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Biomedical subjects

C C Ko

Publications and source records attributed to C C Ko.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Pacing may not prevent neurocardiogenic syncope: the importance of correct diagnosis.

A 28-year-old female with frequent attacks of syncope showed high degree atrioventricular (AV) block in Holter's electrocardiographic monitoring. A permanent pacemaker (VVIR) was implanted. However, the syncope recurred despite the normally-functioning pacemaker. The syncope associated with hypotension and bradycardia was reproduced by upright posture for 8 min. This neurocardiogenic syncope was prevented by propranolol (30 mg/day). Neurocardiogenic syncope should be ruled out before pacemaker implantation in patients with syncope, particularly in young adults with no apparent symptom/electrocardiography correlation.

Adult↗

[A pilot study of nursing activities on the Chest Medicine Ward at KMCH].

The current study sought to establish a preliminary patient classification system by determining how much time nurses spend each shift on their various activities. In this way we hoped to determine the direct care needs of the patient. From August 11 through the 17, snap-shot observations on the Chest Medicine Ward of Kaohsiung Medical College Hospital were taken every five minutes throughout the day to evaluate nursing activities and health care needs of patients. After employing such statistical techniques as percentage comparison, One-way ANOVA on the collected data, we gained a preliminary understanding of the distribution, characteristics, extent and nature of nursing activities. The results demonstrated that the average working hours of the day shift and the evening shift are 8.13 and 8.05 hours respectively. The night shift may be as long as 8.52 hours. Our studies also revealed that the most demanding nursing activity is indirect care (50.73%), direct care (29.39%), individual time (13.73%) and related activities (6.15%) follow. In the direct care of patient, nurses devoted most of their time monitoring vital signs, administering medication, assisting in examination and treatment, caring for, and communicating with patients. On hygiene, physical movements and the clean up of body discharges were mostly devoted by patients and families.

Female↗

[A study of patient severity classification and nursing hours].

The purpose of this study utilizing the patient classification system was to investigate the distribution of categories of patient severity in medical departments in relation to the nursing hours required for each patient according to the severity of illness. In addition, Work distribution among nursing personnel and evaluation for the feasibility of this program were also considered. As per a proto-type index, patient severity was recorded by the observer; a factor-type nursing requirement table was designed by the nursing personnel. There were 621 samples collected from sub-specialized medical departments. Snapshot observations were taken to survey the allocation of nursing care time. The total of 88 samples of nursing personnel data were analyzed. The results showed that most categories of patient severity were distributed among B II, B III, C III, C IV while the average nursing hours required daily fluctuated between 1.21-10.38 hours. Because of the few samples in A III, B IV, C II, the average nursing hours among three categories were no significance in statistics, and other categories were significant. The researcher may use the nursing hour model as an approach to determine ideal nursing manpower.

Humans↗

Effects of posts on dentin stress distribution in pulpless teeth.

A finite element analysis was carried out to study the roles of posts in reducing dentin stress in pulpless teeth. Two-dimensional plane strain models of the midlabiolingual section of a human maxillary central incisor were first analyzed. The results showed that the gold alloy post reduced maximal dentin stress by as much as 30%. However, the integrity of the dentin was compromised and the effects of the post were likely to be exaggerated in such models. In an effort to correct for these problems, plane stress models with side plates and axisymmetric models were analyzed. Posts were found to reduce maximal dentin stress by only 3% to 8% when the teeth were subjected to masticatory and traumatic loadings in these latter models. Although posts reduced maximal dentin stress by as much as 20% when the teeth were loaded vertically, teeth such as incisors and canines normally are not subjected to vertical loadings. Thus the reinforcement effects of posts seem to be doubtful in these teeth.

Bite Force↗

Micromechanics of implant/tissue interfaces.

