Purpose: This study was conducted to identify factors affecting COVID-19 vaccination and associated side effects among health care workers in a small and medium-sized hospital. Methods: In May 2021, 301 workers out of a total of 670 working in a small and medium-sized hospital in Gyeonggi-do, were surveyed. The small and medium-sized hospital treats patients with COVID-19. Health care workers across different medical institutions responded with self-reported internet questionnaires. Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed via logistic regression. Results: Out of 301 subjects, 89.0% showed an intention to inoculate, and 85.7% were vaccinated against COVID-19. The most frequent reason for vaccination was responsibility as a medical worker. The fear of adverse reactions was the most frequent reason for non-vaccination. Adverse reactions after inoculation occurred in 70.9% of cases, and 30.6% were referred for treatment of adverse reactions. The factors ultimately influencing COVID-19 vaccination were vaccination intention, previous side effects from other vaccinations, occupation, and age. Conclusion In order to improve the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination, a systematic approach is required to determine the risk factors associated with the young age of the administrative staff/ personnel, subjects with a history of side effects associated with other vaccines, and health care workers who do not intend to be vaccinated. It is important to develop strategies to improve immunization. In addition, accurate and essential information regarding the side effects of vaccination is needed, along with appropriate education and publicity.

In this study, a medicinal herbal plant, Sanguisorba officinalis, was examined and screened for anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) activity. Seventy percent ethanol was used for herbal extraction. For anti-H. pylori activity screening, inhibitory zone tests as an in vitro assay and in vivo study using a Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) model were performed. Also, the safety of herbal compounds was evaluated by animal study. As a result of inhibitory zone test, Sanguisorba officinalis extract demonstrated strong anti-H. pylori activities. Also, as results of in vivo animal studies, Sanguisorba officinalis extract demonstrated strong therapeutic effects against H. pylori infection according to the criteria of histological examination and rapid urease test. As results of the safety study, after 28 days treatment of the Sanguisorba officinalis extract, the animals were not detected any grossly and histological changes. These results demonstrate that it can be successfully cured against H. pylori infection and protected from H. pylori-induced pathology with Sanguisorba officinalis extract. It could be a promising candidate herb treatment for patients with gastric complaints including gastric ulcer caused by H. pylori.
Animals ; Ethanol ; Gerbillinae ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Plants ; Plants, Medicinal ; Sanguisorba ; Stomach Ulcer ; Urease

In this study, a medicinal herbal plant, Sanguisorba officinalis, was examined and screened for anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) activity. Seventy percent ethanol was used for herbal extraction. For anti-H. pylori activity screening, inhibitory zone tests as an in vitro assay and in vivo study using a Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) model were performed. Also, the safety of herbal compounds was evaluated by animal study. As a result of inhibitory zone test, Sanguisorba officinalis extract demonstrated strong anti-H. pylori activities. Also, as results of in vivo animal studies, Sanguisorba officinalis extract demonstrated strong therapeutic effects against H. pylori infection according to the criteria of histological examination and rapid urease test. As results of the safety study, after 28 days treatment of the Sanguisorba officinalis extract, the animals were not detected any grossly and histological changes. These results demonstrate that it can be successfully cured against H. pylori infection and protected from H. pylori-induced pathology with Sanguisorba officinalis extract. It could be a promising candidate herb treatment for patients with gastric complaints including gastric ulcer caused by H. pylori.
Animals ; Ethanol ; Gerbillinae ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Plants ; Plants, Medicinal ; Sanguisorba ; Stomach Ulcer ; Urease

Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is strongly associated with duodenal and gastric ulcers. Substantial epidemiological data has revealed that high rates of H. pylori infection might be related to high rates of gastric cancer and gastric adenocarcinoma. In this study, a medicinal herbal plant, Cinnamomum cassia, was examined and screened for anti-H. pylori activity. Seventy percent ethanol was used for herbal extraction. For anti-H. pylori activity screening, inhibitory zone tests as an in vitro assay and in vivo study using a Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) model were performed. Also, the safety of herbal compounds was evaluated by animal study. As a result of inhibitory zone test, Cinnamomum cassia extract demonstrated strong anti-H. pylori activities. Also, as results of in vivo animal studies, Cinnamomum cassia demonstrated strong therapeutic effects against H. pylori infection according to the criteria of histological examination and rapid urease test. As results of the safety study, after 28 days treatment of the Cinnamomum cassia extract, the animals were not detected any grossly and histological changes. These results demonstrate that it can be successfully cured against H. pylori infection and protected from H. pylori-induced pathology with Cinnamomum cassia. It could be a promising native herb treatment for patients with gastric complaints including gastric ulcer caused by H. pylori.
Adenocarcinoma ; Animals ; Cinnamomum ; Cinnamomum aromaticum ; Ethanol ; Gerbillinae ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Plants ; Plants, Medicinal ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Stomach Ulcer ; Urease

Background: As an indicator of electro-mechanical coupling, electromechanical window (EMW) can be used to predict fatal ventricular arrhythmias. We investigated the additive effect of EMW on the prediction of fatal ventricular arrhythmias in high-risk patients. Methods: We included patients who had implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implanted for primary or secondary prevention. The event group was defined as those who received an appropriate ICD therapy. We acquired echocardiograms at ICD implantation and follow-up. The EMW was calculated as the difference between the interval from QRS onset to aortic valve closure and QT interval from the electrocardiogram embedded in the continuous wave doppler image. We evaluated the predictive value of EMW for predicting fatal ventricular arrhythmia. Results: Of 245 patients (67.2 ± 12.8 years, 63.7% men), the event group was 20.0%. EMW at baseline (EMW-Baseline) and follow-up (EMW-FU) was significantly different between event and control groups. After adjustment, both EMW-Baseline (odds ratio [OR]adjust 1.02 [1.01– 1.03], P = 0.004) and EMW-FU (ORadjust 1.06 [1.04–1.07], P < 0.001) remained as significant predictors for fatal arrhythmic events. Adding EMW-Baseline significantly improved the discriminating ability of the multivariable model including clinical variables (area under the curve [AUC] 0.77 [0.70–0.84] vs. AUC 0.72 [0.64–0.80], P = 0.004), while a univariable model using EMW-FU alone showed the best performance among models (AUC 0.87 [0.81– 0.94], P = 0.060 against model with clinical variables; P = 0.030 against model with clinical variables and EMW-Baseline). Conclusion The EMW could effectively predict severe ventricular arrhythmia in ICD implanted patients. This finding supports the importance of incorporating the electro-mechanical coupling index into the clinical practice for predicting future fatal arrhythmia events.

Background: Cutaneous manifestations are frequently observed in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Even patients undergoing HD who frequently visit hospitals do not receive active dermatological care. The aims of this study were to assess the cutaneous manifestations of patients undergoing HD and investigate changes in their QoL before and after active treatment by dermatologists. Methods: A 12-week prospective study was conducted in two HD centers. Patients in one center received dermatological intervention, while patients in the other center received conservative management by a nephrologist. Patients scored their QoL using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Skindex-29 at the start of the study and 12 weeks later. Two matched groups were formed using propensity score matching.Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify associations between dermatological treatment and the improvement in QoL. Results: In total, 120 patients were included, of whom 65 and 55 were in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Approximately 93.8% of the patients had dermatological manifestations, with pallor and xerosis being the most common. Improvement in QoL, as assessed using the DLQI, was confirmed after 12 weeks in the overall population. However, active intervention by a dermatologist did not significantly improve QoL. Conclusion Patients treated with dermatological intervention by a dermatologist did not achieve greater improvements in QoL than control patients. Therefore, careful assessment of skin issues in patients with ESKD should be undertaken by nephrologists, and the best possible treatment should be administered.

Background: Cutaneous manifestations are frequently observed in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Even patients undergoing HD who frequently visit hospitals do not receive active dermatological care. The aims of this study were to assess the cutaneous manifestations of patients undergoing HD and investigate changes in their QoL before and after active treatment by dermatologists. Methods: A 12-week prospective study was conducted in two HD centers. Patients in one center received dermatological intervention, while patients in the other center received conservative management by a nephrologist. Patients scored their QoL using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Skindex-29 at the start of the study and 12 weeks later. Two matched groups were formed using propensity score matching.Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify associations between dermatological treatment and the improvement in QoL. Results: In total, 120 patients were included, of whom 65 and 55 were in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Approximately 93.8% of the patients had dermatological manifestations, with pallor and xerosis being the most common. Improvement in QoL, as assessed using the DLQI, was confirmed after 12 weeks in the overall population. However, active intervention by a dermatologist did not significantly improve QoL. Conclusion Patients treated with dermatological intervention by a dermatologist did not achieve greater improvements in QoL than control patients. Therefore, careful assessment of skin issues in patients with ESKD should be undertaken by nephrologists, and the best possible treatment should be administered.

Background: Cutaneous manifestations are frequently observed in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Even patients undergoing HD who frequently visit hospitals do not receive active dermatological care. The aims of this study were to assess the cutaneous manifestations of patients undergoing HD and investigate changes in their QoL before and after active treatment by dermatologists. Methods: A 12-week prospective study was conducted in two HD centers. Patients in one center received dermatological intervention, while patients in the other center received conservative management by a nephrologist. Patients scored their QoL using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Skindex-29 at the start of the study and 12 weeks later. Two matched groups were formed using propensity score matching.Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify associations between dermatological treatment and the improvement in QoL. Results: In total, 120 patients were included, of whom 65 and 55 were in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Approximately 93.8% of the patients had dermatological manifestations, with pallor and xerosis being the most common. Improvement in QoL, as assessed using the DLQI, was confirmed after 12 weeks in the overall population. However, active intervention by a dermatologist did not significantly improve QoL. Conclusion Patients treated with dermatological intervention by a dermatologist did not achieve greater improvements in QoL than control patients. Therefore, careful assessment of skin issues in patients with ESKD should be undertaken by nephrologists, and the best possible treatment should be administered.

Background: Cutaneous manifestations are frequently observed in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Even patients undergoing HD who frequently visit hospitals do not receive active dermatological care. The aims of this study were to assess the cutaneous manifestations of patients undergoing HD and investigate changes in their QoL before and after active treatment by dermatologists. Methods: A 12-week prospective study was conducted in two HD centers. Patients in one center received dermatological intervention, while patients in the other center received conservative management by a nephrologist. Patients scored their QoL using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Skindex-29 at the start of the study and 12 weeks later. Two matched groups were formed using propensity score matching.Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify associations between dermatological treatment and the improvement in QoL. Results: In total, 120 patients were included, of whom 65 and 55 were in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Approximately 93.8% of the patients had dermatological manifestations, with pallor and xerosis being the most common. Improvement in QoL, as assessed using the DLQI, was confirmed after 12 weeks in the overall population. However, active intervention by a dermatologist did not significantly improve QoL. Conclusion Patients treated with dermatological intervention by a dermatologist did not achieve greater improvements in QoL than control patients. Therefore, careful assessment of skin issues in patients with ESKD should be undertaken by nephrologists, and the best possible treatment should be administered.

Salsola komarovi Iljin is a halophyte and herbaceous annual native to the sand dunes and beaches of Japan, northern China, Sakhalin, and Korea. The plants have been known as an ecologically important species for enhancing formation of sand dunes in Korea. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-gastric ulcer effect of Salsola komarovi Iljin halophyte in an HCl-ethanol-induced gastritis model. SD rats (7-weeks-old) were divided into normal (I, n=10), control (II, 60% HCl-ethanol + water, n=10), 60% HCl-ethanol + Ranitidine 300 mg/kg (III, n=10), 60% HCl-ethanol + Salicornia herbacea L. 500 mg/kg (IV, n=10), 60% HCl-ethanol + 50% alcohol extract of Salsola komarovi Iljin 500 mg/kg (V, n=10), and 60% HCl-ethanol + water extract of Salsola komarovi Iljin 500 mg/kg (VI, n=10) groups. Salsola komarovi Iljin significantly suppressed gastric lesions and ulcers in the 60% HClethanol-induced gastric model. Especially, 500 mg/kg of 50% alcohol extract of Salsola komarovi Iljin showed significant inhibitory effects against gastritis. Especially, 50% alcohol extract of Salsola komarovi Iljin 500 mg/kg showed a significantly inhibitory effect, which was more potent than that of 300 mg/kg of Ranitidine. In histopathological analysis of the animal model, Salsola komarovi Iljin attenuated gastric ulcer formation. Our results suggest that Salsola komarovi Iljin has inhibitory effects against gastritis and gastric ulcers and could be developed as a new anti-gastric ulcer agent.
Animals ; Chenopodiaceae ; China ; Gastritis ; Japan ; Korea ; Models, Animal ; Ranitidine ; Rats* ; Salsola* ; Salt-Tolerant Plants* ; Silicon Dioxide ; Stomach Ulcer* ; Ulcer ; Water