1.What must be done to prevent another humidifier disinfectant disaster?.
Environmental Health and Toxicology 2016;31(1):e2016024-
The humidifier disinfectant disaster (HDD) was not a simple poisoning accident by biocides, but a singular disaster in history created by chemicals in household products. This disaster was a result of the failure of a system for the management of chemical and product safety. Since the management authority for chemical usage safety is different from those for chemical safety in products, many blind areas for chemical safety management in products still remain. The ‘Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances (ARECS)’ or the new ‘Biocidal Product Act’ must not only address the blind areas in the management system for chemical and product safety, but also prevent a second HDD. To prevent another HDD, an integrated registration, evaluation, and management system for chemicals and consumer products must be incorporated into the ‘ARECS’ as an essential part for chemical safety in consumer products.
Chemical Safety
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Disasters*
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Disinfectants
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Household Products
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Humidifiers*
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Poisoning
2.Tissue engineering techniques in tendon and ligament replacement.
Goh JC ; Ouyang HW ; Toh SL ; Lee EH
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2004;59 Suppl B():47-48
3.Effect of maternal age, birth weight and infant sex on total nucleated cell (TNC) count and volume of umbilical cord blood (UCB) collected.
Choong SN ; Ng YK ; Kamalan A ; Saraswathy S ; Goh EH ; Lee MJ ; Wong YT ; Yan SV
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2008;63 Suppl A():55-56
This study evaluates the effect of maternal age, birth weight and infant sex on two main UCB parameters for use and long-term cryopreservation: TNC and volume. Data from 1000 UCB units were collected and analyzed in this study. The results indicate that TNC is correlated to infant birth weight and sex but not maternal age at delivery. Volume is only correlated to birth weight but not maternal age and infant sex.
4.Acute Gastroenteritis Among Indigenous Paediatric Patients – A Descriptive Study in a Rural District Hospital, Sarawak
WL Cheah ; PY Lee ; SAR Syed Alwi ; K Kamarudin ; H Albela ; EH Lau ; O Noraini ; WA Siti Sanaa
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2011;7(2):3-7
Introduction: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is one of the frequent causes of hospitalization in
children under the age of five, particularly in a rural setting. This study was conducted to determine
the epidemiology of acute gastroenteritis in indigenous children admitted to a rural district hospital
in Sarawak. Methods: A retrospective review of indigenous paediatrics cases of acute gastroenteritis
admitted to the ward of Serian District Hospital, a rural district hospital in Sarawak, between the years
2006-2007. The data was collected from the patients’ case notes, obtained with permission from the
hospital management. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: During the study
period, 234 indigenous children with acute gastroenteritis were admitted with the highest prevalence in
2006 (53.4%). The findings showed higher prevalence was found in children aged 3 years and below
(76.5%) and male (56.4%) The minimum duration of hospital stay is 1 day, and the maximum stay is
5 days. The clinical findings showed that the majority of the cases presented with vomiting, diarrhea,
dry mouth and tongue, sunken eye, with the majority (76%) reported having mild dehydration. The
most common treatment used is oral rehydration solutions (85.4%), followed by intravenous bolus or
drip (82.3%), paracetamol (79%) and antibiotic (36.2%). Peak incidence of admissions was between
November to January. About 38.5% of the AGE cases admitted were found to be underweight (weightfor-
age below -2SD). Conclusion: The findings indicated children aged 3 years and below are the most
vulnerable to AGE and malnutrition could be one of the predisposing factors. The peak incidence during
the raining season at the end of the year indicated a possible relationship between AGE and seasonal
type of virus infection. Prevention in the form of proper hygiene at the household level probably will
prove to be useful.
5.Measurement of Total Lung Capacity: A Comparison of Spiral CT and Spirometry.
Kyung Il CHUNG ; Kyung Ju PARK ; Eh Hyung LEE ; Kyu Ok CHOE ; Tae Hwan LIM ; In Hyuk CHUNG ; Heun Young YUNE ; Jung Ho SUH
Journal of the Korean Radiological Society 1996;35(2):189-193
PURPOSE: To determine the potential of spiral CT as a functional imaging modality of the lung asid from its proven value in morphological depiction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spiral CT scan was performed in ten normal female and nine normal male adults (mean age: 39, height: 163cm, weight: 62kg) after single full breath-holding. Three dimensional lung images were reconstructed (minimal threshold value: -1,000HU, maximal threshold values: -150,-250, -350, -450HU) to obtain total lung volume(TLV) on a histogram. Total lung volume measured by spiral CT was compared with TLV obtained by spirometry. RESULTS: Mean TLV measured by spirometry was 5.62 Land TLV measured by CT at maximal threshold values of -150, -250, -350, and -450HU was 6.63, 5.33, 5.15, and 4.98 L, respectively. Mean absolute differences between the modalities of 0.17L(3%), 0.32L(5.6%), 0.48L(8.5%), 0.65L(11.5) were statistically significant(p<0.001). Linear regression coefficients between the modalities were 0.99, 0.97, 0.95,and 0.94 and no statistically significant differences in accuracy of threshold levels in the estimation of lung volume(r=0.99, standard error=0.034L in all) were seen. CONCLUSION: TLV measured by spiral CT closely approximated that measured by spirometry. Spiral CT may be useful as a means of evaluating lung function.
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Linear Models
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Lung
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Male
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Spirometry*
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Tomography, Spiral Computed*
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Total Lung Capacity*
6.Communication Skills: Telling the Diagnosis of Cancer.
Jeong Ik HONG ; Youn Seon CHOI ; Su Hyun KIM ; Jeong A KIM ; Jeong Eun KIM ; Woo Kyung LEE
Journal of the Korean Academy of Family Medicine 2005;26(5):282-288
Breaking bad news to patients with a advanced cancer is a difficult task for physicians. Some strategies can be used when breaking bad news to patients with advanced cancer. However, many doctors were not trained sufficiently. 43-year old male complaining of general weakness and melena was diagnosed as an advanced gastric cancer with hepatic metastasis. We could deliver this bad news to the patient and his family step by step. Honest discussion allowed patient to be reassured about many points of concern and helped them to be calmer and to plan and readjust hopes and aims. Bad news cannot be broken gently, but it can be given in a sensitive manner and at the individual's pace. Sometimes doctor's own anxiety can be barrier to tell the truth. When we give the information, we always keep in mind about the respect for truth, the patient's rights, the duty to inform, main taining hope, and the sanctity of the individual contract between patient and doctor.
Adult
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Anxiety
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Diagnosis*
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Hope
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Humans
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Male
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Melena
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Neoplasm Metastasis
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Patient Rights
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Stomach Neoplasms
8.A Multicenter, Randomized, Open, Comparative Study for the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Moxifloxacin 400 mg Once a Day and Clarithromycin 500 mg Twice Daily in Korean Patients with Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis.
Seung Joon KIM ; Seok Chan KIM ; Sook Young LEE ; Hyeong Kyu YOON ; Tae Yon KIM ; Young Kyoon KIM ; Jeong Sup SONG ; Sung Hak PARK ; Ho Joong KIM ; Man Pyo CHUNG ; Gee Young SUH ; O Jung KWON ; Shin Hyung LEE ; Kyung Ho KANG ; Eh Hyung LEE ; Sung Chul HWANG ; Myung Ho HA
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2000;49(6):740-751
BACKGROUND: Moxifloxacin is a newly developed drug which is more potent and safe compared to previous fluoroquinolones. This drug effectively eradicates organisms such as beta-lactamase-producing or other resistant bacteria. Moxifloxacin is known to be effective in treating respiratory infections such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Legionella spp. and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. METHODS: In a multicenter, randomized, open, comparative study, the efficacy and safety of oral moxifloxacin taken 400 mg once a day and clarithromycin taken 500 mg twice daily for 7 days were compared for the treatment of Korean patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. RESULTS: A total of 170 patients were enrolled, and they were divided into two groups:87 in the moxifloxacin group and 83 in the clarithromycin group. Of those enrolled, 76 (35 for bacteriologic efficacy) in the moxifloxacin group and 77 (31 for bacteriologic efficacy) in the clarithromycin group were included in the efficacy analysis. All were included in the safety analysis. Clinical success was noted in 70 (92.1%) of 76 moxifloxacin-treated patients and 71 (92.2%) of 77 clarithromycin-treated patients. Bacteriologic success rate seemed to be higher in moxifloxacin group (73.5%) than in clarithromycin group (54.8%), but statistically insignificant (p=0.098). Drug susceptibility among organisms initially isolated was higher in moxifloxacin group on Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae(p<0.001). Adverse events were reported by 12.8% of 86 patients receiving moxifloxacin and 21.7% of 83 patients receiveing clarithromycin. Headache (4.7% vs 4.8%, moxiflosacin group vs clarithromycin group, respectively) and indigestion (2.3% vs 6.0%, moxifloxacin group vs clarithromycin group, respectively) were the most frequent side effects in the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that for the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis a 7-days course of moxifloxacin 400 mg od was clinically equivalent and microbiologically superior to clarithromycin 500 mg bid.
