• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.11-50
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• 2023

As the field of interventional pain management (IPM) grows, the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) is increasing. SSI is defined as an infection of the incision or organ/space that occurs within one month after operation or three months after implantation. It is also common to find patients with suspected infection in an outpatient clinic. The most frequent IPM procedures are performed in the spine. Even though primary pyogenic spondylodiscitis via hematogenous spread is the most common type among spinal infections, secondary spinal infections from direct inoculation should be monitored after IPM procedures. Various preventive guidelines for SSI have been published. Cefazolin, followed by vancomycin, is the most commonly used surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in IPM. Diagnosis of SSI is confirmed by purulent discharge, isolation of causative organisms, pain/tenderness, swelling, redness, or heat, or diagnosis by a surgeon or attending physician. Inflammatory markers include traditional (C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and white blood cell count) and novel (procalcitonin, serum amyloid A, and presepsin) markers. Empirical antibiotic therapy is defined as the initial administration of antibiotics within at least 24 hours prior to the results of blood culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Definitive antibiotic therapy is initiated based on the above culture and testing. Combination antibiotic therapy for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria infections appears to be superior to monotherapy in mortality with the risk of increasing antibiotic resistance rates. The never-ending war between bacterial resistance and new antibiotics is continuing. This article reviews prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infection in pain medicine.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.615-625
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• 2023

This study evaluated the bacteriological safety of seawater and abalone produced in Uisin-myeon, Jindo-gun from September 2020 to December 2022 and calculated the effect of inland pollution sources on seawater and abalone. We surveyed 33 stations for seawater, 4 stations for abalone, and 7 stations for discharge water of major inland pollutants. We analyzed the coliform group, fecal coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) as bacteria indicators. In 924 seawater samples, the geometric mean of the coliform group and fecal coliform were <1.8-5.6 MPN/100 mL and <1.8-2.7 MPN/100 mL, respectively. The estimated 90^th percentile range for the coliform group and fecal coliform were <1.8-42 MPN/100 mL and <1.8-8.4 MPN/100 mL, respectively. The fecal coliform and E. coli levels for 107 abalone were <18-460 MPN/100 g and <18-78 MPN/100 g respectively. Moreover, the analyzed standard plate count was <30-7,700 CFU/g. The fecal coliform level and diffusion area in 7 inland pollutants were <1.8-3,300,000 MPN/100 mL and 2-2,500 m, respectively. The bacteriological safety of seawater and abalone in Uisin-myeon, Jindo-gun, was demonstrated to be a designated area according to Korean standards, a conditionally approved area per US standards, and Class A according to EU standards.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.sup1
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• pp.60-63
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• 2016

Herein, we report a rare case of hemolytic anemia with reticulocytopenia following intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in a young infant treated for Kawasaki disease. A 2-month-old boy presented with fever lasting 3 days, conjunctival injection, strawberry tongue, erythematous edema of the hands, and macular rash, symptoms and signs suggestive of incomplete Kawasaki disease. His fever resolved 8 days after treatment with aspirin and high dose infusion of intravenous immunoglobulin. The hemoglobin and hematocrit decreased from 9.7 g/dL and 27.1% to 7.4 g/dL and 21.3%, respectively. The patient had normocytic hypochromic anemia with anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, immature neutrophils, and nucleated red blood cells. The direct antiglobulin test result was positive, and the reticulocyte count was 1.39%. The patient had an uneventful recovery. However, reticulocytopenia persisted 1 month after discharge.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.585-592
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• 1994

A consecutive Jiao Chio acupuncture therapy was performed for 3 days in the 45-90 days old 11 calves of which have been shown severe watery diarrhea. The discharge of the infected calves was yellowish brown in color. Two calves of these patients were infected wi pulmonary disease as well as diarrhea. Thus, Su Qi and Fei Yu acupuncture therapy was carried out additionally after dosing with antibiotics twice for The two infected calves. Blood chemical values and serum neutralizing antibody titers were checked, and total blood cell count was also carried out to know the therapeutic effect before and after(21 days) acupuncture therapeutics. The results are as follows ; 1, The diarrhea has ceased one day after begining of the acupuncture therapy in 5 calves, and the cessation of the diarrhea in remaining calves occurred in 1 calf each on 3rd and 4th day, and 2 calves on 6th day, respectively. Two calves infected with pulmonary disease as well diarrhea were cured 8 days after the begining of the therapcutics. 2. Rotaviruses wire detected in the feces of 2 calves, and bovine diarrhea viruses were detected in the 8 calves by the test for serum neutralizing antibody titers, and bovine coronaviruses were also detected in 5 calves. Four calves of the 5 bovine coronavirus infected calves were also infected with bovine diarrhea viruses. 3. Total leucocyte number, total amount of serum protein, and amount of fibringen were slightly increased, while total erythrocyte number, and erythrocyte packed cell volume were slightly decreased. These valucs were statistically not significant. Electrolytes of Na/sup +/, K/sup +/ and Cl/sup -/ were slightly decreased but these values also were not significant. These results indicate that the acupuncture therapeutics arc significantly effective to remove the viral diarrhea in the young calves.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.305-309
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• 2013

Pyometra is a diestrual, chronic disease process with acute manifestations in the adult, ovary-intact bitch. Serosal inclusion cysts develop during postpartum involution as mesothelium becomes trapped during rapid uterine contraction. A 10-year-old golden retriever bitch presented with lethargy, anorexia, tachypnea, abdominal distention, and abnormal vaginal discharge. Radiographic, ultrasound, and laboratory examinations were performed. On ultrasound examination, the uterus was distended by fluid containing echogenic "snow storm" particles; cystic structures containing anechoic fluid were found adjacent to the body of the uterus. Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and anemia were diagnosed by a complete blood cell count. The initial diagnosis was pyometra, and an ovariohysterectomy was performed. Macroscopically, the uterine body and horns were expanded and partially adhered to the abdominal wall; numerous cysts containing clear fluid protruded over the entire surface of the uterus. Escherichia coli that was sensitive to enrofloxacin, was cultured from the lumen of the uterus. Histopathological assessment confirmed a final diagnosis of pyometra and serosal inclusion cysts of the uterus.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.262-269
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• 2015

