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

Klippel-Feil syndrome(KFS) consists of short neck, low posterior hairline and restriction of motion of the neck due to fusion of cervical vertebrae. The typical disorder results from a failure of the normal segmentation of mesodermal somites during 3-8 weeks of gestation. In 1912, the first complete clinical description of this syndrome was given by Klippel and Feil. Feil reported additional cases in 1919 and distinguished between three morphologic groups. The incidence of KFS has been estimated to be approximately 1 : 40,000-42,000 births. A slight female predilection has been noted. Although the disorder is sporadic, there are examples of familial occurrence; how ever, no clear mechanism of inheritance has been accepted. Since the disturbance producing a short neck occurs early in embryogenesis, defects in other organ systems may occur at the same time. Common musculoskeletal anomalies that accompany KFS include scoliosis, as well as Sprengel's deformity in as many as one-third of cases. Neurologic, cardiovascular, and urinary tract anomalies are associated with KPS. We report a case of Klippel-Feil syndrome with associates anomalies include Sprengel's deformity.
Cervical Vertebrae ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Klippel-Feil Syndrome* ; Mesoderm ; Neck ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Scoliosis ; Somites ; Urinary Tract ; Wills

Background: Intra-articular distal humeral fractures can be surgically challenging. It remains under discussion whether open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) or total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is more beneficial for treatment of the elderly. This study aimed to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of ORIF and TEA for managing intra-articular distal humerus fractures in patients aged 65 years or older. Methods: Patients who underwent ORIF (n=28) or TEA (n=43) for in intra-articular distal humerus fracture between May 2008 and December 2018 were reviewed. Range of motion, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, radiologic outcomes, and surgical complications were evaluated at the final follow-up visit. Results: The ORIF and TEA groups showed a mean arc of flexion–extension of 97°±21° and 101°±12°, respectively. The mean MEPS and DASH scores were 94±15 and 27±12 points, respectively, in the ORIF group and 81±27 and 47±28 points in the TEA group. This difference was statistically significant. The incidence of total complications was similar between the groups. Conclusions In patients older than 65 years with intra-articular distal humerus fracture, ORIF had better outcomes than TEA.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastric lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LLC) is a rare cancer that presents with a unique histologic pattern that is characterized by poorly differentiated malignant cells infiltrating the background stroma along with massive lymphocyte infiltration. Many studies have shown that gastric LLC is associated with better prognosis than other gastric malignancies. However, the reason for better prognosis has not been clarified and the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Therefore, we attempted to determine the clinical characteristics of gastric LLC and identify its prognostic factors related to improved survival. METHODS: A total of 18 patients were diagnosed with gastric LLC after resection from 2005 to 2012 at Department of Gastroenterology in Chungnam National University Hospital. The data of these patients were compared with 36 age- and sex-matched patients with poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma who also underwent resection during the same study period. RESULTS: Postoperative recurrence or metastasis tended to occur less frequent in gastric LLC than in poorly-differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma. Among prognostic factors, only the number of lymph node metastases showed significant difference, with gastric LLC being associated with a smaller number of lymph node metastases. Regarding the disease free and overall survival rate, both were higher for gastric LLC than for poorly-differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma, albeit not statistically significant (p=0.089 and p=0.159, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma was associated with a higher number of lymph node metastases at diagnosis than gastric LCC. Other potential factors affecting prognosis were not significantly different between the two cancer types.
Adenocarcinoma/*diagnosis/mortality/pathology ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma/diagnosis/mortality/pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Stomach Neoplasms/*diagnosis/mortality/pathology ; Survival Rate

