BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate whether the preoperative nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was a risk factor for surgical site infections and nosocomial infections in open heart surgery patients. METHODS: From June 10, 2002 to October 30, 2002, data were collected by prospective surveillance carried out by infection control nurses. Nasal swabs were taken from patients (N= 106) on the day before surgery. The swabs were incubated in staphylococcal broth for 24 hours, and then it was incubated on mannitol salt agar for 24 hours. Muller-Hinton agar supplemented with oxacillin (6 microgram/mL) was used to identify MRSA. RESULTS: Among the study patients (N=106), four(4/106, 3.8%) were identified as MRSA carriers and nine (9/103 , 8.7%) developed nosocomial infections, including three patients (3/103 , 2.9%) who had postoperative mediastinitis Preoperative nasal carriage of MRSA was not associated with nosocomial infections nor surgical site infections (P>0.05). However, the length of hospital stay prior to nasal swab or surgery was found to be associated with MRSA carriage (OR=1.108, 95%CI: 1.026-1.197) or nosocomial infections (OR=1.087, 95%CI: 1.017-1.161). Additionally, the patients with nosocomial infections were more likely than those without to stay in the hospital for a longer period after surgery (P<0.00l). CONCLUSION: Preoperative nasal carriage of MRSA by the patient was not identified as a risk factor for surgical site infection and nosocomial infections in open heart surgery.
Agar ; Cross Infection* ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Length of Stay ; Mannitol ; Mediastinitis ; Methicillin Resistance* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* ; Oxacillin ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thoracic Surgery*

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Monacolin-inoculated rice embryo on the body fat and serum lipid profiles in 61 obese elementary school students. The subjects divided into two groups 31 obese children had the experimental diet (rice embryo inoculated Monacolin) and 30 obese children had the control diet three times a day after meals. The mean age, height, weight, and BMI of 61 subjects were 10.5 +/- 0.5 years, 143.6 +/- 6.8 cm, 55.0 +/- 8.9 kg, and 26.1 +/- 3.9, respectively. The changes of body fat mass (kg) in experimental group and control group after 6 weeks were -0.60 kg and -0.03 kg, respectively. The changes of body fat (%) in experimental group and control group after 6 weeks were -1.44% and -0.25%, respectively. These changes of body fat in experimental group were significantly higher than in control group (p < 0.05). The change of total-cholesterol in experimental group and control group during 6 weeks were -17.52 mg/dL and -1.70 mg/dL, respectively. The change of LDL-cholesterol in experimental group and control group during 6 weeks were -17.06 mg/dL and -2.80 mg/dL, respectively. The change of triglyceride in experimental group and control group after 6 weeks were -9.58 mg/dL and 11.67 mg/dL. Total-cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol and triglyceride of experimental group after 6 weeks significantly decreased compared to control group (p < 0.05). After experimental diet (6 weeks), total-cholesterol was negatively correlated with body water contents, soft lean mass and fat free mass (p < 0.05). Triglyceride showed a significantly positive correlation with body weight and body fat mass, however, it was negatively correlated with fat free mass (p < 0.05). HDL-cholesterol showed a significantly positive correlation with fat free mass (p < 0.05). These results show that Monacolin-inoculated rice embryo is effective in decreasing body fat and blood lipid in obese children.
Adipose Tissue* ; Body Water ; Body Weight ; Child ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Embryonic Structures* ; Humans ; Meals ; Triglycerides

Preservation methods on the physiological and brewing technical characters in bottom and top brewing yeast strains were investigated. The preserved yeasts were reactivated after 24 months storage and grown up to stationary phase. The samples of filter paper storage indicated a higher cell growth and viability during propagation than those of nitrogen and lyophilization storage independent on propagation temperature. In addition, the filter paper storage demonstrated a faster absorption of free amino nitrogen and a highest level of higher aliphatic alcohols production during propagation than other preservation methods, which can be attributed to intensive cell growth during propagation. Moreover, the filter paper storage showed a faster accumulation for glycogen and trehalose during propagation, whereas, in particular, lyophilization storage noted a longer adaptation time regarding synthesis of glycogen and trehalose with delayed cell growth. In beer analysis, the filter paper storage formed an increased higher aliphatic alcohols than control. In conclusion, the preservation of filter paper affected positively on yeast growth, viability and beer quality independent on propagation temperature. In addition, in this study, it was obtained that the HICF and Helm-test can be involved as rapid methods for determination of flocculation capacity.
Absorption ; Alcohols ; Beer ; Fermentation* ; Flocculation* ; Freeze Drying ; Glycogen ; Nitrogen ; Trehalose ; Yeasts*

This study was designed to investigate the associations of the percent body fat dietary intake, plasma lipoprotein profile, lipoprotein(a), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) concentrations of 1982 Korean subjects(men : 1000 and women : 982) between the ages of 40 and 59 years. The dietary assessment consisted of twenty-four hour dietary records and food frequency questionnaires. The subjects were identified into one of the five rating groups of % body fat : lean, underweight, normal, overweight and obese groups. The biochemical assessment included measurements of plasma total cholesterol(TC), HDL-cholesterol(HDL-C), LDL-cholesterol(LDL-C), triglyceride(TG), lipoprotin(a)(Lp(a)), and PAI-1. With respect to the ratio of percent energy intake of carbohydrate : protein : fat of the normal group of the women was 62% : 17% : 20%, respectively. Women apparently had a higher intake of carbohydrates than men(52% : 17 : 20%) did. There was a linear relationship between energy intake and % body fat in both mean and women(with the exception of the underweight group of women). The relationship of % body fat of men to the protein and fat intake was higher than that of the carbohydrate intake. Of the men in the study, intakes of energy, protein and alcohol were positively correlated to % body fat. In women, energy, carbohydrate and protein intake were positively correlated to % body fat, however, the fat, cholesterol and alcohol intake did not show any correlation to the % body fat in women. This study showed that % body fat was positively correlated with plasma TC, LDL-C, PAI-1 levels, and TG, but the % body fat was negatively correlated with plasma HDL-C level in both men and women. These results indicated that the high energy intake of obese or overweight subjects might contribute to several of the biochemical indices fo coronary heart disease(CHD) risk. In conclusion, increased energy intake is associated with overweight or obesity in middle aged Korean people. There was no relationship between % energy intake of fat and % body fat in the study, in middle-aged Korean men and women. The plasma lipid profile and PAI-1 level thought to be the risk factors of CHD were positively associated with percent body fat in middle aged Korean people.
Adipose Tissue* ; Adult* ; Carbohydrates ; Cholesterol ; Diet Records ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Lipoprotein(a)* ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Middle Aged* ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Plasma* ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1* ; Plasminogen Activators ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Thinness

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between serum ferritin and the metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,444 adults over age 40 and under age 70 that lived in a rural area and participated in a survey conducted as part of the Korean Rural Genomic Cohort Study (KRGCS). The MS was defined as the presence of at least three of the followings: elevated blood pressure, low high density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated serum triglycerides, elevated plasma glucose, or abdominal obesity. After adjustment for age, alcohol intake, menopausal status, body mass index (BMI), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), odds ratios (ORs) for the prevalence of the MS by sex were calculated for quartiles of serum ferritin using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The MS was more common in those persons with the highest levels of serum ferritin, compared to persons with the lowest levels, in men (37.1% vs. 22.4%, p=0.006) and women (58.8% vs. 34.8, p<0.001). In both sexes, the greater the number of MS components presents, the greater the serum ferritin levels. After adjustment for age, alcohol intake, and menopausal status, the OR for metabolic syndrome, comparing the fourth quartile of ferritin with the first quartile, was 2.21 (95% confidence interval ; CI=1.26-3.87; p-trend=0.024) in men and 2.10 (95% CI=1.40-3.17; p-trend=0.001) in women. However, after further adjustment for BMI, hs-CRP, and ALT, the ORs were statistically attenuated in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Moderately elevated serum ferritin levels were not independently associated with the prevalence of the MS after adjusting for other risk factors. Further studies are needed to obtain evidence concerning the association between serum ferritin levels and the MS.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weights and Measures ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Ferritins/*blood ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Lipids/blood ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; *Rural Health

PURPOSE: This study was done to develop a scenario and evaluate student performance in simulation learning of care for children with respiratory distress syndrome in neonatal intensive care units. METHODS: To test the application effect, a one group pre-test design was applied. The scenario based on actual patients and textbook material was developed through several meetings of experts. The scenario was used with 17 groups of 55 senior nursing students who participated voluntarily. RESULTS: Contents were organized focusing on the nursing process for simulation learning. In the application of knowledge and skills, nursing students had high scores in the contents of observation of oxygen saturation, and care to relieve dyspnea. Participants' ability, especially in suction and oxygen supply in the evaluation of objective structured clinical examination was not adequate. There was a significant positive correlation between problem-solving ability and satisfaction in learning. CONCLUSION: The respiratory distress syndrome simulation scenario developed in this study was an effective tool to give students experience in problem solving and critical thinking ability under conditions similar to reality. The development of various scenarios for child nursing care is needed.
Child ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Learning ; Nursing Care ; Nursing Process ; Oxygen ; Patient Simulation ; Problem Solving ; Students, Nursing ; Suction ; Thinking

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the associations between the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and inflammatory markers. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis was performed using data from 1578 Koreans aged 40-69 years residing in a rural area. We investigated associations between MetS and circulating high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), white blood cells (WBC) and adiponectin. MetS was defined using the criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III). RESULTS: Increased WBC counts and hs-CRP levels and decreased adiponectin levels were observed in subjects with MetS. WBC, hs-CRP and adiponectin levels linearly deteriorated with an increase in the number of MetS components (all ptrend <0.005). Finally, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the risk of MetS by increase/decrease in 3 inflammatory markers were calculated by multivariate logistic regression analyses. In terms of changes in inflammation markers, in men, the adjusted ORs (95% confidence interval) were 1.15 (1.01-1.31) for WBC, 1.64 (1.02-2.64) for hs-CRP, and 0.19 (0.08-0.45) for adiponectin, whereas corresponding adjusted ORs (95% CIs) in women were 1.27 (1.15-1.40), 0.98 (0.67-1.42), 0.09 (0.04-0.18), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serum adiponectin levels and WBC counts were found to be strongly associated with MetS in both sexes. However, hs-CRP lost its significance after adjusting for BMI and other inflammatory markers in women. This study shows that inflammatory response is associated with MetS in the Korean population. Further prospective studies are necessary to confirm the contribution made by inflammatory markers to the development of MetS.
Adiponectin/blood ; Adult ; Aged ; Biological Markers/blood ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation/*blood/complications ; Korea ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*immunology ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Rural Population

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a child health care protocol for teachers in child day care centers. METHODS: The ADDIE model with 10 Kid Keys was applied to develop this child health care protocol. All contents were developed through content validity test by 7 professionals and need assessment and evaluation by child day care center teachers. RESULTS: This protocol consisted of 10 keys, as follows: Health Examination/Growth & Development, Practice of Health Life, Management of Communicable Disease, Negligent Accident, Coping with Emergency and Transference, Child Abuse, Nutrition/Obesity, Quality Assurance of Staff, Parent Education, Guidance & Supervision of Child Day Care Centers. The contents contained goals, objectives, teaching content, suggested activities for children, writing forms related to each subject, and self-evaluation sheet. CONCLUSION: This protocol can be practical and effective for child health care in child day care centers and it is hoped that it will be utilized in more child day care centers.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Child ; Child Abuse ; Child Day Care Centers ; Communicable Diseases ; Cytarabine ; Day Care, Medical ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Emergencies ; Etoposide ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; Organization and Administration ; Parents ; Writing ; Child Health

PURPOSE: This study was to identify the death recognition, meaning in life, and death attitude of participants in the death education program. METHODS: A survey was conducted, and 205 data were collected. Descriptive statistics, chi-square-test, ANOVA, and Duncan test were used. RESULTS: 1) The followings were the characteristics of death recognition shown by the participants. Over half of the participants said that they had given some thoughts on their deaths, that they had agreeable view on death acceptance, and that diseases and volunteer works made them think about their deaths. Moreover, suffering, parting with family and concerns for them, etc. were the most common reasons for the difficulty of accepting death. As for 'the person whom I discuss my death with', spouse, friend, and son/daughter were the most chosen in this order. Lastly, the funeral type that most of the participants desired was cremation. 2) The means of meaning in life and death attitude were 2.92+/-0.29 and 2.47+/-0.25, respectively. There were significant differences between health status, meaning in life and death attitude. 3) A significant positive corelationship was found between meaning in life and death attitude (r=0.190, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: For an effective death education program that would fit each individual's situation, an educational content that can make a person understand the meaning of his or her life and death, includes knowledge to lessen the fear and anxiety of death, and helps a person heal from the loss of a family member is absolutely necessary.
Anxiety ; Cremation ; Friends ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Spouses ; Stress, Psychological

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the importance of transvaginal ultrasonographic findings of spontaneous abortion and the relation of transvaginal ultrasonographic finding and the karyotype of abortus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transvaginal sonography was undergone to 48 subjects with spontaneous abortion in their early pregnancies who had visited Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, from March 1996 to June 1999. A chromosome analysis of their aborted products was done. RESULTS: The frequency of chromosome abnormalities of abortus was 47.9%. Among the chromosomal abnormalities, trisomy was 31.2%(simple trisomy 27.0%, double trisomy 4.2%), monosomy X 8.4%, poliploidy 8.4%(tripoidy 4.2%, tetraploidy 4.2%). The average maternal age for trisomy was 30.2+/-4.9, and their past number of spontaneous abortions was 1.0+/-0.9, with trisomy 16 most frequent with 23.0%. In the case with trisomy 5, 22, and double trisomy, the average maternal age was increased with 38.0, 36.0+/-2.8, 35.5+/-5.0, respectively. However, no significant relevance could be found. The average maternal age for polyploidy was 30.5+/-3.7, and their past number of spontaneous abortions was 1.0+/-2.0. No significant relevance could be found compared with normal karyotypes. The average maternal age for monosomy X was 27.5+/-1.7, which is lower than the average maternal age for normal karyotypes, but not significantly so. The mean number of past abortions was no different with 1.0+/-0.8. No significant relevance could be found between ultrasonographic findings and chromosomal abnormalities. The measured/expected crown-rump length ratio of the aborted group was smaller than those of the control group. CONCLUSION: Serial ultrasonographic findings in early pregnancies help to diagnose spontaneous abortion, but not efficient to diagnose chromosomal abnormalities in the aborted group.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Chromosome Aberrations* ; Crown-Rump Length ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Maternal Age ; Polyploidy ; Pregnancy ; Tetraploidy ; Trisomy ; Turner Syndrome