• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.54 no.6
• /
• pp.422-430
• /
• 2021

Objectives: Pregnant women are especially vulnerable to respiratory infections such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but insufficient research has investigated pregnancy and its outcomes in women with COVID-19. This cross-sectional study compared birth outcomes related to COVID-19 between Bangladeshi pregnant women with and without COVID-19. Methods: The study was conducted at 3 tertiary referral hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from March to August 2020. Pregnant women admitted for delivery at these hospitals with laboratory results (reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction) were analyzed. Using convenience sampling, we included 70 COVID-19-positive and 140 COVID-19-negative pregnant women. Trained and experienced midwives conducted the interviews. Data were analyzed using the t-test, the chi-square test, and univariate and multivariable linear and logistic regression. Results: Pregnant women with COVID-19 were more likely to give birth to a preterm baby (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 to 4.37) and undergo a cesarean section (aOR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.51 to 7.07). There were no significant differences in birth weight, premature rupture of membranes, and the Apgar score at 1 minute or 5 minutes post-delivery between women with and without COVID-19. All the newborn babies who were born to COVID-19-positive women were COVID-19-negative. Conclusions: Our study suggests that pregnant women with COVID-19 were more likely to give birth to a preterm baby and undergo a cesarean section. For this reason, physicians should be particularly cautious to minimize adverse birth outcomes among pregnant women with COVID-19 and their newborn babies.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.35-41
• /
• 2024

Purpose: The effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination schemes and the combination of vaccines of various platforms for administering booster doses is still being studied since it will depend on the population's response to vaccines. We aimed to evaluate the safety, protection, and immunogenicity of the Salvadorean population's third dose booster COVID-19 vaccine and the potential benefit of homologous vs. heterologous regimens. Materials and Methods: This is an analytical observational cohort study in a population aged 18 to 65 years that was primarily vaccinated with AstraZeneca, Sinovac, or Pfizer/BioNTech. Volunteers were recruited (n=223) and followed up for 3 months after receiving the 3rd vaccine (BNT162b2) as a booster. Adverse reactions were monitored, serum anti-spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) was assessed by chemiluminescence, and a polymerase chain reaction was carried out when subjects developed clinical signs. Results: The cohorts finally included 199 participants, and we observed only mild adverse effects in all cohorts. A significant increase in specific IgG levels was found after the booster dose in all cohorts. The heterologous scheme with Sinovac showed the greatest increase in antibody titer, and a decrease was observed in all participants after 3 months. During the follow-up period, 30 participants showed symptomatology compatible with COVID-19, but only four were laboratory-confirmed and they showed mild clinical signs. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the booster doses used were safe and promoted an immediate increase in immunogenicity, which decreased over time. The heterologous regimen showed stronger immunogenicity compared to the messenger RNA-based homologous scheme.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.51 no.11
• /
• pp.1185-1190
• /
• 2008

Purpose : This study was undertaken to evaluate the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of Td booster immunization in early preadolescents of Korea. Methods : Healthy preadolescents, who had been vaccinated with 4 or 5 doses of DTaP vaccines until 6 years old age, were enrolled in this study from August 2006 to April 2007. Diphtheria and tetanus anti-toxoid antibodies in sera were measured by ELISA just before vaccination and 4 weeks after vaccination to evaluate immunogenicity. Local and systemic adverse reactions observed for 4 weeks after vaccination to access reactogenicity. Results : 183 preadolescents were enrolled and mean age was $11.40{\pm}0.51$ years old. All subjects achieved seroprotective diphtheria and tetanus anti-toxoid antibodies (titers ${\geq}0.1IU/mL$) after Td booster vaccination. Among 183 vaccinees, 73.8% showed local adverse reactions and 37.2% systemic adverse reactions. Pain at injection site (66.1%) was the most common local reaction, and the most commonly shown systemic reaction was myalgia (17.5%). The adverse reactions were spontaneously relieved within three days after vaccination. Conclusion : Td vaccine in this study was high immunogenic and showed an acceptable tolerance in Korean preadolescents. Td booster vaccination at 11-12 years old is the most effective method to increase compliance of the vaccination and to decrease the incidence of diphtheria and tetanus.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.35-44
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of a trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) among healthy Korean children and adolescents. Methods: From October to December 2008, 65 healthy patients aged 6 months to 18 years who visited Korea University Ansan Hospital for influenza vaccination were enrolled in this study. We measured the hemagglutinin inhibition antibody titers at baseline and 30 days after vaccinating enrollees with split influenza vaccine and calculated the seroprotection rates, geometric mean titers, and seroconversion rates. Local and systemic adverse events were assessed after vaccination. Results: The seroprotection rates against all three viral strains (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B) were 87.7%, 89.2%, and 89.2% (${\geq}70%$), respectively; seroconversion rates were 44.6%, 73.8%, and 63.1% (${\geq}40%$), respectively; and seroconversion factors were 4.5, 8.4, and 10.5 (>2.5), respectively. The TIV immunogenicity was acceptable according to the CPMP (Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products) criteria. Although 48 patients (73.8%) reported one or more adverse events, no severe adverse events such as anaphylaxis and convulsion were observed. Forty-two patients (64.6%) reported a local skin reaction, including redness (29.2%), pain (43.1%), or swelling (41.5%) of the injected site, and 26 (40.0%) reported a systemic reaction: fatigue (23.1%), myalgia (20.0%), headache (10.8%), arthralgia (10.8%), chills (9.2%), or fever (7.7%). Conclusions: This study shows that the immunogenicity of the TIV vaccine is acceptable. As there were no serious adverse events aside from local reactions and mild systemic reactions, this vaccine can be safely used among healthy Korean children and adolescents.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.30-40
• /
• 2012

