• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 1981

Paragonimus infection is prevalent in Korea, establishing several endemic foci. Kim(1969) reported an endemic area in Hyeonbuk Myeon. Yangyang-Gun, but thereafter no further epidemiologic study of Paragonimus infection was performed in the Gangweon-Do. Hoengseong-Gun is mountainous area which is located in the southwestern part of Gangweon-Do and borders with Hongcheon-Gun on the east, with Pyeongchang-Gun on the east, with Yeongweol-Gun and Weonseong-Gun on the south, and with Yangpyeong-Gun on west. The author carried out an epidemiologic study of Paragonimus infection by intradermal test with V.B.S antigen, and of intermediate host (crayfish) in Hoengseong-Gun, Gangweon-Do. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The positive skin test reaction to Paragonimus antigen was 14.5% from 2,807 examiness; 16.0% in male and 11.6% in female and no sex or age difference on the skin test positive reactions was noticed among the villages. 2. The positive skin test reactions were 31.3% in Gapcheon-Myeon, 20.5% in Cheongil-Myeon and 19.8% in Woocheon-Myeon. Primary school children in Byeongjibang-ri, Gapcheon-Myeon showed positive in 36.4%. 3. The prevalence by skin test reaction by social strata was 16.1% (226 out of 1,408) in primary school children, 12.8% out of 725) in middle school, 6.4% (11 out of 172) in high school students, and 15.3% (77 out of 502) in inhabitants of Heongseong-Gun. 4. Metacercarial positives of Paragonimus in crayfish were 20.9%. Through the survey results, it is postulated that Heongseong-Gun, Gangweon-Do is to be categorized as an endemic area of Paragonimus infection.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.207-217
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• 2015

Skin is the first line of defense for protecting our bodies against external perturbations, including ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, mechanical/chemical stress, and bacterial infection. Nutrition is one of many factors required for the maintenance of overall skin health. An impaired nutritional status alters the structural integrity and biological function of skin, resulting in an abnormal skin barrier. In particular, the importance of micronutrients (such as certain vitamins and minerals) for skin health has been highlighted in cell culture, animal, and clinical studies. These micronutrients are employed not only as active compounds in therapeutic agents for treating certain skin diseases, but also as ingredients in cosmetic products. Here, the author describes the barrier function of the skin and the general nutritional requirements for skin health. The goal of this review is to discuss the potential roles and current knowledge of selected micronutrients in skin health and function.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.953-958
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• 2016

Chitosan-based film-forming gel is regarded as a promising vehicle for topical delivery of antimicrobial agents to skin wounds, since it protects from microbial infection and the cationic polymer itself possesses antibacterial activity. In this study, possible synergistic interaction against common skin pathogens between the cationic polymer and tyrothricin (TRC), a cyclic polypeptide antibiotic, was investigated, by determining the concentration to inhibit 90% of bacterial isolates (MIC). The addition of the polysaccharide to TRC dramatically reduced the MIC values of TRC by 1/33 and 1/4 against both methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. The synergism of TRC and chitosan combination against both strains was demonstrated by the checkerboard method, with a fractional inhibitory concentration index below 0.5. Moreover, co-treatment of TRC and chitosan exhibited antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, due to the antibacterial activity of chitosan, whereas TRC itself did not inhibit the gram-negative bacterial growth. These findings suggested that the use of chitosan-based film for topical delivery of TRC could be an alternative to improve TRC antimicrobial activity against strains that are abundant in skin wounds.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.594-599
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• 2016

Infection with HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus), over time, develops into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The development of non-toxic and effective anti-HIV drugs is one of the most promising strategies for the treatment of AIDS. In this study, we investigated the anti-HIV-1 activity of gelatin hydrolysates from Alaska pollack skin. Gelatin hydrolysates were prepared using four enzymes (alcalase, flavourzyme, neutrase, and pronase E). Among these, the pronase E gelatin hydrolysate was found to inhibit HIV-1 infection in the human T cell-line MT4. It exhibited inhibitory activity on HIV-1_IIIB-induced cell lysis, reverse transcriptase activity, and viral p24 production at noncytotoxic concentrations. Moreover, it decreased the activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in vitro. Because HIV infection-induced activation of MMP-2 can accelerate collagen resolution and collapse of the immune system, pronase E gelatin hydrolysate might prevent the activation of MMP-2 in cells, resulting in collagen stabilization and immune cell homeostasis consistent with anti-HIV activation. These results suggest that pronase E gelatin hydrolysate could potentially be incorporated into a novel therapeutic agent for HIV/AIDS patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2013

