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

PURPOSE: Delayed graft function (DGF) is defined as the need for dialysis during the first week after renal transplantation, regardless of urine output. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and possible etiologic factors of delayed graft function and its impact on outcome in living donor kidney transplantation. METHODS: We selected 93 cases, which could be followed up, of living donor kidney transplantation from January 1, 1993 to June 30, 1995 at Transplantation center in Hanyang University Hospital. We analyzed multiple independent variables for DGF and graft survival such as donor and recipient age, donor and recipient sex, recipient/donor body weight ratio, the duration of dialysis before transplantation, HLA mismatch and cold ischemic time. RESULTS: The incidence of DGF was 18.3% in overall. The overall 5 year graft survival rate was 92.3%, 73.3% in DGF group and 96.8% in immediate function group. We suggested that recipient/donor body weight ratio (> or = 1.2 vs. <1.2) had statistical significance as etiologic factor (P<0.05). The creatinine level of 30th postoperative day was 3.44 mg/dL in DGF group, and 1.59 mg/dL in immediate graft function group (P=0.016). DGF combined with acute rejection (AR) had more heavy negative impact on outcome of transplants than DGF alone. CONCLUSION: The incidence of DGF was higher in recipient/donor body weight ratio > or =1.2 group than in <1.2 group. It may be due to relatively smaller nephron mass. The graft function was poor when DGF combined to AR, we suggested that recipient/donor body weight ratio might be considered in donor selection in living donor kidney transplantation, to lower the incidence of DGF.
Body Weight ; Cold Ischemia ; Creatinine ; Delayed Graft Function* ; Dialysis ; Donor Selection ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Living Donors* ; Nephrons ; Risk Factors* ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: Serum potassium level assessment is one of the commonly requested laboratory tests. Hypokalemia is defined as a serum potassium level of less than 3.5 mEq/L. It can be potentially life-threatening when severe, due to its association with cardiac arrhythmia and sudden deaths. The aim of our study is to determine the prevalence and to define clinical characteristics of severe hypokalemia in internal medicine hospitalized patients. METHODS: From December 1999 to June 2000, the group with at least one recorded plasma potassium concentration of less than 3.0 mEq/L was selected in department of internal medicine, Pusan national university hospital. Routine records of age, sex and prevalence was collected. Severe hypokalemia is defined as a serum potassium concentration less than 2.6 mEq/L. This patients were retrospectively studied for discharge diagnosis, medications prescribed before and during hospital stay, hospital course and laboratory findings. RESULTS: There were 7.52% (235/3124) with at least one recorded potassium level of less than 3.0 mEq/L. Severe hypokalemia were 75 patients (2.4%). It were more likely to be female, but statically insignificant. Of the 75 patients, 59 patients (77.3%) had hypokalemia during hospitalization. Gastrointestinal loss of potassium was only 13.8% of the patients. The main causes were combination of iatrogenic factors, including the adminstration of intravenous fluids with insufficient or no potassium, malnutrition, and several drugs. The discharge diagnosis included infection 20 patients (26.6%), malignancy 19 patients (25.3%), gastointestinal disorders 8 patients (10.6%). And each of cardiovascular, respiratory and renal disorders have 7 patients (9.3%). In-hospital mortality was 34.6% (26/75) in severe hypokalemia. Compared to the alive group, death group showed statically significant decrease in serum albumin concentration (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Severe hypokalemia is fatal electrolyte disorder. The most frequent cause of this lethal condition is drug therapy and intravenous fluids with insufficient or no potassium replacement. It can be prevented by regular potassium monitoring and appropriate potassium supplementation in risky hospitalized patients.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Busan ; Death, Sudden ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypokalemia* ; Internal Medicine* ; Length of Stay ; Malnutrition ; Plasma ; Potassium ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin

PURPOSE: Deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremity is a frequent disorder which may either occur spontaneously or following a high-risk situation such as major surgical procedures or prolonged period of immobilization. Untreated deep vein thrombosis is associated with morbidity and mortality due to pulmonary embolism and the postthrombotic syndrome. Factors in predicting the risk of deep vein thrombosis can be influenced by the variations of the medical and surgical conditions associated with it. Within the last few years, the knowledge of hereditary and acquired risk factor for deep vein thrombosis have increased, but yet not justified. METHOD: We describe why certain individuals develop deep vein thrombosis at varying times despite of similar risk factors, and also assess risk stratification as well as the value of thromboprophylaxis in medical and surgical patients. From January 1990 to December 1998, 73 patients who have developed deep vein thrombosis were admitted to our hospital. The patients' charts were reviewed retrospectively about risk factors according to age, site, associated medical and surgical conditions. RESULT: The older patients who have developed deep vein thrombosis generally had systemic disease, however the younger patient who have developed deep vein thrombosis had trauma, operation, previous deep vein thrombosis. The duplex scan was sufficient and accurate modality for diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION: The patients with risk factor may need to be under close observation and when deep vein thrombosis is diagnosed, prophylactic anticoagulation therapy may be beneficiary for patient's prognosis and pulmonary embolism prevalence. Further clinical research may be needed to help develop accurate methods of risk stratification and to clarify the benefits of thromboprophylaxis in high risk group.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Lower Extremity* ; Mortality ; Postthrombotic Syndrome ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Venous Thrombosis*

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to development of neuropathic pain. A neuropathic pain syndrome was produced in rats following prolonged hindpaw ischemia/reperfusion injury, creating an animal model of complex regional pain syndrome-Type I (CRPS-I). This study was designed to evaluate the validity of this model for ROS and pain research. Herein we show superoxide produces N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) mediated mechanical allodynia. METHODS: Male adult SD rats were used for neuropathic pain model. Plasma superoxide production rates of before ischemia (BI) and 5 min after reperfusion (JR) were measured via cytochrome C reduction in the presence of xanthine (without xanthine oxidase, kinetics, 550 nm). Mechanical allodynia was measured in both hindpaws. Activation of NMDA receptor subunit 1 (P-NR1) of lumbar spinal cord (L4-L6) in accordance with the change of allodynia was analyzed by the Western blot. RESULTS: Allopurinol-inhibitable, xanthine oxidase-mediated plasma superoxide production was increased at AR. Mechanical allodynia was present in both hindpaws as early as 1 hr after reperfusion, and lasted at least 1 week. The expression of P-NR1 was the highest at 3 days after reperfusion when the withdrawal threshold was the lowest point. SOD significantly blocked P-NR1 activation. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that ischemia/reperfusion injury induced neuropathic pain model is a good candidate for the research fields of ROS and pain mechanism. The generation of ROS, especially superoxide is partly responsible for NMDA-mediated mechanical allodynia.
Adult ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Central Nervous System Sensitization ; Cytochromes c ; Hindlimb ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Ischemia ; Kinetics ; Male ; Models, Animal ; N-Methylaspartate ; Neuralgia ; Plasma ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Reperfusion ; Spinal Cord ; Superoxides ; Xanthine ; 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