• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

It is well established that cancer patients are more susceptible to infection because of the immunosuppressive status caused by both disease itself and anticancer treatment, including surgery and chemoradiation. Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients are generally at high-risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and serious adverse outcomes. Although there is an urgent need for guidance in the delivery of safe, quality oncologic care, no international consented recommendation addressed the management of HNC patients in COVID-19 due to limited data. In this review, we summarized the consideration for head and neck oncologic care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the data and the very recent recommendations from the Korean Cancer Association and National Cancer Center. COVID-19 should be taken into consideration in the comprehensive management of HNC patients, and multidisciplinary evaluation of multilevel surgical-risks, discussion of optimized strategy, and shared-decision-making with the patient are needed to maximize both the safety from infectious pandemic and outcome of surgical and oncologic care.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.825-831
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• 1999

This study was performed to determine the etiological agents in concurrent disorders in gastrointestinal and respiratory tract. Most of dogs had clinical signs including nasal and ocular discharge, coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea. Of the 22 dogs, seropositive rates of each virus were 54.5% (12/22) against canine distemper virus, 90.9% (20/22) against canine adenovirus 1, 36.4% (8/22) against canine adenovirus 2, 18.2% (4/22) against canine parvovirus, 81.8% (18/22) against canine hepatitis virus and 59.1% (13/22) against canine coronavirus. Canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus infection were 54.6% (12/22) in histopathological examination. In addition, mixed infections of canine distemper virus and adenovirus 2 were 9.1% (2/22). While simple infection of canine adenovirus 2 were 9.1% (2/22). E coli and Staphylococcus spp were isolated in facts as a rate of 72.7% (16/22) and 40.9% (9/22), respectively. Conclusionally, it is also estimated that environmental stress might be one of the causative factors.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제7권10호
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• pp.543-553
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• 2020

This paper examines the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the Philippine stock exchange, peso-dollar rate and retail price of diesel using robust least squares regression and vector autoregression (VAR). The robust least squares regression using MM-estimation method concluded that COVID-19 daily infection has negative and statistically significant effect on the Philippine stock exchange index, peso-dollar exchange rate and retail pump price of diesel. This is consistent with the results of correlation diagnostics. As for the VAR model, the lag values of the independent variable disclose significance in explaining the Philippine stock exchange index, peso-dollar exchange rate and retail pump price of diesel. Moreover, in the short run, the impulse response function confirmed relative effect of COVID-19 daily infections and the variance decomposition divulge that COVID-19 daily infections have accounted for only minor portion in explaining fluctuations of the Philippine stock exchange index, peso-dollar exchange and retail pump price of diesel. In the long term, the influence levels off. The Granger causality test suggests that COVID-19 daily infections cause changes in the Philippine stock exchange index and peso-dollar exchange rate in the short run. However, COVID-19 infection has no causal link with retail pump price of diesel.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.120-126
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• 2021

Background: This paper aims to evaluate the clinical utility and radiation dosimetry, for the mobile X-ray imaging of patients with known or suspected infectious diseases, through the window of an isolation room. The suitability of this technique for imaging coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients is of particular focus here, although it is expected to have equal relevance to many infectious respiratory disease outbreaks. Materials and Methods: Two exposure levels were examined, a "typical" mobile exposure of 100 kVp/1.6 mAs and a "high" exposure of 120 kVp/5 mAs. Exposures of an anthropomorphic phantom were made, with and without a glass window present in the beam. The resultant phantom images were provided to experienced radiographers for image quality evaluation, using a Likert scale to rate the anatomical structure visibility. Results and Discussion: The incident air kerma doubled using the high exposure technique, from 29.47 µGy to 67.82 µGy and scattered radiation inside and outside the room increased. Despite an increase in beam energy, high exposure technique images received higher image quality scores than images acquired using lower exposure settings. Conclusion: Increased scattered radiation was very low and can be further mitigated by ensuring surrounding staff are appropriately distanced from both the patient and X-ray tube. Although an increase in incident air kerma was observed, practical advantages in infection control and personal protective equipment conservation were identified. Sites are encouraged to consider the use of this technique where appropriate, following the completion of standard justification practices.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.231-237
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• 2021

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the importance of hospital hygiene and infection control in hospital settings. To raise hygiene awareness among ultrasound technicians, we evaluated the hygiene status of an ultrasound room, in comparison with that of objects used in daily life. Using the swab method, the following surfaces were examined: eight surfaces in the ultrasound room including the ultrasound probes (convex, linear, sector, 3D), ultrasound track ball, ultrasound keyboard, ultrasound gel (sealed and in use) and pillow as well as four surfaces of everyday objects including subway handles, common computer keyboards, common computer mouse, and cell phones. The streak plate technique was used for inoculation into media, which was observed for the formation of bacterial colonies following incubation for 24 h. Six bacterial strains were detected from objects used in the ultrasound room, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Four strains of bacteria were detected on surfaces of everyday objects. The equipment and accessories used in an ultrasound room can act as vehicles for infecting patients. Establishment of standardized hygiene protocols and periodic training of the staff are recommended to avoid cross-infection.

