Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HIFRS), scrub typhus, murine typhus and leptospirosis have been the principal acute febrile diseases in Korea. To evaluate the seroepidemiologic patterns of acute febrile illness, sera collected from 2,423 patients in 1996 were examined for antibodies against Hantaan virus, Orientia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia typhi, and Borrelia burgdorferi by indirect immunofluorescent antibody technique (IFA) and macroscopic agglutination test for Leptospira interogans. Seropositive cases against O. tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia typhi, Leptispira interogans and Hantaan virus were 192 (7.9%), 193 (8.0%), 12 (0.5%) and 324 (13.4%), respectively. Male was more affected in HFRS and murine typhus contrasting to scrub typhus and leptospirosis in female. Most positive cases occurred during October and November for scrub typhus, and during November and December for HFRS. These results showed similar patterns with previous epidemical data for recent couple of years, and possibly implied no significant changes occurred in ecologic situations for acute febrile diseases in Korea.
Agglutination Tests ; Antibodies ; Borrelia burgdorferi ; Female ; Hantaan virus ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; Humans ; Korea* ; Leptospira ; Leptospirosis ; Male ; Orientia tsutsugamushi ; Rickettsia typhi ; Scrub Typhus ; Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne

PURPOSE: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia has benign courses in most cases, but the possibility of toxicity of hyperbilirubinemia required courses examination of every newborn infant to identify the severity of hyperbilirubinemia progress. This study aims to see how the body surface area of newborns influences the decline rate of serum bilirubin level in conventional phototherapy. METHODS: Based on the charts of the Pediatrics Department, Dae-Dong Hospital from January 2003 to December 2006, we analyzed 168 neonates diagnosed as neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (serum bilirubin > or =15 mg/dL) in retrospective way. We excluded newborn infants under 37 weeks of gestation and under 2,500 g birth weight and classified neonates into four groups by the calculation results of body surface area:males above 75 percentile (group A), males below 25 (group B), females above 75 (group C), and females below 25 (group D). RESULTS: Out of 168 samples, the number of group A, B, C, D was 30, 20, 20, 15 respectively. In conventional phototherapy, the mean decline rates of serum bilirubin of group B and D recording 2.09 mg/dL/day and 1.77 mg/dL/day, were significantly faster than those of group A and C recording 1.63 mg/dL/day and 1.41 mg/dL/day (P<0.01). No significant differences were found in different duration of phototherapy between groups below 25 percentile and those above 75 in both genders. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, body surface area influences of infants the decline rate of serum bilirubin level in conventional phototherapy.
Bilirubin* ; Birth Weight ; Body Surface Area* ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pediatrics ; Phototherapy* ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) is widely prevalent in asthmatic patients. Recently, eosinophilic airway inflammation and atopy (defined as skin sensitivity to common aeroallergens) are considered to be a important factors in the pathogenesis of asthma. Thus we studied to find out the effect of atopy and airway eosinophilic inflammation on exercise- induced bronchospasm. METHODS: We followed up the cases of 132 mild asthmatics for 2 years. On their first visit, skin prick tests, with 29 common allergens including dust mites antigen, and sputum induction were performed. And 3 days later, methacholine challenge was done. 24 hours after methacholine challenge, treadmill test was performed and the positive EIB was defined as a 15% reduction or more in FEV1 from baseline after exercise. RESULTS: EIB was observed in 54 (40.9%) of 132 asthmatic subjects. There was no significant difference in atopy between EIB positive and EIB negative asthmatics. Eosinophil and eosinophil cationic protein in induced sputum were significantly higher in EIB positive asthmatics. We also found the significant correlation between bronchial responsiveness (BR) index and maximal % fall in FEV1. CONCLUSION: The severity of bronchospasm evoked by exercise was more closely related to eosinophilic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine than atopy.
Allergens ; Asthma ; Asthma, Exercise-Induced* ; Bronchial Spasm ; Dust ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; Eosinophils* ; Exercise Test ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Methacholine Chloride ; Mites ; Skin ; Sputum

The prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in Asia is reported to range from 13.53% to 22.31%. However, there remains a gap in the identification of PPD, particularly regarding cultural cutoff points. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of PPD in Eastern, South-eastern, Western, and Southern Asian countries and analyze the cutoff points of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) used across these countries. Following Arksey and O'Malley’s five-step scoping review framework, the population was defined as mothers, the concept as the EPDS, and the context as the Asian region. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The data analysis focused on demographic characteristics, EPDS cutoffs and features, PPD prevalence, and its associated factors. Nineteen studies were selected. Most countries used translated versions of the EPDS with demonstrated reliability and validity. The cutoff scores varied, with most using scores of 10 or higher. The prevalence of PPD ranged from 5.1% to 78.7%. Key associated factors for PPD included cultural factors such as relationships with in-laws and preferences for the newborn’s sex. To improve the accuracy of PPD screening in Asia, the EPDS should be used consistently, and appropriate cutoff criteria must be established. In addition, prevention strategies and programs that reflect the cultural characteristics and social context of Asia need to be developed for the early detection and prevention of PPD.

The prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in Asia is reported to range from 13.53% to 22.31%. However, there remains a gap in the identification of PPD, particularly regarding cultural cutoff points. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of PPD in Eastern, South-eastern, Western, and Southern Asian countries and analyze the cutoff points of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) used across these countries. Following Arksey and O'Malley’s five-step scoping review framework, the population was defined as mothers, the concept as the EPDS, and the context as the Asian region. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The data analysis focused on demographic characteristics, EPDS cutoffs and features, PPD prevalence, and its associated factors. Nineteen studies were selected. Most countries used translated versions of the EPDS with demonstrated reliability and validity. The cutoff scores varied, with most using scores of 10 or higher. The prevalence of PPD ranged from 5.1% to 78.7%. Key associated factors for PPD included cultural factors such as relationships with in-laws and preferences for the newborn’s sex. To improve the accuracy of PPD screening in Asia, the EPDS should be used consistently, and appropriate cutoff criteria must be established. In addition, prevention strategies and programs that reflect the cultural characteristics and social context of Asia need to be developed for the early detection and prevention of PPD.

The prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in Asia is reported to range from 13.53% to 22.31%. However, there remains a gap in the identification of PPD, particularly regarding cultural cutoff points. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of PPD in Eastern, South-eastern, Western, and Southern Asian countries and analyze the cutoff points of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) used across these countries. Following Arksey and O'Malley’s five-step scoping review framework, the population was defined as mothers, the concept as the EPDS, and the context as the Asian region. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The data analysis focused on demographic characteristics, EPDS cutoffs and features, PPD prevalence, and its associated factors. Nineteen studies were selected. Most countries used translated versions of the EPDS with demonstrated reliability and validity. The cutoff scores varied, with most using scores of 10 or higher. The prevalence of PPD ranged from 5.1% to 78.7%. Key associated factors for PPD included cultural factors such as relationships with in-laws and preferences for the newborn’s sex. To improve the accuracy of PPD screening in Asia, the EPDS should be used consistently, and appropriate cutoff criteria must be established. In addition, prevention strategies and programs that reflect the cultural characteristics and social context of Asia need to be developed for the early detection and prevention of PPD.

The prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in Asia is reported to range from 13.53% to 22.31%. However, there remains a gap in the identification of PPD, particularly regarding cultural cutoff points. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of PPD in Eastern, South-eastern, Western, and Southern Asian countries and analyze the cutoff points of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) used across these countries. Following Arksey and O'Malley’s five-step scoping review framework, the population was defined as mothers, the concept as the EPDS, and the context as the Asian region. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The data analysis focused on demographic characteristics, EPDS cutoffs and features, PPD prevalence, and its associated factors. Nineteen studies were selected. Most countries used translated versions of the EPDS with demonstrated reliability and validity. The cutoff scores varied, with most using scores of 10 or higher. The prevalence of PPD ranged from 5.1% to 78.7%. Key associated factors for PPD included cultural factors such as relationships with in-laws and preferences for the newborn’s sex. To improve the accuracy of PPD screening in Asia, the EPDS should be used consistently, and appropriate cutoff criteria must be established. In addition, prevention strategies and programs that reflect the cultural characteristics and social context of Asia need to be developed for the early detection and prevention of PPD.

The prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in Asia is reported to range from 13.53% to 22.31%. However, there remains a gap in the identification of PPD, particularly regarding cultural cutoff points. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of PPD in Eastern, South-eastern, Western, and Southern Asian countries and analyze the cutoff points of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) used across these countries. Following Arksey and O'Malley’s five-step scoping review framework, the population was defined as mothers, the concept as the EPDS, and the context as the Asian region. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The data analysis focused on demographic characteristics, EPDS cutoffs and features, PPD prevalence, and its associated factors. Nineteen studies were selected. Most countries used translated versions of the EPDS with demonstrated reliability and validity. The cutoff scores varied, with most using scores of 10 or higher. The prevalence of PPD ranged from 5.1% to 78.7%. Key associated factors for PPD included cultural factors such as relationships with in-laws and preferences for the newborn’s sex. To improve the accuracy of PPD screening in Asia, the EPDS should be used consistently, and appropriate cutoff criteria must be established. In addition, prevention strategies and programs that reflect the cultural characteristics and social context of Asia need to be developed for the early detection and prevention of PPD.

No abstract available.
Humans ; Inpatients*

Patients with spinal cord injury are prone to the development of bladder calculi. Although bladder stones can by managed effectively, predictive and preventive measures remain a significant challenge for clinicians. We reviewed the medical records of the bladder stone formation group (81 patients) and the control group (153 patients) in the course of follow-up check after spinal cord injury. We analysed the risk factors of the Bladder stone formation including neurologic level and extent (completeness) of injury. method of bladder drainage management, presence of pyuria, specific organisms infecting the urinary tract, urine pH, residual and 24-hour urine volume, serum and 24-hour urine Ca, P, urio acid levels, renal function (BUN/cr./Ccr), and frequency of bladder irrigation. In Was found that most of the patients developing bladder calculi had neurologically complete lesions, indwelling catheters (suprapubic or urethral), large amount of residual urine, high urine pH, pyuria and bacteriuria.
Bacteriuria ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Drainage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Medical Records ; Pyuria ; Risk Factors* ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord* ; Urinary Bladder Calculi* ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Tract