• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.108-116
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the differences between patients with acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning who visited the emergency department (ED) before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective observational study. Patients with CO poisoning who visited the ED during the period from February 2020 to January 2023 were classified as the COVID-19 pandemic group, and those from February 2019 to January 2020 were classified as the non-pandemic group. Patients' medical records were reviewed, their demographic and clinical characteristics were compared, and the length of stay in ED was checked. The time from admission to the ED to the start of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) was defined as the door-to-HBO time, and this parameter was compared between both groups. Results: In total, 672 patients were included in this study. The proportion of intentional poisoning was significantly higher in the COVID-19 pandemic group than in the non-pandemic group (p=0.028). The proportion of intentional poisoning significantly increased in the 20- to 29-year-old age group during the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001). In addition, it took longer to initiate HBO in the COVID-19 pandemic group than in the non-pandemic group (p=0.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that pandemics of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, increase the proportion of intentional CO poisoning, and it may take longer to initiate HBO after visiting the ED. Efforts will be needed to decrease intentional CO poisoning and length of stay in ED.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.73-83
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the viral load dynamics in children with underlying malignancies diagnosed with symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This was a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of patients <19 years old with underlying hemato-oncologic malignancies that were diagnosed with their first symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 infection during March 1 to August 30, 2022. Review of electronic medical records and telephone surveys were undertaken to assess the clinical presentations and transmission route of the patients. Thresholds of negligible likelihood of infectious virus was defined as E gene reverse transcription (RT)-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value ≥25. Results: During the 6-month study period, a total of 43 children with 44 episodes of COVID-19 were included. Of the 44 episodes, the median age of the patients included was 8 years old (interquartile range [IQR], 4.9-10.5), and the most common underlying disease was acute lymphoid leukemia (n=30, 68.2%), followed by patients post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (n=8, 18.2%). Majority of the patients had mild COVID-19 (n=32, 72.7%), and three patients (7.0%) had severe/critical COVID-19. Furthermore, 2.3% (n=1) died of COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome. The largest percentage of the patients showed E gene RT-PCR Ct value ≥25 between 15-21 days (n=13, 39.4%), followed by 22-28 days (n=10, 30.3%). In 15.2% (n=5), E gene RT-PCR Ct value remained <25 beyond 28 days after initial positive PCR. Refractory malignancy status (β, 67.0; 95% confidence interval, 7.0-17.0; P=0.030) was significantly associated with prolonged duration of E gene RT-PCR <25. A patient with prolonged duration of E gene RT-PCR Ct value <25 was suspected to have infectivity shown by the transmission of the virus to his mother at day 86 after his initial positive test. Conclusions: Children that acquire symptomatic COVID-19 during refractory malignancy state are at a high risk for prolonged shedding warranting PCR-based transmission precautions in this cohort of patients.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2020

Background: Most meta-analyses of risk factors for severe or critical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 only included studies conducted in China and this causes difficulties in generalization. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically evaluate the risk factors in patients with COVID-19 from various countries. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for studies published on the mortality risk in patients with COVID-19 from January 1 to May 7, 2020. Pooled estimates were calculated as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using the random-effects model. Results: We analyzed data from seven studies involving 26,542 patients in total in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Among the patients, 2,337 deaths were recorded (8.8%). Elderly patients and males showed significantly higher mortality rates than young patients and females; the OR values were 3.6 (95% CI 2.5-5.1) and 1.2 (95% CI 1.0-1.3), respectively. Among comorbidities, hypertension (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.6), diabetes (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-3.9), cardiovascular disease (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.5-6.3), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.7-11.5), and chronic kidney disease (OR 4.2, 95% CI 2.0-8.6) were significantly associated with increased mortalities. Conclusion: This meta-analysis, involving a huge global sample, employed a systematic method for synthesizing quantitative results of studies on the risk factors for mortality in patients with COVID-19. It is helpful for clinicians to identify patients with poor prognosis and improve the allocation of health resources to patients who need them most.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.470-479
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• 2020

Objectives: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused the death of 740,000 people around the world as of August 12, 2020. Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Avian Influenza, and African Swine Fever are serious livestock diseases. Government agencies in Korea have provided ingredient information and usage instructions for disinfectants used to counter those infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to provide information on the chemical ingredients in disinfectant products used against COVID-19 and certain livestock diseases. Methods: We collected information from the Korean government. The Central Disaster Management Headquarters and Central Disease Control Headquarters provided information on disinfectant products used against COVID-19. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency of Korea provided information on efficacy-certified disinfectant products for use against selected livestock diseases. Health hazard and environmental hazard information on the ingredients in the disinfectants was collected from the Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency's Material Safety Data Sheets, and toxicity value information was collected from United States Environmental Protection Agency's CompTox Chemicals Dashboard. Results: There were 76 COVID-19 disinfectant products in use, and the most common ingredients were benzalkonium chloride (51%), alkylbenzyl dimethyl ammonium (30%), and ethanol (3%). There were 216 livestock disease disinfectant products comprised of 89 acidic, 88 oxidic, 30 aldehydic, three alkaline, and six other products. Among the 49 active ingredients used in the disinfectants that were investigated, health and environmental hazard information was provided for many of them, but only 20 chemicals had official toxicological information. Conclusion: Since the disinfectants included numerous chemicals, an understanding of their chemical characteristics could be critical to prevent unintended human or environmental exposure.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.181-197
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• 2021

Objectives : This study reports a 42-year old female inpatient who visited for recurrent herpes zoster on the right hand and right side of the face on 5 days after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. She already had 2 times of herpes zoster prior to this outbreak. Methods : During 10 days of hospitalization, both treatments were simultaneously applied to her. For Korean medical treatment, acupuncture, herbal medicine including Sipjeondaebo-tang, and Hominis Placenta pharmacopuncture were mainly used. Collaborating with internal medicine of our hospital, essential medications for herpes zoster including antihistamine, corticosteroid, and acyclovir were administered. To assess symptoms, taking photos and numerical rating scale(NRS) were used. Results : On the 3rd day of hospitalization, erythema on the right hand disappeared. On the 4th day, discomfort arisen by zoster lesions dropped from NRS 8, which was initially evaluated, to NRS 0. Facial lesion also steadily improved. At the moment of discharge, erythema on the right side of oral angle disappeared and mild traces of vesicular lesions remained on the right hand. Conclusions : Considering her medical history, the recent recurrent herpes zoster was suspected as an adverse event of COVID-19 vaccination. Unlike general course of herpes zoster, the skin lesions and discomfort were rapidly improved owing to the collaborated treatment during the 10 days. This study may be the first literature on herpes zoster following COVID-19 vaccination in Korea.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.441-449
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• 2021

This study was conducted to identify the factors affecting the SDLA of nursing students who experienced online-class due to COVID-19. The subjects of this study were 115 nursing students who had experienced online-class due to COVID-19 for more than one semester at a university. Data were collected through online surveys from November 18 to December 1, 2020. Factors that have a statistically significant influenced on SDLA in nursing students were 'use of emotion' in emotional intelligence (β=.42, p<.001), 'control' in resilience (β=.28, p=.001), and 'objectivity' in critical thinking disposition (β=.27, p<.001), which accounted for 62.0% of the total variance. Research and intervention to improve the emotional intelligence of nursing students were constantly needed, and it is suggested that this be considered when producing educational contents.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.57-70
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) knowledge, anxiety, and psychosocial well-being on the infection prevention behavior of college students in health care. Methods: This study is a descriptive survey research. A total of 301 college students at four health care departments in three regions were surveyed using a structured questionnaire from February 10 to February 16, 2022. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA. Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analyses were done using SPSS ver. 18.0. Results: Knowledge on COVID-19 was significantly dependent on a family history of chronic disease (p=.049). Anxiety was significantly dependent on test of COVID-19 (p=.040). Gender (p=.049), perceived physical and mental health status (p=.000), and chronic disease (p=.000) had significant effects on infection prevention behavior. When the level of anxiety was higher, the infection prevention behavior was also higher (p=.000) and the psychosocial well-being was improved (p=.017). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that anxiety significantly improved the infection prevention behavior (𝛽=.396, p<.001) and psychosocial well-being (𝛽=-.139, p=.008), which accounts for 18.5% (F=22.444, p<.001) of the variance. Conclusion: In order to prevent infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and its spread, measures to prevent infection and improve the psychosocial well-being should also be sought.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.444-455
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• 2022

Purpose: This study explored the meaning of the social perceptions of nurses in online news articles during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A total of 339 nurse-related articles published in Korean online newspapers from January 1 to December 31, 2020, were extracted by entering various combinations of OR and AND with the four words "Corona," "COVID," "Nursing," and "Nurse" as search keywords using BIGKinds, a news database provided by the Korea Press Foundation. The collected data were analyzed with a keyword network analysis and topic modeling using NetMiner 4. Results: The top keywords extracted from the nurse-related news articles were, in the following order, "metropolitan area," "protective clothing," "government," "task," and "admission." Four topics representing keywords were identified: "encouragement for dedicated nurses," "poor work environment," "front-line nurses working with obligation during the COVID-19 pandemic," and "nurses' efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19." Conclusion: The media's attention to the dedication of nurses, the shortage of nursing resources, and the need for government support is encouraging in that it forms the public opinion necessary to lead to substantial improvements in treating nurses. The nursing community should actively promote policy proposals to improve treatment toward nurses by utilizing the net function of the media and proactively seek and apply strategies to improve the image of nurses working in various fields.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2021

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in occupational balance and quality of life caused by COVID-19 in occupational therapy students. Methods : From May 27 to June 26, 2020, questionnaires were distributed to a total of 35 universities among 62 occupational therapy departments nationwide. General characteristics, COVID-19 related characteristics, OBQ and WHOQOL-BREF were used to evaluate and analyze occupational balance and quality of life. The SPSS/PC 24.0 program was used to analyze frequency analysis, crossover analysis, chi-square test, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis. Results : There were significant differences in school system(years), class, life pattern, quality of life, personal and public schedule depending on whether they are interested in occupational balance. There were significant differences in occupational balance(OBQ) and quality of life(WHOQOL-BREF), 'Hobby', 'new hobbies after COVID-19', 'life patterns', 'use of public transportation', 'maintenance of occupational balance', and 'quality of life'. There was a significant positive correlation occupational balance and quality of life. Conclusion : This study showed that the more people who have changed their lives due to COVID-19 are interested in work balance, and the better they maintain their work balance and emotional well-being, the higher the work balance and quality of life, and the positive correlation between work balance and quality of life was confirmed. This will be the basis for studies related to intervention strategies that can improve occupational balance and quality of life in a time when social isolation is easy due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.257-265
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• 2021

The COVID-19 virus is a β-genus virus that causes infection by mediating the angiotensin convertible enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, which is distributed in large numbers in the human respiratory tract. The disease requires effective post-management of antibody production by complete healers and vaccinators because there is no perfect remedy for the virus infection. This study aimed to develop recombinant proteins specifically responsive to neutralizing antibodies in clinical specimens and use them to develop a rapid diagnostic kit to diagnose neutralizing antibodies quickly and conveniently against the COVID-19 virus and confirm the possibility of commercialization through a performance evaluation. Rapid diagnostic kits using COVID-19 S1 RBD recombinant proteins can be applied to rapid diagnostic kits, with positive percentage agreement (PPA) and negative percentage agreement (NPA) of 100% and 98.3%, respectively, compared to the U.S. FDA-approved ELISA kits. If the performance of the rapid diagnostic kit is improved and neutralizing antibodies can be analyzed quantitatively using quantitative analysis equipment, it can be used as important data to predict immunity to the COVID-19 virus and determine additional vaccinations.