Background If a chronically infected abdominal wound develops, complications such as peritonitis and an abdominal wall defect could occur. This could prolong the patient's hospital stay and increase the possibility of re-operation or another infection as well. For this reason, a solution for infection control is necessary. In this study, surgery using a rectus abdominis muscle myofascial splitting flap was performed on an abdominal wall defect. Methods From 2009 to 2012, 5 patients who underwent surgery due to ovarian rupture, cesarean section, or uterine myoma were chosen. In each case, during the first week after operation, the wound showed signs of infection. Surgery was chosen because the wounds did not resolve with dressing. Debridement was performed along the previous operation wound and dissection of the skin was performed to separate the skin and subcutaneous tissue from the attenuated rectus muscle and Scarpa's fascial layers. Once the anterior rectus sheath and muscle were adequately mobilized, the fascia and muscle flap were advanced medially so that the skin defect could be covered for reconstruction. Results Upon 3-week follow-up after a rectus abdominis myofascial splitting flap operation, no major complication occurred. In addition, all of the patients showed satisfaction in terms of function and esthetics at 3 to 6 months post-surgery. Conclusions Using a rectus abdominis myofascial splitting flap has many esthetic and functional benefits over previous methods of abdominal defect treatment, and notably, it enabled infection control by reconstruction using muscle.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.5
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• pp.47-60
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• 1998

This study was done to identify basic information in classifying nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions needed for the further development of computerized nursing care plans. Data were collected by reviewing charts of 123 home care clients who had active disease, for whom at least one nursing diagnosis was on the chart, and who had been discharged. Data included demographics, medical orders, nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions. The results of the study, which found the most frequent medical diagnoses to be cancer (40.7%) and brain injury (26.8%), showed that 'Impaired Skin Integrity'(18.3%), 'Risk for Infection'(15.0%), 'Altered Nutrition, Less than Body Requirements'(13.8%), and 'Risk for Impaired Skin Integ rity'(9.9%) were the most frequent nursing diagnoses. 'Pressure Ulcer Care'(28.4%) was the most frequent intervention for 'Impaired Skin Integrity', 'Infection Protection'(16.0%) for 'Risk of Infection', 'Nutrition Counseling'(26.8%) for 'Altered Nutrition' and 'Positioning'(22.0%) for 'Risk for Skin Integrity Impairment', Comparison of interventions with the Nursing Intervention Classification(NIC) showed that the most frequent interventions were in the domain 'Basic Physiological' (33.94%), followed by 'Behavioral'(27.8%), and 'Complex Physiological' (22.6%). Interventions related to teaching family to give care at home could not be classified in the NIC scheme. Examination of the frequency of NIC interventions showed that for the domain 'Activity & Exercise Management', 75% of the interventions were used, but for seven domains, none were used. For the domain 'Immobility Management', 93% of the times that an intervention was used, it was 'Positioning', for the domain 'Tissue Perfusion Management', 'IV Therapy' (59.1%) and for the domain 'Elimination Management', 'Tube Care: Urinary'(54.0%). The nursing diagnoses 'Altered Urinary Elimination' and 'Im paired Physical Mobility' were both used with these clients, but neither 'Fluid Volume Deficit' nor 'Risk of Fluid Volume Deficit' were used rather 'IV Therapy' was an intervention for 'Altered Nutrition, Less than Body Requirements', A comparison of clients with cancer and those with brain injury showed that interventions for the nursing diagnosis 'Impaired Skin Integrity' were more frequent for the clients with cancer, interventions for 'Risk of Infection' were similar for the two groups but for clients with cancer there were more interventions for' Altered Nutrition'. Examination of the nursing diagnoses leading to the intervention 'Positioning' showed that for both groups, it was either 'Impaired Skin Integrity' or 'Risk for Skin Integrity Impairment'. This study identified a need for further refinement in the classification of nursing interventions to include those unique to home care and that for the purposes of computerization identification of the nursing activities to be included in each intervention needs to be done.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.759-767
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• 2014

