• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.54-60
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• 2022

살모넬라 수막염은 소아청소년에서 흔하지 않은 병이나 심각한 신경학적 합병증을 일으킬 수 있다. 영아, 특히 3개월 미만의 연령과 악성 종양, 말라리아 감염, 인체면역결핍바이러스 감염과 같은 면역 저하 상태는 살모넬라 수막염의 위험인자로 알려져 있다. 본 증례에서는 고열과 구토, 의식 변화를 주소로 내원한 이전 특이병력 없던 건강한 8세 여아의 살모넬라 수막염 증례를 소개한다. 환자의 뇌척수액에서 D군 살모넬라가 배양되었으며, 뇌 자기공명영상 소견은 정상이었다. 면역 글로불린 수치와 림프구 수는 정상 범위였고, 차세대 염기서열 분석에서 원발성 면역결핍 질환을 일으키는 유전자 변이는 검출되지 않았다. 3세대 세팔로스포린 투약으로 환자의 증상은 빠르게 호전되었으며 합병증이나 후유증은 발생하지 않았다. 비장티푸스 살모넬라균은 면역이 정상인 소아에서 수막염을 일으킬 수 있으며 조기에 항생제를 투여하면 성공적으로 치료할 수 있다.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.64-70
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• 2022

Background: Anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps are versatile soft tissue flaps that have become the standard soft-tissue flaps used for head and neck reconstruction. They provide a long vascular pedicle, constant vessel diameter, abundant soft tissue coverage, and minimal donor site morbidity. The ALT flap was initially designed on the basis of a septocutaneous (SC) perforator. However, more recent research has shown that a substantial number of ALT flaps are now based on musculocutaneous (MC) perforators, and the ratio between MC and SC perforators varies among studies. In this study, we analyzed the perforating pattern of ALT flaps along with their clinical outcomes during head and neck reconstruction in the Korean population. Methods: From October 2016 to July 2020, 68 patients who had undergone an ALT flap procedure for head and neck reconstruction were enrolled retrospectively. The perforating pattern of the cutaneous perforator vessel (MC perforator/SC perforator/oblique branch), pedicle length, and flap size were analyzed intraoperatively. Patient demographics and flap necrosis rates were also calculated. Results: The highest number of cutaneous perforator vessels supplying the ALT flap were the MC perforators (87%). The proportion of MC perforators was significantly higher than that of the SC perforators and oblique branches. Flap necrosis occurred in seven cases (11.86%); sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, perforator course, and history of radiotherapy did not significantly affect flap necrosis. Conclusion: The ALT free flap procedure remains popular for reconstruction of the head and neck. In this study, we observed that the majority of cutaneous vessels supplying the flaps were MC perforators (87%). When using the MC perforator during flap elevation, careful dissection of the perforator is required to achieve successful ALT flaps because intramuscular dissection is difficult. Perforator pattern and history of radiotherapy did not affect flap necrosis.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.293-304
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• 2022

Among several diseases of calves, diarrhea is the most prevalent disease and has been a major cause of economic loss to the cattle industry. The main etiologic agents of diarrhea in calves are bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, but non-infectious factors including foreign bodies obstruction in the digestive system also focused as the cause of calf diarrhea in the recent days. Because there is still limited information for foreign body-related diarrhea in calves, especially in Hanwoo, the present retrospective study reviewed the medical records for diarrheic calves with foreign body in the digestive system (n=32). The morbidity was determined as 3.03% and more than half of them presented the acidosis, hyponatremia, and azotemia. The mortality in laparotomy-operated calves to remove foreign bodies or in non-operated ones was 28% or 85.7%, respectively, implied the importance of aggressive decision for laparotomy when the foreign bodies were determined in the digestive system in diarrheic calves. During laparotomy, trichobezoars (hair balls) and hays were the main foreign bodies and prevalently placed in the abomasum. In the trials to predict prognosis by several clinical factors, the time for laparotomy over 2 days after first diagnosis, acidosis, and foreign body in the abomasum were highly associated with mortality. Therefore, we believe that prompt surgical procedure (laparotomy) is necessary upon obstruction in the digestive system by foreign bodies is tentatively diagnosed in the diarrheic calf. In addition, when differential diagnosis list is made, foreign body-related diarrhea is necessary to be included in case of diarrheic calf.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.155-162
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• 2022

