Reasons of tooth mortality by continents in the last 20 years

Introduction: The reasons for tooth loss have been well defined for several centuries. However, systematic analysis of the causes of tooth loss in the first years of the present century would shed light on the current manifestation of this phenomenon. Objective: Determine the main causes of tooth mortality in the last 20 years. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the Boolean search engines in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and SciELO bibliographic search platforms. The search was based on the following MeSH terms: cause, motive, mortality, extraction, dental extraction, loss, and combinations thereof. The articles included were in English or Spanish. Calibration was performed by the authors to evaluate the articles to be selected. Results: A total 593 articles were retrieved: 16 from Web of Science, 39 from Scopus, 531 from Pubmed and 1 from SciELO, of which 26 were included in the study. A predominance was found of articles published in English (80.8 percent). The main causes of tooth mortality dealt with were dental caries (92.30 percent) and periodontal disease (50.0 percent). Conclusions: The evidence obtained in the last 20 years is insufficient to determine the main reasons for dental extraction by continent. There is little availability of articles about areas from the most densely populated and developed countries in each continent. The articles included showed a predominance of dental caries and periodontal disease as the main reasons for dental extraction(AU)

Introducción: Las razones de la pérdida dentaria han sido bien definidas desde hace varios siglos. Sin embargo, sistematizar sobre las causas en los primeros años del presente siglo aportaría una visión de cómo se manifiestan en la actualidad. Objetivo: Determinar las principales causas de mortalidad dental en los últimos 20 años. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática utilizando los motores de búsqueda booleanos en la plataforma de búsqueda bibliográfica de PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus y SciELO. Las palabras clave utilizadas para la búsqueda fueron MesH: causa, motivo, mortalidad, extracción, extracción dental, pérdida y una combinación entre ellas. Se incluyeron artículos en español e inglés. Se realizó una calibración entre los autores para la evaluación de los artículos a seleccionar. Resultados: Como resultado de la búsqueda se obtuvieron 593 artículos, de los cuales 16 fueron de Web of Science, 39 de Scopus, 531 de Pubmed y 1 de SciELO. Los artículos incluidos en el estudio fueron 26. Predominaron las investigaciones publicadas en inglés (80,8 por ciento), que destacó entre los motivos de mortalidad dental estudiados, se encontró un predominio de caries dental (92,30 por ciento) y enfermedad periodontal (50,0 por ciento). Conclusiones: La evidencia obtenida en los últimos 20 años para determinar las principales razones de extracción dentaria por continentes es insuficiente y se observa la poca presencia de artículos en poblaciones de países con mayor desarrollado y número de habitantes de cada continente. Los artículos incluidos mostraron un predominio de la caries dental y la enfermedad periodontal como los principales motivos de extracción dentaria(AU)

Suicide cases in developed and emerging countries: an analysis using wavelets / Casos de suicídio em países desenvolvidos e emergentes: uma análise usando ondaletas

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to use a wavelet technique to determine whether the number of suicides is similar between developed and emerging countries. METHODS: Annual data were obtained from World Health Organization (WHO) reports from 1986 to 2015. Discrete nondecimated wavelet transform was used for the analysis, and the Daubechies wavelet function was applied with five-level decomposition. Regarding clustering, energy (variance) was used to analyze the clusters and visualize the clustering process. We constructed a dendrogram using the Mahalanobis distance. The number of groups was set using a specific function in the R program. RESULTS: The cluster analysis verified the formation of four groups as follows: Japan, the United States and Brazil were distinct and isolated groups, and other countries (Austria, Belgium, Chile, Israel, Mexico, Italy and the Netherlands) constituted a single group. CONCLUSION: The methods utilized in this paper enabled a detailed verification of countries with similar behaviors despite very distinct socioeconomic, geographic and climate characteristics.