In Korea, elderly population aged 65 and older are about 5.0% and 10.7% in 1990 and 2009, respectively. Since elderly people may experience physiologic changes with aging and their pharmacodynamic and pharmcokinetic parameters also have been undergone changes, several adverse drug reactions can occur more frequently than young people. Especially, neuropsychiatric adverse drug reactions such as delirium and drowsiness endanger elderly patients more. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outpatient prescriptions using drug causing delirium and drowsiness in elderly patients aged 65 and older. We retrospectively reviewed prescriptions for elderly patients collected from four community pharmacies from January 2nd to February 1st, 2010. One pharmacy was located closed to a general hospital, and others were located closed to a internal medicine or an ENT clinic. The each number of the collected prescriptions was followings; Group A (n=496) from internal medicine department of a general hospital; Group B (n=44) from ENT department of general hospital; Group C (n=144) from internal medicine clinic; Group D (n=110) from ENT clinic. In result, in Group A, the average number of prescribed drugs causing delirium or drowsiness per Rx was 2.38 In Group B, the average number of prescribed drugs causing delirium or drowsiness per Rx was 2.09 In Group C, the average number of prescribed drugs causing delirium or drowsiness per Rx was 2.51. In Group D, the average number of prescribed drugs causing delirium or drowsiness per Rx was 2.72. Especially, in Group D, the percentage of prescription that drugs causing delirium or drowsiness per Rx prescribed more than 3 is 52.73% In all the 4 groups, over the 60% of drugs causing delirium and/or drowsiness per prescription of elderly patients were prescribed. It means elderly patients take 2 drugs causing delirium and/or drowsiness among 3 drugs, which is very serious. Frequently prescribed drugs causing delirium and/or drowsiness were followings; GI agents, antitussives & expectorants, histamine H1 antagonist, analgesics, antibiotics. Among these drugs, GI agents was high raking in all the 4 groups, and pharmacists should caution elderly patients when counseling. In the internal medicine groups (Group A,C), drugs concerning chronic diseases were prescribed frequently. In conclusion, pharmacist's role is important. Pharmacists are well informed of the drugs causing delirium or drowsiness and it is important to explain about ADRs slowly and easily to the elderly patients that receive drugs causing delirium or drowsiness. And institutional device is needed. For example, when doctors prescribe drugs for the elderly patients, message is needed that supply some informations about drugs causing delirium or drowsiness.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.129-137
• /
• 2004

Purpose : Nocternal enuresis is a common disorder. Tricyclic antidepressant and desmopressin have been accepted pharmacological treatment for this disorder We conducted a cooperative study to investigate the efficacy and adverse reactions of imipramine, desmopressin and combination treatment in children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis(PMNE). Methods: Data from a large multicenter study were analysed. In the period of 8 months in 2002, the study comprised of 168 children(78 boys and 90 girls, 5 to 15 years old) with PMNE for imipramine, desmopressin or combination treatment. Before treatment a history, physical examination and laboratory tests were performed and the children were observed for 2 weeks. Response rate, adverse reactions and enuresis episodes after stopping drug administration were evaluated after 12-weeks of imipramine, desmopressin or combination of both. Results: After 4 weeks, the frequency of bed wetting in all treated patients decreased during treatment significantly Even though a 30-50%, reduction in the number of wet nights were 68.6%, 74.4% and 86.1% during 12 weeks treatment by imipramine, desmopressin and both of them respectively, there was no significant difference between them. The most common adverse reaction was decreased appetite from imipramine administration. But no serious drug-related adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Efficacy of the combination therapy of imipramine and desmopressin in PMNE appears not to be better than either drug alone. It is necessary to pay attention on account of adverse reactions during imipramine treatment even though imipramine and desmopressin were generally well tolerated.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.15 no.11
• /
• pp.497-511
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to explore players' perception and emotional reaction toward referee's judgment. The participants of this study were six players (three male and three female) in 2016 national team. The results of this study are as follows: First, the differences in referee judgement were dependant on referees' subjective view point, rapid judging capability, qualification and experience. Second, we found that the a referee's judgement less affected match's results. The countermeasures against the adverse referee judgment include excitement, appeal, flow interruption, thought conversion, and concentration. Third, there were many opinions that both the degree of influence of the referee's judgement and the countermeasures was such that athletes were "not affected". In conclusion, the major determinant of players' performance were game strategy and accuracy of skill although the referee's judgement affected player's emotional reaction both in positive and negative ways.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.95-110
• /
• 1998

