This study was carried out to investigate the job performance, perception of job importance, and job satisfaction in dietitians working in geriatric hospitals in Busan. A survey was conducted from April 28 to June 30, 2011, and the data were analyzed using the SPSS program. The age of over 41 group showed higher job performance in terms of sanitation and safety management than the age of under 25 group but showed lower job performance in terms of nutrition management than the age of 31~40 group. The subjects who worked for shorter than 2 years at their present jobs showed the lower job performance in terms of menu management and accounting management than the other groups, whereas those who worked in 'over 200 bed' hospitals showed the higher job performance in terms of sanitation and safety management than the others. The subjects who worked for longer than 6 years showed the higher job satisfaction in terms of communication and working environment than the others. Job performance showed a significant positive correlation with perception of job importance, whereas it showed no significant correlation with job satisfaction. More work experience correlated with a higher monthly income, and younger workers showed higher job performance. Younger age and more work experience at a present job correlated with a higher perception of job importance. More work experience at a present job, higher monthly income, and shorter work experience were correlated with higher job satisfaction. These results suggest that it would be effective to adopt training programs for appropriate nutrition service and provide continuous education programs for professional development.
Accounting ; Job Satisfaction ; Safety Management ; Sanitation

Background: Desflurane, a fluorinated methyl-ethyl ether, has some advantageous properties including low blood solubility, stability in soda lime, and resistance to biodegradation. Desflurane in vivo has demonstrated myocardial depressant property. The purpose of this study was to test the direct effects of desflurane on myocardial contractile function and coronary flow in the isolated heart. Methods: Twelve isolated rat hearts were continuously perfused with modified Krebs solution containing 6, 9 and 12 vol% of desflurane for 10 min at each concentration. Systolic left ventricular pressure and rate of change of ventricular pressure (dp/dt) were measured. Heart rate and coronary flow were also measured. To differentiate direct vasodilatory effect of desflurane from an indirect metabolic effect due to autoregulation of coronary flow, oxygen delivery, myocardial oxygen consumption and percent oxygen extraction were calculated. Results: Heart rate (control 266+/-22 beats/min) decreased to 250+/-23 beats/min at 6 vol%, 236+/-26 beats/min at 9 vol% and 223+/-22 beats/min at 12 vol% of desflurane. Systolic left ventricular pressure and dp/dt decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. In spite of decrement of myocardial oxygen consumption, coronary flow (control 12.0+/-1.2 ml/min) increased to 12.8+/-1.6 ml/min at 6 vol%, 12.9+/-1.6 ml/min at 9 vol% and 13.7+/-1.4 ml/min at 12 vol% of desflurane. Oxygen delivery increased proportionally with coronary flow. Percent oxygen extraction decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: These results suggest that desflurane has a direct myocardial depressing and coronary vasodilating effect in a concentration-dependent manner.
Animals ; Ether ; Heart Rate ; Heart* ; Homeostasis ; Oxygen ; Oxygen Consumption ; Rats* ; Solubility ; Ventricular Pressure

Our purpose was to compare the safety and efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol versus dinoprostone vaginal tablet for induction of labor at term pregnancies. Two hundred three patients with indications for induction of labor at term were randomly assigned to receive either intravaginal misoprostol or dinoprostone vaginal tablet. Fifty micrograms of misoprostol was placed in the posterior vaginal fornix every six hours, with a potential maximum of four doses. 3 milligrams of dinoprostone vaginal tablet was placed in the posterior vaginal fornix every eight hours, with a potential maximum of three doses. Further medication was withheld with the occurrence of spontaneous rupture of membrane, entry into adequate contraction pattern(twenty second sustained with two or more frequent uterine contraction in 10 minutes), nonreassuring FHR tracing, or delivery. Artificial membrane rupture with both study protocol was done at the discretion of the attending physician. After membrane rupture, in the cases of failure of active labor or arrest of dilation, oxytocin was administerated. Among those evaluated, 100 received misoprostol and 102 received dinoprostone. The average interval from start of induction to vaginal delivery was shorter in the misoprostol group(784.7 +/- 389.3 min) than in the dinoprostone group(988.3 +/- 369.5 min)(p<0.01). There was no significant difference in change of Bishop score between the two groups. No statistically significant differences were noted between two groups in case of need for oxytocin and oxytocin total dose, but significant difference was noted between two groups in case of indication for oxytocin augmentation. There were no significant differences in the routes of delivery. Intravaginal administration of misoprostol appears to be as effective as dinoprostone vaginal tablet for labor induction at full term pregnancies. Complications associated with prostaglndin administration were not statistically different between the two treatment groups.
Administration, Intravaginal ; Dinoprostone* ; Humans ; Membranes ; Membranes, Artificial ; Misoprostol* ; Oxytocin ; Pregnancy* ; Rupture ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Uterine Contraction ; Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies*

Background: As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has continued for a couple of years, the long-term effects of the pandemic and the subsequent school curriculum modification on the mental health of children and parents need to be investigated. To clarify the changes that can occur during one school year and to predict the risk factors for vulnerable groups, this study identified parameters relative to children’s screen time, their problematic behavior, and parental depression. Methods: A total of 186 participants were analyzed who were parents of elementary schoolchildren in South Korea. These parents were required to complete a web-based questionnaire twice. The questionnaires were conducted in June 2020 and September 2021. Participants’ general demographics including family income, children’s screen time, sleep patterns, problematic behavior, and parental depression were assessed via the parental questionnaire that included various measurement tools. Results: Children’s body mass index (BMI) increased significantly in 2021 (18.94 ± 3.75 vs. 18.14 ± 3.30, P < 0.001). Smartphone frequency of use per week (5.35 vs. 4.54, P < 0.001) and screen time per day (3.52 vs. 3.16, P < 0.001) significantly increased during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The television screen time (2.88 vs. 3.26, P < 0.001), frequency of viewing (3.77 vs. 4.77, P < 0.001), and children’s problematic behaviors significantly decreased (9.15 vs. 11.85,P < 0.001). A lower income household was a key predictor of increased smartphone frequency (B = 1.840, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.923–2.757, P < 0.001) and smartphone screen time (B = 1.992, 95% CI, 1.458–2.525, P < 0.001). The results showed that the lower income household (B = 5.624, 95% CI, 2.927–8.320, P < 0.001) and a child’s psychiatric treatment history (B = 7.579, 95% CI, 5.666–9.492, P < 0.001) was the most significant predictor of problematic behaviors of children and parental depression (B = 3.476, 95% CI, 1.628–5.325, P < 0.001; B = 3.138, 95% CI, 1.827–4.450, P < 0.001). Conclusion This study suggested that children’s smartphone screen time and BMI increased during COVID-19 because of the school curriculum modification following school closures in South Korea. The increased children’s problematic behaviors and parental depression were predicted by lower-income households and the previous psychiatric history of children. These results indicate that multiple social support systems to the vulnerable group are needed during the ongoing pandemic and that a modified school setting is required.

BACKGROUND: This research is to find out the object of Medical Phone Counsel rational and satisfactory by investigating in local clinic the actual state of Medical Phone Counsel, which is a form of medical care between doctor and patient, and by grasping the difference of expectation and recognition between doctor and patient on Medical Phone Counsel which is one of the service items of Attending Physician Registration System which is to be put into effect in near future. METHODS: This research conducted a se7-administered questionnaire targeting all practitioners to the number of forty four who gave primary care in Kangnung city from August to September in 1999, and each twenty patients Per Practitioner. This research compared and analyzed the difference of recognition between doctor and patient on the following contents of Medical Phone Counsel ; General Characteristic, Frequency, Contents, Time, Satisfiability, For or Against the Medical Phone Counsel to be executed under Attending Physician Registration System and Expectations. RESULTS: The questionnaire for doctor had a 70.5% of response rate, and the one for patient 17.2%. The 40.7% of the practitioners took a Phone Counsel actively, the 55.6% took part in Phone Counsel passively and the rest 3.7% did not participate in it. The 74.2% of them took this counsel for less than three minutes. Regarding recognition on Phone Counsel, the 48.1% of them answered that they executed it as it is their duty and the 48.4% responded that they took it reluctantly in spite of their busy business. The 3.2% answered that it is not their duty. Among those in favor of Phone Counsel under Attending Physician (or Prime Doctor) Registration System, the 28.6% agreed as it is their own duty and the 71.4% was for it subject to economic compensation. While, the 62.9% of the patients answered that they had never experienced the Phone Counsel, and the 34.4% responded that they had experienced it one or two times in a yea. Among those who had experienced Phone Counsel, the 46.4% was satisfied with it. As far as the difference of expectation and recognition between doctor and patient on Medical Phone Counsel is concerned, only 45.2% of the practitioners were in favor of Medical Phone Counsel under the Attending Physician Registration System. While, the 70.1% among the patients was in favor of its execution. These two values showed a significant difference between doctor and patient (P<0.05), And the 83.9% of the practitioners insisted that the charge should be paid against Phone Counsel and only 56.2% of the patients insisted the same. There was also a significant difference between two values. (P<0.05) CONCLUSION: The practitioners were taking part in Medical Phone Counsel at any form. To the contrary, most of the patients were not. As far as the systematization of Phone Counsel is concerned, most of the practitioners had mental reluctance if there is no economic compensation. On the other hand, most of the patients had high expectation regardless of economic matters. If Medical Phone Counsel becomes systematized, it is expected that there will be a great trouble between its supply and demand.
Commerce ; Compensation and Redress ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Primary Health Care* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Methylmercury is an organic form of mercury that is highly toxic to humans. Here, we present and establish a novel method to detect methylmercury concentrations in the blood of Koreans. METHODS: Methylmercury concentration was analyzed with an automated methylmercury analytic system (MERX, Brooks Rand Co., USA) using cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry (CVAFS). A variety of biological materials were digested in methanolic potassium hydroxide solution. The analysis method was validated by examination of certified reference material (955c, National Institute of Standard and Technology, USA). We randomly selected 30 Korean adults (age 20 yr or older) to analyze total blood mercury and methylmercury concentrations. RESULTS: The detection limit and methylmercury recovery rate using this method were 0.1 pg/L and, 99.19% (range: 89.33-104.89%), respectively. The mean blood concentration of methylmercury was 4.54+/-2.15 microg/L (N=30). The mean proportion of methylmercury to the total mercury concentration was 78.27% (range: 41.37-98.80%). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first report to analyze blood methylmercury concentration using CVAFS in Korea. We expect that this method will contribute to the evaluation of mercury exposure and the assessment of the toxicological impact of mercury in future studies.
Adult ; Humans ; Hydroxides/chemistry ; Mercury/blood ; Methylmercury Compounds/*blood ; Potassium Compounds/chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Republic of Korea ; *Spectrophotometry, Atomic

BACKGROUND: Nefopam is a non-opioid non-steroidal centrally acting analgesic. This study was conducted to assess the analgesic efficacy of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) using nefopam alone, compared with a combination of morphine and ketorolac, after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery received IV-PCA. Group A (n = 30) received IV-PCA with a combination of morphine 60 mg and ketorolac 180 mg, while group B (n = 30) received nefopam 200 mg (basal rate 1 ml/h, bolus 1 ml, and lockout time 15 min for both). The primary outcome evaluated was analgesic efficacy using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Other evaluated outcomes included the incidence rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), patient satisfaction of pain control, percentage of patients requiring additional opioids, and incidence rate of postoperative adverse effects. RESULTS: Group B was not inferior to group A in relation to the VAS in the post-anesthesia care unit, and at 12, 24, and 48 h after surgery (mean difference [95% confidence interval], 0.50 [-0.43 to 1.43], -0.30 [-1.25 to 0.65], -0.05 [-0.65 to 0.55], and 0.10 [-0.55 to 0.75], respectively). The incidence rate of nausea was lower in group B than in group A at 12 and 24 h after surgery (P = 0.004 and P = 0.017, respectively). There were no significant differences in the other outcomes between groups. CONCLUSIONS: IV-PCA using nefopam alone has a non-inferior analgesic efficacy and produces a lower incidence of PONV in comparison with IV-PCA using a combination of morphine and ketorolac after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ketorolac* ; Morphine* ; Nausea ; Nefopam* ; Patient Satisfaction ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

In immunocompromised renal transplant patients, aspergillosis can be a life-threatening opportunistic infection. Aspergillus is a ubiquitous organism in our environment, so pulmonary aspergillosis usually results from the ingrowths of the colonized Aspergillus in bronchial trees, pulmonary cysts or cavities. We have experienced a case of endobronchial aspergillosis developed in a renal transplant patient with neutropenia. Bronchoscopic biopsy revealed a necrotizing Aspergillus bronchitis in the orifice of the lateral segmental bronchus of left upper lobe. The patient received total 2,760 mg intravenous liposomal amphotericin B. There was no endobronchial lesion on follow up bronchoscopy and biopsy was also negative. This case serves as a reminder to clinicians that Aspergillus should be kept in mind as a possible infectious organism in renal transplant patients.
Amphotericin B ; Aspergillosis* ; Aspergillus ; Biopsy ; Bronchi ; Bronchitis ; Bronchoscopy ; Colon ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Neutropenia ; Opportunistic Infections ; Pulmonary Aspergillosis

The associations between storm events, urban runoff and costal water quality have not been well investigated in Korea. A temporal and spatial analysis during summer, 2015 was conducted to determine associates between urban runoff and fecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus) levels at two popular coastal beaches (Gwanganri beach and Haundae beach) in Busan. In this study, a clear relationship between rainfall and elevated number of indicators was observed. Two beaches met the costal beach water health standards after less than 3.0 mm of rain. Only for storms less than 2.5 mm was no observable rainfall effect. Our results revealed that exceedances were greatest in 5 hours following 41.0~45.5 rainfall, then declined the bacterial concentrations in 8 hours after the storm and they generally returned to levels below water health standards within 10~14 hours. But it took 2.7 days to get the level of water quality of dry days. The time required for water quality recovery depends on the intensity and duration of rainfall. In the event of intense rainfall issuance of beach closure by public authorities is warranted to protect public health.
Bacteria ; Busan ; Enterococcus ; Korea ; Public Health ; Rain ; Spatial Analysis ; Swimming* ; Water Quality* ; Water*

BACKGROUND: It is necessary to reduce hyperexcitable sensations induced by painful stimulus by preventing central sensitization, so called preemptive analgesia. We observed the effect of butorphanol on postoperative pain after hysterectomy so as to direct analgesic action based on elucidation of the preemptive effect. METHODS: We selected thirty-six patients undergoing elective total abdominal hysterectomy, ASA Physical Status I or II, and employed a double-blind cross-over design. Patients were randomly allocated to one of both groups, receiving intravenous butorphanol 2 mg, either preincisionally or postoperatively. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental and maintained with isoflurane. Patients received meperidine on request for postoperative pain. Patients checked the VAS of spontaneous incisional pain and movement-associated pain by themselves.The time of first demand for postoperative meperidine and the amount of postoperative meperidine for the first 6 hours and 6 to 48 hours were recorded. RESULTS: At 5 hours after surgery, the postoperative VAS score of the preincisional group was lower than that of the postoperative group, and at 24 hours after surgery, the former was also lower than the latter. The first time of demand for postoperative meperidine was earlier in the postoperative group than in the preincisional group. The amount of meperidine for the postoperative first 6 hours was less in the preincisional group than in the postoperative group. CONCLUSIONS: Preincisional intravenous butorphanol reduced the intensity of spontaneous incisional pain and movement-associated pain, regarded as a preemptive effect of butorpahnol, in the early postoperative period.
Analgesia* ; Anesthesia ; Butorphanol* ; Central Nervous System Sensitization ; Cross-Over Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Isoflurane ; Meperidine ; Pain, Postoperative ; Postoperative Period ; Sensation ; Thiopental