The air-borne fungi are usually considered to be as non-pathogenic and saprophytic organisms. However, those can be causative factors of certain allergic disease, and produce mycotoxic diseases such as caused by aflatoxin B1,or opportunistic infections, since various kinds of antitumor agents and adrenocorticosteroids have been introduced to therapeutics, and those who are affected some malignant tumors or metabolic anomalous diseases. As the first step toward. understanding and controlling the diseases, the studies on the population of air-borne fungi seem to be necessary. Authors studied the fluctuations of population of air-borne fungi at monthly intervals from June 1974 through May 1975 and at various times of the day at different places in th hospital, and the results obtained were as follows: 1. The identified fungi species and the percentage of colony counts of each species were Hormodendrum sp. (37. 2% ), Penicillium sp. (18. 8% ), Aspergillus sp, (17. 6 % ), Alternaria sp. (6.3 %), Mycelia sterila (2.6 %), Paecilomyces sp. (1.2 %) RhodO torula sp. (1. 1 % ), Oospora, sp. (0, 7 % ), Rhizopus sp. (0. 6 %. ), Geotrichum sp. (0.4%), Monilia sp. (0.4%), Mucor sp. (0.4%), Trichoderma sp. (0.4%.), Trichosporon sp. (0. 1%), Stemphylium sp. (0. 1 % ), Helminthosporium sp. (0. 1%) Gliocladium sp. (0. 1,: ), Saccharomyces sp. (0. 1 % ), Trichothecium sp. (0. 03 % ), and other unknown species(11. 6%) in decreasing order of frequency. 2. The monthly fluctuations of number of cultured colonies of four major airborne fungi (Hormodendrum, Penicillium. Aspergillus, and Alternaria) were 649 in June, 105 in July, 372 in August, 431 in September, 188 in October, 241 in November and 89 in December 1974, and 92 in January, 115 in February, 77 in March, 178 in April and 116 in May 1975. 3. It was suggested that there might be a relationship among the humidity, the temperature and the population of the air-borne fungi because the abrupt drop in July seemed to be related to high level of tbe,humidity (86.8%) and the temyerature (24. 3'C). And since the total number of colonies decreased markedly in December 1974 and Junuary 1975, it seemed to be closely related to cold weather temperature. 4. The number of cultured colonies at various times of the day did not show much fluctuation, except that Aspergillus sp. showed sudden tremendous increase at. one occasion, at 3: 00 P.M. on 15th of June and that gradual increase of Hormodendrum sp. was noted on another occasion from 12: 00 A.M. on 15th of September. 5. With regard to the locations of sampling, such as the operating room, laboratory, ward and out-patient department in the hospital, the difference in the identified. fungi species, the number of colony counts and the relationship with the humidity A the temperature was not evident. Authors reviewed relevant literatures and made discussions also.
Aflatoxins ; Alternaria ; Antineoplastic Agents ; Aspergillus ; Candida ; Cryptococcus ; Fungi* ; Geotrichum ; Gliocladium ; Helminthosporium ; Humans ; Humidity ; Mucor ; Operating Rooms ; Opportunistic Infections ; Outpatients ; Paecilomyces ; Penicillium ; Rhizopus ; Saccharomyces ; Trichoderma ; Trichosporon ; Weather

No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Pyroglyphidae

The purpose of this study to conform the effect of the aseptic dressing method to prevent infusion phlebitis. One quaxi-experimental, nonequvalent control group post-test design was used to evaluate prevention of phlebitis between a control group and an experimental group. The data for the control group were collected from 100 hospitalized patients from July 1 to November 30, 1999. The data for the experimental group were collected from 100 hospitalized patients from December 1, 1999 to March 5, 2000. The control group used paper tape on the IV site and the experimental group used a sterile gauze dressing which was changed every 24 hours. Two sets of instruments were used for this study. First, instrument developed Weinstein(1993) and modified by the researcher was used for judging phlebitis. The second, instrument developed Park(1996) was used for assessment records concerning the phlebitis which developed. Catheter sites were inspected on a daily basis by unit nurses and development of phlebitis was grade and documented. Data were analyzed using x2 -test and stepwise regression The results are summarized as follows : 1. The incidence of phlebitis according to the duration of catheter insertion decreased in the experimental group(x2=3.56, p<0.05). 2. The incidence of phlebitis according to the duration of catheter insertion decreased in the experimental group(x2=28.79, p<0.0001). 3. No significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups in the severity of phlebitis. 4. A statistically significant difference between the two groups was found in the incidence of phlebitis according to the location of the insertion site. 5. No statistically significant difference between two groups was found in the incidence of phlebitis by age 6. A statistically significant difference between two groups was found in the incidence of phlebitis by sex(x2=3.88, p<0.05) 7. Further study revealed that the duration of catheter and sex were predictors of occurrence of the phlebitis, explaining 38.2%, 14.2% of the total variance respectively. In conclusion, the aseptic dressing method is recommended to be prevent infusion phlebitis.
Bandages* ; Catheters ; Humans ; Incidence ; Phlebitis*

