Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations on deaths of the COVID-19 cases in some elderly long-term care facilities (LTCF) in Gwangju Metropolitan City. Methods: The study subjects were 659 COVID-19 cases in residents of 7 elderly LTCF, Gwangju, from 21 Dec. 2021 to 28 Jan. 2022. The used variables were confirmed dates for COVID-19, demographic characteristics, co-morbidities, presentation of symptoms, death and vaccination related characteristics including type of vaccine, doses and dates. Vaccination status were classified as not vaccinated, partially and fully vaccinated. The associations of vaccination status and deaths of COVID-19 cases were tested by chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The rates of not vaccinated, partially vaccinated and fully vaccinated were 19.4%, 10.2% and 70.4%, respectively. The mortality rate of the cases was 6.4%.The death rate by vaccination status was 16.4% in not vaccinated, 15.4% in partially vaccinated and 2.6% in fully vaccinated, showing a statistically significant difference. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals, CIs) of death compared to fully vaccinated were 7.64 (3.87-16.34) in non-vaccinated, and 6.97 (3.44-14.14) in partially vaccinated. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccination seems to work effectively in preventing deaths of COVID-19 cases of elderly LTCF residents. This finding support that fully vaccinations in high risk group such as elderly LTCF residents is very important for one of strategies of COVID-19 management.

PURPOSE: Encephalitis is a cranial nervous system infection that is caused by various etiologies. Most of the patients with encephalitis undergo severe or fatal clinical course with sequelae. This study was conducted to estimate the clinical outcomes and to evaluate factors which can be used to predict clinical outcomes among pediatric patients with encephalitis METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 46 patients with encephalitis who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Chonbuk National University Hospital, from July 1995 to July 2003. Encephalitis was diagnosed based on the presence of neurologic abnormalities, CSF, Brain CT or MRI findings. Information on sequelae was obtained in the outpatient clinic. RESULTS: In this study, five patients(11.6%) were expired, 17 patients(39.5%) developed neurologic sequelaes and 21 patients(46.5%) were recovered without sequelae. Infants had poorer outcomes compared to older age groups. Twenty nine cases who had seizures showed high morbidity rate(48.3%) compared to the seizure-free group(17.6%). Among six patients with status epilepticus, four(66.7%) developed neurologic sequelae and two(33.3%) expired. The group with normal brain MRI findings had better outcomes (70%) than the group with abnormal MRI findings(55.5%). Gray matter involved patients on MRI had poorer recovery rate(33.3%) than white matter involved patients(69.2%). The group treated with intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) had better outcomes(64.7%) than the other group(37.9%). CONCLUSION: The presence of seizure, younger patients, and presence of abnormal findings of brain MRI, especially gray matter lesions were associated with poor clinical outcomes in children with encephalitis.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Brain ; Child ; Encephalitis ; Encephalitis, Viral* ; Humans ; Infant ; Jeollabuk-do ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nervous System ; Pediatrics ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures ; Status Epilepticus

A 36-year-old male patient with no remarkable medical history was admitted to our hospital for a health check up. On chest radiography, bilateral aortic notches at the level of aortic arch were shown suggesting aortic arch anomaly without any clinical symptoms. Two aortic arches were almost same-in-size on suprasternal view of transthoracic echocardiography. In addition, multidetector computed tomography showed balanced type double aortic arch forming a complete vascular ring which encircled the trachea and esophagus. The trachea was slightly compressed by the vascular ring whereas the esophagus was intact. Nevertheless, the pulmonary function test was normal. The patient was discharged from hospital with instructions for periodic follow-up.
Adult ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Echocardiography ; Esophagus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Thorax ; Trachea

