OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms and investigated the related factors of musculoskeletal symptoms in the caddies. METHODS: For 316 caddies working at 6 regular golf courses, we used the self-recording questionnaires to examine general characteristics, job stress factors, subjective musculoskeletal symptoms designed by NIOSH, working environments, and working contents. RESULTS: The complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms according to the musculoskeletal criteria of NIOSH were 41.8% in the leg/knee/ankle/foot, 35.8% in the shoulder, 35.8% in the upper back/lower back, 28.8% in the neck, and 28.5% in the arm/wrist/fingers. Important factors affecting musculoskeletal symptoms were daily working hours during the high-demand season in all anatomical sites except the arm/wrist/fingers. Other related factors were degrees of winding and inclined in the golf courses, violent language and violence of customers, inability to regulate the velocity and work load control, heavy physical burden, instability of employment, and possibility of unemployment according to the specialty of caddies. As a results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, musculoskeletal symptoms of the neck, shoulders, back/lower back and leg/knee/ankle/foot were significantly influenced by working time over 12 hours in the high-demand season, and symptoms of the arm/wrist/fingers by low decision latitude (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms in the caddies were affected by working time over 12 hours and low decision latitude against excessively high psychological job demand.
Employment ; Golf* ; Logistic Models ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Neck ; Questionnaires ; Seasons ; Shoulder ; Unemployment ; Violence ; Wind

A novel bacteriophage, designated as VPP97, that infects the strains of Vibiro parahaemolyticus (hallophilic, Gram-negative bacterium) isolated most commonly from marine environments, has been discovered, and several of its properties have been determined. The plaques were clear and sized 0.6-1.0 mm in diameter. The virion forms a single band on 70% sucrose gradient and p1.50 CsC1 gradient by sucrose gradient centrifugation and CsCI gradient centrifugation respectively. It has a hexagonal head and a relatively long tail, as shown by electron microscopy. Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio fluvialis and Vibrio furnissii were also sensitive to this phage It was almost totally inactivated at 70 degree C and at pH below 5 or over 10. The nucleic acid of VPP97 is composed of DNA. The VPP97 had 9 specific structural proteins sized between 21.5 kDa and 97.4 kDa on SDS-PAGE. When V. parahaemolyticus cultures were treated with either phage VPP97 or one of the several antibiotics for 2 hours, the viable number of V. parahaemolyticus treated with the phage VPP97 is lower than that treated with chloramphenicol, erythromycin or penicillin, but not lower than that treated with tetracycline. Mice that have responded to the phage treatment revealed the lower numbers of V. parahaemolyticus in small intestine and less damage on small intestine compared to the untreated mice. Therefore, we suggest that the phage treatment appears effective to the infection by V. parahaemolyticus.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteriophages* ; Centrifugation ; Chloramphenicol ; DNA ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Erythromycin ; Head ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intestine, Small ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron ; Penicillins ; Sucrose ; Tail ; Tetracycline ; Vibrio alginolyticus ; Vibrio parahaemolyticus* ; Vibrio* ; Virion

The purpose of this study was to investigate the college and university student's perception on the brand awareness of contract foodservice management company in Incheon area. The developed questionnaires were distributed to the college and university students in Incheon area from September 20 to September 24 in 2004. Total 198 questionnaires were used for the final data analysis with response rate of 82.5%. The results showed that 85 % of the students has known that the foodservice operation was managed by contracted management company, only 56.5% of them have known the exact name of contract foodservice management company managing their cafeteria. It was recommended therefore that contract foodservice management company need more efforts for widening public activities for their company's name.
Humans ; Incheon* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Statistics as Topic

Purpose: Preterm infants are known to be at a risk of neurodevelopmental delay; however, limited data are available on the outcomes of moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT) infants (born at 32 to 36 weeks’ gestation). The Korean Developmental Screening Test (K-DST) for infants and children is a recently designed screening test for Korean infants and children. The current study aimed to evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcomes of MLPT infants and investigate the risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental delay. Methods: A total of 119 MLPT infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary hospital in Korea were enrolled. The infants were assessed during two follow-up periods (first: 16 to 24 months of corrected age; second: 24 to 41 months of corrected age). The perinatal factors in the NICU that were associated with delayed development were analyzed. Results: In all sections of the K-DST, the proportion of infants with developmental delay was higher in the second period (5.6% to 9.3%) than in the first period (0.9% to 5.4%). A total of 10% to 17% of the infants presented with persistent delay throughout the two periods based on five sections of the K-DST. Male sex, oxygen therapy duration, and younger maternal age were the risk factors affecting at least one section during the second period. Conclusion MLPT infants showed greater developmental delay than the general infant population. Considering that early intervention is important for good longterm outcomes, close observation of male MLPT infants and MLPT infants who received oxygen therapy is warranted.

The purposes of this study were 1) to analyze the relationship between brand equity factors ie brand awareness, brand image, brand preference and brand loyalty and 2) to suggest the strategy for brand management of contract food service management company. The developed questionnaires were distributed to the college and university students in Incheon area from September 20 to September 24 in 2004. Total 198 questionnaires were used for the final data analysis with response rate of 82.5%. For the statistical analysis, the descriptive analysis, factor analysis, pearson correlation analysis, and regression analysis were conducted by using SPSS Win (10.0). The results of this study showed that the following 5 hypotheses were supported. Hypothesis 1: The brand awareness of the contract foodservice company affects positively the brand image of that. Hypothesis 2: The brand image of the contract foodservice company affects positively the brand preference of that. Hypothesis 3: The brand awareness of the contract foodservice company affects positively the brand preference of that. Hypothesis 4: The brand preference of the contract foodservice company affects positively the brand royalty of that. Hypothesis 5: The brand image of the contract foodservice company affects positively the brand loyalty of that. As a conclusion, the brand awareness has a positive effect on the brand image and brand preference significantly, so it is recommended that the contract foodservice company should focus on improving the brand awareness as a brand strategy. And the brand preference and brand image have the significant effect on the brand loyalty. Therefore the company should strive to strengthen the brand loyalty though building brand preference and brand image, because the brand loyalty brings about the customer's more visiting the foodservices, which is directly related to the profitabilities of the contract foodservice management company.
Food Services ; Humans ; Incheon* ; Statistics as Topic ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Background/Aims: Recent reports suggest that the biliary self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) is highly effective for maintaining hemostasis when endoscopic hemostasis fails in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related bleeding. We compared whether temporary SEMS offers better efficacy than angioembolization for refractory immediate ERCP-related bleeding. Methods: Patients who underwent SEMS placement or underwent angioembolization for bleeding control in refractory immediate ERCP-related bleeding were included in the retrospective analysis. We evaluated the hemostasis success rate, severity of bleeding, change in hemoglobin levels, amount of transfusion, and delay to the start of hemostasis. Results: A total of 27 patients with SEMS and 13 patients who underwent angioembolization were enrolled. More transfusions were needed in the angioembolization group (1.0±1.4 units vs. 2.5±2.0 units; p=0.034). SEMS failure was successfully rescued by angioembolization. The partially covered SEMS (n=23, 85.1%) was generally used, and the median stent-indwelling time was 4 days. The mean delay to the start of angioembolization was 95.2±142.9 (range, 9–491) min. Conclusions Temporary SEMS had similar results to those of angioembolization (96.3% vs. 92.3%; p=0.588). Immediate SEMS insertion is considered a bridge treatment modality for immediate refractory ERCP-related bleeding. Angioembolization still has a role as rescue therapy when SEMS does not work effectively.

