Surveillance of Close Contacts and Implications of Pediatric Patients with COVID-19–Experiences from a Single Residential Treatment Center

Residential treatment centers (RTCs) are successful in isolating and closely monitoring adults confirmed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but there are concerns for children who need care. This study was conducted as a retrospective analysis of the surveillance of guardians who entered an RTC with infected pediatric patients to identify the secondary attack rate of COVID-19 to close contacts in a single RTC and to provide directions for developing guidelines for caregivers who co-isolate with infected children. When caregivers were admitted to this RTC, aside from negative confirmation before discharge, tests were additionally performed one or two times. There were 57 index children and adolescent patients who entered the RTC with their parents as caregivers. The secondary attack rate by pediatric patients to close contacts outside their households was 25% (95% confidence interval, 10.0 to 40.0) (8 out of 32 contacts). The transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in children was close to zero at 6 days after the confirmation tests. It is reasonable to test the close contacts of pediatric patients after 7 days of isolation to identify infections among caregivers.

Imaging Features and Interventional Treatment for Liver Injuries and Their Complications

Liver injury is a common consequence of blunt abdominopelvic trauma. Contrast-enhanced CT allows for the rapid detection and evaluation of liver injury. The treatment strategy for blunt liver injury has shifted from surgical to nonoperative management, which has been widely complemented by interventional management to treat both liver injury and its complications. In this article, we review the major imaging features of liver injury and the role of interventional management for the treatment of liver injury.

Imaging Features and Interventional Treatment for Liver Injuries and Their Complications

Liver injury is a common consequence of blunt abdominopelvic trauma. Contrast-enhanced CT allows for the rapid detection and evaluation of liver injury. The treatment strategy for blunt liver injury has shifted from surgical to nonoperative management, which has been widely complemented by interventional management to treat both liver injury and its complications. In this article, we review the major imaging features of liver injury and the role of interventional management for the treatment of liver injury.

Synergistic Effects of Chios Gum Mastic Extract and Low Level Laser Therapy on Osteoblast Differentiation

In the present study, we evaluated the effect of CGM on osteogenic differentiation of cultured osteoblasts, and determined whether combination treatment with LLLT had synergistic effects on osteogenic differentiation. The results indicated that CGM promoted proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts at the threshold concentration of 10 µg/ml; whereas, CGM showed cytotoxic properties at concentrations above 100 µg/ml. ALP activity and mineralization were increased at concentrations above 10 µg/ml. CGM in concentrations up to 10 µg/ml also increased the expression of osteoblast-activated factors including type I collagen, BMP-2, RUNX2, and Osterix. The CGM (50 µg/ml) and LLLT (80 mW for 15 sec) combination treatment group showed the highest proliferation levels, ALP activity, and mineralization ratios. The combination treatment also increased the levels of phosphorylated forms of p38, ATF2, PKD, ERK, and JNK. In addition, the osteoblast differentiation factors including type I collagen, BMP-2, RUNX2, and Osterix protein levels were clearly increased in the combination treatment group. These results suggested that the combination treatment of CGM and LLLT has synergistic effects on the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblastic cells.

Satisfaction in patients with chronic renal failure during the surgical creation of an arteriovenous fistula under monitored anesthesia care using remifentanil

BACKGROUND: Remifentanil is a rapid and short-acting drug that can be used for analgesia and sedation during monitored anesthesia care. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of remifentanil on pain and satisfaction of patients during creation of an arterio-venous fistula (AVF). METHODS: Forty chronic renal failure (CRF) patients, undergoing creation of an AVF, were assigned to receive remifentanil (0.05 microg/kg/min) (group R) or saline infusion (group S). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, SpO2, Observer's Assessment Alertness/Sedation scale score, respiratory depression, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, pain intensity and frequency, satisfaction score, and operating time were measured. RESULTS: Pain frequency in group R was lower than group S (P < 0.01). The median (interquartile ranges) of pain frequency was 0 (0, 1) in group R and 1 (0.5, 4.0) in group S. In group R, 6 patients experienced respiratory depression, but responded readily to calling of the name in normal tone and recovered well. Satisfaction scores in group R were higher than that of group S (P < 0.05). The median (interquartile ranges) satisfaction score was 4.5 (4, 5) in group R and 4 (3.0, 4.5) in group S. There were no differences in others between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Remifentanil infusion at the rate of 0.05 microg/kg/min effectively reduces pain and increases satisfaction of CRF patients during the creation of an AVF.

Comparison of palonosetron with ondansetron in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients receiving intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after gynecological laparoscopic surgery / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common complications after anesthesia and surgery. This study was designed to compare the effects of palonosetron and ondansetron in preventing PONV in high-risk patients receiving intravenous opioid-based patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) after gynecological laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: One hundred non-smoking female patients scheduled for gynecological laparoscopic surgery were randomly assigned into the palonosetron group (n = 50) or the ondansetron group (n = 50). Palonosetron 0.075 mg was injected as a bolus in the palonosetron group. Ondansetron 8 mg was injected as a bolus and 16 mg was added to the IV-PCA in the ondansetron group. The incidences of nausea, vomiting and side effects was recorded at 2 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in the incidence of PONV during 72 h after operation. However, the incidence of vomiting was lower in the palonosetron group than in the ondansetron group (18% vs. 4%, P = 0.025). No differences were observed in use of antiemetics and the side effects between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of palonosetron and ondansetron in preventing PONV were similar in high-risk patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery and receiving opioid-based IV-PCA.

Analytical Tools and Databases for Metagenomics in the Next-Generation Sequencing Era

Metagenomics has become one of the indispensable tools in microbial ecology for the last few decades, and a new revolution in metagenomic studies is now about to begin, with the help of recent advances of sequencing techniques. The massive data production and substantial cost reduction in next-generation sequencing have led to the rapid growth of metagenomic research both quantitatively and qualitatively. It is evident that metagenomics will be a standard tool for studying the diversity and function of microbes in the near future, as fingerprinting methods did previously. As the speed of data accumulation is accelerating, bioinformatic tools and associated databases for handling those datasets have become more urgent and necessary. To facilitate the bioinformatics analysis of metagenomic data, we review some recent tools and databases that are used widely in this field and give insights into the current challenges and future of metagenomics from a bioinformatics perspective.

Comparison of palonosetron with ondansetron in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting after thyroidectomy during a 48-hour period

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common complications after general anesthesia. This study compared the effects of palonosetron and ondansetron in preventing PONV in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. METHODS: 100 non-smoking female subjects were randomly assigned to a palonosetron group (n = 50) or an ondansetron group (n = 50). The patients of each group received 0.075 mg of palonosetron or 8 mg of ondansetron through intravenous bolus injection before induction of general anesthesia. The incidence of nausea and vomiting were monitored at 2 h, 24 h and 48 h after operation. RESULTS: The incidence of PONV during 48 h after operation had no significant differences between the groups. However, the incidence of nausea was lower in the palonosetron group than in the ondansetron group (34% vs. 56%, P = 0.027). No differences were observed in incidences of vomiting, use of antiemetics and adverse events between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Palonosetron was more effective than ondansetron in preventing nausea for patients undergoing thyroidectomy. However, the effect of palonosetron or ondansetron in preventing PONV was similar.

Asystole during manipulation with a curved-blade laryngoscope and tracheal intubation in patient with a history of syncope: A case report

Vagal reflex during manipulation with a curved-blade laryngoscope and tracheal intubation may result in severe bradycardia and even, asystole. Manipulation with laryngoscope and tracheal intubation leaded to bradycardia and asystole at a 47-year-old woman during induction of anesthesia with propofol, remifentanil and cisatracurium and sevoflurane inhalation. Withdrawal of laryngoscope and atropine 0.5 mg injection, her heart rate was recovered to normal sinus rhythm. Intubation at secondary trial was done with bradycardia and heart rate was returned to normal sinus rhythm soon. She had a history of syncope in interview after surgery and was examined tilt test to find of cause of syncope. Although the result of the test was negative, the bradycardia and asystole seemed to be caused by vagal reflex.

Acute orbital myositis before Herpes zoster ophthalmicus / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

The Relationship of Physical and Psychosocial Risk Factors to Work-related Musculoskeletal Upper Extremity Symptoms amongst Male Automobile Manufacturing Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of physical and psychosocial risk factors to work-related musculoskeletal upper extremity symptoms amongst automobile manufacturing workers. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted using male automobile manufacturing workers in order to examine the relationship of physical and psychosocial risk factors to work-related musculoskeletal upper extremity symptoms. A total of 1,793 male workers were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding general characteristics, health related behaviors, work-related characteristics, job stress, ergonomic risk factors, and the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms (neck, shoulder, arm, and hand). Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms were evaluated using the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) surveillance criteria. In order to measure the physical risk factors, the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Z-365 Quick checklist was incorporated into the questionnaire. Job stressors were measured using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS). A binary logistic regression analysis was performed that examined the relationship of physical and psychosocial risk factors to musculoskeletal symptoms. RESULTS: The result showed that the physical and psychosocial risk factors were associated with musculoskeletal upper extremity symptoms. The workers with high physical risk factors reported more musculoskeletal symptoms than those having low physical risk factors (OR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.56~3.62). The workers with high job stress were more likely to have an increased risk of musculoskeletal upper extremity symptom compared to those with normal job stress (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 2.03~3.47). A significant relationship between the combined effects of physical and psychosocial risk factors on musculoskeletal upper extremity symptoms was also found. The workers exposed to high physical risk factors, high job stress, and long working hours were more likely to report musculoskeletal symptoms than those having low physical risk factors, normal job stress and moderate working hours(OR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.56~3.62). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that some physical and psychosocial risk factors increase the risk of work-related musculoskeletal upper extremity symptoms amongst automobile manufacturing workers. In order to prevent or reduce musculoskeletal disorders amongst automobile manufacturing workers, it is strongly recommended to manage the physical psychosocial risks occurring in the workplace.

