Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2022
Rhinovirus Incidence Rates Indicate We Are Tired of Non-pharmacological Interventions Against Coronavirus Disease 2019.
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the incidence of rhinovirus (RV) is inversely related to the intensity of non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs), such as universal mask wearing and physical distancing. ⋯ The effect of NPIs appears slower, the duration of the effect becomes shorter, and the intensity also decreases less than a year after the onset of the pandemic owing to people's exhaustion in implementing NPIs. These findings suggest that the COVID-19 response strategy must be completely overhauled.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2022
Effectiveness of Online Video Instruction on Time to Start Ambulation and Duration of Hospital Stay, Satisfaction and Functional Recovery in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty.
At the end of 2014, we implemented an online video to inform patients of the entire process from admission to rehabilitation after total hip arthroplasty (THA). In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of online video instruction in THA patients. ⋯ Online video instruction is an effective tool to expedite ambulation and reduce the hospital stay without compromising the clinical outcome and postoperative complications after THA.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2022
Association of Early Pubertal Onset in Female Rats With Inhalation of Lavender Oil.
Central precocious puberty (CPP) is caused by early activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis but its major cause remains unclear. Studies have indicated an association between chronic environmental exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pubertal onset. Essential oil is widely used in homes worldwide for relief of respiratory symptoms, stress, and/or sleep disturbance. ⋯ Inhalation exposure to an exogenic simulant during the prepubertal period might trigger early pubertal onset in female rats. Further evaluation of exposure to other endocrine-disrupting chemicals capable of inducing CPP through the skin, orally, and/or nasally is warranted.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2022
SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Breakthrough Infection and Onward Secondary Transmission in Household.
Despite the extraordinary speed of mass vaccination efforts, an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) delta variant in a vaccinee with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine was identified in an adult day service center (ADSC) of Jeju, South Korea. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic features in infection-vulnerable facilities with a high vaccination rate of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The second was to estimate the secondary transmission prevention effect of the vaccine in the household members by vaccination status. ⋯ We describe a SARS-CoV-2 delta variant outbreak in ADSC with high vaccine coverage rate, characterized by high infection rate, high transmissibility, and low clinical severity. The outbreak proceeded to unvaccinated or partially vaccinated household members, emphasizing the need for immunizing close contacts of high-risk groups.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is generally asymptomatic or mild in otherwise healthy children, however, severe cases may occur. In this study, we report the clinical characteristics of children classified as critical COVID-19 in Korea to provide further insights into risk factors and management in children. ⋯ To develop appropriate policies for children in the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to monitor and assess the clinical burden in this population.