OBJETIVO: Verificar se existe relação de similaridade entre o número de suicídio em países desenvolvidos e emergentes usando a técnica de ondaletas. MÉTODOS: Os dados anuais foram obtidos a partir do relatório da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), no período de 1986 a 2015. Para análise, foi empregada a transformada discreta não decimada de ondaleta (NDWT), a função ondaleta aplicada foi a Daubechies com cinco níveis de decomposição. Com relação ao agrupamento, utilizou-se a energia (variância) para analisar os clusters e, para a visualização do processo de clusterização, trabalhamos com o dendograma, no qual se empregou a distância de Mahalanobis. A quantidade de grupos foi definida por meio da função NbCluster. RESULTADOS: A partir da análise de cluster, verificou-se a formação de quatros grupos. No qual, Japão e Estados Unidos e Brasil localizam-se em grupos distintos e isolados. E os demais países (Áustria, Bélgica, Chile, Israel, México, Itália e Holanda) em um único grupo. CONCLUSÃO: Utilizando esse método, foi possível verificar com mais detalhes quais países apresentaram comportamentos semelhantes, mesmo apresentando características bem distintas entre si, tanto socioeconômica, geográfica e climática.

Prevalence and factors associated to physical inactivity in elderly brazilians evaluated by accelerometry: evidence from the sabe study / Prevalência e fatores associados à inatividade física em idosos brasileiros avaliados pela acelerometria: evidências do estudo sabe

Background: Population studies using accelerometers to estimate physical inactivity in older people have been carried out in developed countries. In Brazil, these studies are limited to subjective measures. Objective: to identify through an accelerometer the prevalence and factors associated with physical inactivity in older people residents in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional population-base study conducted with 543 older people individuals (mean 73.8 years) using data from the SABE study (Health, Welfare and Ageing). The level of physical activity was measured using accelerometers, and the participants categorized into inactive with <30 minutes of moderate and/or vigorous activity daily; and active with > 30 minutes moderate and/or vigorous activity daily. The independent variables were sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical, and lifestyle. The association of the dependent variable with the independent variables was conducted using multiple regression analysis. Results: Of the older people evaluated, 85.4% were physically inactive (men = 74.3% and women = 91.9%). Older people aged >75 years (OR=4.67 [1.87 to 11.66]), women (OR=2.26 [1.15 to 4.44]), with high waist circumference (OR=2.93 [1.41 to 6.12]), high number of comorbidities (OR=2.27 [1.22 to 4.23]), and chronic pain (OR=2.54 [1.32 to 4.88]) were associated independently with physical inactivity. Conclusion: The prevalence of physical inactivity in older people individuals aged 65 or over is appalling and associated with sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical variables.(AU)

Estudos populacionais utilizando acelerômetros para estimar a inatividade física em idosos têm sido realizados em países desenvolvidos. No Brasil, esses estudos se limitam a medidas subjetivas. Objetivo: identificar por meio de um acelerômetro a prevalência e os fatores associados à inatividade física em idosos residentes em São Paulo, Brasil. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional realizado com 543 idosos (média de 73,8 anos) a partir dos dados do estudo SABE (Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento). O nível de atividade física foi medido por meio de acelerômetros, e os participantes categorizados em inativos com <30 minutos de atividade moderada e / ou vigorosa diariamente; e ativo com> 30 minutos de atividade moderada e / ou vigorosa diariamente. As variáveis independentes foram sociodemográficas, antropométricas, clínicas e estilo de vida. A associação da variável dependente com as variáveis independentes foi realizada por meio de análise de regressão múltipla. Resultados: Dos idosos avaliados, 85,4% eram inativos fisicamente (homens = 74,3% e mulheres = 91,9%). Idosos com idade> 75 anos (OR = 4,67 [1,87 a 11,66]), mulheres (OR = 2,26 [1,15 a 4,44]), com circunferência da cintura elevada (OR = 2,93 [1,41 a 6,12]), elevado número de comorbidades (OR = 2,27 [1,22 a 4,23]) e dor crônica (OR = 2,54 [1,32 a 4,88]) foram associados de forma independente à inatividade física. Conclusão: A prevalência de inatividade física em idosos com 65 anos ou mais é preocupante e está associada a variáveis sociodemográficas, antropométricas e clínicas.(AU)

On-line Searches for Terms Related to Hand Hygiene During the COVID-19 Pandemic Worldwide