Bacteria
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Bronchitis, Chronic*
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Chlamydophila pneumoniae
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Clarithromycin*
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Dyspepsia
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Fluoroquinolones
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Haemophilus influenzae
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Headache
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Humans
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Klebsiella
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Legionella
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Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis
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Mycoplasma pneumoniae
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Pneumonia, Mycoplasma
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa
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Respiratory Tract Infections
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Streptococcus pneumoniae
9.Diagnosis and Treatment of Hirschsprung's Disease in Korea: Current Status of 1992
SY YOO ; SY KIM ; WK KIM ; IK KIM ; JE KIM ; KW PARK ; WH PARK ; JS PARK ; YT SONG ; SM OH ; OS LEE ; MD LEE ; SC LEE ; SI CHANG ; SY CHUNG ; ES CHUNG ; PM JUNG ; JS JOO ; KJ CHOI ; SO CHOI ; SH CHOI ; YS HUH ; EH HWANG
Journal of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons 1996;2(1):33-41
This report present the result of the national survey of pediatric surgeons' preferences on diagnosis and treatment of Hirschsprung's disease(HD) carried out in 1993. The questionnaires were sent to twenty-seven members of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons (KAPS) working in twenty-four institutions. The questionnaires were designed to determine the individual surgeon's preference for the methods of diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Twenty-three pediatric surgeons from twenty institutions returned completed forms. The total number of patients diagnosed with HD in 1992 was 190 in this group. The estimated incidence of HD was 1/3,900. The most important symptom was delayed meconium passing and the most preferred diagnostic procedure was barium study. Anorectal manometric examination was carried out by 13 pediatric surgeons and 19 confirmed the diagnosis before operation by rectal biopsy, 12 with full-thickness biopsy and 7 with suction. Frozen section biopsy during operation was done by 22 surgeons. Eight surgeons did one stage operation if the age of the patient is suitable. Definitive operation was usually done at the age of 6 to 11 months. The most preferred operation was Duhamel procedure done by 19. Enterocolitis was the most serious complication of HD. Most of patients had normal continence within 6 to 12 months after operation. The follow-up period was less than 6 years in 16 surgeons. The results were presented at the 9th annual meeting of KAPS in June of 1993. This is the first national survey of HD and it can provide guidelines of diagnosis and treatment of Hirschprung's disease even though it is not a detailed study of patient data.
Barium
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Biopsy
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Diagnosis
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Enterocolitis
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Follow-Up Studies
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Frozen Sections
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Hirschsprung Disease
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Humans
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Incidence
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Korea
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Meconium
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Suction
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Surgeons
10.Current Status(1994) of Neonatal Surgery in Korea: Survey among the members of Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons
WK KIM ; SY KIM ; SK KIM ; IK KIM ; JC KIM ; KW PARK ; YS PARK ; WH PARK ; JS PARK ; YT SONG ; SM OH ; OS LEE ; MD LEE ; SC LEE ; SI CHANG ; ES CHUNG ; PM JUNG ; JS JOE ; SO CHOI ; YS HUH ; EH HWANG
Journal of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons 1996;2(1):26-32
To understand the current status of neonatal surgery in Korea, a suvey was made among the 27 members of Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons. Response rate among surgeons was 78 perecnt, eighteen hospitals participated in this study. Five hundred and three cases of neonatal surgical patients were analyzed. In Korea, about 50% of cases were treated at the hospital in the capital city area. Regional number of patients were closely related to the regional population. Imperforate anus(19%), atresia/stenosis of gut(12%), and Hirschsprung's diseases(12%) were sitting at the top in the list. Majority of operation was done within the first week of life, especially during the first 24 hour period. Eighty per cent was major or so called index cases. Mortality in so-called index cases was 17%. High mortality was observed in patients with diaphragmatic hernia(47%), gastrointestinal perforation(65%) and esophageal atresia(28%). Low birth weight babies showed higher mortality in gastro -intestinal perforation, esophageal atresia and abdominal wall defect. These were compared to 1993 survey of Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons.
Abdominal Wall
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Asian Continental Ancestry Group
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Esophageal Perforation
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Humans
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Infant, Low Birth Weight
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Infant, Newborn
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Korea
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Mortality
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Surgeons