• Title/Summary/Keyword: Travel medicine

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A Locally Acquired Falciparum Malaria via Nosocomial Transmission in Korea

  • Kim, Jung-Yeon;Kim, Jeong-Su;Park, Mi-Hyun;Kang, Young-A;Kwon, Jun-Wook;Cho, Shin-Hyeong;Lee, Byeong-Chul;Kim, Tong-Soo;Lee, Jong-Koo
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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    • v.47 no.3
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    • pp.269-273
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    • 2009
  • A 57-year old man who was admitted to an emergency room of a tertiary hospital with hemoptysis developed malarial fever 19 days later and then died from severe falciparum malaria 2 days later. He had not traveled outside of Korea for over 30 years. Through intensive interviews and epidemiological surveys, we found that a foreign patient with a recent history of travel to Africa was transferred to the same hospital with severe falciparum malaria. We confirmed through molecular genotyping of the MSP-1 gene that Plasmodium falciparum genotypes of the 2 patients were identical. It is suggested that a breach of standard infection control precautions resulted in this P. falciparum transmission between 2 patients in a hospital environment. This is the first report of a nosocomial transmission of falciparum malaria in Korea.

A Proposal of a New Model of Wheel and Tractor Dynamics that Includes Lift Resistance

  • Sakai, Jun;Choe, Jung-Seob;Kishimoto, Tadashi;Yoon, Yeo-Doo
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
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    • 1993.10a
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    • pp.1176-1185
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    • 1993
  • The purpose of this study is to propose a new dynamic model of wheels and agricultural tractors through verification of the existence of " lift resistance " and "perpendicular adhesion" which also can be called " contra-retractive adhesion". The existence of these forces was proved through experiments including the development of a sensor which can measure the forces acting on a wheel accurately. Consequently " perpendicular adhesion ratio" which is defined as the ratio of the perpendicular adhesion to the distributed load was observed to be in the range of 0.05 to 0.3. This means the influence of the " lift resistance " is comparable to that of motion resistance in wheel dynamics. The perpendicular adhesion ratio was observed to decrease logarithmically with the increase of ground contact pressure, and to increase linearly with increase of the travel speed of the wheel . Some examples to express the new dynamic model compared to the conventional dynamics are explained.

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Amebic liver abscesses resulting in diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection (아메바 간농양으로 진단에 이른 인간 면역 결핍증)

  • Kim, Seok Weon;Kwon, Hyeok Choon;Nam, Seung Woo;Choi, Jong Kyung;Chung, Joo Won;Jang, Dong Won;Park, Soo Yoen
    • Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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    • v.34 no.1
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    • pp.96-100
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    • 2017
  • Amebic liver abscess (ALA) is the most common extraintestinal manifestation of amebiasis. Amebiasis, a parasitic infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica, used to be a prevalent protozoan disease in Korea, however, with an improving sanitary system, it has been among very uncommon etiology of liver abscess. A recent report suggested that ALA is an emerging parasitic infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients even in areas where the disease is not endemic and recommended HIV screening in patients in areas where ALA is not endemic, particularly those without history of travel to a disease-endemic area. We report on two patients who were admitted for treatment of ALA and then diagnosed as HIV infection. We also reviewed the etiology and characteristics of ALA in our hospital during the last 5 years.

Regulation and 3 dimensional culture of tertiary follicle growth

  • Cheon, Yong-Pil
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.39 no.3
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    • pp.95-106
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    • 2012
  • It has been revealed that multiple cohorts of tertiary follicles develop during some animal estrous cycle and the human menstrual cycle. To reach developmental competence, oocytes need the support of somatic cells. During embryogenesis, the primordial germ cells appear, travel to the gonadal rudiments, and form follicles. The female germ cells develop within the somatic cells of the ovary, granulosa cells, and theca cells. How the oocyte and follicle cells support each other has been seriously studied. The latest technologies in genes and proteins and genetic engineering have allowed us to collect a great deal of information about folliculogenesis. For example, a few web pages (http://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov; http://mrg.genetics.washington.edu) provide access to databases of genomes, sequences of transcriptomes, and various tools for analyzing and discovering genes important in ovarian development. Formation of the antrum (tertiary follicle) is the final phase of folliculogenesis and the transition from intraovarian to extraovian regulation. This final step coordinates with the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. On the other hand, currently, follicle physiology is under intense investigation, as little is known about how to overcome women's ovarian problems or how to develop competent oocytes from in vitro follicle culture or transplantation. In this review, some of the known roles of hormones and some of the genes involved in tertiary follicle growth and the general characteristics of tertiary follicles are summarized. In addition, in vitro culture of tertiary follicles is also discussed as a study model and an assisted reproductive technology model.

