Background: After the global epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), lifestyle changes to curb the spread of COVID-19 (e.g., wearing a mask, hand washing, and social distancing) have also affected the outbreak of other infectious diseases. However, few studies have been conducted on whether the incidence of gastrointestinal infections has changed over the past year with COVID-19. In this study, we examined how the incidence of gastrointestinal infections has changed since COVID-19 outbreak through open data. Methods: We summarized the data on the several viruses and bacteria that cause gastrointestinal infections from the open data of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency for 3 years from March 2018 to February 2021 (from Spring 2018 to Winter 2020). Moreover, we confirmed three most common legal gastrointestinal infectious pathogens from March 2016. Results: From March 2020, when the COVID-19 epidemic was in full swing and social distancing and personal hygiene management were heavily emphasized, the incidence of infection from each virus was drastically decreased. The reduction rates compared to the averages of the last 2 years were as follows: total viruses 31.9%, norovirus 40.2%, group A rotavirus 31.8%, enteric adenovirus 13.4%, astrovirus 7.0%, and sapovirus 12.2%. Among bacterial pathogens, the infection rates of Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens did not decrease but rather increased in some periods when compared to the average of the last two years. The incidence of nontyphoidal Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, or enteropathogenic Escherichia coli somewhat decreased but not significantly compared to the previous two years. Conclusion The incidence of infection from gastrointestinal viruses, which are mainly caused by the fecal-to-oral route and require direct contact among people, was significantly reduced, whereas the incidence of bacterial pathogens, which have food-mediated transmission as the main cause of infection, did not decrease significantly.

Background: After the global epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), lifestyle changes to curb the spread of COVID-19 (e.g., wearing a mask, hand washing, and social distancing) have also affected the outbreak of other infectious diseases. However, few studies have been conducted on whether the incidence of gastrointestinal infections has changed over the past year with COVID-19. In this study, we examined how the incidence of gastrointestinal infections has changed since COVID-19 outbreak through open data. Methods: We summarized the data on the several viruses and bacteria that cause gastrointestinal infections from the open data of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency for 3 years from March 2018 to February 2021 (from Spring 2018 to Winter 2020). Moreover, we confirmed three most common legal gastrointestinal infectious pathogens from March 2016. Results: From March 2020, when the COVID-19 epidemic was in full swing and social distancing and personal hygiene management were heavily emphasized, the incidence of infection from each virus was drastically decreased. The reduction rates compared to the averages of the last 2 years were as follows: total viruses 31.9%, norovirus 40.2%, group A rotavirus 31.8%, enteric adenovirus 13.4%, astrovirus 7.0%, and sapovirus 12.2%. Among bacterial pathogens, the infection rates of Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens did not decrease but rather increased in some periods when compared to the average of the last two years. The incidence of nontyphoidal Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, or enteropathogenic Escherichia coli somewhat decreased but not significantly compared to the previous two years. Conclusion The incidence of infection from gastrointestinal viruses, which are mainly caused by the fecal-to-oral route and require direct contact among people, was significantly reduced, whereas the incidence of bacterial pathogens, which have food-mediated transmission as the main cause of infection, did not decrease significantly.