Objective: : Preoperative transarterial embolization (TAE) of tumor feeders in hypervascular spine metastasis is known to reduce intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL) during surgery. The effect of TAE varies for several reasons, and one controllable factor is the timing between embolization and surgery. However, the adequate timing remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the timing and other factors that reduce EBL in spinal metastasis surgery through a meta-analysis. Methods: : A comprehensive database search was performed to identify direct comparative studies of EBL stratified by the timing of surgery after TAE for spinal metastasis. EBL was analyzed according to the timing of surgery and other factors. Subgroup analyses were also performed. The difference in EBL was calculated as the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: : Among seven studies, 196 and 194 patients underwent early and late surgery after TAE, respectively. The early surgery was defined as within 1–2 days after TAE, while the late surgery group received surgery at least 1 day after TAE. Overall, the MD in EBL was not different according to the timing of surgery (MD, 86.3 mL; 95% CI, -95.5 to 268.1 mL; p=0.35). A subgroup analysis of the complete embolization group demonstrated that patients who underwent early surgery within 24 hours after TAE had significantly less bleeding (MD, 233.3 mL; 95% CI, 76.0 to 390.5 mL; p=0.004). In cases of partial embolization, EBL was not significantly different regardless of the time interval. Conclusion : Complete embolization followed by early spinal surgery within 24 hours may reduce intraoperative bleeding for the patients with hypervascular spinal metastasis.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the appearances of plantar fasciitis by ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 48 cases of unilateral plantar fasciitis were enrolled in this study. Plain radiograph and real- time sonography of both feet were perfomred and the results were compared between the affected feet and controlateral symptomless feet. Calcaneal spur were observed on plain radiograph and thickness of plantar fascia, hypoechogenecity, blurring of border of plantar fascia, perifascial effusion, wavy plantar fascia were observed on sonography. RESULTS: Women (35 cases) and left feet (30 cases) were more frequent than men and right feet. Thickness of plantar fascia in affected site was thicker than normal site (p<0.01). Hypoechogenecity was observed only in 39 cases (81%) affected site, blurring of border of plantar fascia in affected site was 30 cases (62%) and 7 cases (15%) in normal site, perifascial effusion was observed only in 38 cases (79%) affected site, wavy plantar fascia in affected site was 43 cases (90%) and 2 cases (4%) in normal site. Calcaneal spur in affected site was 36 cases (75%) and 33 cases (69%) in normal site. CONCLUSION: Sonography is a useful diagnostic procedure for the plantar fasciitis especially in the unilateral plantar fasciitis.
Fascia ; Fasciitis, Plantar* ; Female ; Foot ; Heel Spur ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The neural injuries by the sprain around the ankle joint may contribute the chronic pain. Authors analyzed the incidence and the contributing factor of the neural injuries in ankle sprain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 52 patients (54 cases) were involved in this retrospective study. Patient with diabetes or spinal disease were excluded. Plain radiograph and MR image were evaluated. Treatments were consisted of cast immobilization for 4 weeks with weight bearing ambulation following bracing for 8 weeks. Neurologic evaluation were performed at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months post-injury period and each neural injury were confirmed by electromyography or lidocaine block test. RESULTS: The average age was 39 years old and 34 cases were male and 20 cases were female. Rupture of the anterior talofibular ligament was observed in 48 cases, distal anterior tibiofibular ligament in 37 cases, calcaneofibular ligament in 6 cases. One cases revealed no injury of the ligament. Neural injuries around ankle was observed in 13 cases ; superficial peroneal nerve in 9 cases, sural nerve in 5 cases, saphanous nerve in 1 case. Neural injury was not influenced by the degree of ligament injuries but by the incidence numbers of ankle sprain. All cases were treated conservatively and symptom was subsided in all but 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence is relatively low, the neural injuries in ankle sprain may occur in the recurrent ankle sprain and conservative treatment for neural injuries is satisfactory.
Adult ; Ankle Injuries* ; Ankle Joint ; Ankle* ; Braces ; Chronic Pain ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Incidence ; Lateral Ligament, Ankle ; Lidocaine ; Ligaments ; Male ; Peroneal Nerve ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Spinal Diseases ; Sprains and Strains ; Sural Nerve ; Walking ; Weight-Bearing

PURPOSE: Authors analyzed and compared the treatment result of distal chevron osteotomy between with and without adductor tenotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 36 patients (60 feet) with a minimum follow-up of one year were involved in this retrospective study. The chevron osteotomy without adductor tenotomy was performed for 20 patients (30 feet) and chevron osteotomy with adductor tenotomy was done for 16 patients (30 feet). The first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) angle and angle between first and second metatarsal longitudinal axis (IM) was measured. The difference of these angles were measured pre-and postoperatively and compared using Student's T-test. RESULTS: In the group of chevron osteotomy with adductor tenotomy, the mean first MTP angle corrected 29 degrees pre-operatively to 9 degrees and the mean first IM angle corrected 16 degrees pre-operatively to 12 degrees. In the group of chevron osteotomy without adductor tenotomy the mean first MTP angle corrected 31 degrees pre-operatively to 11 degrees (P>0.05) and the mean first IM angle corrected 13 degrees pre-operatively to 11 degrees (P>0.05). Deep peroneal neuroma were found in 3 cases of chevron osteotomy with adductor tenotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Adductor tenotomy should be performed in selected patient with chevron osteotomy to prevent deep peroneal neuroma.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hallux Valgus* ; Hallux* ; Humans ; Metatarsal Bones ; Neuroma ; Osteotomy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tenotomy*

OBJECTIVES: Although most of the functional and structural neuroimaging studies have reported the association of the that cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia with the pathophysiology of the prefrontal cortex, their findings vary considerably. Based on the precise parcellation methods, this study was designed to investigate substructural abnormalities of the prefrontal cortex in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: The subjects consisted of twelve patients with schizophrenia and 12 age- and sexmatched normal volunteers. Magnetic resonance images were obtained in all subjects, and parceled into 8 frontal substructures using the topographic landmarks. The frontal substructural volumes were compared between the two groups, and their correlations with the schizophrenic symptom severity were analysed in the patient group. RESULTS: In the comparison of substructural volumes, most frontal substructures of the patient group tended to be smaller than those of the normal comparison group; particularly the right supplementary motor area was significantly smaller(p<0.003). Negative symptoms tended to be inversely correlated with the frontal substructural volumes, particularly with the right superior frontal gyral volume(gamma= -0.70, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the possibility of structural defects related to 'hypofrontality' in schizophrenia. These frontal structural defects may be the basis of neurocognitive deficits and neural circuital dysfunction in schizophrenia.
Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neuroimaging ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Schizophrenia*

No abstract available.
Molecular Biology*