This study was carried out to evaluate the relations among workers' general characteristics, work-related behaviors and health related behaviors in a steel industry with 1,134 workers in Pohang. The results were as follows; 1. The mean age of workers was 50 years old and working duration was 15 years and over. Most of them were married(94 5%) and had studied beyond high school (53.0%). They performed three shift work and most of them(63.0%) had experienced industrial accidents. The frequency of noise and dust exposure was defined by a minimum of 6 hours per day, and workers complained about noise exposure(62.9%) and dust(55.6%). There were current smokers(67.7%), current drinkers(74.3%) and current exercising workers(32.3%) in the industry. The number of cigarette consumption in current drinkers was significantly high (13.6 +/- 8.4 pieces/day) and the alcohol consumption in current smokers was significantly high(l04.5 +/- 113.5 g/wk). And the number of cigarette consumption of exercisers was significantly low and the alcohol consumption of exercisers was higher than non-exercisers. 3. The ratio of current smokers on frequent noise in exposed workers versus non-exposed workers was not significantly high but the current drinkers in frequent noise and dust exposed workers was significantly higher than non--exposed. 4. The normal levels of SGOT workers in non-smokers were significantly higher than in current smokers, and the abnormal levels of LFT(SGOT, SGPT, gamma-GTP workers in nondrinkers were significantly high. The normal levels of SBP and DBP workers in current smokers were not significantly high but were significantly high in non-drinkers. 5. The ratio of current smokers in workers unsatisfied with their job and working condition was higher than non-smokers, but the ratio of current drinkers in workers satisfied with their job and working condition were higher. 6. The significant factors for SGOT and gamma-GTP were age, the drinking amount and BMI. But the only significant factor for r-GTP was BMI. The significant factors for DBP were age, the alcohol consumption and BMI And the significant factors for SBP were age, BMI.
Accidents, Occupational ; Alanine Transaminase ; Alcohol Drinking ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Drinking ; Dust ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Health Behavior* ; Humans ; Male* ; Middle Aged ; Noise ; Smoking ; Steel* ; Tobacco Products

BACKGROUND: Flecainide is an antiarrhythmic agent that is used primarily in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Some evidences also suggest that flecainide can participate in alveolar fluid clearance and inflammatory responses. This experiment was aimed to evaluate the effects of flecainide on sepsis induced acute lung injury in a rat model. METHODS: Rats were treated with subcutaneous infusion of saline or flecainide (0.1 or 0.2 mg/kg/hr) by a mini-osmotic pump. Subcutaneous infusion was started 3 hours before and continued until 8 hours after intraperitoneal injection of saline or endotoxin. Animals were sacrificed for analyses of severity of acute lung injury with wet to dry (W/D) ratio and lung injury score (LIS) in lung and inflammatory responses with level of leukocyte, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and inteleukin-8 (IL-8) in bronchoalveolar lavages fluid (BALF). RESULTS: Flecainide markedly improved dose dependently sepsis induced acute lung injury as analysed by W/D ratio (from 2.24 ± 0.11 to 1.76 ± 0.09, p < 0.05) and LIS (from 3 to 1, p < 0.05), and inflammatory response as determined by leukocyte (from 443 ± 127 to 229 ± 95, p < 0.05), PMNs (from 41.43 ± 17.63 to 2.43 ± 2.61, p < 0.05) and IL-8 (from 95.00 ± 15.28 to 40.00 ± 10.21, p < 0.05) in BALF. CONCLUSIONS: Flecanide improve sepsis induced acute lung injury in rats by controlling inflammatory responses.
Acute Lung Injury* ; Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Flecainide* ; Infusions, Subcutaneous ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Interleukin-8 ; Leukocytes ; Lung ; Lung Injury ; Models, Animal ; Neutrophils ; Rats ; Sepsis*

