Benzene and toluene, which are widely used aromatic hydrocarbons in workplace, are recently proved to cause health hazards due to their toxic effects. This study investigated the influence of toluene on the urinary excretion of benzene metabolite by administering short term exposure limit(STEL) of these compounds(i.e., 13.8mg/kg of benzene and 108.8mg/kg of toluene) intraperitoneally into Sprague-Dawley rats. After administration, urinary phenol concentration of rat was measured by gas chromatography for every three hours. Data were analyzed by non-parametric statistical methods using Kruskal-Wallis multi-sample test and Mann-Whitney U test. The following results were obtained: 1. Administration of STFL-benzene increased urinary phenol concentration in rats. 2. Urinary phenol concentration was increased logarithmically according to the dosage of benzene. 3. Excretion of phenol in urine was decreased when benzene and toluene were administered simultaneously compared with administering benzene alone. In Summary, these results reveal that administration of STEL of toluene has antagonistic effect of urinary excretion of benzene metabolite in rats.
Animals ; Benzene* ; Chromatography, Gas ; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic ; Metabolism* ; Phenol ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Threshold Limit Values ; Toluene

By implementing epoch-making policies for industrial promotion, the national economy has made a remarkable development. As a result of such economic growth, industrial accidents and occupational diseases have become a serious problem in Korean society. In the presidential order for the execution of the Korean Labor Standard Law, neuritis and other diseases stemming from health impairments due to vibrations in industrial processes are designated to be dealt with as vibration diseases. In the case of vibration disease, industrial accident compensation is not effectively paid. In order to investigate the vibration hazards of rock-drill operation, the authors studied the subjective symptoms and performed physical function tests on a total of 79 persons (vibration exposed group) who used rock-drills, and 39 persons (control group) who did not use rock-drills at anthracite mines. The results of the physical function test were as follows : 1. The right hand was more affected by white finger than the left hand. 2. Independent variables such as duration of rock-drill operation, age, drinking and smoking were identified as statistically significant factors for the occurrence of white finger. 3. In the pain sense threshold, the group with Raynaud's phenomenon showed a statistically higher level than that of the control group. 4. The skin temperature of the group with Raynaud's phenomenon was lower than that of the control group. The recovery time of skin temperature after cooling was delayed compared with the value of the control group.
Accidents, Occupational ; Coal* ; Compensation and Redress ; Drinking ; Economic Development ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Neuritis ; Occupational Diseases ; Skin Temperature* ; Skin* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Vibration

Skeletal muscle is a vital tissue not only for maintaining posture and body movements but also for energy metabolism in human body. Skeletal muscle is highly plastic in response to various stimuli, resistance exercise or anabolic hormones can increase muscle mass, which is termed “muscle hypertrophy”. Contrary, immobility, aging and severe illness can reduce muscle mass, which is termed “muscle atrophy”. Loss of skeletal muscle mass is associated with loss of independent living, the morbidity of a variety of diseases and mortality throughout life. Therefore, understanding mechanisms that regulate skeletal muscle mass is essential for improving the quality of life. Recent studies reported microRNAs (miRNAs), which is a class of non-coding RNAs, play a crucial role in the regulation of muscle mass. This review provides a current understanding of the function of miRNAs in regulation of skeletal muscle mass.

To investigate the relationship between physical health of workers and industrial accidents, a case-control study was carried out using matched samples of 87 injured steel industry workers and 87 non-injured steel industry workers. One group of people who experienced industrial accidents more than two times were case, and the other group of people who matched the type of work and duration of employment were control. We surveyed questionnaire between July 20, 1988 and July 22, 1988. The results were as follows: 1. The average age of injured workers was 39 years, and non-injured workers was 38 years. Duration of employment of injured workers was 8.4 years and non-injured workers was 8 years. 2. Visual acuity under 1.0 were 24.4 percent in injured workers and 19.5 percent in non-injured workers. Hearing threshold over 40 dB were 77.1 percent in injured workers and 60.9 percent in non-injured workers. 3. As for the Fugamachi classification method, 22.9 percent of injured workers and 20.8 percent of non-injured workers were group III(suspected neurotics). 4. As for the item of CMI(Cornell Medical Index), injured workers were higher rates than non-injured workers in the item of C(cardiovascular system), M(inadequency), O(anxiety), P(sensitivity), Q(anger), and R(tension). 5. Especially, injured workers who had more than three times were higher in the item of C(cardiovascular system), M(inadequency), N(depression), P(sensitivity), Q(anger), R(tension) than non-injured workers.
Accidents, Occupational* ; Case-Control Studies ; Classification ; Employment ; Hearing ; Questionnaires ; Steel* ; Visual Acuity