Background Infection caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has been increasing. Awareness of this infection is crucial yet problematic. Delayed management may lead to destructive results. We empirically treated a series of patients with clinical suspicion of NTM infection prior to the identification of the pathogen. Methods A total of 12 patients who developed surgical site infections between January 2011 and February 2014 were reviewed. Patients with a skin and subcutaneous infection resistant to standard management over two weeks, and previous history of aesthetic procedures within three months were regarded as highly suspected of having an NTM infection. A variety of diagnostic modalities were examined simultaneously, along with starting empirical treatment including a combination of clarithromycin and moxifloxacin, and surgical debridement. Results All wounds healed completely within 4 weeks. The mean follow-up duration was 7.2 months, and none of the patients developed relapse. Specific NTM pathogens were identified in six patients. Eight patients showed caseating granuloma implying an NTM infection. One patient showed an uncommon Stenotrophomonas infection, which was successfully treated. Three patients had no evidence of a pathogen despite repeated microbial tests. Complications such as scarring, pigmentation, and disfigurement were common in all the patients. Conclusions NTM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an unusual skin and soft-tissue infection. We propose an empirical regimen of clarithromycin and moxifloxacin as an efficient treatment option for an NTM infection.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

The two distinctive clinical features of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) are varicella (chickenpox) by primary infection and zoster (singles) by the reactivation of latent infection. In addition to the two typical clinical symptoms mentioned above, diverse clinical manifestations have been reported as a result of VZV reactivation, including chronic radicular pain without rash, visual loss, facial palsy, dysphagia, sore throat, odynophagia, otalgia, hearing loss, dizziness, headache, hemiplegia, etc. Most of these symptoms are derived from neuropathy and vasculopathy of affected nerves and arteries. Diagnosis of VZV disease can be difficult if there is no appearance of a skin rash during development of atypical symptoms. In addition to natural infection, vaccination and anti-viral agent treatment have influenced the changes of epidemics and clinical presentations of varicella and zoster. In this article, diverse clinical manifestations caused by VZV reactivation, particular without skin rash, are reviewed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 1991

Continuous epidural analgesia is widely used in pain management. We investigates the incidence of contamination of epidural catheters used in epidural catheters for pain control. The tips of epidural catheters were examined for bacterial growth after use. In culture from 250 patients undergoing continuous epidural catheterization, 33(13.2%) catheters were found to be contaminated: staphylococcus epidermis 66.9%; staphylococcus aureus 12.1%; alpha streptococcus 12.1%; and others 9.1%. One significant epidural infection occured. One of the most common causes of the epidural infection during long time epidural block is the transmission of the microorganism from the contaminated skin to the epidural space along the epidural catheter. To prevent epidural infection, sterilization of the skin around the epidural catheter is essential.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.344-346
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• 2004

During a survey of the helminth parasites of fresh water fishes in Willamette River, metacercariae of Neascus spp. were found on examination of muscle, spinal cord, fin and skin of Chiselmouth, Acrocheilus alutaceus. One hundred percent of 19 Chiselmouth examined were found to be infected with digenetic trematodes. The prevalence of infection was higher in muscle, varying from $95\%\;and\;100\%$. Higher levels were present in muscle, such that the $100\%$ level being found in upper anterior, lower anterior and posterior. Small numbers of metacercariae were found on the fin and skin. The commonest sites of infection were the musculature and spinal cord. Intensities of Neascus spp. metacercariae tended to be and high levels in muscle and spinal cord. Those were low levels occurred in the fin and skin. There was a high degree of Neascus spp. in the occurrence of digenetic trematode from Chiselmouth.