Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the vertical position of maxillary first molar and vertical skeletal measurements in lateral cephalograms by using new linear measurements on the vertical axis of coordinates with calibration. Methods: The vertical position of maxillary first molar (U6-SN), and the conventionally used variables (ConV) and the newly derived linear variables (NwLin) for vertical skeletal patterns were measured in the lateral cephalograms of 103 Korean adults with normal occlusions. Pearson correlation analyses and multiple linear regression analyses were performed with and without calibration using the anterior and posterior cranial base (ACB and PCB, respectively) lengths to identify variables related to U6-SN. Results: The PCB-calibrated statistics showed the best power of explanation. ConV indicating skeletal hyperdivergency was significantly correlated with U6-SN.Six NwLin regarding the position of palatal plane were positively correlated with U6-SN. Each multiple linear regression analysis generated a two-variable model: sella and nasion to palatal plane. Among the three models, the PCBcalibrated model yielded highest adjusted R2 value, 0.880. Conclusions U6-SN could be determined by the vertical position of the maxilla, which could then be used to plan the amount of molar intrusion and estimate its clinical stability. Cephalometric calibration on the vertical axis of coordinates by using PCB for vertical linear measurements could strengthen the analysis itself.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the vertical position of maxillary first molar and vertical skeletal measurements in lateral cephalograms by using new linear measurements on the vertical axis of coordinates with calibration. Methods: The vertical position of maxillary first molar (U6-SN), and the conventionally used variables (ConV) and the newly derived linear variables (NwLin) for vertical skeletal patterns were measured in the lateral cephalograms of 103 Korean adults with normal occlusions. Pearson correlation analyses and multiple linear regression analyses were performed with and without calibration using the anterior and posterior cranial base (ACB and PCB, respectively) lengths to identify variables related to U6-SN. Results: The PCB-calibrated statistics showed the best power of explanation. ConV indicating skeletal hyperdivergency was significantly correlated with U6-SN.Six NwLin regarding the position of palatal plane were positively correlated with U6-SN. Each multiple linear regression analysis generated a two-variable model: sella and nasion to palatal plane. Among the three models, the PCBcalibrated model yielded highest adjusted R2 value, 0.880. Conclusions U6-SN could be determined by the vertical position of the maxilla, which could then be used to plan the amount of molar intrusion and estimate its clinical stability. Cephalometric calibration on the vertical axis of coordinates by using PCB for vertical linear measurements could strengthen the analysis itself.

The treatment gap can be defined as the difference between the proportion of people who have the disease and the proportion of those who receive proper treatment. The mental disorder treatment gap should be resolved because mental disorders have a substantial socioeconomic burden. This study examined the current status of the mental disorder treatment gap in Korea to identify the strategies to address it. The causes of the mental disorder treatment gap include a lack of human resources, a lack of financial resources, and low mental health literacy. To reduce the treatment gap, improving the medical fee of the psychiatric intervention, improving the quality of the assessment on the psychiatric residency training program, the provision of basic mental health services delivered by primary care physicians, the inclusion of classes on mental health in the school curricula, and the promotion of public’s mental health literacy through the active use of media should be considered. The present article is significant in that it proposed cost-effective measures by adding them to existing systems. The quantitative evaluation of mental health intervention is essential for these methods to be carried out effectively.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to obtain baseline information about the occupational and environmental medicine(OEM) residency programs in Korea. METHODS: We surveyed 39 residents for the present training condition, satisfaction, vision of OEM, the condition and satisfaction after residency programs by self- administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Residents want to get appropriate clinical and practical training to be a medical director in a factory or specialist of the occupational medicine based at a hospital. They report, however, that current system for OEM residency training program is not appropriate. The curricula, duration of the each curriculum, level of training hospital or institute need to be reconsidered. CONCLUSIONS: We need to develop more systematic residency program with support from government and OEM society.
