The mechanisms underlying the impaired immune response frequently observed in cancer patients are not fully understood. Alteration of T-cell-associated signal transduction molecules has recently been implicated in immune suppression in tumor-bearing hosts. Furthermore, T cells from tumor-bearing host, irrespective of the presence of the ζ-chain, showed a lack of proliferative activity and cytotoxic function. In the present study, we investigated the expression of the ζ-chain molecule and the p56^lck and p59^fyn protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) levels in peripheral blood T lymphocytes (T-PBL) from patients with advanced gastric carcinomas; for this, flow cytometric analysis and immunoblotting, respectively, were used. We also compared the results of flow cytometric analysis of PBL between stomach cancer patients and normal healthy volunteers. In T-PBL from 22 tumor-bearing hosts, significantly reduced ζ-chain expression (16/22, 73%) was observed. Moreover, the expression level of p56^lck in T-PBL from patients was significantly lower than that of p59^fyn. Flow cytometric analysis of T-PBL indicated a markedly increased CD8+28– cell population in T-PBL from 19 tumor-bearing hosts.

In this study, we attempted to provide an evidence for the effects of meridian acupressure on relieving and preventing constipation in the institutionalized elderly. Methods: The research design was a non-equivalent control group, non-synchronized design. The subjects consisted of 31 institutionalized elderly (experimental group: 16, control group: 15). The experimental group was given meridian acupressure for 10 minutes daily for 2 weeks. The data was analyzed by the x 2-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The number of bowel movements per week of the experimental and control group performed meridian acupressure verified by repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that interaction existed between the meridian acupressure availability and the measurement point (F=98.183, p<.001). Repeated measures analysis of variance to compare the changes in Bristol stool form scale scores of the experimental and control group performed meridian acupressure revealed that interaction existed between the meridian acupressure availability and the measurement point (F=48.896, p<.001). Conclusion: The results of this study show the meridian acupressure is a useful nursing intervention on constipation in the institutionalized elderly.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a coping scale for families of patients with schizophrenia (CSFPS). Methods: Item construction was derived from literature reviews and interviews with family members and psychiatric nurses. Content validity was tested by experts. Each item was scored on a four-point Likert scale. The preliminary questionnaire was administered to 188 family members of patients with schizophrenia. The data were analyzed using item analysis, factor analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients, and Cronbach's alpha. Results: From the factor analysis, 32 items in five factors were derived. The factors were named active coping strategies, avoidance coping strategies, hospital treatment-oriented coping strategies, emotional coping strategies, and suppressive coping strategies for problematic behaviors. The five factors explained 49.7% of the total variance, Cronbach's alpha of the total items was .83 and the factors ranged from .66 to .86. Conclusion:The results of this study suggest that CSFPS is a reliable and valid instrument to measure coping in families of patients with schizophrenia.

The purpose of this study is to explore degree of childcare teacher's teacher efficacy and the factors influencing of self-esteem and job stress on teacher efficacy of those surveyed. A total of 280 childcare teacher in G do were surveyed. All of this data is analyzed by using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, multiple regression analysis with SPSS WIN/18.0. Teacher Efficacy according to general characteristics of those surveyed revealed significant difference in age, work experience, position, class age, and child parenting experience. Regression analysis showed 11.7% of variance in childcare teacher's teacher efficacy can by experience of dating with self-esteem and job stress. The fallow-up survey about various factors influencing childcare teacher's teacher efficacy is needed and teacher efficacy increasing mediation way are required.

Purpose: This study was done to identify the degree of job stress for workers with mentally disabled and factors influencing their job stress. Methods: The participants in this study were employees with mental disabilities employed in job programs sponsored by community mental health centers and social rehabilitation centers. For this study, researchers conducted a survey with structured questionnaires with 221 employees. Data were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis with SPSS/WIN 14.0. Results: There were no significant differences in job stress according to general characters. However, there were significant differences in job stress according to type of employment and monthly-income. Multi-regression analysis showed that type of employment and social support affected job stress. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that following should be emphasized: conditions of employment such as type of employment and social support should be improved to decrease job stress and help the employee to remain in the job.