Background: Burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic work-related stress, characterized by symptoms including “feelings of exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy.” Human service providers are susceptible to burnout. Thus, this study aimed to investigate community mental health workers’ job stress, experiences with client violence, and burnouts and to analyze factors that affect burnout. Methods: This study used retrospective data from a survey of mental health workers at a mental health-related institution in a city. The data included sociodemographic characteristics, job stress, client violence, and quality of life. Results: From a total of 170 mental health workers, 67.6% were female. Subjects who were in lower age groups, had <1 year of work experience, were married, and were irregular workers were vulnerable to various job stressors. Factors associated with burnout were job demand, lack of reward, job insecurity, physical environment, other violence, and level of education. Conclusion We should create an environment wherein community mental health workers can be safe and satisfied with their work, which could lower workers’ job stress and prevent burnouts due to work. This, in turn, enhances the quality of care provided to people with mental health problems.

Objective: Following the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, the importance of addressing acute stress induced by psychological burdens of diseases became apparent. This study attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of a new mode of psychiatric intervention designed to target similar psychological crises. Methods: Participants included 32 out of 114 COVID inpatients at a hospital in Daegu, Korea, who were assessed between March 30 and April 7, 2020. Multiple scales for screening psychological difficulties such as depressed mood, anxiety, insomnia, acute stress, and suicidality were done. Psychological problem evaluations and interventions were conducted in the form of consultations to alleviate participants’ psychological challenges via telepsychiatry. The interventions’ effects, as well as clinical improvements before and after the intervention, were analyzed. Results: As a result of screening, 21 patients were experiencing psychological difficulties beyond clinical thresholds after COVID-19 infection (screening positive group). The remaining 11 were screening negative groups. The two groups differed significantly in past psychiatric histories (p=0.034), with the former having a higher number of diagnoses. The effect of the intervention was analyzed, and clinical improvement before and after the intervention was observed. Our intervention was found to be effective in reducing the overall emotional difficulties. Conclusion This study highlighted the usefulness of new interventions required in the context of healthcare following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) is used to flavor food, in cosmetics, as an antioxidant, and to treat microbial, diabetic and common inflammation. No study to date, however, has assessed the anti-inflammatory effects of fennel in experimental models of inflammation. The aims of this study were to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of fennel in model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury. Mice were randomly assigned to seven groups (n=7~10). In five groups, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 1% Tween 80-saline (vehicle), fennel (125, 250, 500micro l/kg), or dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), followed 1 h later by intratracheal instillation of LPS (1.5 mg/kg). In two groups, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with vehicle or fennel (250microl/kg), followed 1 h later by intratracheal instillation of sterile saline. Mice were sacrificed 4 h later, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were obtained. Fennel significantly and dose-dependently reduced LDH activity and immune cell numbers in LPS treated mice. In addition fennel effectively suppressed the LPS-induced increases in the production of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, with 500microl/kg fennel showing maximal reduction. Fennel also significantly and dose-dependently reduced the activity of the proinflammatory mediator matrix metalloproteinase 9 and the immune modulator nitric oxide (NO). Assessments of the involvement of the MAPK signaling pathway showed that fennel significantly decreased the LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK. Fennel effectively blocked the inflammatory processes induced by LPS, by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine production, transcription factors, and NO.
Acute Lung Injury* ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Cell Count ; Cytokines ; Dexamethasone ; Foeniculum* ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Lung ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Mice* ; Models, Theoretical ; NF-kappa B* ; Nitric Oxide ; Phosphorylation ; Transcription Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Objective: Discriminating between pulmonary embolism (PE) and pneumonia in the emergency department (ED) is one of the fastidious tasks. Elderly patients are at more risk of PE and pneumonia than younger patients. This study aimed to determine whether the ratio of D-dimer to C-reactive protein (CRP) could be used as an adjunctive method to differentiate between PE and pneumonia in elderly patients. Methods: Medical records of patients visiting the ED diagnosed with PE and pneumonia were examined. Cutoff values of D-dimer (μg/mL) and the ratio of D-dimer to CRP ([μg/mL]/[mg/dL]) of subjects with PE or pneumonia were analyzed. Results: There were a total of 60 patients with PE and 152 patients with pneumonia. In addition, 15 patients had both PE and pneumonia. The cutoff value of D-dimer to differentiate between PE and pneumonia was 4.26 μg/mL (4,260 ng/mL) (area under curve [AUC], 0.861; sensitivity, 80.0%; specificity, 80.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.805-0.917). The cutoff value of the ratio of D-dimer to CRP to differentiate between PE and pneumonia was 1.24 ([μg/mL]/[mg/dL]) (AUC, 0.919; sensitivity, 84.4%; specificity, 84.2%; 95% CI, 0.878-0.960). Conclusion The ratio of D-dimer to CRP can be used as an adjunctive method to determine whether a computed tomography pulmonary angiography or a ventilation-perfusion scan can be performed to differentiate between PE and pneumonia in elderly patients.

PURPOSE: New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is associated with poor short- and long-term outcomes after isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This study evaluated gender differences in the long-term clinical implications of POAF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After propensity score matching, a gender-based comparison of long-term (>1 year) newly developed atrial fibrillation (LTAF) and mortality between 1664 (480 females) consecutive patients with (POAF) and without POAF (no-POAF) who had undergone CABG was performed. RESULTS: During a follow-up of 49±28 months, cumulative survival free of LTAF was lower in the POAF group than in the no-POAF group for both males (92.1% vs. 98.2%, p<0.001) and females (84.1% vs. 98.0%, p<0.001). However, female patients with POAF more frequently developed LTAF than male POAF patients (13.9 % vs. 6.9%, p=0.049). In multivariate analysis, POAF was a significant predictor of LTAF among males [hazard ratio (HR) 4.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22–19.79, p=0.031] and females (HR 16.50; 95% CI 4.79–56.78; p<0.001). POAF was a predictor of long-term mortality among females (adjusted HR 3.96; 95% CI 1.13–13.87, p=0.033), but not among males. CONCLUSION: Although POAF was related to LTAF in both genders, cumulative survival free of LTAF was poorer among females than among males. Additionally, a significant correlation with long-term mortality after CABG was observed among female patients with POAF.
Atrial Fibrillation* ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Postoperative Complications ; Propensity Score ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Moyamoya disease, is a chronic progressive cerebrovascular occlusive disorder that can lead to permanent neurologic deficit. The aim of this study is to analyze clinical features, radiologic findings, and prognosis of Moyamoya disease comparing with previous studies. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed on the clinical data of 26 patients and they were analyzed in terms of age, sex, clinical features, radiologic findings, treatment and prognosis. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 1:1.6 and the mean age was 9.3 years(male 6.1 years and female 10.9 years). There was a higher occurrence rate in 11-15 year-old group, compared to the previous studies. The most common symptoms at onset were hemiparesis and hemiplegia. Brain infarction, hemorrhage and seizure were found in five, three and two patients on brain imaging respectively. Eight patients(44%) showed reduced perfusion without structural abnormalities on brain perfusion CT. The internal carotid artery was the most common site of occlusion on conventional angiography. Indirect encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis was performed in 76.9% of the patients. One patient(3.85%) died and twelve patients(46.15%) showed neurologic sequelae at the time of discharge. Sequelae included hemiplegia, gaze disturbance, facial palsy, and seizures. CONCLUSION: Compared with previous studies, the age at onset was higher in our patients, with a peak incidence after the age of 10. Lower rate of severe neurologic sequelae, such as hemiparesis and hemiplegia was observed in this study. Because this study was limited by the small number of patients included, further investigations such as multi-center prospective analysis is needed.
Angiography ; Brain ; Brain Infarction ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Child* ; Facial Paralysis ; Female ; Hemiplegia ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Moyamoya Disease* ; Neuroimaging ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Paresis ; Perfusion ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the reaction between investment material and zirconia on the strength of zirconia in the application of heat-pressing method. Sixty specimens were cut (24 mm×4 mm×0.5 mm) into plates from Zirtooth ™ Multi O-9814 block (∅98×14T, HASS, Gangwondo, Korea) and sintered at 1450℃. Specimens were divided into 6 subgroups according to the depending on the investement material; (a) UN group (Control), (b) PH group (Prime vest HS), (c) CP group (Calibra-press), (d) BV group (BC-Vest), (e) MH group (Microstar-HS), (f) F1 group (Formula 1). Five investment materials were buried according to the procedure recommended by the manufacturer and left at room temperature for 30 minutes. The investment mold was dried and maintained at an elevated temperature of 850℃ for 50 minutes. Then, Amber Lisi-POZ LT (HASS) was placed in a thermoformed electric furnace (Programat EP3000/G2, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) together with the mold, heated to 915℃ at an elevation temperature of 45℃/min, and moored for 15 minutes. The specimens were loaded to fracture in a universal testing machine and the fracture surface was examined by a field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The surface of the zirconia specimen with the investment material was analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The 3-point flexural strength test showed the highest value (1265.5 MPa) in the UN group and the lowest value (756.1 MPa) in the F1 group. As a result of EDS analysis, the largest amount of Si was detected in the F1 group, and the most interfacial changes occurred as a result of FE-SEM analysis. It was concluded that when the zirconia is buried with the investment material and the heat press molding is performed, the state of the interface is changed due to the investment material at the bonding interface while the strength is lowered.

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of microstructural change of zirconia surface on tensile bond strength with resin cement. The zirconia partially sintered block was cut into a size of 18 × 18 × 7 mm, and then the Zirface slurry (DMAX, Daegu, Korea) containing 15% and 30% zirconia was applied and followed by sintering at 1530 ℃ for 2 hours. Resin cement (PermaCem 2.0, DMG, Hamburg, Germany) was applied on zirconia specimen and polymerized to prepare an 18 × 18 × 14 mm block. In addition, for comparison of bond strength, specimens were prepared for the group that was polished and the group that was blasted at 3 atm using 110 µm alumina. Thereafter, all blocks were cut into a cross-sectional area of 1.0 × 1.0 mm to prepare 12 specimens. The specimens were immersed in distilled water at 37 ℃. for 10 days for aging treatment. A holder for tensile testing was attached to each of the specimens, and then a tensile force was applied at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min to measure the fracture load. The fracture surfaces of each test piece was observed with a high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscope. Through the above tests, the following results were obtained. 1. On the blasted surface, zirconia grains were locally removed but on the Zirface treated surface, a porous microstructure was created on the zirconia surface. 2. Arithmetical mean deviation from the mean line ra was the highest in the blasted group and the lowest in the polished group, and as a result of Tukey analysis, there were statistically significant differences between all test groups (P<0.05). 3. The maximum tensile bond strength was 18.8±5.4 MPa in the Zirface 30% group, and as a result of Tukey analysis, there was a statistically significant difference from the other test groups (P<0.05). 4. As a result of observing the fracture surface after the tensile test with a high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscope, in the Zirface 30% group, cohesive fracture and interfacial fracture in the resin was observed, but the other test groups showed the interfacial fracture pattern. In conclusion, within the limits of this study, treating the zirconia surface with Zirface 30% to form a porous microstructure can contribute to the improvement of the bond strength between zirconia and resin cement.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the reaction between investment material and zirconia on the strength of zirconia in the application of heat-pressing method. Sixty specimens were cut (24 mm×4 mm×0.5 mm) into plates from Zirtooth ™ Multi O-9814 block (∅98×14T, HASS, Gangwondo, Korea) and sintered at 1450℃. Specimens were divided into 6 subgroups according to the depending on the investement material; (a) UN group (Control), (b) PH group (Prime vest HS), (c) CP group (Calibra-press), (d) BV group (BC-Vest), (e) MH group (Microstar-HS), (f) F1 group (Formula 1). Five investment materials were buried according to the procedure recommended by the manufacturer and left at room temperature for 30 minutes. The investment mold was dried and maintained at an elevated temperature of 850℃ for 50 minutes. Then, Amber Lisi-POZ LT (HASS) was placed in a thermoformed electric furnace (Programat EP3000/G2, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) together with the mold, heated to 915℃ at an elevation temperature of 45℃/min, and moored for 15 minutes. The specimens were loaded to fracture in a universal testing machine and the fracture surface was examined by a field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The surface of the zirconia specimen with the investment material was analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The 3-point flexural strength test showed the highest value (1265.5 MPa) in the UN group and the lowest value (756.1 MPa) in the F1 group. As a result of EDS analysis, the largest amount of Si was detected in the F1 group, and the most interfacial changes occurred as a result of FE-SEM analysis. It was concluded that when the zirconia is buried with the investment material and the heat press molding is performed, the state of the interface is changed due to the investment material at the bonding interface while the strength is lowered.

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of microstructural change of zirconia surface on tensile bond strength with resin cement. The zirconia partially sintered block was cut into a size of 18 × 18 × 7 mm, and then the Zirface slurry (DMAX, Daegu, Korea) containing 15% and 30% zirconia was applied and followed by sintering at 1530 ℃ for 2 hours. Resin cement (PermaCem 2.0, DMG, Hamburg, Germany) was applied on zirconia specimen and polymerized to prepare an 18 × 18 × 14 mm block. In addition, for comparison of bond strength, specimens were prepared for the group that was polished and the group that was blasted at 3 atm using 110 µm alumina. Thereafter, all blocks were cut into a cross-sectional area of 1.0 × 1.0 mm to prepare 12 specimens. The specimens were immersed in distilled water at 37 ℃. for 10 days for aging treatment. A holder for tensile testing was attached to each of the specimens, and then a tensile force was applied at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min to measure the fracture load. The fracture surfaces of each test piece was observed with a high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscope. Through the above tests, the following results were obtained. 1. On the blasted surface, zirconia grains were locally removed but on the Zirface treated surface, a porous microstructure was created on the zirconia surface. 2. Arithmetical mean deviation from the mean line ra was the highest in the blasted group and the lowest in the polished group, and as a result of Tukey analysis, there were statistically significant differences between all test groups (P<0.05). 3. The maximum tensile bond strength was 18.8±5.4 MPa in the Zirface 30% group, and as a result of Tukey analysis, there was a statistically significant difference from the other test groups (P<0.05). 4. As a result of observing the fracture surface after the tensile test with a high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscope, in the Zirface 30% group, cohesive fracture and interfacial fracture in the resin was observed, but the other test groups showed the interfacial fracture pattern. In conclusion, within the limits of this study, treating the zirconia surface with Zirface 30% to form a porous microstructure can contribute to the improvement of the bond strength between zirconia and resin cement.