Purpose: This study aimed to identify changes in sleep patterns and fatigue levels during consecutive night shifts among shift nurses and to determine the association between sleep parameters and increased fatigue levels during work. Methods: This prospective observational study employing ecological momentary assessments was conducted using data collected from 98 shift nurses working in Korean hospitals between June 2019 and February 2021. The sleep patterns were recorded using actigraphy. The participants reported their fatigue levels at the beginning and end of each night shift in real time via a mobile link. Linear mixed models were used for the analysis. Results: Nurses spent significantly less time in bed and had shorter sleep durations during consecutive night shifts than on off-duty days, whereas their wake times after sleep onset were much longer on off-duty days than on on-duty days. Fatigue levels were higher on the second and third night-shift days than on the first night-shift days. A shorter time spent in bed and asleep was associated with a greater increase in fatigue levels at the end of the shift than at the beginning. Conclusion Nurses experience significant sleep deprivation during consecutive night shifts compared with off-duty days, and this sleep shortage is associated with a considerable increase in fatigue levels at the end of shifts. Nurse managers and administrators must ensure sufficient intershift recovery time during consecutive night shifts to increase the time spent in bed and sleeping.

Zolpidem is widely used for insomnia and is known to have relatively few side effects. There have been several reports of side effects, but only a few for withdrawal symptoms. A 41-year-old woman developed convulsions 4 days after discontinuing zolpidem. She was taking more than 10 times the standard dosage. After electroencephalography monitoring without antiseizure medications, she showed no more seizures. This case highlights the danger of zolpidem withdrawal and warns about the easy accessibility of zolpidem for individuals.

Iodinated contrast media (ICM) can cause not only immediate onset hypersensitivity but also delayed onset hypersensitivity. While the most common form of delayed onset hypersensitivity reaction to ICM is exanthematous eruption, fixed drug eruption (FDE) can occur rarely related to ICM. A 70-year-old male with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma repeatedly experienced erythematous patches on his right forearm and hand 6 hours after exposure to iopromide for computed tomography scan. ICM induced FDE was diagnosed clinically. Intradermal test with 6 kinds of ICM (iobitridol, iohexol, iomeprol, iopamidol, iopromide, and iodixanol) was performed and showed the weakest positive reaction to iohexol compared to the others in 48 hours. After changing iopromide to iohexol based on these results, FDE did not recur. We report here a case of iopromide induced FDE which was successfully prevented by changing ICM to iohexol based on intradermal test results.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Contrast Media ; Drug Eruptions* ; Forearm ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; Intradermal Tests ; Iohexol ; Iopamidol ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male

Acknowledgments section for grant support was misprinted unintentionally.

Background: Cold atmospheric plasma is a novel innovative approach for wound care, and it is currently underrepresented in veterinary medicine. Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of using cold atmospheric microwave plasma (CAMP) as an adjunct therapy for wound healing in dogs and cats. Methods: Wound healing outcomes were retrospectively analyzed using clinical records of client-owned dogs and cats who were first managed through standard wound care alone (pre-CAMP period) and subsequently via CAMP therapy (CAMP period). The degree of wound healing was estimated based on wound size and a modified wound scoring system. Results: Of the 27 acute and chronic wounds included in the analysis, 81.48% showed complete healing after the administration of CAMP as an adjunct therapy to standard care.Most wounds achieved complete healing in < 5 weeks. Compared with the pre-CAMP period, the rate of wound healing significantly increased every week in the CAMP period in terms of in wound size (first week, p < 0.001; second week, p = 0.012; third week, p < 0.001) and wound score (first week, p < 0.001; second week, p < 0.001; third week, p = 0.001). No adverse events were noted except for mild discomfort and transient erythema. Conclusions CAMP is a well-tolerated therapeutic option with immense potential to support the treatment of wounds of diverse etiology in small animal practice. Further research is warranted to establish specific criteria for CAMP treatment according to wound characteristics.

Luminespib (AUY922), a heat shock proteins 90 inhibitor, has anti-neoplastic and antitumor effects. However, it is not clear whether AUY922 affects events in vascular diseases. We investigated the effects of AUY922 on the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-stimulated proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). VSMC viability was detected using the XTT (2,3-bis-(2-methoxy- 4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) reagent. To detect the attenuating effects of AUY922 on PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs migration in vitro, we performed the Boyden chamber and scratch wound healing assays. To identify AUY922- mediated changes in the signaling pathway, the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was analyzed by immunoblotting. The inhibitory effects of AUY922 on migration and proliferation ex vivo were tested using an aortic ring assay. AUY922 was not cytotoxic at concentrations up to 5 nM. PDGF-BB-induced VSMC proliferation, migration, and sprout outgrowth were significantly decreased by AUY922 in a dose-dependent manner. AUY922 significantly reduced the PDGF-BB-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. Furthermore, PD98059 (a selective ERK1/2 inhibitor) and LY294002 (a selective Akt inhibitor) decreased VSMC migration and proliferation by inhibiting phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. Greater attenuation of PDGF-BB-induced cell viability and migration was observed upon treatment with PD98059 or LY294002 in combination with AUY922. AUY922 showed anti-proliferation and anti-migration effects towards PDGF-BBinduced VSMCs by regulating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt. Thus, AUY922 is a candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis and restenosis.

Luminespib (AUY922), a heat shock proteins 90 inhibitor, has anti-neoplastic and antitumor effects. However, it is not clear whether AUY922 affects events in vascular diseases. We investigated the effects of AUY922 on the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-stimulated proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). VSMC viability was detected using the XTT (2,3-bis-(2-methoxy- 4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) reagent. To detect the attenuating effects of AUY922 on PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs migration in vitro, we performed the Boyden chamber and scratch wound healing assays. To identify AUY922- mediated changes in the signaling pathway, the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was analyzed by immunoblotting. The inhibitory effects of AUY922 on migration and proliferation ex vivo were tested using an aortic ring assay. AUY922 was not cytotoxic at concentrations up to 5 nM. PDGF-BB-induced VSMC proliferation, migration, and sprout outgrowth were significantly decreased by AUY922 in a dose-dependent manner. AUY922 significantly reduced the PDGF-BB-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. Furthermore, PD98059 (a selective ERK1/2 inhibitor) and LY294002 (a selective Akt inhibitor) decreased VSMC migration and proliferation by inhibiting phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. Greater attenuation of PDGF-BB-induced cell viability and migration was observed upon treatment with PD98059 or LY294002 in combination with AUY922. AUY922 showed anti-proliferation and anti-migration effects towards PDGF-BBinduced VSMCs by regulating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt. Thus, AUY922 is a candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis and restenosis.

Gymnophalloides seoi (Digenea: Gymnophallidae) is a human intestinal trematode contracted by eating raw oysters (Crassostrea gigas) in the Republic of Korea (=Korea). It has been known to be highly endemic in Aphae Island, Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do (Province). However, recent epidemiological status of G. seoi has not been reported since the 1990s. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of G. seoi metacercariae in natural and cultured oysters collected from 3 islands and 2 coastal areas in western parts of Korea. The oysters were examined using the artificial digestion method followed by stereomicroscopy. The overall positive rate of G. seoi metacercariae in natural oysters was 66.0% (99/150), and the oysters collected from Yubu Island showed the highest infection rate (74.0%). However, the metacercarial density per oyster was relatively low (1.5–2.4 per oyster). By contrast, no metacercaria was found in cultured oysters purchased from 2 coastal areas in Chungcheongnam-do. Thus, we could confirm that natural oysters produced from 3 western coastal islands are infected with G. seoi metacercariae, whereas cultured oysters purchased from 2 coastal areas were free from infection.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Digestion ; Eating ; Humans ; Islands ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea ; Metacercariae ; Methods ; Ostreidae ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea

Background: Light-emitting diode (LED)-based photobiomodulation is used as an inducer of cell regeneration. Although numerous in vitro and in vivo orthopedic studies have been conducted, the ideal LED wavelength range for tendon healing has not yet been determined. This study, thus, focused on the effects of LED of a 630 nm wavelength on the cell viability, proliferation, and migration of human biceps tendon fibroblast cells. Methods: Human tendon fibroblast cell culture was performed using the biceps tendon of patients who had undergone biceps tenodesis. Human biceps tendon fibroblasts from two patients (male, aged 42 and 69 years) were isolated and cultured. The cell type was confirmed by a morphological analysis and using tendon and fibroblast specific markers. They were then split into three groups, with each receiving a different irradiation treatment: no LED treatment (control), 630 nm LED, and 630 nm + 880 nm LED for 20 minutes each. After the LED treatment, cell viability, proliferation, and migration assays were performed, and the results were compared between the groups. Results: Twenty-four hours after LED treatment, cell viability and proliferation were significantly increased in the 630 nm LED and 630 nm + 880 nm LED treatment groups compared to that in the control group (p < 0.05). Under the same conditions, compared with the control group, the 630 nm LED alone treatment group showed a 3.06 ± 0.21 times higher cell migration rate (p < 0.05), and the 630 nm + 880 nm LED combination treatment group showed a 2.88 ± 0.20 times higher cell migration rate (p < 0.05) in threedimensional migration assay. Conclusions In human tendon fibroblast cells, 20 minutes of LED treatment at 630 nm and 630 nm + 880 nm exhibited significant effects on cell proliferation and migration. Our findings suggest the potential of LED therapy as an adjuvant treatment for tendon healing, and hence, further research is warranted to standardize the various parameters to further develop and establish this as a reliable treatment regimen.

PURPOSE: Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) is a rare subtype of food allergy in which both sensitization to food allergen and exercise as a trigger contribute to its development. However, its pathogenesis is still under investigation. This study compared clinical features, the causative foods, and the degree of sensitization to food between FDEIA and food anaphylaxis to characterize FDEIA more clearly. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with FDEIA (n=89) or food anaphylaxis (n=115) between 2003 and 2015 at Seoul National University Hospital. RESULTS: Subjects with FDEIA more frequently had urticaria than those with food anaphylaxis (88.8% vs. 76.5%, P=0.024). Whereas patients with FDEIA had less laryngeal edema than those with food anaphylaxis (12.4% vs. 30.4%, P=0.02). Wheat (67.4%) was the most common causative food allergen in FDEIA, whereas seafood (40.9%) was the most common culprit food allergen in food anaphylaxis. Also, subjects with FDEIA showed a lower atopic index score than those with food anaphylaxis (0.55±1.07 vs. 1.21±1.82, P=0.006). CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in clinical manifestation, causative food allergens and the degree of sensitization to food between FDEIA and food anaphylaxis.
Allergens ; Anaphylaxis* ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Laryngeal Edema ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Seafood ; Seoul ; Tertiary Care Centers* ; Triticum ; Urticaria