This study was carried out to evaluate the relations among workers' general characteristics, work-related behaviors and health related behaviors in a steel industry with 1,134 workers in Pohang. The results were as follows; 1. The mean age of workers was 50 years old and working duration was 15 years and over. Most of them were married(94 5%) and had studied beyond high school (53.0%). They performed three shift work and most of them(63.0%) had experienced industrial accidents. The frequency of noise and dust exposure was defined by a minimum of 6 hours per day, and workers complained about noise exposure(62.9%) and dust(55.6%). There were current smokers(67.7%), current drinkers(74.3%) and current exercising workers(32.3%) in the industry. The number of cigarette consumption in current drinkers was significantly high (13.6 +/- 8.4 pieces/day) and the alcohol consumption in current smokers was significantly high(l04.5 +/- 113.5 g/wk). And the number of cigarette consumption of exercisers was significantly low and the alcohol consumption of exercisers was higher than non-exercisers. 3. The ratio of current smokers on frequent noise in exposed workers versus non-exposed workers was not significantly high but the current drinkers in frequent noise and dust exposed workers was significantly higher than non--exposed. 4. The normal levels of SGOT workers in non-smokers were significantly higher than in current smokers, and the abnormal levels of LFT(SGOT, SGPT, gamma-GTP workers in nondrinkers were significantly high. The normal levels of SBP and DBP workers in current smokers were not significantly high but were significantly high in non-drinkers. 5. The ratio of current smokers in workers unsatisfied with their job and working condition was higher than non-smokers, but the ratio of current drinkers in workers satisfied with their job and working condition were higher. 6. The significant factors for SGOT and gamma-GTP were age, the drinking amount and BMI. But the only significant factor for r-GTP was BMI. The significant factors for DBP were age, the alcohol consumption and BMI And the significant factors for SBP were age, BMI.
Accidents, Occupational ; Alanine Transaminase ; Alcohol Drinking ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Drinking ; Dust ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Health Behavior* ; Humans ; Male* ; Middle Aged ; Noise ; Smoking ; Steel* ; Tobacco Products

Fibrous dysplasia is a bone condition characterized by the replacement of normal bone tissue and the medullary cavity by abnormal fibrous tissues. Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia causes facial asymmetry compromising the aesthetics as well as vision and hearing. A 21-year-old male visited the clinic due to vertical orbital dystopia and exophthalmos that had developed over the previous 2 months. The patient was diagnosed with a fibrous dysplasia of the frontal, ethmoid bones and superior orbital wall. By a bicoronal incision on the scalp, the radical resection of the lesions was done. After harvesting the remaining frontal bone, we did the autogenous reconstruction using split calvarial bone graft. Postoperatively, the vertical orbital dystopia and exophthalmos significantly improved. The patient is satisfied with the surgical outcomes and has not reported any recurrence.

Fibrous dysplasia is a bone condition characterized by the replacement of normal bone tissue and the medullary cavity by abnormal fibrous tissues. Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia causes facial asymmetry compromising the aesthetics as well as vision and hearing. A 21-year-old male visited the clinic due to vertical orbital dystopia and exophthalmos that had developed over the previous 2 months. The patient was diagnosed with a fibrous dysplasia of the frontal, ethmoid bones and superior orbital wall. By a bicoronal incision on the scalp, the radical resection of the lesions was done. After harvesting the remaining frontal bone, we did the autogenous reconstruction using split calvarial bone graft. Postoperatively, the vertical orbital dystopia and exophthalmos significantly improved. The patient is satisfied with the surgical outcomes and has not reported any recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in persistent pain, including neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Since the data suggest that ROS are involved in central sensitization, the present study examines the levels of activated N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the dorsal horn after an exogenous supply of three antioxidants in rats with chronic post-ischemia pain (CPIP). This serves as an animal model of complex regional pain syndrome type-I induced by hindpaw ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS: The application of tight-fitting O-rings for a period of three hours produced CPIP in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Allopurinol 4 mg/kg, allopurinol 40 mg/kg, superoxide dismutase (SOD) 4,000 U/kg, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 10 mg/kg and SOD 4,000 U/kg plus L-NAME 10 mg/kg were administered intraperitoneally just after O-ring application and on the first and second days after reperfusion. Mechanical allodynia was measured, and activation of the NMDA receptor subunit 1 (pNR1) of the lumbar spinal cord (L4-L6) was analyzed by the Western blot three days after reperfusion. RESULTS: Allopurinol reduced mechanical allodynia and attenuated the enhancement of spinal pNR1 expression in CPIP rats. SOD and L-NAME also blocked spinal pNR1 in accordance with the reduced mechanical allodynia in rats with CPIP. CONCLUSION: The present data suggest the contribution of superoxide, produced via xanthine oxidase, and the participation of superoxide and nitric oxide as a precursor of peroxynitrite in NMDA mediated central sensitization. Finally, the findings support a therapeutic potential for the manipulation of superoxide and nitric oxide in ischemia/reperfusion related pain conditions.
Allopurinol ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Blotting, Western ; Central Nervous System Sensitization ; Horns ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Inositol Phosphates ; Male ; Models, Animal ; N-Methylaspartate ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide ; Peroxynitrous Acid ; Prostaglandins E ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Reperfusion ; Reperfusion Injury ; Spinal Cord ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Superoxides ; Xanthine Oxidase