Purpose: Intraabdominal abscess is one of the most common reasons for re-hospitalization after gastrectomy. This study aimed to develop a model for estimating the probability of intraabdominal abscesses that can be used during the postoperative period. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological data of 1,564 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer between 2010 and 2012. Twenty-six related markers were analyzed, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop the probability estimation model for intraabdominal abscess. Internal validation using a bootstrap approach was employed to correct for bias, and the model was then validated using an independent dataset comprising of patients who underwent gastrectomy between January 2008 and March 2010. Discrimination and calibration abilities were checked in both datasets. Results: The incidence of intraabdominal abscess in the development set was 7.80% (122/1,564). The surgical approach, operating time, pathologic N classification, body temperature, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein level, glucose level, and change in the hemoglobin level were significant predictors of intraabdominal abscess in the multivariate analysis. The probability estimation model that was developed on the basis of these results showed good discrimination and calibration abilities (concordance index=0.828, Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-statistic P=0.274). Finally, we combined both datasets to produce a nomogram that estimates the probability of intraabdominal abscess. Conclusions: This nomogram can be useful for identifying patients at a high risk of intraabdominal abscess. Patients at a high risk may benefit from further evaluation or treatment before discharge.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.619-621
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• 2009

Leukemoid reaction has been rarely encountered in dogs. This report describes a case of leukemoid reaction showing extremely elevated leukocyte count. A 10-year-old female Maltese dog was presented with purulent and bloody vaginal discharge. The CBC revealed severe leukemoid reaction ($976\times10^9$ cells/l, reference range 6 to $17\times10^9$ cells/ l) and mild non-regenerative anemia. On the blood smear, elevated leukocytes consist of numerous neutrophils and monocytes only. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations revealed generalized enlargement of the uterus, which was filled with a complex fluid. After ovariohysterectomy, Escherichia coli was isolated from the uterine fluid. To author's knowledge, it is the new record of extreme leukemoid reaction caused by local bacterial infection in dogs.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.70-76
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• 2009

This paper introduces an evaluation code, which can numerically express the noise possessing degree of signals. By using this code, the best kind and setting of noise suppressing techniques can be chosen automatically. This code is applied to three kinds of specific denoising techniques; those are simple noise removing method in the count versus phase distribution, fuzzy logic method based on noise type in magnitude versus phase plot, and lastly, the technique using grouping characteristics of PD pulses in 3D plot of magnitude versus phase versus cycle. The algorithm shows good performance in the various real PD signals measured from various high voltage apparatuses in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1265-1272
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• 2020

Objective: We investigated the prevalence of pneumonia in novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients using chest radiographs to identify the characteristics of those with initially negative chest radiographs, who were positive for pneumonia on follow-up. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort data of 236 COVID-19 patients were reviewed. Chest radiography was performed on admission, with serial radiographs obtained until discharge. The 'positive conversion group' was defined as patients whose initial chest radiographs were negative but were positive for pneumonia during follow-up. Patients with initially positive chest radiographs were defined as the 'initial pneumonia group.' Patients with negative initial and follow-up chest radiographs were defined as the 'non-pneumonia group.' Clinical and laboratory findings were compared between groups, and predictors of positive conversion were investigated. Results: Among 236 patients, 108 (45.8%) were in the non-pneumonia group, 69 (29.2%) were in the initial pneumonia group, and 59 (25%) were in the positive conversion group. The patients in the 'initial pneumonia group' and 'positive conversion group' were older, had higher C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactate dehydrogenase levels, and lower absolute lymphocyte counts than those in the 'non-pneumonia group' (all p < 0.001). Among patients with negative initial chest radiographs, age ≥ 45 years (odds ratio [OR]: 3.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.76-8.75, p = 0.001), absolute lymphocyte count < 1500 cells/μL (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.03-4.89, p = 0.041), and CRP > 0.5 mg/dL (OR: 3.91, 95% CI: 1.54-9.91, p = 0.004) were independent predictors for future development of pneumonia. Conclusion: More than a half of COVID-19 patients initially had normal chest radiographs; however, elderly patients (≥ 45 years of age) with abnormal laboratory findings (elevated CRP and low absolute lymphocyte counts) developed pneumonia on follow-up radiographs.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.439-454
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• 2023

Objectives: As Korea transitions into an aging society, the incidence of cerebrovascular disease is expected to increase. Herbal medicine is commonly used in Oriental medicine to treat cerebrovascular disease. However, there is insufficient clinical evidence to actively support the safety of herbal medicine in clinical practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the toxicity and safety of four herbal medicines (Cheongsimyeonja-tang, Dodam-tang, Hyeolbuchukso-tang, and Boshiniknai-tang) in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Methods: This study used electronic medical records to analyze patients admitted to an oriental medicine hospital from April 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. Liver and renal function values at the time of admission and discharge were compared. Results: A total of 25 patients were included in this study. We found no significant differences in various variables, such as complete blood count, liver-renal function test, and urine, before and after the administration of the four herbal medicines. Additionally, no significant adverse events related to herbal medicine were observed. Conclusions: This study confirmed the safety of the four herbal medicines in patients with cerebrovascular disease who were hospitalized in a single Oriental medicine hospital.