Microbiology and risk factors for gram-positive Cocci bacteremia in biliary infections.

Background: The rapid antibiotics treatment targeted to a specific pathogen can improve clinical outcomes of septicemia. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of biliary septicemia caused by cholangitis or cholecystitis according to causative organisms.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study in 151 patients diagnosed with cholangitis or cholecystitis with bacterial septicemia from January 2013 to December 2015.

Clinical characteristics of Helicobacter pylori-negative drug-negative peptic ulcer bleeding.

Aim: To investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of idiopathic Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-negative and drug-negative] peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB).

Methods: A consecutive series of patients who experienced PUB between 2006 and 2012 was retrospectively analyzed.

Smoking cessation and characteristics of success and failure among female high-school smokers.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a smoking cessation program on female high-school students and to analyze the characteristics of students who quit smoking compared to those of students who failed to quit.

Methods: This study used a mixed research design, including a pre- and post-experimental design for measuring the effects of the smoking cessation intervention and a qualitative design using a focus group interview to analyze the characteristics of individuals who successfully quit in comparison to those who failed to stop smoking. Data were collected before and after the intervention through a self-report questionnaire, a biochemical index, and a focus group interview.