Many organic and nonorganic agents can cause chemical pneumonitis. Chemical pneumonitis induced by inhalation of acetic acid is a rare clinical condition. As acetic acid is a water soluble agent, it causes chemical irritation to respiratory tract and causes variable symptoms. We experienced a case of acute lung injury due to inhalation of acetic acid fume. A 56-year-old male patient was admitted due to dyspnea with vomiting for one day. After he inhaled acetic acid fume in occupational situation, he had chest tightness, chilling sense, and productive cough. Our case was good response to oxygen inhalation, antibiotics, and systemic steroids.
Acetic Acid* ; Acute Lung Injury ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Inhalation* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; Pneumonia* ; Respiratory System ; Steroids ; Thorax ; Vomiting ; Water

BACKGROUND: Mg++ is an important control factor for transport of K+, Na+, Ca++ and also has been known for having an antiarrhythmic and inotropic action on the heart. Orthotopic liver transplantation is a complex surgical procedure with significant physiologic alterations resulting in electrolyte imbalances. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of prophylactic MgSO4 administration on intraoperative serum magnesium concentration and its related clinical outcomes. METHODS: 19 patients receiving liver transplants were divided into two groups. Both groups received normal saline (300 ml/3 hr) right after anesthetic induction. MgSO4 (35 mg/kg) was mixed with saline in the experimental group but not in the control group. Serum magnesium concentration was measured four times during surgery. We also checked the total transfused units of packed cells and CaCl2 requirement, the severity of postreperfusion syndrome and base deficit. RESULTS: Serum magnesium concentration significantly decreased in the control group at the postanhepatic stage. The experimental group showed less prominent symptoms of postreperfusion syndrome and less need for potassium supply, but both groups did not reveal any differences in the amount of transfusion and CaCl2 requirement. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that our prophylactic administration of MgSO4 (35 mg/kg) may be considered a safe dose showing not only prevention of hypomagnesemia but also a decrease in the potassium requirement and in the severity of postreperfusion syndrome. However, routine administration of MgSO4 might cause disadvantageous effects, so more appropriate indications can be prepared after further clinical research.
Heart ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Magnesium* ; Potassium

BACKGROUND: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is becoming more prevalent in the world, but there is no definite treatment method and no proved vaccine availabel. Therefore, prevention is the best method to lessen it and blocking it's transmission route is the most effective method. We conducted a survey on the changing trend of knowledge, attitude and perception for AIDS between the year 1993 and 1999 among freshmen of a university. METHOD: The subjects were 2,340 freshmen of a university in Seoul and the study period was one month from Jan. 16 to Feb. 15 1999. The survey had been done with pre-designed questionnaire method which was same to the one in 1993. Total 2,305 cases were analyzed and compared with the results in 1993 excluding 35 cases with insufficient responses. RESULTS: Among the questions about knowledge for AIDS the increasing trend was found in 13 items "AIDS is caused by a virus", "AIDS can be contracted by light kissing with AIDS patient", "AIDS can be contracted by hugging AIDS patient", "AIDS can be contracted by using AIDS patient's belongings", and so on. The decreasing trend was found in items "All homosexuals are apt to get AIDS", "Most of AIDS patients die of the disease", "AIDS patients are easy to contract other diseases", and "AIDS can be contracted by other sexually-transmitted viruses". CONCLUSION: The freshmen entered in 1999 knew the transmission route of AIDS relatively well. They thought that AIDS was not a serious disease but they could get AIDS. The changing trend showed that public education had a considerable effect on students' knowledge and attitude for AIDS.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Education ; Homosexuality ; Humans ; Seoul ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this health assessment is to evaluate the health risks that may result from exposure to abandoned mine tailings in Gyeongsangbuk-do. The tailings are remnants from an earlier flotation mill and mining operation that was in business from the early 1930's until 1970. METHODS: The soil, stream water, and drinking water in and around three abandoned mine areas, Soochul, Gumjang, Darock, and three control areas located in Gyeongsangbuk-do were analyzed for level of Cd, Pb, Cu, As, and Hg. Potential chronic health effects were evaluated by interview and medical examination. RESULTS: Some soil and stream samples exceeded the Korean standard for soil contamination in farmland and the Korean standard of water contamination in streams respectively. Blood lead (5.37 microgram/dl) and urine cadmium (2.79 microgram/g Cr) levels of the residents in the vicinity of the abandoned mine sites were significantly higher than of the residents in the control areas (blood lead, 4.34 microgram/dl; urine cadmium, 1.62 microgram/g Cr). There were no significant differences between the mining and control areas in terms of blood pressure, Hb, BUN, creatinine, SGOT, SGPT, fasting blood sugar, and the prevalence of potential chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the assessment suggested that the three abandoned mine sites do not pose an apparent health risk to nearby residents. Nevertheless, the elevated blood lead and urine cadmium levels in the residents of the abandoned mine site suggested that it might be an important source of heavy metals contamination. Therefore, a nationwide evaluation program is needed to assess the potential health risks of residents living in the vicinity of abandoned mine sites.
Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cadmium ; Chronic Disease ; Commerce ; Creatinine ; Drinking Water ; Fasting ; Gyeongsangbuk-do* ; Metals, Heavy ; Mining ; Prevalence ; Rivers ; Soil ; Water