• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.6-13
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• 2013

Purpose: Sulforaphane is a naturally-occurring isothiocyanate abundant in broccoli. It has been suggested as a promising antioxidant. In this study, the therapeutic effect of sulforaphane in paraquat intoxication was investigated. Methods: Paraquat was administered via the tail vein, after which sulforaphane or a vehicle (4% DMSO) was administered intraperitoneally 15 minutes after paraquat administration. Histological injury, lipid peroxidation, plasma cytokine (IL-6, IL-10), and nitric oxide were measured. In addition, the effect of sulforaphane on survival in paraquat-intoxication was observed. Results: Regarding histological injury, lipid peroxidation, and plasma cytokine and nitric-oxide response, sulforaphane administration showed no protective effects in paraquat-intoxicated rats. Rather, it increased mortality (log rank p=0.03) and caused lipid peroxidation, as well as plasma cytokine and nitric-oxide production, to be increased. Conclusion: Sulforaphane had no therapeutic effect on paraquat-intoxicated rats; rather, it increased mortality.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제53권5호
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• pp.362-370
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• 2020

Objectives: Despite greater access to training positions and the presence of more women in emergency medicine, it has remained a men-dominated field. This study aims to identify the key issues causing the gender gap in Korea and establish measures to overcome them. Methods: Using the annual statistical reports of the National Emergency Medical Center and data published on the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine website, cases that listed the current status and positions of members in its organization and its committees were analyzed. Secondary analysis was conducted using data from the 2015 Korean Society of Emergency Survey that included physicians' demographics, academic ranking, years of experience, clinical work hours, training and board certification, core faculty status, position, and salaries. Results: As of September 2019, women account for only 12.7% of the total number of emergency physicians (EP) in Korea; of 119 chair/vice-chair academic positions, women represented only 9.2%. Women EP were more often assistant professors and fellowship-trained, with fewer in core faculty. However, they worked the same numbers of clinical hours as their men counterparts. The median annual salary of women EP was less than that of men EP after adjusting for academic hospital rank, clinical hours, and core faculty status. Conclusions: A gender gap still exists among Korean EP, and women earn less than men regardless of their rank, clinical hours, or training. Future studies should evaluate more data and develop system-wide practices to eliminate gender disparities.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.101-104
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• 2011

Nicolau syndrome is a rare adverse reaction at the site of an intramuscular injection, and is characterized by severe pain immediately after the injection and rapid development of distinct skin lesions. As this syndrome is rare, it may be overlooked at the early clinical phase and subsequently, clinical outcomes may be worse due to delay in treatment. We report on a female who developed Nicolau syndrome following intramuscular diclofenac injection, which required surgical reconstruction. Understanding the characteristics of Nicolau syndrome and careful surveillance for relevant clinical features may help physicians to more quickly diagnose and treat this condition.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.38-40
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• 2009

Formalin is a water-soluble, colorless, pungent, irritating and highly reactive gas. A 40% solution of formaldehyde in water, also known as formalin, is used as a disinfectant, antiseptic, deodorant, tissue fixative and embalming fluid. Ingestion can lead to immediate deleterious effects on almost all systems of the body including gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, cardiovsacular system and hepato-renal system, causing gastrointestinal hemorrhage, cardiovsacular collapse, unconsciousness or convulsions, severe metabolic acidosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. We treated a 39-year-old woman who ingested 300 ml formalin in a suicidal attempt. Despite hemodialysis, death occurred after 23 h.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.59-63
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• 2021

Copper sulfate is widely used as a fungicide and pesticide. Acute copper sulfate poisoning is rare but potentially lethal in severe cases. Copper sulfate can lead to cellular damage of red blood cells, hepatocytes, and myocytes. Toxic effects include intravascular hemolysis, acute tubular necrosis and, rhabdomyolysis. A 76-year-old man presented with vomiting and epigastric pain. He had ingested a copper-containing fungicide (about 13.5 g of copper sulfate) while attempting suicide 2 hours prior to presentation. From day 3 at the hospital, laboratory findings suggesting intravascular hemolysis were noted with increased serum creatinine level. He was treated with a chelating agent, dimercaptosuccinic acid (succimer). His anemia and acute kidney injury gradually resolved with a 19-day regimen of succimer. Our case suggests that succimer can be used for copper sulfate poisoning when other chelating agents are not available.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.146-148
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• 2008

Phytolacca americana poisoning is a benign plant intoxication that causes gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Other signs and symptoms include diaphoresis, salivation, visual disturbance, and seizures or mental changes. We report two cases of patients who experienced confusion and abdominal pain, vomiting, and hematemesis after oral ingestion of pokeweed. A 60-year-old female with confusion and a 67-year-old female with abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea were admitted to the emergency department after pokeweed poisoning. After supportive treatment of hydration and gastrointestinal medication, the two patients showed full recovery within 24 h and were discharged from the hospital.

• Clinical and Experimental Emergency Medicine
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.278-281
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• 2018

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is considered an ophthalmologic emergency. The prognosis of this disease is very poor. Currently, there is no generally effective therapy available to treat CRAO. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can increase the volume of oxygen delivered to the ischemic retinal tissue until spontaneous or assisted reperfusion occurs. We report the case of a patient who experienced sudden visual loss due to CRAO that was treated with HBOT. The patient was an 81-year-old woman who presented with CRAO in her right eye (OD). She exhibited "hand motion" visual acuity before treatment. She underwent three sessions of HBOT at a pressure of 2.8 atmospheres absolute, performed over 3 days. After 4 days in hospital, her visual acuity improved to 0.4 (OD) for far vision and 0.5 (OD) for near vision. Her vision was stable without the supply of oxygen; therefore, she was discharged.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.97-104
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• 2019

Background: This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of low-dose ketamine versus ketorolac in pain control in patients with acute renal colic presenting to the emergency department (ED). Methods: This is a double-blind randomized clinical trial. The initial pain severity was assessed using the numerical rating scale (NRS). Then, ketamine or ketorolac was administered intravenously at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg and 30 mg respectively. The pain severity and adverse drug reactions were recorded 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min thereafter. Results: The data of 62 subjects in the ketamine group and 64 patients in the ketorolac group were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was $34.2{\pm}9.9$ and $37.9{\pm}10.6\;years$ in the ketamine and ketorolac group, respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean NRS scores at each time point, except for the 5 min, between the two groups. Despite a marked decrease in pain severity in the ketamine group from drug administration at the 5 min, a slight increase in pain was observed from the 5 min to the 15 min. The rate of adverse drug reactions, including dizziness (P = 0.001), agitation (P = 0.002), increased systolic blood pressure (> 140 mmHg), and diastolic blood pressure (> 90 mmHg) was higher in the ketamine group. Conclusions: Low dose ketamine is as effective as ketorolac in pain management in patients with renal colic presenting to the ED. However, it is associated with a higher rate of adverse drug reactions.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.112-118
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• 2007

Purpose: There have been relatively few reports of chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning. The purpose of this study is to analyze the general characteristics and clinical aspects of the chlorophenoxy herbicide intoxicated patients in Korea. Methods: We prospectively evaluated the chlorophenoxy herbicide intoxicated patients visiting to the 38 emergency medical centers in Korea from the 1 August 2005 to the 31 July 2006. Results: 24 patients were enrolled during the study periods. Their mean age was 55.7 years old. The median amount of the chlorophenoxy herbicide intoxicated is 150 mL. The most frequent location where the patients obtained and took the chlorophenoxy herbicide was their home. Frequent compounds involving chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning were dicamba(66.7%), MCPP(16.7%), and 2,4-D(12.5%). The most common symptom of the patients was confusion and vomiting. 16 patients(66.7%) intended to suicide. 3 patients out of 24 patients(13.0%) were died. Conclusion: There were 24 patients intoxicated by the chlorophenoxy herbicide during the study periods. The mortality rate was 13.0%. The suicidal attempts and the numbers of death involving chlorophenoxy herbicide were high in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제69권2호
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• pp.103-107
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• 2010

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether findings on initial chest computed tomography (CT) of influenza pneumonia can help predict clinical outcome. Methods: We reviewed all adult patients admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) with a confirmed diagnosis of novel influenza A H1N1 virus (2009 H1N1) pneumonia, who underwent chest CT upon admission between Aug 26, 2009 and Jan 31, 2010. Radiologic findings were characterized by type and pattern of opacities and zonal distribution. Clinical outcome measures were intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, and inhospital death. Results: Of 59 patients diagnosed with 2009 H1N1 pneumonia, 41 (69.5%) underwent chest CT on admission into ED. Nine (22%) of these patients developed adverse clinical outcomes requiring the following treatments: 9 (22.0%) ICU admissions, 5 (12.2%) mechanical ventilation, and 3 (7.3%) inhospital deaths. Counting the number of patients with more than 4 involved lobes, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for detection of adverse clinical outcome were 67%, 84%, 55% and 80%, respectively. Conclusion: Extensive involvement of both lungs (over 4 lobes) is related to ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and inhospital death. Initial chest CT may help predict an adverse clinical outcome of patients with 2009 H1N1 influenza pneumonia.