OBJECTIVES: Gallium 67(Ga-67) scintigraphy has been used to diagnose inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. We undertook a study to determine the clinical value of Ga- 67 renal scan in patients with various glomerular diseases. METHODS: Ga-67 scintigraphy was performed in 48 patients with various biopsy proven forms of renal diseases. Renal uptake in 48 patients images was graded as follow: Grade 0 = not visualization at 48 hours: 1 = faintly visualize: 2 = equal to uptake in spine: 3 = greater than over the spine: 4 = greater than activity over the liver. RESULTS: 1) Of the 48 patients, 31 were male, and mean age was 32 years. 11 patients had hypertension and 29 patients had hematuria. 2) Positive scintigram were seen in 40 of 48(83%) cases. In results of renal biopsy, IgA nephropathy(IgAN) was 15 patients, minimal change disease(MCD) was 14, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was 8, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) was 3, lupus nephritis(LN) was 3, poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis(PSGN) was 3 and membranous glomerulonephritis(MGN) was 2. 3) In 26 patients (54%) with nephrotic-range proteinuria, Grade 2 or higher renal uptake was observed in 9 (75%) of MCD, 5(100%) of FSGS, 2(100%) of LN and 3(75%) of IgAN. 4) In comparision nephrotics with non-nephrotics at biopsy, renal Ga-67 uptake in who patients had nephrotic-range proteinuria was correlated with clinical severity determined by serum albumin, serum total cholesterol and 24 hours urine protein excretion. CONCLUSIONS: Renal Ga-67 scintigraphy may be able to be a predictor in the assessment for severity of nephrotic syndrome.
Biopsy ; Cholesterol ; Gallium ; Glomerulonephritis ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Immunoglobulin A ; Liver ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Proteinuria ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Serum Albumin ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Case report OBJECTIVES: We report a case of relatively rare multiple bilateral perineural cysts. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Tarlov cysts, also known as perineural cysts are most often found in the sacral region, but there are a few cases reported in the thoracic region. In particular, there are very few cases of multiple bilateral thoracic perineural cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A woman aged 65 years with perineural cysts in the bilateral T10-T11 and T11-12 neural foramens, underwent a T10-11-12 decompressive laminectomy and resection of the cyst. RESULTS: Satisfactory results were obtained for the patient after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: For more detailed and definitive treatment of thoracic perineural cysts, additional cases are required.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Sacrococcygeal Region ; Tarlov Cysts

Uterus didelphys with unilateral obstructed hemivagina is indeed a very rare congenital anomaly due to M llerian duct malformation. The most common clinical presentation is pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea shortly after menarche, in associated with the finding of a vaginal or pelvic mass. An accurate and prompt diagnosis is of importance to permit treatment and to assure the future fertility of the patient. The simple and adequate treatment of the condition is incision of the obstructed vaginal septum providing adequate drainage of the retained blood. We report a case of uterus didelphys with obstructed hemivagina with brief review of the literature.
Diagnosis ; Drainage ; Dysmenorrhea ; Female ; Fertility ; Humans ; Menarche ; Pelvic Pain ; Uterus*

