Hand hygiene knowledge, attitude, barriers and improvement measures among healthcare workers in the Republic of Korea: a cross-sectional survey exploring interprofessional differences.

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) is a fundamental component of infection prevention and control in healthcare settings. This study aimed to identify knowledge, attitude, and barriers to HH according to occupational groups and strategies to increase the rate of HH compliance among healthcare workers (HCWs).

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in July 2018 at four university-affiliated hospitals.

Ventilation strategies based on an aerodynamic analysis during a large-scale SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in an acute-care hospital.

Background: This study aimed to investigate ventilation strategies to prevent nosocomial transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective epidemiological investigation of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in a teaching hospital (February-March 2021). The largest outbreak ward was studied, and measurements were taken to determine the pressure difference and air change per hour (ACH) of the rooms.

Steady amelioration of institutional hand hygiene behavior among health care personnel after 12-year consistent intervention.

Background: Institutional hand hygiene (HH) behavior is difficult to monitor and improve consistently, especially over long periods. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of HH promotion activities.

Method: We launched the HH promotion team in 2010 and conducted interventions including goal setting, observation and feedback, education, reward incentives, and accountability.

A SARS-CoV-2 outbreak associated with vaccine breakthrough in an acute care hospital.

Background: We aimed to analyze an outbreak caused by a vaccine breakthrough infection in a hospital with an active infection control program where 91.9% of health care workers were vaccinated.

Methods: We investigated a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak between September 9 and October 2, 2021, in a referral teaching hospital in Korea.

Scope of a weekly infection control team rounding in an acute-care teaching hospital: a pilot study.

Regular and well-organized inspection of infection control is an essential element of an infection control program. The aim of this study was to identify the functional scope of weekly infection control team rounding (ICTR) in an acute care hospital. We conducted weekly ICTR between January 18 and December 26, 2018 to improve the compliance to infection control and prevention measures at a 734-bed academic hospital in the Republic of Korea and analyzed the results retrospectively.

Does Physician Leadership Influence Followers' Hand Hygiene Compliance?

The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing the hand hygiene compliance of a physician. We found a strong correlation between a leader's (staff member's or fellow's) and a follower's (resident's) hand hygiene compliance. Followers' appropriate hand hygiene compliance was significantly associated with the compliance of the leader ( = .

Aggressive Contact Investigation of In-Hospital Exposure to Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Background: In-hospital detection of newly diagnosed active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is important for prevention of potential outbreaks. Here, we report our experience of the aggressive contact investigation strategy in a university hospital in the Republic of Korea after healthcare workers (HCWs), patients, and visitors experience an in-hospital exposure to active pulmonary TB.

Methods: A contact investigation after the unexpected detection of newly diagnosed active pulmonary TB (index patients) was performed in a university hospital from August 2016 to April 2017.

Identifying the time to cure for patients with classic scabies after infection control intervention in acute care hospital settings.

Scabies is a re-emerging parasitic disease, particularly in hospitalized patients. This is a retrospective study analyzing adult patients with scabies admitted to a referral university hospital between 2008 and 2018. All patients were treated an average of 3times using scabicides; the median isolation period and time to cure were 14 and 15days, respectively.

Antimelanogenic activity of a novel adamantyl benzylbenzamide derivative, AP736: a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled comparative clinical trial performed in patients with hyperpigmentation during the summer.

Background/purpose: AP736 is a novel compound with an adamantyl benzylbenzamide moiety that has shown antimelanogenic activity in melanocytes in vitro and in artificial skin equivalent through the inhibition of key melanogenic enzymes and suppression of the cAMP-phosphokinase A-cAMP response element-binding protein signaling pathway. To estimate the clinical effectiveness of AP736 for the treatment of facial hyperpigmentation, we examined the efficacy and safety of a topical formulation containing AP736 compared with a vehicle formulation in human facial skin. To evaluate the degree of whitening when used in a real-life situation, subjects with hyperpigmentation conditions were selected and the trial was performed from mid-May to the end of June, when there are strong UV rays in Korea.

Extract of the mycelium of T. matsutake inhibits elastase activity and TPA-induced MMP-1 expression in human fibroblasts.

