OBJECTIVES: This study was intended to investigate the differences of job stressors between managers and low level employees among white-collar workers. Another objective of this study was to examine whether the effects of job stressors on mental health differ between the two groups. METHODS: Data was obtained from 204 managers and 251 low level employees who were employed in white-collar jobs. Fourteen job stressors and seven job stress variables were measured. RESULTS: Among the 14 job stressors, role overload, job insecurity, and work-family conflict were higher job stressors for the manager group whereas role conflict, work-aptitude incongruity, participation in decision making, and promotion problems were higher job stressors for the low level of employees. There were no differences in job stress scores between the two groups. However, differences in the effects of job stressors on job stress were found between the two groups. For the manager group, job insecurity, work-aptitude incongruity, and work-family conflict significantly affected in explanation of job stress whereas for the low level employees, role underload, peer satisfaction, and environmental problems significantly explaining the job stress variables. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in job stressors between managers and low level employees among white-collar workers. Additionally there were differences in the effects of job stressors on job stress between the two groups.
Decision Making ; Mental Health

BACKGROUND: Adenovirus (Ad) vectors have been widely used for many gene therapy applications because of their high transduction ability and broad tropism. However, their utility for cancer gene therapy is limited by their poor transduction into cancer cells lacking the primary receptor, coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR). METHODS: To achieve CAR-independent gene transfer via Ad, we pretreated Ad with 1,2-dioleoyl-3- trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP) and analyzed their transduction efficiency into cancer cells in vitro and in vivo comparing with the virus alone. RESULTS: Treatment of DOTAP significantly increased adenoviral gene transfer in tumor cells in vitro. Moreover, DOTAP at an optimum dose (10 microngram/ml) enhanced IL-12 transgene expression by fivefold in tumor, and twofold in serum after intratumoral injection of adenovirus expressing IL-12N220L (Ad/IL-12N220L). In addition, cotreatment of DOTAP decreased tumor growth rate in the Ad/IL-12N220L-transduced tumor model, finally leading to enhanced survival rate. CONCLUSION: Our results strongly suggest that DOTAP could be of great utility for improving adenovirus-mediated cancer gene therapy.
Adenoviridae* ; Genes, Neoplasm ; Genetic Therapy ; Interleukin-12 ; Liposomes ; Propane ; Survival Rate ; Transgenes ; Tropism

BACKGROUND: We tested recent evidences that IP triggers selective activation of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes using isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit heart with PKC activator, phorbol ester (PMA, 0.01 nM) or inhibitor (calphostin C, 200 nM). METHODS: After stabilization of baseline hemodynamics, the hearts were subjected to 45 min global ischemia (I) followed by 120 min reperfusion (R) with IP (IP group, n=18) or without IP (ischemic control group, n=16). IP was induced by single episode of 5 min I and 10 min R. In the PMA-treated group (n=19) and calphostin C-treated preconditioned group (n=15), PMA and calphostin C was given for 5 and 15 min before 45 min I, respectively. Myocardial cytosolic and membrane PKC activities were measured by 32P- -ATP incorporation into PKC-specific pepetide: PKC isozymes were analyzed by Western blot with monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: IP significantly increased the recovery of the LV function including LVDP and coronary flow (p <0.05):however, enhancement of the functional recovery disappeared by calphostin C or PMA treatment. Cytosolic PKC activity decreased to 82-76% in the IP and PMA-treated group (p <0.05): membrane PKC activity increased to 218-272% (p <0.01). However, both fraction of PKC activity was not changed in the calphostin C-treated preconditioned group. In addition, Western blot revealed that PKC- alpha and epsilon, especially epsilon, were selectively translocated during subsequent sustained ischemia after IP or PMA administration. IP and PMA also reduced infarct size (frim 38 to 10-20%, p <0.05). However, calphostin C blocked infarct reduction effect of IP. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that in isolated rabbit heart model, cardioprotective effect of IP may be related, at least in part, to trigger selective translocation of PKC, especially epsilon isotype.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Blotting, Western ; Cytosol ; Heart ; Hemodynamics ; Ischemia ; Ischemic Preconditioning* ; Isoenzymes ; Membranes ; Protein Kinase C* ; Protein Kinases* ; Reperfusion