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the difference in the on-line searches for terms related to hand hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic in developed and middle-income countries. Material and Methods: The cross-sectional study analyzed the digital data through the Google Trends website to obtain the variation of the relative search volume (RSV) through the terms "alcohol gel" and "handwashing." According to socio-economic development, the countries were divided into two groups: countries from different continents and hemispheres, with more than 15 million inhabitants, with more than 50% of the population with access to the Internet network and over 1,000 confirmed cases of infected with COVID-19. The paired t-test was applied to compare the means. The significance value adopted was p<0.010. Results: The searches related to the term "hand washing" were more significant when compared to the term "alcohol gel," and the term "alcohol gel" presented a higher average volume of research in developed countries (p<0.010). The developed countries had a higher average relative volume of research than middle-income countries (p<0.010). Developed countries sought more for the term "alcohol gel," and the term "hand washing" showed no difference in the volume of research about the country's socio-economic aspect. Conclusion: Developed countries have a higher volume of search for hand hygiene terms. The middle-income countries must create proposals for raising awareness outside the on-line environment so that this information reaches the entire population during the pandemic.

Regime de cuidados no Brasil: uma análise à luz de três tipologias / Care regime in Brazil: an analysis in the light of three typologies / Régimen de cuidados en Brasil: un análisis a la luz de tres tipologías

O objetivo deste artigo é identificar as linhas gerais que caracterizam o regime de cuidados brasileiro. A pesquisa apresenta as tipologias de regimes de cuidados propostas por Esping-Andersen (1999), Leitner (2003) e Saraceno e Keck (2010). A partir do levantamento das políticas de família no Brasil, o artigo enquadra o país nesse referencial. A metodologia utilizada é a análise descritiva de dados. Utilizam-se as projeções populacionais do quantitativo de crianças e idosos do IBGE, a Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (PNAD), o Censo Escolar e o Censo SUAS (Sistema Único de Assistência Social). Pelas três tipologias analisadas, o Brasil se apresenta como um regime de cuidados que se apoia preferencialmente nas famílias, caracterizando, portanto, um "familismo implícito" ou "familismo por negligência".

This article discusses and categorizes the Brazilian care regime. It presents the care-regimes typologies proposed by Esping-Andersen (1999), Leitner (2003), and Saraceno and Keck (2010) for developed countries. Based on the compilation of family policies within the country, our goal is to place Brazil within this typological framework. The methodology used is descriptive data analysis. We use data from IBGE population projections, for children and elderly counts, the PNAD and the National School Census, and the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS) Census. In all three typologies, Brazil stands as a care regime which leans mainly on families, with a non-robust and non-widespread care policy, thus featuring an "implicit familism" or "familism by default".

El propósito de este artículo es identificar las líneas generales que caracterizan el régimen brasileño de cuidados. La investigación presenta los tipos de regímenes de cuidado propuestos por Esping-Andersen (1999), Leitner (2003) y Saraceno y Keck (2010). A partir del relevamiento de la encuesta de políticas familiares en Brasil, el artículo enmarca al país en este contexto. La metodología utilizada es el análisis descriptivo de datos. Se usan a para ello las proyecciones poblacionales del número de niños y ancianos del IBGE, la PNAD y el Censo Escolar, y el Censo SUAS. Para las tres tipologías analizadas, Brasil se presenta como un régimen de cuidados que se apoya preferentemente en las familias y se caracteriza por tanto como familismo implícito o familismo por negligencia.

History and Future of Treatment for Acute Stage Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease is a form of vasculitis, mainly in small and medium arteries of unknown origin, occurring frequently in childhood. It is the leading form of childhood-onset acquired heart disease in developed countries and leads to complications of coronary artery aneurysms in approximately 25% of cases if left untreated. Although more than half a century has passed since Professor Tomisaku Kawasaki's first report in 1957, the cause is not yet clear. Currently, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy has been established as the standard treatment for Kawasaki disease. Various treatment strategies are still being studied under the slogan, “Ending powerful inflammation in the acute phase as early as possible and minimizing the incidence of coronary artery lesions,” as the goal of acute phase treatments for Kawasaki disease. Currently, in addition to immunoglobulin therapy, steroid therapy, therapy using infliximab, biological products, suppression of elastase secretion inside and outside the neutrophils, inactivated ulinastatin therapy and cyclosporine therapy, plasma exchange, etc. are performed. This chapter outlines the history and transition of the acute phase treatment for Kawasaki disease.