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the incidence and the clinical significance of inlet patch of heterotopic gastric mucosa in Koreans. This lesion can be found by close observation around the upper esophageal sphincter during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. METHODS: From March 1, 1996 to July 8, 1996, at Kwak's hospital, randomly selected 271 patients undergoing routine diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were included in this study. Patients with the inlet patch were confirmed by histology. Clinical symptoms observed through medical history were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-six cases(9.6%) of the 271 patients studied had heterotopic gastric mucosa which was found at or just below the upper esophageal sphincter, varing from 3 to 30mm in diameter. It was velvety red in color and distinct from the surrounding normal squamous esophageal mucosa, resembling the Z-line at the esophagogastric junction. Parietal cells were identified in all 18 cases in which biopsy specimen contained deep glands, and chief cells were found in 14 cases. Histologically, fundic gland type was most frequent. The symptoms were relatively mild, 5 out of 6 patients who complained of throat discomfort were relieved by H2 antagonists. CONCLUSION: In Koreans the incidence of heterotopic gastric mucosa in the upper esophagus was similar to the reports from western countries unlike Barrett's esophagus. The etiology of these patches appeared to be congenital rather than acquired from reflux of gastric acid. This was supported by its location in the proximal esophagus and lack of correlation with reflux esophagitis. It must be considered as one of the differential diagnosis of a patient who complains of throat discomfort during diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Attention needs to be paid to find possible development of complications such as stricture and adenocarcinoma in patients with the inlet patch of heterotopic gastric mucosa.
Adenocarcinoma ; Barrett Esophagus ; Bays* ; Biopsy ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Esophageal Sphincter, Upper ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Gastric Acid ; Gastric Mucosa* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Mucous Membrane ; Pharynx ; Rabeprazole

No abstract available.
Preimplantation Diagnosis*

Abdominal actinomycosis is a rare and chronic progressive disease, especially in children. Clinically, it has non-specific symptoms and diagnostic findings as well as low prevalence, making it very difficult to diagnose prior to intraoperative pathological confirmation. For this reason, abdominal actinomycosis is commonly misdiagnosed as appendicitis. After the histopathological diagnosis of abdominal actinomycosis is made, patients should be administered an appropriate antibiotic such as penicillin. Here we describe a case of appendiceal actinomycosis in an 18-year-old girl who was initially diagnosed with acute appendicitis.
Actinomycosis* ; Adolescent ; Appendiceal Neoplasms ; Appendicitis* ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Penicillins ; Prevalence

Purpose: The current status and rationale of industrial accidents needs to be examined to develop scientific and systemic preventive measures. Methods: The aim of this study is to analyze the current data on industrial accidents provided by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and categorize work-related deaths by types of industries and annual report. Results: First, the highest number of deaths occurred in industries that had less than 50 people. Second, in the manufacturing industry, the highest death rate was found in workers in the age group 50-59 years. In the construction industry, workers aged 50 and above had the highest number of deaths. In other industries, workers aged 60 and above had the highest number of deaths. Third, the highest number of deaths occurred in workers with less than one year of experience in any industry Fourth, in most industries, the highest work-related deaths occurred during weekdays (Monday~Friday). In 2015, the warehouse delivery industry had 33% higher work-related deaths on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) as compared to other industries. Fifth, in most industries, the highest work-related deaths occurred from 8 AM to 6 PM. The warehouse delivery industry had higher work-related deaths from 10 PM to 8 AM as compared to other industries. Conclusion In order to increase the efficacy of industrial accident prevention, it is necessary to establish an effective health management system and apply strict safety management activities.

PURPOSE: Septic arthritis is uncommon in neonates, and the diagnosis of septic arthritis in newborns is difficult because of non-specific laboratory findings and paucity of signs and symptoms. When appropriate treatment is delayed, permanant sequelae are inevitable. We report a retrospective study of 22 neonates who were diagnosed with septic arthritis. METHODS: We reviewed 22 patients, who were diagnosed with septic arthritis in the nursery room of Pusan National University Hospital, between July 1, 1995 and December 31, 2003. We investigated demographic features, predisposing factors, symptoms and signs, involving sites, diagnostic methods, laboratory findings, causative organisms, treatments and outcomes in these neonates. RESULTS: The mean age was 16.6 days(range 7-40 days). The male to female ratio was 1.44 : 1 with male predominance. Five of 22 neonates were prematurity. Eleven neonates were diagnosed with septic arthritis in hospitalization. Septic arthritis was multifocal in 22.7% and involved the hip joint most frequently(12 cases, 14 joints). Of diagnostic imaging studies, MRI was most sensitive, with four positivity in five cases. An etiologic organism was isolated from 11(50%) : Staphylococcus aure us, 7; GBS, 2; coagulase (-) staphylococcus, 1; Klebsiella pneumoniae 1. Of 13 surgical specimens from joint fluid, two were positive. Four neonates had sequelae over 1 year follow-up, three were in knee joints and one in the hip joint. CONCLUSION: Four of 22 neonates who suffered from septic arthritis had sequelae, two were premature and three were diagnosed in hospitalization. To decrease hospital-acquired infections would decrease the incidence of septic arthritis and the frequency of permanant sequelae in neonates.
Arthritis, Infectious* ; Busan ; Causality ; Coagulase ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip Joint ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn* ; Joints ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Knee Joint ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Nurseries ; Retrospective Studies ; Staphylococcus

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors and clinical features related to esophagitis and gastritis in the newborn. METHODS: From January 1995 to July 2002, twenty-six neonates were diagnosed as having esophagitis and/or gastritis. The clinical and demographic data of the patients and their mothers were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Twelve males and 14 females were studied. All but one premature infant were full-term. All the babies had a birth weight that was appropriate for their gestational age. The risk factors related to esophagitis and gastritis were not found. The clinical symptoms leading to endoscopy were frequent regurgitation or vomiting, hematemesis and poor feeding. Esophagitis by itself was found in 4 cases, gastritis alone was found in 13 cases and esophagitis associated with gastritis was found in 9 cases. The endoscopic findings of esophagitis showed somewhat severe lesions that consisted of multiple erosions or a fibrinous exudate. The gastric lesions were petechiae and aphthous ulcers on congestive mucosa. All the infants were treated with antisecretory drugs, and transfusion was done in 4 cases and hemoclipping was done in 2 cases. The clinical symptoms resolved rapidly with treatment. All the patients fully recovered without disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: The clinical features and endoscopic findings of esophagogastritis in the neonates were quite different from those features and findings in the older children and adults. Esophagitis may be characterized by frequent association with gastritis.
Adult ; Birth Weight ; Child ; Endoscopy ; Esophagitis* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Exudates and Transudates ; Female ; Fibrin ; Gastritis* ; Gestational Age ; Hematemesis ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Mothers ; Mucous Membrane ; Purpura ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stomatitis, Aphthous ; Vomiting

Prenatal diagnoses were performed in 145 fetuses resulting from 73 singleton and 36 twin pregnancies, all established by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICS: amniocentesis in 108 patients and Chorionic villus sampling in one. The prenatal cytogenetic results were obtained from pregnancies after ICSI using ejaculated spermatozoa, epididymal spermatozoa, testicular spermatozoa and after the replacement of frozen-thawed embryos derived from ICSI. The Karyotypes were normal in 138 cases (95.2%) of the prenatal diagnoses and there were 2 cases (1.4%) de novo and 5 cases (3.4%) inherited chromosomal aberrations. The two cases of de novo abnormalities were: 46, XY, t(6;7)(q21;p22) and 47, XY, +21 (trisomy 21).
Amniocentesis ; Chorionic Villi Sampling ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetic Analysis* ; Cytogenetics* ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Fetus* ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic* ; Spermatozoa*

We report a case of rabbit syndrome in a 28-year-old man with chronic active epilepsy and mental retardation. He developed fine and rhythmic perioral involuntary movements with mild parkinsonism several months after he had been administered with neuroleptics. His movements had a rhythmic pattern consisting of 2-3 Hz with a resting period for 1- 2 seconds. They were remarkably reduced with benztropine. Parkinsonism also improved with benztropine.
Adult ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Benztropine ; Dyskinesias ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Parkinsonian Disorders