The direction of restructuring of a Korea field epidemiology training program through questionnaire survey among communicable disease response staff in Korea / 한국역학회지

We used a survey about the need for an educational training of infectious disease response staff in Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and officer in metropolitan cities and provincial government to conduct field epidemiological investigation. The survey was conducted from January 25 to March 15, 2016. A total of 173 participants were selected from four different groups as follows: 27 clinical specialists, 22 Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers, 82 KCDC staff, and 42 local health department officials. Results revealed that 83% of KCDC staff and 95% of local health department officials agreed on the need for educational training to strengthen capability of personnel to conduct epidemic research and investigation. The level of their need for training was relatively high, while self-confidence levels of individuals to conduct epidemic research and investigation was low. It was concluded that there was a need to develop training programs to enhance the ability of public health officials, EIS officers, KCDC staff, and local health department personnel to conduct epidemic research and investigation.

The direction of restructuring of a Korea field epidemiology training program through questionnaire survey among communicable disease response staff in Korea / 한국역학회지

We used a survey about the need for an educational training of infectious disease response staff in Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and officer in metropolitan cities and provincial government to conduct field epidemiological investigation. The survey was conducted from January 25 to March 15, 2016. A total of 173 participants were selected from four different groups as follows: 27 clinical specialists, 22 Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers, 82 KCDC staff, and 42 local health department officials. Results revealed that 83% of KCDC staff and 95% of local health department officials agreed on the need for educational training to strengthen capability of personnel to conduct epidemic research and investigation. The level of their need for training was relatively high, while self-confidence levels of individuals to conduct epidemic research and investigation was low. It was concluded that there was a need to develop training programs to enhance the ability of public health officials, EIS officers, KCDC staff, and local health department personnel to conduct epidemic research and investigation.

The Prevalence, Awareness and Treatment of High Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol in Korean Adults Without Coronary Heart Diseases: The Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence, awareness and treatment of high low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) level in Korean adults without coronary heart disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: National representative cross-sectional surveys, data of 5248 Korean adults (2246 men and 3002 women) aged between 20 and 79 years from the Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES III, 2005) was used. High LDL-C level was defined with the risk prediction algorithm published by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III). RESULTS: The prevalence of the Korean adults with high LDL-C level who need therapeutic lifestyle changes was 19.9%, treatment with lipid-lowing medication was 2.1% and awareness of this condition was 7.9%. Meanwhile, the prevalence of the Korean with very high LDL-C level who should be considered for drug therapy was 13.5%, treatment with lipid-lowing medication was 2.7% and awareness of this condition was 8.1%. Overall, 47.9% (60.3% in male and 39.1% in female) of participants had a single lipid disorder (high LDL-C, high triglycerides: > or =200 mg/dL, low high density lipoprotein-cholesterol: <40 mg/dL), whereas 15.5% (23.5% in male and 9.7% in female) had at least two. Only 1.9% (2.8% in male and 1.2% in female) of all participants had all three lipid abnormalities as defined. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that continuous efforts are needed to increase awareness and treatment of high LDL-C level in our population to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Enhancement of Keratinocyte Differentiation by Rose Absolute Oil

BACKGROUND: Through differentiation processes, keratinocytes provide a physical barrier to our bodies and control skin features such as moisturization, wrinkles and pigmentation. Keratinocyte differentiation is disturbed in several skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the keratinocyte differentiation-enhancing effect of rose absolute oil (RAO). METHODS: Primary cultured human normal keratinocytes were treated with RAO, and differentiation then checked by the expression of marker genes. RESULTS: RAO did not induce cytotoxicity on cultured keratinocytes at a dose of 10microM. The level of involucrin, an early marker for keratinocyte differentiation, was significantly increased by RAO. Concomitantly, RAO increased involucrin promoter activity, indicating that RAO increased involucrin gene expression at the mRNA level. Furthermore, RAO increased the level of filaggrin in cultured keratinocytes, and in the granular layer of mouse skin. In line with these results, RAO decreased the proliferation of keratinocytes cultured in vitro. When RAO was applied topically on the tape-stripped mouse skins, it accelerated the recovery of disturbed barrier function. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that RAO may be applicable for the control of skin texture and keratinocyte differentiation-related skin diseases.

Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation in Middle-Aged People in Korea: The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained arrhythmia, is expected to rise with the aging population, but very few studies have reported on the prevalence and risk factors of AF in Korea. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 10,012 Korean adults (4,750 men and 5,262 women), 40-69 years old, who were enrolled in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. AF was diagnosed by single electrocardiogram recording in a baseline survey (2001-2003). RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of AF was 0.4% {95% confidence interval (CI), 0.28-0.52} in adults 40-69 years old, and increased to 1.0% in individuals 60-69 years old. The prevalence rate for men (0.6%) was higher than for women (0.2%) across all age groups. In multiple logistic regression analysis, AF was significantly associated with old age {odds ratio (OR), 8.15; 95% CI, 3.06-21.71}, male gender (OR, 4.04; 95% CI, 1.90-8.61), diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.05-4.44), and congestive heart failure (OR, 14.11; 95% CI, 2.56-77.70). Obesity, however, did not show an association with AF. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AF in Korean adults aged 40-69 years is approximately 0.4%, lower than that in Western populations. Age, male gender, diabetes, and heart failure are associated with AF. Further research in a larger population is necessary to verify for our results.