• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.77-78
• /
• 2024

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.155-161
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated a redistribution of resources to meet hospitals' service needs. This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on a regional trauma center in South Korea. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed cases of polytrauma at a single regional trauma center in South Korea between January 20 and September 30, 2020 (the COVID-19 period) and compared them to cases reported during the same time frame (January 20 to September 30) between 2016 and 2019 (the pre-COVID-19 period). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes included the number of daily admissions, hospital length of stay (LOS), and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS. Results: The mean number of daily admissions decreased by 15% during the COVID-19 period (4.0±2.0 vs. 4.7±2.2, p=0.010). There was no difference in mechanisms of injury between the two periods. For patients admitted during the COVID-19 period, the hospital LOS was significantly shorter (10 days [interquartile range (IQR) 4-19 days] vs. 16 days [IQR 8-28 days], p<0.001); however, no significant differences in ICU LOS and mortality were found. Conclusions: The observations at Regional Trauma Center, Pusan National University Hospital corroborate anecdotal reports that there has been a decline in the number of patients admitted to hospitals during the COVID-19 period. In addition, patients admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic had a significantly shorter hospital LOS than those admitted before the COVID-19 pandemic. These preliminary data warrant validation in larger, multi-center studies.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.44.1-44.7
• /
• 2020

The severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), greatly varies from patient to patient. In the present study, we explored and compared mutation profiles of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from mildly affected and severely affected COVID-19 patients in order to explore any relationship between mutation profile and disease severity. Genomic sequences of SARS-CoV-2 were downloaded from Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) database. With the help of Genome Detective Coronavirus Typing Tool, genomic sequences were aligned with the Wuhan seafood market pneumonia virus reference sequence and all the mutations were identified. Distribution of mutant variants was then compared between mildly and severely affected groups. Among the numerous mutations detected, 14408C>T and 23403A>G mutations resulting in RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) P323L and spike protein D614G mutations, respectively, were found predominantly in severely affected group (>82%) compared with mildly affected group (<46%, p < 0.001). The 241C>T mutation in the non-coding region of the genome was also found predominantly in severely affected group (p < 0.001). The 3037C>T, a silent mutation, also appeared in relatively high frequency in severely affected group compared with mildly affected group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). We concluded that spike protein D614G and RdRp P323L mutations in SARS-CoV-2 are associated with severity of COVID-19. Further studies will be required to explore whether these mutations have any impact on the severity of disease.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.22-27
• /
• 2017

The length of hospital stay (LOS) for patients with respiratory virus infections has been reported to depend the virus type and infection severity. However, the impact of co-infections remains unclear. Patients with suspected respiratory virus infections, who visited Dankook University Hospital between December 2006 and February 2014, were included to examine the relationship between co-infections and LOS. Multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions were used to identify the causative viruses. LOS was analyzed with respect to sex, age, virus, and co-infection. During this period, 5,310 out of the 8,860 patients (59.9%; median age, 1.5 years) were respiratory virus-positive. In respiratory virus-positive patients with single, double, and three-or-more infections, the average LOS was 7.3, 6.7, and 6.6 days, respectively. Longer LOS was observed for older patients and those with human coronavirus OC43 infections compared with adenovirus or respiratory syncytial virus A infections. LOS differed significantly according to age, virus type, and co-infection, but not between double and three or more infections.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.85-103
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study measured the mental health levels of 119 paramedics, and identified the association of mental health levels with safety environments, personal protective equipment, and coronavirus risk awareness. Methods: A total of 119 out of 428 from Daegu and Gyeongbuk took part in this study. The statistical analysis methods were the t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Results: In a multiple regression analysis, females (β=-.137, p=<.001) showed a higher relevance to negative mental health than males. The moderate satisfied (β=-.088, p=.014) and dissatisfied (β=-.147, p=.006) showed a higher relevance to negative mental health than higher satisfied. Moderate stress perception (β=-.199, p=<.001) and higher stress perception (β=-.414, p=<.001) showed a higher relevance to negative mental health than lower stress perception. Corona-virus risk awareness (β=-.050, p=.045) was related to negative mental health and safety environment (β=.136, p=<.001). Personal protective equipment (β=.147, p=<.001) were related to positive mental health. Conclusion: Conclusively, it is necessary to develop and implement high-quality intervention programs using significantly influencing variables to impact the mental health of 119 paramedics.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.165-172
• /
• 2021