A 13-week dermal toxicity test was conducted to assess the toxicity of DA-5018, a capsaicin derivative. Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (10-15 males and 10-15 females) were treated with DA-5018 cream daily by dermal application at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.3% or 0.9% as 500 mg/kg for 13 weeks. One further group of rats (15 males and 15 females) received cream base at 500 mg/kg/day and acted as controls. One male receiving 0.3% DA-5018 cream died during the treatment period. But the animal did not show any signs of treatment-related toxicity until death. There were no local skin reaction of application site and systemic reaction to the treatment of DA-5018 creams in all experimental groups throughout treatment and recovery period. Weight gain and food consumption in animals that received DA-5018 creams appeared to be comparable to that of the controls. Laboratory analyses (hematology, urinalysis and opthalmoscopic examination) did not revealed pathological values. In biochemical investigations, an increase of glucose level associated with increased food consumption and some other significant changes were noted in the animals of both sexes received DA-5018 creams. But these changes were not considered to be of toxicological importance. Postmortem examination did not show macroscopic or histological alterations attributable to the DA-5018 treatments. Based on these results, NOAEL(no-observable-adverse-effect level) of DA-5018 cream if estimated to be over 500 mg/tg/day as 0.9% cream.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.103-110
• /
• 2015

Nitro-aromatic Compounds (NACs) of explosives are structurally non-degradable materials that have an adverse effect to humans and ecosystems in case of emissions in natural due to the strong toxicity. In this study, batch test in the laboratory-scale has been conducted to find some process parameters of alkaline hydrolysis by considering the characteristics of NACs which are unstable in a base status and field application evaluation have been performed on the batch test results. Based on the experimental results of both laboratory and pilot-scale test, the optimum conditions of parameters for the alkaline hydrolysis of soils contaminated with explosives were pH 12.5, above the solid-liquid ratio 1 : 3, above the room temperature and 30 minute reaction time. In these four process parameters, the most important influencing factor was pH, and the condition of above pH 12.0 was necessary for high contaminated soils (more than 60 mg/kg). In the case of above pH 12.5, the efficiency of alkaline hydrolysis was very high regardless of the concentrations of contaminated soils. At pH 11.5, the removal efficiency of TNT was increased from 76.5% to 97.5% when the temperature in reactor was elevated from room temperature to 80℃. This result shows that it is possible to operate the alkaline hydrolysis at even pH 11.5 due to increased reaction rate depending on temperature adjustment. The results found in above experiments will be able to be used in alkaline hydrolysis for process improvement considering the economy.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.319-323
• /
• 2007

The Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) is being increasingly used to oxidize complex organic constituents in treated effluents from domestic wastewater treatment plants. Generally, ${NO_3}^--N$ concentrations ranges between 5 and 8 mg/L for biologically well-treated effluents. However, nitrate ions, ${NO_3}^-$, affects on oxidation as not only a well-known strong absorber of UV light below 250 nm of wavelength but also as an OH radical scavenger. The objective of this study was to evaluate the AOP systems for degradation of 2,4-DCP, and to delineate the effect of nitrate ions on UV oxidation of 2,4-DCP by conducting a bench-scale operation at various reaction times and initial concentrations of $H_2O_2$. The experimental results indicated that 2,4-DCP could be completely oxidized by $UV/H_2O_2$ process with an initial $H_2O_2$ concentration of 20 mg/L at a retention time of 1.0 min or longer. Nitrate ions did not show any adverse effect on 2,4-DCP oxidation at this high $H_2O_2$ concentration, and the practical initial $H_2O_2$ concentration and reaction time for the 80% oxidation turned out to be 5 mg/L and 1.0 min, respectively.