PURPOSE: The pollen calendar is the simplest forecasting method for pollen concentrations. As pollen concentrations are liable to seasonal variations due to alterations in climate and land-use, it is necessary to update the pollen calendar using recent data. To attenuate the impact of considerable temporal and spatial variability in pollen concentrations on the pollen calendar, it is essential to employ a new methodology for its creation.METHODS: A pollen calendar was produced in Korea using data from recent observations, and a new method for creating the calendar was proposed, considering both risk levels and temporal resolution of pollen concentrations. A probability distribution was used for smoothing concentrations and determining risk levels. Airborne pollen grains were collected between 2007 and 2017 at 8 stations; 13 allergenic pollens, including those of alder, Japanese cedar, birch, hazelnut, oak, elm, pine, ginkgo, chestnut, grasses, ragweed, mugwort and Japanese hop, were identified from the collected grains.RESULTS: The concentrations of each pollen depend on locations and seasons due to large variability in species distribution and their environmental condition. In the descending order of concentration, pine, oak and Japanese hop pollens were found to be the most common in Korea. The pollen concentrations were high in spring and autumn, and those of oak and Japanese hop were probably the most common cause of allergy symptoms in spring and autumn, respectively. High Japanese cedar pollen counts were observed in Jeju, while moderate concentrations were in Jeonju, Gwangju and Busan.CONCLUSIONS: A new methodology for the creation of a pollen calendar was developed to attenuate the impact of large temporal and spatial variability in pollen concentrations. This revised calendar should be available to the public and allergic patients to prevent aggravation of pollen allergy.
Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Betula ; Busan ; Climate ; Corylus ; Cryptomeria ; Forecasting ; Ginkgo biloba ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Jeollabuk-do ; Korea ; Methods ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; Seasons

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Proton pump inhibitors are widely used to prevent gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)-related bleeding, but no standard administration regimens have been established. We aimed to prospectively compare the effects of continuous infusion and intermittent dosing with pantoprazole on preventing gastric ESD-related bleeding. Additionally, we analyzed the risk factors for bleeding. METHODS: From April 2012 to May 2013, patients with a gastric epithelial neoplasm scheduled for ESD in the Pusan National University Hospital were randomly assigned to one of two groups according to the pantoprazole administration regimen (continuous infusion or intermittent dosing). The primary outcomes measured were intra- and postprocedural bleeding events. RESULTS: The final analysis included 401 patients. The rate of significant intraprocedural bleeding was 25.4% in the C group and 24.0% in the I group, with no significant difference (p=0.419). In addition, there was no significant difference in the postprocedural bleeding rate between the C and I groups (11.7% vs 10.2%, p=0.374). Multivariate analysis showed that intraprocedural bleeding was associated with the proximal tumor location, the presence of fibrosis, and the size of the resected specimen, whereas postprocedural bleeding was associated with the size of the resected specimen and the procedure/coagulation time. CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent dosing with pantoprazole is sufficient and cost-effective for the prevention of gastric ESD-related bleeding. Operators should consider tumor characteristics when planning ESD to minimize the risk of intraprocedural bleeding, and patients with large iatrogenic ulcers should be carefully monitored for postprocedural bleeding.
Busan ; Fibrosis ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; Prospective Studies ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: Seoul and Busan are the two largest cities in Korea. However, life expectancy (LE) in Busan is shorter than in Seoul and among the total Korean population. This study was conducted to decompose age- and cause-specific contributions to the LE difference between Seoul and Busan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained population and mortality data for Seoul and Busan between 2015 and 2017 from Statistics Korea. We applied Arriaga's decomposition method to life table data to estimate age- and cause-specific contributions to the LE difference between Seoul and Busan. RESULTS: During 2015–2017, LE in Busan was shorter than in Seoul by 2.22 years. Roughly two-thirds of the LE gap between Seoul and Busan was due to excess mortality among elderly people in Busan. The ≥85 age group alone contributed to approximately 20% of the LE gap, while no meaningful contribution was made by the 1–24 age groups. Cardiovascular disease accounted for over 40% of the total LE gap between Seoul and Busan, and this factor was more prominent in women. The top 15 leading specific causes of deaths explained nearly the entire LE difference between Seoul and Busan. CONCLUSION: The difference in LE between Seoul and Busan was due to higher mortality rate in Busan than in Seoul, especially in the elderly population and from cardiovascular diseases. Information on age- and cause-specific contributions to the LE difference between Seoul and Busan may guide health policy-makers to plan strategies for reducing the gap in LE.
Aged ; Busan ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Expectancy ; Life Tables ; Methods ; Mortality ; Republic of Korea ; Seoul

BACKGROUND: Campylobacter jejuni is an important food-borne pathogen that causes human gastroenteritis. This study was conducted to investigate the incidence of isolation, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, and C. jejuni genotype from diarrhea patients in Busan, Korea. METHODS: A total of 97 C. jejuni were isolated from diarrhea patients during five food-borne outbreaks from 2014 to September 2017. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were carried out by the broth microdilution method for ciprofloxacin (CIP), nalidixic acid (NAL), tetracycline (TET), chloramphenicol, azithromycin (AZI), erythromycin (ERY), streptomycin (STR), gentamicin, and telithromycin. To investigate C. jejuni genotypes, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profile analysis was performed. RESULTS: The isolation rate of C. jejuni was 2.0% for the last 4 years and increased annually. Antimicrobial resistance rates of C. jejuni were shown to be in the order of NAL (90.9%), CIP (89.4%), TET (13.6%), AZI (3.0%), ERY (3.0%), and STR (1.5%). The proportion of multidrug-resistance was 18.2%, and they commonly contained quinolones (CIP-NAL). Analysis of PFGE patterns of SmaI-restricted DNA of C. jejuni isolates showed 17 clusters; cluster 11 was the major genotype pattern. CONCLUSION: This study will provide useful data for the proper use of antimicrobials and the management of resistant C. jejuni. Also it will help to provide data for the epidemiological investigation of foodborne diseases caused by C. jejuni, which is expected to increase in the future.
Azithromycin ; Busan ; Campylobacter jejuni ; Campylobacter ; Chloramphenicol ; Ciprofloxacin ; Diarrhea ; Disease Outbreaks ; DNA ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Erythromycin ; Foodborne Diseases ; Gastroenteritis ; Genotype ; Gentamicins ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Methods ; Nalidixic Acid ; Quinolones ; Streptomycin ; Tetracycline

PURPOSE: The most common risk factor for fecal incontinence (FI) is obstetric injury. FI affects 1.4%–18% of adults. Most patients are unaware when they are young, when symptoms appear suddenly and worsen with aging. Autologous fat graft is widely used in cosmetic surgical field and may substitute for injectable bulky agents in treating FI. Authors have done fat graft for past several years. This article reports the effectiveness of the fat graft in treating FI and discusses satisfaction with the procedure. METHODS: Fat was harvested from both lateral thighs using 10-mL Luer-loc syringe. Pure fat was extracted from harvests and mixed with fat, oil, and tumescent through refinement. Fats were injected into upper border of posterior ano-rectal ring, submucosa of anal canal and intersphincteric space. Thirty-five patients with FI were treated with this method from July 2016 to February 2017 in Busan Hangun Hospital. They were 13 male (mean age, 60.8 years) and 22 female patients (mean age, 63.3 years). The Wexner score was checked before procedure. We evaluated outcome in outpatients by asking the patients. For 19 patients we checked the Wexner score after procedure. RESULTS: Symptom improved in 29 (82.9%), and not improved in 6 (17.1%). In 2 of 6 patients, they felt better than before procedure, although not satisfied. No improvement in 4. Mean Wexner score was 9.7 before procedure. There were no serious complications such as inflammation or fat embolism. CONCLUSION: Autologous fat graft can be an effective alternative treatment for FI. It is safe and easy to perform, and cost effective.
Adult ; Aging ; Anal Canal ; Busan ; Embolism, Fat ; Fats ; Fecal Incontinence ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Male ; Methods ; Outpatients ; Risk Factors ; Syringes ; Thigh ; Transplants

This study was aimed to evaluate orofacial morphologies on the cases of developmental disorders of maxillary first molars.Panoramic radiographs, lateral cephalographs, and clinical photos of 2983 children who attended the Pediatric Dental Clinic of Pusan National University Dental Hospital from 2006 to August 2017 were assessed retrospectively. 34 patients were selected whose maxillary first molars were missed or developmentally delayed unilaterally or bilaterally. Demirjian' s method was used for estimating dental age, then which was compared to chronologic age of children. Parameters expressing skeletal and dentoalveolar disharmony were checked and compared with control. Additionally, occlusion relationship was evaluated.Maxillary dental age was significantly delayed compared to chronologic age. Several parameters which show skeletal open-bite tendency and skeletal class III malocclusion with maxillary retrusion were statistically significant. Anterior crossbite and edge-bite were expected in most of these cases, but compensation by occlusion and soft tissue was also verified which might mask skeletal class III tendency.Congenital missed or developmentally delayed maxillary first molars might be related with declined growth of maxilla. If developmental disorders of maxillary first molars were verified during clinical examination, careful monitoring of orofacial growth was necessary during puberty and timed orthopedic and orthodontic intervention were considered.
Adolescent ; Busan ; Child ; Compensation and Redress ; Dental Clinics ; Humans ; Malocclusion ; Masks ; Maxilla ; Methods ; Molar ; Orthopedics ; Puberty ; Retrognathia ; Retrospective Studies

This study aimed to evaluate skeletodental characteristics of patient with maxillary lateral incisor agenesis (MLIA) in mixed dentition.It involved the children in early mixed dentition who visited Pusan National University dental hospital for orthodontic purposed and had intact primary canines. 38 children with MLIA and 38 controls with the same chronological age satisfying the inclusion criteria were selected. The craniofacial structures and dental arch dimensions of the MLIA were evaluated using model & cephalometric analysis and compared to controls.The rate of unilateral MLIA was high in male and the rate of bilateral MLIA was high in female. In model analysis, the width / length ratio of maxillary anterior portion of the MLIA group were higher and arch perimeter of the maxilla of the MLIA group were smaller than those of the control group (p = 0.003, 0.04). Cephalometric analysis showed that there were no significant differences in terms of skeletal, dental analysis. In soft tissue profile, nasolabial angle was larger in MLIAs than in controls (p = 0.039).Considering these skeletodental characteristics of MLIA, early diagnosis and proper management is highly recommended to minimize the possibility of functional defect.
Busan ; Child ; Dental Arch ; Dentition, Mixed ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Incisor ; Male ; Maxilla

BACKGROUND: In this study, consultations with children of young patients with cancer were evaluated by dividing the child's age into infancy, childhood, and adolescence to ensure the necessity and importance of appropriate intervention, coordination, and communication.METHODS: From June 2017 to February 2019, medical records and consultation records were reviewed by selecting suitable cases among patients hospitalized in hospice palliative care unit at a Pusan national university Yangsan hospital. The consultation was conducted on several occasions by nurses, doctors and social workers from the time the patient was hospitalized to the day before death.RESULTS: The cases of consultation were as follows: female patient with stomach cancer with a child in infancy, patient with gastric cancer with a child in childhood, and male patient with rectal cancer with a child in adolescence.CONCLUSION: It is ideal for parents to initiate communication with their children on their terminal status, so multidisciplinary teams must first support the motivation. In consultations with children, we should first explain the information about the cancer status of the parents, followed by the future clinical course, estimated life expectancy, and changes related to terminal status. Additionally, we must attempt to manage the psychological and emotional concerns of children. This study may support the creation of an atmosphere for in-depth research on family interviews of young patients with cancer in Korea. We think that this will contribute as basic data for some guidelines for communication based on the age of children in consultations with patients with terminal cancer.
Adolescent ; Atmosphere ; Busan ; Child ; Female ; Gyeongsangnam-do ; Hospice Care ; Hospices ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Expectancy ; Male ; Medical Records ; Motivation ; Palliative Care ; Parents ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Referral and Consultation ; Social Work ; Social Workers ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: Since less invasive endovascular treatment was introduced to South Korea in 1994, a considerable proportion of endovascular treatments have been performed by neuroradiology doctors, and endovascular treatments by vascular neurosurgeons have recently increased. However, few specific statistics are known regarding how many endovascular treatments are performed by neurosurgeons. Thus, authors compared endovascular treatments collaboratively performed by vascular neurosurgeons with all cases throughout South Korea from 2013 to 2017 to elucidate the role of neurosurgeons in the field of endovascular treatment in South Korea.METHODS: The Society of Korean Endovascular Neurosurgeons (SKEN) has issued annual reports every year since 2014. These reports cover statistics on endovascular treatments collaboratively or individually performed by SKEN members from 2013 to 2017. The data was requested and collected from vascular neurosurgeons in various hospitals. The study involved 77 hospitals in its first year, and 100 in its last. National statistics on endovascular treatment from all over South Korea were obtained from the Healthcare Bigdata Hub website of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service based on the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) codes (in the case of intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis, however, statistics were based on a combination of the EDI and I63 codes, a cerebral infarction disease code) from 2013 to 2017. These two data sets were directly compared and the ratios were obtained.RESULTS: Regionally, during the entire study period, endovascular treatments by SKEN members were most common in Gyeonggi-do, followed by Seoul and Busan. Among the endovascular treatments, conventional cerebral angiography was the most common, followed by cerebral aneurysmal coiling, endovascular treatments for ischemic stroke, and finally endovascular treatments for vascular malformation and tumor embolization. The number of endovascular treatments performed by SKEN members increased every year.CONCLUSION: The SKEN members have been responsible for the major role of endovascular treatments in South Korea for the recent 5 years. This was achieved through the perseverance of senior members who started out in the midst of hardship, the establishment of standards for the training/certification of endovascular neurosurgery, and the enthusiasm of current SKEN members who followed. To provide better treatment to patients, we will have to make further progress in SKEN.
Busan ; Cerebral Angiography ; Cerebral Infarction ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Dataset ; Delivery of Health Care ; Endovascular Procedures ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Insurance, Health ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Korea ; Neurosurgeons ; Neurosurgery ; Seoul ; Stroke ; Vascular Malformations

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify the influence of nursing professionalism and campus environment on the perception of ethical sensitivity among nursing students. METHODS: A descriptive survey design was used for this study. The participants were 323 nursing students attending four universities in Busan and Kyungnam. Data collection was conducted from November 25 to December 25, 2017 using a self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: The factors influencing ethical sensitivity of nursing students were identified as professional self-concept (β=.36), nursing role (β=.24), scholarship (β=.17), practicability (β=.17), and propriety (β=-.13). Five factors explained 40.5% of nursing students' ethical sensitivity. CONCLUSION: The results of this study can be used to develop further educational programs on nursing professionalism and campus environments for enhancement of nursing students' ethical sensitivity.
Busan ; Data Collection ; Ethics, Nursing ; Fellowships and Scholarships ; Gyeongsangnam-do ; Humans ; Nursing ; Professionalism ; Students, Nursing