PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of Quality of Life (QOL) among workers in public health corporations. Methods: Data were composed of 213 office workers in three public enterprise in Seoul. Data were collected from February 11 to March 20, 2007. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS Win 12.0 program. RESULTS: The mean QOL of the study participants was 82.60. The QOLs of the workers were significantly different according to perceived health status of workers and working hours per week. The QOL of the workers was negatively related to working hours, job stress, and depression, and positively related to the health status, self-esteem, and health promotion lifestyle (HPLS). Significant predictors of QOL were HPLS (beta .420), depression (beta -.291), self-esteem (beta .261), and hours of work per week (beta -.114), which explained 63% in the variance of QOL. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that strategies to enhance HPLS could improve the level of QOL. Further investigations of the direct relationship between QOL and health promotion program is warranted
Depression ; Health Promotion ; Life Style ; Occupational Health ; Public Health ; Public Sector ; Quality of Life

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between glomerular basement membrane (GBM) alterations to epithelial cell (EpC) structure and renal function in Alport Syndrome (AS) patients. METHODS: Fifteen patients diagnosed with AS (4-26yrs) were examined. The GBM in AS was categorized as: C1) normal, C2) minor alterations (widening of lamina rara interna or externa without lamina densa change), C3) nonspecific splitting of lamina densa, C4) basket-weaving pattern of lamina densa splitting. The length of each GBM portion along the epithelial side was measured on the systematically obtained electron microscopic photographs. Furthermore to obtain an objective assessment of the degree of glomerular EpC foot process change, the number of slit pores along 10 microm of peripheral GBM in each category was obtained. RESULTS: The percentage of normal GBM portion (C1) correlated inversely with daily protein excretion (g/day/m2, P <0.05) and sum of the percentage of abnormal GBM portion (C2+C3+C4) had direct correlation with daily protein excretion (g/day/m2, P <0.05). There were no significant relationships between the percentages of other categories of GBM alterations and creatinine clearance or protein excretion. There were no significant relationships between of creatinine clearance in relation to normal GBM(C1) portion as well as that in relation to sum of the percentage of abnormal GBM portion (C2+C3+C4). GBM abnormality did not correlate with age at biopsy. CONCLUSION: The extent of GBM structural abnormality is related to proteinuria in AS but the epithelial response is uniform even though the GBM ultrastructural lesions are not.
Creatinine ; Electrons ; Epithelial Cells ; Foot ; Glomerular Basement Membrane ; Humans ; Nephritis, Hereditary ; Phosphorylcholine ; Proteinuria

Pulseless electrical activity refers to a heterogeneous group of cardiac rhythm disorders, all characterized by pulselessness in the presence of some type of electrical activity other than ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. We experienced a case of sudden pulseless electrical activity and cardiac arrest during hetastarch infusion in general anesthesia in an adult who had total gastrectomy. We report this experience with a brief review of literature.
Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Gastrectomy* ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Ventricular Fibrillation

It is known that the incidence of fungal endocarditis is increasing as the precipitating factors, such as organ transplantation, use of immunosuppressive agents, previous cardiac surgery, AIDS, chemotherapy, and long-term antibiotic use are on the rise. However, the diagnosis and adequate treatment of fungal endocarditis is likely to be delayed as blood cultures are rarely positive. We report a case of native valve endocarditis in a patient who underwent liver transplantation and was taking immunosuppressive agents. Because of no improvement despite empirical antibiotic treatment, a mitral valve replacement was performed. Tissue culture and biopsy of the vegetations revealed Aspergillus spp., and A. fumigatus was identified by analysis of internal transcribed spacer DNA sequences of the pathogenic fungus using a polymerase chain reaction. Despite surgical intervention, she died of an acute cerebral infarction with cerebral edema.
Aspergillus ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; Biopsy ; Cerebral Infarction ; DNA, Intergenic ; Endocarditis ; Fungi ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Incidence ; Liver ; Liver Transplantation ; Mitral Valve ; Organ Transplantation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Precipitating Factors ; Thoracic Surgery ; Transplants

Plasmodium vivax has been the predominant Plasmodium species in the Republic of Korea and reemerged in 1993. Spontaneous rupture of malarial spleen is a rare but important complication associated with P. vivax infection. Only one case of spontaneous rupture of malarial spleen was reported in Korea in 1999. Splenectomy is still accepted as the treatment of choice in cases of spontaneous rupture of the spleen. But, considering increased risk of postsplenectomy infecion, splenectomy should be reserved for those patients with severe rupture or those with continued or recurrent bleeding. And conservative treatment should be considered in selected, closely monitored patients. We report a patient with P. vivax malaria who developed a spontaneous splenic rupture and was improved by conservative treatment.
Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Korea ; Malaria ; Malaria, Vivax* ; Plasmodium ; Plasmodium vivax ; Republic of Korea ; Rupture ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Spleen ; Splenectomy ; Splenic Rupture*

Plasmodium vivax has been the predominant Plasmodium species in the Republic of Korea and reemerged in 1993. Spontaneous rupture of malarial spleen is a rare but important complication associated with P. vivax infection. Only one case of spontaneous rupture of malarial spleen was reported in Korea in 1999. Splenectomy is still accepted as the treatment of choice in cases of spontaneous rupture of the spleen. But, considering increased risk of postsplenectomy infecion, splenectomy should be reserved for those patients with severe rupture or those with continued or recurrent bleeding. And conservative treatment should be considered in selected, closely monitored patients. We report a patient with P. vivax malaria who developed a spontaneous splenic rupture and was improved by conservative treatment.
Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Korea ; Malaria ; Malaria, Vivax* ; Plasmodium ; Plasmodium vivax ; Republic of Korea ; Rupture ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Spleen ; Splenectomy ; Splenic Rupture*

In the investigation of superficial lymphadenopathy of unknown cause, fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology plays an invaluable role. It enables the differentiation of benign lymphadenopathy from lymphoid and non-lymphoid malignancies, obviating the need for open biopsy, and allowing the triage of patients. Cytopathologists should be familiar with the typical FNA patterns of benign lymphadenopathy, and recognize and differentiate among categories. In a minority of cases of benign lymphadenopathy, FNA can render a specific diagnosis. Benign lymphadenopathies are generally categorized into reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (RLH), inflammatory or infectious processes, and benign lymphoproliferative disorders. RLH characteristically presents with a heterogeneous and polymorphous smear composed of normal cellular constituents of lymph nodes, in contrast with the homogeneous or monomorphic smear of most lymphomas. The caveat is that various malignant disorders may also present with polymorphous populations. It is also important to recognize thatbenign lymphoid smears may sometimes contain atypical cells that raise the suspicion of malignancy. Clinical information should always be the integral part of the diagnostic criteria in FNA of lymphadenopathy. If there is any doubt about the benign nature of the smear, it is prudent to suggest biopsy and ancillary studies.
Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases* ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Pseudolymphoma ; Triage

A 28-year-old primi gravida visited our department at 20 weeks gestation. The ultrasound screening revealed twin gestation, and follow up screening revealed a bilobed large fetal neck mass in the 1st twin. We measured thyroid volume with ultrasound which was 5.072 cm3. Other fetal organs appeared normal. Cordocentesis was performed for fetal thyroid function and congenital hypothyroidism was confirmed. In addition, maternal thyroid hormones were checked. The other fetus was normal. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the maternal serum was increased, but thyroxine (T3) was (within normal range). Two weeks later, we checked TSH and free T4 in amniotic fluid and administered intra-amniotic thyroxine (200 ?g). We repeated the procedures 2 more times in two consecutive weeks. After 3 intra-amniotic thyroxine injection, follow-up cordocentesis revealed euthyroid status of the fetus. Although the thyroid gland had decreased in size and volume, it was still goitrous. At 36 weeks of gestation, the patient was admitted for preterm premature rupture of the membranes and the twin was delivered vaginally. The 1st twin was proved as an euthyroid status and antithyroid antibody was not detected. During the 3 years follow up, the baby had no considerable developmental problem. The intrauterine recognition and treatment of congenital goitrous hypothyroidism may not only reduce the obstetric complications associated with large goiters, but possibly improve the prognosis for normal growth and mental development of affected fetuses.
Adult ; Amniotic Fluid ; Congenital Hypothyroidism ; Cordocentesis ; Female ; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture ; Fetus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Goiter ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Mass Screening ; Membranes ; Neck ; Pregnancy ; Prognosis ; Rupture ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Hormones ; Thyrotropin ; Thyroxine ; Twins

Placental chorioangioma is a benign non-trophoblastic tumor of the placenta that can have various adverse effects on the mother and fetus depending on its size. Chorioamniotic membrane separation is rare condition of detachment between the amniotic membrane and chorionic membrane. Chorioamniotic membrane separation after the second trimester of pregnancy is usually occurs after invasive procedures or may occur spontaneously; it is mostly associated with fetal abnormalities. Here, we report a case of chorioamniotic membrane separation that might be occurred caused by the seromucinous secretion from a placental chorioangioma.
Amnion ; Chorion ; Female ; Fetus ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Membranes* ; Mothers ; Placenta ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second

In the 2023–2024 season, the influenza epidemic in South Korea peaked earlier than in recent years. In this study, we aimed to estimate the interim vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the influenza vaccination to prevent influenza during the early season. From November 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, we enrolled 2,632 subjects with influenza-like illness from eight hospitals participating in hospital-based influenza morbidity and mortality surveillance. A retrospective test-negative case-control study was conducted to estimate the VE. The results showed an adjusted VE of 22.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.6 to 35.8) for the total population. The adjusted VE was 22.3% (95% CI, 6.1 to 35.7) for influenza A and 9.4% (95% CI, −51.3 to 45.7) for influenza A/H1N1. Full results of the analysis will be reported.