• 식품과학과 산업
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.244-263
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• 2022

Coronavirus, known as one of the causes of colds including mild upper respiratory tract disease in humans, has mutated into the infectious severe disease, COVID-19 through SARS and MERS. The mortality and symptoms of COVID-19 are related to the ability to regulate innate immunity, which acts as the first barrier against microorganisms and viruses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for food that helps to strengthen immunity is rapidly increasing. Functional foods promote general health and alleviate the risk of disease symptoms by activating multiple biological functions. A recent, there is an interest in discovering functional substances that can induce enhancement of immunity and prevent viral infection as well as relieve disease symptoms. Therefore, this article focus to understand the concept of immune response and highlights the recent status of functional foods and research trends that can help prevent and treat viral infections by inducing the enhancement of immune function.

• 한국보건간호학회지
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.54-65
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the factors influencing COVID-19 infection prevention behavior of nursing students. Methods: Data collection is from December 17 to October 22, 2021. One hundred and ninety-seven nursing students participated in this study. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test, ANOVA, correlation coefficient, scheffé test, and multiple regression analysis. Results: COVID-19 knowledge (r=.49, p<.001), attitude (r=.41, p<.001), and COVID-19 risk perception (r=.40, p<.001) were related to COVID-19 infection prevention behaviors. The factors influencing COVID-19 preventive behaviors were identified as knowledge (𝛽=.28, p<.001), attitude (𝛽=.25, p<.001), risk perception (𝛽=.18, p=003), 2th grade (𝛽=.19, p=.011), 3th grade (𝛽=.21, p=.006), 4th grade (𝛽=.20, p=.008), and gender (𝛽=.12, p=.033). Conclusion: The results of this study can be used for the development of health policies suitable for community infectious disease prevention behaviors and the development of infectious disease educational intervention programs.

• 치위생과학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.51-56
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• 2022

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic increased awareness regarding the importance of hand hygiene in infection prevention. Although social distancing and vaccination are the strongest ways to prevent infection, personal hand hygiene is the most basic and easiest way to maintain public health. However, in addition to hand washing using running water, sanitizing tissues, and disinfection products are convenient for hand hygiene, especially outdoors. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the appropriateness of individual hand hygiene methods. In this study, we investigated the degree of hand hygiene offered by various hygiene products and hand drying methods for maintaining hand hygiene. Methods: An LED UV light kit was used for fluorescent observation of hand contamination. Bacteria from the hands were cultured to compare the degree of hand hygiene offered by various hygiene products. Bacteria were cultured in a hand-shaped medium dish to identify areas vulnerable to hand hygiene. Moreover, the degree of hand hygiene was observed according to the drying method using bacterial cultures. Results: We confirmed that hand washing under running water with antibacterial soap, sanitizing with alcohol gel disinfectant, and wiping with antibacterial wet wipes was effective for hand hygiene compared to washing under running water alone. However, for all hygiene products, a large number of bacteria were detected on the fingertips. We verified that natural drying, rather than rubbing, is effective in maintaining hand hygiene. Conclusion: These results suggest that hand hygiene products and drying methods are critical in hand hygiene management. Therefore, these results provide a basis for determining whether an individual's hand hygiene management method is appropriate.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.107-114
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• 2023

Epidemiological control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is needed to estimate the infection period of confirmed cases and identify potential cases. The present study, targeting confirmed cases for which the time of COVID-19 symptom onset was disclosed, aimed to investigate the relationship between intervals (day) from symptom onset to testing the cycle threshold (CT) values of real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Of the COVID-19 confirmed cases, those for which the date of suspected symptom onset in the epidemiological investigation was specifically disclosed were included in this study. Interval was defined as the number of days from symptom onset (as disclosed by the patient) to specimen collection for testing. A locally weighted regression smoothing (LOWESS) curve was applied, with intervals as explanatory variables and CT values (CTR for RdRp gene and CTE for E gene) as outcome variables. After finding its non-linear relationship, a polynomial regression model was applied to estimate the 95% confidence interval values of CTR and CTE by interval. The application of LOWESS in 331 patients identified a U-shaped curve relationship between the CTR and CTE values according to the number of interval days, and both CTR and CTE satisfied the quadratic model for interval days. Active application of these results to epidemiological investigations would minimize the chance of failing to identify individuals who are in contact with COVID-19 confirmed cases, thereby reducing the potential transmission of the virus to local communities.

• 임상간호연구
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.327-336
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the practice of medical waste management of nurses in tertiary general hospitals after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: The participants were 154 nurses working in two tertiary general hospitals. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using an Independent t-test, One-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis using the SPSS/WIN 27.0 program. Results: Factors significantly influencing the subject's practice of medical waste management include medical waste education(β=.18, p=.013), recognition of infection control organizational culture (β=.26, p=.007), and attitudes toward medical waste management (β=.23, p=.011). The explanatory power of these variables for medical waste management practice was 29.0% (F=7.34, p<.001). Conclusion: To improve the practice of medical waste management, a strategy to provide positive attitudes toward medical waste management should be needed when developing medical waste management training programs, and various measures are necessary to make the organizational culture positive for the implementation of infection control guidelines at the organizational level.