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the cleaning efficacy of various irrigation methods in the mandibular mesial roots. The forty five mesial root canals were shaped by Profile .06 instruments to apical size #30 and irrigated with 5 ml of 3.5% NaOCl. The teeth were divided into 3 groups and irrigated finally for 1 minute; Group 1: syringe irrigation, Group 2: ultrasonic irrigation, Group 3: RinsEndo irrigation. After histological processing, the cross sections of apical 1, 3, and 5 mm level were examined with an optical microscope. The cleanliness values of canals and isthmuses were calculated and analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. 1. There were no significant differences in both canal and isthmus cleanliness between syringe irrigation and ultrasonic irrigation except 5 mm level of isthmus. 2. RinsEndo irrigation had significantly higher canal cleanliness values than syringe irrigation at 1 mm and 3 mm levels (p < 0.05). Also, RinsEndo irrigation had significantly higher isthmus cleanliness values than syringe irrigation at all levels evaluated (p < 0.05). 3. There were no statistical differences in both canal and isthmus cleanliness between ultrasonic irrigation and RinsEndo irrigation except 3 mm level of canal. From this study, RinsEndo irrigation can be useful as an additional irrigation procedure.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Molar ; Syringes ; Tooth ; Ultrasonics

PURPOSE: A graft patency is influenced by various factors; the degree of preoperative ischemia, type of procedure, kinds of the conduit and the stati of inflow and outflow vessels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patency rate according to the distal anastomosis level, kinds of conduit and the impact of runoff score. METHODS: Between August 1998 and August 2003, 141 lower extremity arterial bypass operations were performed. The runoff scores of the outflow arteries were graded according to the system proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Reporting Standards, SVS/ISCVS. The graft patency was determined by clinical examination, and ABI measurements, and with a Duplex scan if required, and assessed by a regular follow-up schedule. RESULTS: The primary patency rates according to the level of distal anastomosis at 1, 3 and 5 years were as follows; femoral artery (FA) 94.8, 87.1 and 87.1%, above-knee popliteal artery (AKPA) 83.7, 79.3 and 68.0%, below-knee popliteal artery (BKPA) 85.9, 64.4 and 42.9%, respectively, and the secondary patency rates; FA 95, 87.6 and 87.6%, AKPA 91.6, 68.3 and 38.6%, BKPA 83.8, 69.9 and 46.6%, respectively. The patency rates of below-knee popliteal bypass showed no statistical difference between each conduit, but showed a tendency to increase in the order: PTFE, vein patch and vein graft. No significant difference in the patency rate was shown except between a runoff score of 1 and above 1 at each level. CONCLUSION: The patency rates for the relatively proximal site of the distal anastomosis were superior to those of the distal site. The choice of conduit influenced the patency of infrapopliteal bypass grafts. The patent outflow vessels and the autogenous vein graft at infrapopliteal artery were more favorable for good graft patency. The recommended runoff score system seems to be revision in order to improve the predictability of a graft patency.
Appointments and Schedules ; Arteries ; Femoral Artery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ischemia ; Lower Extremity* ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Popliteal Artery ; Transplants* ; Veins

This report describes clinical and parasitological findings of an 82-yr-old female patient who lived in a local rural village and suffered from severe chronic anemia for several years. She was transferred to the National Police Hospital in Seoul for management of severe dyspnea and dizziness. At admission, she showed symptoms or signs of severe anemia. Gastroduodenoscopy observed hyperemic mucosa of the duodenum and discovered numerous moving roundworms on the mucosa. Endoscopy isolated seven of them, which were identified as Necator americanus by characteristic morphology of cutting plates in the buccal cavity. The patient was treated with albendazole and supportive measures for anemia, and her physical condition much improved. This case suggests the possibility that hookworm N. americanus is still transmitted in a remote local mountainous area in Korea.
Aged, 80 and over ; Albendazole/therapeutic use ; Anemia/*diagnosis/parasitology ; Animals ; Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Duodenoscopy ; Female ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; *Necator americanus/isolation & purification ; Necatoriasis/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Republic of Korea

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between the conventional method and the clinical history method those determine intraocular lens (IOL) power for cataract surgery in eyes with prior laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in the absence of pre-LASIK data. METHODS: The medical records of 200 eyes in 100 patients who had been treated with LASIK for myopia and were followed up for more than 6 months were reviewed. The IOL powers by conventional method using post-LASIK keratometric value and by clinical history method were compared. RESULTS: The mean values of IOL powers by conventional method, and by clinical history method were +20.00+/-1.48D (+13.74~+23.23D) and +20.79+/-1.28D (+17.27~+24.32D), respectively. The following equation describes the regular relationship between the two METHODS: IOL(CHM) (clinical history method)=0.708*IOL(CM) (conventional method) +6.624 (r=0.816, p<.01). CONCLUSIONS: This equation may offer more accurate IOL power for cataract surgery in eyes with prior LASIK surgery in the absence of pre-LASIK data.
Cataract* ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ* ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Medical Records ; Myopia

Presently, media for sanitation education consisting of a sanitation manual and a CD-ROM intended for restaurant employers and employees was developed and evaluated. The sanitation manual consisted of five principles: prevention of foodborne illness, personal hygiene, control of food production, instrument and equipment cleaning and sanitation, and management of environmental sanitation. The CD-ROM was composed of animations detailed real-life examples of Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Norovirus foodborned illness outbreaks; slides summarizing the five principles of the manual; and a poster entitled You can prevent foodborne illness listing and describing the principles. A 15 question evaluation survey was developed to gauge the efficacy of the animations. The survey was divided into five sections on comprehension of the instructions, content organization concerning understanding, content organization concerning the information presented, content organization concerning retention of interest (concentration), and recommendations concerning concentration. Ranked on a 5-point scale the survey produced a mean value of 3.80+/-0.39 and individual scores of 3.92+/-0.45 (learning instruction), 3.86+/-0.48 (understanding), 3.82+/-0.52 (information), 3.75+/-0.49 (concentration), and 3.67+/-0.58 (concentration-recommendation). Overall, evaluation results of the animation were good and easy to understand, with only a few respondents electing to watch the animations more than once. In terms of continuous and recurring education, sanitation training programs should be easy to learn and contain sufficient and specific examples of the importance of sanitation in achieving food safety.
CD-ROM ; Comprehension ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Norovirus ; Restaurants ; Retention (Psychology) ; Salmonella ; Sanitation ; Staphylococcus aureus

PURPOSE: Food allergies are adverse immune reactions to food. Despite their importance, there have only been a few studies conducted on situations that may cause food allergies in Korean children. This study aims to obtain basic data that are necessary to provide information on food allergies to both patients and caregivers. METHODS: In this study, a survey was conducted on 97 caregivers of patients below 18 years old. The patients' situation upon occurrence of food allergy was examined by a questionnaire. RESULTS: Approximately 89.7% of the patients were at 6 years of age or younger. The most common allergens were eggs (37%) and milk (28%) in a total of 163 cases, including multiple responses. Skin symptoms were most common (77.8%). At the time of occurrence, 85% of the patients were with their parents. As for the exposure place, house was 65%, followed by restaurant (16%), nursery (7%), and relative's or neighbor's house (4%). Exclusive of unknown cases, the most common reason of exposure was the caregiver giving the food to the patient for reconfirmation (13.6%). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the understanding of food allergies based on this research will assist in the management of patients with food allergies.
Allergens ; Caregivers* ; Child ; Education ; Eggs ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Milk ; Nurseries ; Ovum ; Parents ; Restaurants ; Skin

Coronary artery anomalies are diagnosed in 0.6 to 1.5% of patients who undergo coronary angiography (CAG). They may present with life threatening conditions but are generally asymptomatic. Recognition and adequate visualization of the anomaly is essential for correct management of the condition. However, in some cases the exact orifice and course of an anomalous coronary vessel cannot be selectively identified by CAG. In this report, a 54-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with acute inferior myocardial infarction and had an anomalous origin of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) from the first diagonal branch (D1). In CAG, the right CAG showed no significant stenosis and fortunately we found an anomalous origin of the LCX from the D1. The course of LCX was precisely established by 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; Coronary Vessels ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction