The effect of Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation Direction and Puncture Distance on the Recirculation Rate of Hemodialysis Patients / 중환자간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of recirculation rate according to cannulation direction and interval among hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistula (AVF).METHOD: The research used repeated measures design. This study was conducted among thirty patients who received hemodialysis three times a week for longer than a year through AVF at the I University hospital. Three different types of interventions were administered to the participants each week for three weeks. Needles were placed at a different distance and in a different direction each week: 7 cm apart from each other in antegrade direction during the first week, 5 cm apart in retrograde direction in the following week, and 7 cm apart in retrograde direction in the third week.RESULTS: No significant differences in the recirculation rate were found due to any of the three tested methods (p = 1.00).CONCLUSION: This finding suggests that, if the patients have well-functioned AVF, we can choose an appropriate intervention from among the three methods in consideration of the patient's diverse needs.

Clinical Features and Laboratory Findings in Children Diagnosed with Benign Acute Childhood Myositis (BACM) / 대한소아신경학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to review the relationship between the clinical features and laboratory findings of patients suspected of benign acute childhood myositis (BACM) in children and adolescents with bilateral calf pain and gait disturbances. METHODS: From January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2016, the clinical and laboratory findings of patients who visited Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital with the sudden onset fever and muscle pain were retrospectively examined. RESULTS: The total number of patients was 29 (21 males and 8 females), and their mean age was 5.5 years. The mean duration of fever was 4.2 days. The mean duration from the onset of fever to show the symptom was 3.2 days. The mean recovery period from myositis was 2.4 days. The mean duration of hospitalization was 2.2 days. Fever and bilateral calf pain were the most common symptoms; however, cough, rhinorrhea, sore throat, headache, and abdominal pain were also observed. The causative agent of BACM was influenza B infection in 23 (79.3%) of the cases. Creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), myoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) values were higher in the shorter duration of fever and were statistically significant. The following values were noted: CPK (r=−0.472), myoglobin (r=−0.472), AST (r=−0.443), and ALT (r=−0.459). The longer the pain period, the lower the white blood cell (WBC) count (r=−0.655). CONCLUSION: BACM is mostly associated with the influenza B virus. Time to onset of symptoms after fever and WBC levels are related to muscle enzyme levels and duration of symptoms in BACM.

Heavy Metal Risk Management: Case Analysis

To prepare measures for practical policy utilization and the control of heavy metals, hazard control related institutions by country, present states of control by country, and present states of control by heavy metals were examined. Hazard control cases by heavy metals in various countries were compared and analyzed. In certain countries (e.g., the U.S., the U.K., and Japan), hazardous substances found in foods (e.g., arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury) are controlled. In addition, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) recommends calculating the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of individual heavy metals instead of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) to compare their pollution levels considering their toxicity accumulated in the human body. In Korea, exposure assessments have been conducted, and in other countries, hazardous substances are controlled by various governing bodies. As such, in Korea and other countries, diverse food heavy metal monitoring and human body exposure assessments are conducted, and reducing measures are prepared accordingly. To reduce the danger of hazardous substances, many countries provide leaflets and guidelines, develop hazardous heavy metal intake recommendations, and take necessary actions. Hazard control case analyses can assist in securing consumer safety by establishing systematic and reliable hazard control methods.

Risk Assessment Principle for Engineered Nanotechnology in Food and Drug

While the ability to develop nanomaterials and incorporate them into products is advancing rapidly worldwide, understanding of the potential health safety effects of nanomaterials has proceeded at a much slower pace. Since 2008, Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) started an investigation to prepare "Strategic Action Plan" to evaluate safety and nano risk management associated with foods, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics using nano-scale materials. Although there are some studies related to potential risk of nanomaterials, physical-chemical characterization of nanomaterials is not clear yet and these do not offer enough information due to their limitations. Their uncertainties make it impossible to determine whether nanomaterials are actually hazardous to human. According to the above mention, we have some problems to conduct the human exposure risk assessment currently. On the other hand, uncertainty about safety may lead to polarized public debate and to businesses unwillingness for further nanotechnology investigation. Therefore, the criteria and methods to assess possible adverse effects of nanomaterials have been vigorously taken into consideration by many international organizations: the World Health Organization, the Organization for Economic and Commercial Development and the European Commission. The object of this study was to develop risk assessment principles for safety management of future nanoproducts and also to identify areas of research to strengthen risk assessment for nanomaterials. The research roadmaps which were proposed in this study will be helpful to fill up the current gaps in knowledge relevant nano risk assessment.