Curriculum ; Education ; Environmental Medicine* ; Humans ; Internship and Residency* ; Korea* ; Occupational Medicine ; Physician Executives ; Specialization ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of aged individuals in the Korean workforce continues to increase. This research determined the health and working conditions of Korean older wage workers and confirmed the effects of factors on the health-related quality of life of Korean older workers. METHODS: Of the 25,534 persons surveyed in the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1368 older (>55 years of age) wage workers without missing variables were selected. Their general characteristics, health status (cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disease, and mental health), working conditions (type of occupation, employment status, full- or part-time work, weekly average working hours, and shift work), and health-related quality of life assessed by the EQ-5D questionnaire were examined. RESULTS: The mean values of the EQ-5D index of the male and female older workers were 0.956 +/- 0.087 and 0.917 +/- 0.124, respectively (p < 0.001). The factors that caused statistically significant differences in the EQ-5D index for all subjects were age, education, household income, cerebro-cardiovascular event, osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal pain, stress, occupation type, employment status, and working hours. In logistic regression analysis, the factors that associated with perceived problems in each EQ-5D dimensions were age, musculoskeletal pain, stress, diabetes, smoking, occupation type, employment status, and working hours. CONCLUSIONS: To eventually raise the quality of life of older workers through health maintenance and management, it is necessary to manage related factors that include of musculoskeletal pain and diseases, stress, diabetes, smoking, occupation, employment status, and working hours.
Education ; Employment ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Musculoskeletal Pain ; Nutrition Surveys ; Occupations ; Osteoarthritis ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life* ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: Epoxy resin compounds are one of the common causes of occupational allergic contact dermatitis. In Korea, most cases of allergic contact dermatitis from epoxy resin compounds have been caused by the epoxy resin itself. We report a rare case of allergic contact dermatitis which was caused by epichlorohydrin, an ingredient of epoxy resin and 2,4,6-tris-(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol (tris-DMP), a kind of hardeners. CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old man, who had worked at the epoxy resin glue manufacturing factory since 1999, presented with mild and intermittent erythematous papules and rashes on his face, neck, trunk, and both arms. He was dealing with epoxy resin, epichlorohydrin, bisphenol A and hardeners. After a new hardener was added in August 2008, his skin lesions worsened from what he had experienced in the past. A skin patch test was performed to identify the causative chemicals of the skin lesion. Epichlorohydrin and tris-DMP elicited positive reactions after 48 hours and increased after 96 hours. CONCLUSION: This case confirmed occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by epichlorohydrin and tris-DMP, an ingredient of epoxy resin and a hardener, respectively.
Adhesives ; Adult ; Arm ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Epichlorohydrin ; Exanthema ; Humans ; Korea ; Neck ; Patch Tests ; Phenols ; Skin

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to identify the reliable long term prognostic factors in patients with stage II/III breast cancer who were treated with an adjuvant extension of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC). METHODS: Women under the age of 70-years, with previously untreated clinical stage II and III breast cancer, were treated with NC, which was comprised of three cycles of FEC (5-FU, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide every 3 weeks) or MMM (methotrexate, mitoxantrone, and mitomycin-C every 3 weeks) with an adjuvant extension of three cycles of the same regimen. RESULTS: Cumulative 10-years disease-free survival (DFS) was 87.3% for patients with a good response and 55.5% for patients with no response (p=0.032); 92.9% for node negative patients, 75.0% for 1-3 positive nodes, 50.0% for 4-9 positive nodes and no survival for 10 or more positive nodes (p<0.001). Cumulative 10-years overall survival (OS) was 89.1% for patients with good response and 55.5% for patients with no response (p=0.024); 95.2% for node negative patients, 80.0% for 1-3 positive nodes, 50.0% for 4-9 positive nodes and no survival for 10 or more positive nodes (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed in DFS and OS between the FEC and MMM treated groups. CONCLUSION: Based on a review of data with a long follow-up, only the clinical response to NC and the absolute number of metastatic axillary lymph node identified at surgical staging were independent predictors of both DFS and OS in patients with stage II/III breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant extension of NC.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cohort Studies ; Cyclophosphamide ; Disease-Free Survival ; Epirubicin ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Mitomycin ; Mitoxantrone ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

As prediction of rapidly aging society, bone health is considered increasingly important and received more attention than ever. Bone health is regulated by balancing between bone resorptive osteoclasts and bone formative osteoblasts. Disruption of balance between bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts results in bone disease. Natural products have recently received much attention as an alternative tool for the development of novel therapeutic strategy. Baicalein is reported it has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Baicalein also has been known that it has both promotive effect on MC3T3-E1 cell line and inhibitory effect on RAW 264.7 cell line. However, the inhibitory mechanism of baicalein using bone marrow derived macrophages (BMMs) on osteoclast differentiation remains not clear. In this study, the suppressive mechanism by baicalein on osteoblast differentiation was evaluated. Bicalein inhibited receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation in BMMs in a dose dependent manner without any toxicity. Baicalein suppressed phosphorylation of protein kinaseB (Akt), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and phosphoinositide-specific phospholipaseCgamma2 (PLCgamma2). Furthermore, Baicalein suppressed the induction of RANKL-induced c-Fos and Nuclear factor of activated T cell c1 (NFATc1), essential genes on osteoclastogenesis. In BMMs, Bicalein inhibited the mRNA expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), cathepsinK, dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP). Moreover, baicalein promoted differentiation of osteoblast on bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Taken together, these results suggest that baicalein has a potential for treating bone lytic diseases, such as osteoporosis, periodontitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Acid Phosphatase ; Aging ; Antioxidants ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Biological Products ; Bone Diseases ; Bone Marrow* ; Cell Line ; Genes, Essential ; Macrophages* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts* ; Osteoporosis ; Periodontitis ; Phospholipase C gamma ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; RANK Ligand ; RNA, Messenger

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D deficiency is increasing worldwide. However, few studies have attempted to examine the vitamin D status of wage workers and the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and working conditions. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the association between occupational conditions and vitamin D deficiency among Korean wage workers. METHODS: Wage workers aged 20-65 years from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES 2010-2012; n = 5409) were included in our analysis. We measured the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and identified the correlations with the working conditions of these subjects. RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in male and female subjects was 69.5% and 83.1%, respectively. Among the male subjects, a significant correlation between vitamin D deficiency and working conditions was observed among shift workers, office workers, and permanent workers. No significant correlation with any type of working conditions was observed among female subjects. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Korean wage workers was very high and was found to correlate significantly with working conditions, likely because of insufficient exposure to sunlight associated with certain types of work. Wage workers require more frequent outdoor activity and nutrition management to maintain sufficient vitamin D level.
Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Prevalence ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits* ; Sunlight ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) parameters in the detection of regional lymph node (LN) metastasis in patients with cutaneous melanoma.METHODS: We evaluated patients with cutaneous melanoma who underwent FDG PET/CT for initial staging or recurrence evaluation. A total of 103 patients were enrolled, and 165 LNs were evaluated. LNs that were confirmed pathologically or by follow-up imaging were included in this study. PET parameters, including maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), total lesion glycolysis and tumour-to-liver ratio, were used to determine the presence of metastases, and the results were compared with CT-determined LN metastasis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cut-off values of the FDG PET parameters.RESULTS: A total of 93 LNs were malignant, and 84 LNs were smaller than 10 mm. In all 165 LNs, an SUVmax of >2.51 showed a sensitivity of 73.1%, a specificity of 88.9%, and an accuracy of 80.0% in detecting metastatic LNs. CT showed a higher specificity (87.3%) and lower accuracy (65.5%). For non-enlarged regional LNs ( < 10 mm), an SUVmax cut-off value of 1.4 showed the highest negative predictive value (81.3%). For enlarged LNs (≥10 mm), an SUVmax cut-off value of 2.4 showed the highest sensitivity (90.7%) and accuracy (88.9%) in detecting metastatic LNs.CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cutaneous melanoma, an SUVmax of >2.4 showed a high sensitivity (91%) and accuracy (89%) in detecting metastasis in LNs ≥1 cm, and LNs < 1 cm with an SUVmax < 1.4 were likely to be benign.
Electrons ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glycolysis ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Melanoma ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Recurrence ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity