OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of work conditions on job stress of social workers in Seoul. METHOD: For this survey, a self-reported questionnaire was administrated to 1,000 social workers working in all of organization for social welfare practice in Seoul. The number of responded questionnaires was 431. Multiple linear regression analysis was used for job stress as the dependent variables and control variables. RESULTS: The result of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that regular rest breaks had significantly effect on job stress level but long working hours did not. When regular rest breaks was guaranteed job stress of social workers significantly lowered 8.4 point. In addition standardized regression coefficients and partial R2 of regular rest breaks was the highest score among the variables. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that it is the most important to guarantee regular rest breaks in the work schedule in order to alleviate job stress of social workers.
Appointments and Schedules ; Linear Models ; Social Welfare ; Social Workers ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the clinical and phylogenetic characteristics of Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infections (E. coli UTI). METHODS: We enrolled patients with culture-proven E. coli UTI, who were admitted at the study hospital from September 2008 to August 2009. We investigated clinical data of patients with E. coli UTI and characteristics of isolated E. coli strains. The phylogenetic groups were classified using triplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the distribution of nine virulent genes was determined by multiplex PCR. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients have participated in this study. Thirty (63.8%) were under 6 months; eight (17.0%) were between 6-12 months; and nine (19.1%) were over 12 months. We compared two age groups between under 6-month and over 6-month. In the age group under 6-month, higher proportion of male (P=0.002) and group B2 strains (P=0.020) were observed. In contrast, higher proportion of female and group non-B2 strains were observed in age group over 6-month. Frequencies of papC, papGII, papGIII, sfa/foc, hlyC, cnf1, fyuA, iroN and iucC were estimated as 68.1%, 57.4%, 42.6%, 46.8%, 46.8%, 31.9%, 87.2%, 48.9% and 63.8%, respectively. In the comparison of phylogenetic groups, group B2 showed higher distribution of virulent genes, while group D included more strains resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ) than other groups. CONCLUSION: We showed the age group-specific difference in the distribution of sex ratios and phylogenetic groups; more male and group B2 strains in age group under 6-month, while more female and group non-B2 in age group over 6-month. However, further evaluation including larger number of patients will be necessary to confirm above thesis in future molecular epidemiological studies.
Epidemiologic Studies ; Escherichia ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Iron ; Male ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sex Ratio ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections

Primary angiosarcoma of the spleen is an extremely rare malignancy, the pathogenesis of which is not completely understood, with high metastatic potential and an exceedingly poor prognosis, regardless of treatment regimen. The major complication is splenic rupture, which often leads to fatal hemoperitoneum. Overall, since 1879 when Langerhans described the first case of angiosarcoma of the spleen, there have been approximately 200 cases reported in the literature. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, spontaneous rupture of primary splenic angiosarcoma and spontaneous rupture of remnant or recurred angiosarcoma is extremely rare, and no cases were reported in English literature. We report a case of spontaneous splenic rupture due to angiosarcoma in a 68-year-old man, and also review the existing literature.
Aged ; Hemangiosarcoma ; Hemoperitoneum ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Spleen ; Splenic Rupture

Myxoid liposarcoma of the spermatic cord (MLSC) is a rare variant of spermatic sarcoma. Typically, it presents during the sixth decade of life as a painless scrotal or inguinal mass. Although local recurrences are not uncommon, prognosis following complete tumor removal is good because metastases are rare. Although myxoid liposarcoma is common elsewhere in the body, less than 20 cases have been described in the spermatic cord. Distant metastasis with MLSC (e.g., bone, liver, lung) is extremely rare, and no cases have been reported in the English literature. We report one case of MLSC with multiple bone, liver and peritoneal metastasis, incidentally found during inguinal hernia repair.
Hernia, Inguinal ; Liposarcoma ; Liposarcoma, Myxoid ; Liver ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Sarcoma ; Spermatic Cord

PURPOSES: This experimental study was designed to verify the effect of inhalation of essential oils on body weight, feed intake, food efficiency rate and serum leptin. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 90 growing SD rats (46 males and 44 females). They were allocated into one of four groups, the Fennel group, Patchouli group, Bergamot group and control group. The experimental treatment was the inhalation of aromatherapy essential oils which was applied two times a day for 10 minutes each during 8 weeks. To evaluate the effects, body weight, feed intake, food efficiency rate and serum leptin were measured before and after the treatment. The collected data was analyzed by repeated measures of Kolmogorov-smirnov test and Normal Q-Q plot for nomality, Kruskal Wallis test and X2-test for experimental effects with the SPSS program. RESULTS: The food efficiency rate was significantly lower in the Patchouli group and Fennel group than in the Bergamot group and control group (P=.000). No significant group effects were found for SD rat's body weight, feeding amount and serum leptin. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, these findings indicate that the inhalation of essential oils could be effective in lowering the food efficiency rate rather than the feed intake.
Administration, Inhalation ; Animals ; Body Weight/*drug effects ; Eating/*drug effects ; Female ; Leptin/*blood ; Male ; Oils, Volatile/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the cleansing performance of a distilled water, a diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite as a household bleaching cleanser and three alkaline peroxide cleansers in vivo plaque deposits by using scanning electron microscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five individuals were selected from department of the prosthodontics in Pusan National University Hospital, and each of them was inserted with specimens for plaque accumulation in their temporary dentures for 48 hours. The specimens were removed and cleaned by each cleansing agents for 8 hours. Scanning electron micrographs were made from the specimens at a magnification of x2,000. A panel of ten persons with a dental or paradental background, but not directly involved in the study, was selected to analyze the photomicrographs to determine which denture cleanser was more effective in removing plaque. RESULTS: Diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite was the most effective at removing plaque following Polident(R), Cleadent(R)e, Bonyplus(R) and distilled water in order. But there was no significant difference of cleansing efficacy between diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite and Polident(R), Polident(R) and Cleadent(R)e, Cleadent(R)e and Bonyplus(R), respectively (P > .05). Alkaline peroxide cleansers by themselves cannot adequately remove accumulated plaque deposits, especially if the deposits are heavy. Corrosion could be seen on the surface of non-precious alloy specimens immersed in diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to use of alkaline peroxide type cleansers with brushing whenever possible, since denture cleanliness is often poor due to the relative inefficiency of these cleansers.
Alloys ; Corrosion ; Denture Cleansers ; Dentures ; Detergents ; Electrons ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Prosthodontics ; Sodium ; Sodium Hypochlorite ; Water

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the incidence and clinical characteristics of symptomatic pneumothorax in the full-term neonate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 32 symptomatic pneumothorax patients in the full term neonates who admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Ulsan Dong Kang General Hospital from January, 2000 to December, 2004. The subjects were divided into two groups according to underlying causes; spontaneous pneumothorax group and secondary pneumothorax group, then each clinical characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: Spontaneous pneumothorax patients were 10 (31%) and secondary pneumothorax patients were 22 (69%). Overall incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax was 0.4%. Most common cause of secondary pneumothorax was pneumonia. Twelve cases (54.5%) among secondary pneumothorax patients were associated with mechanical ventilator care. Clinical characteristics, courses and managements were similar between two groups, but more shorter duration of admission and chest-tube insertion in spontaneous pneumothorax group CONCLUSION: The patient with symptomatic pneumothorax needs careful observation and proper management with or without underlying respiratory diseases
Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Medical Records ; Pneumonia ; Pneumothorax* ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulsan ; Ventilators, Mechanical

Lumbar hernias are rare posterolateral abdominal wall defects. There are two types of lumbar hernia. One is a superior lumbar hernia through the deep superior orifice (Grynfeltt triangle), and the other is a lower lumbar hernia through the superficial lower orifice (Petit triangle). A lumbar hernia is often misdiagnosed as a lipoma, so a cautious clinical examination is very important. Reports of recurrent lumbar hernia are extremely rare in the literature. We experienced a case of recurrence in an acquired primary lumbar hernia in a 71-year-old male who had undergone mesh-plug herniorrhaphy. The hernia orifice was 1 cm in diameter and exhibited a fibrous smooth margin. Hernia repair using 3-D mesh was performed. The patient had uncomplicated postoperative course and was discharged one day after the operation.
Abdominal Wall ; Aged ; Hernia ; Herniorrhaphy ; Humans ; Lipoma ; Male ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: Recently, it has been reported that gamma-glumyltransferase (GGT) is associated with various cardiovascular risk factors including overweight in adults. However, there are few studies on the relationship between GGT and cardiovascular risk factors in children. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum GGT level and overweight in Korean urban children. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study using data on 390 4th grade students of elementary schools in Gunpo, Korea. Children were divided into 4 groups according to gender-specific quartiles of serum GGT level. Body mass index, waist circumference and body fat percentage were quantified as adiposity indices. RESULTS: All adiposity indices in children of the highest GGT level quartile were higher than those in children of the lowest quartile. Adjusted odd ratios on overweight of the highest quartile of GGT level compared to the lowest quartile were 14.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.43 to 46.83) in boys and 2.94 (95% CI, 1.06 to 8.16) in girls. CONCLUSION: This study shows that high serum GGT level is related with overweight in Korean urban children and this relationship is stronger in boys compared to girls.
Adipose Tissue ; Adiposity ; Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; Humans ; Korea ; Overweight ; Oxidative Stress ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference

A man and a woman were found dead in their parked car. The car was placed in a deep embankment. The windows were rolled up. Since it was cold winter the engine and heater was running while soil surrounded the rear of the automobile. The cause of death was 87%, 85% carbon-monoxide blood saturation respectively. The source of the CO was a defective exhaust system, The tail pipe outlet was blocked by the soil, and fumes could not escape adequately. Carbon monoxide fumes might entered the vehicle through the rusted floorboards, air conditioning, and through the dash board. It is important to know that unintened carbon monoxide deaths from motor vehicle exhaust can occur outdoors in older vehicles with defective exhaust system. We suggest the public need to be aware of the potential for this life threatening hazard to occur so that there can be proper prevention of fatalities.
Air Conditioning ; Automobiles ; Carbon Monoxide ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Humans ; Motor Vehicles ; Running ; Soil ; United Nations