and Methods: A total of 409 Korean lung cancer patients and 409 normal subjects were recruited. PCR-RFLP, SNaP Shot assay and logistic regression analyses were performed to characterize the association between polymorphisms of RET and lung cancer risk., Results: Four SNPs (-1697 C>G, -1260 C>T, -719 C>T, -527 C>A) of RET were selected for large-scale genotyping. Statistical analyses revealed that novel -1260 C > T polymorphism and haplotype 3 (-1697G, -1260T, -719C, and -719C) were associated with the risk of lung cancer; specifically, there were significant associations within subgroups of males and smokers., Conclusion: These results demonstrated that this novel polymorphism of the RET gene is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in the Korean population.

Aim: The paper reports on a study to describe the determinants of physical activity according to physical activity level among rural women in Korea., Background: The benefits of physical activity for promoting health and preventing illness are well known, and gender and regional disparities in physical activity have been reported. Although the number of women who perform physical activity has increased, many still do not meet the recommended levels to gain health benefits., Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire. A convenience sample of 245 women living in a rural area of Korea was recruited during 2004. Self-efficacy, benefits, barriers and sociodemographics were examined in relation to three levels of physical activity: inactive, insufficiently active and active. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression were used for data analysis., Result: Perceived self-efficacy, benefits and barriers were statistically significant determinants only when the insufficiently active group was compared with the inactive group. Sociodemographic factors related to work and family roles statistically significantly explained the physical activity levels of rural women., Conclusion: Nursing interventions to increase self-efficacy and benefits, or decrease perceived barriers could be effective for initiating physical activity for inactive women, whereas the same may not apply for insufficiently active women. Insufficiently active women may have false confidence that their physical activity will help them gain health benefits. Reducing the burdens of work and family roles of rural women might improve their physical activity levels.

Aims: To determine the frequencies of the variant alleles and the genotypes of CYP2C9 in a Korean population., Methods: Three hundred and fifty-eight healthy Korean subjects were studied. CYP2C9 alleles were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assays and direct sequencing assays., Results: The allele frequencies were 0.934 for CYP2C9*1, 0.060 for CYP2C9*3 and 0.006 for CYP2C9*13. The CYP2C9*2,*4,*5 and *11 alleles were not detected. The frequencies of the CYP2C9*1/*1, *1/*3 and *1/*13 genotypes were 0.869, 0.120 and 0.011, respectively., Conclusion: The frequency of the CYP2C9*3 allele in the Korean population studied was significantly higher than reported elsewhere, and a novel allele, CYP2C9*13, was found at a frequency of 0.006 (95% confidence interval 0, 0.012). Only three genotypes of CYP2C9, CYP2C9*1/*1,*1/*3 and *1/*13 were observed in this Korean population.