Disinfectants including polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG) and mixtures of chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (CMIT/MIT) have been widely used in Korea to prevent microbial growth in the humidifier water, which triggered an outbreak of serious respiratory diseases. In addition to the respiratory syndrome, disease-related symptoms including liver toxicity, asthma, and skin allergies were also found after extensive survey of people exposed to the humidifier disinfectants (HDs). In this study, eye irritation tests were performed based on the Organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) test guidelines 492 using EpiOcular™ which is a tissue model of reconstructed human cornea-like epithelium. As results, the raw materials of PHMG (26% as active ingredient) and CMIT/MIT (1.5% as active ingredient) were classified under UN globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemical (GHS) category 1 or category 2. However, aqueous dilutions of raw materials such as market products of HDs that contain 0.13% of PHMG and 0.03% of CMIT/MIT or further dilutions of the market products for humidifier that contain 0.0013% of PHMG and 0.0003% of CMIT/MIT were classified under any category, which suggested absence of eye irritation at the test concentration.
Asthma ; Classification ; Disinfectants ; Epithelium ; Guanidine ; Humans ; Humidifiers ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Liver ; Skin ; United Nations ; Water

Disinfectants including polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG) and mixtures of chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (CMIT/MIT) have been widely used in Korea to prevent microbial growth in the humidifier water, which triggered an outbreak of serious respiratory diseases. In addition to the respiratory syndrome, disease-related symptoms including liver toxicity, asthma, and skin allergies were also found after extensive survey of people exposed to the humidifier disinfectants (HDs). In this study, eye irritation tests were performed based on the Organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) test guidelines 492 using EpiOcular™ which is a tissue model of reconstructed human cornea-like epithelium. As results, the raw materials of PHMG (26% as active ingredient) and CMIT/MIT (1.5% as active ingredient) were classified under UN globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemical (GHS) category 1 or category 2. However, aqueous dilutions of raw materials such as market products of HDs that contain 0.13% of PHMG and 0.03% of CMIT/MIT or further dilutions of the market products for humidifier that contain 0.0013% of PHMG and 0.0003% of CMIT/MIT were classified under any category, which suggested absence of eye irritation at the test concentration.
Asthma ; Classification ; Disinfectants ; Epithelium ; Guanidine ; Humans ; Humidifiers ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Liver ; Skin ; United Nations ; Water

Purpose: : This study is a descriptive research study to identify factors that influence the career preparation behavior of nursing students. Methods: : The subjects were 153 students attending nursing school. The data were analyzed using the SPSS Statistics 25.0 program with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test and Pearson’s correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: : The degree of career preparation behavior of the subjects differed depending on their interpersonal relationships(F=3.093, p=.029). The subject’s career preparation behavior had a positive correlation with nursing professionalism and self-efficacy. As a result of stepwise regression analysis, factors related to the subject’s career preparation behavior were found to be in the order of self-efficacy and nursing professionalism. These variables were found to explain 14.7% of career preparation behavior (F=12.903, p<.001). Nursing professionalism (t=3.283, p=.001), professor trust (t=2.148, p=.033), and self-efficacy (t=2.745, p=.007) of subjects with high career preparation behavior scores were higher than those of subjects with low career preparation behavior scores. Conclusion : It was found that nursing students’ nursing professional intuition and self-efficacy influenced career preparation behavior. In addition, nursing students with a high level of career preparation behavior were found to have higher nursing professional intuition, trust in professors, and self-efficacy than nursing students with a low level of career preparation behavior. Based on the results of this study, efforts are needed to improve nursing professional intuition and self-efficacy in order to promote career preparation behavior among nursing students.

Purpose: : This study is a descriptive research study to identify factors that influence the career preparation behavior of nursing students. Methods: : The subjects were 153 students attending nursing school. The data were analyzed using the SPSS Statistics 25.0 program with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test and Pearson’s correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: : The degree of career preparation behavior of the subjects differed depending on their interpersonal relationships(F=3.093, p=.029). The subject’s career preparation behavior had a positive correlation with nursing professionalism and self-efficacy. As a result of stepwise regression analysis, factors related to the subject’s career preparation behavior were found to be in the order of self-efficacy and nursing professionalism. These variables were found to explain 14.7% of career preparation behavior (F=12.903, p<.001). Nursing professionalism (t=3.283, p=.001), professor trust (t=2.148, p=.033), and self-efficacy (t=2.745, p=.007) of subjects with high career preparation behavior scores were higher than those of subjects with low career preparation behavior scores. Conclusion : It was found that nursing students’ nursing professional intuition and self-efficacy influenced career preparation behavior. In addition, nursing students with a high level of career preparation behavior were found to have higher nursing professional intuition, trust in professors, and self-efficacy than nursing students with a low level of career preparation behavior. Based on the results of this study, efforts are needed to improve nursing professional intuition and self-efficacy in order to promote career preparation behavior among nursing students.

