No abstract available.
Hand* ; Surgical Flaps*

OBJECTIVES: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major cause of death in Korea and known to result from several occupational factors. This study attempted to estimate the current magnitude of IHD mortality due to occupational factors in Korea. METHODS: After selecting occupational risk factors by literature investigation, we calculated attributable fractions (AFs) from relative risks and exposure data for each factor. Relative risks were estimated using meta-analysis based on published research. Exposure data were collected from the 2006 Survey of Korean Working Conditions. Finally, we estimated 2006 occupation-related IHD mortality. RESULTS: For the factors considered, we estimated the following relative risks: noise 1.06, environmental tobacco smoke 1.19 (men) and 1.22 (women), shift work 1.12, and low job control 1.15 (men) and 1.08 (women). Combined AFs of those factors in the IHD were estimated at 9.29% (0.3-18.51%) in men and 5.78% (-7.05-19.15%) in women. Based on these fractions, Korea's 2006 death toll from occupational IHD between the age of 15 and 69 was calculated at 353 in men (total 3,804) and 72 in women (total 1,246). CONCLUSION: We estimated occupational IHD mortality of Korea with updated data and more relevant evidence. Despite the efforts to obtain reliable estimates, there were many assumptions and limitations that must be overcome. Future research based on more precise design and reliable evidence is required for more accurate estimates.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Noise ; Occupations ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Tobacco

No abstract available.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical results of patients who were treated by pedicle screw fixation in osteoporotic spine and suggest the methods for preventing a loss of fixation strength. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: There are some methods to decrease failure rate and increase fixation strength in the osteoporotic spine: use bicortical screw, cement augmentation and supporting anterior column by interbody fusion using cages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients treated by spinal instrumentation using pedicle screw from 2004 to 2011 were followed for at least 12 months. Five men and 39 women were diagnosed as osteoporotic spine (T score <-3.0). Two hundred forty eight pedicle screws were included and statistically analyzed the correlation between the use of bicortical screw, cement augmentation, anterior column support and fixation loss of the pedicle screw. Radiologic results were evaluated to find out the mechanical complications, like loosening of the screw, fixation failure, and nonunion. RESULTS: There were 9 complications associated with mechanical strength, loosening of pedicle screws in 7, sinking down of cage in 4, and nonunion in 4 cases. Using bicortical pedicle screw, cement augmentation and anterior column support were significantly correlated with the increasing fixation strength (P=0.001, P=0.047, P=0.014). In addition, these three factors contribute to stabilize the instrumentation (Linear by linear association, P=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: These 3 methods, using bicortical pedicle screw, cement augmentation and supporting anterior column, are effective to enhance the fixation strength and prevent loss of holding power in the osteoporotic spine.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoporosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine

No abstract available.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Barrett Esophagus*

A cross sectional study was performed to evaluate the neurobehavioral effects of chronic exposure of complex organic solvents, using NCTB(Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery) recommended by WHO(World Health organization). Forty female shoe factory workers and twenty-two controls matched with age were participated. The tests were performed in the morning before start of work, to exclude the effects of acute exposure. Workers were exposed mainly to toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, n-hexane, cyclo-hexane, dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene, benzene, xylenes etc. The ranges of present solvent exposure of hygienic effect were 0.46~0.71 in the process using adhesives indirectly, and 1.83-2.39 in the process using it directly. We reclassified the subjects, according to cumulative exposure. It showed significantly poorer performances in high exposed group on Santa Ana Dexterity and Benton visual Retention, compared with control group. After controlling confounder, the significances were still remained. But, further cohort studies, having the information of personal exposure dose from entering a factory, are required to clarify the effects of chronic exposure of complex organic solvents in relation to dose and duration of exposure.
Adhesives ; Benzene ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Shoes ; Solvents* ; Toluene ; Trichloroethylene ; Xylenes

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been recently reported that celiac ganglia can be identified by linear-array endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Still, there has been no report on the detection rate of celiac ganglia with radial scanning EUS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the detection rate of celiac ganglia by radial scanning echoendoscopy during a routine examination. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 57 consecutive patients (23 men, 34 women; mean age 54 years, range 21-78 years) who were referred for EUS examination from September 2006 to December 2006. EUS was performed using a radial scanning echoendoscope. The size, location and EUS appearance of the celiac ganglia were recorded for each patient. RESULTS: Celiac ganglia were identified in 51 out of 57 patients (89.4%). They were identified at the left side of the celiac trunk and aorta and between the celiac artery and the left adrenal gland. They appeared as hypoechoic, oblong or lobulated structures, often with an irregular edge, and they often contained a hyperechoic focus or strand. The mean size was 18 mm by 4 mm. Structures corresponding to the visualized celiac ganglia were retrospectively identified on CT scans in 33 among the 37 patients (89.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that celiac ganglia could be identified, with radial scanning EUS, in the majority of subjects.
Adult ; Aged ; Endosonography/*methods ; Female ; Ganglia, Sympathetic/radiography/*ultrasonography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Reproducibility of Results ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To evaluate the MR findings of gestational trophoblastic tumor(GTT) in correlation with pathological results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients who confirmed the diagnosis (four choriocarcinomas and five invasive moles) constituted the basis of our study. Pathologic specimens were taken from the tumors corresponding to the regions of interest on MR images. The MR images were analyzed in respect of the morphology and signal intensity of the tumors, uterine and adnexal vascularity, and the adnexal lesion. RESULTS: The MR findings of four choriocarcinomas were well-defined, hemorrhagic masses with central necrosis;the masses were hyperintense on Tl-weighted images. In contrast, the five invasive moles showed irregular and permeative masses with densely enhanced solid components and tiny cystic lesions. The trophoblastic proliferation, coagulation necrosis, and molar villi had variable signal intensities on Tl-and T2-weighted images. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that MR imaging is a promising tool for noninvasive morphologic analysis of GTTS.
Choriocarcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole, Invasive ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Molar ; Necrosis ; Pregnancy ; Trophoblastic Neoplasms* ; Trophoblasts*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional outcomes of the severely comminuted intra-articular calcaneal fractures that were selectively treated with primary subtalar arthrodesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is based on the 9 patients, 10 feet of intra-articular severely comminuted calcaneal fractures that were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with primary subtalar arthrodesis due to inability to reconstruct the subtalar articular surface with follow-up of more than 1 year. Postoperative clinical evaluation was performed with AOFAS Hindfoot functional scores. The patient satisfaction, returning to previous occupation and complications were also investigated. RESULTS: Follow-up period was average 20.3 months. Overall AOFAS functional score at final follow-up was average 71.8 points and VAS pain score was 3.9. Fifty percent of the patients were satisfied with the surgery and 80% of the patients were able to return to their previous occupations at average 8.4 months after trauma. Post-operative complications were 2 cases of sural nerve injuries and 1 hindfoot valgus malunion. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the primary subtalar arthrodesis is a viable surgical option for severely comminuted calcaneal fractures with favorable functional result and early returning of most patients to their previous occupations.
Arthrodesis* ; Calcaneus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Fractures, Comminuted* ; Humans ; Occupations ; Patient Satisfaction ; Sural Nerve

OBJECTIVE:This study was conducted to provide the fundamental information to prepare better strategies based on the experiences of occupational health care providers who are involved in the Government-funded subsidized occupational health programs for small scale industries. METHODS:The focus group methodology was used in this study.The data was collected using focus group interviews and analyzed in the framework of the Grounded theory method as mapped by Strauss and Corbin(1990). The subjects enrolled in this study included 20 occupational health care providers in the Government-funded subsidized occupational health program for the SSI;6 doctors and 14 nurses. RESULTS: We identified 69 concepts,28 sub-categories and 5 categories(Table 2).The categories were the Program's Goals, Various Services,Difficulties in Implement Services, Program Evaluation,and Suggestions for Alternative Plans. CONCLUSIONS: This program showed that autonomous health management ability has not changed although the possibility for small scale industries to start the health management arose by acknowledging the importance of the health management in the work-place. A successful program should provided a practical service that is planned by the characteristics and the requirements of the workers,a better service than the standard, more visiting times,and a trusting relationship among workers. The occupational health agency's quality and the health manager's specialty needs to be improved and the health manager's authority should be consolidated. An actively cooperative triangular relation among the Labor Department/KOSHA, service organizations, and the workplace is required.In addition,alternative plans were suggested.These included various programs for planning an autonomous service suitable for the quality of the workplaces,a model set-up suitable for the quality of the workplaces,and a role model set-up for the health manager.
Focus Groups* ; Occupational Health* ; Program Evaluation