To investigate the transmission pattern of geographical area and temporal trends of the 2010~2011 foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in Korea, and to explore temporal intervals at which spatial clustering of FMD cases space-time analysis based on georeferenced database of 3,575 burial sites, from 30 November 2010 to 23 February 2011, was performed. The cases represent approximately 98.1% of all infected farms (n = 3,644) during the same period. Descriptive maps of spatial patterns of the outbreaks were generated by ArcGIS. Spatial Scan Statistics, using SaTScan software, was applied to investigate geographical clusters of FMD cases across the country. Overall, spatial heterogeneity was identified, and the transmission pattern was different by province. Cattle have more clusters in number but smaller in size, as compared to the swine population. In addition, spatiotemporal analysis and the comparison of clustering patterns between the first 7 days and days 8 to 14 of the outbreak revealed that the strongest spatial clustering was identified at the 7-day interval, although clustering over longer intervals (8~14 days) was also observed. We further discussed the importance of time period elapsed between FMD-suspected notice and the date of confirmation, and emphasized the necessity of region-specific and species-specific control measures.
Animals ; Burial ; Cattle ; Disease Outbreaks ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease ; Geographic Information Systems ; Korea ; Population Characteristics ; Republic of Korea ; Spatial Analysis ; Spatio-Temporal Analysis ; Swine

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of infection control in long-term care facilities in Korea and educational needs of nurses in charge of infection control. METHODS: This was a descriptive study. A self-reported questionnaire was provided to the nurses in charge of infection control in 250 hospitals with long-term care. 209 nurses answered to the questionnaire. Data were collected from September 30 to November 7, 2016. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 18.0, and the educational needs were analyzed by applying the Borich Needs Assessment Model. RESULTS: Only 17.4% of the hospitals had infection control departments, and only 1.0% of the hospitals had nurses who were fully-in-charge of infection control. Regarding the educational needs on infection control, level of knowledge was statistically significantly lower in all 50 items compared to the importance. Specifically, educational demand on air and water quality management, construction and infection control, indicator management, and infectious disease management were also high. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that organization and manpower were needed for effective infection control of long-term care facilities in Korea. In addition, it was deemed necessary to develop and applicate infection control education programs as reflected on the scores obtained in the educational needs on infection control.
Communicable Diseases ; Education ; Infection Control* ; Korea* ; Long-Term Care* ; Needs Assessment ; Water Quality

We report a case of Pituicytoma, which is a rare brain tumor occuring in the sellar region. A 44-year-old woman presented with polyuria, polydipsia, visual disturbance, amenorrhea and galactorrhea 1 year prior to admission. A magnetic resonance image revealed a well enhancing pituitary mass with large suprasellar extension. There was no area of normal hyperintensity showing the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. The tumor was subtotally removed via transsphenoidal surgery. Pathological examination of the surgical specimen showed astrocytes with spindle-shaped fibrillary cytoplams. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein, S-100, vimentin. Radiotherapy was not given after surgery.
Adult ; Amenorrhea ; Astrocytes ; Brain Neoplasms ; Female ; Galactorrhea ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Humans ; Pituitary Gland ; Polydipsia ; Polyuria ; Pregnancy ; Radiotherapy ; Vimentin

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Compliance Questionnaire-Rheumatology (CQR) is a validated scale to evaluate patient compliance for anti-rheumatic medications. We developed a Korean version of the CQR (KCQR) and confirmed its reliability and validity. METHODS: We prepared the KCQR by translating and back-translating the original CQR with modifications to adapt it to Korean culture. Fifty Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were enrolled in this study. The test-retest reliability of the KCQR was evaluated at a 2-week interval using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The validity of the KCQR was assessed by identifying associations between KCQR scores and patient compliance, measured using pharmacy refill data. RESULTS: The reliability of the KCQR was adequate, with an ICC of 0.71 for test-retest reliability. With respect to validity, the summed score of the weighted KCQR showed a significant correlation with pharmacy refill data (r2 = 0.57) on multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the KCQR is a reliable, valid instrument to evaluate compliance of Korean patients for RA medications.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/*drug therapy ; Cross-Cultural Comparison ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; *Medication Adherence ; Middle Aged ; *Questionnaires ; Reproducibility of Results ; Validation Studies as Topic

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate whether the pattern of optic nerve enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help to differentiate between idiopathic optic neuritis (ON), neuromyelitis optica (NMO), and multiple sclerosis (MS) in unilateral ON. METHODS: An MRI of the brain and orbits was obtained in patients with acute unilateral ON. Patients with ON were divided into three groups: NMO, MS, and idiopathic ON. The length and location of the abnormal optic nerve enhancement were compared for ON eyes with and without NMO or MS. The correlation between the pattern of optic nerve enhancement and the outcome of visual function was analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 36 patients with ON who underwent an MRI within 2 weeks of the onset, 19 were diagnosed with idiopathic ON, 9 with NMO, and 8 with MS. Enhancement of the optic nerve occurred in 21 patients (58.3%) and was limited to the orbital segment in 12 patients. Neither the length nor the location of the optic nerve enhancement was significantly correlated with visual functions other than contrast sensitivity or the diagnosis of idiopathic ON, MS, or NMO. Patients with greater extent of optic nerve sheath enhancement and more posterior segment involvement showed higher contrast sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed that the pattern of optic nerve enhancement was not associated with diagnosis of idiopathic ON, NMO, or MS in Korean patients with unilateral ON. We believe further studies that include different ethnic groups will lead to a more definitive answer on this subject.
Brain ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Diagnosis ; Ethnic Groups ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Neuromyelitis Optica ; Optic Nerve* ; Optic Neuritis* ; Orbit

OBJECTIVES: Marijuana is one of the most frequently abused drug in Korea and its adverse health effects are controversial. p53 is known to be crucial in regulating the DNA damage responses, and adverse effects can occur when it is regulated by marijuana smoke. We evaluated a role of p53 on genotoxic effect and apoptosis in lung cancer cells exposed to marijuana smoke condensates (MSCs). METHODS: The p53-related genotoxicity and apoptosis of MSCs were evaluated using in vitro bioassay, viz., comet assay, cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay and apoptosis assay. We used two cell lines with differential p53 expression (p53-wildtype (WT) H460 and p53-null H1299). RESULTS: MSCs significantly increased DNA breakages and chromosomal changes in p53-WT H460 and p53-null H1299 cells. The genotoxicity induced by MSCs in p53-null H1299 cells showed greater sensitivity than p53-WT H460 cells. Moreover, MSCs showed a significant increase in reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis. The apoptotic responses induced by MSCs were higher in p53-WT H460 cells than in p53-null H1299 cells. Significantly increased mRNA expression or apoptosis related genes, including p53, caspase-3, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were observed in the p53-WT H460 cells exposed to MSCs. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MSCs induce DNA/chromosomal damages and apoptosis in human lung cancer cells and p53 plays an important role in the cellular response to MSCs. The present study may have border implications for our understanding of pulmonary diseases.
Apoptosis ; Biological Assay ; Cannabis ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Line ; Comet Assay ; DNA ; DNA Damage ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Neoplasms ; Micronucleus Tests ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; RNA, Messenger ; Smoke ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

Striae Distensae is a very common cosmetic problem. The effectiveness of various lasers, such as the 585-nm pulsed dye laser on the treatment of striae distensae has recently been reported. However, the potential pigmentary alteration of dark skin by pulsed dye laser is known. Thermage is a radiofrequency capable of delivering higher energy fluences to a greater volume of tissue than nonablative lasers, with no epidermal injury. We report three patients who had striae distensae. They were treated with Thermage and 585-nm pulsed dye laser. The treatment was effective and safe for dark skin.
Humans ; Lasers, Dye ; Skin ; Striae Distensae*

Crown fractures are the most frequent traumatic injuries to permanent teeth and mainly involve the maxillary incisors due to their exposed position in the dental arch. One option for managing crown fractures, when the tooth fragment is present and in good condition, is reattachment of the fragment to its original position. This paper reports on three crown fracture cases in which successful esthetic and functional results were achieved by reattachment of the tooth fragment.
Crowns ; Dental Arch ; Incisor ; Tooth

No abstract available.
Classification* ; von Willebrand Diseases* ; von Willebrand Factor*

Purpose: This study aimed to gain better understanding of the importance of dental prosthesis order platform services and to identify the essential elements for their enhancement and wider adoption among dental professionals. Materials and Methods: A survey was conducted to assess the perspectives of dentists, dental technicians, dental hygienists, and dental industry professionals toward dental prosthesis ordering and associated platform services (a total of 53 respondents). The questionnaire was devised after an expert review and assessed for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Factor analysis revealed that 57 factors across five categories accounted for 88.417% of the total variance. The survey was administered through an online questionnaire platform, and data analysis was conducted using a statistical software, employing one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s honestly significant difference test (α = 0.05). Results: The essential elements identified were accurate information input, effective communication, delivery of distortion-free impressions, convenience in data transmission and storage, development of stable and affordable platform services (P < 0.05). Furthermore, significant differences were observed in the importance of these items based on age, dental profession, and career experience (P < 0.05). Conclusion The dental prosthesis ordering platform services, the requirements of dental personnel were stability, economic efficiency, and ease of transmitting and storing prosthesis data. The findings can serve as important indicators for the development and improvement of dental prosthesis order platform services.