BACKGROUND: Local anesthetics can reduece excitotoxic neuronal injury from ischemia. We investigated neuroprotective effects of intrathecally administered bupivacaine and hypothermia in rat model of transient spinal cord ischemia. METHODS: A PE-10 intrathecal catheter was implanted into thirty six male Sprague-Dawley rats through L4-5 interlaminar space. Animals of normothermia (N) and hypothermia (H) groups were administered 15microliter of normal saline, and 15microliter of 0.5% bupivacaine for bupivacaine (B) and bupivacaine-hypothermia (BH) groups. Transient spinal cord ischemia was induced by inflation of a 2 F Fogarty catheter placed into aortic arch for 12 minutes. During ischemia, rectal temperature was maintained to 37.0+/-0.5 degrees C for N and B groups, 34.5 +/- 0.5degrees C for H and BH groups. Motor and sensory deficit score were assessed 2 and 24 hour after reperfusion. Lumbar spinal cords were harvested for histopathology, and for immunoreactivity of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). RESULTS: The motor and sensory deficit score of N and B group was significantly higher than H group (P < 0.05) and BH group (P < 0.05). There were also significant difference in the motor and sensory deficit score between H and BH group at 24 hr (P < 0.05). Neuronal cell death and immunoreactivity of HSP70 was frequently observed in the N and B groups, but not in the H and BH groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that intrathecal bupivacaine did not provide neuroprotection during normothermic transient spinal cord ischemia in rats, but it can enhance neuroprotective effects of hypothermia.
Anesthetics, Local ; Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Bupivacaine* ; Catheters ; Cell Death ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Inflation, Economic ; Ischemia ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Neurons* ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion ; Spinal Cord Ischemia* ; Spinal Cord*

Owing to the development of high resolution-imaging modalities, cavernous angiomas and developmental venous anomalies are no longer uncommon clinical entities. The simultaneous occurrence of cavernous angioma and venous anomaly, however, is rare. In this paper we describe our clinical experience of 13 cavernous angiomas associated with venous anomaly, as well as the clinical and radiological characteristics, and surgical result; We report a retrospective series of cases in our four hospitals between July, 1990 and September, 1996. Seven patients were men and six were women; cavernous angiomas were classified into three pathophysiologic patterns, and venous anomalies were detected by either or a combination of these. In three cases, the MRI, MR angiography, cerebral angiography, venous anomaly was not in the vicinity of the cavernous angioma. Removal of the lesion aimed to eradicate the risk of recurrent bleeding and alleviate the patients' symptoms; no death occured, but patient deteriorated after surgery, showing a postoperative hemiparesis resulting from hemorrhagic venous infarction. In conclusion, the simultaneous occurrence of cavernous angioma and venous malformation is not rare. For the safe removal of a cavernous angioma, preoperative plans should involve considerations of venous anomaly; We believe that for successful surgery, the identification and preservation of venous malformation, which should be left undisturbed during the operation, is essential.
Angiography ; Cerebral Angiography ; Female ; Hemangioma, Cavernous* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Paresis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify current status of sickness absence and early leaves from work as a result of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. METHOD: From January to December in 2007, 4,975 workers were recruited into this study and surveyed over this time period; workers came from 116 small and medium sized companies in Incheon. Among the study populations, only those who met the NIOSH criteria for work-related musculoskeletal symptoms on each symptom locations were included in the final analysis. The survey used a structured self-administered questionnaire, which asked questions about musculoskeletal symptoms regarding locations, sickness absences and early leaves from work. Other information gathered from participants included sociodemographical characteristics, and work-related characteristics. RESULTS: The rates of sickness absences and early leaves in each symptom locations were highest (14.9%) among workers with waist symptoms. Men had higher rates of sickness absences and early leaves form work than women; manufacturing workers had higher rates of sickness absences and early leaves form work than office workers. After confounding variables that had significant difference in univariate analysis on each symptom locations were adjusted, the odds ratios for sickness absence and early leaves divided by pain intensity were 4.361(neck), 4.140(shoulder), 3.151(arm/wrist), 3.085(leg/foot), and 2.731(waist), respectively; these differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of sickness absence and early leaves in each work-related musculoskeletal symptom locations were highest among workers with waist symptoms, and the intensity of pain was identified to have a considerable effect on the rates of sickness absences and early leaves. Based on these results, we think that there are needs to be early interventions on workers with waist symptoms.
Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Humans ; Male ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Odds Ratio ; Porphyrins ; Questionnaires

The end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy is usually treated with cardiac transplantation although some limited success have also been obtained in selected patients using dynamic cardiomyoplasty or medical assist devices. Recently, a new surgical alternatives, called partial left ventriculectomy (PLV) was introduced by Randas J. V Batista in 1995. A 40-year-old man who had end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy refractory to optimal doses of medicines underwent partial left ventriculectomy (Batista's operation), which reduces ventricular volume to improve left ventricular function. The left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 20 % to 58 % at 4 month after operation.
Adult ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated* ; Cardiomyoplasty ; Heart Transplantation ; Humans ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between job stress and the willingness of male workers in small and medium scale industry to cease smoking. METHODS: A structured self-reported questionnaire was used to assess each respondent's socio-demographics, job stress, and the will to cease smoking. A KOSS (Korean Occupational Stress Scale)- based questionnaire survey was conducted which targeted 4,435 male workers at 69 small and medium scale industries. 2,840 men returned these questionnaires with 1,663 of them being smokers. We analyzed 1,345 of the smoker returns. We estimated the relationship between the will to cease smoking and the employee job stress factors using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: After adjusting for education, exercise, and tobacco use per day, the logistic regression analysis revealed a significantly positive association with the will to cease smoking and job stress. The odds ratios regarding insufficient job control were at 1.69 (95% CI, 1.26~2.27), organizational system at 1.37 (95% CI, 1.03~1.82), and lack of reward at 1.37 (95% CI, 1.03~1.82). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that job stress may play a significant role in the will to cease smoking. Further preventive efforts and studies are needed in order to reduce job stress.
Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Questionnaires ; Reward ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation ; Tobacco

OBJECTIVES: This study used representative national survey data of Korean workers to estimate the occupational injury rate and to identify factors associated with occupational injuries. METHODS: We analyzed data from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2007 to 2009 using the Complex Samples Frequencies procedure of the SPSS to estimate the occupational injury rate. Complex Samples Logistic Regression was performed to calculate a nationally representative odds ratios that reflects the likelihood of specific individual attributes and job characteristics being associated with occupational injuries. We did this while controlling for relevant covariates. RESULTS: It was estimated that 3.5% of Korean workers have suffered at least one occupational injury and 1.9% of full-time employed workers have suffered occupational injuries which required more than 4 days of absence during the year. After adjustment for confounding variables, the experience of occupational injuries was related to several job characteristics, including exposure to hazards such as: air pollutants (OR=1.40; 95%CI: 1.05~1.85), noise (OR=1.31; 95%CI: 1.01~1.70), biological hazards (OR=1.60; 95%CI: 1.13~2.28), a difficult physical environment (OR=1.79; 95%CI: 1.33~2.41), and difficult ergonomic work (e.g. work involving awkward posture or heavy lifting) (OR=1.49; 95%CI: 1.11~2.00). CONCLUSIONS: Using national survey data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to estimate the occupational injury rate and to identify predictors of work-related injuries has several advantages. Futhermore, these results suggest that a hazardous work environment is associated with occupational injury.
Air Pollutants ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Noise ; Nutrition Surveys ; Occupational Injuries ; Occupations ; Odds Ratio ; Posture ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated case clusters of pneumoconiosis among residents near cement factories in Young_Wol, Korea. METHODS: There were 1,396 residents of a total 3,418 residents surveyed for this study. Informations on demographics, health-related behaviors (smoking and drinking), past medical history, and clinical symptoms were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. All study participants underwent a physical examination, including chest X-ray, and physicians' interview. Chest CT (computerized tomography) was taken if there was abnormal finding on chest X-ray and physicians' interview. RESULTS: We detected 5 cases of pneumoconiosis. 2 cases were related to occupational exposure to dust, such as underground mining and the breaking up of concrete. However, 3 cases were not related to occupational or environmental exposure, except that persons were living near cement factories and limestone mines. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the long-term exposure of cement dust among residents near cement factories and mines may lead to the development of pneumoconiosis.
Calcium Carbonate ; Demography ; Dust ; Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Korea ; Mining ; Occupational Exposure ; Physical Examination ; Pneumoconiosis ; Questionnaires ; Thorax

Anti-tumor activity of the proteins from Gecko (GP) on cervical cancer cells, and its signaling mechanisms were assessed by viable cell counting, propidium iodide (PI) staining, and Western blot analysis. GP induced the cell death of HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner while it did not affect the viability of normal cells. Western blot analysis showed that GP decreased the activation of Akt, and co-administration of GP and Akt inhibitors synergistically exerted anti-tumor activities on HeLa cells, suggesting the involvement of PI3-kinase/Akt pathway in GP-induced cell death of the cancer cells. Indeed, the cytotoxic effect of GP against HeLa cells was inhibited by overexpression of constituvely active form of Akt in HeLa cells. The candidates of the functional proteins in GP were analyzed by Mass-spectrum. Taken together, our results suggest that GP elicits anti-tumor activity against HeLa cells by inhibition of PI3-kinase/Akt pathway.
Blotting, Western ; Cell Count ; Cell Death ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Lizards ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Propidium ; Proteins ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Background: Cyst enucleation, which extracts only the tumor with the application of Carnoy’s solution (CS), has been suggested as a conservative treatment with a low recurrence rate and morbidity. However, there has been a concern that CS’s contact with inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) can cause neurons to degenerate and cause sensory dysfunction. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the neurosensory function after surgical treatment with or without the application of CS. Methods: While controlling the effects of sex, age, follow-up period, and invasion size of the tumor, we performed the binary logistic regression analysis to examine whether or not the sensory function of the patients who were treated with CS (n = 19) for the cyst enucleation procedure was significantly different from those who were not treated with CS (n = 58) at the end of the follow-up period. Results: The logistic regression result showed that the use of CS was not significantly related to the normalness of sensory function at the end of the follow-up period. Rather, the invasion size of the cyst was significantly associated with sensory dysfunction. Conclusions CS may be used for patients who are diagnosed with OKC and UAM without much fear of its impact on sensory dysfunction. However, a small number of patients who were treated with CS experienced severe sensory damage and did not recover at the end of the follow-up period, suggesting the need for further analysis of these patients.

OBJECTIVES: Between Jan 1998 and Dec 2008, area-based occupational disease surveillance in Incheon was used to collect data on occupational diseases. The long-term data was used to estimate the scale of disease, to analyze disease characteristics, and to achieve surveillance in order to determine development tasks. METHODS: For a period of 11 years, occupation-related disease surveillance was performed on an annual basis for employees of Incheon industries. All cases of occupational disease were reported by means of the Incheon Occupational Disease Information Network (IODIN) web site, downloaded, and analyzed, subsequently. RESULTS: Between Jan 1998 and Dec 2008, 1577 cases of occupational disease were reported. Of these, there were 1043(66.1%) cases of occupational musculoskeletal disorders, 172(10.9%) cases of occupational asthma, 162(10.3%) cases of occupational dermatoses, 135(8.6%) cases of occupationally-related cancers, 30(1.9%) cases of pneumoconiosis, 27(1.7%) cases of toxic hepatitis, and 8(0.5%) cases of occupational neuronal disease. CONCLUSION: In the Incheon area, small and medium industries comprise 99% of business. The composition of the industry by category, in Incheon, is similar to the country on the whole. In actually, the data on occupational diseases in Korea are almost workers' compensation data. Thus, the survey of occupational disease based in Incheon, Korea, can serve as an estimate of the trends and size of the occupational disease throughout the entire country.
Asthma, Occupational ; Commerce ; Drug-Induced Liver Injury ; Information Services ; Korea ; Neurons ; Occupational Diseases ; Pneumoconiosis ; Skin Diseases ; Workers' Compensation