Even after testing negative for COVID-19, some patients continue to struggle with a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal problems and neurological problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined long COVID (Post COVID-19 conditions) as "A disease occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, usually 3 months from the onset of COVID-19 with symptoms that last for at least 2 months, that cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis." As a possible pathological mechanism of long COVID, three hypotheses are proposed: the persistence of the infectious state due to the residual virus, the persistent inflammatory response, and the autoimmune response. The main symptoms of long COVID are shortness of breath (dyspnea), abdominal pain and dyspepsia, fatigue, cognitive problems (brain fog), anosmia and dysgeusia, and chest pain, palpitations and tachycardia. In the Chinese guidelines, COVID-19 patients were divided into mild, moderate, severe, and recovery, and prescriptions with effective therapeutic effects were summarized to encourage combined treatment of chinese and western medicine. Globally, only symptomatic therapy is recommended for long COVID, but a specific treatment has not yet been proposed. Recently, morbidity code for post COVID-19 conditions was created, and it is planned to announce guidelines for long COVID treatment and management in the first half of 2023. In line with this trend, the Korean medical community needs to make efforts to prepare treatment guidelines for patients with long COVID.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제61권2호
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• pp.103-126
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• 2023

In the l950s, under the legacy of traditional agriculture, Ascaris lumbricoides, spread epidemically in the war-bitten society of Korea. Consensus on the parasite control was drafted in the Parasite Disease Prevention Act, which passed a parliamentary agreement in 1966, and established safe disposal of feces and mass chemotherapy as control strategies. Biannual stool examinations and treating infected schoolchildren were basic scheme of the control activity through which revenue could be secured for organized business. In the 27 years following 1969, a maximum of 16 million stool examinations had been done every year. Cellophane thick smear enabled the task. The infection declined remarkably in the 1970s when industrialization and green revolution proceeded. A population study of A. lumbricoides in the late 1970s helped us better understand its epidemiology. The data also settled down the understandable protest of teachers against the repeated stool examinations. In the 9 years following 1987, the target population was gradually reduced when the egg positive rate was below 0.1%. An article in the Korean Law, stipulating obligatory stool examinations, was made optional. Although the long-term Korean effort of Ascaris control was a success, the effect of mass chemotherapy was not as succinct in terms of lowering reinfection. In the period of control, Korean agricultural technology changed, and the economy grew and supplied sanitary facilities by which the vicious cycle was disconnected. Reduction of morbidity was a benefit of mass chemotherapy, which is the only control method feasible in economically difficult countries. The most important hurdle of parasite control in the 1960s was poverty of general population and limited financial resources in Korea but the society formed a consensus on the priority of intestinal helminthiasis control during the ordeal period. The national consensus in the 1960s was the critical milestone for Ascaris control in Korea. Under the social agreement, application of timely technical and research advancements in parasitology achieved the success of ascariasis elimination. The successful experience of ascariasis elimination in Korea can be a benchmark for countries where neglected tropical diseases are endemically recycled.

• 적정기술학회지
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.118-125
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• 2019

제 5차 IPCC보고서(2014)에 의하면, 지구온난화의 원인은 온실가스(GHG)에 기인하며 가장 중요한 화석연료의 연소에서 발생하는 CO₂, NO₂, 메탄 등이다. IPCC는 2099년까지 지구 온도가 3.7℃ 상승하고 해수면은 0.63 m 상승할 것으로 예측하였다. 기후변화는 SDGs의 매우 중요한 한 부분이며, 그중 지구온난화는 잠재적으로 인류 건강에 가장 큰 위협이며 여러 다양한 질병의 원인이다. 만약 현재의 가스 배출과 토지이용의 추세가 계속된다면 미래의 세대는 질병, 부상, 자연재난으로 인한 사망, 감염, 영양부족, 대기오염으로 인한 사망율 등 매우 심각한 상황에 직면하게 될 것이다. 이 글에서는 홍수, 가뭄, 열 스트레스. 대기오염, 물부족, 영양실조, 전염성질환, 매개질환 등 지구기후변화와 이와 관련된 자연재난과 인류 건강의 관계를 조명하여 보았다.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.29.1-29.9
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• 2023

Preterm birth (PTB), a pregnancy-related disease, is defined as a birth before 37 weeks of gestation. It is a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide, and its incidence rate is steadily increasing. Various genetic factors can contribute to the etiology of PTB. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) gene is an important angiogenic gene and its polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with PTB development. Therefore, we conducted a case-control study to evaluate the association between VEGFA rs699947, rs2010963, and rs3025039 polymorphisms and PTB in Korean women. A total of 271 subjects (116 patients with PTB and 155 women at ≥38 weeks of gestation) were analyzed in this study. The genotyping of VEGFA gene polymorphisms was performed using polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism. No significant association between the patients with PTB and the control groups was confirmed. In the combination analysis, we found a significant association between PTB and VEGFA rs699947 CC-rs2010963 GG-rs3025039 CC combination (odds ratio, 3.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.091 to 13.032; p = 0.031). The VEGFA rs699947, rs2010963, and rs3025039 polymorphisms might have no genetic association with the pathogenesis of PTB in Korean women. However, the combination analysis indicates the possibility that VEGFA acts in PTB pathophysiology. Therefore, larger sample sets and replication studies are required to further elucidate our findings.