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to suggest the importance of natural childbirth by investigating the results of midwife-led perinatal periods and whether they were positive experiences for both individual women and their families. Methods: This retrospective study aimed to confirm the perinatal outcomes of midwife-attended vaginal births. Among 1,127 women who gave midwife-led birth in Gyeonggi-do, Seoul between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2021, data were collected for 829 women. Records were excluded that were missing necessary data. Data on childbirth were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and the chi-square test. Results: Among the mothers who underwent natural childbirth, 549 (66.2%) were multiparous. In addition, all 829 patients (100%) breast-fed their infants. First-degree perineal lacerations occurred in 29.2% of patients, and second-degree lacerations occurred in 48%. Non–high-risk subjects made up 56.0% of the study sample. The average bleeding amount was 281.44±4.50, and the average 1-minute Apgar score for infants was 8.25±0.02. Conclusion Compared to childbirth in a hospital, natural childbirth was associated with a lower risk of birth canal laceration, postpartum bleeding, and Cesarean section. In addition, the health statuses of the newborns were confirmed to be good . Based on the results of this study, there is a need for a strategy in which midwife-led natural childbirth is integrated into the local medical system, as well as a need to raise women's awareness of natural childbirth and positively influence the experience.

OBJECTIVES: Intensified competitiveness in the healthcare industry has increased the number of healthcare centers and propelled the introduction of customer relationship management (CRM) systems to meet diverse customer demands. This study aimed to develop the information system success model of the CRM system by investigating previously proposed indicators within the model. METHODS: The evaluation areas of the CRM system includes three areas: the system characteristics area (system quality, information quality, and service quality), the user area (perceived usefulness and user satisfaction), and the performance area (personal performance and organizational performance). Detailed evaluation criteria of the three areas were developed, and its validity was verified by a survey administered to CRM system users in 13 nationwide health promotion centers. The survey data were analyzed by the structural equation modeling method, and the results confirmed that the model is feasible. RESULTS: Information quality and service quality showed a statistically significant relationship with perceived usefulness and user satisfaction. Consequently, the perceived usefulness and user satisfaction had significant influence on individual performance as well as an indirect influence on organizational performance. CONCLUSIONS: This study extends the research area on information success from general information systems to CRM systems in health promotion centers applying a previous information success model. This lays a foundation for evaluating health promotion center systems and provides a useful guide for successful implementation of hospital CRM systems.
Delivery of Health Care ; Health Care Sector ; Health Information Management ; Health Promotion ; Information Systems ; Medical Informatics

Jehovah's Witness patients who require an operation represent a challenge to the physician because of the patients' refusal to accept a blood transfusion. We report 5 years experience with a consecutive series of 12 Jehovah's Witness patients in the Obstetric & Gynecological department who underwent operation. In 12 cases, death ensued in one patient who underwent subtotal hysterectomy for ectopic pregnancy. The cause of death was severe anemia & complicated respiratory problems. We discussed the problem of elective & emergency operations on Jehovah's Witness patients. Anesthesiologists must understand legal aspects, as well as and ethical, if they are to conduct their practice as an art as well as science.
Anemia ; Blood Transfusion* ; Cause of Death ; Disulfiram* ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Jurisprudence ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic

It is a well known fact that the major craniofacial operation is a complicated procedure. In this procedure, the operative period is extremely long and blood loss is large, extremely difficult to estimate and continuous into the early postoperative period. The air was should be protected intraoperatively and postoperatively due to frequent airway obstruction. We had experienced of an anesthetic management for correction of hypertelorism. Anesthetic management of this case should focus on reduction intracranial pressure and volume. WE had performed neurolept anesthesia with controlled hyperventilation. The careful monitoring and frequent measuring of blood gas analysis, hematocrit, hourly urine output, electrolytes, body temperature, CVP, ECG, and acid-base balance status are recommended. We report a case of anesthetic management for a patient.
Acid-Base Equilibrium ; Airway Obstruction ; Anesthesia ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Body Temperature ; Electrocardiography ; Electrolytes ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hypertelorism* ; Hyperventilation ; Intracranial Pressure ; Postoperative Period

We have experienced the anesthetic management of bilateral adrenalectomy in a 17 years old male, who was diagnosed as Cushing's syndrome. Anesthetic problems in Cushing`s Syndrome are hypertension, tachrcardia, hyperglycemia, hypokalemia and acute adrenal insufficiency. Therefore anesthetic management of this disease should focus on the through understanding of pathophysiology and adequate control of preoperative condition. Careful monitoring of the patient and frequent measurement of electrolytes and acid base balance status during the operation are also needed. We report the case of anesthetic experience of Cushing`s Syndrome and review anesthetic choice and management for better outcome of the patient.
Acid-Base Equilibrium ; Adolescent ; Adrenal Insufficiency ; Adrenalectomy ; Cushing Syndrome ; Electrolytes ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypertension ; Hypokalemia ; Male

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between carotid atherosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiogram (ECG-LVH) on adults living in the community. A total of 9,266 adults who participated in the Namwon Study were included in this analysis. Carotid atherosclerosis, including intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaques, were assessed using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. ECG-LVH was determined using the Sokolow-Lyon voltage (SokV) and Cornell voltage (CorV) criteria. The prevalence of ECG-LVH was 12.7% using the SokV criteria and 9.7% using the CorV criteria. After full adjustment, compared to the lowest quartile of common carotid artery IMT (CCA-IMT), the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for ECG-LVH of the carotid IMT quartiles 2, 3, and 4 increased linearly as follows: 1.54 (1.24-1.90), 1.62 (1.31-2.02), and 1.91 (1.54-2.38), respectively, for the SokV criteria (p<0.001); and 1.33 (1.05-1.68), 1.41 (1.11-1.78), and 1.48 (1.16-1.88), respectively, for the CorV criteria (p=0.003). Positive associations between the carotid bulb IMT (CB-IMT) quartiles and the ECG-LVH were also observed, although the magnitudes of association between CB-IMT and ECG-LVH were slightly lower than those of CCA-IMT. However, no significant association between carotid plaques and ECG-LVH as defined by the SokV or CorV criteria was found. The present study demonstrated that increased carotid IMT, but not carotid plaques, is significantly associated with LVH defined by various ECG criteria in a large population.
Adult ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Jeollabuk-do ; Odds Ratio ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Prevalence ; Ultrasonography

Cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, has antiplatelet and vasodilatory effects.It also has pleiotrophic effects including reduction of oxygen free radicals, positive chronotropic effect and inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ associated catecholamine secretion. The study was aimed to examine, in vivo, the effects of cilostazol treatments on myocardial function, myocardial remodeling, and neurohormonal status in myocardial infarction (MI) with restrained stress rat model. Male Sprague Dawley rats, subjected to coronary artery ligation to induce myocardial infarction (MI), received either a standard rat chow alone (control, n=5) or combined with cilostazol (cilostazol, n=5; 5 mg/kg×5 weeks). They were exposed to repeated restraint stress (2 h×2 times/day) for 10 days beginning 1 week after surgery. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LV mass by heart weight/body weight ratio and level of tissue brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) expression by immunoblotting were determined. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were also measured. Mean LVEF was higher in the cilostazol group than in the control group (66.9±14.3 vs 47.0±17.1, p<0.05) at 5 weeks after MI. However, LV mass and tissue BNP expression were significantly lower in the cilostazol than in the control group (p<0.05). Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were also lower in the cilostazol group compared with the control (p<0.05). Cilostazol preserves left ventricular systolic function and attenuates stress induced remodeling in postinfarct rats. Its beneficial effects were associated with reduced plasma catecholamine levels during postinfarct remodeling.