Skin aging is induced through complex biological processes in human skin caused by proteolysis of collagen and elastin, two structural proteins of the dermal extracellular matrix (ECM). Collagen and elastin degradation can induce the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), as well as that of a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that play critical roles in skin aging. Moreover, elastase is a metalloproteinase which acts on the degradation of elastin in skin aging, and is also involved in the inhibition or the repair of wrinkle formation.

Topical valproic acid increases the hair count in male patients with androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, comparative, clinical feasibility study using phototrichogram analysis.

Valproic acid (VPA), a widely used anticonvulsant, inhibits glycogen synthase kinase 3β and activates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which is associated with hair growth cycle and anagen induction. To assess the efficacy of topical VPA for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA), we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Male patients with moderate AGA underwent treatment with either VPA (sodium valproate, 8.

Heterocycle-linked phenylbenzyl amides as novel TRPV1 antagonists and their TRPV1 binding modes: constraint-induced enhancement of in vitro and in vivo activities.

A series of heterocycle-linked constrained phenylbenzyl amides were found to be TRPV1 antagonists with promising in vivo profiles. In particular, one of the analogues containing a furan linker exhibited excellent TRPV1 antagonistic activity and in vivo analgesic efficacy. In addition, the binding modes of dibenzyl thiourea, benzylphenethyl amide, and furan-linked phenylbenzyl amide were examined by using the flexible docking study within the rTRPV1 homology model.

Skin Hydration and Collagen Synthesis of AF-343 in HS68 Cell Line and NC/Nga Mice by Filaggrin Expression and Suppression of Matrix Metallopreteinase.

Extract of Taraxacum platycarpum (AF-343) has been reported to have several biological properties such as skin hydration and anti-inflammatory effects. Although clinical evidences of skin hydration and antiinflammatory effect were proven in clinical trial, precise mechanism of skin hydration was not fully understood yet. In this study, we have focused skin hydration mechanism related filaggrin, collagen, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in vitro and animal study.

Evaluation of anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic effects of cilostazol with PFA-100® and Multiplate® whole blood aggregometer in vitro, ex vivo and FeCl3-induced thrombosis models in vivo.

We evaluate the anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic effects of cilostazol using Multiplate® and PFA-100® in vitro and ex vivo with freshly isolated rat whole blood and in vivo venous and arterial thrombosis models in the same species, in an effort to assess the sensitivity of the whole blood aggregometer assays without potential issues of species differences. In vitro assay of anti-platelet effects of cilostazol against collagen-induced aggregation using Multiplate® produced a graded dose-dependent inhibition curve with IC50 value of 75.4 ± 2.

TRPV1 antagonist can suppress the atopic dermatitis-like symptoms by accelerating skin barrier recovery.

Background: Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) is a cation channel activated by diverse obnoxious stimuli like capsaicin, low pH or heat. Recently, it was revealed that TRPV1 might be deeply associated with skin permeability barrier function, suggesting that modulation of TRPV1 might be beneficial for the skin disorders with barrier damages.

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether the blockade of TRPV1 activation might accelerate skin barrier recovery and alleviate atopic dermatitis (AD)-like symptoms, employing a novel TRPV1 antagonist, PAC-14028.

Silicon switch approach in TRPV1 antagonist MK-056 and its analogues.

In searching for opportunities to exploit the benefits of silicon in TRPV1 research, we tried to investigate the pharmacological effects of sila-substitution (C/Si exchange) of tert-butyl group in the MK-056 series. Compound 13a, with a 4-positioned trimethylsilanyl group on the B ring in place of tert-butyl group, exhibited the most potent antagonist activity with IC(50) values of 0.15 microM, which is almost equipotent with that of MK-056.

Synthesis and structural optimization of multiple H-bonding region of diarylalkyl (thio)amides as novel TRPV1 antagonists.

Structural optimization of multiple H-bonding region and structure-activity relationship of diarylalkyl amides/thioamides as novel TRPV1 antagonists are described. In particular, we identified amide 34o and thioamides 35o and 35r, of which antagonistic activities were highly enhanced by an incorporation of cyano or vinyl-substituent to the multiple H-bonding region. They exhibited potent (45)Ca(2+) uptake inhibitions in rat DRG neuron with IC(50)s of 25, 32 and 28 nM, respectively.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of phenylpropanamides as novel transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 antagonists.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of N-benzyl-3-phenylpropanamides as transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) antagonists are described. A variety of substituents such as halide, ester, nitro, and alkyl groups at 2 or 3-position of 4-(methylsulfonylamino) benzyl unit were examined. These compounds exhibited potent 45Ca2+ uptake inhibition in rat DRG neuron via TRPV1 blockade.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel diarylalkyl amides as TRPV1 antagonists.

We have developed a new class of diarylalkyl amides as novel TRPV1 antagonists. They exhibited potent (45)Ca(2+) uptake inhibitions in rat DRG neuron. In particular, the amide 59 was identified as a potent antagonist with IC(50) of 57 nM.

Novel potent antagonists of transient receptor potential channel, vanilloid subfamily member 1: structure-activity relationship of 1,3-diarylalkyl thioureas possessing new vanilloid equivalents.

Recently, 1,3-diarylalkyl thioureas have merged as one of the promising nonvanilloid TRPV1 antagonists possessing excellent therapeutic potential in pain regulation. In this paper, the full structure-activity relationship for TRPV1 antagonism of a novel series of 1,3-diarylalky thioureas is reported. Exploration of the structure-activity relationship, by systemically modulating three essential pharmacophoric regions, led to six examples of 1,3-dibenzyl thioureas, which exhibit Ca(2+) uptake inhibition in rat DRG neuron with IC(50) between 10 and 100 nM.

Neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of the ethyl acetate fraction prepared from Tussilago farfara L.

The flower buds of Tussilago farfara L. (Compositae) have been traditionally used in Oriental medicine for the treatment of bronchitis and asthma. The extract of T.

Biarylcarboxybenzamide derivatives as potent vanilloid receptor (VR1) antagonistic ligands.

Seventeen biarylcarboxybenzamide derivatives were prepared for the study of their agonistic/antagonistic activities to the vanilloid receptor (VR1) in rat DRG neurons. The replacement of the piperazine moiety of the lead compound 1 with phenyl ring showed quite enhanced antagonistic activity. Among the prepared derivatives, N-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-4-pyridine-2-yl-benzamide (2, IC(50)=31 nM) and N-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-4-(3-methylpyridine-2-yl)benzamide (3g, IC(50)=31 nM), showed 5-fold higher antagonistic activity than 1 in (45)Ca(2+)-influx assay.

N-4-methansulfonamidobenzyl-N'-2-substituted-4-tert-butyl-benzyl thioureas as potent vanilloid receptor antagonistic ligands.

A series of N-4-methansulfonamidobenzyl-N'-2-substituted-4-tert-butylbenzyl thioureas were prepared for the study of their agonistic/antagonistic activities to the vanilloid receptor in rat DRG neurons. Their structure-activity relationship reveals that there is a space for another hydrophobic binding interaction around 2-position in 4-tert-butylbenzyl region. Among the prepared derivatives, 6n show the highest antagonistic activity against the vanilloid receptor (IC(50)=15 nM).

In vitro structure-activity relationship and in vivo studies for a novel class of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors: 5-aryl-2,2-dialkyl-4-phenyl-3(2H)furanone derivatives.

5-Aryl-2,2-dialkyl-4-phenyl-3(2H)furanone derivatives were studied as a novel class of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors with regard to synthesis, in vitro SAR, antiinflammatory activities, pharmacokinetic considerations, and gastric safety. 1f, a representative compound for methyl sulfone derivatives, showed a COX-2 IC(50) comparable to that of rofecoxib. In case of 20b, a representative compound for sulfonamide derivatives, a potent antiinflammatory ED(50) of 0.

N-4-Substituted-benzyl-N'-tert-butylbenzyl thioureas as vanilloid receptor ligands: investigation on the role of methanesulfonamido group in antagonistic activity.

A series of N-4-substituted-benzyl-N'-tert-butylbenzyl thioureas were prepared for the study of their agonistic/antagonistic activities to the vanilloid receptor in rat DRG neurons. Their structure-activity relationship reveals that not only the two oxygens and amide hydrogen of sulfonamido group, but also the optimal size of methyl in methanesulfonamido group play an integral role for the antagonistic activity on vanilloid receptor.