Public Baths Research Articles

Survey of Psychosocial Problems Facing Breast Cancer Survivors after Undergoing a Mastectomy and Their Awareness of Breast Reconstruction

gone a mastectomy is performed less frequently in Korea than in Western countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychosocial problems related to a mastectomy and awareness of reconstruction after a mastectomy in breast cancer survivors. Methods: From March to April 2010, 252 patients who underwent a mastectomy were recruited for this survey. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics of patients, psychosocial problems related to mastectomy, and reasons not to receive breast reconstruction. Results: Patients had difficulty going to a public bath (70.3%) or going to a swimming pool or the beach (74.6%). More than half of patients answered that their physical activity had decreased due to persistent shoulder or arm pain after the mastectomy. The most common psychological problem that patients experienced was distress over the loss of charm as a woman (66.8%), followed by considering themselves disabled (62.0%), and worries about recurrence (59.4 %). The most common reason not to receive a breast reconstruction was the high cost of the operation (59.4%), followed by anxiety about complications (46.7%). Only 16.2% of patients reported that they did not receive enough information about reconstruction from their doctor. Of 229 patients, 43.7% would consider undergoing breast reconstruction in the future. Conclusion: Breast cancer survivors who underwent a mastectomy suffered from various psychosocial problems, and high cost was a major reason for not undergoing breast reconstruction. Broader health insurance coverage should be provided for breast reconstruction in breast cancer survivors.

Importance of the policy response appropriates the industry life cycle: Case from Public Bath Industry

Importance of the policy response appropriates the industry life cycle: Case from Public Bath Industry

Innovation and ancient Roman facilities management

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review facilities management among the ancient Romans with an emphasis on features that are relevant for understanding the evolution of current innovative practices.Design/methodology/approachAncient Roman literary sources, inscriptions, other archaeological findings and secondary literature are used to identify facilities management functions and facilities managers. The advanced management of public baths and gymnasia is discussed as well as relations between lifestyles and workplaces. Roman information technology and contractual skills are included.FindingsIt is meaningful to speak of facilities managers in Roman times, although mostly for buildings such as baths with complex technologies. There is a striking lack of differentiation between offices and homes, and the meanings of work and leisure were understood differently. Primitive information technology is a possible explanation, although it did not impede the development of contracts with detailed service‐level agreements. Availability and use of energy in facilities emerges as the most important change.Originality/valueRecent studies of innovations in facilities management concern very short‐time periods. In this paper, the long historical perspective allows identifying the importance of large technology shifts. Practitioners may benefit from implications for specialised building design, in particular the link between a particular level of information technology and the need for offices.

Water quality parameters associated with prevalence of Legionella in hot spring facility water bodies

Some species of Legionella are recognized as opportunistic potential human pathogens, such as Legionella pneumophila, which causes legionnaires disease. Indeed, outbreaks of legionellosis are frequently reported in areas in which the organism has been spread via aerosols from contaminated institutional water systems. Contamination in hot tubs, spas and public baths are also possible. As a result, in this study, we investigated the distribution of Legionella at six hot spring recreation areas throughout Taiwan. Legionella were detected in all six hot spring recreation areas, as well as in 20 of the 72 samples that were collected (27.8%). Seven species of Legionella identified from samples by the direct DNA extraction method were unidentified Legionella spp., Legionella anisa, L. pneumophila, Legionella erythra, Legionella lytica, Legionella gresilensis and Legionella rubrilucen. Three species of Legionella identified in the samples using the culture method were L. pneumophila, unidentified Legionella spp. and L. erythra. Legionella species were found in water with temperatures ranging from 22.7 °C to 48.6 °C. The optimal pH appeared to range from 5.0 to 8.0. Taken together, the results of this survey confirmed the ubiquity of Legionella in Taiwan spring recreational areas. Therefore, a long-term investigation of the health of workers at hot spring recreational areas and the occurrence of Legionella in hot spring recreational areas throughout Taiwan are needed.

Distribution of Legionella species from environmental water sources of public facilities and genetic diversity of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 in South Korea.

A total of 560 Legionella species were isolated from environmental water sources from public facilities from June to September 2008 throughout South Korea. The distribution of Legionella isolates was investigated according to geographical region, facility type, and sample type. The genetic diversity of 104 isolates of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (sg 1) was analyzed by sequence-based typing (SBT). L. pneumophila was distributed broadly throughout Korea, accounting for 85.0% of the isolates, and L. pneumophila sg 1 predominated in all of the public facilities except for the springs. Legionella anisa and Legionella bozemanii predominated among non-L. pneumophila species (48.1% and 21.0%, respectively). The second most dominant strain differed depending on the facility type: L. anisa was the second most dominant strain in the buildings (10.8%), L. pneumophila sg 5 in public baths (21.6%), L. pneumophila sg 6 in factories (12.0%), and L. pneumophila sg 7 in hospitals (13.1%). In the SBT analysis, 104 L. pneumophila sg 1 isolates were differentiated into 26 sequence types (STs) and categorized into 3 clonal groups (CGs) and 10 singleton STs via the eBURST V3 program. ST1, a potential founder of major CG1, was commonly distributed (48.1%). The dominant ST in hot water was ST-K1 (7, 12, 17, 3, 35, 11, 11), which was designated in this study (36.1%). The second most dominant strain differed depending on the type of facility from which the samples were obtained. The unique allelic profile of ST-K1, obtained from hot water, was not found in the European Working Group for Legionella Infections (EWGLI) SBT database.