The Long-term Follow-up Results after Steroid Treatment in Patients with Autoimmune Chronic Pancreatitis / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Autoimmune chronic pancreatitis (AIP) is a clinically attractive entity because of its dramatic response to steroid therapy. But the long-term results after steroid therapy have not been reported yet in Korea. The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term results and prognosis after steroid therapy in patients with AIP. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, radiologic, and laboratory features and evaluated clinical outcomes in 19 patients with AIP who have been treated with oral corticosteroid. All patients were initially treated with prednisolone (30-40 mg/d) for 1 or 2 months. After the confirmation of clinical improvement in radiologic imaging and laboratory findings, the daily dose of prednisolone was then gradually tapered by 5-10 mg per month to the maintenance dose (2.5-7.5 mg/d). RESULTS: All the patients showed normalization or marked improvement in symptoms, laboratory and imaging findings after steroid therapy. There were 4 cases (21%) of recurrence during the mean follow-up period of 27 months. All the patients with recurrence responded to oral steroid again. Among the 10 patients with diabetes mellitus, seven patients were able to stop or reduce the medication for diabetes after completion of steroid therapy. The biliary stents were additionally inserted in 10 patients who showed distal common bile duct stricture and obstructive jaundice. The accompanying autoimmune diseases were also improved with oral corticosteroid. CONCLUSIONS: Steroid therapy is very effective for AIP and is also effective in the cases of recurrence. A definitive protocol of steroid therapy for AIP should be established in the future.

Bilateral Posterior Shoulder Dislocation Following an Accidental Fall

Posterior shoulder dislocation is a relatively uncommon event, with an incidence of 1~4% of all shoulder dislocations. Because this condition is rare and because accurately interpreting the radiography is difficult, the diagnosis is often missed. In such a case, significant complications, such as chronic posterior dislocation and degenerative disease of the shoulder, can occur. We experienced the case of a patient in whom bilateral posterior shoulder dislocation occurred following an accidental fall a height of 10m. Fortunately, he had no neurovascular injury of the shoulder and fully recovered after closed reduction, but early diagnosis was missed because other injuries were significant and his vital signs were unstable. A careful history and physical examination, complete radiographic evaluation, and a high level of suspicion are required to identify posterior shoulder dislocation. This case may be helpful for diagnosis of posterior shoulder dislocation.

Ecological Studies of Maternal-Infant Nutrition and Feeding in Urban Low Income Areas: III. Infant's Nutrient Intakes and Growth pattern / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and growth of Korean infants, who were atending peripheral community clinics in low income areas, by anthropometric measurements and estimating dietary intakes. Dietary intakes and growth were compared among different feeding patterns of 143 infants until age 9 months. The overall mean nutrient intakes of infants in this study were below the recommended allowances except the calcium intake from significant difference in each groups; however, calcium, zinc and iron intake of the formula fed infant(FF) was higher than the breast fed infant(BF) or the mixed fed infant(MF). Form ages 4-6 months, the nutrient intakes were shown to be higher in groups that were given supplementary foods than groups that were not. From ages 7-9 months, all nutrient intakes were higher in or the formula and supplementary foods fed(ESF) infants than in the breast and supplementary food(BSF) or the formula and supplementary food(FSF) groups, All subjets in this study showed a large Z-score. The growth of infants up to 6 months of age showed no significant difference in the feeding pattern, however, after 7 months of age the BSF group had significantly lower weight than the FSF or the ESF groups, There were significant positive relationships between infants weight gain at age 7-9 months from birth and the current protein or zinc intakes. As a result the average status of nutrient intakes of infants in this area was loser than the RDA, however, the growth pattern was fairly good. Although the breast milk is beneficial for infants, mothers should be educated for the importance of supplemental food and its practice to support good nutrition.