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical results of modified scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus with lesser metatarsalgia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 19 patients (24 feet) were reviewed by medical records and radiographs. All patients were female and the mean age at the time of operation was 46.4 years. The mean follow-up time was 14.8 months. We modified original scarf osteotomy by adding the procedure of closing wedge osteotomy at the medial side of distal fragment for achieving of the supination of the first metatarsal head. Additionally, Akin osteotomy of the first proximal phalanx was done in 16 patients (20 feet) and no lesser metatarsal operation was done. First-second intermetatarsal, hallux valgus and distal metatarsal articular angles were analyzed radiologically before and after the operation. And 3-dimensional CT was used to evaluate the supination of the first metatarsal head. Clinical results were assessed by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and persistence of lesser metatarsalgia. RESULTS: First-second intermetatarsal and hallux valgus angles were reduced from the mean pre-operative values of 14.2degrees and 32.5degrees to 8degrees and 12.5degrees, respectively, 12 months after the operation. And the supination of the first metatarsal head was confirmed by 3-dimensional CT. The mean AOFAS score improved from 41.4 points pre-operatively to 87.2 points at follow-up. Lesser metatarsalgia still remained in 2 patients (2 feet). CONCLUSION: Modified scarf osteotomy would be an effective surgical procedure, especially, for achieving downward displacement and supination of the first metatarsal head in hallux valgus with lesser metatarsalgia.
Animals ; Ankle ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Hallux ; Hallux Valgus ; Head ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsalgia ; Osteotomy ; Supination

We performed surgical treatment in 18 cases of torsion of the spermatic cord during the past four years. Patient age ranged from 2 to 54 years old : 13 cases were 16 or less. Torsion involved the left side in 11 cases. Surgical detorsion was performed in 10 cases, but in the other 8 cases orchiectomy was unavoidable. Of 8 cases treated with orchiectomy, the diagnosis was delayed in 7 cases due to mistaken diagnosis, primarily epididymitis by doctors in local clinics and general hospitals. The time of delay in the orchiectomy group ranged from 54 hours to 2 weeks with the average of 6.28 days. For one case, the visit to our hospital was too late. In 10 cases treated with surgical detorsion, all of the patients visited our hospital within 48 hours. Improvement of the testis salvage rate requires that adolescents, their families and teachers should learn to recognize this disease, and particularly doctors of other departments should recognize it as acute scrotum.
Adolescent ; Diagnosis ; Epididymitis ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orchiectomy ; Scrotum ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; Spermatic Cord* ; Testis

Megalourethra is a rare congenital abnormaly characterized by severe dilatation of urethra, the disorder at first reported by Nesbitt in 1955. The scaphoid type is due to poor development of the corpus spongiosum, whereas in the more severe fusiform variety the corpora cavernosa also are affected. We present a case of congenital scaphoid megalourethra associated with acute renal failure, sepsis and grade IV bilateral vesicoureteral reflux. Initial management of this patient was vesicocutaneostomy and urethrocutaneostomy followed later by urethral reconstruction.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Sepsis ; Urethra ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

DNA immunization induces B and T cell responses to various pathogens and tumors. However, these responses are known to be relatively weak and often transient. Thus, novel strategies are necessary for enhancing immune responses induced by DNA immunization. Here, we demonstrated that co-immunization of influenza virus nucleoprotein (NP) gene significantly enhances humoral and cell-mediated responses to codelivered antigens in mice. We also found that NP DNA coimmunization augments in vivo proliferation of adoptively transferred antigen-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells, which enhanced protective immunity against tumor challenge. Our results suggest that NP DNA can serve as a novel genetic adjuvant in cocktail DNA vaccination.
Animals ; DNA ; Immunization ; Influenza, Human ; Mice ; Nucleoproteins ; Orthomyxoviridae ; T-Lymphocytes ; Vaccination

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of sperm motility stimulants on the hyperactivation (HA), acrosomal reaction (AR) and sperm penetration assay (SPA) in fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa from fertile men. METHODS: We treated the semen samples obtained from 20 normospermic men (fresh semens from 10 and cryopreserved ones from 10) with pentoxiphylline (PF) and 2-deoxyadenosine (2-DXA) to evaluate the change of the patterns of motility using the computerized motility analyzer. The semen samples treated with motility stimulants were incubated in the medium with calcium ionophore A23187 for the examination of the proportion of acrosome lost spermatozoa. Finally we performed SPA in both groups for the evaluation of fertilizing capacity after stimulant treatments. RESULTS: In both fresh and cryopreserved semen samples, the addition of PF and 2-DXA significantly altered the patterns of motility (ALH, VCL, HA) known to have association with sperm quality without increasing the number of sperms with progressive motility and velocity. A23187 induced AR was also augmented by the treatment with PF and 2-DZA. Although the treatment with PF did not increase the mean rates of egg penetration significantly, in selected cases in the cryopreserved semen group, the improvement of the motility pattern was impressive. CONCLUSION: PF and 2-DXA can improve the quality of sperm function in both fresh and frozen-thawed semen from normal fertile men and may increase the sperm penetration rate of zona-free hamster eggs in selected samples of the frozen-thawed semen. The results suggest that PF and 2-DXA pretreatment can be used in the clinical practice for intrauterine insemination (IUI) program with frozen-thawed sperms as well as with samples from men with abnormal semen parameters. In addition, it may be a cost- effective therapy to try IUI combined with such a pretreatment for the couples planned to enter into the ART program.
Acrosome ; Acrosome Reaction ; Animals ; Calcimycin ; Calcium ; Cricetinae ; Eggs ; Family Characteristics ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Humans ; Insemination ; Male ; Ovum ; Semen ; Sperm Motility* ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; Spermatozoa*

A ureteral hernia that occurs through the sciatic foramen is very rare. We present a case of a ureteral sciatic hernia with hydronephrosis. Intravenous urography (IVU) showed the presence of a curved, laterally displaced ureter, and computed tomography (CT) clearly depicted the herniated ureter through the sciatic foramen. The patient was treated transiently with a double J catheter.
Catheters ; Hernia ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ureter ; Urography

Myopathy is a well known side effect of corticosteroid therapy. We report a case of iatrogenic steroid therapy induced myopathy in a 79-year-old female who had taken steroids for more than three years due to treatment for degenerative osteoarthritis. She complained of severe proximal muscle wasting and lower extremities weakness. Also, she had typical features of Cushing syndrome such as moon face, buffalo hump and easy bruising. Needle electromyogram showed no abnormal spontaneous activities in both lower extremities, but peripheral nerve conduction study showed motor conduction defect of both deep peroneal and tibial nerves. And, low SNAP (sensory nerve action potential) of both superficial peroneal and sural nerves, which were compatible with peripheral polyneuropathy in both lower extremities. The muscle biopsy revealed a pronounced muscle fiber atrophy, fatty degenerative change and selective type 2 fiber depletion on ATPase staining in pH 9.4 buffer. She was treated isotonic exercise physical therapy and slowly improved. After three months later, she complained sudden onset of chest discomfort and died due to congestive heart failure.
Adenosine Triphosphatases ; Aged ; Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Buffaloes ; Cushing Syndrome* ; Female ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lower Extremity ; Muscular Diseases* ; Needles ; Osteoarthritis ; Peripheral Nerves ; Polyneuropathies* ; Steroids ; Sural Nerve ; Thorax ; Tibial Nerve