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine can be useful in dermatology in which there is a physical barrier between the dermatologist and patient or primary care giver. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose of this study is to examine a usefulness of teledermatology system in Korean situation. METHODS: We made store-and forward teledermatology system on world wide web for it's usefulness. We examined the difference of diagnostic accuracy, level of certainty, and quality of images of photographs and still digital images. RESULTS: The merits of our teledermatology system are summarized as follows1. It has more diagnostic accuracy than classic store-and forward system. 2. The real-time additional history taking and request of laboratory examinations are possible by chatting system between dermatologist and primary care giver. 3. Patient follow-up is easier than store-and forward system. The difference of diagnostic accuracy, level of certainty, and quality of images of photographs and still digital images are summarized as follows. 1. There is no difference of diagnostic accuracy between photographic readers and digital image readers. 2. There is no difference of level of certainty between photographic readers and digital image readers. 3. In assesment of quality of photographs, no difference was founded between photographic readers and digital image readers 4. The satisfaction of quality of photographs is very high in all groups. The average is 97.5%. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that our teledermatology system is useful in korean situation and still digital image can substitute historic photographs in teledermatology.
Dermatology* ; Equidae ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internet ; Primary Health Care ; Telemedicine*

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is the most common neurocutaneous disorders and affects between 1/2,000 and 1/4,500 people. This occurs at any age and is hereditary disease with autosomal dominant fashion. Renovascular hypertension is major form of renal manifestation of the disease. There are few reported cases in Japan and Hungary of Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis with several glomerular lesions but their relationship is not apparent. A 21-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of general edema. On admission, the blood pressure was 130/ 80 mmHg and general edema was noted. He had a plexiform neuroma on right flank and multiple cafe- au-lait spots on chest and extremites. Laboratory findings were as follows : Hemoglobin 14.2 g/dL, AST 28 IU/L, ALT 12 IU/L, albumin 1.2 gm/dL, total cholesterol 533 mg/dL, urinary protein 4.0 gm/ day, C3 86.6 mg/dL, C4 19.9 mg/dL, HBs Ag/Ab (+/-), HBe Ag/Ab (+/-), HCV Ab (-), HBV DNA probe 6,000 pg/mL. Renal biopsy was performed and the histological findings were compatible with minimal change disease. The immunohistochemical method revealed that HBsAg was negative. We experienced a case of minimal change disease concurrent with Neurofibromatosis type 1, but their relationship is not clear. We report this case with a brief review.
Biopsy ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; DNA ; Edema ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Humans ; Hungary ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; Japan ; Nephrosis, Lipoid* ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; Neurofibroma, Plexiform ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Neurofibromatosis 1* ; Thorax ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the maximum screw-in forces generated during the movement of various Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) file systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty simulated canals in resin blocks were randomly divided into 4 groups for the following instruments: Mtwo size 25/0.07 (MTW, VDW GmbH), Reciproc R25 (RPR, VDW GmbH), ProTaper Universal F2 (PTU, Dentsply Maillefer), and ProTaper Next X2 (PTN, Dentsply Maillefer, n = 10). All the artificial canals were prepared to obtain a standardized lumen by using ProTaper Universal F1. Screw-in forces were measured using a custom-made experimental device (AEndoS-k, DMJ system) during instrumentation with each NiTi file system using the designated movement. The rotation speed was set at 350 rpm with an automatic 4 mm pecking motion at a speed of 1 mm/sec. The pecking depth was increased by 1 mm for each pecking motion until the file reach the working length. Forces were recorded during file movement, and the maximum force was extracted from the data. Maximum screw-in forces were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc comparison at a significance level of 95%. RESULTS: Reciproc and ProTaper Universal files generated the highest maximum screw-in forces among all the instruments while M-two and ProTaper Next showed the lowest (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Geometrical differences rather than shaping motion and alloys may affect the screw-in force during canal instrumentation. To reduce screw-in forces, the use of NiTi files with smaller cross-sectional area for higher flexibility is recommended.
Alloys ; Pliability