BACKGROUND: It is thought that computer familiarity has increased significantly since 2004 as well as the use of computers. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of computer familiarity and types of keyboard and computer on the performance of the Korean computerized neurobehavioral test (KCNT), and to identify which parameters of KCNT were affected by aforementioned factors. METHODS: A total of 85 subjects were classified into three groups of computer familiarity by Korean typing speed. Their age, gender and the level of education were also collected. The parameters of KCNT included simple reaction time, choice reaction time, addition, symbol digit, and finger tapping speed. The test was conducted using three types of computers: a laptop computer, a laptop computer with a simplified keyboard, and a desktop computer with a simplified keyboard. RESULTS: Parameters including the simple reaction time, choice reaction time, addition, and symbol digit, and the finger tapping speed of non-dominant hand showed no significant differences in the results among the three groups by computer familiarity after age and educational years were controlled as covariates. The mean reaction time of the simple reaction time and the choice reaction time with a simplified keyboard was significantly shorter compared to that with a typical keyboard. With regard to type of computer, the mean reaction time of the simple reaction time and the choice reaction time was significantly reduced when performed with the desktop computer with a simplified keyboard. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previous study results, the choice reaction time, the addition, and the finger tapping speed of dominant hand were the only parameters affected by the computer familiarity. Both the type of keyboard and the type of computer significantly influenced the simple reaction time and the choice reaction time. Therefore, it is recommended to use a desktop computer with a simplified keyboard for such parameters.
Education ; Fingers ; Hand ; Reaction Time ; Recognition (Psychology)*

BACKGROUND: Lead is a metal that has no biological function useful for the human body. In Korea, non-occupational exposure to lead has mostly occurred through taking oriental medicine. However, in this paper we report a case of lead poisoning caused by ingesting talisman material. CASE PRESENTATION: A 16-year-old male patient complained of severe abdominal pain after taking cinnabar, a talisman material. He was diagnosed with lead poisoning accompanied by acute hepatitis. We confirmed that the cinnabar the patient took contained about 10% elemental lead. After symptom management, the patients' symptoms, liver function test results, and blood lead concentration level improved. CONCLUSION: Lead poisoning can be accompanied by hepatitis, although rarely. As we have confirmed that cinnabar as a talisman material is harmful to the human body, measures to prevent its misuse are needed.
Abdominal Pain ; Adolescent ; Hepatitis ; Human Body ; Humans ; Korea ; Lead Poisoning* ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In head and neck reconstructive surgery, the stability of vital signs is important for patient recovery and flap outcome. We aimed to determine the better sedation protocol by comparing two protocols, namaely, midazolam/morphine (MM)-based and remifentanil (RF)-based sedation protocols, in the immediate postoperative settings of head and neck reconstructive surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the medical data of patients who underwent reconstructive surgery after the ablation of head and neck cancer involving MM sedation (n=34) or RF sedation (n=28). Parameters related to vital signs, flap outcomes, occurrence of delirium, length of stay and nursing burden were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The length of stay at the intensive care unit and flap outcomes were similar in the two groups. However, blood pressure as measured by frequency of variation was more stable in the RF group than in the MM group. In addition, the number of medical calls from the attending nurse due to the fluctuation of vital signs was less in the RF group than in the MM group. CONCLUSION: RF-based sedation for the postoperative intensive care unit care after head and neck reconstructive surgery is more effective in cases where vital signs are less stable. This type of sedation may decrease the nursing burden for these patients.
Blood Pressure ; Delirium ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Head* ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care* ; Length of Stay ; Neck* ; Nursing ; Postoperative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Vital Signs