BACKGROUND: Despite prophylactic preoperative managements, surgical site infection (SSI) still has a significant influence on the mortality and morbidity of surgical patients because of an increased number of immunocompromised patients, prolonged anesthesia or an increased use of various operative equipments. In the end, it leads to an increase in hospital days and medical expenses. Therefore, we tried to find out significant risk factors for SSI in a general hospital. METHODS: The study was carried out on the 1,239 patients who underwent a surgical operation in a general hospital, and the incidence rate and risk factors of SSI were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 1,239 patients, 33 (2.7%) had SSI and the incidence rate was 26.6 per 1,000 person. Of these, 27 (81.8%) and 6 (18.2%) developed an infection before and after discharge, respectively. The influencing factors of SSI were the dirty wound, the frequency of re-operation, the duration of preoperative hospitalization, and the duration of the operation. The most common pathogen isolated from the surgical site was Staphylococcus aureus (27.2%). CONCLUSION: To prevent SSI, a professional group must be established to manage surgical sites and wounds, and the patients should be covered by strict standardized knowledge and guidance.
Anesthesia ; Cross Infection ; Hospitalization ; Hospitals, General* ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Risk Factors* ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Wounds and Injuries

The large volume of reactive oxygen species are generated during reperfusion after transient or post-procedural ischemia, which leads to cell injury. This ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury may cause local and even systemic injuries. Thus, the need to reduce the IR injury has been highlighted and in this regard studies have demonstrated the ischemic preconditioning (IP) in which short ischemia and reperfusion are repeated before ischemia. Such IP is known to protect the tissues from IR injury by reducing inflammation response during ischemia. Thus, this study was based on IP known to protect the tissue with developing the mechanism of resistance to ischemia and reperfusion injury in cellular tissue. As the substance that plays an important role in the inflammatory response during IR injury is cytokines, this study was intended to review and discuss the methodologies of IP as well as to analyze the correlation of its effects on the expression of cytokines. Left common iliac artery in male mice of which weight was from 40 g to 45 g, was treated for ischemia. The animal groups consisted of ischemia (IC) group receiving 2-hour ischemic treatment alone; IP group receiving short 5-minute ischemia and reperfusion treatments repeated three times; and, ischemic preconditioning-ischemia (IP-IC) group receiving IP treatment followed by 2-hour ischemic treatment. Following these treatments in each group, reperfusion for intergroup comparisons was carried out at 30 minutes, and 1, 2 and 4 hours. The results of this study were as follows: First, the expression level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β was the highest in IC group receiving 2-hour ischemic treatment alone (p<.001). Second, the expression level of anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-4 was the highest in the IP group (p<.001). Third, the expression level of anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 was the highest in the IP group (p<.001). In conclusion, even though the results had the degree of difference, the expression level of pro-inflammation cytokine, IL-1β in IC group was significantly lower than that in IP group, and the expression levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10 in IP were significantly higher than those in IC group and IP-IC group.
Animals ; Cytokines* ; Hindlimb* ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-4 ; Ischemia* ; Ischemic Preconditioning* ; Male ; Mice* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Reperfusion Injury ; Reperfusion*

Cancer is a major health burden in Korea, and dietary factors have been suggested as putative risk factors for cancer development at various sites. This study systematically reviewed the published literature investigating the associations between dietary factors and cancer incidence among Korean adults, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta- Analyses guidelines. We focused on the 5 most studied cancer sites (stomach, colorectum, breast, thyroid, and cervix) as outcomes and dietary exposures with evidence levels greater than limited-suggestive according to the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) panel’s judgment for any of the cancer sites. This resulted in the inclusion of 72 studies. Pooled estimates of the impact of dietary factors on cancer risk suggested protective associations of fruits and vegetables with risks for gastric cancer (GC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and breast cancer (BC) and dietary vitamin C with the risk of GC, as well as a harmful association between fermented soy products and the risk of GC. Despite the limited number of studies, we observed consistent protective associations of dietary fiber with GC and dietary fiber, coffee, and calcium with CRC. These findings are largely consistent with the WCRF/AICR expert report. However, pooled estimates for the associations of other salt-preserved foods with GC, meat with CRC, and dietary carotenoids and dairy products with BC did not reach statistical significance. Further studies with prospective designs, larger sample sizes, and diverse types of dietary factors and cancer sites are necessary.

Background: Recent studies have shown that cells in various tissues express vitamin D receptors, indicating that vitamin D deficiency could increase the prevalence of several diseases, including sarcopenia, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer. However, these studies were conducted in the West, and research on the correlation between vitamin D levels and sarcopenia is lacking in the East. This study aimed to examine the correlation between vitamin D levels and sarcopenia in older adults aged ≥65 years and contribute to the health of this population, which is prone to gradual decline due to falls or fractures. Methods: This cross-sectional investigation analyzed the data of 3,174 Korean adults aged ≥65 years, who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A diagnosis of sarcopenia was made in cases where the skeletal muscle mass was two standard deviations lower than the mean skeletal muscle mass of healthy adults aged 20–39 years; other cases were considered normal. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of blood vitamin D levels on sarcopenia. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a significantly increased probability of sarcopenia in both males (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29–2.68) and females (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.30–2.47). Conclusion This finding suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels could reduce the risk of sarcopenia in older individuals. The reduced risk of sarcopenia would subsequently decrease falls, fractures, and mortality rates, thereby enhancing the health of older adults.

Background: Recent studies have shown that cells in various tissues express vitamin D receptors, indicating that vitamin D deficiency could increase the prevalence of several diseases, including sarcopenia, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer. However, these studies were conducted in the West, and research on the correlation between vitamin D levels and sarcopenia is lacking in the East. This study aimed to examine the correlation between vitamin D levels and sarcopenia in older adults aged ≥65 years and contribute to the health of this population, which is prone to gradual decline due to falls or fractures. Methods: This cross-sectional investigation analyzed the data of 3,174 Korean adults aged ≥65 years, who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A diagnosis of sarcopenia was made in cases where the skeletal muscle mass was two standard deviations lower than the mean skeletal muscle mass of healthy adults aged 20–39 years; other cases were considered normal. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of blood vitamin D levels on sarcopenia. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a significantly increased probability of sarcopenia in both males (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29–2.68) and females (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.30–2.47). Conclusion This finding suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels could reduce the risk of sarcopenia in older individuals. The reduced risk of sarcopenia would subsequently decrease falls, fractures, and mortality rates, thereby enhancing the health of older adults.

Background: Recent studies have shown that cells in various tissues express vitamin D receptors, indicating that vitamin D deficiency could increase the prevalence of several diseases, including sarcopenia, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer. However, these studies were conducted in the West, and research on the correlation between vitamin D levels and sarcopenia is lacking in the East. This study aimed to examine the correlation between vitamin D levels and sarcopenia in older adults aged ≥65 years and contribute to the health of this population, which is prone to gradual decline due to falls or fractures. Methods: This cross-sectional investigation analyzed the data of 3,174 Korean adults aged ≥65 years, who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A diagnosis of sarcopenia was made in cases where the skeletal muscle mass was two standard deviations lower than the mean skeletal muscle mass of healthy adults aged 20–39 years; other cases were considered normal. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of blood vitamin D levels on sarcopenia. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a significantly increased probability of sarcopenia in both males (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29–2.68) and females (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.30–2.47). Conclusion This finding suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels could reduce the risk of sarcopenia in older individuals. The reduced risk of sarcopenia would subsequently decrease falls, fractures, and mortality rates, thereby enhancing the health of older adults.

Background: Recent studies have shown that cells in various tissues express vitamin D receptors, indicating that vitamin D deficiency could increase the prevalence of several diseases, including sarcopenia, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer. However, these studies were conducted in the West, and research on the correlation between vitamin D levels and sarcopenia is lacking in the East. This study aimed to examine the correlation between vitamin D levels and sarcopenia in older adults aged ≥65 years and contribute to the health of this population, which is prone to gradual decline due to falls or fractures. Methods: This cross-sectional investigation analyzed the data of 3,174 Korean adults aged ≥65 years, who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A diagnosis of sarcopenia was made in cases where the skeletal muscle mass was two standard deviations lower than the mean skeletal muscle mass of healthy adults aged 20–39 years; other cases were considered normal. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of blood vitamin D levels on sarcopenia. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a significantly increased probability of sarcopenia in both males (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29–2.68) and females (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.30–2.47). Conclusion This finding suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels could reduce the risk of sarcopenia in older individuals. The reduced risk of sarcopenia would subsequently decrease falls, fractures, and mortality rates, thereby enhancing the health of older adults.

BACKGROUND: Rapid and sensitive detection of transfusion adverse reaction is fundamental to reducing transfusion-related morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to develop an effective system for reporting of transfusion adverse reaction. METHODS: Inpatient lists with transfusion adverse reaction on a nurse electronic medical records (EMR) from December 4th, 2014 to May 21st, 2015 were automatically selected and displayed to the computer screen of the blood bank data management system. After review of clinical and laboratory data of suspected patients with transfusion reaction, frequency of transfusion adverse reaction according to blood components was calculated. RESULTS: The frequency of transfusion adverse reactions according to blood components was, in decreasing order, red blood cells (RBC) 0.91% (58/6,404), frozen fresh plasma (FFP) 0.20% (5/2,549), and platelets 0.10% (6/5,728). Of 47 allergic reactions, the relative ratio by blood components was RBC 76.6%, platelets 12.8%, and FFP 10.6%. All of 22 febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions were RBC related reactions. CONCLUSION: The online transfusion adverse reaction reporting system based on a nurse EMR is helpful in easy and accurate estimation of transfusion adverse reaction incidence.
Blood Banks ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Electronic Health Records* ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Mortality ; Plasma

Objective: To determine the relationship between line bisection test (LBT) performance time and prognosis of hemispatial neglect (HSN) in stroke patients. Methods: Data on stroke patients with HSN were prospectively collected. After patient recruitment and eligibility screening, the LBT, Motor-Free Visual Perception Test 3rd edition, and Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination were performed at the time of admission and 4 weeks thereafter. The LBT performance time was also measured. All patients received conventional rehabilitation for 4 weeks. Based on the improvements in their LBT grades, the patients were divided into improved and non-improved groups. The evaluation results of the two groups were compared using Mann–Whitney U-tests and logistic regression was performed to predict the independence of each outcome. Results: In total, 26 stroke patients with HSN were included, with 13 patients in each group. Significant differences were observed in the baseline LBT performance times between the improved and non-improved groups (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed associations between HSN prognosis, and baseline LBT performance time (odds ratio=0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.90–1.00; p<0.05) and baseline Motor-Free Visual Perception Test 3rd edition (odds ratio=1.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.43; p<0.05). Conclusion A significant relationship was observed between the baseline LBT performance time and HSN prognosis.

A Pancoast tumor is a rare form of lung cancer that occurs mainly in the apex of the lung as the main symptom of upper extremity pain. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is not a common symptom. This case report describes a 57-year-old male patient with a Pancoast tumor who presented with oropharyngeal dysphagia. The patient's symptoms included left shoulder and arm pain. The chest computed tomography revealed a mass in the apex of the left lung, invading the mediastinum and compressing the left brachial vein and brachial plexus. He was discharged after receiving palliative chemotherapy. The patient returned to the hospital with dyspnea and was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. The cranial nerve exam confirmed hoarseness and an absent gag reflex. In addition, the laryngeal elevation decreased, and the bedside water test was positive. A video fluoroscopic swallow study confirmed the presence of oropharyngeal dysphagia, which was attributed to left glossopharyngeal and vagus nerve damage associated with the Pancoast tumor. This case highlights the need to be aware that a Pancoast tumor can cause oropharyngeal dysphagia. If oropharyngeal dysphagia is suspected, VFSS should be performed to prevent complications leading to mortality from lung cancer.