Glass Fiber is manufactured from typical glass-making raw materials, silicon dioxide with various metals and other elements. There are three distinct types of commercial glass fiber products: glass wool, an entangled mass of interlocking fibers; continuous glass filament, a product with a more ordered arrangement of fibers; and special-purpose glass fiber, a small-diameter fiber (less than 3 um) . We report a case of glass fiber-induced health hazard due to continuous glass filament from fiber reinforced plastics (FRF) as car interior material. A 40 years old man complained a sudden onset of severe itching on whole body, especially neck and forearms while driving a new car. He also complained burning of eyes, sore throat and productive cough. We diagnosed the glass fiver-induced skin lesion by placing skin scraping on a slide glass and examining the specimen under a microscope. We found same fibers from the air samples in the car and from the material of the interior surface of the car by the microscopic examination. Therefore we confirmed that the patient's symptoms and signs were induced by glass fiber.
Adult ; Burns ; Cough ; Forearm ; Glass* ; Humans ; Metals ; Neck ; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated ; Pharyngitis ; Plastics ; Pruritus ; Silicon Dioxide ; Skin ; Wool

Fiberglass, as a substitute of asbestos, is used for more than 60 years as a insulator material. Health hazards including irritation of skin, mucosa and respiratory system associated with use of fiberglass is reported. Many studies on the fibrogenicity and carcinogenicity of fiberglass was conducted but evidence is not sufficient to confirm the carcinogenicity or fibrogenicity. Authors studied the health hazards among 152 inhabitants(71 men and 81 women) from 32 households living around the fiberglass factory which produced the fiberglass insulators and glasswool panels for 20 years. Questionnaire survey on household and persons, examination of underground water, pathologic examination of subcutaneous tumors and examination of fiberglass in tumor tissues were done. The results are as follows; 1. Fiberglass concentration of underground water sampled from 33 households in the study area was 13. 7-95. 9 fiber/cc with the diameter to length ratio more than 1:20. 2. Prevalence of dermatosis among study subjects was 23.0 % (35 cases). Prevalence was not associated with the distance from the factory nor duration of exposure. 3. There were 15 cases of subcutaneous tumor with prevalence of 9. 9 %. Age of subcutaneous tumor cases was all above 30 year-old except one cases, who was 5 year old child, who lived in the surveyed area since he was born. Prevalence of subcutaneous tumor was significantly high in area A(42.9 %) than area B(4.6 %, p<0.01). Prevalence of subcutaneous tumor was higher in long-term exposed inhabitants, but was not statistically significant. 4. Pathologic examination exhibits partly encapsulated fat tissue masses and cut surfaces were pale yellow with gritty sensation. The masses consist of mature fat cells showing variation in size and shape. On polarizing microscope, the peripheries of tumors include small irregular threads of doubly refractile material probably represent glass fibers in fibrocollagenous tissue. Concentration of fiberglass in tissue was 5.1-10.2 fiber/rag wet tissue in case 1, 25.8-184.9 fiber/mg wet tissue in case 2 and 40.8-126.5 fiber/mg wet tissue in case 3. Length of fiberglass was shorter than that in underground water. 5. Cases of malignant tumor among inhabitants since last 10 years were 4, 3 of whom was developed in a same household just near the factory. Diagnoses of malignancy cases were stomach cancer, stomach and esophageal cancer, oral cavity cancer, and stomach cancer with liver metastasis. On review examination of tissues of endoscopic biopsy specimen from a case of stomach cancer, there was adenocarcinoma with no evidence of fiberglass materials. Authors concluded there is evidences that fiberglass was strongly associated with the development of the health hazards including dermatosis and benign subcutaneous tumor. However, the association of fiberglass exposure with the development of malignant tumor was not clear, although strongly suggested. For the prevention of development of further health hazards, it is recommended that under ground water source should be closed and further experimental study to confirm the mechanism of the tumorigenesis and follow up survey on the inhabitants should be conducted.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adipocytes ; Adult ; Asbestos ; Biopsy ; Carcinogenesis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Family Characteristics ; Glass* ; Groundwater ; Humans ; Liver ; Male ; Mouth ; Mucous Membrane ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prevalence ; Respiratory System ; Sensation ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Surveys and Questionnaires

We describe a case of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(lDDM) with a mutation at nucleotide 3243 of mitochondrial DNA. A 24-years-old female presented with recurrent episodes of generalised tonic clonic seizures, cognitive decline, short stature, bilateral sensory neural hearing loss, bilateral optic neuropathy, lactic acidosis, and basal ganglia calcifications in addition to IDDM. Maternal transmission of the disease was suggested, by the fact that her mother have died of diabetic complications of the age of 50. Heteroplasmy of wild type and mutant mitochondrial DNA derived from peripheral leucocytes was detected by Apa I digestion of the polymerase chain reaction products amplified with a set of primer for tBNALUR(UUR) Adenosin-to guanidine substitution, occurring at nucleotide position 3243 in tRNALUR(UUR) gene in comparison with reference sequences was confirmed.
Acidosis, Lactic ; Basal Ganglia ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Digestion ; DNA, Mitochondrial* ; Female ; Guanidine ; Hearing Loss, Bilateral ; Humans ; Insulin* ; MELAS Syndrome ; Mothers ; Optic Nerve Diseases ; Point Mutation* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Seizures

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of sinus disease and abnormalities in patients scheduled for dental implant in maxillary posterior area using cone beam CT. PATIENTS AND METHOD: One hundred five maxillary sinuses in eighty-seven patients who underwent cone beam CT for dental implant in maxillary posterior area were included. Any patients who had previous history of sinus operations were not included. The sinus abnormalities were classified as follows ; normal (membrane thickness <2 mm), mucosal thickening (membrane thickness > or = 2 mm and <6 mm), partial opacification (membrane thickness >6 mm but not full), full opacification and mucous retention cyst. The relationship between the remaining bone height, sinus symptoms and maxillary sinus abnormality was statistically surveyed. RESULTS: Of 105 maxillary sinuses in 87 patients, 80 (76%) maxillary sinuses showed abnormalities ; 4 of 4 symptomatic patients and 76 of 101 asymptomatic patients. Mucosal thickening was the most common sinus abnormality. Only 3 (4%) of 80 maxillary sinus abnormalities were caused by the odontogenic origin. The prevalence of maxillary sinus abnormalities was higher in the symptomatic group than asymptomatic one (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Maxillary sinus abnormalities were very common in the patients who were planning implantation in maxillary posterior areas. This result supports that thorough evaluation for maxillary sinus is recommended when implant treatment is planned for those areas.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Prevalence ; Retention (Psychology)

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of sinus disease and abnormalities in patients scheduled for dental implant in maxillary posterior area using cone beam CT. PATIENTS AND METHOD: One hundred five maxillary sinuses in eighty-seven patients who underwent cone beam CT for dental implant in maxillary posterior area were included. Any patients who had previous history of sinus operations were not included. The sinus abnormalities were classified as follows ; normal (membrane thickness <2 mm), mucosal thickening (membrane thickness > or = 2 mm and <6 mm), partial opacification (membrane thickness >6 mm but not full), full opacification and mucous retention cyst. The relationship between the remaining bone height, sinus symptoms and maxillary sinus abnormality was statistically surveyed. RESULTS: Of 105 maxillary sinuses in 87 patients, 80 (76%) maxillary sinuses showed abnormalities ; 4 of 4 symptomatic patients and 76 of 101 asymptomatic patients. Mucosal thickening was the most common sinus abnormality. Only 3 (4%) of 80 maxillary sinus abnormalities were caused by the odontogenic origin. The prevalence of maxillary sinus abnormalities was higher in the symptomatic group than asymptomatic one (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Maxillary sinus abnormalities were very common in the patients who were planning implantation in maxillary posterior areas. This result supports that thorough evaluation for maxillary sinus is recommended when implant treatment is planned for those areas.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Prevalence ; Retention (Psychology)

Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) not only can cause serious illness, but is also an economic and social burden. Contextual and individual factors of non-smoker exposure to SHS depend on location. However, studies focusing on this subject are lacking. In this study, we described and compared the factors related to SHS exposure according to location in Korea. Regarding individual factors related to SHS exposure, a common individual variable model and location-specific variable model was used to evaluate SHS exposure at home/work/public locations based on sex. In common individual variables, such as age, and smoking status showed different relationships with SHS exposure in different locations. Among home-related variables, housing type and family with a single father and unmarried children showed the strongest positive relationships with SHS exposure in both males and females. In the workplace, service and sales workers, blue-collar workers, and manual laborers showed the strongest positive association with SHS exposure in males and females. For multilevel analysis in public places, only SHS exposure in females was positively related with cancer screening rate. Exposure to SHS in public places showed a positive relationship with drinking rate and single-parent family in males and females. The problem of SHS embodies social policies and interactions between individuals and social contextual factors. Policy makers should consider the contextual factors of specific locations and regional and individual context, along with differences between males and females, to develop effective strategies for reducing SHS exposure.
Administrative Personnel ; Child ; Commerce ; Drinking ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Fathers ; Female ; Housing ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Multilevel Analysis ; Public Policy ; Single Person ; Single-Parent Family ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution*

OBJECTIVE: This open prospective study was performed to investigate the therapeutic efforts and side effects profiles of nemonapride in the schizophrenic patients, and was compared with one of typical anti-psychotics, haloperidol. METHOD: Sixty male or female schizophrenic patients were treated for 12 weeks with nemonapride(n=32) and haloperidol(n=28). The overall clinical therapeutic effects were assessed at baseline, 1st week, 2nd week, 4th week, 8th week and 12th week using the PANSS, the BPRS and the CGI scale. Also, the overall clinical side effects were assessed in the same time period using ESRS, UKU side effect rating scale and global assessment for side effect scale. RESULTS: There were not a significant differences in PANSS score(total, positive, negative and general psychopathology subscale), BPRS(total score), CGI scale score between nemonapride and haloperidol trial groups. And also, there were not a significant differences in the ESRS, the UKU side effect rating scale, the Global assessment far side effect stale score between nemonapride and haloperidol trial groups. 59% of the nemonapride-treated patients(n=32) were categorized as treatment responders, who showed at least a 20% decrease in total PANSS score at baseline state, was compared with 64% of haloperidol-treated patients(n=28). 72% of the nemonapride-treated patients were categorized as treatment responders, who showed at least a 20% decrease in total BPRS score at baseline state, compared with 68% of haloperidol-treated patients. There were not significant differences in these both treatment responder groups. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the therapeutic effects and side effects profiles of nemonapride and haloperidol groups.
Female ; Haloperidol* ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Psychopathology ; Schizophrenia

Background: There is a controversy whether it is safe to continue renin-angiotensin system blockers in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We analyzed big data to investigate whether angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin II receptor blockers have any significant effect on the risk of COVID-19. Population-based cohort study was conducted based on the prescription data from nationwide health insurance records. Methods: We investigated the 1,374,381 residents aged ≥ 40 years living in Daegu, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, between February and March 2020. Prescriptions of antihypertensive medication during the year before the outbreak were extracted from the National Health Insurance Service registry. Medications were categorized by types and stratified by the medication possession ratios (MPRs) of antihypertensive medications after controlling for the potential confounders. The risk of COVID-19 was estimated using a difference in difference analysis. Results: Females, older individuals, low-income earners, and recently hospitalized patients had a higher risk of infection. Patients with higher MPRs of antihypertensive medications had a consistently lower risk of COVID-19 than those with lower MPRs of antihypertensive medications and non-users. Among patients who showed complete compliance, there was a significantly lower risk of COVID-19 for those prescribed angiotensin II receptor blockers (relative risk [RR], 0.751; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.587–0.960) or calcium channel blockers (RR, 0.768; 95% CI, 0.601–0.980). Conclusion Renin-angiotensin system blockers or other antihypertensive medications do not increase the risk of COVID-19. Patients should not stop antihypertensive medications, including renin-angiotensin system blockers, because of concerns of COVID-19.