Connective Tissue Massage (Bindegewebs massage) (결합조직 맛사지)

  • Kim, Jong-Soon;Ryoo, Jae-Kwan
    • Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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    • v.4 no.3
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    • pp.475-489
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    • 1997
  • Connective tissue massage(CTM, Bindegewebs massage) are developed and named by Mrs. Elizabeth Dicke, a German physical therapist. The CTM is used primarily for internal disorder such as myocarditis, coronary insufficiency, high blood pressure, functional stomach and intestinal disorders, inflamma-tion of the gallbladder, and hepatitis, arterial circulatory problems, venous disorders, headache, particularly trauma to the head, and some gynecologic disorder, etc. Which is performed with special stroking technique of the subcutaneous tissue of the trunk, extremities, and face. The mechanism of effectiveness of CTM is based on a viscerocutaneous reflex. The stroking stimulates the nerve end-ings of the autonomic nervous system. The impulses activated by stroking travel to the sympathetic trunk and the spinal cord and brain, which causes a change in reaction susceptibility. The most important for apply CTM is necessary to know the reflex zone (Head's zone, Mackenzie's zone and Dicke's connective tissue zone). Dicke's connective tissue zones are only found by the special dia-gnostic stroking. Because the connective tissue zones no discomfort when unmanipulated, and thus the patient is unaware of them. It is characterized by diagnostic stroking that causes a sharp pain in the tissue. As a general rule, all treatment are preceded by the basic stroke from the level of the coccyx to the first lumbar vertebra and each stroke is done three times. The right side is done first, then the left side.

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The Evolving Policy Debate on Border Closure in Korea

  • Kang, SuJin;Moon, Jihyun;Kang, Heewon;Nam, Heekyoung;Tak, Sangwoo;Cho, Sung-il
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.53 no.5
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    • pp.302-306
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    • 2020
  • Objectives: In this paper, we aimed to investigate the evolving debate over border closure in Korea during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, to address the main themes associated with border closure, and to discuss the factors that need to be considered when making such decisions. Methods: We collated and reviewed previously conducted review studies on border closures during infectious disease outbreaks to derive relevant themes and factors. Results: According to our systematic review on border closures and travel restrictions, the effects of such containment efforts are limited. We suggest considering the following factors when determining whether to impose border closure measures: (1) disease characteristics, (2) timeliness of implementation, (3) transmission delay and the basic reproduction number, (4) globalization and pandemics, and (5) social and economic costs. Conclusions: Our assessment indicates that the effects of border closures are at best temporary and limited. Alternative measures must be contemplated and implemented to suppress the spread of COVID-19 in particular and infectious diseases more broadly.

An Overview of Fish-borne Nematodiases among Returned Travelers for Recent 25 Years- Unexpected Diseases Sometimes Far Away from the Origin

  • Eiras, Jorge Costa;Pavanelli, Gilberto Cezar;Takemoto, Ricardo Massato;Nawa, Yukifumi
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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    • v.56 no.3
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    • pp.215-227
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    • 2018
  • Along with globalization of traveling and trading, fish-borne nematodiases seems to be increasing in number. However, apart from occasional and sporadic case reports or mini-reviews of particular diseases in particular countries, an overview of fish-borne nematodiasis among travelers have never been performed. In this review, we gathered fish-borne nematodiasis among travelers for recent 25 years by an extensive global literature survey using appropriate keywords, e.g. travelers diseases, human infection, anisakiasis, gnathostomiasis, capillariasis, sushi, sashimi, ceviche, Gnathostoma, Pseudoterranova, Anisakis, Capillaria, etc., as well as various combinations of these key words. The Internet search engines PubMed, Medline, Google and Googler Scholar were used as much as possible, and the references of every paper were checked in order to identify useful and reliable publications. The results showed unexpectedly high incidence of gnathostomiasis and low incidence of anisakidosis. The different incidence values of the infection with several fish-borne zoonotic nematode species are discussed, as well as some epidemiological aspects of the infections. The difficulties of differential diagnosis in non-endemic countries are emphasized. It is concluded that travelers must avoid risky behaviors which can lead to infection and that physicians and health authorities must advice travelers on the risks of eating behaviors during travel.

