Beyond Hygiene: Commensal Microbiota and Allergic Diseases

Complex communities of microorganisms, termed commensal microbiota, inhabit mucosal surfaces and profoundly influence host physiology as well as occurrence of allergic diseases. Perturbing factors such as the mode of delivery, dietary fibers and antibiotics can influence allergic diseases by altering commensal microbiota in affected tissues as well as in intestine. Here, we review current findings on the relationship between commensal microbiota and allergic diseases, and discuss the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the regulation of allergic responses by commensal microbiota.

Laparoscopic Resection of a Bronchogenic Cyst Presenting as a Retroperitoneal Tumor

A bronchogenic cyst is regarded as a developmental abnormality of the primitive foregut, which typically occurs in the mediastinum. The cystis normally diagnosed in relation to respiratory problems or recurrent infections in children. In adulthood, it is a rare pathology, and its diagnosis is usually incidental. Moreover, subdiaphragmatic and retroperitoneal locations are exceptionally rare. A 60-year old woman presented with an incidental left retroperitoneal mass that was suspected of being a non-functioning retroperitoneal tumor. After evaluating the general radiologic and endocrinologic work up for a retroperitoneal tumor, a laparoscopically complete resection was performed with primary repair of the attached diaphragm. The surgically resected cyst measured 7x5x5 cm and was filled with mucin material. Histologically, the cyst wall was lined by a ciliated pseudostratified or tall columnar epithelium without dysplastic changes. The diagnosis of a bronchogenic cyst in the retroperitoneum was confirmed. We present this case with a review of the relevant literature.

Survey for Hygiene Behavior on Healthcare Personnel by Hygiene Inventory 23 / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to survey hygiene behavior of healthcare personnel according to the Hygiene Inventory 23 (HI23) and to use the results in education and research for promoting hygiene behaviors. METHODS: We sampled a total of 400 people with 50 from each job category. The sample was obtained through convenient sampling among 8,200 employees working at a tertiary-care hospital with 2,600 beds in Seoul. The HI23 consisted of 5 subscales and 8 questions on general hygiene, 3 on household hygiene, 3 on food-related hygiene, 5 on hand hygiene methods, and 4 on personal hygiene, resulting in a total of 23 questions. The researcher also added 14 questions on the general characteristics of the subjects. The self-administered questionnaires were distributed on October 2009 and analyzed blindly. RESULTS: The average total score for hygiene behavior was 3.04+/-0.44 (maximum of 4). In the subcategory of hygiene behavior, the mean score was 3.20+/-4.24 for general hygiene, 3.07+/-0.68 for household hygiene, 3.07+/-0.68 for food-related hygiene, 2.91+/-0.69 for hand hygiene methods, and 2.97+/-0.48 for personal hygiene. When factors affecting the level of hygiene behavior were identified through multivariate regression analysis, independent factors were found to be gender (female), job category (food-related job), experience in hand hygiene education, and experience in teaching hand hygiene or general hygiene. CONCLUSION: Programs and education adapted to the characteristics of each job category in hospitals are needed to promote hygiene behaviors such as general hygiene, hand hygiene methods, household hygiene, food-related hygiene, and personal hygiene.

Use of Atypical Antipsychotics in Psychotic Disorder and Behavioral Disorder Caused by physical Disease / 대한정신약물학회지

Psychotic disorders due to physical diseases are recently increased and show more complex manifestation than functional psychotic disorders. The psychiatrist's role in dealing with the acutely psychotic patient due to physical diseases is to control the patient's behavior and psychotic symptoms, to delineate the etiology of the psychosis, and to provide appropriate initial treatment and disposition. The control of behavioral and psychotic symptoms can be accomplished through supportive, physical, or pharmacological interventions. But among these interventions, pharmacological intervention shows most rapid responses. Traditionally, pharmacological treatments of these patients have been made by typical antisychotics, which have many adverse effects including extrapyramidal symptoms and therefore, it is problematic to prescribe typical antipsychotics to these patients who are vulnerable to antipsychotics. Recently developed atypical antipsychotics are known to have less drug induced side effects than typical antipsychotics. Studies using atypical antipsychotics to patients who have psychotic and behavioral problems induced by physical disease are increased. We summarized studies which have investigated the efficacy and tolerability of atypical antipsychotics in patients with psychotic and behavioral disorder induced by physical disease.