Purpose: Preterm infants are known to be at a risk of neurodevelopmental delay; however, limited data are available on the outcomes of moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT) infants (born at 32 to 36 weeks’ gestation). The Korean Developmental Screening Test (K-DST) for infants and children is a recently designed screening test for Korean infants and children. The current study aimed to evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcomes of MLPT infants and investigate the risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental delay. Methods: A total of 119 MLPT infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary hospital in Korea were enrolled. The infants were assessed during two follow-up periods (first: 16 to 24 months of corrected age; second: 24 to 41 months of corrected age). The perinatal factors in the NICU that were associated with delayed development were analyzed. Results: In all sections of the K-DST, the proportion of infants with developmental delay was higher in the second period (5.6% to 9.3%) than in the first period (0.9% to 5.4%). A total of 10% to 17% of the infants presented with persistent delay throughout the two periods based on five sections of the K-DST. Male sex, oxygen therapy duration, and younger maternal age were the risk factors affecting at least one section during the second period. Conclusion MLPT infants showed greater developmental delay than the general infant population. Considering that early intervention is important for good longterm outcomes, close observation of male MLPT infants and MLPT infants who received oxygen therapy is warranted.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a common method for providing long-term enteral nutrition to patients. PEG tube placement and removal are relatively safe; generally, a PEG tube can be removed using gentle traction, and excessive bleeding is rare. The over-the-scope clip system is a new device that can be used for gastrointestinal hemostasis and for closing gastrointestinal fistulae. In the present case, a 68-year-old male patient had to remove the PEG tube because of persistent leakage around the PEG tube. Although it was gently removed using traction, incessant bleeding continued, with a Rockall score of 5 points, even after hemocoagulation was attempted. An over-the-scope clip device was used to achieve hemostasis and fistula closure.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a system for the measurement and simulation of the TMJ movement and to analyze the mandibular movement quantitatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We devised patient-specific splints and a registration body for the TMJ movement tracking. The mandibular movements of the 12 subjects with facial deformity and 3 controls were obtained by using an optical tracking system and the patient-specific splints. The mandibular part was manually segmented from the CT volume data of a patient. Three-dimensional surface models of the maxilla and the mandible were constructed using the segmented data. The continuous movement of the mandible with respect to the maxilla could be simulated by applying the recorded positions sequentially. Trajectories of the selected reference points were calculated during simulation and analyzed. RESULTS: The selected points were the most superior point of bilateral condyle, lower incisor point, and pogonion. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between control group and pre-surgical group in the maximum displacement of left superior condyle, lower incisor, and pogonion in vertical direction. Differences in the maximum lengths of the right and the left condyle were 0.59+/-0.30 mm in pre-surgical group and 2.69+/-2.63 mm in control group, which showed a significant difference (P<0.005). The maximum of differences between lengths of the right and the left calculated during one cycle also showed a significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Significant differences in mandibular movements between the groups implies that facial deformity have an effect on the movement asymmetry of the mandible.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Humans ; Incisor ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Splints ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Track and Field

PURPOSE: This study was performed to examine the effects of image filter on observer performance by counting the number of holes at each wedge step on a radiographic image. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An aluminum step wedge with 11 steps ranged in thickness from 1.5 mm to 16.5 mm in 1.5 mm increments was fabricated for this study. Each step had 10 notched holes with 1.0 mm diameter on the bottom of the step wedge which were ranged in depths from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm in 0.1 mm increments. Digital radiographic raw images of the aluminum step wedge were acquired by using CCD intraoral sensor. The images were processed using several types of noise reduction filters and kernel sizes. Three observers counted the number of holes which could be discriminated on each step. The data were analyzed by ANOVA. RESULTS: The number of holes at each step was decreased as the thickness of step was increased. The number of holes at each step on the raw images was significantly higher than that on the processed images. The number of holes was different according to the types and kernel sizes of the image filters. CONCLUSION: The types and kernel sizes of image filters on observer performance were important, therefore, they should be standardized for commercial digital imaging systems.
Aluminum ; Noise ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Radiography, Dental ; Task Performance and Analysis