PURPOSE: This study sought to determine the 1-year clinical effectiveness and safety of a biodegradable, polymer-containing Biolimus A9™-eluting stent (BES) in Korean patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1000 ACS patients with 1251 lesions who underwent implantation of BESs at 22 centers in Korea were enrolled between May 2011 and July 2013. We assessed major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as the composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and clinical-driven target vessel revascularization at 12 months. RESULTS: Patient mean age was 62.6±11.4 years. 72.8% of the patients were male, 28.5% had diabetes, 32.8% had multi-vessel disease (MVD), and 47.9% presented with acute MI (AMI). The mean global registry of acute coronary events risk score of all patients was 103.0±27.6. The number of stents per patient was 1.3±0.6. The incidences of MACE and definite stent thrombosis at 12 months were 3.9% and 0.2%, respectively. On multivariate Cox-regression analysis, age ≥65 years was identified as an independent predictors of 1-year MACE (hazard ratio=2.474; 95% confidence interval=1.202−5.091). Subgroup analyses revealed no significant differences in the incidence of MACE between patients with and without diabetes (4.3% vs. 3.7%, p=0.667), between those who presented with and without AMI (4.4% vs. 3.4%, p=0.403), and between those with and without MVD (4.6% vs. 3.5%, p=0.387). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated excellent 1-year clinical outcomes of BES implantation in patients at low-risk for ACS.
Acute Coronary Syndrome/drug therapy ; Aged ; Drug-Eluting Stents/adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Republic of Korea ; Sirolimus/adverse effects ; Sirolimus/analogs & derivatives ; Sirolimus/therapeutic use ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the current status of research related to evidence-based nursing and to suggest directions for the future of evidence-based nursing practice, education and research. METHODS: A search was done of 20 research publications, including domestic nursing journals, nursing master's theses and doctoral dissertations before November 2016. Finally, 183 studies were selected. The selected papers were analyzed using descriptive statistics and χ² test with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. RESULTS: Most of papers examined in this study were journal articles (80.9%). Meta-analysis (35.0%) was the most common study design. Methodological characteristics were as follows: before 2010 about 5% were documents that suggested Priori' design, generation of PICO, search strategy, quality assessment and description of quality assessment outcome, but after 2011, these designs increased to 30.8%, 73.1%, 41.0%, 91.0% and 65.4%, respectively. The most frequent topics for evidence-based nursing implementation were evidence-based nursing readiness (16 papers). Highest frequency topics in systematic reviews and meta-analysis were studies that confirmed the intervention effect of exercise programs. The highest frequency topics in guideline were temperature control. CONCLUSION: Researchers' perceptions to improve research methodological quality and education to strengthen the research capability are necessary.
Education ; Evidence-Based Nursing* ; Korea* ; Nursing ; Nursing Research

BACKGROUND: Elderly persons are rapidly increasing in Korea. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this age group. In this research, we evaluated the clinical characteristics of the elderly patients presenting chest pain. METHODS: A total of 471 patients who visited cardiovascular center of Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong for chest pain were reviewed and divided by three groups, via age; under 40, from 40 to 69 and over 70 years old. RESULTS: The number of patients over 70 years was 142 (30.1%). The proportion of patients diagnosed as having significant, multivessel coronary diseases was higher than that of younger patients (p=0.0002). The rate of atypical chest discomfort presenting as a cardiac symptom was not higher than in the middle-aged group (4.8% vs. 2.1%, p=0.255). CONCLUSION: In elderly patients, the proportion of female patients and significant multivessel diseases were more common than younger patients.
Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Thorax

The consensus guideline development committee of Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology was reconvened in March 2012. The committee consisted of 36 experts representing 12 university hospitals and professional organizations. The objective of this committee was to develop standardized guidelines for cervical cancer screening tests for Korean women and to distribute these guidelines to every clinician, eventually improving the quality of medical care. Since the establishment of the consensus guideline development committee, evidence-based guidelines have either been developed de novo considering specific Korean situations or by adaptation of preexisting consensus guidelines from other countries. Recommendations for cervical cancer screening tests, management of atypical squamous and glandular cells, and management of low-grade and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were developed. Additionally, recommendations for human papillomavirus DNA testing and recommendations for adolescent and pregnant women with abnormal cervical screening test results were also included.
Adolescent ; Consensus ; DNA ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Pregnant Women ; Societies ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

PURPOSE: The study aimed to explore the health consequences that women experienced after miscarriage and the factors related to them. METHODS: A convenience sample consisting of 102 women who had miscarried within 2 years was used. Women were recruited from hospitals and enterprises in Seoul and Gyeong-Gi Province. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire containing a physical and psychological symptoms checklist developed for this study. RESULTS: More than 40% of the miscarriages occurred after 9 weeks of pregnancy and 35% of women were found to have had a previous miscarriage prior to this study. Psychological symptoms were more prevalent and prolonged than the physical symptoms, furthermore, the frequencies of the symptoms experiencedwere not consistent with the duration of symptoms. Employed women and women with early miscarriages complained of more physical symptoms; however, psychological symptoms were not different according to women's characteristics. Employment was a significant factor affecting physical symptoms. CONCLUSION: Health care professionals need to inform and educate women and the family of the potential health changes during the recovery after the miscarriage. Health consequences due to miscarriages also need to be incorporated in women's reproductive health care. Nursing care should consider factors of maternal age, employment status, and obstetrical conditions upon the apparent social changes.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Checklist ; Delivery of Health Care ; Employment ; Female ; Humans ; Maternal Age ; Nursing Care ; Pregnancy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Reproductive Health ; Social Change

Peritoneal desmoplastic small round cell tumor is a very rare malignant neoplasm and has specific clinical features; It is predominant in children and young males and has a well-demarcated large intra-abdominal tumor, which has not been associated with a primary visceral organ, with diffusely scattered multiple small tumors and rarely involves ovaries. It is a very aggressive and fast growing tumor along the peritoneal surfaces of the abdomen and pelvis. It has a typical histologic features and a specific immunohistochemical staining pattern. There is no definite treatment. It responses to surgery and chemotherapy at early period of therapy but relapses soon and rapidly progresses and then causes the death. We have experienced a peritoneal desmoplastic small round cell tumor which involved both ovaries, so we report this case with a brief review of literature.
Abdomen ; Child ; Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor* ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Ovary* ; Pelvis ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to evaluate the validity of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Event (GRACE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: One thousand thirty hundred seventy eight patients (63.6+/-12.0 years, 921 male), who were admitted at coronary care unit (CCU) of Chonnam National University Hospital between January 2004 and December 2005, were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: the survived group (n=1,298, 871 male, 63.1+/-9.7 years) and the moribund group (n=80, 50 male, 67.4+/-8.5 years). Clinical characteristics, risk factors for atherosclerosis, echocardiographic findings, GRACE score and NT-proBNP were compared between groups. RESULTS: The overall mortality was 5.8 %, 80 out of 1,378 patients. Mortality was higher in patients with Killip IV (46.7%, 50 out of 107 patients) than Killip II or III and elderly patients more than 80 years (42.7%, 38 out of 89 patients). High Killip class and old age were associated with high mortality (p<0.0001 respectively). Total score of GRACE was elevated in the moribund group (142+/-40.3 vs. 240+/-40.0) and high GRACE score was significant predictor of mortality (p<0.0001, r=0.827). Predictive factors for mortality by multiple logistic regression analysis were GRACE score (OR 1.15, 1.11~1.20 95%CI, p<0.0001) and old age (OR 0.88, 1.14~1.33 95%CI, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: GRACE score is useful predictor for the mortality of ACS at CCU.
Acute Coronary Syndrome* ; Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; Coronary Care Units ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mortality* ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Glucocorticoid resistance poses a challenging clinical problem in inflammatory bowel disease because more than one fourth of patients with severe ulcerative colitis do not respond to anti-inflammatory steroids. Recently, it has been reported that glucocorticoid response is related to the expression of human glucocorticoid receptor beta (hGRbeta) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activity. The aims of this study were to clarify whether these factors may predict the responsiveness before treatment. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and colonic mucosa in 17 patients of ulcerative colitis before steroid administration. RNA was reverse transcribed and the resulting complementary DNA was amplified using specific primers for hGR alpha and beta. Concomitantly, NF-kappaB activity in colonic mucosa was assessed by immunohistochemical stain. RESULTS: The expression of hGRbeta mRNA was detected in 10 patients (58.8%) in PBMC and 8 patients (47.1%) in colon, respectively. Operations were performed in 5 patients due to steroid unresponsiveness. Only 5 of 17 patients (29.4%) were consistent in the expression of hGRbeta between PBMC and colon. Seven of 15 patients (46.7%) showed an alteration in the expression of hGRbeta in PBMC after glucocorticoid treatment. NF-kappaB activity was found in both epithelial cell and lamina propria in 12, epithelial cell alone in 1, lamina propria alone in 1 and all negative in 3 patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of hGRbeta was discordant between PBMC and colon in the same patient and showed a change in the expession after the glucocorticoid treatment in nearly half. The expression of hGRbeta and colonic NF-kappaB activity patterns do not provide useful information about glucocorticoid response in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Adult ; Colitis, Ulcerative/*metabolism ; Colon/metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NF-kappa B/*metabolism ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid/genetics/*metabolism