BACKGROUND: The zoonotic disease Q fever is caused by Coxiella burnetii and usually affects high-risk human populations. We conducted a serological survey of dairy cattle farmers in Korea to determine seroreactivity and identify risk factors for C. burnetii infection. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1,824 of 7,219 dairy cattle farms (25.3%) in the study region. The selected dairy cattle farmers visited the nearest public health centers or branches with completed questionnaires. Serum samples from the farmers were tested using an indirect immunofluorescence assay to detect phase II C. burnetii immunoglobulin (Ig) G or M antibodies. RESULTS: A total of 1,222 dairy cattle farmers from 784 dairy cattle farms (43.0%) participated in this study, and 11.0% (134/1,222) exhibited seroreactivity, defined as a phase II antigen IgG or IgM titer ≥ 1:16. In the multivariate analysis, male sex, residence in Gyeonggi Province, a larger herd size, and ocular/oral contact with birth products during calf delivery were significantly associated with a higher risk of C. burnetii infection. Furthermore, the risk was significantly lower among farmers who always wore protective gloves while cleaning cattle excretion, compared to those who sometimes or rarely wore protective gloves. CONCLUSION: Dairy cattle farmers should exercise caution by avoiding ocular/oral contact with birth products during calf delivery and by using protective equipment (including gloves).
Agriculture ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Cattle* ; Coxiella burnetii* ; Coxiella* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Farmers* ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Gloves, Protective ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea* ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Parturition ; Public Health ; Q Fever* ; Risk Factors* ; Serologic Tests ; Zoonoses

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMS) among Korean dairy farmers has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of WMS and to evaluate the relationship between WMS and risk factors. METHODS: Self-developed questionnaires including the questionnaire developed by the Korean Occupational Safety and Health agency (KOSHA) were used to investigate WMS among dairy farmers in Gyeonggi Province, Korea. We informed selected dairy farmers about the study and sent the questionnaires by registered mail. They visited a public health center nearby or a branch of public health center on the appointed date and skillful researchers identified or conducted the questionnaires by interview. We analyzed 598 (32.8%) of the 1824 dairy farmers. Multiple logistic regression was implemented to estimate the odds ratios of risk factors. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 50.4 +/- 8.7 years and the proportion of males was 63.0%. The prevalence of WMS at any site was 33.3%. The prevalence of neck WMS was 2.2%, shoulders 10.0%, arms/elbows 5.0%, hands/wrists/fingers 4.2%, low back 11.5%, and legs/feet 11.7%. The adjusted odds ratio of low back WMS for milking 4 or more hours per day was 4.231 (95% CI = 1.124 - 15.932) and statistically significant. Low back WMS (2.827, 95% CI = 1.545 - 5.174) was significantly decreased by education. CONCLUSIONS: Low back WMS increased with milking hours and milking 4 or more hours per day was significantly associated with low back WMS. Low back WMS was significantly reduced with education. We hope that there will be increased attention about WMS in dairy farmers and the subject of future investigations.
Adult ; Animals ; Cattle ; *Dairying ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Diseases/epidemiology/etiology/*physiopathology ; Occupational Exposure/*adverse effects ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Estrogens act on estrogen receptors distributed in articular cartilages, synovial membrane, and ligaments, which are thought to be related with degenerative changes. Meanwhile, progesterone is known to have a weak anabolic action on bone formation This study evaluates the effects of estrogen and progesterone hormone on bone/cartilage turnover in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODS: Thirty-five 7-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups and then ovariectomized bilaterally except the sham control group. The first and the second group acting as controls did not receive hormonal therapy, the third group received estrogen, the fourth group received progesterone, and the fifth group received combination of both hormones 10 weeks after surgery. Evaluations were done using the serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) for cartilage turnover, collagen type I C-telopeptide (CTX-1) and osteocalcin (OC) for bone turnover at 11, 15, 19 weeks after OVX and histology using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage histopathology assessment system. RESULTS: Significantly less cartilage degradation (decreased levels of COMP) was found in the combined hormone treated group in comparison with OVX group. Similarly, both hormonal treatment resulted in increased bone formation and decreased bone resorption i.e., a low overall bone turnover status (decrease in the serum OC and CTX-1 levels). CONCLUSIONS: Combined estrogen and progesterone therapy was found to be convincing in terms of reducing the severity of OA in this experimental model.
Animals ; Biological Markers/blood/metabolism ; Bone Remodeling/*drug effects ; Bone and Bones/chemistry/drug effects ; Cartilage/chemistry/*drug effects ; Collagen Type I/blood/metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Estrogens/*pharmacology ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins/blood/metabolism ; Female ; Glycoproteins/blood/metabolism ; Histocytochemistry ; Hormone Replacement Therapy/*methods ; Osteoarthritis/blood/*drug therapy ; Osteocalcin/blood/metabolism ; Ovariectomy ; Progesterone/*pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the differences of gender and detail items by using landing error scores during drop vertical jumping that can be used in the field for elite fencers and to use them as basic data for prevention of injury. METHODS: The subjects were 42 elite fencers. Independent sample t-test was used to compare the landing error scoring system (LESS) score between the groups. In order to compensate for errors that may occur in multiple comparisons, they are corrected through the Bonferroni collection. The significant differences between the groups were evaluated using Cohen effect difference, and one-way analysis of variance was performed for differences in epee, fleuret, and sabre. RESULTS: The comparison of landing error scores between male and female fencer groups showed that the knee valgus angle at initial contact, lateral trunk flexion angle at initial contact, stance width-narrow, foot position-toe out, symmetric initial foot contact, in the total score of LESS items, female fencer group was higher and statistically significant difference was found. CONCLUSION: In the case of fencing players, there is no significant difference in the LESS scores according to the items. However, when comparing gender, female fencers have higher LESS scores than male fencers; female fencers should be more careful in preventing injuries.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament* ; Female ; Foot ; Humans ; Knee ; Male ; Risk Factors*

Purpose: The gold standard for assessing pubertal activation is the gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test (GnRHST), which is invasive, timeconsuming, and inconvenient. This study evaluated whether a single random measurement of urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration could substitute for the GnRHST in diagnosing and monitoring central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls. Methods: Fifty-five girls with breast buds before 8 years of age were assessed by both the GnRHST and urinary gonadotropin assays. Based on the GnRHST results, 29 girls were assigned to the CPP group (peak LH≥5 IU/L), and 26 were placed in the premature thelarche (PT) group (peak LH<5 IU/L). Auxological data and urine and serum samples were collected at baseline and after treatment with a GnRH agonist for 12 and 24 weeks. Results: Although the auxological data did not differ between the 2 groups, the serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1, basal LH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and peak LH; urinary LH; and peak serum LH/FSH and urinary LH/FSH ratios were higher in the CPP group than in the PT group. Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the urinary and serum LH concentrations (r=0.660, P<0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses showed that a urinary LH concentration of 0.725 IU/L was a cutoff that significantly predicted positivity on the GnRHST. Urinary LH and FSH concentrations declined significantly during GnRH agonist treatment. Conclusion A single, random measurement of urinary gonadotropin concentration could be a reliable tool for initial screening and therapeutic monitoring of CPP in girls.

Purpose: The gold standard for assessing pubertal activation is the gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test (GnRHST), which is invasive, timeconsuming, and inconvenient. This study evaluated whether a single random measurement of urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration could substitute for the GnRHST in diagnosing and monitoring central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls. Methods: Fifty-five girls with breast buds before 8 years of age were assessed by both the GnRHST and urinary gonadotropin assays. Based on the GnRHST results, 29 girls were assigned to the CPP group (peak LH≥5 IU/L), and 26 were placed in the premature thelarche (PT) group (peak LH<5 IU/L). Auxological data and urine and serum samples were collected at baseline and after treatment with a GnRH agonist for 12 and 24 weeks. Results: Although the auxological data did not differ between the 2 groups, the serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1, basal LH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and peak LH; urinary LH; and peak serum LH/FSH and urinary LH/FSH ratios were higher in the CPP group than in the PT group. Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the urinary and serum LH concentrations (r=0.660, P<0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses showed that a urinary LH concentration of 0.725 IU/L was a cutoff that significantly predicted positivity on the GnRHST. Urinary LH and FSH concentrations declined significantly during GnRH agonist treatment. Conclusion A single, random measurement of urinary gonadotropin concentration could be a reliable tool for initial screening and therapeutic monitoring of CPP in girls.

OBJECTIVES: Few longitudinal studies have explored age-related differences in the relationship between lifestyle factors and cognitive decline. This study investigated lifestyle factors at baseline that slow the longitudinal rate of cognitive decline in young-old (55-64 years), middle-old (65-74 years), and old-old (75+ years) individuals. METHODS: We conducted an 11-year follow-up that included 6,189 older adults from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, which is a cohort study of community-dwelling older Koreans. Lifestyle factors, including physical activity, social activity (SA), smoking, and alcohol consumption were assessed at baseline. Cognitive function was measured at 2-year intervals over 11 years. Latent growth modeling and multi-group analysis were performed. RESULTS: The influence of lifestyle factors on the rate of cognitive decline differed by age. Smoking at baseline (-0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.11 to -0.00, per study wave) accelerated cognitive decline in young-old individuals, whereas frequent participation in SA at baseline (0.02; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.03, per study wave) decelerated cognitive decline in middle-old individuals. None of the lifestyle factors in this study decelerated cognitive decline in old-old individuals. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive strategies based on modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking cessation in young-old individuals and frequent SA participation in middle-old age individuals may have great potential for preventing cognitive decline. Because the influence of lifestyle factors varied by age group, age-specific approaches are recommended to promote cognitive health.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of simultaneous soft and hard tissue augmentation and the addition of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) on regenerative outcomes. Materials and Methods: In five mongrel dogs, chronic ridge defects were established in both mandibles. Six implants were placed in the mandible, producing buccal dehiscence defects. The implants were randomly allocated to one of the following groups: 1) control: no treatment; 2) GBR: guided bone regeneration (GBR) only; 3) GBR/PDRN: GBR+PDRN application to bone substitute particles; 4) GBR/CTG: GBR+connective tissue grafting (CTG);5) GBR/VCMX: GBR+soft tissue augmentation using volume stable collagen matrix (VCMX); and 6) group GBR/VCMX/ PDRN: GBR+VCMX soaked with PDRN. The healing abutments were connected to the implants to provide additional room for tissue regeneration. Submerged healing was achieved. The animals were euthanized after four months. Histological and histomorphometric analyses were then performed. Results: Healing abutments were gradually exposed during the healing period. Histologically, minimal new bone formation was observed in the dehiscence defects. No specific differences were found between the groups regarding collagen fiber orientation and density in the augmented area. No traces of CTG or VCMX were detected. Histomorphometrically, the mean tissue thickness was greater in the control group than in the other groups above the implant shoulder (IS). Below the IS level, the CTG and PDRN groups exhibited more favorable tissue thickness than the other groups. Conclusion Failure of submerged healing after tissue augmentation deteriorated the tissue contour. PDRN appears to have a positive effect on soft tissues.

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a rare disease characterized by typical clinical features and the transplacental passage of maternal autoantibodies, particularly anti-SSA/Ro. The major clinical manifestations are cutaneous lupus lesions, congenital heart block, hematological disorders, and hepatobiliary diseases. We report a case of NLE presenting with multiple round and oval target-like erythematous skin lesions and abnormal liver function, born to a clinically asymptomatic mother whose diagnosis was made retrospectively only after her newborn's diagnosis. Both the infant and the mother were positive for the anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies.
Antibodies ; Autoantibodies ; Heart Block ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Mothers ; Rare Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify usefulness of simple oral and gastric pH measurement using pH paper on detection of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux in neonates. METHODS: This prospective study included a total of 66 neonates born at Konyang University Hospital from June 2004 to June 2005. Each neonate's oral and gastric pH levels measured with pH paper at 6 hourly intervals. Suspected gastroesophageal refluex neonates were studied 24-hr lower esophageal pH monitoring or upper GI series and confirmed. We compared oral and gastric pH between symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux (GER) group and asymptomatic (control) group. RESULTS: GER group consist of 12 neonates and control group consist of 54 neonates. Oral and gastric pH were 5.4+/-0.6, 2.9+/-0.5 in GER group, 6.0+/-0.3, 3.9+/-0.9 in control group, the differences between two groups were significant (P<0.05). All neonates of GER group were corfirmed gastroesophageal reflux by 24-hr lower esophageal pH monitoring or upper GI series studies. Our data indicate as a predictor for significantly symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux, at oral pH 5.75, has a sensitivity 92%, specificity 89%, positive predictive value of 65%, and negative predictive value of 98%. The difference between oral and gastric pH (oral pH-gastric pH) was not significant in each group. CONCLUSION: In neonates with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux oral and gastric pH were significantly lower than asymptomatic neonates. Oral and gastric pH were related with clinically significant symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. We suggest that pH measurement could be a possible simple screening test of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux.
Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Gastroesophageal Reflux* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Infant, Newborn* ; Mass Screening ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity