Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) account for a large proportion of healthcare-associated infections and have a significant impact on morbidity, length of hospital stay, and mortality. Adherence to the recommended infection prevention practices can effectively reduce the incidence of CAUTIs. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of CAUTIs and the efficacy of prevention programs across hospitals of various sizes. Methods: Intervention programs, including training, surveillance, and monitoring, were implemented. Data on the microorganisms responsible for CAUTIs, urinary catheter utilization ratio, rate of CAUTIs per 1,000 device days, and factors associated with the use of indwelling catheters were collected from 2017 to 2019. The incidence of CAUTIs and associated data were compared between university hospitals and small- and medium-sized hospitals. Results: Thirty-two hospitals participated in the study, including 21 university hospitals and 11 small- and medium-sized hospitals. The microorganisms responsible for CAUTIs and their resistance rates did not differ between the two groups. In the first quarter of 2018, the incidence rate was 2.05 infections/1,000 device-days in university hospitals and 1.44 infections/1,000 device-days in small- and medium-sized hospitals. After implementing interventions, the rate gradually decreased in the first quarter of 2019, with 1.18 infections/1,000 device-days in university hospitals and 0.79 infections/1,000 device-days in small- and medium-sized hospitals. However, by the end of the study, the infection rate increased to 1.74 infections/1,000 device-days in university hospitals and 1.80 infections/1,000 device-days in small- and medium-sized hospitals. Conclusion We implemented interventions to prevent CAUTIs and evaluated their outcomes. The incidence of these infections decreased in the initial phases of the intervention when adequate support and personnel were present. The rate of these infections may be reduced by implementing active interventions such as consistent monitoring and adherence to guidelines for preventing infections.

Hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein has been reported as a key protein regulating the pathogenesis of HBV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent evidence has shown that HBx is implicated in the activation of autophagy in hepatic cells. Nevertheless, the precise molecular and cellular mechanism by which HBx induces autophagy is still controversial.Herein, we investigated the molecular and cellular mechanism by which HBx is involved in the TRAF6-BECN1-Bcl-2 signaling for the regulation of autophagy in response to TLR4 stimulation, therefore influencing the HCC progression. HBx interacts with BECN1 (Beclin 1) and inhibits the association of the BECN1-Bcl-2 complex, which is known to prevent the assembly of the pre-autophagosomal structure. Furthermore, HBx enhances the interaction between VPS34 and TRAF6-BECN1 complex, increases the ubiquitination of BECN1, and subsequently enhances autophagy induction in response to LPS stimulation. To verify the functional role of HBx in liver cancer progression, we utilized different HCC cell lines, HepG2, SK-Hep-1, and SNU-761. HBx-expressing HepG2 cells exhibited enhanced cell migration, invasion, and cell mobility in response to LPS stimulation compared to those of control HepG2 cells. These results were consistently observed in HBx-expressed SK-Hep-1 and HBx-expressed SNU-761 cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that HBx positively regulates the induction of autophagy through the inhibition of the BECN1-Bcl-2 complex and enhancement of the TRAF6-BECN1-VPS34 complex, leading to enhance liver cancer migration and invasion.

BACKGROUND: Healthy skin is an important determinant of the quality of life and physical and mental well-being. The demand for dermatological information is increasing not only in patients with skin diseases, but also in the general population with normal/healthy skin. However, public perception and behavior with regard to skin health among Koreans are not known. OBJECTIVE: To examine public perception and behaviors with regard to skin health in Koreans visiting the Skin Health Expo 2017. METHODS: A total of 597 participants completed a questionnaire that assessed demographics, status, and behavior for skin health and Expo satisfaction. RESULTS: Respondents with higher stress levels and a history of skin diseases showed lower satisfaction with self-skin health. Most participants considered adequate sleep and water intake to be important factors associated with healthy skin. One-on-one consultation with dermatologists was the most satisfactory among participants at the Expo. CONCLUSION: Educational tools using mass media and informative activities such as the Expo planned by dermatologists and the government are necessary to spread awareness and provide proper information to improve skin health in the general population and to emphasize the key role of dermatologists in skin disorders with a social burden.
Demography ; Drinking ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mass Media ; Quality of Life ; Research Report* ; Skin Diseases ; Skin* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Skin laser treatment has improved significantly and has become an effective treatment approach for many skin diseases while also having applications for beauty treatments. However, since skin laser transfers energy directly to the skin, the misuse of such treatment may result in permanent damage to skin tissues. OBJECTIVE: This survey of Korean adults, conducted to obtain their perspectives on and their treatment experience with skin laser treatment, will be used to determine the current status of skin laser treatment and to identify necessary changes to ensure proper and safe conduct of skin laser treatment. METHODS: From April 5th to April 12th, 2016, a survey was conducted to obtain information regarding the perspectives and the treatment experience of adults aged 20~59 years. RESULTS: Approximately 50% of the participants had experience with skin laser treatment, and among these, 24.7% had not received treatment at a dermatology clinic. Compared to treatment at a dermatology clinic, the danger of side effects was 1.7 times higher at a non-dermatology clinic, 2 times higher at a skin care shop, and 5.3 times higher at an Oriental medical clinic. Among patients who received skin laser treatment, 16.1% experienced side effects, and among these, 1 out of 4 patients visited a non-dermatologist for treatment of these side effects. CONCLUSION: The results of the survey showed that in order for the public to receive safe and effective skin laser treatment based on professional diagnosis, there is a definitive need to provide correct information to the public and to implement changes to ensure proper understanding of skin laser treatment among this population.
Adult ; Beauty ; Dermatology ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Skin Care ; Skin Diseases ; Skin*

The present study evaluated the effects of a mixture of Galla rhois and Cinnamomum cassia extracts (GCE) (1 : 1, w/w) on susceptibility to the colonization of Campylobacter (C.) jejuni in broilers. Eighty two-week-old broilers (n = 20 per group) were used to estimate the efficacy of GCE against C. jejuni infection via drinking water. Antibacterial activity testing revealed that the minimum bactericidal concentration of GCE against C. jejuni was 2.5 mg/mL. Broilers challenged with C. jejuni were administered 0.0 (Non-GCE), 2.5 (GCE-2.5), 5.0 (GCE-5.0) and 10.0 g/L (GCE-10) GCE for 7 days, and the cecal contents were collected from five broilers per group on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day post-treatment. On day 3 post-administration, the number of C. jejuni in GCE-5.0 (p < 0.05) and GCE-10 (p < 0.01) was significantly decreased relative to Non-GCE, while on day 7 those in all GCE-treated groups were significantly decreased compared to the Non-GCE group (p < 0.001). Hematological and blood biochemical analysis revealed no significant differences in parameters between the Non-GCE and GCE-treated groups. Based on the results of the present study, GCE was identified as a safe and alternative candidate to suppress C. jejuni colonization in broilers.
Campylobacter jejuni* ; Campylobacter* ; Chickens* ; Cinnamomum aromaticum* ; Cinnamomum* ; Colon* ; Drinking Water

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an aromatic herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family. This study evaluated the therapeutic effect of oregano essential oil (OEO) on clinical bovine mastitis caused by Staphylococcus (S.) aureus and/or Escherichia (E.) coli. Thirty-two quarters from 18 lactating cows with subclinical mastitis were selected from a dairy farm and were divided into 4 groups (8 quarters/group): negative control (CON), positive control (GEN) and two OEO-treated groups (OEO-1 and OEO-2). Each group was intramammarily treated with saline, 10 g/tube of gentamicin ointment, and single and double doses of 0.9 mL OEO ointment twice a day for three days, respectively. After the treatments, physical udder conditions were greatly improved in GEN and OEO groups. In CON group, somatic cell counts (SCCs), number of white blood cells (WBC) and bacteria were increased. However, in OEO groups, SCCs and number of WBC were significantly decreased and S. aureus and E. coli were not detected in milk as compared with those before the treatments as well as GEN group. These results suggest that OEO may be a useful alternative to antibiotics for the control of subclinical bovine mastitis caused by S. aureus and/or E. coli.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Cattle ; Cell Count ; Escherichia coli* ; Escherichia* ; Female ; Gentamicins ; Humans ; Lamiaceae ; Leukocytes ; Mammary Glands, Animal ; Mastitis ; Mastitis, Bovine* ; Milk ; Origanum* ; Staphylococcus aureus* ; Staphylococcus*

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity (MHO and MUO, respectively) and examine the demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle predictors of metabolic health status in Korean children and adolescents. METHODS: This study was based on data collected from the Korean Children-Adolescent Study in 2010. A total of 1,700 children (846 boys and 854 girls) were included in the primary cohort and classified into metabolically healthy and unhealthy groups according to factors related to the metabolic syndrome. Demographic and biochemical features were evaluated in study participants. Logistic regression estimated the odds ratios of having more fat mass among MUO compared with MHO children after adjusting for confounding factors. RESULTS: Mean body mass index was higher in the MUO group than in the MHO group (24.83 vs. 23.02 kg/m2, respectively). The proportion of obese participants was also higher in the MUO group (59.4%) than in the MHO group (20.7%). MHO children were more likely to have parents with better socioeconomic status and a higher fruit and vegetable intake compared with MUO children. Higher fat mass and percent fat was associated with MUO according to multiple logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Fat mass and percent fat are associated with metabolically healthy phenotypes of obesity among children and adolescents.
Adolescent* ; Body Mass Index ; Child* ; Cohort Studies ; Fruit ; Humans ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Parents ; Pediatrics ; Phenotype ; Prevalence ; Social Class ; Vegetables

Congenital myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) presents severe generalized weakness, hypotonia, and respiratory compromise after delivery with high mortality and poor prognosis. We presented a congenital DM1 of premature twins in the 30th week of gestation. These twins were conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF). Both babies presented apnea and hypotonia and had characteristic facial appearance. They were diagnosed DM1 by genetic method. They were complicated by chylothorax and expired at 100 and 215 days of age, respectively. Mother was diagnosed DM1 during the evaluation of babies. This is the first report on congenital DM1 which accompanied the chylothorax. More investigation on the association with chylothorax and congenital DM1 is recommended. With a case of severe neonatal hypotonia, congenital DM1 should be differentiated in any gestational age. Finally, since DM1 is a cause of infertility, we should consider DM1 in infertility clinic with detailed history and physical examination.
Adult ; Apnea/etiology ; Blotting, Southern ; Chylothorax/complications ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics ; Muscle Hypotonia/etiology ; Myotonic Dystrophy/complications/*diagnosis/radiography ; Twins

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors which affect pulmonary function in shipyard workers in order to build a body of basic information that can be used to prevent and manage pulmonary disorders in the future. METHODS: We studied the respiratory symptoms, smoking history, chest radiographies, and pulmonary functions of 793 workers associated with two shipyards from April 2009 to July 2009. The workers were subdivided into 3 groups by job type: welders, grinders, and machinist-managers. The data was analyzed according to job type and other possible impact factors. RESULTS: Significant differences among job type were seen with dyspnea and coughing during working hours and in the morning. In pulmonary functions, there were significant differences in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) (except FEV1/FVC%) among job types. Grinders especially showed significantly lower figures in the indices of FEV1, FVC, and MMEF. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary function was significantly lower in grinders. Grinders seem to be affected by exposure to a combination of dust particles (silica, lead, and manganese) and irritant gases in the workplace. These results suggested that workers and health officials should work together to adopt technical preventive measures, such as having well- ventilated work areas and appropriate respiratory protective devices.
Cough ; Dust ; Dyspnea ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Gases ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Protective Devices ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thorax ; Vital Capacity ; Welding

BACKGROUND: An epidemiologic study was performed after the outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) from December 2006 to May 2007. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was performed using the medical records of the patients. The case and control patients were compared for age, gender, total length of stay in MICU, prior carbapenem use, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACH II) score, presence of central line, effect of mechanical ventilation, and sputum suction. Environmental and hand-washing studies were performed during the outbreak. RESULTS: Ten CRAB-affected patients and 29 controls were enrolled in this study. Univariate analysis showed that the age, total length of stay in MICU, presence of central line, and prior carbapenem use were associated with the CRAB outbreak. However, multivariate analysis showed that only prior carbapenem use was associated with the CRAB outbreak (odd ratio: 8.67, P=0.01). The outbreak disappeared after implementing a combined infection control strategy, including the sequential disinfection of MICU and strict compliance with cross-transmission prevention protocols. CONCLUSION: The use of carbapenem was associated with an increased risk of CRAB infection. This study suggests that the MICU contamination and infection transmission by health-care workers played a major role in the CRAB outbreak. Novel strategies such as restricted use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, strict hand hygiene, strict isolation of the patients, and MICU disinfection may be required to prevent the CRAB outbreak.
Acinetobacter ; Acinetobacter baumannii ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; APACHE ; Case-Control Studies ; Compliance ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Disinfection ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Hand Hygiene ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sputum ; Suction