The COVID-19, the most infectious pandemic disease arising due to SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) has caused huge issues globally. In this review, we discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the immune system of the human body and the protective mechanisms of the host immune system opposing viral infections. Here, we summarize the effect of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease on the immune system such as sleep and Behavioral Immune System (BIS) together with consideration of researcher's observation points of view. We draw particular attention to recent up-to-date reports concerning COVID-19 drugs as well as information about the landscape document for COVID-19 vaccines released by WHO (World Health Organization), and some adverse events of COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, can take part in the preventive appraise in opposition within this pandemic severe COVID-19 infections disease may affect some outcome in physical exercise, physical movement, healthy diets, and good nutrition are significant for supporting the immune systems and summarize AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) Indian medicinal systems guidelines for immunity boosting procedures during COVID-19 pandemic.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.344-346
• /
• 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread worldwide, leading the World Health Organization to declare coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic. To curb the unchecked spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection, most countries have enforced travel restrictions. However, it is debatable whether such restrictions are effective in containing infections and preventing pandemics. Rather, they may negatively impact economies and diplomatic relationships. Each government should conduct an extensive and appropriate analysis of its national economy, diplomatic status, and COVID-19 preparedness to decide whether it is best to restrict entering travelers. Even if travelers from other countries are allowed entry, extensive contact tracing is required to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition, governments can implement "travel bubbles," which allow the quarantine-free flow of people among countries with relatively low levels of community transmission. An accurate evaluation of the benefits and losses due to entry restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic would be helpful in determining whether entry restrictions are an effective measure to reduce the spread of infection in future pandemics.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.397-411
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The role of medical staff gained immense significance in the context of the prolonged coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. However, few studies had explored the impact of simulation-based education on the ability of nursing students to care for the patients of COVID-19. This study provided nursing students with simulation-based education in caring for the patients of COVID-19 and confirmed its effectiveness. Methods: This study used a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The participants were recruited from the nursing departments of two universities in Korea through convenience sampling. A total of 79 participants were included: 37 in the intervention group and 42 in the control group. The intervention group received four sessions of simulation training based on the National League for Nursing Jeffries simulation theory. Results: The intervention group showed an improvement compared to the control group in terms of knowledge related to coronavirus, confidence in performing infection control skills, and perception of preparedness for caring for the patients of COVID-19, with a high-level of satisfaction and self-confidence in learning. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of anxiety. Conclusion: This simulation is expected to be a significant strategy for alleviating the global burden in terms of staff safety and patient outcomes by improving the competencies of prospective medical staff in responding to pandemics.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.22.1-22.9
• /
• 2022

The rise of newer coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) variants has brought a challenge to ending the spread of COVID-19. The variants have a different fatality, morbidity, and transmission rates and affect vaccine efficacy differently. Therefore, the impact of each new variant on the spread of COVID-19 is of interest to governments and scientists. Here, we proposed mathematical SEIQRDVP and SEIQRDV3P models to predict the impact of the Omicron variant on the spread of the COVID-19 situation in South Korea. SEIQEDVP considers one vaccine level at a time while SEIQRDV3P considers three vaccination levels (only one dose received, full doses received, and full doses + booster shots received) simultaneously. The omicron variant's effect was contemplated as a weighted sum of the delta and omicron variants' transmission rate and tuned using a hyperparameter k. Our models' performances were compared with common models like SEIR, SEIQR, and SEIQRDVUP using the root mean square error (RMSE). SEIQRDV3P performed better than the SEIQRDVP model. Without consideration of the variant effect, we don't see a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases and high RMSE values. But, with consideration of the omicron variant, we predicted a continuous rapid rise in COVID-19 cases until maybe herd immunity is developed in the population. Also, the RMSE value for the SEIQRDV3P model decreased by 27.4%. Therefore, modeling the impact of any new risen variant is crucial in determining the trajectory of the spread of COVID-19 and determining policies to be implemented.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.943-952
• /
• 2021

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on corporate governance attributes and firm performance association. This research used a sample of 188 non-financial firms from the Malaysian market for the years 2019-2020. We found that the COVID-19 has affected all firm characteristics including firm performance, governance structure, dividend, liquidity, and leverage level, yet, the difference between prior and post COVID-19 pandemic is not significant. Also, the investigation revealed that board size exerts a significant positive impact on firm performance. After splitting the sample based on year, however, we found that board size does not matter in the uncertain time of the current crisis, while board diversity appeared to be significantly enhancing firm performance in the crisis time compared to the prior year where it has an inverse association with firm performance in both indicators. Board meetings and audit committee meetings seemed to have a significant negative influence on firm performance pre and post-COVID-19. This study contributes to the limited literature by providing the first empirical evidence on the impact of Coronavirus on the firm performance and corporate governance association.