Air and Environmental Contamination Caused by COVID-19 Patients: a MultiCenter Study

Background@#The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of air and surface contamination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in four health care facilities with hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. @*Methods@#We investigated air and environmental contamination in the rooms of eight COVID-19 patients in four hospitals. Some patients were in negative-pressure rooms, and others were not. None had undergone aerosol-generating procedures. On days 0, 3, 5, and 7 of hospitalization, the surfaces in the rooms and anterooms were swabbed, and air samples were collected 2 m from the patient and from the anterooms. @*Results@#All 52 air samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Widespread surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was observed. In total, 89 of 320 (27%) environmental surface samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Surface contamination of SARSCoV-2 RNA was common in rooms without surface disinfection and in rooms sprayed with disinfectant twice a day. However, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in a room cleaned with disinfectant wipes on a regular basis. @*Conclusion@#Our data suggest that remote (> 2 m) airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from hospitalized COVID-19 patients is uncommon when aerosol-generating procedures have not been performed. Surface contamination was widespread, except in a room routinely cleaned with disinfectant wipes.

Comparison of outcomes between simultaneous fat grafting and filler injection with transconjunctival fat removal for improvement of the lower eyelid contour

Background@#Mid-facial aging is associated with various changes, particularly around the lower eyelid, where these changes manifest as herniation of orbital fat, sagging of soft tissue around the zygoma, and the tear trough deformity. We improved the lower eyelid contour via transconjunctival orbital fat removal and the use of either an autologous fat graft or filler injection. @*Methods@#Between June 2016 and July 2018, 100 patients aged 23–48 years underwent autologous fat grafts (group A: 50 patients, 100 eyes) or filler injections (group B: 50 patients, 100 eyes). The mean follow-up period was approximately 3 months. The results of surgery were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) to assess patient satisfaction and with preoperative and postoperative scores determined by three plastic surgeons according to the grading system for lower eyelid contour deformity devised by Barton et al. @*Results@#The mean VAS score was 8.48 in group A and 8.92 in group B, but the difference was not statistically significant. The percentage of postoperative improvement from preoperative grade I deformity to grade 0 was 97.7% in group A and 100% in group B. The percentage of improvement from preoperative grade II deformity to grade 0 was 96.0% in group A and 96.1% in group B, and the percentage of improvement from grade III deformity to grade 0 in was 66.7% in group A and 75% in group B. @*Conclusions@#Filler injection can be an alternative to fat grafting for improvement of the lower eyelid contour after transconjunctival orbital fat removal.

Minimal Resection of Jejuna Dieulafoy's Lesion Using an Intraoperative Fluoroscopic Localization of the Metallic Coils Used in Angiography / 대한소화기학회지

Dieulafoy's lesions of the Jejunum are extremely rare. Therefore, localization of lesions is very difficult due to their small size and tendency of occasional bleeding. However, it is important to mention the location of the Dieulafoy's lesions to prevent excessive intestinal resections or, even worse, resection of the normal intestine. We report a case of preoperative localization of a Dieulafoy's lesion embolized by a metallic coil that allows a surgeon to accurately identify the bleeding, permitting a minimally invasive surgical treatment. A 25-year-old man presented with massive hematochezia. There was no definite bleeding focus on the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy. An angiography found a persistent extravasation of the contrast media at the end of straight artery of the mid-jejunal branch, around the terminal ileum, embolized with metallic coils immediately. The combination of embolized metallic coils and intraoperative fluoroscopy allowed accurate identification and minimal laparotomy. Consequently, a highly selective and minimal resection of the jejunum containing the dieulafoy lesion was possible without any postoperative complications.

Benzoxazole Derivative B-98 Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-induced Acute Murine Colitis and the Change of T Cell Profiles in Acute Murine Colitis Model / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The unique role of enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) in the production of leukotrienes makes it a therapeutic target for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of B-98, a newly synthesized benzoxazole derivatives and a novel 5-LO inhibitor, in a mouse model of IBD induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups: normal control, DSS colitis (DSS+saline), low dose B-98 (DSS+B-98 20 mg/kg) and high dose B-98 (DSS+B-98 100 mg/kg). B-98 was administered with 3% DSS intraperitoneally. The severity of the colitis was assessed via the disease activity index (DAI), colon length, and histopathologic grading. The production of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 was determined by RT-PCR. Th cells were examined for the proportion of Th1 cell, Th2 cell, Th9 cell, Th17 cell and Treg cell using intracellular cytometry. RESULTS: The B-98 group showed lower DAI, less shortening of the colon length and lower histopathologic grading compared with the DSS colitis group (p<0.01). The expression of IL-6 in colonic tissue was significantly lower in the B-98 groups than the DSS colitis group (p<0.05). The cellular profiles revealed that the Th1, Th9 and Th17 cells were increased in the DSS colitis group compared to the B-98 group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that acute intestinal inflammation is reduced in the group treated with B-98 by Th1, Th9 and Th17 involved cellular immunity.

The Factors that affect the Health Promoting Behaviors of Middle-aged Workers between Type D and Non-type D Personality / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study is to identify the factors that affect middle-aged workers' health promoting behaviors. METHODS: 214 middle-aged workers participated in surveys, and the data were collected from August to September 2012 and analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis with PASW 18.0 program. RESULTS: It was found that among the factors, the degree of job stress (t=7.69, p<.001) and depression (t=6.23, p<.001) were significantly high for type D individuals, while non type D showed meaningful degree of self-related health status (t=-3.66, p<.001) and health promoting behaviors (t=-4.71, p<.001). The notable variable that affected the health promoting behaviors of the middle-aged workers was depression for both type D (beta=-.357, p= .029) and non type D (beta=-.325, p<.001) individuals, and this variable accounted for 24.1% and 18.2% respectively. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the middle-aged workers showed high degree of job stress and depression that influenced on their health promoting behaviors. Thus, they are recommended to receive health management programs that offer treatment through consulting considering their individual personalities.