The Emergence of Municipal Baths: Hygiene, War and Recreation in the Development of Swimming Facilities

Public bathing facilities were one of the many new urban monument types of the Industrial Revolution. This paper examines the changing role, function and provision of baths and swimming pools from the Victorians to the post-war consensus of the 1950s and 1960s. It details changing rationales from cleansing, through preparation for war to post-war recreational use. It places these changes within the archaeological and historical record, utilising examples from across the United Kingdom, and explores how such buildings as well as being functional were simultaneously physical manifestations of the municipal grandeur and pride of the new industrial cities.

Sauna lung: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to Exophiala jeanselmei

A 55-year-old man developed progressive cough and dyspnoea after regular attendance at a public steam bath. Hypoxaemia, diffuse pulmonary infiltrates and a predominance of lymphocytes with an increased percentage of CD8+ T cells in his bronchoalveolar lavage fluid suggested hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Microbial cultures from the steam bath room and tank identified Exophiala jeanselmei. Immunoblotting assays from the patient's serum confirmed the major antigenic stimulus. The patient recovered fully after systemic corticosteroid treatment and cessation of further exposure.

The Actual Conditions of Bathing Habits in Public Baths and Residential Bathrooms in Urban Apartments in Xi'an (Part 1)

The Actual Conditions of Bathing Habits in Public Baths and Residential Bathrooms in Urban Apartments in Xi'an (Part 1)

Where were the doctors when the Roman Empire died?

The notion that inadequate health services might have been one of the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire is investigated. Despite many factors preventing the early development of an adequate public health service, the Romans had achieved much by the 5th century AD. Apart from many laws promoting public health, various official measures were taken by the Roman government, for example the appointment of state physicians and free medical services for the poor. But the greatest contribution of the Romans was the provision of facilities which served as an indispensable infrastructure for public health care, such as the provision of an ample supply of pure water, public baths, advanced measures for the disposal of sewage, and somewhat later under the influence of Christianity, hospitals for the general public. Although there were still deficiencies, the Roman government cannot be criticised for laxity as far as the provision of health services was concerned. Inasmuch as they were in default, it was because of lack of scientific medical knowledge which only evolved c. 1 500 years later.

Surveillance of Legionella Contamination on Water Supply Systems of Public Utilizing Facilities in Gwangju, Korea

Legionella is a pathogenic bacteria associated to aquatic habit of natural and artificial environments. Clinical cases of legionellosis have been reported in Korea but there is a lack of information about the incidence of this bacterium on environmental sources. Thus, we investigated the contamination of Legionella on water supply systems in Gwangju, Korea, including cooling towers, public baths, hospitals and fountains. Legionella spp. were detected from 81 samples (16.9%) out of 480 samples collected and the major species of Legionella isolates was identified to L. pneumophila serogroup (sg) 1 (n=33). The result of PFGE pattern analysis for L. pneumophila sg 1 isolates was discriminated into 11 pulsotypes. In dendrogram of PFGE, the clusters of isolates from cooling tower were quite different from those derived from hot water system of public bath. Surveillance for 4 sentinel public baths showed that their water supply systems had been contaminated with Legionella spp. and L. pneumophila sg 5 or sg 6 was the major isolate. The similarity of its PFGE patterns was 92.3%, 96.6%, respectively. Thus, PFGE may be a useful tool in molecular epidemiology studies, and the monitor and control for water supply systems of public utilizing facilities will be able to provide a resolution for the reduction of Legionella infection.

A STUDY ON DECREASE OF DISINFECTANT IN BATHTUB

Recently, the accidents caused by Legionella species have became a serious problem at public baths. To solve the problem, it is necessary to keep the residual chlorine in water at predetermined level by disinfectant. In this study, we aimed to understand the situation of chlorine disinfectant decrease in air bubble bath and ultrasonic bathtub. As the experiment conditions, we controlled to change water depth, amount of air, water temperature, volume of circulating water, gauge of air nozzle, and so on. In order to evaluate the behavior of disinfectant in water, the divergent coefficient was used to observe the decrease in the level of disinfectant over time. Regarding of the behavior of disinfectant in water in the bubble air bathtub and Whirlpool bathtub, the results were obtained respectively.

A Case of Hot Tub Lung

Hot tub lung is a lung disorder associated with exposure to hot tub water contaminated with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). Although its pathogenesis remains unclear, it may be considered hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) rather than an infectious disease. We report a case which fulfilled the current diagnostic criteria of hot tub lung. A patient had worked as a cleaner in the public bath for approximately one year and presented with dyspnea for over one month. The computed tomographic finding of bilateral ground glass attenuation and pathologic finding of granulomatous inflammation were consistent with HP. MAC was isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and hot tub water. After corticosteroid treatment without antimycobacterial medication, the patient improved and there has been no recurrence. The patient has since discontinued working in the public bath.

Hot Tub Lung Due to Mycobacterium Avium Complex in a Public Bath

Hot Tub Lung Due to <i>Mycobacterium Avium</i> Complex in a Public Bath

Caisson décoré et tuyaux de plomb découverts à Ambrussum : questions d’adduction d’eau dans l’agglomération routière

The study of a decorated lead box which has preserved a pipe connection was the opportunity to record the hydraulic seals found in the urban roadside Ambrussum : sockets and fistulae, one of which wears a plumber’s stamp. Owing to the fact that they have not been found in a functional position, these documents which have escaped the recovery of metal as early as ancient times, are difficult to interpret. If one of them comes from the public baths, most have been discovered in an inn specially devoted to the State carriage, in archaeological layers that have been deserted during the fourth century.

ARCHITECTURAL CORRELATION ANALYSIS OF THE HAMM MS OF CHERCHELL, ALGERIA: LINEAR VS AGGREGATE SPACE IN THE TRADITIONAL BATH

The architecture of traditional historic cities in Algeria has specific spatial and constructive characteristics despite the influence of the Andalusian-Ottoman style. In the case of Cherchell (a historic city 100kms west of Algiers), the architectural elements interpret these architectural references. These elements exist in a complex archaeological, historic and cultural fabric based on architectural and urban analogies, reminders and references. The paper focuses on the typological study of the historic hammāms of Cherchell. It is aimed to analyse the diverse correlations between specific urban amenities and the residential fabric framed within the spatial organization, proportional modulation and structural modes. In this paper, the spatial organisation of the public baths of Cherchell is identified. It is a nodal spiral organization developed around the hot room. It follows the Ottoman spatial prototype of Algiers hammāms. However, the specific characteristic of Cherchell baths is in their constructive system for the roofing covering the central space of the hot room. The roofing consists of an octagonal dome, where the transition to the large square of the hot room is covered by trusses supporting tiled roofing, inspired by the domestic Cherchell architecture of that era.

Sexual partners and sexually transmitted infection incidence:a survey of 2250 men who have sex with men

Objective To study the relationship between sexual partner status and sexually transmitted infection(STI)incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM)in China.Methods Anonymous questionnaires were designed and delivered to survey 2265 MSM in 9 Chinese cities,including Harbin,Shenyang,Nanjing,Shanghai,Zhengzhou,Wuhan,Xi'an,Chongqing and Chengdu.Collected data were analyzed by SPSS 11.0.Results Totally,2250 valid questionnaires were returned,with a response rate of 99.3%.STI occurred in 17.7% (399/2250)of the participants.The number of male sexual partners of MSM、with STI was greater than those without STI(81.29±9.17 vs 67.15±6.65,t=2.611,P<0.05).MSM whose sexual partners had fewer sexual partners showed a lower STI incidence compared with those whose sexual partners had more(P<0.05).STI incidence increased in MSM who got acquainted with sexual partners in public lavatory,park and bathroom in comparison with those who met sexual partners through classmates,friends and neighbors.MSM who had single fixed sexual partner had a lower STI incidence than those who had more than one fixed sexual partners(P<0.01).A higher STI incidence was also observed in MSM who were in marriage versus those out of marriage(P<0.05),and in MSM who separated with their wives versus those who cohabited(P<0.05).Condusions The decrease in male sexual partners may facilitate the reduction in STI incidence.Meeting sexual partners in public lavatory,park and bath may be an important transmission route of STI/HIV.Heterosexual behavior is a risk for STI transmission in MSM. Key words: Homosexuality; male; Sexually transmitted diseases; Sexual partners

Leisure, Tourism, Swimming, Sustainability and the Ocean Baths of New South Wales

The presence of more than a hundred wave-dominated public baths on the rocky surf coast of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) testifies to the enthusiasm of that coast's colonial and post-colonial residents and visitors for structures enabling ‘safe enough’ day and night immersion in the sea. Beach and pool cultures mix at these challenging public pools, which illuminate the leisure-time relationships with surf, rips, sharks and the NSW rocky shores, and counterpoint other pool and beach cultures within and beyond Australia. The generally unsupervised ocean baths are valued beach safety measures that both predated and continue to complement the lifesaver-patrolled surf beaches. Ocean baths served both to promote tourism and residential development along the NSW coast and to provide training grounds for local, Australian and Olympic sporting champions. While no longer used for elite competitive swimming, these pools remain important venues for recreation and learn-to-swim programs as well as for club and school swimming. Despite the present reluctance to develop ocean baths at new sites, the existing ocean baths are still regarded as iconic beauty spots facilitating and exemplifying a joyous, healthy, egalitarian, sustainable coastal lifestyle.

Monitoring bathing beach water quality using composite sampling

Michigan water quality standards for public bathing beaches require local health departments to collect and analyze a minimum of three water samples for Escherichia coli during each sampling event. The geometric mean number of E. coli colonies is then compared to the 300 colonies per 100 ml standard to determine compliance. This article compares the results of the currently mandated procedure to a composite sampling method, whereby the three samples are mixed in equal volumes and analyzed once. This effectively replaces the geometric mean of the individual sample results with an arithmetic mean. Although arithmetic means are more affected by outliers, this sensitivity to high concentrations is more health conservative than the geometric mean. During the 2007 sampling season, nine bathing beaches were monitored once each week. Three individual point samples and a composite sample were analyzed for each sampling event. No statistically significant differences in bacteria concentrations were found between composite sample analysis and the arithmetic mean of individual point sample analyses. No violations were detected in the 2007 sampling season, so using historical data, a retrospective analysis was performed on samples gathered at nine bathing beaches in Kalamazoo County, Michigan during the years 2001-2007. The arithmetic mean of the three samples taken at each site served as a surrogate composite sample. The benefits of compositing the three samples were investigated assuming a 2/3 reduction in analytical costs. In the traditional sampling method, three individual samples were obtained and analyzed once in every 3-week period during the summer season, whereas compositing was simulated by taking the arithmetic mean of each week's results. The results of this retrospective cost analysis indicates that ten to 14 violations would have been missed using the less frequent traditional sampling and analysis methodology. Composite sampling is a cost-saving alternative to traditional sampling techniques that can be more protective of public health, particularly when the savings are applied to increased numbers of samples in time or space.

What Does CP Violation Tell Us?

I was born in 1940, the son of a furniture craftsman in a local city, Nagoya, in Japan. My father wanted to change his job and was taking a correspondence course to become an electrical engineer, while he was a trainee furniture craftsman. However, he told me that he could not really understand sine and cosine, since he had not received a basic education. Eventually, though he did manage a small furniture factory employing a few craftsmen and worked there himself. But this came to nothing because of World War II, that reckless and miserable war which our country caused. After the war, he displayed in front of his house the door hinges, wood screws and other pieces of furniture which remained at hand. They sold quite well. Getting a taste for selling, he became a merchant dealing with sugar as an ingredient for cakes. He still wanted to boast of his knowledge of electricity, but he could not find anyone suitable to explain it to. One day though he found a good target, his son. In those poor days after the war, almost all the houses were without bathrooms and so people went to the public bath. On his way to and from the public bath, he boasted of his knowledge: Why do three-phase current motors rotate? Why don’t the solar and lunar eclipses occur every month? He explained proudly that it was because of the revolution planes of the earth around the sun, and of the moon around the earth, which are tilted at an angle of 5 degrees. This was the reason why I was a strange pupil at school. I had a poor record but could answer the teacher’s questions when he digressed and spoke about subjects outside of the textbooks. My parents neither observed their children carefully nor helped with their study. One day, my mother realised that she had never seen her son studying at home. So she told my teacher at a parents association meeting. “Please give my son homework at least occasionally. Otherwise, he never studies at home.” My teacher answered, “Your son has never done his homework despite the fact that I give him homework every day!”

서울특별시 종로구 대중목욕탕의 수질 중 미생물 오염도 조사 연구

The aim of this study is to investigate microbial sanitary condition of public baths in Seoul, Korea. A total of 28 water samples were collected from 14 different public baths and sudatoriums. The prevalence of fecal indicator microorganisms such as total coliform, fecal coliform, and Escherichia coli was characterized. In addition, bacteria in water was membrane filtered by 0.45um nitrocellulose membrane, and the filter was analyzed by both cultivation and PCR amplification of partial 16S rRNA gene. The levels of chlorine were measured for each of water samples. More than 40% of 14 collected water samples, the concentrations of total coliform bacteria exceeded the water quality for bath water guideline. There was no significant correlation between chlorine residue and the presence of total coliform. Various microorganisms including pathogenic microorganisms were identified from cultivation and subsequent analysis of 16s rRNA gene sequences. Our results suggest that appropriate hygiene practice and continuous monitoring is needed for reducing health risk associated with public bathhouses.