A Case of Malaria Occurred in Child Living in Seoul (서울 시내 소아에서 발생한 말라리아 1례)

  • Shin, Seon Hee;Oh, Phil Soo;Kim, Young Jun;Kim, Mee Ran;Choi, Ha Joo;Yoon, Hae Sun;Park, Min Jung;Kim, Hyun Tae
    • Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.282-287
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    • 1997
  • Malaria due to Plasmodium vivax had been known as an indigenous protozoan disease in Korea. However, massive use of insecticides and improvement of sanitation for several decades have led to rapid reduction of malaria incidence, then it was recognized to have been almost eradicated in recent years. However in 1993, one case was reported in Phajoo, Kyungki-do, and then, reported cases have been increasing annually. Recently we encountered one case of malaria in a 3 year old male child living in Dorim-dong, Seoul, who had never been abroad and had no history of transfusion, drug abuse, and travel to endemic area in Korea. He had characteristic fever, chill and splenomegaly and was confirmed as Plasmodium vivax malaria with peripheral blood smear finding. He was successfully treated with hydroxy chloroquine and primaquine. We report this case with brief review of related literature.

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Sources of Infection Among Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Jeju Province, Korea

  • Hwang, Moonkyong;Bae, Jong-Myon
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.54 no.4
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    • pp.245-250
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    • 2021
  • Objectives: Jeju Province in Korea reported 627 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases between January 20, 2020, and March 31, 2021. This study analyzed the sources of infection among confirmed cases in Jeju Province, a self-governed island. Methods: The sources of infection were broadly categorized as follows: (1) infections from overseas (confirmed patients who reported travel overseas or contact with overseas travelers); (2) infections from outside Jeju Province (confirmed patients who had visited other provinces or had contact with individuals who had traveled to other provinces in Korea); and (3) unknown sources of infection (confirmed patients who were infected following contact with an infected person whose source of infection was unknown). The chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in the distributions of related variables for each source of infection. Results: Of the 627 confirmed cases, 38 (6.1%) were infections from overseas sources, 199 (31.7%) were from outside of Jeju Province, and 390 (62.2%) were from unknown sources. Jeju Province had no cases with an unknown source of infection during the first and second waves of the nationwide outbreak. Conclusions: Infections from overseas sources could be blocked from spreading to local communities in Jeju Province by conducting screening at the airport, along with the preemptive suspension of visa-free entry. In addition, considering the scale of the nationwide outbreak, measures must be established to delay outbreaks from unknown sources of infection caused by sources outside Jeju Province.

Identification of Unmet Healthcare Needs: A National Survey in Thailand

  • Chongthawonsatid, Sukanya
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.54 no.2
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    • pp.129-136
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    • 2021
  • Objectives: This study examined demographic factors hampering access to healthcare at hospitals and suggests policy approaches to improve healthcare management in Thailand. Methods: The data for the study were drawn from a health and welfare survey conducted by the National Statistical Office of Thailand in 2017. The population-based health and welfare survey was systematically carried out by skilled interviewers, who polled 21 519 384 individuals. The independent variables related to demographic data (age, sex, religion, marital status, education, occupation, and area of residence), chronic diseases, and health insurance coverage. The dependent variable was the degree of access to healthcare. Multiple logistic regression analysis was subsequently performed on the variables found to be significant in the univariate analysis. Results: Only 2.5% of the population did not visit a hospital when necessary for outpatient-department treatment, hospitalization, or the provision of oral care. The primary reasons people gave for not availing themselves of the services offered by government hospitals when they were ill were-in descending order of frequency-insufficient time to seek care, long hospital queues, travel inconvenience, a lack of hospital beds, unavailability of a dentist, not having someone to accompany them, and being unable to pay for the transportation costs. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that failure to access the health services provided at hospitals was associated with demographic, educational, occupational, health welfare, and geographic factors. Conclusions: Accessibility depends not only on health and welfare benefit coverage, but also on socioeconomic factors and the degree of convenience associated with visiting a hospital.