Mutual Recognition Agreement for Nursing Professionals: Policy Issues and Alternatives / 간호행정학회지

Asia Pacific Association of Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology White Paper 2020 on climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity in Asia-Pacific and impact on allergic diseases

Air pollution, climate change, and reduced biodiversity are major threats to human health with detrimental effects on a variety of chronic noncommunicable diseases in particular respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The extent of air pollution both outdoor and indoor air pollution and climate change including global warming is increasing-to alarming proportions particularly in the developing world especially rapidly industrializing countries worldwide. In recent years, Asia has experienced rapid economic growth and a deteriorating environment and increase in allergic diseases to epidemic proportions. Air pollutant levels in many Asian countries especially in China and India are substantially higher than are those in developed countries. Moreover, industrial, traffic-related, and household biomass combustion, indoor pollutants from chemicals and tobacco are major sources of air pollutants, with increasing burden on respiratory allergies. Here we highlight the major components of outdoor and indoor air pollutants and their impacts on respiratory allergies associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis in the Asia-Pacific region. With Asia-Pacific comprising more than half of the world's population there is an urgent need to increase public awareness, highlight targets for interventions, public advocacy and a call to action to policy makers to implement policy changes towards reducing air pollution with interventions at a population-based level.

Crises econômicas, mortalidade de crianças e o papel protetor do gasto público em saúde / Economic crises, child mortality and the protective role of public health expenditure

Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi analisar como as crises econômicas afetam a saúde infantil a nível global e entre subgrupos de países com diferentes níveis de renda. Foram utilizados dados do Banco Mundial e da OMS para 127 países entre os anos de 1995 e 2014. Foi utilizado um modelo de efeitos fixos, avaliando o efeito da mudança em indicadores macroeconômicos (PIB per capita, taxa de desemprego e de inflação, e taxa de desconforto) na taxa de mortalidade neonatal, infantil, e de menores de cinco anos. Adicionalmente, avaliou-se a modificação do efeito da associação de acordo com a renda dos países e também a influência do gasto público em saúde nessa relação. As evidências mostraram que piores indicadores econômicos (menor PIB per capita e maiores inflação, taxa de desemprego e taxa de desconforto) estão associados com maiores taxas de mortalidade infantil. Nas subamostras por estrato de renda, observa-se a mesma relação, porém com efeitos de maior magnitude entre os países de renda baixa e média. Verificou-se ainda que um maior percentual nos gastos públicos em saúde ameniza os efeitos dos indicadores econômicos nas taxas de mortalidade infantil. Desta forma, é necessário aumentar a atenção aos efeitos nocivos das crises macroeconômicas para garantir melhorias na saúde infantil.

Abstract The aim of the study was to analyze how economic crises affect child health globally and between subgroups of countries with different levels of income. Data from the World Bank and the World Health Organization were used for 127 countries between 1995 and 2014. A fixed effects model was used, evaluating the effect of the change on macroeconomic indicators (GDP per capita, unemployment and inflation rates and misery index) in neonatal, infant and under-five mortality rates. Moreover, we evaluated whether there was a change in the association effect according to the income of the countries and also analyzed the role of public health expenditure in this association. Evidence has shown that worse economic indicators (lower GDP per capita, higher inflation, unemployment rates and misery index) are associated with higher child mortality rates. In the subsamples by income strata, the same association is observed, but with effects of greater magnitude for low- and middle-income countries. We also verified that a higher percentage in public health expenditures alleviates the effects of economic indicators on child mortality rates. Thus, more attention needs to be paid to the harmful effects of the macroeconomic crises to ensure improvements in child health.

Fiscal austerity and the health sector: the cost of adjustments / Austeridade fiscal e o setor saúde: o preço do ajuste

Abstract Fiscal austerity policies have been used as responses to economic crises and fiscal deficits in both developed and developing countries. While they vary in regard to their content, intensity and implementation, such models recommend reducing public expenses and social investments, retracting the public service and substituting the private sector in lieu of the State to provide certain services tied to social policies. The present article discusses the main effects of the recent economic crisis on public health based on an updated review with consideration for three dimensions: health risks, epidemiological profiles of different populations, and health policies. In Brazil, the combination of economic crisis and fiscal austerity policies is capable of producing a direr situation than those experienced in developed countries. The country is characterized by historically high levels of social inequality, an under-financed health sector, highly prevalent chronic degenerative diseases and persisting preventable infectious diseases. It is imperative to develop alternatives to mitigate the effects of the economic crisis taking into consideration not only the sustainability of public finance but also public well-being.