• 중환자간호학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.99-108
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• 2023

Purpose : This retrospective study aims to provide basic data for intervention to improve clinical outcomes and identify the characteristics of the rebound hyperthermia (RHG) and non-rebound hyperthermia (NRHG) groups by checking body temperature in patients with post-cardiac arrest syndrome. Method : The study involved 118 patients who completed target temperature management (TTM) in an acute-care unit. Data were analyzed for frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation, median, and quartiles, and compared using the chi-squared test and Mann-Whitney U-test. Results : Rebound hyperthermia (RH) was observed in 74 (62.7%) patients, predominantly male (69.5%), with an average age of 64.54 ± 15.98, and a body mass index of 23.22 ± 4.75kg/m² (overweight). Hypertension (50%) was the most common co-morbidity, followed by diabetes and heart disease (33.1%). Neuron-specific enolase levels were higher in the NRHG 24, 48, and 72 hours after recovery of spontaneous circulation (p = .037, p < .001, p = .008). The APHCHE IV was also higher in the NRHG (p < .001). RH occurred 25.49 (7.28-52.96) hours after TTM completion, lasting for 2 (1-3) hours. Temperature reduction strategies included notifying doctors, administering antipyretics, and nursing intervention, with the latter being the most common at 94.6%. Half of the subjects in the RHG and 77.3% in the NRHG fell into cerebral performance categories 3, 4, and 5 (p = .003). Conclusion : RH is more likely a body mechanism related to CPR and TTM than a result of pathogenic infection. Therefore, we require an active intervention for hyperthermia, and a patient-specific nursing intervention protocol.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제66권6호
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• pp.632-641
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• 2023

Central nervous system tumors are identified as tumors of the brain and spinal cord. The associated morbidity and mortality of cerebrospinal tumors are disproportionately high compared to other malignancies. While minimally invasive techniques have initiated a revolution in neurosurgery, artificial intelligence (AI) is expediting it. Our study aims to analyze AI's role in the neurosurgical management of cerebrospinal tumors. We conducted a scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Upon screening, data extraction and analysis were focused on exploring all potential implications of AI, classification of these implications in the management of cerebrospinal tumors. AI has enhanced the precision of diagnosis of these tumors, enables surgeons to excise the tumor margins completely, thereby reducing the risk of recurrence, and helps to make a more accurate prediction of the patient's prognosis than the conventional methods. AI also offers real-time training to neurosurgeons using virtual and 3D simulation, thereby increasing their confidence and skills during procedures. In addition, robotics is integrated into neurosurgery and identified to increase patient outcomes by making surgery less invasive. AI, including machine learning, is rigorously considered for its applications in the neurosurgical management of cerebrospinal tumors. This field requires further research focused on areas clinically essential in improving the outcome that is also economically feasible for clinical use. The authors suggest that data analysts and neurosurgeons collaborate to explore the full potential of AI.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.47-54
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• 2024

Objectives: This study was conducted to systematically summarize trends in research concerning patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as reported in Korean medical journals. Methods: We performed a literature search of KoreaMed from January 2020 to September 2022. We included only primary studies of patients with COVID-19. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, then performed full-text screening, both independently and in duplicate. We first identified the 5 journals with the greatest numbers of eligible publications, then extracted data pertaining to the general characteristics, study population attributes, and research features of papers published in these journals. Results: Our analysis encompassed 142 primary studies. Of these, approximately 41.0% reported a funding source, while 3.5% disclosed a conflict of interest. In 2020, 42.9% of studies included fewer than 10 participants; however, by 2022, the proportion of studies with over 200 participants had increased to 40.6%. The most common design was the cohort study (48.6%), followed by case reports/series (35.2%). Only 3 randomized controlled trials were identified. Studies most frequently focused on prognosis (58.5%), followed by therapy/intervention (20.4%). Regarding the type of intervention/exposure, therapeutic clinical interventions comprised 26.1%, while studies of morbidity accounted for 13.4%. As for the outcomes measured, 50.7% of studies assessed symptoms/clinical status/improvement, and 14.1% evaluated mortality. Conclusions: Employing a systematic approach, we examined the characteristics of research involving patients with COVID-19 that was published in Korean medical journals from 2020 onward. Subsequent research should assess not only publication trends over a longer timeframe but also the quality of evidence provided.