Airway management using O2 flush via Cook airway exchange catheter(R) for microlaryngeal surgery / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

The status of agricultural injuries in Korea and implications

This study aims to investigate the status of agricultural injuries and to suggest measures to prevent and to manage them. To determine the scale of agricultural injuries in Korea, fatal injury data were analyzed by securing from the Annual Report on the Cause of Death Statistics and moderate to severe injuries were analyzed from the Emergency Department-based Injury Surveillance System (EDBISS). Nationwide data on minor injuries were analyzed from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), the Korean Working Condition Survey (KWCS), and the Farmers Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illness. The SMR of farmers was significantly higher than that of other occupations. When the distribution of severity of injury was investigated from the EDBISS data, the injury severity of farmers was higher than that of other occupations. The rate of industrial injuries from the KWCS data was 4.51% in skilled agricultural and fishery workers, which was around twice as high as those of craft and related trade workers (2.27%) and plant and machine operators and assemblers (2.13%). The occupational injury reporting rate from KNHANES was the second highest, or 4.3%, in skilled agricultural and fishery workers, following that of plant and machine operators (6.2%), while the rates of manual workers, sales and service workers, clerks and professionals, and managers and administrators were 3.5%, 3.0%, 2.7%, and 2.1%, respectively (P<0.001). Social concern over this issue, a reporting system for occupational injuries, preventive measures such as safety education programs, and an accident compensation system are needed to prevent and manage agricultural injuries.

Suicide Trend of Standardized Mortality Ratio and Age Standardized Proportion Mortality Ratio According to Occupational Groups in Korea: 1993-2007 / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: A number of studies on the trends of socioeconomic differences in suicide mortality have indicated that these inequality gaps have widened over time and highlight that certain occupations have more suicide risk than others. However suicide rates according to occupation based socioeconomic position have not been frequently studied in Korea. The purpose of this study is to report trends and inequality of suicide according to occupation based social class during 1993-2007 in Korea and to identify occupations with significantly high standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) for both men and women. METHODS: Korean census records for the years 1995, 2000, and 2005 were linked with the cause of death records from Korean National Statistical Office (KNSO) for the periods 1993-1997, 1998-2003, and 2004-2007 respectively. This data was used to calculate age adjusted proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for both men and women aged 25~54 years according to five occupation based socioeconomic positions. RESULTS: Among men, the agricultural-fishery-forestry group had the greatest suicide rate (SMR: 341) with a high PMR (113) and the manual labor group showed the highest PMR (118), while the managers-professional occupation group showed the lowest sPMR (78) and SMR (21). Among women, the agricultural-fishery group had the highest score in SMR (316) and PMR (130), and the technical-artificer group showed the lowest sPMR (71) and SMR (27). The inequality gaps in the suicide mortality rate according to occupation had widened during 1998-2002, but showed a recovery trend plot after 2003. CONCLUSIONS: Although the occupation based socioeconomic inequalities show a recovery trend after 2003, the excess inequality from suicide remains as high as it was prior to the 2002 year in some occupational groups. The results of the current study indicate that the manual and agricultural-fishery-forestry groups were high risk groups of suicide.

The Relationship between Hospital Departments and Risk of Developing Tuberculosis among Nurses Working at a University Hospitalin Korea: Retrospective Cohort Study / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the occurring characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) among nurses working at a university hospital in Korea. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using medical records from a university hospital. A total of 351 nurses without any pulmonary disease were enrolled during 2000~2007, and were followed up until October 2010. To compare with the incidence of TB between occupational subgroups, workplaces were divided into high and low TB-exposure risk departments. For statistical analysis, the relative risks for TB incidences between departments were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models and mean incidences were estimated with person-time years. RESULTS: Seven cases of TB were observed during 2001 person-years. Five and two cases were observed in the high and low TB-exposure risk departments, respectively. The relative risk of TB infection in the high TB-exposure risk departments were 6.52 (95% CI, 1.26~33.60) compared to that in the low TB-exposure risk department. The mean incidence of TB in the total nurses was 0.350% per person-year. CONCLUSIONS: According to the concept of occupational and environmental medicine, high TB-exposure risk departments were more likely to be at increased risk of tuberculosis.