Resumo Políticas de austeridade fiscal têm sido utilizadas como respostas à crise econômica e deficit fiscal tanto em países desenvolvidos como em desenvolvimento. Embora variem quanto ao conteúdo, intensidade e cronograma de implementação, tais modelos preconizam a redução do gasto público, promovendo também a diminuição do investimento social, a retração da máquina pública e a substituição do Estado pelo setor privado na provisão de determinados serviços vinculados a políticas sociais. Este artigo debate os principais efeitos da crise econômica recente sobre a saúde da população, tendo sido baseado em uma revisão atualizada, considerando-se três dimensões: riscos à saúde, perfil epidemiológico das populações e políticas de saúde. A crise econômica no Brasil, combinada com a política de austeridade fiscal, pode produzir um contexto mais grave do que o vivenciado pelos países desenvolvidos. O país apresenta altos níveis históricos de desigualdade social, subfinanciamento do setor saúde, alta prevalência de doenças crônico-degenerativas e persistência de doenças infeciosas evitáveis. É imperativo que se construam alternativas para se mitigar os efeitos da crise econômica, levando-se em conta não apenas a sustentabilidade das finanças públicas, mas também o bem-estar da população.

Diet, physical activity, obesity and related cancer risk: strategies to reduce cancer burden in the Americas / Dieta, actividad física, obesidad y riesgo de cáncer: estrategias para reducir la carga del cáncer en las Américas

Abstract: With increased globalization, Latin America is experiencing transitions from traditional lifestyle and dietary practices to those found in higher income countries. Healthy diets, physical activity and optimal body fat can prevent approximately 15% of cancers in low-income and 20% in high-income countries. We discuss links between diet, obesity, physical activity and cancer, emphasizing strategies targeting children to decrease risk of obesity, control obesity-related risk factors, and reduce sedentary lifestyles, as this will have high impact on adult cancer risk. We focus on individual behaviors, economic, cultural and societal changes that may guide future interventions in the Americas.

Resumen: América Latina está experimentando transiciones desde estilos de vida tradicional y prácticas dietéticas a las de países de ingresos altos. Las dietas saludables, la actividad física y la grasa corporal óptima pueden prevenir aproximadamente el 15% de cánceres en países de bajos ingresos y 20% en países de ingresos altos. Discutimos los vínculos entre la dieta, obesidad, actividad física y cáncer; haciendo hincapié en estrategias dirigidas a niños, para disminuir el riesgo de obesidad y reducir la vida sedentaria. Nos enfocamos en comportamientos individuales, cambios económicos, culturales y sociales que pueden guiar futuras intervenciones en las Américas.

Human Papillomavirus Serologic Profiles of Selected Filipinos with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The low prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA and mRNA in biopsy samples of Filipinos with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been reported previously. Here, the HPV serologic profiles of HNSCC cases were analyzed and associated with lifestyle and sexual practices. METHODS: Serum samples were collected between May 2012 and September 2013 from HNSCC patients (n = 22) in the northwest region of the Philippines, and age- and sex-matched clinically healthy controls. Antibodies to capsid and early oncoproteins of HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58, 6, and 11 were analyzed using multiplex serology. RESULTS: Most of the cases were males with tumors of the oral cavity or larynx. Two of the cases tested positive for at least one of the early oncoproteins (E6, E7, E1, and/or E2) of HPV16, and 11 did not display reactivity to any HPV early or late oncoproteins. Of the controls, four tested positive for at least one of the HPV16 early oncoproteins, and 10 were non-reactive to all HPV types. Titers to HPV16 E6 or E7 of the seropositive cases and controls were considerably lower than those typically observed in economically developed countries. CONCLUSIONS: The low HPV titers seen here are consistent with the results of molecular analyses for this population. Hence, the seropositivity of some of the HNSCC cases is likely an indication of prior exposure to the virus and not the presence of HPV-driven tumors.

General anesthesia in the management of early childhood caries: an overview

Early childhood caries is a global healthcare concern in developing and industrialized countries. If left untreated, it leads to immediate and long-term complications that affect the well-being and quality of life of concerned families. Therefore, many preventive and treatment approaches are available to the healthcare provider to curb this virulent form of caries. After behavioral interventions, general anesthesia is used in specific settings when a young patient presents with extensive teeth damage and exhibits a lack of cooperation that is incompatible with conventional dental office care. However, without proper follow-up, any positive results might be lost over time.

Underestimated Burden: Non-Communicable Diseases in North Korea

There remains a misperception that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are predominantly an issue for developed countries and are not major public health problems in low-income countries. North Korea is also often considered as a country with a disease structure that is typical of a low-income country. Infectious diseases and nutritional problems, including tuberculosis and pneumonia, are still major sources of medical discussion. The authors challenge this misperception by reviewing empirical data on epidemiologic and demographic transitions of North Korea and show that the current NCD burden is the main public health issue in North Korea. In result, it can be said that epidemiologic transition and demographic transition of North Korea preceded prior to economic hardship. It is necessary for the international community, including South Korea, to advance in a new direction of medical support for North Korea.

The prevalence of allergic diseases in school children of metropolitan city in Indonesia shows a similar pattern to that of developed countries

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergy among Surabaya school children is currently unknown. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of the common allergic sensitization and allergic diseases among school children and undergraduate students in suburban of Surabaya by epidemiologic data collection. METHODS: A multistage simple random sampling was done to select 5 primary schools, 8 secondary schools (4 of junior high schools and senior high schools, respectively), and 1 university from 5 districts in Surabaya city. Out of 550 invited respondents, 499 (128 primary school, 221 secondary school, and 150 undergraduate) respondents gave their consent. A complete personal history, allergic symptoms, environmental exposure of common allergens was obtained from interview and the physical examinations were performed. Skin prick test (SPT) was done using 45 different allergen extracts. Total serum IgE and specific IgE radioallergosorbent test levels were measured for respondents with allergic manifestations. RESULTS: There was an increasing SPT positivity among study respondents, from primary school, secondary school, to undergraduate students (21.90%, 28.95%, to 45.30% respectively). Cockroach (42.85%) and fungi/mold spore (42.85%) were the most common allergens in primary school children. House dust mites was the most common allergen in secondary school (63.16%) and undergraduate students (58.82%). Urticaria and rhinitis were the commonest allergic diseases manifestation. History of atopy was positive in 60.79% of the allergic respondents. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of allergic sensitization among school children and undergraduate students in Surabaya suburb areas were increased compared to previous estimates in 1998. While house dust mites are known as important allergens, surprisingly cockroach was the common allergen among the younger school children.

Preventable Trauma Death Rate after Establishing a National Trauma System in Korea

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the current overall preventable trauma death rate (PTDR) in Korea and identify factors associated with preventable trauma death (PTD). METHODS: The target sample size for review was designed to be 1,131 deaths in 60 emergency medical institutions nationwide. The panels for the review comprised trauma specialists working at the regional trauma centers (RTCs); a total of 10 teams were formed. The PTDR and factors associated with PTD were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Of the target cases, 943 were able to undergo panel review and be analyzed statistically. The PTDR was 30.5% (6.1% preventable and 24.4% possibly preventable). Those treated at a RTC showed a significantly lower PTDR than did those who were not (21.9% vs. 33.9%; P = 0.002). The PTDR was higher when patients were transferred from other hospitals than when they directly visited the last hospital (58.9% vs. 28.4%; P = 0.058; borderline significant). The PTDR increased gradually as the time from accident to death increased; a time of more than one day had a PTDR 14.99 times higher than when transferred within one hour (95% confidence interval, 4.68 to 47.98). CONCLUSION: Although the PTDR in Korea is still high compared to that in developed countries, it was lower when the time spent from the accident to the death was shorter and the final destined institution was the RTC. To reduce PTDR, it is necessary to make an effort to transfer trauma patients to RTCs directly within an appropriate time.

Narrative Review for Exploring Barriers to Readiness of Electronic Health Record Implementation in Primary Health Care / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to explore the enabling factors associated with readiness in Electronic Health Record (EHR) implementation and to identify the barriers related to readiness regarding the situation of primary health cares in developed and developing countries. METHODS: A narrative review of open-source literature was conducted using the ProQuest, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, and PMC databases to identify the enabling factors and barriers to EHR readiness. The keywords applied were ‘electronic health record’, ‘readiness’, ‘primary health care’, and ‘primary care’. RESULTS: Some barriers were found that may affect readiness, specifically individual barriers and organizational barriers. In developing countries, organizational barriers such as a lack of skilled manpower, insufficient senior management, and a lack of interaction among team members were the common barriers, while in developed countries individual barriers such as unfamiliarity with new systems and a lack of time to use computers were frequently found as barriers to readiness. CONCLUSIONS: This study summarized the enabling factors and barriers with regard to EHR readiness in developed and developing countries.

Advances in Serological Diagnosis of Taenia solium Neurocysticercosis in Korea

Cysticercosis, a parasitic disease caused by Taenia solium metacestode (TsM), has a major global public health impact in terms of disability-adjusted life years. The parasite preferentially infects subcutaneous tissue, but may invade the central nervous system, resulting in neurocysticercosis (NC). NC is an important neglected tropical disease and an emerging disease in industrialized countries due to immigration from endemic areas. The prevalence of taeniasis in Korea declined from 0.3%–12.7% during the 1970s to below 0.02% since the 2000s. A survey conducted from 1993 to 2006 revealed that the percentage of tested samples with high levels of specific anti-TsM antibody declined from 8.3% to 2.2%, suggesting the continuing occurrence of NC in Korea. Modern imaging modalities have substantially improved the diagnostic accuracy of NC, and recent advances in the molecular biochemical characterization of the TsM cyst fluid proteome also significantly strengthened NC serodiagnosis. Two glycoproteins of 150 and 120 kDa that induce strong antibody responses against sera from patients with active-stage NC have been elucidated. The 150 kDa protein showed hydrophobic-ligand binding activities and might be critically involved in the acquisition of host-derived lipid molecules. Fasciclin and endophilin B1, both of which play roles in the homeostatic functions of TsM, showed fairly high antibody responses against calcified NC cases. NC is now controllable and manageable. Further studies should focus on controlling late-onset intractable seizures and serological diagnosis of NC patients infected with few worms. This article briefly overviews diagnostic approaches and discusses current issues relating to NC serodiagnosis.

Immunotherapy in endometrial cancer: new scenarios on the horizon / 부인종양

This extensive review summarizes clinical evidence on immunotherapy and targeted therapy currently available for endometrial cancer (EC) and reports the results of the clinical trials and ongoing studies. The research was carried out collecting preclinical and clinical findings using keywords such as immune environment, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, immune checkpoint inhibitors, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies and others' on PubMed. Finally, we looked for the ongoing immunotherapy trials on ClinicalTrials.gov. EC is the fourth most common malignancy in women in developed countries. Despite medical and surgical treatments, survival has not improved in the last decade and death rates have increased for uterine cancer in women. Therefore, identification of clinically significant prognostic risk factors and formulation of new rational therapeutic regimens have great significance for enhancing the survival rate and improving the outcome in patients with advanced or metastatic disease. The identification of genetic alterations, including somatic mutations and microsatellite instability, and the definition of intracellular signaling pathways alterations that have a major role in in tumorigenesis is leading to the development of new therapeutic options for immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Why Do Japan and South Korea Record Very Low Levels of Perceived Health Despite Having Very High Life Expectancies?

Japan and Korea follow a unique trend in which, despite reporting two of the highest life expectancies (LEs) among the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, the proportion of people with good self-rated health (SRH) is disproportionately low. We sought to explain this high-LE-low-SRH paradox by examining associations among LE, the prevalence of good SRH, and healthcare utilization. Our hypothesis was that countries with more frequent healthcare use would demonstrate poorer SRH and that SRH would not show a meaningful association with LE among developed countries. This study extracted data from Health at a Glance 2017 by the OECD for 26 countries with valid and comparable information on LE, SRH, and the number of doctor consultations per capita. Correlations among LE, good SRH, and number of doctor consultations per capita were analyzed. The number of annual doctor consultations per capita and the prevalence of good SRH were closely correlated (correlation coefficient=−0.610); excluding outliers produced a higher correlation coefficient (−0.839). Similar patterns were observed when we replaced good SRH with poor SRH. Meanwhile, the correlation coefficient between annual per capita doctor consultations and LE was quite low (−0.216). Although good SRH is closely related to better LE at the individual level, this was not true at the national level. Frequent use of healthcare in Japan and Korea was strongly correlated with poorer SRH, without any meaningful correlation with LE.