A case of hydrothorax caused by peritoneal dialysate leakage diagnosed using the reaction between icodextrin and povidone-iodine / 대한내과학회지

Hydrothorax occurs as a complication of peritoneal dialysis in about 2% of cases. When a pleural effusion occurs, the effusion should be analyzed as part of the differential diagnosis. A hydrothorax due to peritoneal dialysate leakage can be suspected based on higher glucose and lower protein content compared with serum. Computed tomography (CT) peritoneography, peritoneal scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance peritoneography are safe, accurate, and reliable methods for diagnosing hydrothorax. Here, we report a case of hydrothorax associated with dialysate leakage that could not be confirmed using standard CT peritoneography. We confirmed the leakage by observing the change in color to black in a test that involved adding povidone-iodine to the pleural fluid obtained by thoracentesis after a cycle of peritoneal dialysis with icodextrin solution. We propose using the icodextrin-povidone reaction as a test for hydrothorax caused by dialysate leakage.

A case of hydrothorax caused by peritoneal dialysate leakage diagnosed using the reaction between icodextrin and povidone-iodine / 대한내과학회지

Hydrothorax occurs as a complication of peritoneal dialysis in about 2% of cases. When a pleural effusion occurs, the effusion should be analyzed as part of the differential diagnosis. A hydrothorax due to peritoneal dialysate leakage can be suspected based on higher glucose and lower protein content compared with serum. Computed tomography (CT) peritoneography, peritoneal scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance peritoneography are safe, accurate, and reliable methods for diagnosing hydrothorax. Here, we report a case of hydrothorax associated with dialysate leakage that could not be confirmed using standard CT peritoneography. We confirmed the leakage by observing the change in color to black in a test that involved adding povidone-iodine to the pleural fluid obtained by thoracentesis after a cycle of peritoneal dialysis with icodextrin solution. We propose using the icodextrin-povidone reaction as a test for hydrothorax caused by dialysate leakage.

Non-Surgical Gene Transfer to Rabbit Renal Glomeruli via Percutaneous Arterial Catheterization / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: Transfer of foreign genes to the renal glomerular cells is an important step for the gene therapy of renal diseases in which the primary pathology is confined to the glomeruli. We developed a non-surgical method of gene transfer to rabbit renal glomeruli using percutaneous arterial catheterization without any laparatomy procedure. METHODS: The recombinant adenovirus type 5, containing a nuclear-targeted beta-galactosidase gene and driven by a cytomegalovirus promoter, was slowly infused into the unilateral renal artery via percutaneous arterial catheterization. The animals were sacrificed 3 days after virus infusion and lacZ staining was done on the fresh harvested tissue. RESULTS: Only the animals those received 6x10(12) particles/rabbit for 120 minutes show lacZ expression in 90.6+/-5% (n=3) of glomeruli. Mostly, it was the endothelial cells and mesangial cells those were positive for the stain. CONCLUSION: This non-surgical method for gene transduction of the renal glomeruli can be applied to human trials of glomerulus-directed gene therapy.

Cerebral infarctions associated with intravenous use of methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is one of the most popular abuse drug in the South Korea. Intracranial hemorrhage or ischemic stroke have been well known as one of the complications with methamphetamine abuse. We experienced two cases with cerebral vasculopathy which had developed after intravenous use of methamphetamine. The first patient was a previously healthy 20-year-old woman, who was admitted because of drowsy mentality with left hemiparesis and dysarthria. The second patient was a 24-year-old man who was admitted because of seizure and left extremity weakness. They reported several intravenous administration of methamphetamine during previous months. In both case, brain CT showed cerebral infarction compatible with vascular territories. And also, carotid angiographys demonstrated that multiple intracranial vessels were involved with narrowing and stenotic nature, consisting with vasculitis in the both cases.

Clinical and Electrophysiological Findings in the Four Cases of Anterior Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

We report clinical and electrophysiological findings in the four patients of anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome. All four patients, there was decreased pinprick sensation at the 1st interdigital space and limitation of digital dorsiflexion with atrophy of extensor digitorum brevis. Nerve conduction tests in the superficial peroneal, tibial and sural nerve were normal, but in the common peroneal nerve, the compound muscle action potential was decreased, while nerve conduction velocity between the knee and the ankle was normal with prolonged or upper normal limited terminal latency. Denervation potentials or giant MUPs had been found in the extensor digitonn brevis muscle, but absent in the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus muscles.

The Frequency of Leukoaraiosis in Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension; the Quantitative Correlation of Leukoaraiosis and its Risk Factors

The frequency and the correlation to leukoariosis were evaluated in the l00 cases of hypertension, in the 46 cases of diabetes mellitus and in 50 controls. The results were as follows: 1. The frequencies of leukoaraiosis were 35% in hypertension, 15% in diabetes mellitus and 4% in control. And there is significant difference in the frequency of leukoaraiosis between hypertension and control 2. The severity of leukoaraiosis significantly correlated with the level of diastolic blood poressure( p<0.05).