Job Stress and Self-perceived Fatigue in Korean Farmers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: A growing body of research has documented that job stress has a pivotal role in developing adverse health outcomes. However, little is known about the relationship between farmers' job stress and health outcomes. This study was undertaken to identify the relationship between job stress and self-perceived fatigue in Korean farmers. METHODS: A total of 526 Korean farmers were asked to participate in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the participants' general characteristics, job stress and self-perceived fatigue. Job stress was measured using a forty-eight item Farm Stressor Inventory (FSI), and the self-perceived fatigue was estimated by Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (MFS). Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between job stress and self-perceived fatigue. RESULTS: The result showed that job stress was associated with self-perceived fatigue. For the farmers with high job stress, the risk of self-perceived fatigue was more likely to increase compared to those with low job stress. For males, labor intensity (OR, 3.88; 95% CI, 1.91~7.89), job environment (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.22~4.93), social support (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.07~4.13), social isolation (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.15~5.60), financial problems (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.53~6.91), uncertainty (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.30~4.75) and health problems (OR, 5.77; 95% CI, 2.46~13.53) were associated with self-perceived fatigue. For females, job environment (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.22~4.08), social isolation (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.05-4.15), physical environment & weather condition (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.33~5.12), financial problems (OR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.55~5.32), uncertainty (OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.95~6.83) and health problems (OR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.57~7.27) were associated with self-perceived fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that farmers' job stress plays a role in the development of fatigue, and job stressors related to fatigue are slightly different according to gender.

Treatment of Chronic Ulcer with Epidermal Autograft / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Reepithelialization is necessary to protect a wound from the surrounding harmful environment. Keratinocytes synthesize basement membrane proteins and various cytokines contribute to wound healing. OBJECTIVE: This study was done to evaluate the effect of autograft using suction blistered epidermis on the treatment of chronic ulcers. METHODS: Fourteen patients with chronic ulcers were treated using autologous epidermal grafts. Grafted epidermis was fixed to recipient sites with TegadermTM for a week. RESULTS: The treatment with epideraml autograft was effective in 9 cases. The results were affected not by underlying systemic diseases but by lesional sites and local factors. The lesions on the feet brought the poorest results. The results also depended on the immobilization of grafted sites. CONCLUSION: Epidermal autograft is a useful method of treatment in some kinds of chronic ulcers.

Two Cases of Metastatic Adenocarcinoma Developed on Abdominal Skin / 대한피부과학회지

Cutaneous metastasis from the tumors of internal organs is rare, but often gives a clue to diagnosis. Metastasis to the abdominal skin including umbilicus has frequently originated from a tumor of the large bowel, ovary, stomach and pancreas. We report two cases of metastatic adenocarcinoma developed on the abdominal wall. One at the umbilicus clarified the origin as a pancreatic carcinoma, and the other at the sites of previous laparascopy and paracenthesis was originated from an ovarian cancer.

Frequency Trends of Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma in Korea, between Mid-1980s and Mid-1990s

BACKGROUND: Malignant skin cancers in Korea have been increasing as in other countries, but the previous epidemiological studies have been only attempted by a single hospital unit in a limited period of time. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate and compare the frequencies, age, sex distribution, and anatomical location of the frequent skin cancers collected from several hospitals over a 10 year period between 1984-5 and 1994-5. METHODS: 258 cases of skin cancer from 4 different places in Seoul were collected for the study. Histopathological records from pathology departments and medical records were reviewed to obtain information about the frequencies. RESULTS: Overall there were 141 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)1 basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and malignant melanoma (MM) in the mid-eighties and 117 in the mid-nineties. SCC was the most common skin cancer in both periods but the frequencies and the SCC/BCC ratio dropped at the later period. The ratio of males to females was getting smaller at 1.4:1 in the mid-eighties and 1.1:1 in the mid-nineties. BCC was concentrated on the face and SCC was rather evenly distributed over the body surface. The predilection site of malignant melanoma (MM) was quite different between the two periods. The lower extremities was the main site in the mid-nineties and the head and neck in the mid-eighties. CONCLUSION: Although there was no statistical significance, the BCC/SCC ratio was increased and the male/female ratio decreased at the later period.

Effect of UVB Phototherapy on Pruritus of Pityriasis Rosea / 대한피부과학회지

Pityriasis rosea is sometimes accompanied with considerable pruritus. Ultraviolet B irradiation is reported to be beneficial in relieving pruritus. The purpose was to evaluate the effect of UVB phototherapy on severe pruritus of pityriasis rosea. Nine patients with severe pruritus had UVB irradiation three times a week Five patients became symptom free and three showed a marked improvement. One dropped out. UVB phototherapy could be an effective modality for relieving pruritus in pityriasis rosea.