Forehead flaps are widely used to reconstruct nasal defects. The authors report a case wherein a folded forehead flap was used to reconstruct a large nasal defect after wide excision of squamous cell carcinoma. A 65-year-old man was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma by a punch biopsy conducted at the dermatology department, and the mass was located in the left nasal vestibule. A forehead flap was planned to cover the full-thickness defect that occurred after wide excision. A flap with an extended transverse skin paddle was designed; thereafter, the distant part of the flap was folded up to the nasal lining inside the nose. The interpolation flap was properly maintained for 3 weeks, and flap division was performed. The reconstructed nose exhibited symmetry during a 5-month observation period. A folded forehead flap is a surgical option when considerable nasal restoration, including soft tissue and the internal lining, is necessary.

The use of a fibula osteocutaneous flap is currently the mainstay of segmental mandibular reconstruction. This type of flap is used to treat tumors, trauma, or osteoradionecrosis of the mandible. However, a fibula osteocutaneous flap may also be a good option for reconstructing the mandible to preserve oropharyngeal function and facial appearance in cases of pathological fracture requiring extensive segmental bone resection. Chronic osteomyelitis is one of the various causes of subsequent pathologic mandibular fractures; however, it is rare, and there have been few reports using free flaps in osteomyelitis of the mandible. We share our experience with a 76-year-old patient who presented with a pathologic fracture following osteomyelitis of the mandible that was reconstructed using a fibula osteocutaneous flap after wide segmental resection.

The use of a fibula osteocutaneous flap is currently the mainstay of segmental mandibular reconstruction. This type of flap is used to treat tumors, trauma, or osteoradionecrosis of the mandible. However, a fibula osteocutaneous flap may also be a good option for reconstructing the mandible to preserve oropharyngeal function and facial appearance in cases of pathological fracture requiring extensive segmental bone resection. Chronic osteomyelitis is one of the various causes of subsequent pathologic mandibular fractures; however, it is rare, and there have been few reports using free flaps in osteomyelitis of the mandible. We share our experience with a 76-year-old patient who presented with a pathologic fracture following osteomyelitis of the mandible that was reconstructed using a fibula osteocutaneous flap after wide segmental resection.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma arises rarely in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus. Treatment strategy showing the best survival rate includes surgical excision and adjuvant radiotherapy. There were a few case reports of radiation-induced osteosarcoma from adenoid cystic carcinoma overseas but not in Korea. We experienced a case of radiation-induced low-grade osteosarcoma in the middle skull base including sphenoid bone, which had arisen after 10 years of radiotherapy of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Authors present this case with serial imaging findings and literature review.
Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic* ; Korea ; Nasal Cavity* ; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced ; Osteosarcoma* ; Radiotherapy* ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Skull Base* ; Sphenoid Bone ; Survival Rate

Yolk sac tumors (YSTs), which are also called endodermal sinus tumors, are malignant tumors of germ cell origin. These tumors usually occur in the gonads, but 20% of cases have been reported at extragonadal sites. The head and neck is a rarely affected region that accounts for just 1% of all malignant tumors of germ cell origin. In addition, YSTs arise mostly in childhood. We present a rare pathologically pure case of primary adult YST in the sinonasal area. A 45-year-old male patient presented with a rapidly growing mass in the nasal cavity, which caused nasal obstruction and bloody post-nasal drip. The histopathologic features indicated pure YST, and immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive reactivity for Sal-like protein 4 and alpha-fetoprotein. Herein, we discuss the clinical, radiologic, and histologic features of this YST and review other cases of sinonasal YST in adults.

Background: In patients with breast cancer, a healthy diet can help reduce breast cancer-specific recurrence, mortality, and comorbid chronic disease rates. There have been few studies on dietary habits immediately after breast cancer diagnosis, especially those involving the Asian population. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the nutritional habits of newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer and the general population without cancer in Korea using propensity score (PS) matching. Methods: We conducted a case-controlled study of 157 patients with breast cancer and 2,363 cancer-free control participants from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The PS values for the predicted probability of patients with breast cancer and the general population were estimated using logistic regression analysis, including age and body mass index. The dietary patterns were assessed using a 24-hour recall of 1 day and the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results: PS matching showed that patients with breast cancer consumed fewer calories and carbohydrates; however, they consumed more protein and fat compared to the general population. Compared to the general population, patients with breast cancer consumed more healthy foods such as fish, seaweed, vegetables, fruit, mixed-grain rice, and nuts; however, they also consumed more soup, stew, and red meat. Conclusion Newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer have some healthy dietary habits compared to the general population. However, there is considerable room for improvement in their diet quality. Our results support the need to develop tailored dietary recommendations for patients with breast cancer during the diagnostic and posttreatment periods to improve their diet quality.