Purpose: : This study is a descriptive research study to identify factors that influence the career preparation behavior of nursing students. Methods: : The subjects were 153 students attending nursing school. The data were analyzed using the SPSS Statistics 25.0 program with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test and Pearson’s correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: : The degree of career preparation behavior of the subjects differed depending on their interpersonal relationships(F=3.093, p=.029). The subject’s career preparation behavior had a positive correlation with nursing professionalism and self-efficacy. As a result of stepwise regression analysis, factors related to the subject’s career preparation behavior were found to be in the order of self-efficacy and nursing professionalism. These variables were found to explain 14.7% of career preparation behavior (F=12.903, p<.001). Nursing professionalism (t=3.283, p=.001), professor trust (t=2.148, p=.033), and self-efficacy (t=2.745, p=.007) of subjects with high career preparation behavior scores were higher than those of subjects with low career preparation behavior scores. Conclusion : It was found that nursing students’ nursing professional intuition and self-efficacy influenced career preparation behavior. In addition, nursing students with a high level of career preparation behavior were found to have higher nursing professional intuition, trust in professors, and self-efficacy than nursing students with a low level of career preparation behavior. Based on the results of this study, efforts are needed to improve nursing professional intuition and self-efficacy in order to promote career preparation behavior among nursing students.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare sociodemographic characteristics of a normal cognitive group and mild cognitive impairment group, and establish prediction models of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis research using data from “the 4th Korea Longitudinal Study of Ageing” of the Korea Employment Information Service. A total of 6,405 individuals, including 1,329 individuals with MCI and 5,076 individuals with normal cognitive abilities, were part of the study. Based on the panel survey items, the research used 28 variables. The methods of analysis included a c2-test, logistic regression analysis, decision tree analysis, predicted error rate, and an ROC curve calculated using SPSS 23.0 and SAS 13.2. Results: In the MCI group, the mean age was 71.4 and 65.8% of the participants was women. There were statistically significant differences in gender, age, and education in both groups. Predictors of MCI determined by using a logistic regression analysis were gender, age, education, instrumental activity of daily living (IADL), perceived health status, participation group, cultural activities, and life satisfaction. Decision tree analysis of predictors of MCI identified education, age, life satisfaction, and IADL as predictors. Conclusion The accuracy of logistic regression model for MCI is slightly higher than that of decision tree model. The implementation of the prediction model for MCI established in this study may be utilized to identify middle-aged and elderly people with risks of MCI. Therefore, this study may contribute to the prevention and reduction of dementia.

Objectives: The number of reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) in the Republic of Korea surged nationally in 2016; however, in 2022, this number was higher in Jeju Province than the previous national peak. A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted to analyze trends in the incidence of reported LD cases in Jeju Island from 2015 to 2022. Methods: The data for this study were obtained from case reports submitted to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency through its Disease and Health Integrated Management System. The selection criteria were cases or suspected cases of LD reported among Jejuresidents between 2015 and 2022. The 95% confidence interval of the crude incidence rate wascalculated using the Poisson distribution. Results: Since 2020, the incidence rate of LD in Jeju has risen sharply, showing a statistically significant difference from the national incidence rate. A particular medical institution in Jeju reported a significant number of LD cases. Screening with the urine antigen test (UAT) also increased significantly. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the rapid increase in cases of LD in Jeju Province since 2020 was due to the characteristics of medical-care use among Jeju residents, which were focused on a specific medical institution. According to their clinical practice guidelines, this medical institution conducted UATs to screen patients suspected of pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic vaginal vault closure with conventional straight instruments is the final barrier to single-port access total laparoscopic hysterectomy (SPA-TLH). The aim of this study is to find out the safer, easier, simpler, faster, and even cheaper way to overcome it. METHODS: Vaginal vault suturing techniques of 152 consecutive single-port access total laparoscopic hysterectomy cases performed by the author in Gangnam CHA Hospital, CHA University from October 1, 2003 to June 30, 2012, were retrospectively analysed with medical records and DVDs. RESULTS: Of 152 patients who were attempted SPA-TLH, 119 patients (78%) were finished their operations without conversion to multi-port laparoscopy or laparotomy. Of women with successful SPA-TLH, 8 cases (7%) were closed their vaginal vaults vaginally (median, 20 minutes; range, 15-44 minutes), and 111 cases (93%) laparoscopically (median, 44 minutes; range, 13-56 minutes). Laparoscopic vault closure techniques were continuous suture (4 cases, 3%; median, 36 minutes; range, 30-45 minutes), interrupted sutures using knot-pusher (7 cases, 6%; median, 52 minutes; range, 48-56 minutes) Endo Stitch suture (2 cases, 2%; median, 32 minutes; range, 13-50 minutes), continuous vault closure using percutaneous sling sutures (PCSS) (92 cases, 77%; median, 40 minutes; range, 19-56 minutes), and continuous vault closure without PCSS (6 cases, 5%; median, 23 minutes; range, 16-31 minutes). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic vault closure using PCSS in SPA-TLH only with conventional straight instruments is the best way to overcome the barrier and the short-cut to shorten the learning curve to date.
Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Laparoscopy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Suture Techniques* ; Sutures

Increasing the vertical dimesion affects not only functional problems but also the facial appearance. In particular, when restoring the reduced vertical dimension, it is important to evaluate facial appearance because the change affects the patient’s aesthetics. Cephalometric radiographs can predict changes in the facial appearance through skeletal and vertical classifications using anatomical indicators, and the changes before and after treatment can be easily observed, which could serve as good data in evaluating treatment success. In this study, comparative evaluation was performed through cephalometric radiography, and the aesthetic and functional improvement was confirmed.

Disinfectants including polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG) and mixtures of chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (CMIT/MIT) have been widely used in Korea to prevent microbial growth in the humidifier water, which triggered an outbreak of serious respiratory diseases. In addition to the respiratory syndrome, disease-related symptoms including liver toxicity, asthma, and skin allergies were also found after extensive survey of people exposed to the humidifier disinfectants (HDs). In this study, eye irritation tests were performed based on the Organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) test guidelines 492 using EpiOcularâ„¢ which is a tissue model of reconstructed human cornea-like epithelium. As results, the raw materials of PHMG (26% as active ingredient) and CMIT/MIT (1.5% as active ingredient) were classified under UN globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemical (GHS) category 1 or category 2. However, aqueous dilutions of raw materials such as market products of HDs that contain 0.13% of PHMG and 0.03% of CMIT/MIT or further dilutions of the market products for humidifier that contain 0.0013% of PHMG and 0.0003% of CMIT/MIT were classified under any category, which suggested absence of eye irritation at the test concentration.