A series of finite element models was developed for evaluation of the micromechanics of implant/tissue interfaces. Conventional finite element global models of a dental implant, assuming a continuum implant/bone interface, were developed so that general stress patterns in the implant and surrounding tissue could be obtained. Stresses in bone were concentrated on the alveolar crest and apex region for all global models having a direct bone/implant contact. The addition of a 100-microns-thick layer of fibrous tissue into the bone/implant interface concentrated the stresses in the middle third of the bone adjacent to the implant surface. Stresses in the middle third were ten times higher than in the cases without fibrous tissue. Interfaces modeled under the assumption of a volume-weighted average material stiffness of bone tissue and metal confirmed these general stress patterns, but provided no stress details of the interfacial zone. Finally, the equivalent material constants of the interfacial zone with and without fibrous tissue were calculated by homogenization theory. From these equivalent constants, local strains around single threads were calculated. These equivalent material properties are sensitive to the microstructure. Therefore, it is now possible for stress patterns within the interfacial zone to be quantified and the local micromechanical behavior around individual surface structures for whole implants accounted for.

Alveolar Process↗

[Primary treatment of contaminated syringes and needles in a ward].

Body fluid transmitted viruses become the major enemies of human health. These viruses have been reported as occupational hazards for health care personnel, and they may become environmental hazards as well. We conducted this study to examine the primary treatment of used syringes and needles in a ward, and to evaluate the effects of re-education. For questions such as "The used syringes with bloody contamination should isolated from those without" and "The cover of used needles should not be put back on", we recorded error rates during the 1st one-week observation. A lecture about the standard treatment methods of discarding instruments was given to all nurses in this ward after the 1st observation. The 2nd and 3rd one-week observations were repeated one day and one month after the lecture, respectively. The misclassification rates of discarded syringes were 4.4% (33/758), 1.4% (9/661) and 3.9% (18/616). There was a significant decrease between the 1st and 2nd observations (p less than 0.05), but no significant difference between the 1st and 3rd observations (p greater than 0.05). The rates of covered discarded needles were 50.4% (287/569), 44.3% (198/447) and 38.5% (269/699), respectively. These rates showed a trend to decrease (p less than 0.05). The misclassification rates of discarded syringes were low. Although re-education achieved only temporary effects, self-protective education on not re-covering used needles was effective. However, about 40% of all discarded syringes were still being covered after use. Based on our finding, some improvements have been made in this ward.

Medical Waste↗

[The correlating factors affecting nursing personnel resignation in an university hospital].

Demographic characteristics of 1080 university hospital nursing personnel were studied from January 1979 to December 1987. These characteristics included age, marital status, number of children and educational background. Among them, 457 nurses have resigned, while others remain in service. We evaluated the correlations between resignation and various demographic characteristics and the reasons for resignation. This would provide valuable references for nursing recruitment and hospital administration. Our analysis revealed that the reasons for resignation are in the following order: Transfer to governmental hospital, advanced study, marriage, change of occupation, transfer to teaching, personal problems, medical corps to Saudi-Arabia, family responsibilities, and relocation to other cities. Regarding to demographic characteristics, both educational background and marital status affected the reasons for resignation. The average length of service time for nurses who resigned was 30.0 +/- 29.59 months. There are significant differences among the age, marital status, number of children and educational background. The nurses between the age of 21 and 30 years old, (79%) had the highest rate of resignation (45.64%). Those below the age of 20 had the shortest service time, while those above 30 years old had the longest service time. The married nurses also had a longer service time than the single ones. Those who had children had a longer service time compared to those without children. In view of their educational background, those with a bachelor degree had the shortest service time (16.8 +/- 10.3 months) and the highest rate of resignation (71.1%). Our analysis indicates that professional license and location of residence also affected the reasons for resignation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Effect of cholesterol on membrane Na,K-activated adenosine triphosphatase].

The membrane preparations of rat brain Na,K-ATP-ase with different amount of cholesterol were obtained by using high-cholesterol diet or cholesterol-oxidase treatment. The cholesterol/protein ratio varied from 0.034 to 0.252 (normal--0.152). An increase of this ratio removes the curvature on the Arrhanius' plots for Na,K-ATP-ase, and a decrease--enhances it. The change of the temperature dependence pattern on the enzyme activity correlates with that of the spectral parameter of spin-labelled and rostane analogue, characterizing fluidity of membrane lipids in the same preparations. The authors conclude that the cholesterol level in the brain membranes monitors the activity of the membrane Na,K-ATP-ase.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