PURPOSE: Regular cancer screening for workers can help prevent cancer or allow early treatment, and is thus beneficial in improving health, reducing costs, and increasing companies' productivity. However, there has been little research on cancer screening rates of workers and related factors. The purpose of this study was to identify cancer screening rates and relevant factors among manufacturing workers. METHODS: Using a questionnaire, data were collected from 335 workers aged over 40 years recruited from seven manufacturing companies. The collected information included cancer screenings (stomach, colorectal, breast, and cervical), attitude towards cancer screening, and demographic and job characteristics. RESULTS: 72.5% of workers received stomach cancer screening (SCS), and 43% received colorectal cancer screening (CRCS). Among 86 women, 68.6% received breast cancer screening and cervical cancer screening. The attitude towards cancer screening was 29.5+/-3.78. Workers aged over 51, married, and those working in mobile manufacturing were more likely to have undergone SCS. Workers aged over 51, married, those working in mobile manufacturing, those in workplaces with more than 1,001 employees, and those with more positive attitudes toward cancer screening were more likely to have undergone CRCS. Finally, attitude affected cervical cancer screening. CONCLUSION: Workers in small-sized workplaces had lower cancer screening rates. Thus, follow-up research should assess the health environment of workplaces and develop educational programs on cancer screening that reflect attitudes towards screening.
Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Efficiency ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify congruence between self-perception and objective status of obesity according to %Fat, and to investigate health promotion lifestyle in college women. METHODS: The participants were a convenience sample of 392 college women who were eligible and agreed to participate in this study. Respondents were asked questions using a health promotion lifestyle profile and were evaluated for their body composition using InBody 3.0. The data were analyzed with SPSS 14.0 program, which was used for Chi square, ANOVA, and post-hoc comparison with Scheffe. RESULTS: The major findings were as follows; 1) Overall, 41.8% of participants misclassified their perceived status of weight by %Fat standards and kappa was 0.329. 2) Two percent were underweight by BMI but overweight by %Fat and 39.0% normal weight by BMI but overweight by %Fat. 3) There were significant differences in health promotion lifestyle according to self-perception of body weight but there was no difference in health promotion lifestyle according to %Fat standards. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the necessity for development and application of tailored health promotion program based on self-perception of body weight and %Fat in order to reform incorrect body image and health behavior in college women.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Female ; Health Behavior ; *Health Promotion ; Humans ; *Life Style ; Obesity/*psychology ; Overweight ; Questionnaires ; *Self Concept ; Universities ; Women/*psychology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: According to our previous study Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) induces inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis in SCC 1483 oral cavity cancer cells. On the other hand, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, activation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) is the key event in the inhibition of inflammation by EGb 761. Therefore, we have investigated whether MAPK pathway is involved in the apoptotic process by EGb 761 in oral cavity cancer cell lines or not. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: In SCC 1483 oral cavity cancer cell lines, Western blot analysis, Fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis, and transient transfection using MAPK-dominant negative constructs were used. RESULTS: When SCC 1483 oral cavity cancer cell lines were treated with the concentration of 250 microgram/ml EGb 761, activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and apoptosis were noted. This apoptosis was inhibited by the treatment with ERK inhibitor (PD 98059). In the transiently transfected cells by MAPK/ERK kinase 1 (MEK1)-dominant negative construct, phosphorylations of ERK and p90 ribosomal S 6 protein kinase (RSK1) were inhibited which led to the inhibition of apoptosis by EGb 761. The inhibition of apoptosis was also noted in the transfected cells by RSK1 dominant negative construct and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)-dominant negative construct. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the apoptosis of SCC 1483 oral cavity cancer cell lines by EGb 761 is linked to the activation of ERK and it can happen via ERK MAPK/RSK1/CREB signal transduction pathway.
Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line* ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; Ginkgo biloba* ; Hand ; Inflammation ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Mouth* ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection

BACKGROUND: Surgery of the nasolabial area is susceptible to the distortion of lips, commissure and nasal ala. A subcutaneous pedicle flap is suitable for surgical treatment of mid-size facial defects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a subcutaneous pedicle flap for surgical defects of the nasolabial area. METHOD: We reviewed the medical records and evaluated clinical aspects and surgical treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Total number of patients was 13, including 8 males and 5 females. Mean age was 67.7years-old. Surgical defects were present on the alar crease in 9 cases, and upper lip in 4 cases. Mean size of defects was 1.6 by 1.3 cm. Flaps were well adopted, and no surgical scars were visible. No distortion of the adjacent structures were left. However, the alar crease was slightly blunted in one patient. CONCLUSION: A subcutaneous pedicle flap is suitable for reconstruction of nasolabial area defects.
Cicatrix ; Female ; Humans ; Lip ; Male ; Medical Records

PURPOSE: To evaluate the mean macular volume in normal Korean eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. METHODS: The present study consisted of 132 patients (212 eyes) with no ophthalmic evidence of retinopathy and who had a best corrected visual acuity of 1.0 or better. The total macular volume was measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and was analyzed according to age group, sex, degree of refractive error and presence of systemic disease such as diabetes and hypertension. RESULTS: The mean total macular volume of all subjects was 10.07 +/- 0.45 mm3, with means of 10.13 +/- 0.40 mm3, 10.05 +/- 0.43 mm3 and 9.97 +/- 0.58 mm3 measured for the respective A, B, and C age groups. There was a significant difference between male and female patients. In addition, there was a significant difference between diabetic patients in group C and normal subjects. However, there was no significant difference according to degree of refractive error. CONCLUSIONS: The measured value of mean macular volume in normal Korean eyes can be expected to provide a standard value for diagnosing retinal disease and the need for careful follow-up.
Eye ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Refractive Errors ; Retinal Diseases ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity

Mononeuritis multiplex is a peripheral neuropathy characterized by degeneration of one or more named nerve trunks in association with the systemic vasculitides. Mononeuritis multiplex occurs rarely in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and usually develops as a late complication of the disease. When mononeuritis multiplex occurs as a presenting feature of SLE, the diagnosis is often delayed causing considerable morbidity. We describe a patient who presented with mononeuritis multiplex as an initial manifestation of SLE.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Mononeuropathies* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Systemic Vasculitis

The mineral contents of the cultivation substrates, fruiting bodies of the mushrooms, and the postharvest cultivation substrates were determined in cultivated edible mushrooms Pleurotus eryngii, Flammulina velutipes, and Hypsizigus marmoreus. The major mineral elements both in the cultivation substrates and in the fruiting bodies were K, Mg, Ca, and Na. Potassium was particularly abundant ranging 10~13 g/kg in the cultivation substrates and 26~30 g/kg in the fruiting bodies. On the contrary, the calcium content in the fruiting bodies was very low despite high concentrations in the cultivation substrates, indicating Ca in the cultivation substrates is in a less bio-available form or the mushrooms do not have efficient Ca uptake channels. Among the minor mineral elements determined in this experiment, Cu, Zn, and Ni showed high percentage of transfer from the cultivation substrates to the fruiting bodies. It is noteworthy that the mineral contents in the postharvest cultivation substrates were not changed significantly which implies that the spent cultivation substrates are nutritionally intact in terms of mineral contents and thus can be recycled as mineral sources and animal feeds.
Agaricales ; Animal Feed ; Calcium ; Flammulina ; Fruit ; Pleurotus ; Potassium

Macrophage-associated inflammation is crucial for the pathogenesis of diverse diseases including metabolic disorders. Rhodanthpyrone (Rho) is an active component of Gentiana rhodantha, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammation. Although synthesis procedures of RhoA and RhoB were reported, the biological effects of the specific compounds have never been explored. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanisms of action of RhoA and RhoB were studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Pretreatment with RhoA and RhoB decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expressions in RAW 264.7 cells and in thioglycollate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages. In addition, it downregulated transcript levels of several inflammatory genes in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, including inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (Tnfa, Il6, and Ccl2) and inflammatory mediators (Nos2 and Ptgs2). Macrophage chemotaxis was also inhibited by treatment with the compounds. Mechanistic studies revealed that RhoA and RhoB suppressed the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway, but not the canonical mitogen activated protein kinase pathway, in LPS-stimulated condition. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of RhoA and RhoB on inflammatory gene expressions was attenuated by treatment with an NF-κB inhibitor. Our findings suggest that RhoA and RhoB play an anti-inflammatory role at least in part by suppressing the NF-κB pathway during macrophage-mediated inflammation.
Animals ; Chemotaxis ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Gene Expression ; Gentiana ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Macrophages ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Protein Kinases ; RAW 264.7 Cells

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the clinical outcome of acute poststreptocaccal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) between patients who had presented with gross hematuria and those with microscopic hematuria. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, who were diagnosed from January 2000 to April 2003 were enrolled. RESULTS: The mean age was 8.85 years and the male to female ratio was 1.1:1. Seventeen patients presented with gross hematuria at diagnosis(group A) and twenty-two patients had microscopic hematuria only(group B). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of edema, fever or history of respiratory infection and oliguria. But hypertension was more frequent in group B. Laboratory data showed decreased C3 and C4 level in group B. Spot urine protein/creatinine ratio and 24hr urine protein showed higher levels in group A. CONCLUSION: Patients with gross hematuria at diagnosis had lower incidence of hypertension and a higher rate of nephrotic range of proteinuria than patients with microscopic hematuria. However, no difference in the duration of admission or complication rate was observed. All patients had clinical improvement during follow-up. We conclude that gross hematuria is not a significant prognostic factor for poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis.
Diagnosis ; Edema ; Female ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomerulonephritis* ; Hematuria* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Male ; Oliguria ; Proteinuria ; Streptococcal Infections

PURPOSE: Neonatal hepatitis and congenital extrahepatic biliary atresia are two major causes of neonatal cholestasis. But the method of therapeutic trials used for each disease is essentially different. Nonetheless, it is very difficult to differentiate these diseases clinically and histologically. This study is aimed to find out major differences between the two by clinical characteristics and scoring of various histological parameters. METHODS: Clinical and histologically assessments were carried out in 8 cases with neonatal hepatitis and 11 cases with extrahepatic biliary atresia, who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Hospital, from January 1991 to June 1997. RESULTS: By sex distribution, males were more commonly had neonatal hepatitis but females were more commonly had biliary atresia. Hepatosplenomegaly and acholic stool were more frequent in biliary atresia.. Serial determinations of serum bilirubin concentrations showed that a steady fall occured in neonatal hepatitis whereas, progressive increase or stability of bilirubin level was noted in biliary atresia. Serum direct bilirubin level of more than 4mg/dL was found more frequently in biliary atresia. Serum aspartate aminotransferase level above 400IU/L was found more frequently in biliary atresia. Bile duct proliferation was more frequent in biliary atresia but Kupffer cell proliferation was more frequent in neonatal hepatitis. There was a significant difference in the total score in the liver biopsy scoring system between the two diseases. CONCLUSION: Females with hepatosplenomegaly and acholic stool, serum direct bilirubin level higher than 4mg/dL, serum aspartate aminotransferase level above 400IU/L, prominent bile duct proliferation and a higher total pathological score in biopsy specimen was found more frequently in biliary atresia.
Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bile Ducts ; Biliary Atresia* ; Bilirubin ; Biopsy ; Busan ; Cell Proliferation ; Child* ; Cholestasis ; Female ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Liver ; Male ; Pediatrics ; Sex Distribution